Official Career Storm

Chapter 1524 1524

"Guo Feng, am I disturbing you?" Aunt Zhu's voice was gentle.

"A call from Aunt Zhu is more important than anything else."

Aunt Zhu chuckled a few times and said, "Your grandfather wants you to come over."

Xu Guofeng's eyes wavered, "Now?"

"Now."

"Alright, I'll head over right now."

He paused, "Aunt Zhu, did grandfather mention why he's calling me?"

Aunt Zhu lowered her voice a little, "Your grandfather answered a call, then asked me to call you over. He seems a bit angry."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guofeng became somewhat nervous, "Aunt Zhu, do you know whose call it was?"

"Luo Ke Gong."

"Him?" Xu Guofeng was even more puzzled and wanted to ask more, but Aunt Zhu said, "I'm not clear on the specifics either, you should come over first."

"Alright, I'll come over right away."

Xu Guofeng changed his clothes, and his wife noticed, asking, "Do you have something to deal with?"

"Grandfather is calling me," Xu Guofeng smiled and said, "You should rest early."

The roads in Beijing were clear at night; about half an hour later, he arrived at the villa area, driving all the way to the villa garage.

The villa's living room was brightly lit.

Through the giant glass window of the living room, he saw his grandfather sitting on the sofa smoking.

Inside, Xu Guofeng felt increasingly heavy and uneasy.

Since his retirement, his grandfather quit drinking and seldom smoked.

At least he wouldn't initiate smoking.

What exactly happened?

A huge doubt filled his mind.

He walked into the villa, into the living room, "Grandfather."

The old man responded with a murmur but didn't look at him.

Xu Guofeng walked over but didn't sit.

Being closer, he could tell that the old man's mood was indeed very bad.

"Do you know why I called you over?" The old man extinguished the cigarette and looked up at him.

Xu Guofeng shook his head.

The old man asked, "What have you been up to lately?"

Xu Guofeng had thought about this question on the way over, but he hadn't done anything.

He worked diligently and hadn't offended anyone.

From a young age, he lived with his grandfather, always under his guidance, inheriting his grandfather's approach.

His grandfather had also said at family banquets or important occasions: This child resembles me.

This was a highly praised evaluation.

Everyone knew the old man valued Xu Guofeng greatly.

This had also led to his smooth political career.

"Grandfather, I haven't done anything recently," Xu Guofeng said honestly.

The old man suddenly sighed lightly, "Do you remember what I said? In the officialdom, one must tread carefully as if on thin ice."

"I remember."

"Did you abide by it?"

Xu Guofeng nodded, but before he could answer, the old man said, "Never underestimate anyone. Before you decide to offend someone, you must thoroughly understand them and make sure you can bear the cost of failure."

"Your political path is too smooth; you've climbed too high."

The old man appeared somewhat disappointed.

Xu Guofeng seemed to have thought of something, "Is it Jiang Wangshan?"

The old man shook his head, "Song Guanchao."

Song Guanchao?

So familiar...

Xu Guofeng remembered; he was the target Xu Chengcheng wanted revenge against.

It's him?

Xu Guofeng couldn't control the shock in his heart, which showed on his face.

How could it be him?

He's just a deputy hall-level official.

How could...

Moreover, the caller was Luo Ke Gong.

His last name is Song, what's his relationship with Luo Ke Gong?

"Grandfather, Luo Ke Gong has already retired..."

"Foolish!"

The old man suddenly hardened his expression; if he had been just disappointed earlier, now he was angry as if seeing potential ruined: "Do you really think it was because of Luo Ke Gong's call?"

Xu Guofeng's mind raced, but he still couldn't figure out Song Guanchao's background: "Grandfather, who is backing him?"

The old man shook his head, "There are two kinds of people in the officialdom. One is like you, backed by a big tree, and others have to think twice before dealing with you."

"The other is Song Guanchao. He comes from humble beginnings but has extraordinary ability. Wherever he is placed, he's remarkable. He has no background; if he does, his ability is his background."

"Before you came over, Yang Xiong, Tang Zhengguo, and several others all called me."

Xu Guofeng felt a great shock inside, and his already tense face turned even more startled and inexplicable.

Yang Xiong and Luo Ke Gong were both retired from committee positions.

But the others mentioned by his grandfather were still in office!

He found it hard to imagine and could not understand.

How did someone from humble beginnings connect with such high-level bigwigs?

Moreover, they were willing to come forward for him.

Even at the cost of offending the Xu Family.

A camel, though thin, is bigger than a horse.

The old man had retired, but his influence remained.

But these people still stepped forward for Song Guanchao.

Xu Guofeng finally realized at this moment the extraordinariness of the other party.

"I understand." Xu Guofeng lowered his head.

"Do not let the situation ferment; how you handle this matter will also test your ability."

"I understand, thank you, grandfather."

"Go now."

...

Xu Guofeng sat in the car, the shock and awe on his face gradually dissipating as he processed the information.

The old man hadn't mentioned Xu Chengcheng.

It wasn't because he forgot, but because Xu Chengcheng's status wasn't enough to be part of this conversation.

He glanced at the time and made two phone calls.

The first call was to his secretary, asking him to postpone tomorrow's meeting to the day after, and to push back the appointments originally scheduled.

Also, to book him a ticket to Xu City.

The second call was to his wife, telling her he'd be traveling to Xu City overnight to handle some matters.

...

Xu City.

Mayor Qiu sat in his study at home, reporting today's events to Governor Li.

"You've done very well."

"Governor Li flatters me."

Receiving praise from Governor Li, Mayor Qiu felt a little elated inside.

Governor Li asked, "Is that Mr. Xu in Xu City?"

Mayor Qiu's mind worked quickly, immediately understanding Governor Li's true intention with the question, "Yes, he is."

"Last time, Mr. Xu also asked me to check with Governor Li whether there would be an opportunity soon to invite Governor Li to dinner to express his gratitude."

Governor Li let out a hearty laugh, "Better sooner than later, how about tomorrow? Tomorrow, I'll visit Xu City."

"Alright, I'll make the arrangements."

After the call ended, Mayor Qiu immediately called Xu Chengcheng.

Xu Chengcheng was very tactful in doing things; this time the leadership in Xu City helped him greatly, and this dinner invitation was necessary.

Moreover, it could serve to strengthen relationships.

...

Two o'clock in the morning.

A plane from Beijing landed at Xu City International Airport.

Xu Guofeng hadn't closed his eyes all the way and looked exhausted.

At the hotel, he set the alarm, and without even washing up, he fell asleep immediately.

Ring, ring.

The alarm rang several times before Xu Guofeng forced open his heavy eyelids, reluctantly sitting up from the bed.

He walked into the bathroom and took a hot shower, barely refreshing himself.

After breakfast, Xu Guofeng returned to his room, dug out Mayor Qiu's number, and dialed it.