Chapter 65: Old Wang and Old Zheng

"Brother, how many cups have you had? I can't take it anymore, I'll only support you now!" Wang Bensheng stood up from the table, lost his balance, and fell onto Wang Jian, slurring his words.

Wang Jian quickly steadied him, "Director Wang, you better take a good look. I've had a full six cups of alcohol, six times two is twelve, which means twelve kilometers of road. Don't you dare back out!"

"Brother Wang, you, you don't know, I, I've never backed out. I, I didn't expect you to be even better than me. I, I'll have to challenge you again!" Wang Bensheng burped, his speech slurred, and his body still unsteady. The office director hurriedly came to assist him.

"Old Wang, I've noted the twelve kilometers!" Zheng Shiguang stood by, delighted. Wang Bensheng had boasted about drinking a liter and a half, but he was down after just one liter, while Wang Jian was still fine and had secured twelve kilometers of road construction!

"Alright, Old Wang, you, you don't have the right to speak without drinking. These twelve kilometers are for Brother Wang, not, not for you!" Wang Bensheng, drunk, said dismissively.

Knowing Wang Bensheng was speaking in a drunken state, Zheng Shiguang wasn't angry. He followed the swaying Wang Bensheng out of the hotel with a smile.

After leaving the hotel, Wang Jian said goodbye to Wang Bensheng and got into the car with Zheng Shiguang. Zheng Shiguang laughed, "Xiangzhang Wang, I didn't expect today to be so fruitful!"

Wang Jian had drunk a lot and lay on the back seat, his breath reeking of alcohol, "Secretary Zhao, I've completed my task. You must make sure Wang Bensheng follows through!"

"No problem, if he tries to back out, I'll sit in his office until he does!" Zheng Shiguang said confidently. They had reached an agreement on this matter.

After returning, Wang Jian slept for the afternoon. Han Yuting called him several times, but he didn't hear. When he woke up, he found that Zhao Yixuan had called him. They hadn't been in touch for a while, and he wondered what she needed.

He quickly called her back. After a moment, he heard Zhao Yixuan's voice.

"Wang Jian, where were you just now?" Zhao Yixuan asked.

Wang Jian, still feeling the effects of the alcohol, said dizzily, "Yixuan, don't mention it. To get the road built, I drank over a liter of alcohol. I was sleeping and didn't hear your call!"

"What happened? You had to drink so much to get the road built?" Zhao Yixuan was confused.

Wang Jian explained the situation to Zhao Yixuan. She was stunned, never imagining that local officials would do things this way to help the people. It was truly hard on him!

"Ah, if I had called you earlier, you wouldn't have had to drink to get the road. I recently met a sister in the Department of Transportation, a deputy director. We're close, and I heard that the roads in your area are poor, so I asked if she could allocate some funds to help build the road. She agreed immediately, so I called you. How about you come to the provincial capital and talk to her?"

Wang Jian was overjoyed, rubbed his eyes, and his eyes sparkled. He was more sober now and exclaimed, "Yixuan, are you serious?"

Zhao Yixuan laughed, "Of course, old classmate, I wouldn't lie to you!"

"Then I'll go tomorrow!" Wang Jian said immediately.

"Wait a couple of days, she's in Beijing and might not be back yet!" Zhao Yixuan said.

"Alright, let me know when she's back!" Wang Jian said.

"No problem!"

After discussing this, they chatted for a while before hanging up.

Wang Jian got up, washed his face, and went to the office. As soon as he arrived, Han Yuting called again. He answered, and she came to the office.

"Wang Jian, where were you? I couldn't find you, and you didn't answer my calls!" Han Yuting complained as soon as she entered.

"I was drunk and sleeping in the dorm!" Wang Jian explained. Han Yuting was surprised by Wang Bensheng's idea.

After their conversation, Han Yuting said, "Guo Qiang's performance was poor, and I criticized him. He even resigned again. What should we do?"

Wang Jian, surprised by this, asked, "Does Old Zheng know?"

Han Yuting looked at Wang Jian, "I didn't tell him. I don't know if Guo Qiang told him."

Wang Jian frowned and looked at Han Yuting, "Old Zheng cooperated well with me today. Should we try to retain Guo Qiang?"

Han Yuting, surprised by Wang Jian's leniency, stood up straight, "While Zheng Shiguang is still down, we should press our advantage. We can't be soft-hearted. If we take down Guo Qiang, our position will be more secure. Wang Jian, you mustn't be soft-hearted at this critical moment. Remember what the great man said: revolution is not a dinner party; it doesn't require politeness!"

Han Yuting's words made Wang Jian think. Zheng Shiguang wouldn't be content with being a powerless party secretary. Cooperation on major issues doesn't mean he won't compete for power. After much thought, he said, "If Guo Qiang resigns, can we promote Du Xiaobei?"

