Chapter 976

After Secretary Zhao finished speaking, he stood up and left the meeting room.

Immediately after, Wang Huaizhong also stood up and walked out; as he left, he glanced at Zhang Jiangbo.

The others exchanged glances, then got up in twos and threes, chatting as they walked out; as for this newly arrived Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, they didn't even greet him.

The Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee is nothing like the County Party Standing Committee; after all, whoever can be Municipal Party Committee Secretary inevitably has a far broader vision and stature than the County Standing Committee members.

Normally, such a situation wouldn't occur; even when the meeting adjourns, it's usually amicable, and the only thing that tends to spark disagreement is personnel matters.

But to be so disrespectful, even to the point of slapping someone in the face, this is truly the first time.

Moreover, Secretary Zhao has just taken office; logically, he should have no grudge or unpleasantness with Deputy Secretary Zhang.

Could it be simply because Deputy Secretary Zhang, after taking office, never came to report work to Secretary Zhao, causing Secretary Zhao to hold a prejudice?

That actually makes sense! What kind of person is Secretary Zhao? He's also a veteran senior official of bureau level for many years; he wouldn't be so petty.

Moreover, Mayor Wang and Secretary Zhao actually reached an agreement on the issue of Lieshan County; just who carries enough weight to make these two bigwigs join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder?

Zhang Jiangbo still couldn't figure out why this happened; as a result, after everyone else had left the meeting room, he remained sitting there alone.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General Liao Guoxin walked over and patted Zhang Jiangbo on the shoulder, saying, "Secretary Zhang, the meeting has already ended, everyone's dispersed—do you have any other business?"

Zhang Jiangbo forced a polite yet slightly awkward smile and said, "No, no, county affairs are myriad; I just got lost in thought. Oh, right—is Secretary Zhao busy? If not, I'll report my work to him."

Liao Guoxin said, "Secretary Zhang, I really don't know; you'd need to make an appointment with Secretary Zhao's secretary first. Although I'm the chief of staff, I truly don't know Secretary Zhao's specific schedule."

A flash of resentment crossed Zhang Jiangbo's face again; after all, he is a Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee member and the Municipal Party Committee's No. 3 figure. Logically, if he wants to see the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, he could simply call Zhao Kai—no appointment needed, just go knock on the door.

Even if their relationship isn't perfectly smooth but they aren't outright opponents, normally one would just call; and as long as he calls, if Zhao Kai is in the office, he will definitely see him.

The reason he said that is because, upon taking office, he rushed straight to Lieshan County to assert his authority as Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, forgetting about the dock matter entirely. In such a situation, it's understandable that they wouldn't give him face.

As Secretary-General, Liao Guoxin naturally knew this was the Municipal Party Committee's No. 3 leader, and face still had to be given, so he added: "But I just saw Secretary Zhao head straight back to his office. Since we're holding the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting today, there are no subordinates coming up to report work, so I'd guess he's free; otherwise, you could just call Secretary Zhao directly."

Zhang Jiangbo then grunted, hurriedly pulled his phone from his pocket, and placed the call.

But what came through the receiver was the prompt: "The number you dialed is currently in use."

Exactly; at this very moment, Secretary Zhao is on the phone with Su Yang—more precisely, Su Yang is the one who called Secretary Zhao.

"Secretary Zhao, you know the situation in our county; given various connections, I'm practically a thorn in the flesh and a splinter in the eye here. Something went wrong with this project, and logically I should be responsible."

Zhao Kai said, "Why stand on ceremony with me? Do you think your affairs are whatever someone else says just because they open their mouth? Actually, I've looked into it myself."

"Trying to pin a hat on you directly won't work; I just rejected it at the Standing Committee meeting, and Mayor Wang also supports you, so this Deputy Secretary ended up with a black eye and swollen nose at the meeting."

"To be frank, this gilded young master parachuted down from Jingcheng really lacks work experience; at the very least you should get a feel for our local conditions, not just barge in relying on your status."

"If, under normal circumstances, the problem really lies on your side and ought to be dealt with, I can't keep covering for you or indulging you. Of course, if other comrades want to speak up for you, I can't very well deny them face, can I?"

The other comrades he's referring to are surely Mayor Wang Huaizhong and Organization Department Head Lu Zhi Xin. He put it quite tactfully, and it sounds somewhat fair, but actually his attitude alone is already enough. Indeed, he's presiding over fairness, but he can't withstand other comrades speaking well of Su Yang.

Su Yang repeatedly thanked him: "Thank you, Secretary Zhao! Since you took office, I haven't yet had the chance to congratulate you and invite you to a meal; otherwise I'd set a date—let me know when you're free, and I'll treat you to dinner."

Zhao Kai said, "Meals definitely need to be eaten; even if you don't mention it, I'll bring it up yourself—you're not being thoughtful, kid. You got married over the Spring Festival, and when you left, you handed out candy to all those comrades in the county, yet you didn't even greet us old-timers—you're acting like you own the place."

Last night when I saw Comrade Huai Zhong, he still complained a few words; anyway, at others' place I can't force them to invite me to a meal, but you little brat, what are you doing—do I still need to say it? I think these two days, you find some time, then I will make an appointment with Comrade Huai Zhong and Comrade Zhi Xin; this meal we really must have.

Su Yang hurriedly said: "Okay, okay, Secretary Zhao, this is my mistake; because there were too many things at year's end, and plus you just took office, so it's not appropriate to disturb you. Furthermore, there are too many people who came to treat you to a meal and report work after you took office—I couldn't even get in line."

Moreover, these people are all members of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Mayors, and heads of various city units; even after these leaders have had their turn, it still falls to the secretaries and county magistrates of each county and district. As a mere Vice County Magistrate, where would I get such confidence?

Zhaikai laughed and said: "What's up? Do you think your position as County Magistrate is too low and you want a promotion? I can't decide on this; you need to go see Department Head Lu." He then laughed loudly.

Su Yang said: "What kind of person am I, you still don't understand? I just want to handle the matters at hand well and give the Common People a full accounting."

Zhaikai said: "Alright, alright, you don't need to speak official jargon here; we've all seen your work. Go ahead boldly with your work, and if any problems arise, come find me anytime. If those people are still not satisfied and want to cause trouble for you, just give me a call, and I will uphold justice for you."