Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 283 Taking the Second Wife's Route 2

Geng Dongqing had heard about Wen Changcheng's romantic escapades.

These days, this kind of thing is all too common.

Wen Changcheng was not a saint who was detached from worldly affairs. He had power and influence, and he did not have an indestructible body. How could he resist the temptation of beauty?

Besides, once you reach a certain level in officialdom, even if you don't provoke beautiful women, they will still come to you.

"Xiao Yong, I've also heard some rumors about Mayor Wen's affairs."

He just made a mistake that all men make.

By the way, who is this second wife you mentioned? Do you know her?

Huang Xiaoyong said, "Secretary Geng, I not only know him, but we're also very close. We were graduate students at the Provincial Party School."

She is Li Li, deputy director of the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

"Li Li? She's beautiful, has a great temperament, and a great figure. So she's Mayor Wen's mistress. Is the news true?"

"Of course it's true. Li Li rose from deputy section chief to deputy director in just a few years; that was the result of her later promotion."

"That's normal. If a working woman advances too quickly, it's either because the person who gave birth to her is amazing, or the person who slept with her is amazing."

"Yes, otherwise, how could he have been promoted so quickly?"

However, Li Li is multi-talented; she enjoys singing and dancing, and has participated in numerous singing competitions, winning many awards.

"Mayor Wen is surrounded by beautiful women, so of course he wouldn't favor a pretty face. Who wouldn't like a woman as talented and beautiful as Li Li?"

Huang Xiaoyong lowered his voice: "Secretary Geng, there are also talented and beautiful women in Qingshan County. How about I introduce you to one next time?"

"You'll introduce me?" Geng Dongqing asked suspiciously. "You're not tired of playing around with me and are transferring me to someone else?"

"No, no, how could I dare?" Huang Xiaoyong grinned. "I have a friend who is a kindergarten principal."

She said that their kindergarten has many young, beautiful, and talented girls.

However, the current situation is that although this is a public kindergarten, the teachers are basically government-purchased service personnel, not public employees, and their income is not high, resulting in a very high turnover rate.

These girls would be overjoyed if they could get jobs in county-owned state-owned enterprises, such as county investment companies.

Putting everything else aside, the income is much higher.

"Secretary Geng, with your power and position, arranging for one or two girls to get into the city investment company would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?"

Huang Xiaoyong's words really piqued Geng Dongqing's interest.

If using one's power can win the heart of a beautiful woman, it would be a very worthwhile deal.

Geng Dongqing did not continue Huang Xiaoyong's question, but said: "These days, there are too many people who want to work in state-owned enterprises, especially monopolistic state-owned enterprises, such as tobacco companies and power companies."

A classmate of mine is a mid-level manager at the provincial power company; his son went on to work for a tobacco company after graduating from university.

Huang Xiaoyong asked, "Why don't you join the power company?"

"Now that nepotism is being cracked down on, children of parents working in state-owned enterprises are required to avoid the issue. However, there are always ways to circumvent the policies."

Isn't there a conflict of interest rule? Then if my children work for the power company and my children work for the tobacco company, and vice versa, wouldn't that perfectly circumvent the conflict of interest rule?

I am a mid-level manager at the power company, and I take care of your children working at the power company; you are a mid-level manager at the tobacco company, and you take care of my children working at the tobacco company.

We've gone off on a tangent. Xiaoyong, you and Li Li are classmates in the graduate program at the Provincial Party School, so contact Li Li as soon as possible.

First, sound them out, and be tactful in your wording. Try not to make requests over the phone; it's best to say it in person.

I told her I was catching up with an old classmate and that I had a small matter I'd like her to help me with.

The meeting place should be quiet and safe, preferably a private tea room or coffee shop.

"Don't worry, Secretary Geng, I understand. I'll call Li Li right away; this can't wait."

If Li Li whispers sweet nothings in Mayor Wen's ear, then when Mayor Wen selects an investigation team, he will choose someone he trusts as the team leader.

