Official Career Storm

Chapter 1733: Chapter 1733

Zeng Li hung up the phone and jumped off him, humming, "My brother is contacting Commander Wang, I’ll book the restaurant."

After saying that, she angrily left the office.

Song Guanchao looked helpless, but he knew Zeng Li was just throwing a little tantrum and would be fine after a while.

As evening approached, Song Guanchao didn’t drive his own car; he took a taxi after leaving home, successfully shaking off those tracking him before arriving at the restaurant.

Zeng Li arrived ahead of him: "Commander Wang will be here in a while."

Song Guanchao responded with an "Oh", sat down, picked up his teacup, and asked, "What kind of person is Commander Wang?"

He had met other committee members, but had yet to interact with the head of the Military District.

As Zeng Yingrong mentioned, the Military District did not interfere with government affairs, and due to the sensitivity of the military zone, other committee members usually avoided contact with Commander Wang.

A few decades ago, the military held significant power.

The country took note of this and sought to weaken the military through various bans, including the famous prohibition on military involvement in commercial activities.

This was mainly done to keep the military district in a controllable state.

After all, military districts represented force.

Therefore, local government leaders avoided dealing with military districts unless necessary, to prevent rumors and potential media exploitation.

Some lines should never be crossed.

"How would I know?" Zeng Li pouted, "I have no impression of him."

Song Guanchao sighed, realizing he shouldn’t have asked her.

This girl wouldn’t care about such matters.

Knock knock.

The door was pushed open by a waiter, and a man in his fifties entered; it was Wang Yuan, the head of the Military District.

Song Guanchao stood up, stretched out his hand, "Hello, Commander Wang."

Wang Yuan glanced him up and down, feeling a sense of familiarity with this person.

"Hello," Wang Yuan shook hands with him, then turned his gaze to Zeng Li.

He knew this girl well; he would see her when visiting Mr. Zeng during festivals.

"Uncle Wang," Zeng Li greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Xiao Li is prettier now."

Wang Yuan said with a hearty laugh.

Zeng Li pretended to be shy, cheeks flushing, and introduced, "Uncle Wang, this is Song Guanchao."

Upon hearing the name, Wang Yuan finally recalled.

He was quite amazed, thinking initially that Zeng Li’s companion was her boyfriend, but turned out to be Song Guanchao.

"Hello, Director Song."

"Commander Wang, please have a seat."

Song Guanchao didn’t join Zeng Li in calling him uncle.

Zeng Li did not act overly familiar in front of him either, only serving the role of introducing them.

Zeng Li went to ask the waiter to serve the dishes; Song Guanchao picked up the teapot, poured some tea for Wang Yuan, and straightforwardly said: "I have a matter to trouble Commander Wang."

Wang Yuan smiled: "What is it?"

Song Guanchao said: "Next Monday, there will be an expanded committee meeting..."

He briefly described the situation, then asked him to cast a vote at the meeting.

Wang Yuan did not immediately agree, as he was reluctant to help.

Putting himself at a disadvantage by voting for Wu Qiangwei would mean standing against other committee members.

It might not be outright offense, but it would affect relationships somewhat.

His power as a committee member was confined to the Military District, and outside of it, he was just like any ordinary person.

The essence of power is resource exchange.

Even a Vice Mayor or a District Mayor can mobilize certain resources within their jurisdiction.

But his resources were all within the Military District.

Only when he needed other committee members would they not necessarily need the head of the Military District for anything.

Frankly speaking, if his grandson didn’t do well in school and wanted to get into a better one, even the education bureau might not grant him favor.

So, just for Zeng Yingrong’s sake, he couldn’t afford to embitter himself with other committee members over Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao observed Wang Yuan’s expression, understanding his thoughts, and was about to speak again when Zeng Li suddenly said: "Director Song was my grandfather’s security officer."

Wang Yuan surprisedly asked: "Director Song served in the military?"

"Retired from being by the old chief’s side." Song Guanchao’s words were a response to Zeng Li’s claim.

Wang Yuan nodded; his originally firm refusal began to waver.

