Song Ming looked at Tang Yung with a profound gaze, then gently sipped the tea. He didn't speak directly, instead, he beat around the bush: "Indeed, this is fine tea. Secretary Tang has excellent skills in brewing tea; the water temperature and the heating are well-mastered. Only... it seems this cup is nine-tenths full."
Tang Yung, being highly intelligent, had clearly filled only seven-tenths of the cup, but he insisted it was nine-tenths full—clearly, there were implications in his words.
"Deputy Secretary Song, please speak your mind," Tang Yung maintained her smile.
"Secretary Tang, being a person is like brewing tea," Song Ming said with a smile, putting down his cup: "Tea should ideally fill seven-tenths of the cup, leaving three-tenths for good fellowship. When the cup is filled seven-tenths, the tea won't spill and scald your hands. The sa applies to how one conducts oneself—you need to leave leeway for both yourself and others. Understanding that water overflows when full and the moon wanes when at its peak is the essence."
"Indeed," Tang Yung nodded and said: "What Deputy Secretary Song says is very true. Today, I was indeed planning to discuss this matter with you."
"Oh?" Song Ming expressed a bit of surprise, and curiously asked: "What do you an by that, Secretary Tang?"
"The officer's circle of Jiangbei City is very important to both of us," Tang Yung said earnestly: "I hope that in the future, we can put aside past grievances and collaborate once more. The economic developnt of Jiangbei City cannot do without our cooperation. I know nothing about the matter with Qianwei Chemical Factory. As for Lin Chuan, I also hope you could let him off this ti. In the future, let us work together in mutual respect. How about that?"
Song Ming squinted his eyes, pondering internally. Although he didn't understand what Tang Yung was up to, it seed to make so sense. However, he was resolved not to give up his position easily. Yet, it sounded like she was not willing to let go either.
"Secretary Tang, what do you an by this?" Song Ming asked curiously, tapping his finger lightly on the tea table.
"My aning is simple," Tang Yung smiled: "Why can't we both take a step back? Besides, rest assured, you're no spring chicken anymore, does it really pay to fight over so much? Your family has stored up billions in savings, covertly transferring so much foreign capital. Your son has even bought a Lamborghini, Bentley, Ferrari Enzo... so many luxury cars, aren't you afraid of your misdeeds being exposed?"
At these words, Song Ming turned ashen.
Indeed, this woman had co prepared. Song Ming took a deep breath: "If that's the case, why don't you report to the Discipline Inspection Commission?"
"Because I need you as a partner," Tang Yung shrugged: "Besides, what good would reporting do? Networks are all over the provincial capital; the result of reporting may just backfire on . Unless I go to the central authorities, which is a pity, I don't want to lose you as a partner."
"You think I would agree to your terms?" Song Ming squinted his eyes.
"You have to agree with ." Tang Yung slapped her phone on the table.
Song Ming was taken aback.
"Fine." Song Ming imdiately nodded, saying: "I agree with you."
Tang Yung showed a hint of surprise; she had not expected Song Ming to agree so readily. This was beyond her expectations. Tang Yung, in astonishnt, said: "You really agree?"
"Of course!" Song Ming nodded and said: "I agree with you."
A step back can lead to a broader vista; forbearance can bring peace to the situation. Besides, at this point in ti, Song Ming had no choice but to agree, and he really could not afford not to. Agreeing now was rely a conciliatory tactic—a temporary retreat with plans to secure his position later. Song Ming had verbally agreed, but in his heart, he had never accepted Tang Yung. This temporary agreent was to mollify Tang Yung, to allay her suspicions and doubts about him.
However, how could Tang Yung guess Song Ming's thoughts? Her ti in politics hadn't been long, only a few years. Her rise might be considered a miracle in the history of the republic. It was precisely because of her brief political career that she lacked experience, was too simple, too trusting of others, and prone to being manipulated.
"Good." Tang Yung was delighted, saying: "Deputy Secretary Song, this is excellent, let's cooperate well in the future, and plan together for the future of Jiangbei City."
"Alas, I, Song Ming, have already grown old," Song Ming said with a rueful smile: "The future of Jiangbei City really must rely on you younger folks."
"Not at all old," Tang Yung said with a smile: "Secretary Song is not even sixty, General Lian Po in his seventies could still serve in the army. You are still in your pri, and the economic developnt of Jiangbei City relies on old comrades like you."
The following conversation was much more relaxed, mainly consisting of lighthearted and cheerful topics.
Seeing his ruse succeed, Song Ming naturally relaxed as well. In fact, even if Tang Yung had not approached him to talk, he would not have dared to pursue Lin Chuan's responsibility in this matter further. The Provincial Committee's Secretary Song had personally made the call, how could he continue to pursue the bla? To completely overthrow Lin Chuan, relying on one or two incidents of violent assault was not enough. There had to be an intentional homicide to firmly establish Lin Chuan's guilt.