The direction and conclusions of the investigation are thus guaranteed.

Even if it cannot be completely classified as a natural disaster, as long as it can be handled vaguely, the proportion of engineering quality problems can be reduced to the minimum, and the main responsibility can be attributed to objective factors such as extreme weather, geological changes, or even overloading, our pressure can be reduced by 80%.

At most, Bi Yuan will face a fine and compensation; at most, we'll just be disciplined.

Geng Dongqing nodded, then said impatiently, "Xiaoyong, call Li Li right now!"

Huang Xiaoyong didn't dare to delay and immediately dialed Li Li's number.

The phone rang for a long time, but Li Li didn't answer it.

Huang Xiaoyong muttered to himself, "Li Li has my phone number, right? Is her phone not with her?"

Geng Dongqing's face was gloomy.

A few minutes later, Li Li called back: "County Chief Huang, my phone wasn't with me just now. Is there something you need me for?"

"Does your Qingshan area have some beautiful mountains and rivers that you'd like our Culture and Tourism Bureau to develop?"

"Director Li, our poor and remote Qingshan area wouldn't dare trouble someone as important as you. We just missed you, our old classmate."

Since graduating from Party School, we've all been busy with our own things and have had few opportunities to meet.

I was tidying up my things the other day and saw our graduation photo. You were standing in the center, and you looked absolutely radiant.

That's why, seeing this reminded me of you, and I thought I'd give you a call and say hello.

"Come on, County Chief Huang, you're such a busy man, with so many things to do every day, how do you have time to look at old photos?"

"Tell me, is something the matter? We're old classmates, I'll definitely do my best to help."

"Director Li is quick to speak his mind, as straightforward as ever."

It's nothing really, I'm just feeling a bit down and wanted to talk to an old classmate and get your opinion.

"Being in the city gives you a higher vantage point, a broader perspective, and greater experience."

"Oh? Feeling frustrated? Who upset County Chief Huang?"

"Sigh, it's all because of the mess in our county."

You've heard of the Wanshan Bridge, right? Who would have thought that a perfectly good bridge would suddenly collapse?

As you know, I'm in charge of this area, and it's giving me a huge headache right now.

"I heard about it. I saw it on the news this morning. It said there were casualties."

The specifics are still unclear, but the city government is taking it very seriously. County Chief Huang, are you on the scene?

"That's right, I rushed over as soon as I received the report."

The rescue operation, which lasted all night, has finally come to an end.

Several were rescued, but several also died.

Several vibrant lives were lost just like that. My heart is breaking.

"No one wants to see natural disasters or man-made calamities."

County Chief Huang, don't blame yourself too much; the rescue efforts were arduous.

"I'm not afraid of hard work, but I'm afraid that those above won't understand or sympathize with the difficulties we grassroots workers face."

Director Li, you have no idea how unusual the rain was in Qingshan the other day; it was something that hadn't happened in decades.

The water level of the Qinghe River has risen alarmingly, and dangerous situations have arisen in many places.

The section near Wanshan Bridge has rather complex geology to begin with. Our county has taken every precaution we could, but when nature is about to unleash its fury, who can stop it?

Huang Xiaoyong began to steer the conversation toward natural disasters, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

"Oh? Is the rain heavy? Is the geological situation complicated?" Li Li asked casually.

"Yes, it was pouring rain. After the bridge suddenly collapsed, some engineering technicians analyzed that the soil, when subjected to prolonged and intense soaking, would have a drastic decrease in bearing capacity. Coupled with the erosion from the flood, it was very likely that something would go wrong."

Of course, these are just technical speculations; the final decision rests with an official investigation.

"Yes, a rigorous scientific investigation is indeed needed to determine the cause of the accident."

"Director Li, to be honest, what I fear most right now is not whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made one, but rather a blanket approach, a complete and utter condemnation!"

