Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 382 The Pledge of Allegiance

Jiang Xiaohua urged, "Shanshan, Wu Zhiyuan is Lin Xue's man. When Lin Xue was the secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, he was her subordinate."

Otherwise, he would have targeted Liao Chenggong as soon as he arrived in Qingyan County.

Without connections, becoming a county magistrate before the age of thirty? Don't even think about it.

These days, those who rise to high positions at a young age invariably have powerful connections.

Wu Zhiyuan is powerful and ambitious. If we can bring him onto our side, or even just find something to use against him, it would be a tremendous opportunity for us.

Liao Shanshan looked helpless: "Director Jiang, I also want to win over Wu Zhiyuan, but he's completely unyielding and keeps everyone at arm's length. I really have no other ideas."

Jiang Xiaohua continued to urge, "Shanshan, you've been in hotels for so many years, haven't you seen enough men?"

They all put on a virtuous facade in public, only to reveal their true colors in private.

No matter how special Wu Zhiyuan is, he is still a man.

A man's greatest weakness is his lower body. There's a well-known saying: "Men are animals that speak with their lower bodies."

After a pause, Jiang Xiaohua continued, "Shanshan, you need to change your strategy."

Stop using those petty hints and overly attentive gestures.

Create opportunities to be alone with someone and get straight to the point.

Find an opportunity to go directly to his place that night.

Dress stylishly, but not too revealing.

Bring something special, like this.

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaohua took a small bottle and handed it to Liao Shanshan.

"Shanshan, this is an aphrodisiac powder from abroad. It is colorless, odorless, and easily soluble in water."

"If even a single gram is put into the water, even someone as virtuous as Liu Xiahui will turn into a lecherous scoundrel."

"I've never used this before, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Jiang Xiaohua interrupted Liao Shanshan. "We've never used it before because we didn't need it."

Those men were so eager to give us the medicine powder.

Tell me, how many men act as coy and affected as Wu Zhiyuan?

"Director Jiang, will this cause any harm to my health?"

"If the dosage is just right, it's just to arouse his desire, not to kill him."

Wait until he's completely infatuated before taking a picture with your phone.

At that time, he will be like a kite in our hands, with the string in our hands. We can make him fly wherever we want.

Secretary Yuan will value you even more. Once you've taken down Wu Zhiyuan, what can't you accomplish in Qingyan?

Liao Shanshan couldn't help but recall Wu Zhiyuan's tall and straight figure, handsome profile, and unique and composed demeanor.

If you could really get your hands on a man like that, you'd have multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

Liao Shanshan took the small bottle, but a thought popped into her mind:

Why should I work for someone like that? Why should I use such despicable means to harm Wu Zhiyuan?

Wu Zhiyuan is young and promising, with a powerful background and ruthless methods. He dared to target Liao Chenggong as soon as he arrived.

Yuan Jin may seem assertive, but wasn't she also forced to compromise by Wu Zhiyuan's question about Liao Jinshen's academic qualifications at the Standing Committee meeting?

Yuan Jin's backer is Mayor Wen Changcheng, but Wu Zhiyuan's backer is Lin Xue.

Wu Zhiyuan has advantages in age, background, and ability, and has a promising future. Why not just join Wu Zhiyuan's side?

What good can come of following Yuan Jin and Jiang Xiaohua?

They are simply used and then discarded like chewed gum, or used as stepping stones or scapegoats for others to climb higher.

Didn't Jiang Xiaohua also climb up the ladder through various underhanded means?

Isn't he still firmly in Yuan Jin's grasp, doing all this dirty work for him?

But Wu Zhiyuan is different.

If you can truly gain his trust, given his abilities and background, his future prospects are limitless.

Isn't this much better than resorting to despicable methods like drugging or taking photos?

Control? Liao Shanshan sneered inwardly. Could someone like Wu Zhiyuan be controlled by such despicable means?

Once he sees through it, I'm afraid I'll face a severe counterattack and die a terrible death.

They've defected to Wu Zhiyuan!

This thought didn't just come to me tonight, but it's particularly strong tonight.

How do I seek refuge? Empty words are obviously useless.

Isn't this bottle of powder the best pledge of allegiance?

Seeing that Liao Shanshan was not speaking, Jiang Xiaohua assumed she was afraid and urged her again, "Shanshan, don't hesitate."

If things succeed, you'll be a major contributor.

Secretary Yuan will not treat you unfairly. The position of hotel manager, or even a better one, will be yours in the future.

Now that we have leverage over Wu Zhiyuan, he'll have to listen to us obediently from now on.

Wouldn't it be easier to get what you want?

Liao Shanshan feigned fear: "Director Jiang, I understand. I'll find an opportunity. I'm just a little flustered."

Jiang Xiaohua laughed and said, "What's the rush? It's only natural for a woman to conquer a man."

Remember, be natural, and make the most of your time alone. I'm waiting for your good news.

"Okay, I'm off then."

Back home, Liao Shanshan couldn't stop thinking about Wu Zhiyuan.

Even though I'm over thirty, why do I still blush and feel my heart race like a shy young girl whenever I think of Wu Zhiyuan?

……

Another night has passed.

Wu Zhiyuan received a text message on his phone at his residence.

It was posted by Liao Shanshan.

The message read: "County Chief Wu, is it convenient for us to meet tonight? I have an important matter to report."

Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback: Important situation?

Is this another honey trap?

