Song Guanchao lit another cigarette, carefully digesting his advice.

Director Qin is not an easy character, this he had known for a long time.

Acting against him involves great risks, like pulling up weeds with roots attached.

Song Guanchao pondered whether the benefits of eliminating him outweigh the potential risks.

It seems, they do not.

Moreover, Liang Jianfeng is now on the rise, as the power of the city's bureau has been fragmented.

The only downside is that Liang Jianfeng cannot obtain firsthand information from the bureau.

If Mayor Zheng wants to do something through Director Qin, he won't be able to find out immediately.

"What problems does Qin Yuejin have?" Song Guanchao asked.

Tu Zhaorui chuckled lightly, he had explained so clearly, yet Song Guanchao still asked.

He was somewhat curious: "Why must you act against him? He's just a director, and Liang Jianfeng has influence now. As long as Secretary Wu doesn't make mistakes in the future, choosing an appropriate time to transfer Director Qin is far more suitable than direct action."

Song Guanchao said: "Mayor Tu misunderstood, I was just asking. He is such a big figure, I'm not a fool; there's no way I would act against him now. But gathering more information is always a good thing."

Tu Zhaorui asked: "Are you thinking of getting dirt on him to threaten him? If that's your plan, I advise you not to do it."

He pointed to his head: "Qin Yuejin is stubborn; threats might have the opposite effect."

Song Guanchao was somewhat surprised, feeling it's not just him who thinks Qin Yuejin isn't quite right in the head.

"If you really want to investigate, go ahead yourself. I don't have the information here."

Tu Zhaorui shook his head: "I hold no grudge against him."

"However, I can give you a piece of advice."

"Please go ahead, Mayor Tu."

"Beware of Secretary Lu."

"What?"

Weren't they discussing Qin Yuejin? How did it suddenly shift to Secretary Lu?

Tu Zhaorui smiled: "Director Qin poses no threat to Secretary Wu; Secretary Lu is Secretary Wu's greatest enemy."

Lu Zhizhong is the City Secretary, while Wu Qiangwei is the Deputy Secretary.

Looking at the potential promotion path, Secretary Lu indeed stands as a wall in her path.

But Secretary Lu is bound to leave Lingjiang sooner or later. What threat can he pose to Wu Qiangwei?

If threats are to be discussed, Mayor Zheng's threat is larger.

Song Guanchao always felt there was more to his words: "What do you mean?"

Tu Zhaorui said: "If my guess is correct, Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng should have reached a private agreement. Through the political achievements of the old city renovation project, Secretary Lu aims to go to a major economic city or the provincial capital, or directly to the province."

"The position of City Secretary will be left to Mayor Zheng."

Impressive, he managed to see through this as well.

At this point, Tu Zhaorui suddenly asked: "Which route do you think Secretary Lu will ultimately choose?"

Song Guanchao pondered: "The provincial capital is the best choice, but if he can directly enter the Provincial Committee, then obviously the province is the best."

"Wrong." Tu Zhaorui said: "Secretary Lu won't go to the provincial capital or the province, nor to a major economic city."

His tone was so definitive, making Song Guanchao feel as though Secretary Lu had communicated with him.

He was about to inquire further when Tu Zhaorui said: "Rest assured, I haven't had any private contact with Secretary Lu. Aside from Secretary Lu, I'm probably the only one aware of this matter for now."

"No need to ask how I know; I can only tell you that he won't choose any of these three options."

"What kind of political achievement is an old city renovation?"

"Lingjiang is a prefecture-level city that doesn't even rank in the top five within the province; what qualification does he have to directly go to the province or provincial capital? Even a major economic city is unlikely."

Song Guanchao argued: "If Secretary Lu has backing…"

Tu Zhaorui interrupted with a sneer: "If he had backing, he wouldn't have waited until today. If he had backing, he wouldn't have been overlooked until Secretary Wu arrived."

"However…"

He changed his tone and said: "If everything goes smoothly for Secretary Lu, perhaps, in three to five years, you'll see Secretary Lu's name on the Provincial Committee's list."

"And the rank won't be low."

Song Guanchao's expression grew increasingly peculiar and perplexed.

What on earth was he talking about?

What was he trying to convey?

First, he said none of the three options would be chosen, then he claimed Secretary Lu would be in the committee in three to five years.

In a fog, Song Guanchao completely couldn't understand.

He suppressed the urge to ask directly.

Because he knew, even if he asked, Tu Zhaorui wouldn't tell.

"Why tell me these?"

"Because I thought you knew."

Tu Zhaorui suddenly sighed, showing some disappointment in his expression.

Song Guanchao twitched his lip.

Damn, he felt the superiority of intelligence.

Tu Zhaorui lit another cigarette, saying: "Secretary Song, I've always admired you and have high regard for you. Your abilities are strong in provincial capitals of various provinces."

"Truth be told, you're underutilized, stuck here in Lingjiang."

He tossed a cigarette: "Guangyue City ranks in the top three in the province's economic standings."

"If you're interested, I can talk to the province and have you come over as my secretary."

"If you want to pursue leadership, within two years, I could arrange for you to become a mayor in Ningchang County, and in a year max, let you serve as the County Party Secretary of Ningchang County."

"Don't rush to refuse; you can consider it slowly. My door is always open for you."

Song Guanchao shook his head: "Thank you, Mayor Tu, for your appreciation; I'm quite satisfied with my current position."

He drank the cooled tea in his cup and said: "Today, I disturbed Mayor Tu."

Leaving the teahouse, Song Guanchao headed straight to the high-speed rail station.

Tu Zhaorui leaned back in his chair, not surprised at Song Guanchao's refusal.

Nevertheless, his invitation was sincere.

He genuinely appreciated Song Guanchao.

"What a pity."

He shook his head; the regret he spoke of wasn't about Song Guanchao not accepting his favor.

But about Lingjiang soon plunging into turmoil.

The one igniting the turmoil is none other than Secretary Lu.

Warning Song Guanchao about Secretary Lu wasn't alarmist; this guy really intends to create something big.

If this matter succeeds, Lingjiang may not recover for the next decade.

As of now, it seems he's the only one who discovered this.

Others haven't noticed at all.

And he doesn't know if his reminder to Song Guanchao today could make him aware of Secretary Lu's actions.

However, by the time he realizes, it might be too late.

...

On the way back, Song Guanchao kept pondering the meaning behind Tu Zhaorui's words.

Be wary of Secretary Lu?

Exactly what should he be cautious of?

Secretary Lu won't enter the province or provincial capital.

Then where is he headed?

In three to five years, Secretary Lu could join the Provincial Committee.

What will he leverage to enter the Provincial Committee?

Secretary Lu is 51 this year, at the peak of his career; even after five years, he'll only be 56.

Age-wise, entering the Provincial Committee is indeed feasible.

But what will he use as leverage?

At this level, entering the Provincial Committee without sufficiently strong backing, solely relying on political achievements, requires outstandingly brilliant accomplishments.

Accomplishments too dazzling for the organization not to promote him.

Does Lu Zhizhong have them?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.