Chapter 1697: Taking Leave

Song Jianguo said, "Alright then, you should head back first."

"In that case, Vice Governor Song, I shall take my leave." Li Changping accompanied his words with a fawning smile and turned to walk toward the door. Just as he opened it, Song Jianguo's warning came from behind: "Remember, this matter hasn't even begun to take shape yet; you must absolutely not expose your intentions to anyone else!"

"Yes, I know, I know. Vice Governor Song, please rest assured, I will absolutely not bring you any trouble." Li Changping nodded, his face still wearing that fawning smile.

Song Jianguo waved his hand and continued to admire the calligraphy by Zhao Mengfu on his desk. Li Changping, meanwhile, clutched the precious item that had satisfied his heart, thinking about his own bright future, and walked out of the office.

With the nod and approval of Song Jianguo, the Executive Vice Governor who also served as Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Li Changping began to privately pay close attention to the news of Deputy Secretary Yang Yongping being investigated by the Commission for Discipline Inspection, while simultaneously keeping a secret watch on Su Qing's movements and occasionally probing her thoughts during their conversations.

As a woman who had managed to climb all the way to the position of Minister of the Provincial Organization Department, Su Qing naturally had her own exceptional qualities. She was certainly clearer than anyone about Li Changping's little maneuvers. Both of them had their eyes on the position of Deputy Secretary, which Yang Yongping was highly likely to be removed from. But after all, since Yang Yongping was the Deputy Secretary of the Hexi Provincial Party Committee, the Commission for Discipline Inspection had to consider everything comprehensively; even if problems were uncovered, it was impossible for them to be announced quickly. Struggles in officialdom were not just a contest of emotional and intellectual intelligence, but also a contest of wisdom, strategy, and schemes. Without absolute certainty, no one would reveal their hand to others. Although everyone privately understood that Deputy Secretary Yang's political career had basically reached its end, no one dared to speak of this taboo subject in front of others. Those at the center of power were even more tight-lipped about it, speaking insincere words on one hand while engaging in competition that everyone knew about on the other. Who would be the winner of this game? It was impossible to determine until the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection announced the results of the investigation into Yang Yongping. The battles in officialdom were like surging undercurrents, unpredictable and ever-changing, much like a game of chess; perhaps victory or defeat seemed decided, but a single wrong move could lead to a total loss.

As the investigation by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection deepened, more and more scandals regarding Deputy Secretary Yang Yongping, who had always been deeply rooted in the public mind as an incorruptible official, were exposed. The media was extremely enthusiastic, even beginning to dig up his past and uncover his history since entering politics. Although the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection did not announce the investigation results due to the massive influence of Yang Yongping's status as Deputy Secretary of the Hexi Provincial Party Committee, various signs already indicated that his political career had reached its end. Another provincial-level leading cadre who had "gotten into trouble because of a watch" was about to fall.

Li Changping, who had been hoping for Yang Yongping's downfall, became increasingly arrogant under these various signs, and on the morning of this day, he was summoned to the office by Provincial Secretary Jin for a "chat."

After receiving the call from Secretary Jin's secretary, he was in his office fantasizing about being promoted to Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee in the near future, and he couldn't have been more excited. Although this Deputy Secretary position would be the lowest-ranked among all the Deputy Secretaries, compared to his current status as Deputy Minister of the Organization Department, it was a triple jump. Once he entered the level of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, it would be a qualitative leap.

After finishing the call arranged by Secretary Jin's secretary with a fawning smile, Li Changping felt an ecstatic sense of joy. The inner rapture was written all over his face; when he walked out of the office, he didn't even pay attention to his image and started whistling. Just as he walked out of the office, he bumped into Su Qing, who was about to enter.

Su Qing looked at the incredibly excited Li Changping with a strange gaze, then smiled lightly and asked, "Old Li, what are you so happy about? You aren't even paying attention to your image."

"No... nothing much, Secretary Jin asked me to go over there." Perhaps because he was too excited that Secretary Jin would talk to him, Li Changping couldn't hold back and showed off in front of Su Qing. ===== CHAPTER 1698 =====