After leaving the City Committee Building, Mayor Zheng and Mayor Jiang walked side by side toward the parking lot.

As they reached the car, Mayor Jiang suddenly said, "Congratulations, Mayor Zheng."

Zheng Bihui paused slightly as he held the car door, looking at him in confusion, "Congratulations?"

Mayor Jiang smiled, "After Secretary Lu is transferred from Lingjiang, I can't think of anyone more suitable for the City Secretary position than Mayor Zheng."

Zheng Bihui was slightly surprised inside but kept a calm face, "Mayor Jiang is joking."

"Mayor Zheng doesn't need to be modest."

Mayor Jiang said, "Regarding Secretary Lu's work, the City Government will actively cooperate. In the future, when Mayor Zheng goes to the City Committee, the City Government will continue to assist and cooperate. We've worked together for years; Mayor Zheng should be aware of my character."

Zheng Bihui laughed and said, "Who can say for sure about the future? For now, let's focus on the present. If I do enter the City Committee one day, Mayor Jiang should also step up to become Mayor. By then, we'll have to join forces to manage Lingjiang well and present the province with a satisfactory report card."

Mayor Jiang nodded, "Mayor Zheng is right."

With just a nod, the two went their separate ways and got into their cars.

Jiang Yuan looked through the glass at the City Committee Building, then at the car Mayor Zheng had already started, laughing quietly, "This old fox, really ruthless in his methods."

...

Minister Zhou returned to the office and dialed Zhang Meilin's number.

"Minister Zhou."

With this former leader, Zhang Meilin always maintained a respectful attitude.

"Secretary Zhang, is work going well recently?"

"I've encountered some problems, but they are within the scope of resolution."

"It's good if they can be resolved."

Minister Zhou said, "If you have time, come to the city and meet Secretary Wu."

Zhang Meilin asked, "Minister Zhou, is there something Secretary Wu wants from me?"

Minister Zhou said, "To discuss the matter of Dujiang City's administrative independence."

Zhang Meilin was shocked, "Minister Zhou, has something happened in Lingjiang?"

Dujiang City is a county-level city under Lingjiang's jurisdiction.

Becoming independent would mean direct governance by the province.

Previously, when Hou Wen was still around, there was indeed such a thought.

But after he was arrested, the matter was left unresolved.

Zhang Meilin also had this idea, but it was just a thought.

He dared not mention it, nor could he mention it, and couldn't let others know he had such thoughts.

Because his background and connections were all in Lingjiang City.

Being able to serve as the head of Dujiang City was the result of a power struggle among several leaders in Lingjiang.

In this, Minister Zhou was the biggest supporter, followed by Wu Qiangwei.

If he dared to propose independence at this time, it would mean breaking away from Lingjiang.

But without independence, his future development would be very limited.

Unless he achieves something significant or has major accomplishments, he might spend his whole life at the prefecture-level city.

But now, Minister Zhou suddenly wants him to propose it.

What he can think of is that there's been a significant upheaval in Lingjiang City's political arena.

Minister Zhou said, "Recently, Secretary Lu has been quite active, and the next City Secretary might be Zheng Bihui."

Zhang Meilin was somewhat incredulous.

Zheng Bihui?

How could he possibly have a chance?

Once the City Secretary position becomes vacant, only two people in Lingjiang have hope.

One is Wu Qiangwei, and the other is Jiang Yuan!

But Minister Zhou said, Zheng Bihui has hope.

Suddenly, Zhang Meilin realized another problem, "What about Mayor?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, Jiang Yuan will be confirmed."

Zhang Meilin's heart sank.

Indeed.

With both the first and second leadership positions changing, Wu Qiangwei's name was not mentioned.

Logically, considering Wu Qiangwei's background and the reason for her reassignment to Lingjiang, if the City Secretary and Mayor both had vacancies, she would undoubtedly be the first choice.

But now Minister Zhou tells him that neither position will fall to her.

