Chapter 109: Joining Hands

  Liu Siyuan was startled, not expecting her to be so sensitive. He had no choice but to explain the whole story of Xiao Yuhuan from start to finish, emphasizing that he only had work-related contact with reporter Xiao and had no personal relationship with him at all.

  But Ou Yang Qian suddenly let out an "ah" after listening, and he curiously asked her what was wrong. The latter thought for a moment before saying: "I suddenly remembered that I had heard of the four major families in the capital city before, one of which is the Xiao family. I think it's likely that Xiao Yuhan is from the Xiao family, otherwise how could she be so powerful? She can easily influence two municipal committee members?"

  Liu Siyuan said with some curiosity: "What four major families?"

  Ouyang Qian tilted her head and thought for a moment, saying: "Actually, I'm just talking about what I've heard. It's said that in the capital city, there are four families - Xiao, Liang, Wu, and Song. They're all descendants of the founding fathers of the country. In recent years, since reform and opening up, these four families have flourished on the political scene of the Republic, and now they've become an important force that can influence the political situation. Not to mention a small province like Qianhu, even in the central government, they all have extremely strong influence."

  Liu Siyuan thought for a moment, feeling that these were really too far away from him, and shrugged indifferently: "Anyway, pull it, after all, Xinyi Shuo owes me a personal favor, according to what you said, Xinyi Shuo is absolutely right, this personal favor will be used on the blade later."

  Ouyang Qian sank into thought for a moment before saying: "Forget it, I'll think of a way to find out whether that Xiao Yuhuan is a member of the Xiao family or not."

  Liu Siyuan thought she was idle anyway, so he let her go with him.

  Back in Beicun Town, he first settled Ouyang Qian down. Fortunately, she was obedient and quietly allowed Liu Siyuan to hand her over to Zhao Guotang, who arranged for her to stay in a hotel.

  After arranging for Ouyang Qian, he came to the town party committee and government joint office building. Only after entering did he find that there seemed to be fewer people in the office who were seriously working than usual. Fortunately, Director Ma Feng of the Party and Government Office was still there. This guy's level is not high, but the news is very informed, and he likes to ponder. Unconsciously, Liu Siyuan found that he really relied on him a bit.

  Ma Feng was also familiar with him, but he didn't lack any courtesy. After coming in, he stood respectfully and only sat down halfway after Liu Siyuan asked him to sit.

  When he asked what those party committee members were busy with and why no one was seen, the other immediately said: "Secretary Liu, you may not be aware of the big things in the county for the past two days since you haven't been around."

  Liu Siyuan's interest was piqued and he asked hurriedly: "Tell me about it."

  Ma Feng cleared his throat and said, "The city has already approved our application to set up a new economic development zone in Cheng'en County, with the rank of deputy department level. Moreover, I heard that the municipal party committee has reached a consensus, and the personnel arrangement will be based on the decision of the county party committee, which only needs to be reported to the city for approval."

  Liu Siyuan thought for a moment and said: "Oh, I kind of understand now. Let's have each of our party committee members go to the county to carry out their own activities."

  Ma Feng smiled and said, "Isn't that so? The people who went to the county seat for activities are far from just our few from Beixi Town. People from all towns and villages in Cheng'en County, as well as those from the county bureau, have been working hard. I heard that even the threshold of Director Liu's house in the Organization Department has been trampled flat. Often, the people in front haven't left yet, and those behind are already knocking on the door."

  Liu Siyuan hummed in response and suddenly thought of something, saying: "Old Ma, tell me, which few people in our class are particularly diligent runners?"

  The government, apart from Mayor Wu and Vice Mayor Yishe, has not made any moves. Several deputy mayors have gone to the county seat, and some section-level cadres are also active. Even if it's a lateral transfer, being able to work in the county seat is still good. Moreover, after the development zone is established, there will definitely be prospects for advancement. The key projects in the county will eventually all move into the development zone. However, the one who has been running around the most should be Director Du.

  Liu Siyuan hummed and asked after a moment of contemplation: "Do you know which leaders Comrade Du Hang reported to in the county?"

  Ma Feng smiled and said: "Secretary Liu, you asked the right person. Du Wei is a man of County Mayor Wang in the county government, and it's said that they are distant relatives."

