Fang Wei came out of the office and said, "Mayor Jiang invites you in."

Walking into the office, Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "When did District Chief Song return?"

"Came back for the weekend, and incidentally, attended Mayor Liang's dinner party."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan's smile froze for a second.

"District Chief Song, have some tea." Fang Wei brought in some tea.

"Thank you."

After Fang Wei left, Jiang Yuan asked, "District Chief Song, you must have something to discuss with me?"

Song Guanchao said, "I heard that Mayor Jiang recently contacted my people?"

"Your people?" Jiang Yuan feigned ignorance, "Who are your people?"

Song Guanchao said, "Mayor Jiang, let's not beat around the bush."

"I came here today mainly to remind you of one thing."

"Oh? What is it? I'm all ears."

Song Guanchao's smile faded as he said, "If you still want to continue as Deputy Mayor, start behaving yourself from now on."

Jiang Yuan's smile also disappeared: "Is District Chief Song threatening me?"

"Threatening?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, "Mayor Jiang still doesn't understand the situation."

"Times have changed, today's Lingjiang is not the Lingjiang of the past."

"Really?" Jiang Yuan squinted his eyes, "Do you think you have the right to dictate to me? Isn't District Chief Song being too arrogant?"

Jiang Yuan was proud, after all, he was a local faction official.

Even if the tide has turned, his past accumulation still can't be matched by ordinary officials.

He indeed had the capital to say such things.

Unfortunately, he was facing Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao said, "Zheng Bihui is my person, the Mayor is also my person, finance, industry and commerce, taxation... all my people. To put it bluntly, if I want to bring you down, it's not that difficult."

"Of course, I'm not fond of fighting. If we can coexist peacefully, it's still better to do so."

"The premise is, Mayor Jiang is willing to coexist peacefully with me."

Jiang Yuan looked grim and said, "Have you made up your mind about me?"

"Yes, I've made up my mind about you."

Song Guanchao nodded seriously, "You can also choose to refuse, but I advise you to cooperate and be an honest Deputy Mayor. After a few years, you can retire early."

"I can assure you, as long as you cooperate, no one will make things difficult for you."

"But if I find out again that you're playing tricks in private, you'll be the next one to fall in Lingjiang."

Song Guanchao spoke calmly.

Every word he said was striking Jiang Yuan's most sensitive spots.

"Song Guanchao, you're too young."

"Young enough to think that by taking down the City Secretary and the Mayor, you can completely control a city."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "You should know, above Lingjiang, there's still Nanjiang Province!"

Song Guanchao slightly smiled, "You want to say that you have Secretary Tian behind you, right?"

For some reason, seeing his smile, and his tone, suddenly made Jiang Yuan feel uneasy.

Song Guanchao said, "Since you mentioned Secretary Tian, I don't mind saying a few more words."

"Do you know that the appointment right for the next Governor has already been taken to the province by Secretary Gao and Governor Hou?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan's face changed dramatically.

"Impossible!" His voice wavered, unwilling to believe Song Guanchao's words.

Song Guanchao chuckled, "You're not at the level to know, so it's normal not to know."

"Of course, you can also think that I'm making things up."

"Think what you like, once the new Governor is appointed, you'll naturally know if I'm talking nonsense."

He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and stood up, "Mayor Jiang, you're a smart person, you know what choice to make."

After saying this, he left.

After he left, Jiang Yuan sat in his chair, somewhat lost.

When Fang Wei came in to tidy up and saw him like this, he was somewhat surprised.

Having been with Jiang Yuan for so long, it was the first time seeing the Mayor in such a state.

"Mayor Jiang?" he called out cautiously.

Jiang Yuan shook his head, said nothing, and Fang Wei took the teacup and left the office.

Jiang Yuan leaned back in his chair, took out a cigarette and lit it, taking a few deep puffs, his restless mind finally becoming a bit more stable.

The impact of Song Guanchao's words on him was immense.

If what he said was true, it means that the next Governor will not be Secretary Tian!

If it's not Secretary Tian, then who could it be?

Zhang Jie?

Qu Xiangru?

Or Mr. Chen from the Provincial City?

But Secretary Tian was clearly so confident.

That confidence didn't seem faked.

But Song Guanchao's words didn't seem fake either.

If Secretary Tian really can't become Governor, then his influence over Lingjiang will be extremely limited.

It would become impossible to expect him to forcefully promote me.

Jiang Yuan was left in a state of indecisiveness and felt very uneasy.

The most unsettling thing was why Song Guanchao knew such information?

If everything he said was true, where did he get this information from?

The fact that even Secretary Tian doesn't know proves that the person behind him has a higher status than Secretary Tian!

Jiang Yuan really wanted to call Secretary Tian to tell him about this and let him verify it.

But he ultimately didn't make the call.

Because he couldn't be sure if what Song Guanchao said was true or false.

If it was true, then making the call wouldn't change the fact.

If it was false, making the call would suggest he was questioning Secretary Tian.

It would make Secretary Tian feel that he was easily swayed by outsiders' words.

This would disappoint Secretary Tian.

Wait!

Wait until the new Governor is appointed, then it will be clear if what Song Guanchao said is true or false.

If the new Governor is not Secretary Tian, then his career path has essentially reached a dead end.

Lingjiang will also undergo a transformation.

As this once de facto head of the city government, he must relinquish all his power.

Only by doing so can he have a peaceful ending.

...

After leaving the city government, Song Guanchao did not immediately head to the Provincial City.

He went to the City Committee and found the office of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

This office used to be where Wu Qiangwei worked.

Now, with Chu Xiao'e serving as Deputy Secretary, it became her office.

"District Chief Song!" Chu Xiao'e's secretary was extremely surprised to see him.

"Is Secretary Chu in?"

"Yes, please wait a moment."

Secretary Xu went in to report, and soon came out, "Secretary Chu invites you in."

Song Guanchao walked in and saw Chu Xiao'e sitting behind the desk, wearing the women's suit he had given her.

After Secretary Xu served the tea, she turned around and closed the door behind her.

Song Guanchao stood in front of the desk, looking her up and down, and said, "Secretary Chu, are you getting used to the work?"

Chu Xiao'e rolled her eyes, "When did you come back?"

"Friday."

Chu Xiao'e's smile suddenly faded.

Returning on Friday and not coming to see her until Sunday.

Song Guanchao, being perceptive, immediately noticed the change in her mood.

"Sigh."

He sighed and said, "I've been quite busy the past couple of days. Once I was done, I came to see you right away."

Chu Xiao'e's expression seemed to say: Do you take me for a fool?

But those words indeed had an effect, whether he said them to please her or not, at least her mood improved significantly.

Song Guanchao said, "I'm not making excuses. Besides attending Mayor Liang's dinner party this time, I mainly came back to clear some obstacles for you."

"For me?" Chu Xiao'e asked, "What obstacles?"

Song Guanchao mentioned a name, "Jiang Yuan!"

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