Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 389 Women's Schemes

Liao Jinshen had just been promoted to deputy section chief and was riding high.

He became even more enthusiastic in offering toasts.

Looking at Jiang Xiaohua, who was dressed stylishly and still had a charming demeanor, he raised his glass in a toast: "Director Jiang, you're getting more and more attractive."

Liao Chenggong detected the flippancy in his son's words, his expression changed, and his eyes widened: "Jin Shen, what did you say?"

Liao Jinshen retorted, "Dad, what are you thinking! Director Jiang is experienced and has a steady presence; she's at her most charming right now."

I was praising her for being mature, poised, and feminine; it was absolutely a sign of respect!

Jiang Xiaohua laughed and said, "You little rascal, you're not that old, but you've already learned to be so glib."

But I like hearing that; it's more genuine than those empty flattery words.

Liao Shanshan was in a very passive position tonight; Jiang Xiaohua had pestered her to come.

If I don't come, I'm afraid Jiang Xiaohua will be unhappy.

Of course, even if Liao Shanshan didn't come, Jiang Xiaohua wouldn't suspect that she had already sided with Wu Zhiyuan.

Liao Shanshan didn't want to come because she didn't want to see Yuan Jin.

This guy appears respectable on the surface, always talking about clean governance and improving work style at meetings big and small. But in reality, he's not only greedy and lecherous, but also quite perverted. All he thinks about all day is money, women, and power, instead of getting things done and starting a business.

Liao Shanshan silently prayed: Yuan Jin was already tired of her and wouldn't sleep with her tonight.

Yuan Jin noticed that Liao Shanshan seemed a bit off tonight, and said with a smile, "Shanshan, why are you being so quiet today? Are you not feeling well?"

"No, I just have a bit of a headache, probably because of the unusually high temperature lately." Liao Shanshan went along with it and rubbed her temples.

"Oh, you must be tired lately?" Yuan Jin asked, feigning concern.

"It's alright, maybe I just didn't get enough rest," Liao Shanshan continued.

Jiang Xiaohua glanced at her and smiled, "Shanshan is the deputy manager of the hotel. She has to take care of everything in the hotel. It must be very hard work."

Secretary Yuan, please be understanding and show more concern for us grassroots cadres.

Yuan Jin smiled, ignoring Jiang Xiaohua's words, but her gaze lingered on Liao Shanshan.

Liao Chenggong shifted the topic to the merger of Longcheng: "Leaders, I've heard that Lin Xue may become the mayor of Jiangzhou, and the current mayor of Jiangzhou will be reassigned to a sinecure position at the Provincial Political Consultative Conference upon reaching retirement age. Are you well-informed? Is this true?"

Chen Jimin continued, "There are many rumors about Lin Xue's whereabouts, with one version after another. Some say she went back to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, some say she went to another city to serve as the Party Secretary, and some say she went to a provincial-level unit to serve as the main person in charge."

There are always variables before the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee makes a final decision.

Yuan Jin nodded: "Ji Min is right. Personnel appointments and removals are not valid until an official document is issued."

Deng Haidong asked, "Are there any rumors about the whereabouts of the mayor of Wenchang City?"

Liao Chenggong said, "There are many versions. Just like Secretary Yuan said, if you can't see the official document, it doesn't count."

Yuan Jin said, "Actually, it's not entirely unfounded. It's because when the province was considering these personnel appointments, there was no consensus, so rumors started to circulate."

Ultimately, personnel appointments are still a matter of negotiation and compromise between leaders.

This is actually no different from personnel appointments at the city or county level.

Seeing that the topic had shifted to senior personnel and he couldn't get a word in edgewise, Liao Jinshen got a little bored and his gaze fell on Liao Shanshan, who had been silent all along.

He picked up his wine glass, walked around half the table, and went to Liao Shanshan's side.

"Sister Shanshan, let me toast you. Speaking of which, you're still my cousin, even though we're not related by blood. I'll need your help in the county from now on."

Liao Shanshan's father and Liao Chenggong are of the same generation. Liao Chenggong said that Liao Shanshan is his cousin, which is not wrong, but they are collateral relatives beyond three generations.

Liao Shanshan had no choice but to pick up her teacup: "Jin Shen, congratulations on your promotion. I'm offering you this tea instead of wine. It's not about favors, but rather mutual support."

