Official Career Storm

Chapter 1566 1566

At noon, in the restaurant.

After days apart, Shi Qin once again saw the Deputy Mayor who had already taken an internal retirement.

She used to think that Zhang Yan could serve as Deputy Mayor purely because of good luck.

In terms of ability, there are many who are stronger than her.

She even believed that Zhang Yan's ability didn't even surpass her own.

Now, she changed her view.

To say nothing else, Zhang Yan's keen political instinct was beyond her comparison.

If she had encountered such a situation, there would be no chance to flee abroad.

Yet Zhang Yan managed to do it.

Bear in mind, at the time, County Magistrate Hou from Dujiang County had already boarded an international flight.

But in the end, he was still brought back by Song Guanchao.

This alone shows how frightening Song Guanchao's methods are.

And Zhang Yan successfully transferred assets and fled right under Song Guanchao's nose.

Moreover, at that time, Song Guanchao hadn't even taken any action against her, yet she simply left.

This decisiveness is unmatched.

Looking across the entire Jiangzhou officialdom, there are few who can be as decisive as her.

Shi Qin always felt that for her young age, serving as a department director meant limitless potential.

However, the longer she stayed within the system, the more she realized her own insignificance, the more she understood the saying "there's always someone better."

She's just a small fry who climbed up by leveraging her physical appeal.

"Mayor Zhang."

Shi Qin walked over, polite and respectful, adopting a very humble posture.

She didn't display any arrogance due to Zhang Yan's internal retirement.

Zhang Yan glanced up, slightly smiled, and sat down.

Shi Qin sent away the waiter and personally brewed tea.

As the tea approached its bottom, Shi Qin picked up the kettle to refill.

"Let's eat first." Zhang Yan stood up.

"Okay."

Shi Qin went over to pull out the chair, Zhang Yan naturally enjoyed her subordinate's service.

Afterward, Shi Qin called the waiter to serve the dishes.

One by one, dishes with exquisite plating and high prices were served.

Throughout the meal, Shi Qin barely used her chopsticks, only mirrored Zhang Yan's pace of eating.

Zhang Yan didn't eat much, only took one or two bites from each dish.

After about seventy percent full, Zhang Yan picked up the tea to rinse her mouth.

Shi Qin hurriedly presented an empty bowl, holding it with both hands in front of her.

Zhang Yan glanced at her and spat the rinsing water into the bowl.

Shi Qin put down the bowl and handed over a napkin.

In front of her, Shi Qin clearly cast herself as a servant, a maid.

"The new mayor assumes office on Monday." Zhang Yan said.

She knew what Shi Qin's purpose was in inviting her.

Simply to get a clear path from her.

Considering her respectful service, Zhang Yan didn't mind pointing her to a clear path.

Shi Qin let out an "oh."

Zhang Yan asked, "Do you know who the new mayor is?"

"I've heard." Shi Qin said: "Former Deputy Mayor of Xuzhou, Sun Jiajun."

This wasn't a secret.

Zhang Yan made an acknowledging sound and then asked, "Do you know why Mayor Sun could move from being a Deputy Mayor of an ordinary Prefecture-level City to take my place?"

Of course Shi Qin knew: "I heard it's because of your relationship."

Zhang Yan nodded: "He persuaded me to come back, turning this case from big to small, minimizing the impact. The organization saw his ability in handling matters, deemed him to have great potential, and thus decided to give him an opportunity to show his ability."

Upon saying this, Zhang Yan suddenly chuckled lightly, "Do you think Mayor Sun is lucky or capable?"

Shi Qin shook her head: "I don't know Mayor Sun well enough to decisively judge."

Zhang Yan grinned at her: "Speak your mind in front of me, don't hold back."

Shi Qin appeared a bit embarrassed, hesitated for a moment, and said: "I think Mayor Sun is relatively lucky, even if it were someone else, they could persuade you just the same."

Zhang Yan laughed softly and asked a question: "What is the most important thing about being an official?"

The most important... Shi Qin thought for a long time, uncertainly answered: "Background?"

Zhang Yan shook her head: "It's self-awareness."

Shi Qin froze, she saw a trace of pity in Zhang Yan's eyes as they gazed at her.

This made her very uncomfortable.

Zhang Yan said: "Power can make people inflate, especially power obtained through connections."

"I never thought that Song Guanchao could outmaneuver me, I didn't even take him seriously."

"Yet, if I had been calm enough to properly investigate him, I would never have chosen to confront him head-on."

"A man who jumped three ranks in one year, climbed from being a driver to Deputy Director in two years, and multiple times received praises from Provincial Committee leaders; his abilities and potential are far beyond what I, as a Deputy Mayor, can compare to."

"But at that time, I didn't think about these things, to my eyes, he was just a somewhat capable junior secretary."

"You right now, are very much like my past self."

Shi Qin did not understand.

Zhang Yan said: "Did you become a Director of the Secretariat based on your own capability? No, you just traded your body; you relied on Zhou Zheng."

Shi Qin's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

Her reaction didn't escape Zhang Yan's observation.

Zhang Yan showed no concern about her reaction: "I don't mean to insult you, I'm just telling you a principle: since you know you climbed using your physique, taking shortcuts to leapfrog, do not overestimate your own abilities."

"In life, one must have self-awareness."

"The consequence of lacking self-awareness, I am an excellent precedent to examine."

"If you had steadily and diligently reached your current position, you wouldn't think Mayor Sun is merely lucky."

The topic shifted again.

Shi Qin was slightly taken aback, as if understanding what Zhang Yan was speaking of.

The seemingly irrelevant topic, in reality, was discussing one thing.

That is, to recognize one's own capabilities.

Zhang Yan's earlier inquiry, the answer she gave, was incorrect.

Mayor Sun was not relying solely on luck.

"Mayor Zhang, your meaning is..."

"Your advantage is this nice physique and appearance."

Zhang Yan said: "Leverage your advantages, play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses."

Listening to her implicitly meaningful words, Shi Qin seemed to have an epiphany.

Was she suggesting I cozy up to Sun Jiajun?

No, not cozy up, but seduce!

Or rather, not seduce, but make friendly advances!

On the basis of friendly advances, appropriately use her physique.

In that instant, Shi Qin understood much.

Zhang Yan asked her whether Sun Jiajun relied on luck or ability.

She said luck.

But in reality, Sun Jiajun relied neither on luck nor ability.

It was someone behind him!

If it was solely about ability, Zhang Yan wouldn't have been persuaded to return from abroad.

There must be someone behind him, moreover an extremely influential and high-status person!

This person vouched for Zhang Yan, promised her that as long as she returned, her responsibilities wouldn't be pursued, and she could retire gracefully.

Hence, Zhang Yan subtly indicated to her, utilizing her physical and appearance advantages, to approach Sun Jiajun.

After all, ability is something that cannot be quantified and requires time to prove.

While background is objectively existent.

"Thank you, Mayor Zhang."

Shi Qin quickly stood up, toasted with tea instead of wine, her tone carrying a hint of excitement.

Seeing she understood her meaning, Shi Qin smiled contentedly: "Still fairly smart."

Her willingness to attend this meal today was largely because she didn't want to sever the connections within officialdom.

Shi Qin is fairly smart, subsequent contact can continue.

If she listens a bit more, Zhang Yan wouldn't mind assisting her, paving a path for her.