Chapter 439: The Weasel Wishes the Chicken a Happy New Year!

"Has Qin Mingyuan been in contact with you lately?"

Gazing at the streets rapidly receding outside the window, Cheng Lin suddenly turned her head to look at Tang Ye.

"He's been in constant contact; he says he sends you messages, but you never reply," Tang Ye said with a smile.

Cheng Lin sighed helplessly: "Stop paying him any mind. The Qin family is having some problems right now, which is why he's desperately trying to curry favor with me."

Tang Ye smiled and said: "It's fine, I can still hold my own for now."

Cheng Lin looked at Tang Ye, her expression complex as she said: "Sometimes, you really shouldn't force yourself!"

Tang Ye thought silently, playing tai chi with Qin Mingyuan—wasn't it all for her sake?

Yet, he said aloud, "Qin Mingyuan and I are friends now. Sister Lin, you wouldn't mind, would you?"

Cheng Lin smiled, her curved eyes hiding a touch of emotion.

After returning to the office.

A knock at the door interrupted Tang Ye's train of thought.

"Please, come in."

"County Magistrate Tang, are you busy?"

Tang Ye looked up and was surprised to see Nie Kai standing at the door.

Tang Ye quickly stood up with a smile: "County Magistrate Nie, you are a rare guest! What brings you here? Please, come in!"

Nie Kai's visit left Tang Ye quite surprised.

Isn't this a weasel wishing a chicken a Happy New Year?

This was the first time Nie Kai had visited Tang Ye's office.

He looked around with great interest.

There weren't many hardcover books on the shelves, mostly just folders; it couldn't compare to his own office and seemed rather shabby.

Nie Kai couldn't help but think: Tang Ye is responsible for investment promotion and often has important businessmen visiting; wouldn't a setup like this make people think Suiyuan County lacks strength?

"Just as the outside world says," Nie Kai began, "County Magistrate Tang's office is the smallest of all the offices, and the lighting isn't good either. How about I have the Municipal Government Office adjust it for you and switch to a brighter one? If you don't mind, I can even let you have my office."

These words carried a hint of arrogance.

Tang Ye pretended not to understand and smiled: "No need. When I was first assigned a large office, I turned it down. I prefer a smaller office; it's easy to see at a glance whether things are missing or not."

Nie Kai sat down on the sofa, and Tang Ye handed him a cigarette.

He took it, lit it, and after taking a puff, said: "Come to think of it, I was truly blind. When you first arrived in Suiyuan, I didn't believe you could achieve anything at all, but you used facts to prove that Suiyuan could have great development. I actually regret it quite a bit now; I really should learn from the younger generation."

Facing Nie Kai's self-deprecating signal of reconciliation, Tang Ye was somewhat surprised.

"County Magistrate Nie, you are joking. Actually, I know that in many cases, it is because our positions differ that our opinions diverge."

Nie Kai nodded slightly: "I admire your broad-mindedness. By the way, regarding the Village-to-Village Project, what do you plan to do next?"

Tang Ye knew he was asking about the handling of the Beijing Company.

"As the project's largest contractor, Beijing Company engaged in illegal activities during actual operations, so its bidding qualifications must be revoked. As for the cadres suspected of violating laws and discipline, they will also be dealt with accordingly."

Nie Kai took out a business card and placed it by Tang Ye's hand.

"This enterprise has a similar business scope to Beijing Company but with greater strength; it was squeezed out for certain reasons before and only undertook a portion of the projects."

Tang Ye picked up the business card and said softly: "Thank you for the recommendation; I will carefully study this enterprise's qualifications."

After finishing his cigarette, Nie Kai suddenly stood up and extended his hand: "I hope that in the future, our relationship will involve not just debate, but also cooperation."

Tang Ye paused for a moment, then shook his hand: "Whether it is debate or cooperation, I hope our goal is the same: to do practical things for the common people."

Surprise appeared in Nie Kai's eyes: "County Magistrate Tang, you speak with great sophistication. When we have the chance, let's find a place to have a good drink; I believe we will understand each other better."