Liao Jinshen persisted: "That won't do. We're from the same clan, and we all serve the leaders, so we're one of our own."

When your own people offer you a toast, why should you just drink tea? You should at least show some courtesy.

"Do you look down on me, a newly promoted junior section chief?"

What Liao Jinshen didn't say was that when Liao Shanshan toasted Yuan Jin, Chen Jimin, and others, she used wine instead of tea.

Liao Shanshan felt a surge of annoyance; she could see right through Liao Jinshen's scheming nature.

This guy, relying on his father's wealth and his recent promotion, and seeing that she was beautiful and well-known, wanted to take advantage of her while she was drunk, and might even have more despicable thoughts.

However, the villa is the home ground of the Liao family, and tonight is Liao Chenggong's treat.

Liao Shanshan said calmly, "Jin Shen, you're joking. I do have a headache today, and I'm afraid drinking alcohol will make me feel worse and affect my work tomorrow."

I appreciate your kindness, and I will remember this gesture of friendship.

When you achieve new successes and rise through the ranks, I'll definitely raise a toast to you. How about that?

Liao Jinshen was rebuffed and felt a little embarrassed. He wanted to say something more, but Liao Chenggong coughed and said, "Jinshen, Shanshan isn't feeling well, so don't force yourself."

Jiang Xiaohua assumed Liao Shanshan was genuinely unwell and said, "Shanshan, why don't you go back first?"

Yuan Jin said, "Xiao Hua, let Shan Shan go to the lounge next door to rest for a while. I have something to tell Shan Shan."

Yuan Jin was not short of women, but tonight, under the influence of alcohol, he discovered that Liao Shanshan had a special charm.

Of course, Liao Shanshan is naturally very beautiful and has a lot of charm.

However, Yuan Jin had been with countless women and had lost interest in Liao Shanshan.

After dinner, he wanted to have a deep conversation with Liao Shanshan, so why would he let her go?

Jiang Xiaohua understood Yuan Jin best and said to Liao Shanshan, "Shanshan, Secretary Yuan cares about you and wants you to go to the lounge to rest for a while."

Secretary Yuan has some work to discuss with you later. I'll accompany you to the lounge.

The lounge is next door; it's actually a meeting room with sofas.

Jiang Xiaohua took Liao Shanshan's arm and they entered the lounge.

She poured Liao Shanshan a glass of warm water and then sat down next to her.

"Shanshan, are you feeling better?" Jiang Xiaohua asked, feigning concern.

"I feel better, thank you."

"Shanshan, we're best friends, isn't it normal for us to care about each other? Don't thank me!"

By the way, any progress on Wu Zhiyuan's side?

Liao Shanshan knew that Jiang Xiaohua would definitely ask about this, so she pretended to be very troubled: "Director Jiang, to be honest, I really don't know what to do."

As you know, I've met quite a few leaders, and I believe I can grasp a fair bit of what men are thinking. But Wu Zhiyuan is truly different.

In his eyes, I was just an ordinary subordinate, completely unrelated to matters between men and women.

Jiang Xiaohua was not satisfied with this statement: "Impossible. What cat in this world doesn't eat fish?"

No matter how young and promising Wu Zhiyuan is, he is still a man full of youthful vigor.

Jiang Xiaohua suddenly slapped his thigh: "That's right, every man has different tastes. Just like Yu Jinxing, he prefers married young women."

A few years ago, a county leader had a preference for middle-aged women over forty.

Of course, most men still prefer young and beautiful girls.

What exactly are Wu Zhiyuan's special preferences?

Liao Shanshan's heart tightened. She was determined to get Wu Zhiyuan and didn't want to give up her mission of "seducing Wu Zhiyuan".

If Jiang Xiaohua thought she was useless and replaced her with someone else, then she would have no reason to approach Wu Zhiyuan.

Otherwise, it would arouse Wu Zhiyuan's suspicion.

Liao Shanshan then said, "It seems that Wu Zhiyuan isn't uninterested in beautiful young women, is he?"

I feel that he's still afraid, afraid that his romantic encounters might be a trap. He's always been a very cautious person.

Director Jiang, you are very experienced and have seen many men.

What experience and secrets do you have to win over a man like Wu Zhiyuan?

"Shanshan, I've actually told you this a few times before. The more seemingly upright someone is but has something to hide, the easier they are to win over."

