Chapter 31: Feng Guoqiang's Arrangement

The next day, Feng Guoqiang came to the village to find Wang Jian. Seeing him look listless and with a dark complexion, Wang Jian was a bit worried that Feng might lack the confidence to compete for the position of Party and Government Office Director, which would make all his efforts in vain.

"Feng Deputy Chief, please sit down quickly!" In Wang Jian's office, after meeting, Wang Jian still warmly called Feng Guoqiang by his old title.

Feng Guoqiang walked to the sofa with a bitter smile and sat down, waving his hand and saying, "Deputy Chief Wang, you really remember the old times, but I am nothing now. Calling me Deputy Chief Feng is too much for me to bear. Just call me Old Feng!"

"Then I'll call you Mr. Feng!" Wang Jian said with a smile.

Putting the word "old" at the end is often a sign of respect for senior officials. Wang Jian calling Feng Guoqiang "Mr. Feng" had a bit of a dark humor to it, but it deeply moved Feng Guoqiang, showing that Wang Jian had always respected him. As Wang Jian's former superior, he now regretted not treating Wang Jian well when he was the Party and Government Office Director.

"Deputy Chief Wang, just call me Old Feng!" Feng Guoqiang insisted.

Wang Jian took two cigarettes from the pack on the table, gave one to Feng Guoqiang, and usually he didn't smoke much, but sometimes he felt that smoking could help bridge the gap between people and facilitate conversation, so he occasionally smoked.

Feng Guoqiang took the cigarette, lit it, and slowly exhaled the smoke, looking at Wang Jian, unsure why Wang Jian had called him.

Taking a light puff of the cigarette, Wang Jian slowly said, "I'll still call you Director Feng. You are my old leader, and I don't need to put on a show in front of you. Although I have become the Deputy Chief, I am still the inexperienced Wang Jian. In the past, you gave me a lot of help, and I can't just stand by and see you in this state. People are very fickle; once you're gone, they forget you. I called you here today to hear what you need. After all, you have been a mid-level official for many years and shouldn't just retire without a position!"

Wang Jian's words made Feng Guoqiang's eyes brighten, and his spirit was immediately lifted. It turned out that Wang Jian had called him to discuss the arrangement of a position, which was a great thing, a tremendous thing. He had thought that with the deaths of Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong, he would have no more opportunities, but he never expected that Wang Jian would think of him and give him a chance to rise again.

"Deputy Chief Wang, what do you mean...?" Feng Guoqiang asked tentatively.

Wang Jian said, "Director Feng, let me be straightforward. Now that I am the Deputy Chief, the Party and Government Office Director will step down. Although Secretary Zheng and I haven't discussed who will take over, I hope you can come out of retirement and serve as the Party and Government Office Director again. What do you think?"

This was unexpected for Feng Guoqiang. He thought that at most he would be given a deputy position, but he never expected that Wang Jian would want him to be the Party and Government Office Director. However, he had heard that Guo Qiang was to be the Party and Government Office Director, which seemed to be Zheng Shiguang's intention. Did he still have a chance?

Seeing Feng Guoqiang frowning in thought, Wang Jian said, "Director Feng may have heard some rumors, but I am firmly opposed to certain people taking this position. I will talk to Secretary Zheng first, and you should also go and talk to him. I believe that as long as you have confidence, you can definitely make a comeback!"

Wang Jian's words were very clear. Feng Guoqiang nodded forcefully, understanding that Wang Jian was fully supporting him to be the Party and Government Office Director to prevent Guo Qiang from taking the position. It seemed that Wang Jian was starting to build his own team. He had heard people say that Wang Jian was young and inexperienced, and even though he had become the Deputy Chief, he wouldn't have much influence, and few would listen to him. But now it didn't seem so simple; Wang Jian's strategy to win him over was quite effective. In his weak position, Wang Jian had nominated him to compete with Guo Qiang, which was a good move. It would make him grateful and increase the chances of success. Wang Jian seemed to have a good grasp of the political subtleties.

"Alright, Deputy Chief Wang, as long as Secretary Zheng and you support me to be the Party and Government Office Director, I won't be afraid of others laughing at me for coming back. I will do my best to help you in the future!" Feng Guoqiang said firmly after some thought.

Feng Guoqiang's loyalty made Wang Jian feel that his approach was correct. As a leader, it was impossible to have all people as his close confidants; he needed more political allies and partners to strengthen his power.

"Then it's settled. Let's work together!"

After Feng Guoqiang left, Wang Jian went to Zheng Shiguang's office to discuss who would take over as the Party and Government Office Director. He could compromise on other issues, but not on this one. The position of Party and Government Office Director was too important, and he needed his own base of power.

Knocking on Zheng Shiguang's door, Wang Jian entered. Zheng Shiguang warmly rose to greet him. After both sat down, Wang Jian said, "Secretary Zheng, Feng Guoqiang came to the village to see me."

Zheng Shiguang's eyes brightened, and he asked, "What did he want?"

