In a certain sense, the political arena is a stage for political machinations.

To ascend rapidly on this path.

Emotional intelligence is very important.

But compared to emotional intelligence, there's another indispensable trait.

And that is acting skills.

Obviously, Song Jiangshan is a master in this regard.

From their initial encounter on the plane, Song Jiangshan observed Chen Fang, trying to identify his weaknesses through close observation.

There's no denying that Song Jiangshan's tactic has been successful.

However, what he didn't anticipate was that amid the fog, Chen Fang had already grasped the overall picture. Even without any incriminating evidence, he could ascertain that the new Mayor before him was a crucial pawn placed by the Hou Family in Xiaxiang City.

It's no fun to act alone.

There should always be a foil, right?

Chen Fang smiled slightly and said, "What does Mayor Song mean by this? Feel free to say it."

After obtaining Chen Fang's consent.

Song Jiangshan called toward the door, "Come in."

At his command.

A young man, around his twenties, appeared at the door.

The man also wore an administrative jacket, sported a short haircut, and looked energetic, exuding an aura of vitality.

"Hello, Mayor Chen."

As soon as the young man came in, he greeted politely.

Chen Fang gave him a friendly smile.

Then he asked, "Mayor Song, this is…"

"This is the favor I asked Mayor Chen to help with. His name is Pei Shuai, the son of a comrade-in-arms of mine. This comrade died on the frontline of anti-narcotics back then, leaving behind such a son. Originally, he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a policeman, but as you know, emotionally… I'm not really willing for him to take this dangerous path. I felt an instant connection with Mayor Chen, and I wouldn't trust anyone else with this, so…"

At this point.

Song Jiangshan paused, somewhat moved, and said, "Doesn't Mayor Chen lack a secretary? Xiao Shuai has been with me for a few years and can handle some secretarial work, you see…"

At that moment.

Chen Fang suddenly saw through it.

What guardianship? What taking up the father's career? They were just excuses.

The real intention of Song Jiangshan was to place Pei Shuai by his side, to monitor his every move in these last critical days. The so-called forewarned is forearmed, in this way, no matter what he did, he would not escape Song Jiangshan's eyes.

This was an obvious move.

If Chen Fang refused, it would mean he already knew something.

Subsequently, Song Jiangshan would certainly take tough measures.

If Chen Fang didn't refuse.

With such a burden, it would be difficult to do many things freely.

In a flash, Chen Fang made his decision.

He nodded.

Said, "With Mayor Song's entrustment, what reason do I have not to agree? Comrade Pei Shuai can stay, I happen to be in need of people here as well."

"Then I really must thank Mayor Chen."

Seeing Chen Fang agree, Song Jiangshan was overjoyed, happily stood up and shook hands with Chen Fang to express his gratitude.

After a few pleasantries, it was almost time for the meeting to start.

One after another, they left the room and entered the meeting room together...

With Pei Shuai's surveillance.

In the following days, Chen Fang indeed couldn't make any significant moves.

However, a continuous stream of information still converged in various ways.

After Jiang Chuo took office.

He didn't make any big moves.

Including the case of Liu Zhenping's death, he did not intervene. There was a sense of gradually entering the work state.

However, under the calm surface, there were surging undercurrents, especially in Xiaxiang City, where there was a lot of movement recently.

Firstly, the newly appointed Disciplinary Committee Secretary Zhang Quan, on his first day in office, took down the Political Commissar of the Xiaxiang Municipal Public Security Bureau, Zhang Chaofa, on charges of embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of power.

From Chen Fang's perspective.

It was to clear obstacles for the new Director of the Public Security Bureau, Shen Jianye.

Of course.

Shen Jianye didn't stop his work within the Public Security Bureau either.

Two days after taking office, he began large-scale organizational adjustments within the bureau.

Leaders in key departments received either new appointments or were removed, and those who took over their positions were either transferred from Jianning Municipal Public Security Bureau or promoted from lower ranks.

To outsiders, this move was seen as a stabilizing maneuver by the new Mayor, Song Jiangshan.

In fact, Chen Fang could also see that the transformation of Xiaxiang City's violent departments by the Hou Family had begun.

The rapid pace and precise direction suggested that considerable groundwork had already been done before arriving here.

These changes were something Chen Fang couldn't stop.

After all, he was only a deputy mayor, with little power or influence, and could only watch as the situation evolved toward a worse outcome.

Especially since he was being closely watched by Pei Shuai recently.

Wanting to do something was even more impossible.

Four days passed quickly.

December 18th.

A historic day finally arrived.

Early in the morning.

Lying in bed, Chen Fang suddenly opened his eyes.

Straightened up and sat upright.

The sixth sense is very precise.

The anxiety deep in his heart seemed to be telling him that something significant would happen today.

After experiencing countless thrills along the way, never once did he feel unprecedented pressure like today.

Just as he was about to get up.

A knock came from the door.

Immediately after, without waiting for his consent, the bedroom door was directly pushed open.

A familiar scent wafted in.

As expected, looking toward the door, the person standing there was Zhong Xiqian.

"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay in Yunshang Palace? It's safe there!"

Chen Fang said, somewhat reproachfully.

Zhong Xiqian showed a look of grievance and said, "I wanted to come to see you."

Upon hearing this.

A warmth surged in his heart.

Chen Fang got out of bed, embraced Zhong Xiqian, kissed her forehead, and said, "Don't worry, it's fine, with me here, any problem can be solved."

He had said the same words more than once.

Every time he said it, Zhong Xiqian believed in the magical power of these words.

But today was different.

What they were about to face was like an ant trying to shake a tree. Once failed, the consequences were unimaginable.

"We can actually leave, just ask for sick leave, no matter what happens, it has nothing to do with us."

Nesting in Chen Fang's embrace, Zhong Xiqian said.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "Then what about afterwards? If the Hou Family wins, have you thought about what my career, your company, our family, and even those who helped us, would have to go through?"

Zhong Xiqian's eyes moistened.

She looked up.

Studied Chen Fang's face for a while seriously.

Then she wiped away the tears and said, "I know I won't be able to persuade you."

With that said.

She broke free from Chen Fang's embrace.

Took a step back.

Today, she wore a long woolen coat, covering herself tightly.

Her fingers moved to the buttons, with a gentle motion, the coat's buttons came undone.

Then, with a slight shift of her shoulders.

The coat slipped to the floor...

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