The key is to find his ticklish spot and scratch it gently, without making him think you're doing it on purpose.

"So how exactly do you do it?"

"First, you have to lower his guard. Don't always think about getting him into bed or getting leverage over him all at once."

Men are instinctively wary of women who are too proactive or have too strong a purpose.

You have to start with the details and do things subtly and gradually.

As the deputy manager of the hotel, it's perfectly legitimate for you to care about the leaders' lives, isn't it?

Today we'll send some fruit, tomorrow some late-night snacks, and the day after tomorrow some local specialties.

The reasons should be natural, and the manner should be generous; it should be purely about work-related concern and logistical support, without any romantic involvement.

"Secondly, you need to demonstrate your value, not just your looks."

Wu Zhiyuan is the county magistrate. What does he care about? He cares about his work, his performance, and the situation in the county.

Having lived in Qingyan for so many years, you've come into contact with all sorts of people, and you must know a thing or two about the behind-the-scenes relationships, power struggles, and intrigues in the county.

Find a suitable opportunity to casually reveal some information that might be useful to him, such as which bureau chief is currently close to whom, or what complaints the townships have about a certain policy.

But be careful to say it subtly, as if it were mentioned casually in conversation, so that he feels you're not just a pretty face, but also somewhat useful, and that you're good at keeping quiet.

"Men, especially ambitious men, are actually very lonely and under a lot of pressure."

You need to make him feel that you are different from others, that you can understand his ambitions, his difficulties, and even his loneliness.

When he lowers his guard against you and even gets used to your presence and care, the opportunity will come.

Shanshan, you must remember this simple truth: there is no cat in this world that doesn't eat fish.

Liao Shanshan listened silently, but her heart was churning.

Jiang Xiaohua spoke eloquently, but she didn't know that Liao Shanshan interpreted her words in a completely different way.

"Director Jiang, you're right. I'll think of another way."

Jiang Xiaohua nodded in satisfaction, but then changed the subject: "Shanshan, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

Taking down Wu Zhiyuan is not just for Secretary Yuan's sake, but also for our own.

Jiang Xiaohua sneered, "Do you think I did all this just to be Secretary Yuan's pawn?"

Shanshan, you're still young, there are some things you need to understand sooner rather than later.

These days, if a woman doesn't plan for herself, who will?

Jiang Xiaohua lit a cigarette.

Liao Shanshan does not smoke.

"Secretary Yuan has indeed been good to me. He has given me everything I was entitled to over the years, and he even helped me get promoted to the rank of section chief."

But think about it, how much longer can he stay in Qingyan?

Liao Shanshan was taken aback: "You mean...?"

Jiang Xiaohua exhaled a smoke ring and lowered his voice: "Shanshan, I'm telling you, don't tell anyone else."

"If Longcheng hadn't been merged and personnel appointments hadn't been temporarily frozen, Secretary Yuan might already have been promoted to deputy director-general level."

Liao Shanshan was taken aback: "Secretary Yuan is going to become a deputy director-general?"

"It's pretty much true. Secretary Yuan has special connections; you just need to know that."

Becoming a deputy director-general means leaving Qingyan and going to Jiangzhou, the provincial capital, or other cities.

You think I can still wield power in Qingyan just because Secretary Yuan is gone? Dream on!

Once Secretary Yuan leaves, either Wu Zhiyuan will take over as secretary, or someone else will be appointed as secretary.

With the new Party Secretary in office, I might not even be able to become a deputy county head, let alone retain my position as a section chief.

Actually, deep down, I didn't want Secretary Yuan to be promoted and transferred.

"It's good to rest in the shade of a big tree. But if the tree is too far away, there's no shade to be found. Distant water can't quench immediate thirst."

Liao Shanshan tentatively asked, "So, Director Jiang, what you mean is...?"

"My meaning is very clear. When Secretary Yuan was around, I relied on him. Now that he's gone, I have to find a new patron."

Wu Zhiyuan is the best candidate. He is the county magistrate and may take over as secretary. Even if he doesn't take over as secretary, as long as he is still in Qingyan, he will have the final say in the county government's resources and influence.

The problem is that Wu Zhiyuan is a difficult person to control.

That's why I need you, I need you to find his weakness, I need you to drag him down with me.

"Only if he's tied to us can we gain a foothold in Qingyan."