"He is my old director and came to me about his position. He said that Secretary Zhang had promised to restore his position after removing him as Deputy Chief Assistant, which was just to deal with the county disciplinary committee. Now that Secretary Zhang is gone, he felt uncomfortable talking to you directly, so he came to me, thinking that as his former subordinate, I would be more approachable," Wang Jian said tactfully.

Zheng Shiguang frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "So he wants to be the Deputy Chief Assistant again?"

"Being the Deputy Chief Assistant is out of the question, but he hopes to be restored as the Party and Government Office Director. To be honest, I owe him a lot for my position as the Party and Government Office Director. Secretary Zhang had temporarily appointed him as Deputy Chief Assistant, originally planning to promote him to Deputy Chief, but then the accident happened. I still feel a bit guilty about it," Wang Jian said.

Zheng Shiguang looked at Wang Jian and said, "There's no need to feel guilty. If he had to blame anyone, it would be himself. The position of Party and Government Office Director is very important. Is it appropriate to let someone with a blemish take it?"

"Feng Guoqiang was set up, and I almost fell for it too. We must be highly vigilant against those who will do anything to advance. Once they reach a certain position, they might repeat their tricks, and the targets won't just be people like Feng Guoqiang," Wang Jian warned Zheng Shiguang.

Zheng Shiguang understood what Wang Jian was saying. He had heard about Feng Guoqiang being set up and Wang Jian being tricked at Drunken Immortal Tower. The people Wang Jian was referring to were always around him, making it hard to tell if they were good or bad. After Wang Jian's reminder, he became a bit more alert. If one of these people became the Party and Government Office Director, all his actions would be under their surveillance. If they banded together and made demands, how could he refuse? If he refused and they secretly plotted against him, what could he do? He couldn't favor one side; he needed to balance the various forces. Fang Zhiming, Yang Juncai, and Guo Qiang spending all their time together was not a good thing, and he needed to find a way to break their alliance.

Seeing Zheng Shiguang in deep thought, Wang Jian stood up and said, "Secretary Zheng, I'll leave first. Think about it and make a decision."

Zheng Shiguang woke from his thoughts and said, "Alright, no rush. Deputy Chief Wang, you can continue to serve as the Party and Government Office Director for a while longer."

"No problem."

Leaving Zheng Shiguang's office, Wang Jian believed that he had made Zheng Shiguang somewhat interested, but not enough to make a decision. Back in his office, he called Feng Guoqiang to explain the situation and asked him to personally talk to Zheng Shiguang, which would truly move Zheng Shiguang to make a decision.

After finishing this matter, Wang Jian called Du Xiaobei to his office. When she arrived, he smiled and asked, "Xiaobei, when did Liu Yan agree to come to the Party and Government Office?"

"Ugh, don't mention it. She seems to be wavering again. I think Fang Zhiming must have talked to her again. I don't think she's suitable, and bringing her over won't help," Du Xiaobei said, shaking her head.

Wang Jian thought for a moment and said, "It seems that those who waver will always waver. It's hard to win them over. If that's the case, let her be. If she wants to come, she can, and if she doesn't, it's fine. Don't try to convince her anymore."

"That's right. Otherwise, she won't know her own worth!" Du Xiaobei smiled.

Seeing Du Xiaobei's happy expression, Wang Jian knew she didn't want Liu Yan to come to the Party and Government Office. Women also repel each other. At that moment, Du Xiaobei noticed him staring at her, and her face turned rosy, her chest rising and falling, standing tall.

"Xiaobei, sit down and talk!" Wang Jian felt his eyes being dazzled and his throat drying up, so he quickly asked Du Xiaobei to sit down.

Du Xiaobei said, "I sit in the office all day and don't want to sit anymore!"

Since Du Xiaobei didn't want to sit, Wang Jian had to shift his attention and said, "Right, Xiaobei, I will continue to serve as the Party and Government Office Director for a while longer, but I won't have much time to oversee the office. You need to take on more responsibilities and keep things running smoothly."

Du Xiaobei, hearing that Wang Jian wanted to entrust her with more responsibilities, said happily, "Alright, but I have no position or power. What if others don't listen to me?"

"No problem. Just say that I instructed you. If anyone doesn't listen, tell me!" Wang Jian firmly supported her.

"Alright, with your support, I can do it!" Du Xiaobei said with a playful tone.

"Alright, you can go now."

"I want to chat a bit more."

"Can we chat in the evening?"

"Sure, in the evening!"

"Then why don't you leave quickly?"

Du Xiaobei left excitedly, and Wang Jian's mind flashed with the image of Lin Feifei. He wondered what her reaction would be to his becoming the Deputy Chief and whether her BMW-driving boyfriend treated her well. Although Lin Feifei had left him heartlessly, first love is often hard to forget and becomes an eternal memory. Zhao Yixuan, Du Xiaobei, and others, who later became close to him, seemed to have some ulterior motives. True, pure love might be hard to find again.

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