A man in Handong: living off Zhong Xiaoai

Upon hearing Zheng Jindong's words, everyone present looked displeased.

Because none of the people present were Governor Qi; Governor Qi didn't even come today.

　The General Office of 460 Province once tried to contact Qi Tongwei, but found that neither his nor his secretary Zhong Xiaoai's phone could be reached.

When He Dongfeng saw that Qi Tongwei was not present, he felt that his opportunity had come.

So he immediately said it.

"Governor Zheng, Qi Tongwei did not come today."

He Dongfeng originally intended to complain, but to his surprise, Zheng Jindong had been very smug because he thought Qi Tongwei was present. Now that he heard that Qi Tongwei wasn't there, his arrogance and smugness immediately disappeared.

Zheng Jindong looked incredulous. Did Qi Tongwei really dare not attend this meeting?

He was the eldest son of Old Master Zheng, and the meeting notice stated that he could not ask for leave.

Even if Qi Tongwei had the guts, he wouldn't simply disrespect me; something must have happened to him.

Zheng Jindong's expression was now very bad, showing some surprise and panic.

He asked to confirm.

"Why didn't Qi Tongwei come? Did something urgent happen at his home?"

Upon hearing this, He Dongfeng thought that Zheng Jindong was really too understanding, even trying to see the good in him. No, he had to expose Zheng Jindong's ugly face!

"Governor Zheng, I haven't heard anything special about Qi Tongwei; he simply didn't come!"

Chapter 258 Qi Tongwei Has More Important Things to Do

Zheng Jindong, who considers himself to be of noble birth and has a fragile ego, didn't look too happy after hearing He Dongfeng's words.

Zheng Jindong couldn't believe that Qi Tongwei would be so disrespectful to him; it was unbelievable.

At this moment, Wang Shenhao, the vice governor of Handong Province in charge of the economy, suddenly smiled and said.

"Comrade Dongfeng, is Governor Qi coming or not? If he isn't coming, shouldn't we also refrain from gossiping behind his back?"

As he spoke, Wang Shenhao smiled and looked around at the people.

"Judging from Dongfeng's tone just now, I thought he saw Secretary Qi this morning and that Secretary Qi himself told him that he didn't want to come."

Upon hearing Wang Shenhao's words, a burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

For He Dongfeng and Zheng Jindong, Wang Shenhao's words were very harsh because he addressed Qi Tongwei as Secretary Qi.

In other words, Wang Shenhao was reminding He Dongfeng and Zheng Jindong that, according to regulations, they were under the leadership of the provincial party committee, while Qi Tongwei was the deputy secretary. That is to say, although they seemed to be at the same level as deputy provincial leaders, there was a world of difference between them, as Qi Tongwei was the leader.

At this moment, Zhang Yongxian, the vice governor of Handong Province in charge of education, also smiled and said.

"Secretary Qi is always very busy and doesn't attend every meeting. I think it's normal for Secretary Qi to come or not."

Zheng Jindong's face was very ugly at this moment. Yet another person appeared who kept referring to himself as Secretary Qi.

If Wang Shenhao was one of those who didn't go to the airport to pick him up this morning, then the Vice Governor Zhang Yongxian, who is speaking now, did go to the airport this morning.

The reason Wang Shenhao and Zhang Yongxian said this was not because they were members of the Qi family gang.

Wang Shenhao and Zhang Yongxian were well aware that although they, as deputy provincial-level officials and above, were under the jurisdiction of the capital, the authority to appoint and dismiss them did not lie with Qi Tongwei.

However, Qi Tongwei's authority to appoint and dismiss officials could completely restrict the departments under their jurisdiction.

If Qi Tongwei were to forcibly replace any of their own subordinates in the future, it would be no different than eating shit.

Or rather, if they want to promote their own people within the province in the future, whether they can succeed depends on Qi Tongwei's approval. Now that Li Lian and Zhao Lichun are no longer useful, would they be foolish enough to offend Qi Tongwei?

Their attempt to curry favor with Zheng Jindong is entirely due to his influence in Beijing. Who wouldn't want to advance further? Who would complain about being promoted too high?

However, Zheng Jindong isn't the only one in Handong who can cause trouble to the highest levels; there's also Qi Tongwei who can help them just as well.

If that's the case, why would they offend Qi Tongwei for the sake of Zheng Jindong?

Although Qi Tongwei didn't come today, Wang Shenhao and Zhang Yongxian both understood that there are no secrets in this world.

What they said in their meeting today will eventually get out.

Qi Tongwei didn't come today because he knew some people wouldn't dare to speak up for themselves, for fear of offending others.

If you offend Qi Tongwei, he will really retaliate.

Putting aside everything else, the sheer power of personnel appointment and dismissal in Handong is enough to instill fear in many people.

Regardless of faction, who would want all their people removed, leaving them as a lone commander?

Zheng Jindong's fragile heart was a little broken at this moment. He is so sensitive, and he was already feeling very upset.

He forced a smile and looked at Liu Linzong, the governor of Handong Province.

"Governor Liu, the meeting notice issued today clearly states that absences are not allowed. Governor Qi didn't come today, what do you say about that?"

It's obvious that Zheng Jindong doesn't want this incident to pass; he has to regain the face he lost.

From childhood to adulthood, Zheng Jindong has never suffered a loss or had his face slapped.

The only time was when Zhong Xiaoai took a cake knife and told her to get lost.

Oh, and there was another time when Zhong Xiaoai and Qi Tongwei suddenly got married.

Anyway, there can't be a third time; we have to get our face back today.

Zheng Jindong absolutely cannot allow himself to stumble repeatedly in front of Zhong Xiaoai.

