Chapter 25: Spring Arrives

Zheng Shiguang had been in high spirits these past few days in the countryside. His posture and gait had noticeably changed; he used to walk with his head down and light steps, but now he walked with his head held high and large strides, clearly taking on the role of the master of the countryside.

Zheng Shiguang believed that with the alliance of Lin Hongjun and Ren Pingyi, his chances of being promoted to the position of Secretary were very high. To be able to leap from Deputy Secretary to the top Secretary was a remarkable achievement. Many town mayors and township chiefs aspired to become Secretaries, but they might not even get the chance, while he could achieve it in one step.

"Xiao Wang, why has your work attitude been so poor recently? Is it still affected by the issues with Secretary Zhang and Mayor Li?" In Zheng Shiguang's office, Wang Jian was called in, and Zheng Shiguang criticized him with a serious expression.

Wang Jian's mood had indeed been poor recently. Zheng Shiguang, even before becoming the Secretary or Mayor, had already shown a difficult-to-please attitude, which made him feel extremely tired. Before he took charge of the township, things were not like this. Once he became an official, he changed immediately. Zheng Shiguang calling him in was clearly to criticize him, but it was unclear whether there was a deeper meaning.

"Secretary Zheng, I'm fine, just not feeling well recently!" Wang Jian lied.

Zheng Shiguang's eyes lit up. "Not feeling well? Then you should rest more. The work in the Party and Government Office can be assigned to others."

Zheng Shiguang's expression surprised Wang Jian. Although it seemed like he was concerned, there seemed to be a hidden message. This "rest" had many implications, and if someone was to be relieved of their duties, they would be asked to rest.

"Alright, I'll take a few days off!" Wang Jian decided to take a step back.

"Okay, I approve your leave!"

Wang Jian walked out of Zheng Shiguang's office and came to the Party and Government Office. Du Xiaobei saw his very bad expression and asked, "Wang Jian, what's wrong? Why do you look so bad?"

Wang Jian smiled bitterly. "Nothing, just that Secretary Zheng asked me to take a few days off. It's good, at least I don't have to deal with those annoying things!"

"Rest? Why rest at such a critical moment? Don't just listen to him, who knows if he will become the Secretary or Mayor!" Du Xiaobei said in surprise.

Du Xiaobei's words made sense. Whether Zheng Shiguang would become the Secretary or Mayor was still uncertain. If he took a break now, what would happen if a new leader came? Wang Jian thought about it and decided it was better to continue working.

Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang, drunk, came into the Party and Government Office from outside. They didn't even greet Wang Jian, found a place to sit, and Fang Zhiming waved his hand at Du Xiaobei. "Du Xiaobei, get me a glass of water!"

Wang Jian coldly observed the two. Du Xiaobei, seeing Fang Zhiming's domineering attitude, immediately said, "If you want to drink, do it yourself!"

"Fang Xiaobei, don't take my kindness for granted. I'm telling you, our Director Guo is about to be promoted. You'll have to work under him in the future. If you don't show some effort now, don't say I didn't give you the chance!" Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang had come to the Party and Government Office to cause trouble, taking advantage of the changing situation in the township to bully Wang Jian and settle old scores.

"Xiao Du, quickly get Director Fang a glass of water. Didn't you hear what Director Fang said?" Guo Qiang, who was usually not as arrogant as Fang Zhiming, became bolder after drinking and started to boss people around.

Seeing the two acting so rudely, Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei were both startled. If Guo Qiang was to be promoted and Du Xiaobei had to work under him, it meant she would become the head of the Party and Government Office. It seemed that Zheng Shiguang's suggestion for him to rest had a specific meaning.

Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei looked at each other but said nothing.

"I'm going back to my dormitory." Wang Jian walked out directly.

"Want to drink, do it yourself! You have hands, don't you? Drinking to the point of not knowing north from south!" Du Xiaobei angrily threw her hands and followed out.

"Still dare to curse us!" Fang Zhiming stared blankly as Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei walked out one after the other, and it took him a while to react. He tried to stand up but fell back down.

"Director Fang, I, I'll get it for you!" Guo Qiang tried to stand up to get the water, but his words were stuttering. The two lay down to rest in the Party and Government Office.

Wang Jian ran into the township's Women's Federation Chair, Deng Meina, as he walked out. Deng Meina had been very active recently, and it was rumored that she had a close relationship with Zheng Shiguang. If Zheng Shiguang became the top Secretary, she would have the opportunity to take on an important position, much better than her current role as the Women's Federation Chair.

"Director Wang, have you seen Secretary Zheng?" Deng Meina asked.

"He's in his office!" Wang Jian replied and walked forward.

Deng Meina looked back at him, feeling that Wang Jian seemed very unhappy today.

Zheng Shiguang was sitting in his office. He had just received a call from Lin Hongjun after the county party committee meeting. After a brief conversation, he was both happy and stunned. Being appointed as the township Secretary was a joy he had expected, but he never thought Wang Jian would be promoted to the position of Mayor!

He had originally planned to remove Wang Jian from his position as the head of the Party and Government Office, but now, Wang Jian had skipped several levels and become the Mayor directly! He had just asked Wang Jian to take a break, but now they would almost be on equal footing!