  Liu Siyuan nodded to show that he understood, and after casually praising him a few times, he sent him away. As soon as Ma Feng left, Bai Changjiang rushed in to report on his work, during which he also mentioned the economic development zone, seemingly wanting to hint at something.

  Liu Siyuan knew he wanted to ask about his attitude, but he also found it inconvenient to express his stance at this time, so he could only pretend to be stupid. The latter saw that he didn't say anything and was about to ask directly when a phone call came in and saved him. Bai Changjiang had no choice but to retreat first.

  The phone call was from Leng Feng, the head of the county's People's Armed Department. On the phone, he didn't say much, just asked when Liu Sanyuan had time to sit down together. Liu Sanyuan vaguely felt that it was probably related to the personnel configuration of the Economic Development Zone. It seemed that Director Leng also had some ideas and wanted to take advantage of the situation. Thinking again, although they were ranked last and second-to-last in the county committee's standing committee, but after all, two votes weren't nothing? Especially now when the situation in the county committee was so complex, relying on these two votes might be able to exchange for some benefits. Thinking of this, he immediately said that he would come to the county town tomorrow and Director Leng could wait for him.

  Leng Feng burst out laughing and said: I just like your straightforwardness, Siyuan. I'll find a place to eat, I'll let you know in a bit.

  He originally wanted to make a phone call to Fang Xinyu to discuss the latest situation in the county, but then he thought it would be better to meet with Leng Feng first and exchange some information before talking about it later. Maybe Director Leng will bring him some new news.

  There's nothing special about the place to eat, anyway Liu Siyuan eats and drinks outside every day, in his eyes the dishes are no different, especially after becoming a county committee member, almost every day there is a dinner party, today this bureau chief invites guests, tomorrow that town mayor sets up wine, every day it's all big fish and meat with white wine, seeing himself at only 23 years old but his belly gradually bulging out, quite depressed.

  After three rounds of drinking, especially seeing Liu Siyuan getting a bit tipsy, Han Feng stopped and said: "Siyuan, you've been in our county for almost half a year now, this is the first time we two brothers sat down together, was I not hospitable enough?"

  Liu Siyuan hastily said: "Director Leng, look at what you're saying. If I'm a Standing Committee member now, it's all thanks to your help. I haven't even properly thanked you yet, which is my fault." Indeed, back then when the county committee was supplementing its members, it was because of Cold Peak and Zheng Gaofeng's meddling that Fan Yugun reported two names, including Liu Siyuan's.

  Leng Feng waved his hand and said, "Don't be modest, being able to become a Standing Committee member is your own ability, I've heard about the scene at the Municipal Party Committee's Standing Committee meeting back then, even Secretary Zhang had to bow his head. That aura, I really admire you." He paused for a moment and continued, "Zhao Shuai from the Municipal Military Region also called me today, asking me to communicate more with you in the county and get closer to you."

  Liu Siyuan hastily said, "Minister Leng, please don't say that, I'm not worthy of it." After all, although the two were ranked last and second to last, Cold Peak was still one rank higher than him.

  Leng Feng smiled and said, "Younger brother, don't be polite. Just based on that scene at the municipal party committee back then, your background can't be any smaller, right? Haven't you seen how Secretary Fan has been giving you three points of courtesy? Don't think it's not true, you actually squeezed out his trusted aide Zhong Hanyun to become a standing committee member. Logically speaking, he should look down on you. But what was the result? Old Fan could only swallow his anger and humiliation, and hasn't given you any trouble in these few months." He paused and continued, "Also, don't think I don't know that you beat up Young Master Fan's son, this is something nobody in the whole county dares to do. In the end, didn't Old Fan endure it?"

  Liu Siyuan thought for a moment and it seemed that was indeed the case. At this time, Leng Feng continued: "Siyuan, you're also a smart person, today your Cold Brother invited you out, you must have guessed what's going on, I won't beat around the bush either. Anyway, I just need a deputy department head, an old comrade's offspring, can't let face be lost. Everything else is up to you, we two brothers join hands and make a big move, you go talk to Secretary Fan, whatever you can negotiate is fine, we two brothers should also show our swords at the Standing Committee meeting."