Song Ming squinted his eyes, a fleeting hint of murderous intent flashed in them.
"Deputy Secretary Song, co, drink the tea," Tang Yung said with a smile: "This is the finest Da Hong Pao from Feng Taibao, it would really be a waste not to drink it."
"Drink." Song Ming hurriedly nodded.
The two drank tea in lieu of wine, clinking cups. They discussed politics, governance, economic developnt, and social ethics. Between the lines, Tang Yung could feel Song Ming's full enthusiasm and ambition and she could also see that he was indeed a talented man. Only, his whole life, confined to the shallow waters of Jiangbei City, did not allow him to fulfill his aspirations and ambitions. Tang Yung also felt pity for him. Such a talented individual, if placed in a more suitable position, might have found much greater opportunities.
However, Song Ming has both good and bad aspects. His corruption is indeed very reprehensible. Yet, compared to his achievents, his greed and corruption seem quite insignificant. Tang Yung was actually able to forgive him.
From three o'clock in the afternoon until five, during the two hours, they chatted about everything under the sun, and said a lot.
Even though Tang Yung used quite a few tactics to ingratiate herself with Song Ming, she still couldn't get through to Song Ming's heart. It was clear that Song Ming was being evasive and perfunctory.
"I'm all full from the tea," Tang Yung joked with a smile: "All the oil and water in my stomach has been drained, how about... we find a place to have a al, what do you think?"
"Let's not, my wife has already prepared dinner at ho," Song Ming declined with an embarrassed wave of his hand, saying, "How about we just end our conversation here for today, and chat more if we find the ti in the future?"
"Alright," Tang Yung nodded.
Song Ming hurriedly got up to leave.
"Deputy Secretary Song." Tang Yung suddenly called out to Song Ming, who had reached the door.
"Huh?" Song Ming turned his head, looking at Tang Yung with puzzlent.
"The New Year is almost upon us, I wish you and your family a happy new year," Tang Yung said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, happy New Year to you too," Song Ming replied awkwardly, then hurried off. In fact, in that instant when he just turned his head, Song Ming felt the twisted hatred he had for Tang Yung suddenly vanish, which made him very curious.
Watching Song Ming's hurried departure, Tang Yung's expression darkened. An entire afternoon had passed, yet it did not resolve the conflict and resentnt between them.
"Sigh, I've done all I could," Tang Yung sighed.
However, fortunately, the conflict between them was temporarily eased. Perhaps it was out of fear that Tang Yung held evidence against him, or perhaps he truly felt that it was necessary to sit down and cooperate with Tang Yung. That's why Song Ming had agreed to et.
Tang Yung felt sowhat comforted but also a bit disheartened.
Comforted that their mutual conflict had eased; disheartened because it seed like Song Ming still hadn't accepted her. She guessed it was probably because he was still fixated on the top position, unable to let go. After sitting in the Eight Horses Tea House for a mont longer, Tang Yung left the Eight Horses Tea House.
The top two leaders of Jiangbei City quietly gathered at the Eight Horses Tea House, which caught Feng Taibao's attention and warranted his special consideration.
"Strange," Feng Taibao frowned, saying, "What are these two doing together here?"
"Big brother, they must be discussing so important matter," Flying Dagger whispered.
"Do you think I don't know that?" Feng Taibao glared at Flying Dagger, saying, "Isn't it as obvious as lice on a monk's head? What I want to know now is exactly what they talked about. If I can get a handle on that information, I think it could be an opportunity to bring down the Northeast Tiger."
"This…" Flying Dagger was taken aback; there wasn't a third person in the room, and there were no surveillance videos, so who knew what they really discussed. Although soone was sent in twice midway, they basically ca back with no information.
Feng Taibao took a deep breath and said, "Why do I always have the feeling that sothing is not quite right in Jiangbei City?"
"Big brother, then we should take extra precautions!" Flying Dagger hurriedly suggested.
"It's the end of the year, what precautions?" Feng Taibao sighed, saying, "Never expected that these two mortal enemies would actually co together. Seems like, we should really start to cozy up to Tang Yung. Flying Dagger, when you have ti, take this to Tang Yung for ."
"Huh?" Flying Dagger was startled and said, "Big brother, isn't this… isn't this your favorite jade Buddha?"
"Hmm," Feng Taibao nodded, saying, "It's precisely because I like it that I can show my sincerity."
This jade Buddha was sothing Feng Taibao spent a lot of money to acquire from overseas. At an auction in the United Kingdom, Feng Taibao won it for three million. The price was steep, and the quality was exceptional. The Maitreya Buddha's smile was infectious, and it seed to carry an invisible laughter within it.
...
On the way back from the Eight Horses Tea House, Tang Yung couldn't help but miss Lin Chuan. She didn't understand why this kid was so charming. These few days, she found herself constantly missing him at all tis, even giving her an inexplicable sense of longing. Tang Yung sighed, and while driving, she used her Bluetooth headset to call Lin Chuan.
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