From leaders to ordinary cadres, from rescue workers to medical staff, everyone in our county is truly working with their lives on the line.

But once the higher-ups have determined the nature of the problem and believe that it is due to our poor supervision or the quality of the project, then what does all our hard work amount to?

What are those comrades who risked their lives to save others thinking? Who will dare to work at the grassroots level and take responsibility in the future?

Li Li spoke flawlessly: "County Chief Huang, I understand how you feel. Working at the grassroots level is indeed not easy, and the pressure is greatest when something goes wrong."

However, I believe that as long as the county has truly gone all out, followed procedures, and not concealed anything during the accident handling process, and has done everything it should, I think the higher authorities will give an objective evaluation.

"With Director Li's words, I feel much more at ease! It's my old classmate who understands us the most."

You live in the city, so you're well-informed and have a wide network of connections.

If it's convenient, could you help explain the actual situation and difficulties at the grassroots level when it's appropriate?

Of course, this doesn't mean you have to break the rules; it just means to reflect the facts truthfully.

After all, the truth must be investigated, but we can't let the hearts of those working at the grassroots level be discouraged, right?

"County Chief Huang, as you know, I'm just a deputy division chief, and I'm in a powerless department. I don't have much say in important matters."

Huang Xiaoyong pleaded, "Old classmate, I know this has put you in a difficult position."

But now I'm really not sure. I'm not obsessed with official positions, but I finally managed to get to the deputy director level. I'm afraid that with the collapse of the bridge, my official hat will also be smashed. My family is still relying on my salary to make a living.

Old classmate, are you free today? I'd like to invite you for a cup of tea. Could you help me analyze the situation and give me some pointers?

I will never put you in a difficult position, much less make you do anything against your principles.

"You're in the city, you have a wide network and a broad perspective. A few words of advice from you could save me a lot of trouble..."

Li Li hesitated for a moment, then said, "How about this, are you free at noon? I'll make time to see you."

If an old classmate is in trouble, I will definitely try my best to help, but my words carry little weight, and I often can't do much.

Huang Xiaoyong, as if grasping at a lifeline, hurriedly said, "I'm free, I'm free. You go ahead and do your work, I'll call you at noon."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Xiaoyong breathed a long sigh of relief: "Secretary Geng, Li Li agreed to meet me at noon."

Although she didn't give a definite answer, the fact that she agreed to meet was a good sign!

Geng Dongqing reminded him: "When we meet at noon, you must be careful to maintain a proper distance."

Li Li is a woman in officialdom, and being by Wen Changcheng's side, her knowledge and shrewdness are unmatched by ordinary women.

Don't make demands right away; it makes you seem too calculating.

First, reminisce about the past, reconnect with her, express understanding of her difficulties, and gradually steer the conversation in that direction.

The key point is to make her understand that we are not asking her to operate in violation of regulations, but simply to ask her to objectively and comprehensively reflect the actual difficulties at our grassroots level in front of Mayor Wen, especially the extreme weather situation a few days ago, and the efforts we have made in the rescue.

Make her understand that stabilizing the situation in Qingshan County would also benefit the city and Mayor Wen.

As for the selection of the investigation team and the direction of the investigation, don't mention it at all. Let her figure it out herself, understand?

"Understood, thank you for your guidance, Secretary Geng."

"Alright, you'll be heading to Longcheng later. Tell Bi Yuan to prepare any gifts you bring. We're all just cleaning up his messes."

Not long after Huang Xiaoyong left the office, Cheng Tanzhi, the deputy secretary of the county party committee, entered.

Geng Dongqing knew that Cheng Tanzhi was ambitious and wanted to become the county magistrate, but Ding Yiyi suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

However, he clearly hadn't given up.

Because Ding Yiyi is currently only the acting county head.

Although it is highly likely that the acting county head will be promoted to county head, no one can guarantee that it will be 100% successful.