Evening.
Little Hongtang Private Restaurant.
Wu Qiangwei ca as invited.
Minister Zhou and Zhang ilin stood up to greet her, the atmosphere was harmonious.
Although Song Guanchao was accompanying as a secretary, Zhang ilin did not underestimate him.
During the trip to Yanjing, if not for Song Guanchao, he would have been bullied into the dirt.
After several rounds of drinks, Zhang ilin spoke: "Secretary Wu, I heard Secretary Lu wants to change the old city redevelopnt project to comrcial use."
When she received the call from Minister Zhou, she was wondering why they wanted to et her tonight.
Hearing Zhang ilin’s inquiry now, she was sowhat surprised.
Was it about this matter?
"Indeed, this matter was ntioned."
"What does Secretary Wu think about it?"
Wu Qiangwei was slightly perplexed, not quite understanding what Zhang ilin ant by his words.
Was he expecting to intervene and prevent Secretary Lu from easily completing the transition from residential to comrcial?
From her reaction, Zhang ilin knew that Minister Zhou had guessed correctly.
Secretary Wu and Song Guanchao indeed hadn’t realized the potential impact this matter could have on her.
Zhang ilin felt sowhat balanced.
He always thought Song Guanchao was much more capable than himself.
But in this matter, he and himself were not too fundantally different.
In Lingjiang’s political circles, only Minister Zhou and Mayor Jiang could see through the essence of this matter for now.
Confirming Wu Qiangwei’s ignorance, Minister Zhou spoke: "Does Secretary Wu not find it very strange?"
Wu Qiangwei looked at him again.
Honestly, she was a bit confused at this point.
What kind of riddle were these two playing?
Minister Zhou suddenly chuckled softly: "Secretary Wu has not been in Lingjiang for long and does not know Secretary Lu well, which is quite understandable."
"But I’ve dealt with him for three years, so I have a pretty good understanding."
"Today, at the Standing Committee, Secretary Lu’s behavior was quite unusual."
Wu Qiangwei asked: "How so?"
Minister Zhou replied: "Secretary Lu is not an impulsive person. Even if he acts impulsively, it is certainly deliberate, to achieve so purpose."
"His demand today to re-evaluate the compensation for demolition—if Director Tu hadn’t proposed the transition to comrcial use, would his demand have ultimately been implented?"
Wu Qiangwei was startled, and so was Song Guanchao.
Indeed.
If Director Tu hadn’t suggested the transition to comrcial use, what would have been the outco?
Forcibly compensating for the demolition at the rate of five thousand per square ter?
How could it be such a coincidence that just as Secretary Lu went mad, Director Tu ca up with such a good suggestion?
Is Director Tu really that smart, able to co up with such a good idea under pressure?
The answer was obvious.
Director Tu’s suggestion was arranged by Secretary Lu in advance.
Today’s Standing Committee was a show put on by the two for others to see.
He crafted the dumplings just for the vinegar.
However.
Even so, was it really worth having a al just to discuss this?
Minister Zhou continued: "Collective suicide by demolition households, rumors of demolition compensation prices, and Secretary Lu’s sudden etings to distribute funds."
"All these were preparations Secretary Lu made for today’s transition to comrcial use."
Their pupils instantly narrowed.
If these seemingly irrelevant matters were connected, spearheaded by Minister Zhou’s insight, they ford a string into a coherent line.
The collective suicide by demolition households was self-directed and perford by Secretary Lu!
The rumored demolition compensation price was also released by Secretary Lu!
No wonder!
No wonder Song Guanchao found it strange at the ti; how could Secretary Lu be unaware of such a large project, such a big rumor?
Even if Secretary Lu didn’t know, could Secretary Sun, who was responsible, also not know?
But if all this was self-directed by him, it made sense.
Even Song Guanchao had so admiration for Secretary Lu.
Such clever tactics!
Faced with a funding gap, unable to secure bank loans and unable to attract investnts, he actually devised such a scenario.
He usually kept a low profile, striking hard with a major move at once.
It’s impressive; even the collective suicide by demolition households was an idea that, even if any other leader could think of, might not dare to execute.
Handled improperly, it would beco a major incident.
Not being able to keep one’s hat on!
But this guy still did it!
Such audacity!
Song Guanchao never underestimated Secretary Lu, but having never witnessed him really taking charge, he lacked a direct understanding of his style of conduct.
This ti, he experienced it firsthand.
Wu Qiangwei was equally shocked by Secretary Lu’s tactics.
Moreover, she thought even further.
Once this project transitions from residential to comrcial, it can significantly stimulate Lingjiang’s economy and create more jobs.
On paper, it looks much better!
It provides even more support for Secretary Lu.
If the old city redevelopnt brings three tis the effect, then transitioning to comrcial brings seven tis the effect!
The difference is substantial.
Moreover, the funds retreated from the old city renewal can be used for other things.
In this way, the probability of Secretary Lu’s promotion becos higher.
Once he leaves, the probability of Mayor Zheng coming up is even higher.
When Mayor Zheng steps up, the only vacant position left is that of the Mayor.
But as Minister Zhou told Zhang ilin, it’s impossible for her, Wu Qiangwei, to beco Mayor.
The reason is simple.
The City Governnt still has Jiang Yuan.
To beco Mayor, she has only two choices.
Either serve under Jiang Yuan as a puppet.
Or, fight and struggle to seize the City Governnt’s power from Jiang Yuan.
This is too difficult.
After all, besides Jiang Yuan, there’s also Zhang Xiaoxian in the City Governnt.
Both of them belong to the local faction, entrenched for too long, too deeply rooted.
They are not sothing an outsider like her can easily bring down in the short term.
Forcing it would make her the second Zheng Bihui.
Unless she openly breaks with Jiang Yuan, attempting to send him to prison.
But with Jiang Yuan’s prudence, he would never give her such an opportunity.
With just a hint of that thought, Jiang Yuan would already act preemptively.
Her best future is to take over from Secretary Lu and beco City Secretary.
Thinking of this, she looked toward Minister Zhou.
Minister Zhou inviting her over tonight must be for this matter.
"Does Minister Zhou have any suggestions?"
"I do indeed have a sowhat undeveloped suggestion."
Minister Zhou smiled; Secretary Wu was indeed perceptive, discerning the purpose of her presence with little need for detailed explanation.
What she realized was also being realized by Song Guanchao at this mont.
He looked at Minister Zhou, curious.
What good suggestion could Minister Zhou have?
In fact, Song Guanchao also had so ideas, but he temporarily suppressed them.
Minister Zhou said: "If Secretary Wu wants to suppress Mayor Zheng, the best approach is to start with economics."
Economics...
Wu Qiangwei pondered deeply, her thoughts turning.
Minister Zhou continued: "The city’s finances are limited, and even if the funds for the old city redevelopnt are freed up, they’re not for you to plan. Hence, Secretary Wu’s vision must extend beyond Lingjiang."
Extend beyond Lingjiang...
Wu Qiangwei looked at Zhang ilin, seemingly comprehending sothing.
She nodded slightly and raised her glass: "I toast to Minister Zhou."
Minister Zhou smiled and raised his glass; so things, if said too plainly, lose their gracefulness.
It was enough that Wu Qiangwei understood his aning.
At eight o’clock in the evening, the four of them left the restaurant.
After Minister Zhou and Zhang ilin left, Wu Ming also drove up to the entrance.
The car was parked downstairs, and Wu Qiangwei said, "Co up with ."
Wu Ming: "Oh."
"The Secretary talks to , and you just say oh?"
Song Guanchao glanced at him like he was an idiot and pushed the door to get out of the car.
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