17: Chapter 17 Is this tonic for the kidneys? Or is it a tonic for opportunity?

Shen Li felt a surge of joy and teased, "Which of you men doesn't have a bit of a kidney deficiency once you reach a certain age?"

She didn't hold back at all.

No wonder people said everyone at the Television Station was a rogue.

Zhao Yang thought to himself: You deserve to be the Advertising Department Director!

She was beautiful with a great figure, and more importantly, she could cast aside her dignity; what older man could resist that?

Shen Li was in her thirties, divorced and single, and very open-minded.

Ever since she hitched her wagon to Yuan Gang, she had quickly climbed to the position of Advertising Department Director.

One lusted after youth and beauty, while the other gained a position and generous advertising commissions; both were enjoying themselves.

Seeing that Shen Li wasn't angry, Zhao Yang lowered his voice and said, "Sister Li, Director Yuan works so hard, and having to drink such bitter herbal medicine every day must be unpleasant. Why don't I give you a recipe? It's delicious and works fast."

Shen Li raised an eyebrow, a flash of displeasure crossing her eyes.

This kid was too direct. It was one thing to be aware of such matters, but who just says it out loud like that?

However, Zhao Yang's words struck a chord with her, making it impossible for her to refuse.

She couldn't help but ask, "What recipe?"

"Longan and Chestnut Porridge. Boil longan, chestnuts, and rice together. It's fragrant, and having a bowl first thing in the morning is wonderful. Most importantly, it treats kidney yang deficiency."

Anyone who could distinguish between kidney yang deficiency and kidney yin deficiency was likely an expert.

Upon hearing 'kidney yang deficiency,' Shen Li was already thirty percent convinced.

She asked skeptically, "Where did you hear this?"

Zhao Yang smiled slightly. "My family has practiced Chinese medicine for generations; it's ancestral. Nourishing the kidneys is about gradual progress, so dietary supplements are best."

"After two weeks, switch to Wolfberry and Lamb Kidney Porridge. I guarantee it'll be good for him and good for you."

Both recipes came from the kidney-nourishing diet of Boss Xu from the Daheng Group; they definitely couldn't be wrong.

By now, Shen Li was seventy percent convinced. She was generous enough to nod and smile: "It's fine even if it doesn't work. We'll just treat it as adding a new breakfast dish."

After packing up the medicine pot, Shen Li swayed her hips and returned to her office with an air of seductive charm.

Watching Shen Li's retreating figure, Zhao Yang smiled helplessly.

Damn, he was now exactly the kind of person he had most despised in his previous life.

But there was no other way if he wanted a promotion.

If Shen Li could whisper a few words in the Director's ear, it would be more effective than him giving the Director twenty thousand yuan directly.

Having achieved his goal for coming in early, Zhao Yang ran two laps around Xiushan Park, feeling refreshed.

He returned to the office building drenched in sweat, just as the live broadcast was ending.

Yuan Gang, Li Hongyi, Shen Li, and others were seeing people off.

When Shen Li saw Zhao Yang walking over full of vitality, her eyes lit up.

Deputy Director Li Hongyi, seeing her expression from the side, felt a pang of jealousy.

He couldn't help but glare at Zhao Yang and said crossly, "Where have you been the last two days? Got too much energy to burn? Come to my office, I have an important interview task for you!"

Zhao Yang followed Li Hongyi upstairs helplessly.

Nothing good ever happened when this old guy looked for him.

Meanwhile, in the Tongan Municipal Committee Standing Committee meeting room.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Ji Hongwen sat in the center, with the other eight Standing Committee members lined up on either side.

The agenda for the Standing Committee meeting had been distributed to the members in advance.

Besides the routine political study, a temporary item had been added: discussing how to handle Sun Hongwei's economic issues.

Everyone knew that this temporary addition was the main event.

Generally, before an item reached the Standing Committee, the Secretary would have individual talks with members to state his position.

If more than half the members were firmly opposed, the item would be shelved and not brought to the meeting.

The addition of this item to the Standing Committee meeting surprised everyone.

After Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Jiang Yunheng finished reading the Special Investigation Team's report, Ji Hongwen scanned the room and said in a deep voice, "Secretary Jiang, you are a professional in anti-corruption. What is your take on this investigation report?"

