170: Chapter 170 A New Journey

By the time Zhao Yang picked up Jiang Nan, the sky had already darkened.

The car slowly drove out of the Provincial Corps compound and merged into the evening rush hour traffic.

Jiang Nan sat in the passenger seat and glanced at Zhao Yang several times.

He hadn't said a single word since getting into the car.

This wasn't Zhao Yang's style.

Usually, when he picked her up from work, he would always find ways to make her happy.

Or he would tell some popular jokes to make her laugh uncontrollably.

But today, Zhao Yang was so quiet that it felt unnatural.

"Yangyang," Jiang Nan began.

"Hm?" Zhao Yang responded, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead.

"You're not yourself today. You look so down, what's wrong?"

Zhao Yang was silent for a few seconds, tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel.

"The Governor wants me to take a post in a county."

Jiang Nan was stunned: "A county?"

"Cangyun County. Standing Committee member of the County Party Committee and Deputy County Magistrate, in charge of economic affairs."

Zhao Yang's tone was flat, as if he were reading a document. "He said that two years of working at the grassroots level would be beneficial for my future."

Jiang Nan didn't speak immediately.

The car turned onto Binjiang Road, and streetlights flashed past the window one after another, casting alternating light and shadow across their faces.

"What do you think?" she asked.

Zhao Yang gave a wry smile: "What can I think? The Governor has already put it that way; how could I possibly refuse?"

"So you don't want to go?"

Zhao Yang didn't answer.

Of course, he knew this was an opportunity. A deputy division-level official at 26, plus experience governing at the grassroots level—his future path would be much broader.

Sun Zhendong was paving the way for him.

However, he really couldn't bear to leave Jiang Nan.

"Nan Nan," he finally voiced his reluctance:

"You are three months pregnant, exactly when you need care. If I go away for several years, how can I be at ease?"

Jiang Nan turned her head to look at him.

The light from the streetlamp hit his face just right; his brows were slightly furrowed, and the corners of his mouth were turned down.

He was truly conflicted, not pretending.

"I can take good care of myself," Jiang Nan whispered.

Zhao Yang was silent for a long time before finally speaking:

"I don't just want to be with you; I want to watch our child grow up. When they say 'Daddy' for the first time, I won't be there; when they take their first steps, I won't be there... How will I face that in the future..."

"Zhao Yang," Jiang Nan called his name, her tone turning serious.

"When did you become so sentimental?"

She reached out and pinched his cheek.

"It's such a good opportunity; you can't miss it."

Zhao Yang grabbed her hand and held it in his palm.

"I know it's an opportunity, but I can't bear to leave you both."

The car stopped at the entrance of the Binjiang Garden villa. Zhao Yang turned off the engine, not in a hurry to get out.

"Let's not talk about this so much for now," Jiang Nan pointed to the detached villa ahead, "My dad has been in the officialdom for decades; let's hear what he has to say first."

At the dinner table, Lin Xuecen had, as usual, prepared a table full of dishes.

Seeing that everyone had finished eating, Zhao Yang put down his chopsticks and sat up straight.

"Dad, the Governor spoke with me. He wants me to take a post in Cangyun County. Standing Committee member of the County Party Committee and Deputy County Magistrate."

Jiang Yunheng's body leaned forward slightly, his gaze becoming sharp.

"The Governor told you this personally?"

"Yes. The leader's kindness makes it impossible for me to refuse."

Jiang Yunheng stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

"Then what are you struggling with? A deputy division-level official at 26, and the Governor personally selected you to go to the grassroots. This is training, this is an opportunity, and he wants you to go further in the future. Such trust—many people couldn't ask for it even if they tried."

Zhao Yang certainly understood this logic, but understanding is one thing, and letting go is another.

Lin Xuecen sat nearby, her brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

She put down the after-dinner fruit, looked at Zhao Yang, hesitated for a moment, then spoke:

"Zhao Yang, how about... you just resign. Come work with Mom; we'll build the company up together. You have the brains, I have the capital—what can't we achieve in the future?"

Before Zhao Yang could speak, Jiang Yunheng's expression had already darkened.

"Nonsense!" His voice wasn't loud, but his tone was stern as never before.

Jiang Yunheng lowered his voice: "Earning money versus having a platform in life—which is more important? Money is just a number to our family. You need to consider the children's dreams!"