Moreover, Zheng Jindong's deliberate use of the title "Governor Qi" just now proves that in Zheng Jindong's eyes, Qi Tongwei is not a provincial party committee leader at all, but just someone of equal rank to himself.

Liu Linzong smiled after hearing Zheng Jindong's words.

"Jin Dong is right. This meeting does not allow leave, so Tong Wei never asked for leave."

Liu Linzong smiled and said this sentence very casually.

This was even more unacceptable to Zheng Jindong. What did it mean that he was not allowed to take leave? So Qi Tongwei did not ask for leave.

This statement seems reasonable at first glance, but the problem is that Qi Tongwei never even showed up.

No one else came, yet you're saying he didn't ask for leave? What kind of nonsense is that?

If someone doesn't ask for leave and simply doesn't come, isn't that a more serious problem?

"Governor Liu, the problem is that Qi Tongwei didn't come. This has nothing to do with whether he asked for leave or not, right? Is it normal for Qi Tongwei not to attend such an important meeting?"

Zheng Jindong's words were very clear at this point: he wanted to hold Qi Tongwei accountable for not showing up today, and he was determined to pursue the matter to the end.

Actually, Qi Tongwei's absence today wasn't just because he was angry and unhappy; he was deliberately trying to embarrass Zheng Jindong.

Most importantly, his wife, Zhong Xiaoai, has recently become very studious and enthusiastic about studying driving skills. It was Zhong Xiaoai who said she didn't want Qi Tongwei to come.

If Zhong Xiaoai had suggested that Qi Tongwei come, or if Qi Tongwei had driven a different car that night as usual, there would likely have been a high probability that he would have attended the meeting today.

When Liu Linzong heard Zheng Jindong say that today's meeting was important, he was emphasizing Zheng's prestige.

To be honest, it was indeed an important meeting when a vice governor was parachuted in from above, but Qi Tongwei just didn't come. What could you do about it?

"Jin Dong, Tong Wei is not only the vice governor of our Handong Province, but also the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee. He is responsible for many important tasks. No matter how important our meeting is today, it is not as important as the work of the provincial party committee. Tong Wei is busy with the work of the provincial party committee, so he can naturally not come."

Liu Linzong's words made it very clear: no matter how important Zheng Jindong's appointment is, can it be more important than the Hantong Provincial Party Committee?

All affairs, large and small, in Handong Province are under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee. As the Deputy Secretary, Qi Tongwei naturally has more important things to do.

Previously, many people were speculating about the attitudes of the top two officials in Handong Province towards Qi Tongwei. It remains to be seen whether Zhao Lichun and Liu Linzong will agree on this matter again.

However, Liu Linzong's attitude at this moment seemed to indicate that he had chosen to stand on Qi Tongwei's side.

Chapter 259 I Will Teach Qi Tongwei the Rules

Zheng Jindong could hardly believe his ears after hearing Liu Linzong's words.

What does this mean? Is Liu Linzong going to openly protect Qi Tongwei? Doesn't he know who he is? He's Old Zheng's eldest son!

How could Liu Linzong possibly offend the eldest son of the Zheng family for the sake of being a live-in son-in-law of the Zhong family?

Looking at Qi Tongwei, who was filled with resentment, Liu Linzong knew very well that his words might have offended Zheng Jindong.

Originally, Liu Linzong did not want to take sides, but if he did not help Qi Tongwei just now, and the matter escalated, the higher-ups would also help Qi Tongwei.

If you get your superiors to speak up for Qi Tongwei, then you haven't done your job properly.

Furthermore, the personnel appointment and dismissal power held by Qi Tongwei is useful to most people.

Including Liu Linzong himself, doesn't anyone have their own people stationed in Handong?

Whether or not it can be installed is entirely up to Qi Tongwei.

If Zheng Jindong wants to completely suppress Qi Tongwei in the situation, he should at least take away Qi Tongwei's power to appoint and dismiss personnel in Handong, regardless of other deputy secretaries.

Otherwise, only a very few reckless individuals, or those driven to desperation by Qi Tongwei, like He Dongfeng, would stand on Zheng Jindong's side and openly challenge Qi Tongwei.

But how could that be possible for Zheng Jindong?

Liu Linzong understood perfectly well that before Zheng Jindong arrived, the higher-ups had swiftly sent Minister Cheng to announce Qi Tongwei's new position, and this had even broken the management system of each province in Xia State, giving Qi Tongwei the personnel appointment and dismissal power that was unique to the top leader.

This means that the higher-ups hope that Qi Tongwei will have a greater advantage and a better chance of winning in his competition with Zheng Jindong.

Liu Linzong couldn't afford to offend either the Zheng family or the Zhong family, but if the Zheng family and the Zhong family fell out, Liu Linzong believed that the Zheng family would have no chance of winning.

"Jin Dong, Tong Wei's matter shouldn't be your focus today. This is your first time in Handong, don't you have anything to talk about?"

As he spoke, Liu Linzong smiled and looked at everyone.

Then, he continued.

"Introduce yourself and state your position."

Zheng Jindong realized that Liu Linzong's intention to protect Qi Tongwei was becoming increasingly obvious.

He actually told him directly not to mention Qi Tongwei anymore, which was as if to say, "Don't focus on Qi Tongwei, use that time to mind your own business."

He Dongfeng also noticed that the atmosphere at the scene was not right. When he went to the airport to pick up Zheng Jindong in the morning, there were quite a few people there.

At the time, I thought that Handong would change drastically as soon as Zheng Jindong arrived.

So, at the very beginning of the meeting, I was the first person to speak up.

Who would have thought that after he stepped forward, he would find that everyone had lost their stance, and some even stood directly on Qi Tongwei's side.

I've become the most awkward person sitting next to Zheng Jindong.

However, He Dongfeng still hopes to turn his career around with the help of Zheng Jindong.