Chapter 2025

Although He Jianpeng was only a Minister of the Propaganda Department, he had a great literary reputation and had friends in the province who appreciated his articles, especially a former Vice Governor of Jiangyou Province, who was He Jianpeng's literary friend. Although this Vice Governor had already retired to the second line, he still had considerable influence in the political arena of Jiangyou Province.

Coupled with He Jianpeng's upright character, even if others didn't like him, they didn't dare to underestimate him. Therefore, He Jianpeng had high prestige in the county. He rarely spoke, but when he did, the weight was still quite heavy.

Hearing He Jianpeng speak, Wu Zhengjing and the others who were preparing to speak also closed their mouths. And Yuan Yifu's heart skipped a beat. He felt something was wrong. How could this stubborn donkey He Jianpeng speak for Su Xinghui?

However, he immediately thought of He Wenjin. He Jianpeng's daughter was still working in the Economic Development Zone. This was one of the three people Su Xinghui specially left behind. It seems they established a relationship through He Wenjin.

It must be said that Yuan Yifu's thinking was still quite broad. However, in such matters, his sense of smell had always been very sensitive. Otherwise, how could he have stood firm in officialdom struggles?

Yuan Yifu immediately started to recall the other people in the Economic Development Zone. The people in the Economic Development Zone all had significant backgrounds. Su Xinghui wouldn't have established any relationship through these few people, would he?

He immediately thought of Pan Sheng. Pan Sheng's uncle Pan Anping had competed with him for the position of Secretary of the Chongjin County Party Committee. Although he did not compete with himself, Pan Anping was now the Chairman of the County CPPCC, and in any case, he was a leader at the county level. Moreover, his old subordinates still had quite a few in the officialdom of Chongjin County, and his influence was still not small.

Just in the County Party Committee Standing Committee, there were two people who were Pan Anping's old subordinates: one was Yin Xuewei, the Secretary of the County Discipline Inspection Commission, and the other was Yan Xiangyu, the Secretary of the Chengguan Town Party Committee.

Thinking of this, Yuan Yifu had an ominous premonition. Su Xinghui's surprise attack today could not be without reason. He must be sure of success.

Sure enough, just after He Jianpeng finished speaking, Yan Xiangyu spoke up: "I also agree with Comrade Jiang Zhiqing serving as the Director of the Economic Development Zone Management Committee."

Yan Xiangyu was a rare female cadre among the members of the County Party Committee Standing Committee, and even a rare female cadre among the secretaries of the town party committee. Although she was a woman, her personality was similar to that of a man—vigorous and resolute. Even her appearance was quite neutral. She had a thin figure, and her female characteristics were not obvious. However, not many people present dared to underestimate her.

Next, Yin Xuewei also expressed his support for Jiang Zhiqing, while the Minister of the Armed Forces Department, Fei Tao, indicated that he abstained. This was not surprising. Fei Tao had never expressed his opinion on personnel issues, and it was very normal for him to abstain.

Yuan Yifu counted in his heart. Including Su Xinghui, there were already five votes supporting Jiang Zhiqing. Fei Tao abstained. Out of a total of eleven standing committee members, his best result was only a five-to-five tie with Su Xinghui. Finally, he would use the authority of the County Party Committee Secretary to make the final decision and veto Jiang Zhiqing. Was this interesting?

Moreover, such a result might not necessarily appear. He looked at the other standing committee members. They were all flickering with their eyes, not knowing what they were thinking. Especially Gao Tongguang, Yuan Yifu knew that he had been walking quite close to Su Xinghui recently. It seemed that he could not be relied upon either. If there was another abstention, Yuan Yifu would fall today.

Yuan Yifu sighed in his heart. He only now discovered that Su Xinghui had only been in Chongjin County for two months, and he had already shaken his foundation to this extent.

Nie Xin, who was originally closer to him, was now following Su Xinghui. Several standing committee members who originally maintained neutrality were now also supporting Su Xinghui. If there were another two months, would he have to give up his position as County Party Committee Secretary to Su Xinghui?

What was even more terrifying was that all of this happened silently under his nose, but he was completely unaware.

Yuan Yifu glanced at Su Xinghui and said with a smile: "Since everyone feels that Comrade Jiang Zhiqing is suitable to serve as the Director of the Economic Development Zone Management Committee, then I also agree!"

Now Yuan Yifu no longer had the certainty of victory, so he could not wait. If he waited until the final vote failed, he would lose even more face. He also did not want to test the loyalty of his subordinates again. It would be better for him to support Jiang Zhiqing in advance, which would still appear relatively magnanimous, and others would think that he had reached a tacit understanding with Su Xinghui in advance.

Su Xinghui breathed a sigh of relief. This surprise attack today could be considered a probe he launched. Sure enough, Yuan Yifu did not have the courage to fight to the death, and his probe could be considered successful.