Official Career Storm-Chapter 1340

Jiangzhou City, City Committee.

City Secretary Zhou Zheng looked at the document delivered by his secretary, raising an eyebrow slightly.

This was a personnel appointment recommendation letter sent by the City Government regarding the position of the City Government Office Director.

Personnel appointments of this level, such as the City Government Office Director, require discussion by the leadership team.

The committee meeting is in two days, and as per usual practice, a group meeting is held beforehand.

In principle, personnel appointments by the City Government are not something he, the City Secretary, would interfere with.

However, when he saw the name Song Guanchao among the recommended candidates, Zhou Zheng couldn't help but think of the time Song Guanchao had contradicted him.

Just as Song Guanchao suspected, Zhou Zheng indeed holds grudges, and he has remembered this incident to this day.

He tossed the document aside, lit a cigarette, and then picked up his phone.

"Mayor Zhang, I just received a document from the City Government, recommending Song Guanchao for the position of City Government Office Director. Are you aware of this?"

Zhang Yan didn't understand why he was asking this: "I heard Mayor Wu mention it."

Zhou Zheng asked, "What do you think of this Song Guanchao? Is he suitable?"

Zhang Yan felt a slight pang of suspicion, as this time she sensed something was off.

Wu Qiangwei personally recommended him, which usually means there is already a consensus within the City Government.

Yet Zhou Zheng was still asking her opinion.

Unless... Zhou Zheng was dissatisfied with this recommendation!

Yes, that must be it!

With this in mind, Zhang Yan let out a bitter smile and said, "I'm just the Vice Mayor; even if I think he's unsuitable, it won't matter."

Zhou Zheng knew she understood his implication and responded with a smile: "That's not quite right, Mayor Zhang. Within our party, we stress democracy, and no one can monopolize decision-making. If you think he's unsuitable, it indicates that Song Guanchao may still have shortcomings, making him unfit to be the City Government Office Director."

"How about this, you also make a few recommendations and have them sent over."

"Okay."

Zhang Yan didn't know how Song Guanchao had offended Zhou Zheng, but she knew Zhou Zheng intended to use her.

Using her as an excuse to block Song Guanchao's path to advancement.

In the past, she might have had to consider this.

After all, helping Zhou Zheng would mean offending Wu Qiangwei.

But now, she had less to worry about.

If it offends, so be it.

She didn't care.

...

Zhou Zheng checked the time and called for his secretary: "Notify everyone that the group meeting is advanced to this afternoon."

"Okay."

The secretary left the office and immediately began notifying several Standing Committee leaders.

Wu Qiangwei was a bit surprised when she received the call, but she didn't think much of it.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Wu Qiangwei arrived at the City Committee.

In the small conference room were City Secretary Zhou Zheng, full-time Deputy Secretary Lv Jie, Minister of the Organization Department Wang Jinming, Disciplinary Committee Secretary Bao Qi, and Wu Qiangwei.

Once everyone was present, Zhou Zheng aligned positions for the upcoming committee meeting and started the session.

Agenda items were discussed one by one, quickly reaching the point of selecting a candidate for the City Government Office Director.

"Regarding the candidate for this director position..."

Zhou Zheng deliberately paused for two seconds, glancing at Wu Qiangwei.

Seeing his expression and tone, Wu Qiangwei sensed trouble.

She maintained a calm face and said, "I recommend the District Chief of Lingjiang Tongchi District, Song Guanchao."

The others gave her a glance, somewhat surprised but also understanding.

They were not unfamiliar with the name Song Guanchao.

Recently, during the unexpected fire at the Old Mountain Music Festival, Song Guanchao had performed noticeably.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that if not for Song Guanchao, the fire would have resulted in a significant casualty incident.

At least those two little girls would certainly have perished in the fire.

The relevant unit leaders would also have been held accountable.

Additionally, when Yan Han was falsely accused of possessing drugs in his car, it was Song Guanchao who uncovered the truth and cleared his name.