Tang Ye laughed heartily: "Alright, it's a deal!"

After Nie Kai left, Tang Ye immediately tossed the business card into the trash can.

In officialdom, there are only eternal interests, never eternal friends.

Nie Kai used him to drive Beijing Company out of the Village-to-Village Project, and in the blink of an eye, recommended another company—this company was likely a minefield as well.

It was clear that Nie Kai wanted to stab Gao Hong again, and he himself could not possibly help Nie Kai pass the knife!

As for Nie Kai lowering his status to find him this time, it appeared to be a softening of relations, but in reality, it was because his plan had succeeded and he wanted to vent his inner frustration, so he was in a good mood.

After Nie Kai left, Tang Ye sat quietly for a long time.

Although the Xiaoguo Village incident had a lead and the whole process had gone smoothly, he always felt an invisible force pushing things from the shadows.

Every node had landed precisely on a preset trajectory, as if someone had already laid out the chessboard.

This thought sent a chill down his spine!

He had become a pawn in someone else's hands.

Reviewing the entire sequence of events, Nie Kai had become the winner.

The original three-way balance of power in the Suiyuan County Government had been very delicate; Gao Hong's frequent overtures had once left Nie Kai facing the predicament of fighting two opponents alone.

But after the Xiaoguo Village incident, the relationship between Gao Hong and himself had completely soured.

Even if Gao Hong chose to endure it for now, this buried landmine could explode at any time.

The more Tang Ye thought about it, the more interesting he found it!

There are no true weaklings in officialdom; Nie Kai had stirred up the winds and clouds without a sound.

As for Gao Hong, Tang Ye had also seen through his disguise.

This seemingly low-key and gentle "good old man" was actually deep in schemes, like a lurking old wolf, never engaging in a direct confrontation but secretly laying out lethal traps.

Tang Ye did not regret breaking with Gao Hong.

The Suiyuan Gang had long since fallen apart, and Gao Hong, this "alpha wolf," was nothing but a hollow shell.

Tang Ye needed to gradually gather the scattered forces and forge them into his own loyal inner circle.

A knock at the door interrupted Tang Ye's train of thought.

Lin Heng stood at the doorway, leaning half his body in to ask for instructions, "Deputy County Magistrate Wu looked for you an hour ago regarding some business; I told him you were out. He said he would like to discuss some matters when you returned."

Tang Ye rubbed his chin and pondered for a moment: "Tell him to come over!"

Lin Heng nodded: "I will return Deputy County Magistrate Wu's call right away."

Returning to the office, Lin Heng dialed the phone number of Deputy County Magistrate Wu Yang: "Deputy County Magistrate Wu, County Magistrate Tang has returned; he invites you to come to his office."

"Mm, Little Lin, thank you." Deputy County Magistrate Wu's tone was full of respect.

Hanging up the phone, a satisfied smile appeared on the corner of Lin Heng's mouth.

He was currently still a Clerk, but because he was Tang Ye's Liaison Officer, the level of people he came into contact with every day was not low.

In the past, he was dispensable in the County Party Committee Compound, but nowadays, many leaders would greet him cordially when they saw him, calling out "Comrade Little Lin."

In fact, Lin Heng knew clearly in his heart.

He was merely borrowing another's power to bully others.

Others were only giving him, this Liaison Officer, a bit of face for Tang Ye's sake.

Wu Yang had worked in the position of Deputy County Magistrate for many years, yet he had never been able to enter the County Party Committee Standing Committee.

Tang Ye had come from behind to surpass him, which had once made him somewhat unhappy.

But, the current situation was pressing...

Wu Yang knew that if he wanted to advance further, whether betting on Nie Kai or following Gao Hong, it would be a downward spiral and a dead end.

Therefore, he decisively chose to side with Tang Ye.

These past few days, whenever Wu Yang had free time, he would come to find Tang Ye, holding a thermos cup, and chat idly with Tang Ye...