The Ambitions to Conquer the Official Career
Chapter 198: Heart-to-Heart with Xun Liqiang

Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Heart-to-Heart with Xun Liqiang

Ji Yang found Xun Liqiang and brought up the promotion of Zhan Yongtao, and Xun Liqiang’s expression was complex as he invited Ji Yang to sit down.

He handed Ji Yang a cigarette. Xun Liqiang seemed somewhat distracted as he looked at Ji Yang and said, "Young brother, you are a man who gets things done, different from other comrades. Today, let’s have a heart-to-heart."

Ji Yang was somewhat surprised but still said, "Secretary Xun, feel free to say whatever you need."

Xun Liqiang shook his head and said, "Just want to have a heart-to-heart."

After taking a drag on his cigarette, Xun Liqiang said, "You probably know some of my situation, and I know that everyone is talking about some things behind my back."

Ji Yang immediately felt this was hard to respond to, remaining silent and just looking at him.

"You really do know some things about me." Xun Liqiang gave a bitter smile before continuing, "Let me put it this way, with the adjustments happening in the province, my father-in-law ran into trouble today."

"Ah!"

Ji Yang was shocked, he really hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

Xun Liqiang exhaled a puff of smoke and said with a bitter smile, "I always thought that working hard would get me promoted, but after many years of hard work, I realized that it isn’t so simple. Later, after marrying my current wife, I finally understood that without a backer it’s truly difficult to advance. However, once you have a backer, you’re no longer your own person. A slight movement from others, I have to bear the associated responsibility."

Today, Ji Yang realized that Xun Liqiang genuinely wanted to have a heart-to-heart. He didn’t speak, just smoking and listening to him talk.

After Xun Liqiang talked a lot about his own thoughts, he finally looked at Ji Yang and said, "With my father-in-law’s trouble, I will eventually be taken down. The best outcome is to end up in a mundane office, mixing days. I have no hope."

"Secretary Xun, isn’t that a bit serious?"

"You don’t know, ah. How could the enemies of my father-in-law be few? As he goes down, it’s time for those people to settle scores with us."

Ji Yang suddenly felt the danger inherent in the bureaucracy and was inwardly shocked.

Xun Liqiang said, "I’ve looked into the situation of the local leaders, only you seem capable of remaining steady and focusing on your work."

"It’s hard to say, I’ve got quite a bit of money."

In this aspect, Ji Yang knew everyone was aware of his financial situation. Since it was a heart-to-heart, he also opened up about some of his vulnerabilities.

Xun Liqiang smiled and said, "Although that might be used against you, it’s not really a big problem. In the bureaucracy, it’s all about who you know. If your connections are strong enough, nobody can use these issues against you."

Yes, connections!

Ji Yang was silent.

Xun Liqiang said, "Given your current situation, it’s not so serious yet. Still, you should probably refrain from making more money."

Ji Yang nodded and said, "I don’t want to make money either. But I invested in the stock market, and before I knew it, the stock prices rose, and there was nothing I could do."

Xun Liqiang laughed and said, "That’s a bit too Versailles of you!"

Ji Yang himself found it funny. Others invest in stocks to make money, while he invested to lose money, yet ended up making money. What kind of logic was that?

Xun Liqiang said, "I’ve always wanted to really do good work, but unfortunately, that’s no longer possible. I can see you are a committed comrade who really wants to make a difference here. So, while I still have a say, I’ll help you as much as I can."

Ji Yang understood then. Xun Liqiang probably knew some of his situation and analyzed that he might be stable, so he was showing his goodwill. This kind of goodwill didn’t cost him anything, and if Ji Yang succeeded later, he could repay the favor.

Since that was the other party’s thought, Ji Yang felt some of his issues were easier to handle. He said, "There’s still a vacancy for a deputy director in the Office of Party and Government Affairs. I want to promote Zhan Yongtao. What do you think?"

Xun Liqiang said, "The village has never adjusted its officials, and the Office of Party and Government Affairs has always been without a director, with Liu Qing in charge, who is somewhat lacking."

Everyone knew that the Office of Party and Government Affairs should technically be Xun Liqiang’s territory, yet Liu Qing had sided with Vice Secretary Guo Huaijie, which made Xun Liqiang, who initially appreciated Liu Qing, quite displeased.

Xun Liqiang pondered for a moment and said, "The Office having no responsible person is not good either. I think we can handle this as a special case. Since we both agree, just a call to Old Guo should be enough. It would be a special promotion, and I suppose Old Guo is not concerned with these matters now."

Ji Yang understood the meaning of his words; Guo Huaijie probably couldn’t return now.

Normally, if the top two leaders agreed on the adjustment of village officials, there was hardly any room for objection.

Ji Yang said, "Won’t we hold a team meeting?"

Xun Liqiang shook his head and said, "Just seek their opinions over the phone."