The vehicular accident in Nanhu District was also resolved by Song Guanchao. He even provided a recommendation that fundamentally prevented future similar incidents.

And the undercover operation with the police...

In just three months, as a trainee in the Youth Class, Song Guanchao had handled at least three major incidents.

Each of these incidents was significant enough to be noteworthy.

Moreover, he was already a District Chief.

Promoting him half a rank to the Provincial City, appointing him as the City Government Office Director, is reasonable.

Especially with the recent incidents in the City Government Office, which exposed the struggle between the Director and Deputy Director.

Wu Qiangwei promoting her former secretary to the Provincial City could hardly be criticized by outsiders.

However, Zhou Zheng obviously had a different perspective.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "District Chief Song's abilities are clear for all to see. I personally agree with Mayor Wu's recommendation."

Upon hearing this, the others caught the implicit message.

His personal agreement implies that due to certain reasons, ultimately, he does not agree.

"But..."

As expected, Zhou Zheng continued, "Mayor Zhang also presented me with another candidate."

He rubbed his forehead, as if troubled: "Mayor Zhang is also highly experienced; she knows the City Government better than Mayor Wu. I believe her candidate is more suitable than Mayor Wu's."

Wu Qiangwei's expression turned cold, just as she was about to directly refute, Zhou Zheng added: "Oh, I heard that District Chief Song seems to have had some conflict with the soon-to-be Governor Lu?"

Wu Qiangwei froze.

The other three persons also froze.

This statement had certainly enlightened them.

The incident in Lingjiang was significant, and being not far from Lingjiang, they were aware of it in the Provincial City.

Lu Zhizhong almost drove away hundreds of companies, and it was Song Guanchao who stepped in and ended this farce.

There was definitely conflict between the two, so Zhou Zheng's statement was not unfounded.

They had initially wondered why Zhou Zheng would oppose Wu Qiangwei over a director's position.

Now they understood.

Zhou Zheng is worried about offending Governor Lu.

They thought, if they were in the same position, they would consider this factor.

After all, this is the Provincial City.

The City Government and the Provincial Government are practically adjacent.

If they promote Song Guanchao, who once offended Governor Lu, once Governor Lu takes office, how could they expect to fare well?

Minister Wang nodded and said, "Mayor Zhang's recommendation should indeed be considered."

Secretary Bao also nodded: "Mayor Zhang's considerations are more comprehensive."

They avoided mentioning Governor Lu directly, but Wu Qiangwei understood they all had concerns and misgivings about this.

Rage churned within Wu Qiangwei, but she couldn't refute it.

Right now, Zhou Zheng had used Governor Lu to rally the other three Standing Committee members; she found herself isolated.

The group meeting concluded.

Wu Qiangwei, with a dark face, hadn't gone far when Zhou Zheng called out, "Please wait, Mayor Wu."

Wu Qiangwei turned to him: "Secretary Zhou, is there anything else?"

Zhou Zheng approached with a bitter smile and said, "Mayor Wu, it's not that I don't want to agree with your recommendation. It's just that... sigh, Governor Lu is about to take office, and I hope you can understand my predicament."

Wu Qiangwei gave a forced smile, initially about to leave in a huff, but then thought better of it, deciding she shouldn't be so capricious.

This is, after all, politics; in confronting others, whoever acts out in impulse loses.

With that thought, she suppressed her annoyance and said, "I understand; Secretary Zhou is also considering what's best for us. I indeed didn't fully account for this factor. Moving forward, I'll rely on your guidance in work matters."

Zhou Zheng smiled widely: "It's nothing; we're progressing together."

After exchanging a few words with him, Wu Qiangwei turned around, her smile vanishing instantly.

She got into the car and took out her phone, contemplating whether to inform Song Guanchao.

After much thought, she decided to make the call.

He would find out about it sooner or later, anyway.