Chapter 1849
City Secretaries and City Secretaries are not the same.
For instance, Lingjiang is just a rather ordinary prefecture-level city, and its City Secretary is simply at the provincial level.
Jiangzhou is different. Jiangzhou is a vice provincial level city, and normally the City Secretary is at the vice ministerial level, and must join the Provincial Committee.
Once in the Provincial Committee, there’s a clear distance from the heads of ordinary prefecture-level cities.
As long as one doesn’t make any mistakes and maintains good relationships with colleagues, even at worst, one can become a Deputy Governor.
The normal progression is a direct promotion to Governor, or even Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee.
But Zhou Zheng is merely a City Secretary and hasn’t joined the Provincial Committee.
This is abnormal, very abnormal.
This means his position as City Secretary is merely temporary and could be replaced at any time.
So, upon hearing Tian Kai Ming’s inquiry, Zhou Zheng’s expression was rather awkward, and he nodded lightly.
Tian Kai Ming said, "You’ve only been in the position for a short time and haven’t achieved much, but since you’ve taken on a significant role, you should be in the committee. It seems Secretary Gao might have other plans for you."
Zhou Zheng felt even more embarrassed. It’s not that he has other plans for me, but he’s essentially reserving my spot for someone else.
He thought about it and decided to speak frankly with Tian Kai Ming.
"Secretary Gao initially appointed me as Secretary to free up the Mayor’s position for Mayor Wu."
"Oh? Is that the intention?" Tian Kai Ming looked surprised, even though he already knew, and he asked, "How is Mayor Wu’s work at the City Government?"
"Aside from having some stiff relationships with a few colleagues, overall it’s pretty good. He handled several issues last year quite well."
Talking poorly about Wu Qiangwei in front of Tian Kai Ming serves no purpose; his aim is to align with Tian Kai Ming.
Tian Kai Ming nodded and said, "I’ll find an opportunity to chat with Secretary Gao after the New Year, to suggest adding you to the committee."
Zhou Zheng’s eyes lit up, and his hands resting on his lap clinched tightly.
He didn’t expect Tian Kai Ming to be so straightforward.
"Thank you, Secretary Tian!"
"Don’t rush to thank me. I’m merely mentioning it. Don’t hold out too much hope. Since you haven’t been on the committee until now, it means Secretary Gao hasn’t thought about it. The resistance here is considerable."
"Yes..." The hope Zhou Zheng had kindled was now only half as bright.
"I’ll exert some influence for you, but you should also stir up some action."
"..." Zhou Zheng’s lips curled into a bitter smile; how can he stir up action when he’s just one person and weak?
Tian Kai Ming picked up his teacup and said, "In the one year you’ve been in office, Jiangzhou’s economy has seen a downturn for the first time in ten years. You think Secretary Gao merely let you vacate the Mayor’s position for Mayor Wu, but in truth, he’s also making you take the fall. The economic decline is an undeniable fact, and if you are removed later, you can’t argue."
Zhou Zheng was startled. He hadn’t considered this angle.
He wanted to explain that the economic downturn wasn’t his fault; Jiangzhou’s economy had already reached saturation, and whether he was the head or not, he couldn’t prevent it.
This wasn’t about him personally; the larger environment dictated it.
Zhou Zheng felt stifled, feeling Secretary Gao was somewhat taking advantage of the honest ones.
Tian Kai Ming glanced at him, "Don’t feel wronged. The economic downturn isn’t your fault, but without it, do you think you’d have the opportunity to be the head?"
"If the economy were booming and prosperous, this secretary position wouldn’t have been yours."
Zhou Zheng’s lips moved, yet he had nothing to say.
Tian Kai Ming said, "Being an official is like warfare. With no backing, no background, there are just two paths: obscurity or meteoric rise."
"Wars that have a chance of victory wouldn’t allow you a chance to participate. Only by winning wars that seem hopeless can you carve out an opportunity."
"You think it’s hard? It isn’t—why would it be your turn otherwise?"
"The tough battles in life are what others don’t want, but if you win, it’s a turning point for you."
"Accomplishing seemingly impossible tasks is the true mark of your ability. Challenges that others avoid are opportunities to showcase your talents."
"As I’ve said, I’ll help you try before Secretary Gao, but don’t have any expectations. To steady your position in the committee, your only path is to elevate Jiangzhou’s economy, scoring a remarkable comeback!"
"Once the economy improves, when I propose in the committee meeting that you join, no one will have grounds to refuse, not even Secretary Gao."
Zhou Zheng listened quietly, his brows furrowed and never relaxed.
After a long while, he drank a sip of tea and nodded, "I’ve learned."
Tian Kai Ming’s words roused him.
During nearly a year in the secretary position, his mental journey had several changes.
At first, he accepted Secretary Gao’s arrangements for him, viewing the City Secretary role as just a temporary resume point.
Later, ambition stirred within him; he wanted stability and permanence.
But merely having ideas without knowing where to start left him in a muddle.
Listening to Tian Kai Ming, suddenly his thoughts cleared, and he had a solid goal.
Relying on others is inferior to relying on oneself.
Since he has no backing, he might as well speak with strength.
Pulling a city whose economy is already saturated and slipping back, is undoubtedly challenging.
But as Tian Kai Ming said, if it weren’t challenging, it wouldn’t even be his turn.
He realized this might be his last chance while in office.
...
After Zhou Zheng left, another car arrived at the villa.
Sun Jiajun came down from the car, followed the woman into the living room.
Seeing Tian Kai Ming, Sun Jiajun was extremely respectful, his face full of sycophantic smiles.
He arrived at ten twenty and left at eleven o’clock.
Tian Kai Ming had some interest in Zhou Zheng.
Zhou Zheng, after all, had been the Mayor of Jiangzhou for several years, his political vision was broad, and his ability wasn’t top-notch but adequate.
Tian Kai Ming occasionally brought up some provincial-level topics, and Zhou Zheng could offer some decent personal insights.
By comparison, Sun Jiajun wasn’t even close.
He had short vision, and when faced with some casually challenging questions from Tian Kai Ming, though he could talk on and on, his suggestions were hollow, his level low, leaving Tian Kai Ming uninterested in discussing with him.
But being the City Government second-in-command showing goodwill, Tian Kai Ming had no reason to turn him away.
Moreover, low level also has its advantages; using him as a pawn is quite good.
After leaving Tian Kai Ming, Sun Jiajun quickly headed for a high-end apartment complex downtown.
Zhang Jie, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission Director, resides there.
...
All day, Song Guanchao stayed home with Lin Wanqiu without going out.
In the morning, first giving Lin Wanqiu a wake-up service, they washed up, had breakfast, and continued to explore the mysteries of the human body.
𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
Before lunch, Lin Wanqiu’s calls hadn’t ceased.
Until two in the morning, the two, after a whole day of frenzy, finally fell into a deep sleep.
On the morning of the sixth, after breakfast, Song Guanchao said goodbye to her.
At ten-thirty, Song Guanchao came out of Modu Airport, looking at the azure sky, thinking of the beauty he was about to meet, feeling greatly pleased.