411: Chapter 411 You're getting old, it's time to rest.

Qin Chuan learned of the news that Secretary Wu Qiaoxi had fallen ill and been hospitalized almost immediately, and he couldn't help but smile slightly.

With Dongjiang City completely slipping out of Secretary Wu Qiaoxi's control, Standing Committee members one after another actively aligning with him, and Secretary-General Sun Lanying being taken away for investigation, it was only natural that he would fall ill from anxiety and frustration.

Qin Chuan picked up the phone and instructed, "Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun, prepare a fruit basket or something similar. Accompany me to the Municipal Hospital to visit Comrade Secretary Wu Qiaoxi."

Upon receiving this call, Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun was not in the least bit surprised.

If Qin Chuan knew that Secretary Wu Qiaoxi was hospitalized and ignored him, that would be truly abnormal. Within the system, there are certain protocols; even if there is conflict between parties, it is generally not displayed openly, and some superficial formalities must still be observed.

It is essential to project an image of unity and harmony.

A short while later, everything was ready. Qin Chuan boarded the No. 1 Municipal Party Committee vehicle and soon arrived at the high-ranking official ward of the Municipal People's Hospital.

Pushing the door open, the first thing he saw was Secretary Wu Qiaoxi lying on the hospital bed, looking pale and listless.

To his surprise, there were several people in the room, including Mayor Liu.

"Director Wu, how are you feeling?"

As soon as he entered, Qin Chuan spoke up proactively, his face full of concern.

Seeing that it was Qin Chuan who had entered, Secretary Wu Qiaoxi's expression shifted, but with so many people present, he couldn't afford to show his true feelings. Suppressing his irritation, he replied feebly, "I'm not dead yet. Qin Chuan, you are so busy, there's no need to waste your time visiting an old man like me."

The others, including Mayor Liu, all took the initiative to greet Qin Chuan.

"Qin Chuan, you've arrived!"

"Hello, Qin Chuan!"

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, placed the fruit basket on the small table beside the bed, and looked at Secretary Wu Qiaoxi with an expression of continued concern.

"Director Wu, I didn't expect you to fall ill so suddenly. You are getting on in years, so don't overwork yourself. You have spent almost your entire life toiling for Dongjiang City, and it's time to enjoy life properly."

"You are over sixty now; you are getting old. People must learn to accept their age. You don't need to worry about Dongjiang City's affairs anymore; leave that to us. Just focus on resting well."

"Mayor Liu, tell me, am I right? At his age, shouldn't Director Wu be resting properly?"

Mayor Liu was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to answer or not.

Secretary Wu Qiaoxi was furious, his condition nearly worsening from the anger, but with so many people around, he couldn't afford to lose his composure. He could only reply slowly:

"Although I am over sixty, I do not accept that I am old. I must contribute my final bit of energy to the development of Dongjiang City!"

Good grief, he still wasn't willing to let go.

Qin Chuan smiled. Since he was unwilling to let go and didn't know when to retreat, he would have plenty of suffering and frustration in the future. He might even end up in the hospital often.

It would be better if he listened to reason and found his proper place; that would be good for everyone. Since he refused to give up, he would only bring embarrassment upon himself.

Qin Chuan did not stay in the ward for long, just about ten minutes or so. Besides urging Secretary Wu Qiaoxi to rest well and stop interfering in the specific affairs of Dongjiang City, he also visited and extended his regards on behalf of the Dongjiang Municipal Party Committee in his capacity as Municipal Party Secretary.

Leaving the hospital and sitting in the car back to the Municipal Party Committee, Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun, sitting in the passenger seat, said, "Director Wu is obsessed with power. When he was in the position of Municipal Party Secretary, everything had to be decided by him, and no dissenting voices were allowed. Even after stepping down from that position, he still wants to be the local emperor of Dongjiang City."

Qin Chuan nodded. "Some people are just addicted to power and can't bring themselves to walk away. Secretary Wu Qiaoxi is exactly that kind of person. It seems impossible to make him give up."

Along the way, Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun talked a lot about Secretary Wu Qiaoxi.

When they were nearing the Municipal Party Committee Compound, Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun mentioned another matter: "Leader, regarding the choice of secretary, I have selected a few candidates for you."

Qin Chuan replied, "First, send over the profiles of these individuals. I will take a look first."

Within minutes of sitting down in his office, Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun brought the documents over. Qin Chuan took the files and began to review them carefully.

It took about ten to twenty minutes to finish reading all the profiles, after which he used the system to check each one.

There were five profiles in total. After checking them, he drew a large "×" on three of them, leaving two remaining.

He was not in a hurry to make a choice. In fact, Qin Chuan hoped for better options, as these two were not the most ideal candidates for a secretary.

If there were truly no other options, he would have to choose one of these two and make do for now.

There was no rush for now, so he would wait a bit longer; perhaps he would encounter an ideal candidate.

Over the next few days, many people continued to come to Qin Chuan to report on their work. However, the purpose of most was not to report work, but to use it as an excuse to show their faces to the new Municipal Party Secretary and express their loyalty.

Everyone knew that a new official brings new changes.

Since the new Municipal Party Secretary had taken control of the Standing Committee, he would certainly make adjustments to many officials. Concerned for their positions, these officials felt a sense of crisis and came one after another to show their faces and pledge their loyalty.

After spending two or three days in the office doing nothing but listening to reports and attending meetings, Qin Chuan did not want to continue like this.

First thing this morning, Qin Chuan called Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun over.

"Comrade Tian Chaoqun, accompany me down to the grassroots today for a tour."

Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun thought to himself that Qin Chuan was planning to go down for an inspection and investigation.

"Leader, which units would you like to visit? I will go and make the notifications and preparations now."

Qin Chuan waved his hand and said, "No need to notify anyone, and no need to prepare. Just arrange two ordinary cars; we are going to Linshui County."

Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun understood that the leader wanted to conduct an unannounced inspection.

"Very well, I will go prepare."

They set off in less than ten minutes. They didn't take the No. 1 Municipal Party Committee vehicle; instead, two ordinary cars left the Municipal Party Committee Compound one after the other and drove toward Linshui County.

Linshui County's tourism resources were not particularly rich. It had no 5A-level attractions, only a single 4A-level scenic spot, and the county's main economic pillar was industrial ceramics.

Two days ago, the Linshui County Party Secretary had come to report on his work and mentioned that they had plans to expand and strengthen their industrial ceramics sector.

The market for industrial ceramics is huge. If they truly possessed unique advantages, achieving an output value of 100 billion would not be impossible.

Therefore, Qin Chuan planned to go and conduct an inspection and investigation.

If Linshui County truly possessed such conditions, it would be entirely feasible to support them or even help them attract investors.

Dongjiang City's transportation infrastructure was quite good. The road to Linshui County was wide and smooth, allowing for fast travel. In less than an hour, the two cars arrived at Linshui County, and through the car windows, they could see the county seat not far away.

Secretary-General Tian Chaoqun asked for instructions: "Leader, shall we go directly to the Linshui County Party Committee and County Government offices, or to the industrial ceramics industrial park in the eastern suburbs of the county?"

Qin Chuan waved his hand and said, "Go to the industrial ceramics industrial park."