“During the holidays, Director Zhang can visit County Magistrate Jinghui. You have to visit him often to build relationships so you can be useful when needed,” Li Xiuyuan said casually.

Zhang Xingdong didn't pay much attention and just nodded in agreement. But after dropping Li Xiuyuan off, on the way back, Zhang Xingdong realized something was wrong. Li Xiuyuan had been acting very strangely today by asking him to be his driver.

Then he brought this up again. With two unusual things happening together, it's hard not to take it seriously. It's very likely that Li Xiuyuan is reminding me of something: to spend more time with Deputy County Head Zhang Jinghui.

Could it be that I'm going to have some kind of opportunity?

Thinking of this, Zhang Xingdong's heart began to race. If that was the case, then Li Xiuyuan was giving him a hint. He had even thought that Li Xiuyuan looked down on him.

When Li Xiuyuan left, Li Xiuyuan told me that either Zhou Yi or Wang Zhitao could come and pick him up the next morning, and I nodded in agreement.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xingdong wanted to slap himself. Why didn't he say, "Mayor Li, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning"?

After waiting for so long, and finally seeing a glimmer of hope for progress, if you can't even seize the opportunity, you'll regret it terribly.

Zhang Xingdong pondered for a moment and decided that he would personally drive over to pick up Li Xiuyuan early the next morning. Although it would be a bit of a slap in the face, the opportunity for advancement was important.

When the time comes, we'll find an opportunity to tentatively ask where exactly the opportunity for advancement lies.

While Zhang Xingdong was thinking about making progress, Li Xiuyuan was also considering personnel adjustments. With Wang Zhixing gone, the vacant deputy mayor position would definitely be filled by someone from his own circle.

Only in this way can Hou Peng be sidelined, and the government can be completely controlled by the government itself.

Zhang Xingdong has been in the position of section-level cadre for a long time. If he could be transferred to the position of deputy mayor, even though he would not be included in the town party committee, he would still be promoted to deputy section-level cadre.

As for why we deliberately didn't explain this matter clearly tonight, one reason is that Wang Zhixing's transfer order hasn't been issued yet, so it's not appropriate to say it directly. The other reason is that we also need to give Zhang Xingdong a warning.

Zhang Xingdong certainly didn't make any mistakes, but even if he didn't, he still needed to be given a warning from time to time to instill respect in his subordinates and to test their obedience. At the same time, this hint to Zhang Xingdong to make his move early would increase his mystique and indirectly enhance his authority.

Another reason for having Zhang Xingdong make connections was to gain the support of Deputy County Head Zhang Jinghui. Although Zhang Jinghui wasn't a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee or the Executive Deputy County Head, he wielded considerable power. If he were truly willing to help Zhang Xingdong, securing a position as a deputy section-level cadre would be a breeze, especially given Zhang Xingdong's sufficient seniority. With my own push, while not a sure thing, I had a high probability of success.

If Zhang Xingguo can become the deputy mayor, the position of director of the Party and Government Office will be vacant, allowing Wang Zhitao to advance further. This would create a "reshuffling of talent" scenario, and when the position of director of the Economic Development Office becomes vacant, Zhou Yi, who has been driving for him, will also have a chance.

When a position becomes vacant, it leads to a series of personnel changes. Those who follow you will benefit, and others who follow you will work even harder.

This also allows them to expand their influence in the central town.

How should I put it? Sacrificing Wang Zhixing to benefit everyone is a good thing.

The lights in the village committee office in Meilin Village were off, and Li Xiuyuan was resting. The next morning, after Li Xiuyuan and Su Ziying got up, they were about to go for a run when they saw Zhang Xingdong waiting at the gate in his car as soon as they stepped out of the village committee compound.

Upon seeing Li Xiuyuan emerge, Zhang Xingdong nimbly got out of the car and jogged over to greet him.