It was truly unbelievable!

Unable to process this news, Zheng Shiguang decided to take a walk and check on the Party and Government Office. As he walked out of his office, he happened to meet Deng Meina. Deng Meina called out to him, but Zheng Shiguang replied curtly, "I'm busy now!"

Deng Meina felt embarrassed and watched as Zheng Shiguang walked past her. She followed him down to the Party and Government Office, where Zheng Shiguang saw Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang, both drunk. He was furious and scolded them, "You two drunkards, what are you doing here? If the county disciplinary committee sees you, you'll be punished!"

Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang were sound asleep. When they woke up and saw Zheng Shiguang's angry face, they were not afraid but rather happy. "Secretary Zheng, what's wrong? Guo Qiang and I just had a few drinks, no big deal, right?"

"No big deal? Look at you, do you look like state officials? Fang, you're a Deputy Mayor, and you look like this? Don't think being a Deputy Mayor means anything. I'm telling you, Wang Jian has been promoted to Mayor!" Zheng Shiguang, full of anger, lashed out at Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang.

This harsh reprimand finally woke the two up. Deng Meina, who had just arrived, was also shocked. A young man who had been working for just over a year was being promoted to Mayor?

Fang Zhiming, still dazed, stood up and asked, "Secretary Zheng, what did you say? Wang Jian is being promoted to Deputy Mayor?"

Fang Zhiming couldn't believe Wang Jian was being promoted to Mayor, thinking Zheng Shiguang had omitted the word "Deputy."

"What Deputy Mayor? He's the Mayor! Understand?" Zheng Shiguang was almost at his wits' end.

"Ah! Mayor?" Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang were both stunned. They had been planning to get Wang Jian out of the Party and Government Office and then deal with him! Fang Zhiming, as a Deputy Mayor and a member of the leadership team, could still manage, but Guo Qiang, just a mid-level official, would be in serious trouble if he offended the Mayor. He deeply regretted his earlier rudeness!

"Who among you three will go and call Mayor Wang? Because of you two, I'm in a very difficult position!" Zheng Shiguang wanted to mend his relationship with Wang Jian.

"I'll go!" Deng Meina promptly replied and ran off.

Wang Jian was talking with Du Xiaobei in the room when Deng Meina shouted from outside, "Mayor Wang, Mayor Wang, Secretary Zheng is looking for you!"

Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei, hearing the shout, were very surprised. When did the township get a Mayor Wang? And it sounded like they were calling out to the dormitory.

As they were thinking, Deng Meina knocked on the dormitory door. Du Xiaobei opened it, and seeing both of them, Deng Meina immediately smiled. Wang Jian quickly said, "Chairwoman Deng, don't misunderstand, I was just chatting with Xiaobei."

"Ha ha, congratulations, Mayor Wang!" Deng Meina ignored Wang Jian's explanation and directly delivered the good news.

Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei were stunned and asked, "What do you mean? Who is being promoted?"

"Director Wang, you are being promoted. Secretary Zheng asked me to call you over." Deng Meina smiled, looking very fawning.

Wang Jian stood up, unsure whether to believe it, and asked, "What am I being promoted to?"

"Mayor, and it's a full position. Mayor Wang, go quickly. I'll chat with Xiaobei for a bit." Deng Meina now wanted to curry favor with Du Xiaobei.

Wang Jian walked to the back office building, feeling a bit lightheaded. Just a moment ago, he was about to be removed from his position as the head of the Party and Government Office, and now he was to become the Mayor. It felt like a roller coaster, too unbelievable!

As he was thinking, his phone rang. Wang Jian saw it was Ren Pingyi's call and quickly found a quiet spot to answer.

"Hello, Secretary Ren!" Wang Jian said politely.

"Xiao Wang, right? I'm Ren Pingyi. The county party committee has decided to appoint you as the Mayor of Xianhe Township. Come to my office when you have time!" Ren Pingyi said.

"Okay, Secretary Ren!"

Just as he hung up, his phone rang again. Wang Jian saw an unfamiliar number and answered, saying, "Hello," and then heard a cheerful voice, "Xiao Wang, it's Liu Qingshan."

He didn't expect Liu Qingshan to call him as well. Wang Jian quickly lowered his voice and was told about his appointment as Mayor and asked to come to the county government.

After the call, Wang Jian went to the Party and Government Office and found Zheng Shiguang. Fang Zhiming and Guo Qiang had left. Seeing Wang Jian, Zheng Shiguang smiled and said, "Brother Wang, congratulations!"

Zheng Shiguang started calling him "brother," and Wang Jian's mind almost couldn't keep up. He quickly said, "Secretary Zheng, just call me Xiao Wang!"

"Ha ha, how can that be? Calling you Old Wang would be more appropriate. The county party committee has decided to appoint you as the Mayor of Xianhe Township, to work with me. It's an honor for me! We must work together to improve the work in Xianhe Township!" Zheng Shiguang laughed and patted Wang Jian's shoulder.

"I will follow Secretary Zheng's arrangements as before!" Wang Jian respectfully replied.

"Ha ha, Mayor Wang, you're too polite. Let's discuss things together!"

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End of Chapter 25