After Director Tu left, Secretary Lu took out his phone and found Qu Xiangru's number, dialing it.

"Ring ring..."

"Secretary Lu, what's the matter?"

Qu Xiangru's voice was crisp and pleasant, even someone as calm and seasoned as Secretary Lu occasionally harbored inappropriate thoughts.

"Governor Qu, there is a matter I'd like to trouble you with."

"Go ahead."

Secretary Lu was a measured man. In their dealings, he rarely made requests.

Even if he did, he wouldn't exceed her ability.

"I would like to ask Governor Qu to raise the rank of Liang Jianfeng."

Qu Xiangru was a bit surprised.

Liang Jianfeng was associated with Wu Qiangwei, so why would he help Liang Jianfeng advance?

After pondering, Qu Xiangru said, "The province indeed holds Mr. Liang in high regard, but if I remember correctly, Director Qin isn't too old and hasn't committed any fundamental errors. Forcing this promotion won't be easy."

Secretary Lu chuckled, "Mr. Liang's abilities are evident for all to see. Staying in Lingjiang is too limiting for him."

Qu Xiangru's pupils constricted, promptly understanding Secretary Lu's intention.

He didn't want to promote Liang Jianfeng.

Instead, he wanted to use the guise of a promotion to remove Liang Jianfeng from Lingjiang!

Qu Xiangru said, "Secretary Lu, are you sure you want to do this?"

"With Mr. Liang's qualifications and capabilities, once promoted, he would at least be a director in the Provincial City."

"You're essentially helping an adversary!"

Secretary Lu replied, "Capable people should hold high positions. We can't make them do all the hard work and then forget to reward them—there's no reasoning in that, Governor Qu, wouldn't you agree?"

"Haha." Qu Xiangru didn't much like Secretary Lu's sanctimonious persona.

Such individuals always feign moral superiority, yet are, at their core, extremely refined self-interested types.

"Leave the deputy director position vacant for now."

With these words, Qu Xiangru hung up the phone.

Secretary Lu knew the matter was settled.

He called Director Qin: "Director Qin, do you have time? Let's meet for tea."

...

Suddenly receiving a call from Secretary Lu, Director Qin felt a bit perplexed, much like a bewildered monk.

Why invite me for tea out of the blue?

Is there something he wants me to do?

But aren't you associated with Zheng Bihui?

Why can't Zheng Bihui ask me directly if something's up?

Despite his curiosity, he quickly agreed.

Half an hour later, the two met at a teahouse.

He hadn't interacted much with Secretary Lu, but remembered him as someone who had been sidelined, merely a figurehead at committee meetings, never taken seriously.

Who would have thought, after Wu Qiangwei's arrival, this Secretary Lu suddenly revitalized his influence?

"Secretary Lu, what do you need from me?" Director Qin, unable to store thoughts, asked directly after sitting down.

Secretary Lu said, "Director Qin, I'll give you two choices."

Director Qin was startled, "What choices?"

"First, early retirement, you can choose one from Judicial Bureau, the People's Congress, or the Political Consultative Conference."

Director Qin's eye twitched, demanding to explode on the spot.

He held back.

He asked, "What is the second choice?"

"Second, I transfer Liang Jianfeng, and you continue in your role as director."

"What?"

The fire in Director Qin's heart instantly vanished, replaced by bewilderment.

The contrast between these choices was excessive.

One meant retreating from the primary circle, spending the rest of life distant from power.

The other offered a chance to regain lost authority.

He couldn't comprehend how these choices were equated.

Secretary Lu sipped tea and said, "Don't rush to decide, let me explain first, then you decide."

"If you opt to step down, Lingjiang's future issues won't concern you. As for your past deeds, whether anyone would investigate further is uncertain."

"Regarding Liang Jianfeng, instead of saying transfer, it's more recommending him to a higher position in the provincial capital."

"Once he goes to the provincial capital, he will at least be a director, possibly even a Vice Mayor cum Police Department Director."

"Consider it and give me your answer."

Though Director Qin wasn't sharp with his mind, he wasn't oblivious about the crucial matters.

No contemplation needed; even a fool would know which option to choose.

"Transfer him away."

"Are you sure?" Secretary Lu said, "Once he gets to the provincial capital, his rank might surpass yours, once your superior."

Director Qin scoffed, "What good is a higher rank?"

Sudden relocation means rebuilding all social links, having to form a new team from scratch.

Besides, someone like Liang Jianfeng is overly proper.

