Official Career Storm-Chapter 1352

Song Guanchao held his phone, feeling puzzled.

Lu Zhizhong's phone call was a bit strange.

He instinctively felt something was off, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what.

It wasn't until half an hour later, when Wu Qiangwei called, that his doubts were cleared.

On the phone, Wu Qiangwei detailed the events at the city bureau that afternoon.

She concluded by saying, "Tomorrow we're having a City Committee meeting, where your appointment will be approved."

"You'll need to take office by next Monday at the latest. Make sure to handle the affairs over in Lingjiang promptly."

Song Guanchao replied, "I got it."

Wu Qiangwei added, "It's quite a coincidence with Governor Lu this time. He might not be aware of Zhou Zheng deliberately making things difficult for you, but you should still remember this favor."

Just as she finished speaking, Song Guanchao suddenly laughed.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Do you think Lu Zhizhong didn't know Zhou Zheng was giving me a hard time? Do you think today's call was just coincidence?"

"Wasn't it?"

"Certainly not."

Song Guanchao said, "He's a governor; does he need to be curious about such trivial matters? Just to understand the process, he specifically called me."

"Do you think that's normal?"

"Moreover, even if it was just to ask about what happened, he did so in front of Zhou Zheng, directly asking me if I wanted to come to the Provincial City."

"By asking like that, it shows he knew there was a conflict between Zhou Zheng and me."

Even though Song Guanchao found it strange how he knew.

But from what he knew about Lu Zhizhong, today's call was completely different from his usual style.

Wu Qiangwei hadn't noticed these details; with Song Guanchao's reminder, she pondered and realized Lu Zhizhong's call was indeed peculiar.

"Why is he helping you?" Wu Qiangwei was curious.

If Lu Zhizhong valued Song Guanchao's abilities and wanted to transfer him to the Provincial Government, she could understand that.

But Song Guanchao had made it clear he was not interested; why was he helping out anyway?

Even if Song Guanchao was extraordinarily capable and had potential, a governor wouldn't go this far to curry favor, right?

Indeed, it was about currying favor.

From his perspective, Lu Zhizhong's actions were about currying favor.

Song Guanchao chuckled, "Why else?"

"I am one of your people; helping me is equivalent to helping you."

"He just became governor, and his position isn't stable yet. Doing this is equivalent to telling some people that he is aligned with you."

Others might not see through Lu Zhizhong's intentions, but he couldn't deceive Song Guanchao.

Because Song Guanchao was too familiar with his situation and circumstances.

Don't be fooled by the fact he's about to become governor; for someone risen without a background, it's not easy to make a solid foothold initially.

Moreover, he already had several clear enemies even before taking office.

Under such circumstances, he wouldn't miss any opportunity to strengthen his position.

Even though he and Wu Qiangwei weren't allies, from an outsider's perspective, him standing up for Song Guanchao seemed like something only one's own people would do.

Wu Qiangwei suddenly realized, and Song Guanchao's words unlocked the doubts within her.

"Besides, the fact that he went to inspect the City Committee and Municipal Government before taking office itself conveys some messages."

Song Guanchao said, "It's a great opportunity for you."

"What opportunity?" Wu Qiangwei felt she was struggling to keep up with his thoughts.

Song Guanchao said, "It's a chance to eliminate Zhou Zheng and take full control of Jiangzhou City!"

Wu Qiangwei's heart trembled sharply, "What?"

Song Guanchao said, "Just like Lu Zhizhong, Zhou Zheng also lacks backing. Such isolated City Secretaries are the easiest to target."

"You..."

"You should have seen from this incident that Zhou Zheng isn't a qualified leader."

"As Mayor, if you want to appoint a director, and he dares suppress it, it shows he doesn't regard you at all; it shows he inherently wants to monopolize power."

"If you still think you can coexist peacefully with him, each managing respective areas, you are too naive."

Wu Qiangwei remained silent.

Song Guanchao's words were like a sharp sword, exposing the reality that Wu Qiangwei knew but was unwilling to face, forcing her to acknowledge it.

"I'll wrap things up within these days, and head over by the weekend."

Song Guanchao made a point, first giving her a psychological preparation, with specific matters to be discussed once he assumed office in the Provincial City.

Time swiftly moved to evening.

While dining with Wu Yun, Song Guanchao received a call from Qu Xiangru.

He knew, naturally, Qu Xiangru was calling to discuss this good news with him.

He initially planned to pretend not to know.

But, as soon as the call connected, he heard Qu Xiangru say, "Mayor Wu talked to you, right?"

"..." Song Guanchao had to admit that Qu Xiangru's most attractive quality was her cool demeanor that almost nothing could be concealed from.

Yet sometimes, this overly intelligent subtleness made Song Guanchao feel a helpless lack of privacy.

The scenario of a typical couple where the girl would coquettishly charm felt like a scene he'd never witness with Qu Xiangru.

"What are you talking about?" Song Guanchao flatly denied.

"Haha."

Qu Xiangru unceremoniously exposed his pretense and asked, "What's your view on Lu Zhizhong's side?"

Song Guanchao felt a bit exhausted, so he stopped pretending and said seriously, "I recommend forming a united front with Lu Zhizhong."

Although he was unfamiliar with the provincial executive's situation, he could still analyze a rough idea.

For instance, the fact that Secretary Gao specifically chose Lu Zhizhong indicated that Secretary Gao himself was backing Lu Zhizhong.

With the Provincial Secretary and the Governor both ensured to be on the same front, whatever individual thoughts the rest of the executive may hold, outwardly, they would primarily align with these two.

Furthermore, Secretary Gao's actions were so overt this time; just about anyone could tell who Secretary Gao was targeting.

Thus, the provincial situation was quite apparent.

In the coming years, Secretary Gao's foremost goal is to stabilize the existing political layout.

Under the stability premise, weaken several leaders headed by Deputy Secretary Tian Kai Ming, while strengthening Governor Lu Zhizhong's position.

Of course, this is not easy to achieve.

Tian Kai Ming won't just stand there passively; he will certainly take corresponding countermeasures.

This factional struggle is perilous; once it erupts genuinely, anything could happen.

Qu Xiangru acknowledged, "When are you coming over?"

"Weekend," Song Guanchao said, "I need to deal with district affairs over the next few days."

"Have you arranged a place to stay in the Provincial City?"

"Not yet," Song Guanchao asked, "Should I stay at your place initially?"

"Haha."

Qu Xiangru promptly ended the call.

The time quickly moved to the next day.

At ten in the morning, Jiangzhou City Committee Building, main conference room.

With all standing committee members gathered, the City Committee meeting officially began.

As one issue after another was determined, it quickly reached the personnel appointment phase.

"Next item, the personnel suggestion for the City Government Office Director."

Zhou Zheng paused slightly, scanned everyone, bypassed questioning, and directly stated, "Mayor Wu's recommended candidate is District Chief Song Guanchao from Lingjiang's Tongchi District. I believe District Chief Song is qualified both in ability and experience; what do you all think?"

With these words, a multitude of puzzled and confused eyes focused on him.