Liao Shanshan had learned her lesson; instead of visiting directly, she sent a message first, using "important information" as bait.

To meet or not to meet?

Wu Zhiyuan replied with a message: "Did you say on the phone that it's not allowed?"

Liao Shanshan quickly replied: I have something to show you, but we can't do it without meeting in person.

Wu Zhiyuan replied again: Why don't you come to my office tomorrow?

Liao Shanshan replied: County Chief Wu, you are the county chief, how could I be qualified to see you directly? Don't worry, I have no intention of harming anyone, I really have an important matter to report.

Wu Zhiyuan thought to himself that since there were hidden cameras installed in the house, if Liao Shanshan tried anything funny, her every move would be filmed.

So he agreed.

Half an hour later, Liao Shanshan arrived.

She was wearing blue jeans and a white down jacket; her outfit made her look like a friendly girl next door.

If you didn't know her history, you would never guess from her appearance that this woman was Jiang Xiaohua's prized disciple.

Who is Jiang Xiaohua? She is a well-known mistress in the Qingyan officialdom.

Liao Shanshan also carried a basket of strawberries, looking somewhat reserved.

"County Chief Wu, I'm sorry to disturb your rest so late at night."

"Come in," Wu Zhiyuan said indifferently.

Liao Shanshan went into the house and closed the door behind her.

Wu Zhiyuan wondered what Liao Shanshan was really up to.

He pointed to the sofa: "Sit down."

Liao Shanshan didn't sit down, but instead took the small bottle out of her down jacket pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

Wu Zhiyuan glanced at it and asked, "What is this?"

"It's an aphrodisiac powder made abroad, given to me by Jiang Xiaohua."

She told me to find an opportunity to go into your water, and when you were in a daze, to film you and use it as leverage to blackmail you.

Wu Zhiyuan didn't speak, he just looked at her.

He didn't quite believe Liao Shanshan would lie.

He had heard of Jiang Xiaohua before.

Liao Shanshan continued, "She said you are Lin Xue's person, with a background and ambition. If they can get you on board or find something to use against you, it would be a huge opportunity for them."

She also said that men are all driven by their lower bodies; once drugged, even a man of integrity like Liu Xiahui can turn into a lecher.

Fearing Wu Zhiyuan wouldn't believe her, Liao Shanshan took out her phone and played a recording:

"...Wait until he's completely infatuated, then use your phone to take some photos to remember him."

At that time, he will be like a kite in our hands, with the string firmly in our grasp. We can make him fly wherever we want...

The recording played, and Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly.

The recording was very complete, from Jiang Xiaohua encouraging her to drug her, to handing her the small bottle, to her leaving the office, every single word was recorded.

It seems Liao Shanshan is quite cunning; she actually secretly recorded the conversation.

"County Chief Wu, this is a recording of our meeting last time at Jiang Xiaohua's residence in the Qingyan Hotel. I recorded it secretly. She doesn't know."

"Manager Liao, what does it mean that you came to my place tonight and told me all this?"

"It means I've betrayed Jiang Xiaohua and Yuan Jin. It means I have no way out in Qingyan's officialdom."

"Manager Liao, why did you choose to tell me this?"

According to Jiang Xiaohua's plan, if you follow it, you might really get everything you want.

"County Chief Wu, I don't want to do that. I don't want to live like them, forever trapped in scheming and dirty deals."

I admit that my approach to you before was purposeful, and it was at Jiang Xiaohua's behest that I tried to use my beauty to seduce you.

But I see clearly now, you are not on the same side as Secretary Yuan and Jiang Xiaohua.

I have seen everything you have done since you came to Qingyan.

Do you really want to do something practical for Qingyan? You have the ability, the background, and above all, integrity.

Following Yuan Jin and his group, I will always just be a pawn in their hands, to be discarded after they're done, or to become a scapegoat.

But if I follow you, even if it's just to gain a little bit of your trust, I'm willing to do things honestly and uprightly.

Liao Shanshan's words were half true and half false.

His surrender was genuine; his worship was a pretense.

The real reason for Wu Zhiyuan's defection was not that he wanted to do something or do something practical, but that he had a background, ability, a promising future, and was handsome.

Wu Zhiyuan had worked for the National Security Bureau and studied psychology and criminal investigation. Based on his judgment, Liao Shanshan was genuinely planning to defect to him.

However, just to be on the safe side, and also to test the waters further, he deliberately said, "Manager Liao, I'm very grateful that you came to see me and told me so much."

But I still have some doubts. Could this be a charade between you and Jiang Xiaohua?

Liao Shanshan quickly said, "No, absolutely not..."

Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "Don't rush to explain. In all my years in officialdom, I've seen too many people and heard too many things."

The truth or falsehood cannot be determined by a few words from you.

Liao Shanshan's eyes were a little red.

She genuinely wanted to seek refuge with them, but was questioned to her face, which still made her feel somewhat upset.

Wu Zhiyuan stared at Liao Shanshan: "I need time to observe you. Or rather, to test you."

If what you're saying is true, and you'd like to be with me, I'd be very happy to.

But you must prove your sincerity and determination.

Liao Shanshan said, "County Chief Wu, I understand. This recording and the medicine bottle are my pledge of allegiance."

I am willing to follow any of your arrangements to prove myself.

I will report any developments concerning Jiang Xiaohua and Secretary Yuan to you as soon as I know them.