Official Career Storm-Chapter 1324

Song Guanchao finally received a text from Qu Xiangru.

Just as he expected, the candidate for the new Governor is Lu Zhizhong!

Even though he had guessed this possibility, he still found it unbelievable when it was confirmed.

He couldn't help but analyze the purpose of Secretary Gao choosing Lu Zhizhong.

While lost in thought, his phone suddenly vibrated again; Wu Qiangwei sent a message.

"Come over for dinner."

Song Guanchao guessed that she wanted to discuss the matters from this morning's standing committee meeting.

"Coming right away."

Half an hour later, he arrived at a restaurant near the City Committee and saw Wu Qiangwei in a private room.

The dishes were already on the table, but she hadn't started eating.

Upon seeing him, Wu Qiangwei picked up the teapot and poured him some tea.

As soon as Song Guanchao sat down, Wu Qiangwei said, "The Provincial Committee held a standing committee meeting this morning, and I attended as an observer."

Even though he already knew, he had to pretend in front of her.

"The candidate for the new Governor has been chosen?"

"Yes." Wu Qiangwei smiled mysteriously and said, "Do you know who it is?"

Song Guanchao pretended to think and said, "First of all, you can rule out Director Zhang. The candidate should be among Secretary Tian, Governor Qu, and Jiangzhou City Party Secretary."

If things develop normally, these three have the best chances.

Wu Qiangwei smiled slyly, "It's none of them."

Song Guanchao was surprised and said, "No way? Then who could it be?"

"Guess."

"..." Song Guanchao thought to himself, if I really guess it right, you'd probably be unhappy.

Wu Qiangwei teased him a bit before directly giving the answer: "Lu Zhizhong."

"Who?" Song Guanchao's reaction was just right.

As expected, Wu Qiangwei didn't realize he was acting, and repeated, "Lu Zhizhong."

As if afraid he'd think it was someone with the same name, she added, "Didn't he just invite you for dinner yesterday?"

Song Guanchao was stunned for several seconds before suddenly realizing, "No wonder he said, I could choose any position in the Provincial Government..."

"But how could it be him?"

Wu Qiangwei shook her head, her brow furrowing a bit.

After the standing committee meeting ended, she had been pondering this question too.

Not just her, all participants in the meeting had the same curiosity.

"Could it be because of Zhu Huan?" Song Guanchao suddenly said.

"Zhu Huan?" Wu Qiangwei was a bit puzzled, "Who's that?"

Song Guanchao explained, "The former Deputy Mayor of Yunyang City, a former colleague of Lu Zhizhong. During Zhu Huan's tenure, he got entangled in a case and was eventually framed and subjected to disciplinary measures. Behind this case was Zhang Jie, and Mayor Zhu was forced to his death by her."

"Lu Zhizhong is determined to climb up just to avenge Zhu Huan."

"I'm wondering if Secretary Gao chose him as Governor for this reason."

This was the first time Wu Qiangwei heard this.

"If that's the case, it's very likely."

Wu Qiangwei said, "This time, Secretary Gao obtaining the appointment power from the Central Organization Department shows that he disagrees with Secretary Tian's political views. Hence, the Governor was transferred from elsewhere."

Song Guanchao agreed, "It's not just Secretary Tian, Director Zhang is probably also on the opposite side of Secretary Gao."

These two can be confirmed.

But besides them, there are certainly others, and he can't know who they are with his rank.

Suddenly Song Guanchao thought of Zhou Zheng, "Who's side is Secretary Zhou on?"

Wu Qiangwei glanced at him, "He was promoted by Secretary Gao."

"Before that?"

Song Guanchao didn't have a good impression of Zhou Zheng; during their brief encounter last time, he saw autocratic tendencies in this Provincial City leader.

"I'm not sure." Wu Qiangwei shook her head, possibly knowing what Song Guanchao was thinking, she said, "Since Secretary Gao can promote him, it indicates he should be fine."

"As for last time... don't take it too seriously, Secretary Zhou's personality is just like that."

