Official Career Storm

Chapter 1719: Chapter 1719

Wu Qiangwei was the first to raise her hand, followed by Liang Jianfeng who also raised his hand and said, "I agree."

Chang Hai, expressionless, was the third to raise his hand: "I agree."

Then it was Song Guanchao, Han Lan, and Xiao Chenlei who also raised their hands to express their stance.

Their agreement did not matter much, as the main vote would be cast by the seven mayors.

As the few raised their hands to express their stance, Sun Jiajun and others were a bit stunned.

The proceedings were moving too fast, not giving them any chance to react, and already three mayors had raised their hands.

Zhu Shixian’s lips moved slightly, right as she met Wu Qiangwei’s gaze sweeping over, instinctively lowering her head to avoid it.

Three votes in favor, the fourth vote was crucial.

No matter what, Zhu Shixian wouldn’t raise her hand at this point.

Xue Mingde was also internally conflicted.

Three days ago Wu Qiangwei had approached him, privately securing his stance.

However, in between, Chairman Chu had also reached out to him.

So he was also unwilling to cast this crucial vote.

"I oppose!" Sun Jiajun’s voice sounded extremely harsh at this moment, yet it gave Xue Mingde and Zhu Shixian internal relief.

Wu Qiangwei seemed not to hear him, ignoring his statement, and looked at Chang Youcai: "Mayor Chang, let’s proceed with the vote."

She adopted Song Guanchao’s suggestion that the fourth vote should be cast by Chang Youcai.

Chang Youcai’s lips curled into a smile, glancing at Song Guanchao beside him: "I oppose."

His opposition was anticipated by both Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao.

If Chairman Chu hadn’t contacted him midway, this wouldn’t have been unexpected.

The reason for his "defection" involved the external influence of Chairman Chu, and secondly, Song Guanchao used threatening tactics when persuading him initially.

People have a rebellious mindset, and Chang Youcai was the Vice Mayor.

With such a position, how could he tolerate being threatened?

Especially when being threatened by someone not of his rank, a mere Office Director.

So his defection was not surprising, even quite logical.

Three votes in favor, two votes against.

Thus, Xue Mingde and Zhu Shixian once again held a crucial role.

Xue Mingde did not want to be the one to change the situation in these circumstances; agreeing meant offending those entrepreneurs.

Disagreeing would offend Wu Qiangwei.

The feeling of being grilled wasn’t pleasant, and there wasn’t a good solution.

"Mayor, I think we should change the way of voting." Song Guanchao suddenly spoke up.

Wu Qiangwei asked, "What way?"

Song Guanchao tore off a sheet of blank paper: "Let’s use an anonymous ballot."

Wu Qiangwei’s eyes brightened, and Xue Mingde and Zhu Shixian also dazzled.

But Chang Youcai’s face turned sullen instantly, recovering after two seconds.

Because he realized the anonymous ballot wouldn’t be useful!

The current votes were already determined, and only Zhu Shixian and Xue Mingde remained.

As long as they both agreed, he would later relay the details of today’s meeting to Chairman Chu.

Both would end up offending the other party.

"Then let’s use the anonymous ballot method to vote again." Wu Qiangwei nodded.

Song Guanchao stood up, tore off a sheet of paper and placed it in front of Liang Jianfeng, then walked over to Sun Jiajun.

When he reached Zhu Shixian, he whispered in a voice only they could hear: "Write a vote against."

Zhu Shixian’s pupils contracted in disbelief, controlling her impulse to look up until Song Guanchao walked to Xue Mingde; her eyes slowly lifted, filled with confusion.

When Song Guanchao placed the paper in front of Xue Mingde, he also said: "Write a favorable vote."

Xue Mingde remained motionless, as if he hadn’t heard.

After placing the last sheet in front of Wu Qiangwei, Song Guanchao returned to his seat.

"Everyone, let’s begin." Wu Qiangwei picked up a pen and wrote her vote.

Zhu Shixian and Xue Mingde hesitated for a few seconds, ultimately following Song Guanchao’s suggestion, writing down agreement and disagreement respectively.

They folded the paper, and Song Guanchao collected them, placing them before Wu Qiangwei.

Wu Qiangwei opened one sheet in front of everyone and said: "In favor."

After announcing the result, she deliberately displayed the paper to everyone to affirm its authenticity.

Then she opened the second sheet: "In favor."

And then the third sheet...

Soon, the votes amount to three in favor, two against.

No need to elaborate on the opposing votes, with only Sun Jiajun and Chang Youcai left.

Wu Qiangwei opened the sixth piece, paused at its contents, and couldn’t help glancing toward Zhu Shixian and Xue Mingde.

Chang Youcai and Sun Jiajun felt anxious, wishing to urge her to hurry.

"Opposed." When Wu Qiangwei displayed the paper showing the opposition, everyone was stunned.

Even though Chang Youcai and Sun Jiajun most desired this result, it felt a bit unreal.

With eyes on the last sheet that would decide today’s meeting topic, Wu Qiangwei hesitated.

Before the meeting, she was confident there wouldn’t be any surprises.

But now, anxiety crept in.

Chang Youcai’s smile slowly broadened, feeling that Song Guanchao was outsmarting himself; he thought an anonymous vote would relieve their burden.

Unrealized, it instead provided both a chance to earn the entrepreneurs’ favor.

Wu Qiangwei withstood the pressure and picked up the final paper, opening it slowly.

Upon seeing its content, she paused again.

Seeing her reaction, Sun Jiajun and Chang Youcai seemed to guess the contents.

Sun Jiajun couldn’t imagine the meeting would have such a turnaround.

He was curious, was the third opposition vote from Xue Mingde or Zhu Shixian?

Oh, there’s no need to be curious.

Judging from Wu Qiangwei’s reaction, the last person also cast a dissenting vote.

This meant both stood on his side.

"In favor." Wu Qiangwei read out the two words.

"Four votes against, Mayor Wu, you must be disappointed... Wait." Sun Jiajun’s smile froze, suddenly realizing: "In favor?"

The last vote was favorable?

Chang Youcai frowned and glared, just about to question, but Wu Qiangwei already turned over the paper in her hand.

In bold was the word "In favor."

It was indeed in favor!

Chang Youcai’s eyes flickered, still incredulous.

Sun Jiajun’s face turned unsightly as the outcome wasn’t what he thought.

How could this be?

Shouldn’t they all be opposing votes?

Chang Youcai, in a rage, suddenly had an epiphany.

He suddenly guessed why Song Guanchao suggested using an anonymous vote.

He must have known Chairman Chu met Zhu Shixian and Xue Mingde yesterday and saw their dilemma.

While distributing papers, he must have secretly told them something.

That was how one supportive and one opposing vote resulted.

As long as there was one dissenting vote, they could both tell Chairman Chu this dissenting vote was theirs.

Because of the anonymous method, even knowing one of the two must have favored, Chairman Chu couldn’t prove it nor could anger them.

Song Guanchao’s move was truly clever.

It prevented the two from being hated by the entrepreneurs while ensuring the decision for shutdown and conversion was passed by the City Government meeting.

Wu Qiangwei, Xue Mingde, and Zhu Shixian now comprehended the key, easing their expressions somewhat.

"Four votes in favor, the decision on the treatment of polluting enterprises in the park is passed." Wu Qiangwei announced the result, saying to Song Guanchao: "Director Song, send me the meeting notes once sorted."

"Meeting adjourned."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!