Family connections: From special recruitment by the county committee to the pinnacle of power

"The pastoral ranch project in Longping Town was actually initiated as early as when the research lab conducted its initial survey."

Li Mingyu narrowed his eyes and said, "Revitalizing the new countryside, improving Party conduct, and promoting integrity—this is a task assigned to the Propaganda Department. Before the troops move, public opinion must take the lead."

"But the research lab has already gone to investigate, have you seen the publicity department take any action?"

"Not giving him a chance to make a contribution is a way of not wanting to help him eliminate the negative impact. The longer it drags on, the greater the consequences will be. Isn't Secretary Qi's meaning clear?"

After saying that, Li Mingyu picked up his wine glass with a smile, and said with a hint of drunkenness, "Once you get to the county, it's not like you're in the township. Ask 'why' about everything, so you don't suffer losses."

clang!

The two clinked glasses, and Li Mingyu tilted his head back and downed another glass in one gulp.

As Zhang Chenguang drank, he squinted his eyes and began to plan in his mind.

Indeed, there are different rules for survival at every new level.

The same thing would not be so complicated in Longping Town. At worst, they could just point out Lin Weidong during a meeting and that would be the end of it.

After all, it didn't cause any serious consequences.

But after listening to Li Mingyu's explanation, it became clear that this matter was extremely serious.

Qi Hongchang's attitude was unpredictable; wasn't he just waiting for an opportunity to deal with Lin Weidong?

What deep-seated hatred, what profound resentment?

If I really get promoted to the Standing Committee, I'll have to be more careful with my words and actions from now on!

Otherwise, you won't even know how you died!

Although he thought that way, Zhang Chenguang felt that he could still try his best to join the Standing Committee. If he could do that, his position as deputy county head would be secure in the future.

As long as no major mistakes are made, it will be natural for him to move up another level during the leadership transition.

……

For the next week, Zhang Chenguang frequently traveled between Longping Town and the county seat.

After several encounters, Zhao Changhe indeed gave him a clear hint.

Only after receiving a hint from Zhao Changhe did Zhang Chenguang finally feel at ease.

Using the excuse of going to the county for business, Zhang Chenguang specially prepared a generous gift and arrived at Hongyunlai Restaurant just after get off work.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Chenguang went to the cashier, took out an envelope, and handed it to Li Xiuru behind the counter, saying, "Boss lady, I heard you can issue gold cards here, is that right?"

Li Xiuru, who was tidying up the curtains, looked up and said with a smile, "That's fine. Moreover, if you prepay more than 1,000, you can enjoy a 10% discount on every purchase."

This was Xu Hansheng's idea. Even though it was only 10% off, the speed at which funds were recovered was several times faster than before.

After all, Hongyunlai is not an ordinary snack bar. No one can come and spend money every day. Depositing money once might be enough to last two or three months.

Even if that money were just sitting in the bank, it would be enough to recoup that 90% discount.

Furthermore, once you have a card, who would go to someone else's house for any dinner party that requires a certain level of formality?

Eating at Hongyunlai is a prestigious experience with discounts, satisfying both vanity and a desire to get a bargain.

Occasionally, customers receive a small gift or two before leaving, which increases customer loyalty.

Zhang Chenguang handed over the entire envelope, smiling as he said, "Pre-deposit five thousand, and then book me a double room."

Li Xiuru smiled as she accepted the envelope, nodded, and said, "Okay, please wait a moment."

Before long, Li Xiuru handed Zhang Chenguang a magnetic card and said, "Please keep this card safe. If you forget to bring it, you can leave your phone number."

"Whether it's you or your relative, you can enjoy the discount by presenting your phone number."

Zhang Chenguang shook his head slightly and said, "No need."

Li Xiuru nodded and said, "Alright, please dine in private room 208. Are you alone?"

Zhang Chenguang shook his head and said, "Wait for someone."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuru called over a waiter and took Zhang Chenguang to a private room.

After sitting down in the private room, Zhang Chenguang glanced at his watch. There was still more than half an hour before he got off work, so he ordered a pot of Biluochun tea and slowly began to drink it.

It wasn't until 5 p.m. that Zhang Chenguang sent Xu Hansheng a message.

About ten minutes later, the door to the private room opened, and Xu Hansheng walked in with a smile.

"Section Chief Xu, I apologize for this intrusion and hope you won't take offense."

As Zhang Chenguang spoke, he stood up and took Xu Hansheng's hand.

Xu Hansheng laughed heartily and said, "Secretary Zhang, what are you saying? Before we parted last time, didn't I already tell you that when we get to the county, we must drink until we drop?"

As they talked, the two of them sat down.

Zhang Chenguang took the menu, ordered several of the featured dishes, and then asked the waiter to bring over a bottle of Moutai.

"Section Chief Xu, would you like some soy sauce-flavored liquor?"

As Zhang Chenguang unscrewed the cap, he smiled and spoke to Xu Hansheng.

Xu Hansheng thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Secretary Zhang, to be honest, I really wouldn't have drunk it if you hadn't asked me to. But since you've asked, I'll gladly keep you company."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chenguang took a wine glass and poured a full glass for himself and Xu Hansheng.

Then he picked up his wine glass and said to Xu Hansheng very solemnly, "Brother Xu, I won't say anything more, but everything is in my heart."

"If there's anything I can do for you in the future, Brother Xu, please don't hesitate to ask!"

"Come on, this drink is my toast to you, my little brother!"

Xu Hansheng hurriedly picked up his wine glass, moved it down half an inch, and clinked glasses with Zhang Chenguang, saying, "Brother Zhang, there's no need to be so polite. I also feel that we hit it off very well the first time we met."

"So, it was just a small thing I could do, nothing to brag about. I'll still toast you, brother!"

After saying that, the two of them simultaneously tilted their heads back and drank the wine in their glasses.

……

On the other hand, Lin Weidong also increasingly sensed that something was wrong during this period.

Since Qi Hongchang returned from the province, he hasn't had a single private conversation with him. The Longping Town project has been under investigation for more than ten days, but Qi Hongchang hasn't assigned him any new tasks.

In particular, the publicity work for the Longping Town project was not mentioned at all.

What makes him most uneasy is that Fu Changqing stepped down on Monday, but until now, Fu Changqing hasn't even called him once.

It's so quiet!

The quieter it was, the more uneasy Lin Weidong felt.

I wanted to report to Qi Hongchang privately, but Zhao Haifeng brushed me off twice, saying that the secretary was too busy.

This atmosphere is so eerie.

Just as Lin Weidong was sitting on the sofa in the living room, lost in thought with his eyes closed, the sound of a door opening came, and Lin Mingyuan, his face flushed from drinking, staggered in from outside.

"You've drunk this much again."

Even from a distance, Lin Weidong could smell the alcohol on Lin Mingyuan, which made him furious. He glared at Lin Mingyuan and roared coldly.