Song Guanchao said, "Secretary Gao promoted him to make room for you, right? If that's the case, then it can't count as a promotion by Secretary Gao. It's just a transaction, promoting him to make room for you to come up."

Wu Qiangwei didn't deny it, nor did she agree.

After a few seconds of silence, she said, "So far, my interactions with him have been pleasant enough."

"There's always a need to be wary."

"I know."

She didn't find Song Guanchao's suspicion unreasonable; he was considering things for her with such thoughts.

Wu Qiangwei asked, "Have you thought about Secretary Lu's proposal?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, "No."

Wu Qiangwei smiled, "Really not going?"

"He's the Governor now; as long as you nod, you can choose any position in the Provincial Government. And I think he'd probably want you to be his secretary."

"Your capabilities are well-regarded, and his invitation surely intends for you to help him."

"Being the Governor's secretary versus being my secretary, the future prospects are entirely different."

Song Guanchao still shook his head, "I'm not going."

Wu Qiangwei asked, "Are you worried he'll dig up old issues and deliberately retaliate against you? Lu Zhizhong shouldn't be that kind of person."

Song Guanchao said, "We don't get along. There are things he finds acceptable, but I can't tolerate."

This time, Wu Qiangwei didn't persuade him any further.

Because Song Guanchao's words reminded her of past events.

She recalled the time they received news of a bomb planted at the town government building.

She ordered all police officers not to enter, but Lu Zhizhong insisted the riot police go in to defuse the bomb.

At that time, she had a heated argument with Lu Zhizhong and Zheng Bihui.

Thinking about it, she also felt that Song Guanchao going to the Provincial Government really wasn't a good idea.

With his personality, if faced with such incidents again, the conflicts would only escalate.

At that moment, Song Guanchao's phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, Song Guanchao raised his eyebrows.

Lu Feng was calling.

It seemed the matters he entrusted to him had been settled.

"Hello, Madman."

"Got it?"

"Good, tonight then, I'll come over to see you guys."

Seeing Song Guanchao's sinister smile, Wu Qiangwei was curious about who called.

She wanted to ask but felt it was inappropriate.

Without letting her ponder too long, Song Guanchao volunteered, "Yao Guangsong is finished."

Wu Qiangwei immediately reacted, "You're making a move against him?"

"Yes," Song Guanchao said, "just within these few days."

"Approaching it from the angle of romantic relationships?"

She still didn't understand; merely through romantic relationships, can Yao Guangsong really be faced with dual dismissals?

Yet he was so confident.

"What exactly are you planning to do?"

"Just wait and see the show," Song Guanchao smiled, remaining silent.

Wu Qiangwei pursed her lips, but didn't probe further.

After all, it was a matter of a few days.

…

"How could it be him?"

In the office, Zhang Jie frowned tightly.

After the new Governor's candidate was announced, those most affected were Secretary Tian and herself.

Secretary Tian was angry; Zhang Jie was anxious.

Her relationship with Lu Zhizhong was not harmonious.

After the bribery and corruption case was exposed in Yunyang City years ago, to divert attention, she framed Zhu Huan and pinned all the blame on him, leading to his humiliation and suicide.

She knew that Lu Zhizhong was very close with Zhu Huan and that he always remembered this.

So over the years, she had covertly tried to find opportunities to get rid of Lu Zhizhong.

But Lu Zhizhong was exceedingly cautious, always denying her the chance.

Others assumed that Lu Zhizhong hadn't achieved anything in Lingjiang due to incompetence.

In reality, it was because Zhang Jie suppressed him overtly and covertly, giving no chance to showcase his abilities.

Initially, following normal development, after Lu Zhizhong was transferred to Tongzhou City, she gradually forgot about him.

But how could she have expected, Lu Zhizhong unexpectedly leapfrogged to become Governor, commanding even her respect.

Zhang Jie was unclear whether he still harbored grudges about past events.

She now greatly regretted, if she had known it would come to this, she would have done whatever it took to remove him!

But now, what's said is too late.

She can't hope he'll dismiss these grievances, only strategize to sideline him before he stabilizes as Governor.

Or, retreat at the opportune moment.