Official Career Storm-Chapter 1228 1228

"Wu Qiangwei."
Secretary Gao listened to the recommendation, nodded slightly, and said, "I'm aware of Secretary Wu. She's very young and capable, but I recall she only took office in Lingjiang a year ago..."
Qi Bingde interrupted him, "The length of time in office doesn't matter. Our country now emphasizes younger cadres. Besides, if a cadre is talented and capable, they should be appointed to a higher position. Otherwise, isn't it a waste?"
"Secretary Gao asked for my recommendation, so I recommend Wu Qiangwei. If Secretary Gao isn't satisfied, then let Mayor Zhou recommend someone."
He had an attitude of insisting on Wu Qiangwei and no one else.
Zhou Zheng secretly complained in his heart.
Clearly, it was Secretary Gao's suggestion, yet they had to follow such a procedure.
But despite his complaints, he understood that he had to express an opinion.
Secretary Gao wanted him as the City Secretary, waiting for his stance.
With this in mind, before Secretary Gao could ask, he directly said, "I'm very familiar with Secretary Wu. She's indeed very capable and has no problem serving as the Mayor of Jiangzhou City."
Secretary Gao pondered for a moment and said, "Since Mayor Zhou thinks so too, then let's decide on that."
Upon exiting the Provincial Committee Building, he headed to Qi Bingde's car, planning to chat briefly, but Qi Bingde said, "Let's go together; we can have a meeting when we return."
A meeting?
Zhou Zheng paused, then quickly realized they planned to discuss the matter in a meeting today.
On the way back, Zhou Zheng said, "Secretary Qi, as for the City Government, there should be no problem with Mayor Zhang's vote."
He was referring to the standing committee's vote.
Even though Secretary Gao decided on the next mayor, the procedure still had to be followed.
Qi Bingde responded with a hum, "The City Committee's side isn't a big issue either."
"That's good, that's good."
Zhou Zheng said, "By the way, when is Secretary Wu coming to the Provincial City? How about we sit together for a meal and discuss work arrangements in advance?"
Qi Bingde glanced at him, "No hurry, let's talk after I retire."
"Yes, indeed." Zhou Zheng responded with a smile, while secretly thinking that Secretary Wu had strong connections, and he should establish good relations with her once she assumes office.
"Contact Mayor Zhang and have her come to the City Committee for a meeting."
"Alright."
Zhou Zheng contacted Zhang Yan on his side, while Qi Bingde instructed his secretary to contact other standing committee members.
When they returned to the City Committee, several standing committee members had already arrived.
The group entered the meeting room and, after waiting for about ten minutes, the remaining committee members also arrived.
In the meeting room, aside from a few lower-ranking members, the more important standing committee members were present.
They exchanged glances, curious about the meeting's discussion.
Qi Bingde didn't delay the matter and, once everyone was present, he directly said, "My retirement request to the Provincial Committee has been approved."
The group was momentarily stunned, and then their minds became active.
The top leader's internal retirement opened up a position—who would take over?
Would it be Zhou Zheng or Deputy Secretary Lv Jie?
Or would the province intervene in personnel matters?
Qi Bingde continued, "I recommended Mayor Zhou to the Provincial Committee. Mayor Zhou and I just returned from the Provincial Committee. Tomorrow, at the standing committee meeting, the procedure will recommend this, and it will be ed to the People's Congress afterwards."
As they listened, some people's expressions revealed slight disappointment.
At this point, Zhang Yan asked, "Secretary Qi, has the candidate for mayor been decided yet?"
Right, there's still the mayor!
Everyone's thoughts became active again.
Qi Bingde nodded, "The candidate for the new mayor—Mayor Zhou, the provincial leaders, and I discussed it."
The key point here was that it was discussed with the provincial leaders!
This indicated that the candidate for the new mayor wasn't recommended by Qi Bingde or Zhou Zheng but was directly decided by the Provincial Committee.
They were merely conveying the decision.
They were surprised, eager to know who the new mayor would be.
Zhang Yan knew she had little hope, but she still wanted to try, "Secretary Qi, who is the new mayor?"
Qi Bingde smiled, "We'll discuss it at the standing committee tomorrow. If there's nothing else, let's adjourn."
He deliberately kept them in suspense, piquing everyone's curiosity.
Zhang Yan was especially anxious.
His lack of response suggested she still had some hope.
But reason told her that no matter who was chosen, it wouldn't be her.
After the meeting adjourned, she wanted to ask Qi Bingde for clarification but realized it would be pointless.
Zhang Yan could only keep comforting herself with, "If it's meant to be, it will be; if not, it won't."
...
"Yes, okay, I understand."
Qu Xiangru suddenly received a call from Yuan Chunlin of the Provincial Organization Department, and listening to the content left her astonished.
Minister Yuan told her that Wu Qiangwei was about to go to Jiangzhou City to assume the position of mayor.
How could this be?
She had always thought Wu Qiangwei would be the next governor!
Yet, it turned out to be the city's mayor?
Despite her surprise, she was puzzled.
If it's not Wu Qiangwei, then who have Secretary Gao and Governor Hou decided for the next governor?
There aren't many people who can take on the role of governor.
It could either be the top leader or second-in-command of Jiangzhou City, or the head of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, or the Provincial Deputy Secretary, as well as herself and Wu Qiangwei.
Now, Wu Qiangwei can be eliminated from the list.
She had asked previously, and Secretary Gao clearly stated it wasn't her.
And the top leader of Jiangzhou City is about to retire, while the second-in-command will take over.
That leaves only the Provincial Deputy Secretary Tian Kai Ming and the head of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission Zhang Jie!
Qu Xiangru couldn't help but furrow her brows.
Whether it's Tian Kai Ming or Zhang Jie, neither gets along with her.
However, Qu Xiangru figured that it wouldn't be either of them.
Because Secretary Gao said they regained the authority over the governor's personnel decision from the Central Organization Department.
If it were these two, Secretary Gao and Governor Hou wouldn't need to go through so much trouble.
Moreover, she's well aware that Secretary Gao and Tian Kai Ming, Zhang Jie, are not on the same page.
Having secured the personnel authority from the Central Organization Department, how could they choose someone from the opposing camp?
But other than these candidates, she couldn't think of anyone else who met the criteria.
Could it be the top leader of another prefecture-level city?
Images of various prefecture-level city leaders in Nanjiang Province flashed through her mind, and none stood out remarkably.
The more Qu Xiangru thought about it, the more bewildered and puzzled she became, unable to come up with a suitable candidate.
Shaking her head slightly and rubbing her temples, she picked up the landline and called Wu Qiangwei.
"Secretary Wu, can you come over?"
...
Song Guanchao wasn't aware of this personnel change; after his morning classes, he went to the parking lot, smoked, and called Liang Jianfeng.
"Mr. Liang, are you busy at noon?"
"Quite busy, what is it?"
"Do you have time for lunch?"
"Is it important?"
"Very important."
"I'll call you back."
After hanging up, just as he got into his car, intending to find a restaurant, his phone rang again.
Seeing it was from Zeng Li, he answered.