Evening.

Little Hongtang Private Restaurant.

Wu Qiangwei came as invited.

Minister Zhou and Zhang Meilin stood up to greet her, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Although Song Guanchao was accompanying as a secretary, Zhang Meilin did not underestimate him.

During the trip to Yanjing, if not for Song Guanchao, he would have been bullied into the dirt.

After several rounds of drinks, Zhang Meilin spoke: "Secretary Wu, I heard Secretary Lu wants to change the old city redevelopment project to commercial use."

When she received the call from Minister Zhou, she was wondering why they wanted to meet her tonight.

Hearing Zhang Meilin's inquiry now, she was somewhat surprised.

Was it about this matter?

"Indeed, this matter was mentioned."

"What does Secretary Wu think about it?"

Wu Qiangwei was slightly perplexed, not quite understanding what Zhang Meilin meant by his words.

Was he expecting me to intervene and prevent Secretary Lu from easily completing the transition from residential to commercial?

From her reaction, Zhang Meilin knew that Minister Zhou had guessed correctly.

Secretary Wu and Song Guanchao indeed hadn't realized the potential impact this matter could have on her.

Zhang Meilin felt somewhat balanced.

He always thought Song Guanchao was much more capable than himself.

But in this matter, he and himself were not too fundamentally different.

In Lingjiang's political circles, only Minister Zhou and Mayor Jiang could see through the essence of this matter for now.

Confirming Wu Qiangwei's ignorance, Minister Zhou spoke: "Does Secretary Wu not find it very strange?"

Wu Qiangwei looked at him again.

Honestly, she was a bit confused at this point.

What kind of riddle were these two playing?

Minister Zhou suddenly chuckled softly: "Secretary Wu has not been in Lingjiang for long and does not know Secretary Lu well, which is quite understandable."

"But I've dealt with him for three years, so I have a pretty good understanding."

"Today, at the Standing Committee, Secretary Lu's behavior was quite unusual."

Wu Qiangwei asked: "How so?"

Minister Zhou replied: "Secretary Lu is not an impulsive person. Even if he acts impulsively, it is certainly deliberate, to achieve some purpose."

"His demand today to re-evaluate the compensation for demolition—if Director Tu hadn't proposed the transition to commercial use, would his demand have ultimately been implemented?"

Wu Qiangwei was startled, and so was Song Guanchao.

Indeed.

If Director Tu hadn't suggested the transition to commercial use, what would have been the outcome?

Forcibly compensating for the demolition at the rate of five thousand per square meter?

How could it be such a coincidence that just as Secretary Lu went mad, Director Tu came up with such a good suggestion?

Is Director Tu really that smart, able to come up with such a good idea under pressure?

The answer was obvious.

Director Tu's suggestion was arranged by Secretary Lu in advance.

Today's Standing Committee was a show put on by the two for others to see.

He crafted the dumplings just for the vinegar.

However.

Even so, was it really worth having a meal just to discuss this?

Minister Zhou continued: "Collective suicide by demolition households, rumors of demolition compensation prices, and Secretary Lu's sudden meetings to distribute funds."

"All these were preparations Secretary Lu made for today's transition to commercial use."

Their pupils instantly narrowed.

If these seemingly irrelevant matters were connected, spearheaded by Minister Zhou's insight, they formed a string into a coherent line.

The collective suicide by demolition households was self-directed and performed by Secretary Lu!

The rumored demolition compensation price was also released by Secretary Lu!

No wonder!

No wonder Song Guanchao found it strange at the time; how could Secretary Lu be unaware of such a large project, such a big rumor?

Even if Secretary Lu didn't know, could Secretary Sun, who was responsible, also not know?

But if all this was self-directed by him, it made sense.

Even Song Guanchao had some admiration for Secretary Lu.

Such clever tactics!

Faced with a funding gap, unable to secure bank loans and unable to attract investments, he actually devised such a scenario.

He usually kept a low profile, striking hard with a major move at once.

It's impressive; even the collective suicide by demolition households was an idea that, even if any other leader could think of, might not dare to execute.

Handled improperly, it would become a major incident.

Not being able to keep one's hat on!

But this guy still did it!

Such audacity!

Song Guanchao never underestimated Secretary Lu, but having never witnessed him really taking charge, he lacked a direct understanding of his style of conduct.

This time, he experienced it firsthand.

Wu Qiangwei was equally shocked by Secretary Lu's tactics.

Moreover, she thought even further.

Once this project transitions from residential to commercial, it can significantly stimulate Lingjiang's economy and create more jobs.

On paper, it looks much better!

It provides even more support for Secretary Lu.

If the old city redevelopment brings three times the effect, then transitioning to commercial brings seven times the effect!

The difference is substantial.

Moreover, the funds retreated from the old city renewal can be used for other things.

In this way, the probability of Secretary Lu's promotion becomes higher.

Once he leaves, the probability of Mayor Zheng coming up is even higher.

When Mayor Zheng steps up, the only vacant position left is that of the Mayor.

But as Minister Zhou told Zhang Meilin, it's impossible for her, Wu Qiangwei, to become Mayor.

The reason is simple.

The City Government still has Jiang Yuan.

To become Mayor, she has only two choices.

Either serve under Jiang Yuan as a puppet.

Or, fight and struggle to seize the City Government's power from Jiang Yuan.

This is too difficult.

After all, besides Jiang Yuan, there's also Zhang Xiaoxian in the City Government.

Both of them belong to the local faction, entrenched for too long, too deeply rooted.

They are not something an outsider like her can easily bring down in the short term.

Forcing it would make her the second Zheng Bihui.

Unless she openly breaks with Jiang Yuan, attempting to send him to prison.

But with Jiang Yuan's prudence, he would never give her such an opportunity.

With just a hint of that thought, Jiang Yuan would already act preemptively.

Her best future is to take over from Secretary Lu and become City Secretary.

Thinking of this, she looked toward Minister Zhou.

Minister Zhou inviting her over tonight must be for this matter.

"Does Minister Zhou have any suggestions?"

"I do indeed have a somewhat undeveloped suggestion."

Minister Zhou smiled; Secretary Wu was indeed perceptive, discerning the purpose of her presence with little need for detailed explanation.

What she realized was also being realized by Song Guanchao at this moment.

He looked at Minister Zhou, curious.

What good suggestion could Minister Zhou have?

In fact, Song Guanchao also had some ideas, but he temporarily suppressed them.

Minister Zhou said: "If Secretary Wu wants to suppress Mayor Zheng, the best approach is to start with economics."

Economics...

Wu Qiangwei pondered deeply, her thoughts turning.

Minister Zhou continued: "The city's finances are limited, and even if the funds for the old city redevelopment are freed up, they're not for you to plan. Hence, Secretary Wu's vision must extend beyond Lingjiang."

Extend beyond Lingjiang...

Wu Qiangwei looked at Zhang Meilin, seemingly comprehending something.

She nodded slightly and raised her glass: "I toast to Minister Zhou."

Minister Zhou smiled and raised his glass; some things, if said too plainly, lose their gracefulness.

It was enough that Wu Qiangwei understood his meaning.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the four of them left the restaurant.

After Minister Zhou and Zhang Meilin left, Wu Ming also drove up to the entrance.

The car was parked downstairs, and Wu Qiangwei said, "Come up with me."

Wu Ming: "Oh."

"The Secretary talks to me, and you just say oh?"

Song Guanchao glanced at him like he was an idiot and pushed the door to get out of the car.

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