He didn’t expect Song Guanchao to have this identity, initially believing Zeng Yingrong arranged the meeting with Song Guanchao as a representative of Wu Qiangwei.

But now it seems, Zeng Yingrong organized the dinner entirely out of respect for Song Guanchao.

Wang Yuan discreetly glanced at Zeng Li; her eye contact and expression suggested her personal rapport with Song Guanchao was very good.

However, such personal ties between youngsters didn’t weigh heavily for him.

For matters of other nature, he would definitely extend courtesy to Zeng Yingrong and Zeng Li.

But this matter had significant implications for him.

This was the predominant reason for his indecision.

Not helping would displease the two young ones.

These two were Mr. Zeng’s grandchildren; if they complained to Mr. Zeng, it could have an impact.

Helping could mean future requests to other committee members would go unheeded.

This truly placed him in a difficult position.

Despite not expressing emotion, Song Guanchao could sense Wang Yuan’s dilemma.

"The dishes are being served really slowly; Director Song, could you urge them?" Zeng Li said.

Song Guanchao shot her a look, knowing she intended for him to leave.

He hesitated for a moment, then hummed and left the private room.

As soon as he left, Zeng Li said: "Uncle Wang, my grandfather really values him and originally intended to nurture him well. But his interest wasn’t in the Military District, so he retired without even informing my grandfather."

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded, believing only part of Zeng Li’s words.

Seeing that Wang Yuan was still hesitant to make a statement, Zeng Li continued: "Director Song didn’t want to bother my grandfather; otherwise he’d be the one calling you today."

Wang Yuan maintained his friendly smile, leaving Zeng Li helpless, who eventually suggested: "I should let my grandfather talk to you himself."

Seeing her dial Mr. Zeng’s number, Wang Yuan was startled and reached out to stop her: "No need to disturb Mr. Zeng..."

"It’s fine, my grandfather has plenty of spare time." Zeng Li dodged his hand, and the call was connected.

"Hello, Grandpa..." Zeng Li quickly said a few words, finally adding: "Uncle Wang is right beside me, why don’t you have a word with him?"

With that, she handed over the phone.

Wang Yuan felt his scalp tingle; this young lady was too audacious.

With great apprehension, he took the phone: "Chief, am I interrupting?"

A voice, both authoritative and gentle, came through the phone, addressing the matter directly: "Why don’t you explain the situation to me?"

"Yes, Chief," Wang Yuan swiftly reported, highlighting the key points.

After he finished speaking, Mr. Zeng said: "The pollution issue is serious... Though the Military District doesn’t interfere with local governance, but since you have voting rights as a committee member, you shouldn’t just be a bystander. That boy Xiao Song, I know him well; he’s an idealist, very diligent in his work, and to reach this level in just a few years shows his capability."

"In the future, if you need anything in life, just ask him. If he can’t help, then go to Xiao Wu."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuan felt genuinely astounded.

Zeng Li hadn’t lied!

Mr. Zeng had an extraordinary regard for Song Guanchao; even after years of retirement, he remembered his former security officer.

Being in the military himself, Wang Yuan could very well gauge how much Mr. Zeng favored Song Guanchao.

The knot of hesitation in his heart instantly unraveled.

"Understood, Chief," Wang Yuan handed the phone back to Zeng Li, who said: "That’s enough, I want to eat now."

With that, she hung up, leaving Wang Yuan at a loss for words.

No matter Mr. Zeng’s stature, he was equally helpless with his granddaughter.

Zeng Li proudly lifted her chin: "Uncle Wang, see, I wasn’t lying."

Wang Yuan chuckled bitterly and nodded, then curiously asked: "The Chief’s regard for him seems quite high—is Director Song a decorated officer?"

"He’s earned multiple awards, several second-class merits, and even two first-class ones."

"First-class merits?"

"Yeah," Zeng Li said: "And he’s completed several missions, but those missions have high confidentiality, my grandfather hasn’t told me. If you want to know, ask my grandfather next time yourself."

Wang Yuan made a mental note of this matter and considered using the occasion of New Year visits to inquire more.

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