Chapter 53

Chapter 45, Black Three

In the luxurious private room of Wangjiang Hotel, An Zai Shan was toasting Yang Zixuan. Yang Zixuan didn't like having outsiders around during meals, so the hotel manager didn't dare to arrange any waiters in the room.

"County Chief, you really made a big splash this time!" An Zai Shan smacked his lips and gulped down a glass of white wine. An Zai Shan, who used to have a scholarly air at the county court, had become more outspoken and had a higher alcohol tolerance since he was transferred to the county public security bureau as deputy director. His tall and imposing figure, combined with his police uniform, made him a very intimidating figure.

Yang Zixuan, who had a low alcohol tolerance, took a small sip and smiled, "What's this? You've only been a director for a few days, and you've already learned to flatter?"

"Come on!! I'm serious..." An Zai Shan's somewhat tanned face showed a hint of seriousness. "I heard this from a leader in the city committee, the same one I took you to see last time, the Publicity Department's Liu Zhen."

"Oh?" Yang Zixuan was a bit puzzled.

"Didn't you publish that commentary article 'On Deepening Reform' in our Luofu provincial party newspaper? At that time, it was during a period of intense ideological struggle within the party, so your article was thoroughly criticized by some conservative forces within the party!" An Zai Shan's voice grew louder as he drank another glass of wine. "But a few days ago, when the great leaders of the country and the party were speaking in the south, they even used some of the ideas from your article. You can say that your name has gained some recognition in the party's public opinion circles, and you've really made a big splash..."

Yang Zixuan frowned. At that moment, he thought of the first commentary article he had published in this world, which was a deep analysis of the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union. He thought it was well-written, but after Liu Xiao published it, it seemed to have fallen into a void, causing no ripples. This left him puzzled.

"It's just an article. What can it prove? High-level leaders won't pay more attention to me, a lowly official, just because of one article. At most, it might leave a slight impression on them." Yang Zixuan sighed. "If it really benefited me, I wouldn't be hearing about it now, and it wouldn't have to be revealed to me through Minister Liu."

An Zai Shan was taken aback. He hadn't thought as deeply as Yang Zixuan, and now he felt there was something wrong with the situation.

Yang Zixuan sighed lightly. Clearly, there were high-level leaders above him who were suppressing him. Although his article had gained some recognition at the higher levels, he, as the author, had not benefited at all. He even suspected that his first article might have been deliberately suppressed.

Who could this person be?

Yang Zixuan was also puzzled. Logically, the original owner of his body was just a mentally challenged fool who couldn't have offended anyone or posed a threat to anyone. So why would someone try to suppress him?

Seeing Yang Zixuan's somewhat depressed look, An Zai Shan said, "County Chief, don't be so serious. It's just an article, no big deal. It's not like you won't get promoted without it. By the way, looking so gloomy, do you want to call a few waitresses to keep you company?"

Yang Zixuan smiled and waved his hand. "I didn't know you were such a closet pervert, Old An. What's wrong, can't your wife satisfy you anymore?"

An Zai Shan blushed at Yang Zixuan's words. After being transferred to the public security system, he had more contact with people from society and had become less拘小节 (particular about trivial matters).

"By the way, have you and your fiancée set a date yet? When are you going to invite me to your wedding?" Yang Zixuan paused and continued, "You and your girlfriend have been dating for a few years now. It's time to settle down."

"Almost. The date is set, after the New Year," An Zai Shan sighed. "Our Luofu will soon lose another handsome young man who goes out to chase pretty girls."

Yang Zixuan was amused by An Zai Shan's words. "You're already middle-aged, so stop dreaming about being a handsome young man. Think about how you can take over the position of the head of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee after Old He steps down."

An Zai Shan nodded. What Yang Zixuan said was true. Although he was the second-in-command in the Red Water County Political and Legal Affairs System under He Longbin, his experience was still shallow. It would be quite difficult for him to become a member of the county party committee and the head of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee when He Longbin retired in two years.

Although he was close to Liu Zhen, the Publicity Minister of the city committee, Liu Zhen was in charge of propaganda and had always adhered to the principle of self-preservation, making him one of the few neutral figures in the city committee. Therefore, it was unlikely that he would receive strong support from Lin Pei or Tang Lu, the top leaders of the party and government.

An Zai Shan didn't have many connections in the city, and apart from Liu Zhen, he had almost no one who could speak for him in the standing committee. Therefore, it was quite difficult for him to become the head of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, and he needed some luck.

So An Zai Shan was very admiring of Yang Zixuan. Yang Zixuan had quickly established a significant reputation in the county government after becoming the county chief, and even a seasoned vice-county chief like Fang Ling couldn't match him. In the county party committee, although he was the deputy secretary, he was much stronger in the standing committee than Lin Ruoshui, the dedicated deputy secretary in charge of party affairs, and could even match the county secretary, Su Nan.

This level of skill, An Zai Shan knew, was something he could never learn.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!!" At this moment, a loud knocking sound came from outside the private room.

"Open the door for me! I booked this luxury private room first. The brats inside, get out! I want to host a party... I'll give you three minutes to open the door, or I'll break it down..."

An Zai Shan frowned, feeling a bit angry after drinking. He didn't know who was so disrespectful and said to Yang Zixuan, "I'll go see what's going on..."

An Zai Shan walked to the door and suddenly opened it. The person outside must have been leaning against the door, and when it opened, he was pushed into the room by the momentum, stumbling and falling to the ground in a dog-eat-dog manner.

Yang Zixuan saw that it was a burly man, reeking of alcohol, clearly having drunk a lot...

"Black Three? What are you doing here?"