Even as a police officer, he was upright, never yielding to corruption.

As a deputy director, he remained unchanged.

For such individuals, rank is meaningless.

Even if he were made City Secretary, he'd still live on a meager salary of thousands monthly.

To the common folk, having such officials is beneficial.

But for the people working with him, it's a disaster.

Because with him around, don't even think about petty corruption.

In comparison, continuing to be a director in Lingjiang, with money and power, and minus a Liang Jianfeng, is much more enjoyable than being a director in the provincial capital.

Liang Jianfeng nodded, not surprised at Director Qin's choice; it was a decision any sensible person would make.

"Director Qin, I'll need a lot of cooperation from you in the future."

Director Qin understood that by helping him transfer Liang Jianfeng, he expected his assistance in return.

This favor, he had no choice but to owe.

"Secretary Lu, rest assured, whatever you say, I'll do!"

"Of course, I won't do anything that violates principles."

Secretary Lu almost burst out laughing.

Not doing anything that violates principles?

That's as ridiculous as a prostitute righteously claiming her innocence.

He didn't expose him, just nodded, "Certainly, it won't violate principles."

"I just hope, Director Qin, in the future, you can cooperate with my work."

Director Qin thought he was referring to the old city renovation project and nodded, "I will definitely cooperate!"

...

Time quickly moved to the next Monday.

Today, Nanjiang Province held an expanded committee meeting, with Secretary Lu in attendance.

That afternoon, Secretary Lu returned to Lingjiang and notified that there would be a meeting the next morning.

Tuesday morning, nine-thirty, fifth-floor large conference room.

After everyone was seated, Secretary Sun placed the printed documents in front of them and then left the conference room.

Wu Qiangwei opened the document, with "Guidelines for Creating a National Civilized City" written on the cover.

Secretary Lu smoked a cigarette, frowned, and looked not in the best of moods: "This time, the province has nominated Lingjiang for the 'Civilization Creation'.

This is the province's trust in us, and it shows that the province highly values Lingjiang."

Everyone remained silent.

The 'Civilization Creation' is a typical thankless task.

In the early years of the 'Civilization Creation', everyone scrambled to get targets.

But later on, no one volunteered, and the province had to force it.

For the province, it's actually a difficult task.

But the province has no choice, because the Civilization Office of the central government is directly responsible, and the province has no room for negotiation; it's not something you can choose not to do.

Everyone looked at Secretary Lu's expression, knowing he was distressed.

Lingjiang was already out of money, and now this 'Civilization Creation' is on the way.

"As for the 'Civilization Creation', Secretary Wu, you'll be in charge."

Secretary Lu directly appointed him.

Secretary Wu frowned slightly but nodded, "Alright."

After the meeting was dismissed.

Secretary Lu looked at the 'Civilization Creation' documents on the table, his frown suddenly relaxed, and the displeasure from the meeting was nowhere to be seen, only a smile of a successful plot, "All is ready."

Everyone thought he was trying to use the success of the old city renovation project as a political achievement to advance further!

Even Zheng Bihui was deceived by him.

However, the truth is, the old city renovation was just a guise.

His real goal was to advance to the province, to secure one of the limited seats in the Provincial Committee!

But as Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao analyzed, with his current qualifications and achievements, it's entirely impossible to get into the Provincial Committee.

Of course, he knew this as well.

So, he changed his approach.

An approach of saving the nation through a detour!

After all, for a leading figure with a regular background like him, there is only one way to advance to the province.

That is, to create an astounding political achievement!

For example, raise a city whose economy ranks low to the top three in the province within just two or three years!

The platform of Lingjiang cannot provide him with such conditions.

So he must change to another place to showcase his talents!

Moreover, it must be a city with an economy poorer than Lingjiang!

He plans to move all existing enterprises and companies out of Lingjiang to another city!

This plan is crazy!

But once successful, his political achievements would be unmatched, and Lu Zhizhong would become an indispensable political star!

To complete this plan, he made numerous preparations.

Creating a civilized city was an essential part of it!

Transferring Liang Jianfeng was also a necessary step!

He waited a whole year for this day!

Holding the documents in his hand, his smile gradually broadened.

If no one supports my aspirations, I'll carve my own bloody path!

From today, the road ahead is unobstructed!

My political career, Lu Zhizhong's, is just beginning!

Being the head of the City Committee is just an insignificant phase in my life.

The Provincial Committee is not my final destination!

Yanjing, the power center behind the red walls, is my ultimate goal!

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