This means Wu Qiangwei has fallen out of favor!

Zhang Meilin was puzzled and curious; what exactly happened in Lingjiang in these few months?

What have Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng done?

How did the situation turn into this?

"Minister Zhou, Lingjiang...what's happened?"

"Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng have reached an agreement."

He actually noticed this earlier but didn't take it seriously.

But today's events at the Standing Committee meeting made him realize suddenly that compared to Wu Qiangwei, Secretary Lu was more skilled.

"Secretary Lu will soon leave Lingjiang. Before he leaves, he will recommend Zheng Bihui."

"What about Secretary Wu? With the mayoral position vacant, Secretary Wu should have a greater advantage."

"She indeed has a greater advantage, but she cannot be the Mayor and won't be."

"Why?"

"Meilin, you need to learn to think for yourself."

Zhang Meilin was startled; he knew he was being too hasty.

"I'll have Xiao Zhang organize Lingjiang's situation and send it to you. Examine it thoroughly and think carefully. Tonight, I'll have dinner with Secretary Wu; you come earlier."

"Understood, Minister Zhou."

He was already in a leadership position and couldn't wait for others to feed him.

After hanging up the phone, not long after, Minister Zhou's new secretary, Zhang Wenjun, sent him the information.

Zhang Meilin leaned on the wide boss chair, examining it word for word.

After reading it, Zhang Meilin had a vague sense of direction, but it wasn't clear enough.

He needed more time to think and analyze.

However, meeting Secretary Wu tonight left him little time to think.

Looking at the time, he immediately set off for Lingjiang.

Meanwhile, in the City Committee.

Wu Qiangwei returned to the office, and Song Guanchao emptied the cold tea leaves and brewed a new cup of tea.

Wu Qiangwei informed him of today's Standing Committee agenda.

"You know, proposing a change from civil to commercial is actually a solution."

Song Guanchao, after serious consideration, gave his opinion.

Wu Qiangwei said, "For now, it does seem like a good suggestion."

This proposal not only resolved the most troublesome funding issue but also tackled the difficulties of relocation.

Just then, Wu Qiangwei's phone rang; it was Minister Zhou calling.

"Hello, Minister Zhou."

"Secretary Wu, are you free tonight?"

Minister Zhou said, "Secretary Zhang is coming over tonight. If you have time, let's gather together?"

"Alright."

Putting down the phone, Wu Qiangwei said, "Clear your schedule for tonight; Minister Zhou is bringing Zhang Meilin for dinner."

"Did Minister Zhou mention anything?"

"Didn't specify."

She was also puzzled.

So suddenly, there must be something to discuss.

...

By noon, Zhang Meilin had arrived at Lingjiang.

He didn't go straight to Minister Zhou; he grabbed a bowl of noodles, chose a teahouse to rest, and continued to ponder, but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Seeing it's already afternoon, Zhang Meilin sighed, didn't force himself, and directly went to find Minister Zhou.

"Secretary Zhang." Zhang Wenjun was somewhat surprised to see Zhang Meilin, "Are you looking for Minister Zhou?"

"Yes."

"Wait a moment." Zhang Wenjun knocked on the door, "Minister Zhou, Secretary Zhang is here for you."

"Invite him in."

Zhang Meilin walked into the office and lifted the gift box in his hand, "Minister Zhou, I brought you some tea leaves."

Minister Zhou smiled with pleasure, "Have a seat. Wenjun, you can go back to work."

After Zhang Wenjun left, Minister Zhou asked, "Have you figured it out?"

Zhang Meilin admitted ashamedly, "No."

Minister Zhou wasn't disappointed, "The time frame is too short; it's normal not to have figured it out."

Zhang Meilin didn't feel comforted but, instead, wryly said, "If it were Secretary Song, he would surely figure it out."

"Him?" Minister Zhou shook his head, "Don't think of him as omnipotent. If he had thought it through, he would have been the one contacting you, not me."

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