"I think we should use Feng Guoqiang. Du Xiaobei is a woman and may not be very effective!" Han Yuting, who naturally disliked using Du Xiaobei, suggested Feng Guoqiang, who was currently on the sidelines.

Wang Jian remembered that Feng Guoqiang was once a prominent figure but had fallen from grace. He had considered using him before, but Zheng Shiguang had vetoed it. Was Feng Guoqiang still capable? Moreover, Feng Guoqiang was senior and might not be easy to manage. It would be better to promote Du Xiaobei directly.

"Feng Guoqiang was vetoed by Zheng Shiguang last time. If we propose him again, Old Zheng will have reasons to disagree. I think we should promote Du Xiaobei!" Wang Jian decided.

Han Yuting looked at Wang Jian, "Are you also interested in Du Xiaobei?"

Wang Jian lowered his head and looked at her, "What are you thinking? Du Xiaobei has been working with me and hasn't received any rewards. It's only right for her to become the director of the party and government office. Using her will give me peace of mind, and you can save a lot of trouble!"

Feeling that Wang Jian's reasoning made sense, Han Yuting didn't object, "We should give Guo Qiang a new position. Otherwise, others will think we're deliberately targeting him, and it won't be easy to explain to Zheng Shiguang. How about letting the old Liu from the Science and Technology Association retire and having Guo Qiang take over as the director?"

Wang Jian squinted, thinking that Han Yuting was becoming an excellent strategist, considering all aspects. Having Guo Qiang take over the Science and Technology Association would be like a retirement position, and the old Liu, being old, would be happy to retire.

"Sister Han, you go talk to the old Liu and have him write a retirement application. Submit it along with Guo Qiang's resignation letter to Old Zheng and me, and we'll discuss it at the party committee meeting!" Wang Jian said after some thought.

"That's a good idea, I'll do it right away!" Han Yuting turned and left.

The situation was increasingly in his favor. Despite the fatigue from his recent busy schedule, Wang Jian felt very pleased. To continue in politics, he had to adapt to this harsh political life. There was no warmth here, only winners and losers, and the highest positions were always held by the strongest.

The next day, as soon as he started work, Yang Juncai came to tell him that the funds from the county Youth League and the county Women's Federation had been received. Wang Jian said, "Good," knowing that Yang Juncai now reported directly to him, bypassing Zheng Shiguang. This was also a government matter, so it was appropriate to report to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian then called Li Xiangshan and asked him to bring Lu Yongqiang to his office to discuss how to help poor and out-of-school students.

Yang Juncai was waiting in the office. Seeing Wang Jian looking at documents, he stood up and offered a cigarette. Wang Jian looked up, took it, and was about to light it when Zheng Shiguang walked in without knocking, seeing this scene. He was shocked to see Yang Juncai, who had once been firmly on his side, now showing such respect to Wang Jian, which was hard to believe!

Yang Juncai turned and saw him, his hand trembling, and the lighter failed to ignite. He tried again and finally lit it for Wang Jian, then said, "Secretary Zheng is here!"

Wang Jian also saw him, took a puff of the cigarette, and said, "Old Zheng, come in and sit down!"

By deliberately calling Zheng Shiguang "Old Zheng" in front of Yang Juncai, Wang Jian wanted to show the current situation and further undermine Zheng Shiguang's dignity, making him give up the idea of controlling Xianhe Township.

Zheng Shiguang's face twitched, his expression complex, but he didn't show anger. He knew the situation didn't allow him to do so.

"Oh, are you discussing something? I won't disturb you!" Zheng Shiguang thought and tried to leave the room.

Wang Jian quickly waved him over, "Old Zheng, it's nothing. Just say what you have to say!"

Zheng Shiguang stopped and said, "Old Wang, I talked to Wang Bensheng again. He's still backing out, only agreeing to build ten kilometers of road!"

"Ten kilometers is still good, Old Zheng, I really appreciate your help!" Wang Jian walked out from behind his desk. Although he didn't care about the ten kilometers after Zhao Yixuan's offer, he still needed to thank Zheng Shiguang to reduce friction.

Seeing Wang Jian's excited expression, Zheng Shiguang's mood improved. He patted Wang Jian's shoulder, "Old Wang, call me Old Zheng, and I'll call you Old Wang. This makes us seem more like brothers!"

In front of Yang Juncai, Zheng Shiguang took the initiative to call Wang Jian a brother. Wang Jian knew he had learned to yield, hoping to maintain his authority as the party secretary and avoid a complete breakdown of the situation.

"Ha, Old Zheng, calling me Old Wang is great, ha!" Wang Jian patted Zheng Shiguang's shoulder and laughed heartily.