Jiang Yunheng was a bit dazed.

An investigation report was only for reference; whether to make an arrest or not depended on the Municipal Party Committee Secretary's attitude.

Without any prior communication, how was he supposed to have a 'take'?

Jiang Yunheng didn't speak immediately. As his gaze swept over the crowd, he quickly thought about how to word his response.

Secretary Ji Hongwen didn't get along well with Mayor Tian Hao, and Sun Hongwei was known to be close to Tian Hao.

Placing Sun Hongwei under 'Shuanggui' should be something Ji Hongwen would be very happy to see.

But the problem was, the ones leading this investigation report were people from the Ministry of Public Security.

They had come with an imperial mandate; if it wasn't adopted, it could very well offend the higher-ups.

Having only recently arrived in Tongan City, he didn't need to risk immediately taking Ji Hongwen's side.

Jiang Yunheng cleared his throat and said solemnly, "Since the Special Investigation Team has provided this report, it shows they have a preliminary judgment regarding the large amount of cash at the crime scene."

"I believe we should maintain a cautious attitude regarding the matter of 'Shuanggui'."

Saying this, he moved the microphone away and turned off the indicator light.

Normally, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary always aligned with the Municipal Party Committee Secretary.

Seeing that Jiang Yunheng's attitude was unclear, Municipal Committee Secretary-General Cao Zhengchuan immediately felt an opportunity to show off.

Suppressing Sun Hongwei meant not giving the Mayor face.

Not giving the Mayor face was a way of supporting the Secretary.

What a great opportunity to perform!

"Let me say a few words," Cao Zhengchuan pressed the microphone. "I actually think that if the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection takes action, they might soon find the source of the large amount of cash and simultaneously open a breakthrough for solving the case."

The reason sounded high-minded, but in plain English, it meant: "Put Sun Hongwei under 'Shuanggui' and use 'methods' on him."

Jiang Yunheng rolled his eyes at the ceiling: You're shoving such a hot potato into my hands?

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Ji Hongwen remained noncommittal. Without waiting for others to speak, he immediately said to Tian Hao, "Mayor Tian, what is your opinion?"

Tian Hao did not hesitate and spoke immediately: "Any violation of discipline or law will be severely punished by party discipline and national law. Of course, party discipline and national law will not wrong any good person."

"The investigation report has already pointed out that the source of the 300,000 yuan in cash is uncertain. Sun Hongwei is young, down-to-earth, and has strong economic management abilities; Tongan needs such cadres."

"In the matter of 'Shuanggui', we must be cautious and then cautious again, to protect and guide cadres who want to and can get things done."

He didn't explicitly say not to arrest Sun Hongwei in any sentence, yet it seemed like he said it in every single one.

After Tian Hao spoke, the eyes of the other Standing Committee members lit up.

Was an intense confrontation about to happen?

Military Subdistrict Commander He Hongjie was even prepared to cast his vote for Ji Hongwen when the time came.

He couldn't help it; as a Standing Committee member, he usually had no presence.

His biggest role was to stand firmly by Municipal Party Committee Secretary and Military Subdistrict First Secretary Ji Hongwen whenever there was a disagreement in the Standing Committee.

To everyone's surprise, after Tian Hao finished, Ji Hongwen nodded heavily: "Mayor Tian makes a lot of sense, and I completely agree. We must create a good environment for the growth of capable cadres!"

With new variables in the June 11 Case, Ji Hongwen knew that strongly supporting 'Shuanggui' at this time might not be good for him.

Then, he changed the subject: "But regardless, there is still suspicion of corruption and bribery regarding Sun Hongwei. Although we won't use 'Shuanggui', he cannot leave the sight of the Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Tian Hao wasn't surprised that the Secretary didn't oppose him in the Standing Committee for once.

With people from the Ministry of Public Security speaking for him, Sun Hongwei clearly had a background, so Ji Hongwen was naturally willing to do him a favor.

In fact, in Ji Hongwen's view, as long as Sun Hongwei couldn't clear himself of corruption and bribery suspicions in the short term, his goal was already achieved.

Ji Hongwen continued: "Under these circumstances, he is no longer suitable to serve as the head of a county or district government. Next, let's discuss Sun Hongwei's reappointment..."