When Jiang Xiaochuan looked up, he saw Wei Lai coming back with the documents, wearing a somewhat unhappy expression. Jiang Xiaochuan suddenly found it very interesting and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Wei Lai also gradually understood Jiang Xiaochuan’s temperament, just like Jiang Xiaochuan’s current smile. With an expression on his face, it didn’t matter if he told some jokes. So, when he handed the document over, he made a grimace: “I heard that Secretary Liu from the Ministry of Finance came here.”

Jiang Xiaochuan thought to himself that Wei Lai’s news was really fast, and he nodded: “You might as well guess what he said.”

“I don’t want to guess,” Wei Lai answered simply.

“What did you promise him?” Jiang Xiaochuan raised his eyebrows and then winked, just to tease Wei Lai.

At this time, Jiang Xiaochuan looked very serious, and the emotion in his voice was hard to discern, so the feeling he gave others was naturally unpredictable.

Wei Lai only said, “He once asked me about the Secretariat, and I told him perfunctorily.”

Jiang Xiaochuan laughed immediately, “That’s what I guessed. He told me that you promised him, but it seems that you let him go. He told me some not-so-good things. As your leader, I shouldn’t tell you these things, but you are a good junior and worthy of cultivation, so I will make an exception and mention it. People like Liu Wei are the last people you should offend. After all, you are a newcomer, and there are still many things you lack. If you had a different leader, he might really believe that secretary over you.” In other words, Jiang Xiaochuan did not believe him.

Wei Lai was silent for a while and said, “Thank you, Mayor Jiang, for the suggestion.”

“People like Liu Wei can only say what they say to certain people. You don’t have to be close to him. Use him when you should. After all, he, in addition to being eager for quick success and instant benefits, is also talented. You need to understand the temperament of these type of people before they can be utilized effectively. There must be many people like Liu Wei in the newly built secretariat. You may suffer losses if you have a temperament like yours. Be more tactful when dealing with them. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to be tricky. You are my confidential secretary. As long as many things are not revealed and do not violate some of my personal bottom lines, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you must become a fully qualified confidential secretary.”

This was Jiang Xiaochuan’s important reminder to his junior. After he finished speaking, he opened the document again and prepared to deal with the matter.

Wei Lai bid goodbye, went out, stood in front of his desk, poured a glass of water, thinking about Jiang Xiaochuan’s words, and looked out the window.

He was indeed a very powerful leader, and he had noticed the recent changes in his approach to handling things.

Because the matter of establishing the secretariat was complicated, he was a little timid in doing things. By Jiang Xiaochuan’s side, he had a deeper understanding of officialdom, and he became more concerned about many things. It was not like no one had sent money to Jiang Xiaochuan; it was just that no one dared to do it too obviously yet.

Jiang Xiaochuan rose through the ranks too fast. Even though he appeared experienced in his methods, he was still a newcomer in the eyes of others. Such people made those who wanted to do things have no courage to connect with him. However, the lower-level departments under Jiang Xiaochuan’s control were very profitable.

He gathered his thoughts, opened the secretariat’s preparation documents, and crossed out Liu Wei’s name from the preliminary list.

.

After Jiang Xiaochuan finished reminding Wei Lai, he busied himself with his own affairs.

This time Rong Shaobai’s play was so loudly sung that the whole Chengzhou trembled from the scene.

It was time to clean up the underworld forces in Chengzhou, and he had to be fully prepared for the next tough battle.

As he left, he pondered whether to meet with Rong Shaobai. After all, the matter this time was significant. If anyone noticed him associating with a gang leader, it would cause real trouble.

The report stated that almost all of the dead and injured were from the Qingtuan and Hong families. Several of the masterminds’ bosses were also stabbed and wounded, later arrested by the police. Confessions came quickly, revealing their affiliation with the Qingtuan. A dispute between Qingtuan and Hong over the drug and gun businesses escalated into a fight. Everything seemed clear.

But Jiang Xiaochuan knew there was a hand behind it, pushing and competing.

Chengzhou was restless. The proposal to add municipal buses had been suggested. Similar shuttles were already in operation in other provinces and cities across the country. This was Chengzhou’s first attempt, but the response was tepid, welcomed only by some.

Only those lacking government support appreciated the initiative. Who would choose a shabby bus when they were rich and well-off? Official cars were preferred. However, it was a proposal promoting integrity and was swiftly passed during this sensitive period, although not yet implemented.

Deciding to visit Rong Shaobai, Jiang Xiaochuan knew there were still many matters to discuss. Starting from Metro Line 1, he made his way to the agreed meeting place, far from the municipal government.

On the way, he received a meaningful text message from Yue Qingci: In short, it was [those guns have nothing to do with me.]

Jiang Xiaochuan immediately understood the whole story.

Yue Qingci himself wasn’t involved in the gun matter, but the tone of the text message clearly conveyed coldness. It was evident that Yue Qingci was pleased to see this happen.

The guns and other items were likely produced by Yue Fan’s faction.

As he arrived at the pedestrian street, underground square, and the antique teahouse in the corner, Jiang Xiaochuan spotted Rong Shaobai. He had been sitting there for a while, adorned in a silk white coat with symmetrical coiled flowers on both sides, resembling an old man from the Republic of China.

Seeing him, Jiang Xiaochuan’s vision dimmed slightly, and he couldn’t help but feel transported back to 20th-century Shanghai.

Rong Shaobai held a purple porcelain pot in his hand and smiled at him. “Everything goes really well.”