In the past, Jiang Yunheng always spoke gently at home; this sudden change made Lin Xuecen very uncomfortable.

But she didn't want to lose her temper in front of the children, so she muttered softly:

"Look at you, Old Jiang, your official authority is quite something."

Jiang Yunheng lowered his voice in her ear:

"You call this official authority? Zhao Yang is only 26 and is already a deputy division-level official. By the time he reaches my age, he might already be a ministerial-level official."

Lin Xuecen took a deep breath, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

Her son-in-law was truly a golden catch.

She looked at Zhao Yang, then at Jiang Nan, and suddenly felt that this son-in-law was pleasing to the eye no matter how she looked at him.

"Zhao Yang," Lin Xuecen's attitude did a 180-degree turn, "You don't need to worry about Nan Nan. I'll arrange for a company driver to pick her up and drop her off, and with your mother and me taking care of her, what else do you have to worry about?"

Jiang Yunheng glanced at her, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Although Jiang Nan was reluctant in her heart, she still persuaded him:

"Zhao Yang, didn't you say you wanted to uphold justice for the people? Only with a bigger platform can you take care of more people."

Zhao Yang looked into her eyes; there was reluctance there, but no hesitation.

She truly supported him.

"Although Cangyun County is a bit far," Lin Xuecen continued to arrange, "I'll have the driver pick you up every weekend to come back."

"Your brother is doing quite well in the company; I want to send him out for training, and when he returns, he will be the manager of the Jiangzhou company. You don't need to worry about anything at home."

Zhao Yang looked at this family and suddenly felt his throat tighten.

He picked up the teacup in front of him, using tea to toast: "Dad, Mom, thank you."

Jiang Yunheng waved his hand: "What are you thanking us for? Go and work hard; don't embarrass the Governor."

Three days later, Sun Zhendong spoke with Zhao Yang again.

Zhao Yang stood in front of the desk and bowed respectfully:

"Governor, thank you. I will always remember this care and kindness."

Sun Zhendong waved his hand with a smile: "Don't do that. Go and work hard; if the economy in Cangyun County doesn't improve, I will hold you accountable."

"Yes." Zhao Yang stood straight.

"Also," Sun Zhendong pointed at him, "Don't work yourself too hard. Xiao Jiang is pregnant; make time to come back and keep her company."

Zhao Yang was stunned. The Governor knew even this?

Sun Zhendong saw through his thoughts and smiled:

"Xiao Jiang and Aunt Han have no secrets from each other now; Aunt Han told me. I know that taking a post down there puts you in a difficult position, but when an opportunity comes, you have to seize it."

He wanted to groom Zhao Yang to be a top leader in a county or district, and the position of Deputy County Magistrate of Cangyun County couldn't be more suitable.

Sun Zhendong waved his hand, "Go. Power struggles at the grassroots level are very complex; just focus on doing your job well, and you don't need to fear anyone."

Zhao Yang suddenly realized that dealing with power struggles was the real training Sun Zhendong wanted to give him.

If he stayed under the Governor's wing all the time, once he governed a region on his own, he might very well fail under the siege of power and interests.

In early June, Zhao Yang went to Cangyun County to report for duty.

Chen Deming, member of the Tongan Municipal Committee and Head of the Organization Department, personally escorted him to take office.

When a black sedan drove into the Cangyun County Party Committee compound, Secretary Wang, the County Party Secretary, was already waiting downstairs with the team members.

Seeing Chen Deming get out of the car, Wang Shoucheng walked up quickly to meet him:

"Minister Chen, welcome, welcome!"

Chen Deming shook his hand and stepped aside to reveal Zhao Yang:

"Secretary Wang, this is Comrade Zhao Yang. He's from the provincial level, young and promising; please give him your full support."

Wang Shoucheng's gaze lingered on Zhao Yang's face for a moment, his smile unchanging:

"Welcome, County Magistrate Zhao!"

Zhao Yang stepped forward and shook hands with Wang Shoucheng:

"Secretary Wang, I am here to learn; please look after me."

It was the first time in the history of Cangyun County that a Standing Committee member and Head of the Organization Department had personally escorted a Deputy County Magistrate to take office.

The cadres present exchanged glances.

So young? Could he just be here to gild his resume?