After the meeting concluded.

Secretary Lu stood up and walked toward Jiang Yuan.

"Mayor Jiang."

Everyone turned to look, curious about why he was approaching Jiang Yuan.

Secretary Lu said, "I remember, the position of Deputy Secretary-General in the City Government Office is currently vacant, right?"

Jiang Yuan immediately understood his intention and was about to find an excuse, but Secretary Lu continued:

"Secretary Sun is quite capable. I suggest letting Secretary Sun take on the role of Deputy Secretary-General. What do you think?"

Indeed, he was planning a backup for his secretary.

Jiang Yuan pretended to be in a difficult position: "Well, I need to go back and discuss it with Secretary Zhang."

Everyone realized that Jiang Yuan was refusing.

As someone about to leave Lingjiang, wanting to arrange your own secretary is a bit of a delusion.

If it were to arrange a deputy position in a Qingshui Government, it might be possible.

But for the Deputy Secretary-General of the City Government Office, it's clear it won't happen just by thinking about it.

Secretary Lu self-mockingly smiled: "Alright."

He then left the office on his own.

Zheng Bihui, looking worried, followed him.

He followed him all the way into the office.

He closed the door and asked, "Is it because of that case?"

Secretary Lu nodded.

Zheng Bihui, full of frustration, lit a cigarette and asked, "Did the province say who will take over after you leave?"

Secretary Lu shook his head: "I did recommend you, but in this situation, my recommendation is useless."

Zheng Bihui knew it was useless; he was just seeking a psychological comfort by asking.

With his head down, smoking in frustration, his mind was in turmoil.

Originally planned well with Secretary Lu, he would go to the province, and he himself would become the City Secretary.

But now, with Secretary Lu demoted, the position of City Secretary was vacant, and no one knew who would take it.

He could roughly guess that the province would likely promote Wu Qiangwei.

There was no one more suitable than her.

"Ha."

Zheng Bihui suddenly mocked himself: "If I had known today, why fight with her?"

"Being an official feels so meaningless."

"Wu Qiangwei has backing, and I'm a second-in-command who's been sidelined, what do I count as? Do I even deserve to fight with her?"

Zheng Bihui felt like what he had done recently was nothing more than acting like a clown.

In his view, Secretary Lu's demotion was just a matter of time.

Even without the incident of Yang Lang being killed, it was impossible for him to go to the province.

The people behind Wu Qiangwei must have paved the way for her long ago.

The City Secretary position was never going to fall into his hands.

Zheng Bihui always believed that human determination could overcome fate.

Now, he finally understood that in politics, it's all about who has the stronger backing.

Achievements or lack thereof, they'll cover them up if they want to.

They might not even give you the chance to create achievements.

But what can I do?

Without a strong backing, I'm destined to be dispatched.

"To hell with it!"

Zheng Bihui threw the cigarette butt on the ground and cursed: "If you have the guts, demote me too! As long as I'm Mayor for a day, Wu Qiangwei won't have a good time!"

Secretary Lu chuckled: "What, you still want to continue opposing her?"

Zheng Bihui said, "It's not me against her; she's the one trying to cut off my political career!"

Secretary Lu shook his head: "Stop struggling. Being a Mayor isn't bad; it's at least better than what I've got. Just endure for a few more years and retire early."

"Retire?"

Zheng Bihui said, "Old Lu, are you giving up already? What's so special about Wu Qiangwei? What's so special about Secretary Gao? They're no more noble than us, just two eyes and a nose, with heads on their shoulders."

"How do you know it's impossible without trying?"

"I said, as long as I'm Mayor for a day, she won't have a good time!"

Zheng Bihui threw out these words and left.

Secretary Lu smiled, walked over to pick up the cigarette butt from the ground, and threw it into the ashtray.

He called Wu Qiangwei.

A few minutes later, Wu Qiangwei arrived.

"Secretary Wu, please sit."

Secretary Lu said, "I will go to Tongzhou City this afternoon. The work of the City Committee will be in your hands from now on."

Wu Qiangwei was a bit surprised; so soon?

Next, Secretary Lu handed over some pending matters and meeting documents to her.

During this time, Wu Qiangwei's phone kept ringing.

At eleven thirty, after finishing the handover with Secretary Lu, Wu Qiangwei left the office.

She took out her phone and was quite surprised to see the incoming call.

It was Qu Xiangru.

She returned to the office, asked Wu Ming to get her a meal, and then called back.

"Governor Qu is looking for me?"

"Does Secretary Wu have time this evening?"

"I do."

"See you in the evening then."

"Okay."

Wu Qiangwei clutched her phone, curious about what Qu Xiangru was up to.

Did he learn about Secretary Lu's impending transfer and is aiming for the City Secretary position?

...

After lunch, Secretary Sun received a call from Assistant Sun.

Mr. Tang had relented!

He was really willing to sign the contract with him in advance.

His first reaction was that Mr. Tang really valued him!

His second reaction was that he was indeed a genius!

For someone as superstitious in Feng Shui and mysticism as Mr. Tang, to be willing to give up the auspicious contract signing date set by a Feng Shui master for a potential talent like him.

He felt both moved and confident!

His emotions were so high he almost couldn't resist shouting to the sky.

He immediately took the contract and rushed over.

Once the contract was signed, Secretary Sun went through the procedures without delay.

From now on, this project was his!

Even if it was later overseen by Mayor Zheng, it couldn't overshadow his contributions.

Meanwhile, Secretary Lu had already packed up his family's belongings and, with his wife, set off for Tongzhou City by car.

Tongzhou City doesn't have an airport, only a high-speed rail station.

Fortunately, the distance between the two places isn't far, just over three hundred kilometers.

Driving is more convenient.

At half-past six in the evening, Secretary Lu arrived in Tongzhou City.

Mayor He personally came to the government complex to welcome him.

"Secretary Lu." Mayor He gripped his hand tightly, visibly emotional: "You're finally here!"

Secretary Lu smiled and said, "Mayor He, I hope you'll cooperate well with my work in the days to come."

"Absolutely, absolutely!"

"Tongzhou City Committee and Government will be led by Secretary Lu!"

Mayor He showed a very humble stance.

Secretary Lu's face showed no signs of demotion; it was full of vigor and high spirits, like a chess player whose every move was calculated and assured.

...

Seven o'clock.

In the restaurant.

The waiter opened the door to the private dining room, and Wu Qiangwei saw Qu Xiangru, who had arrived early.

"Secretary Wu."

Qu Xiangru smiled and stepped forward to shake her hand.

Inside the room, it was just the two of them.

Wu Qiangwei sat down and directly asked, "What does Governor Qu want with me?"

Qu Xiangru smiled and said, "There's a piece of news that I'm sure will interest you."

Wu Qiangwei silently looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Qu Xiangru said, "This news is related not only to your career but also to the careers of all officials in Lingjiang."

"In return, I need Secretary Wu's early commitment."

Affecting all officials in the city?

Even someone as experienced as Wu Qiangwei couldn't figure out what it might be.

She held a skeptical attitude toward her words.

"What commitment?"

Qu Xiangru said, "The heads of the Tax Bureau and Industrial and Commercial Bureau should be people I recommend."

Wu Qiangwei's eyes reflected a wave of understanding, realizing that what Qu Xiangru was about to discuss might be related to the case of Song Guanchao being framed!

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