35: Chapter 35 Hidden Agenda

Gong Chengze did not answer immediately.

He picked up the celadon cup on the coffee table, gently blew away the floating tea leaves, and took a small sip.

For a moment, the living room was so quiet that only the "tick-tock" of the old-fashioned wall clock could be heard.

Sun Zhendong didn't urge him either, simply watching this old subordinate whom he had personally mentored and promoted.

He knew Gong Chengze too well—

This wasn't hesitation; he was rapidly sorting through all the interests, procedural rules, and potential chain reactions.

About half a minute later, Gong Chengze set down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and rested his clasped hands on his knees.

"Old Leader," his voice was low and clear.

"In principle, dispatching a work group is feasible, but suddenly sending one specifically to Tongan requires a clear justification."

Sun Zhendong was slightly taken aback but did not interrupt.

Gong Chengze continued, "Also, although the young man you mentioned is already at the deputy section level and can be directly transferred to the provincial organs, doing so would be too conspicuous."

Sun Zhendong frowned; this was indeed a difficult problem.

Gong Chengze, however, seemed to have already found a solution. He continued:

"If Hongwei can endure for a while longer, this matter will be much smoother to handle."

Sun Zhendong immediately understood his meaning: "You mean, wait for the right opportunity?"

"Exactly." Gong Chengze nodded.

He held up two fingers. "There are still two months until the Sixth Plenary Session.

"My trip to Yanjing for meetings this time is because the higher-ups are soliciting opinions on rectifying the conduct of cadres. The Plenary Session will certainly issue a decision on strengthening and improving cadre conduct. When that time comes, dispatching a work group will be perfectly legitimate.

"Secondly, the Publicity and Education Office of the Jianghan Commission for Discipline Inspection lacks publicity talent. We can first bring Zhao Yang in as a professional talent recruit. Then, transfer him to become a discipline inspection and supervision cadre. Two months should be enough."

In a very short amount of time, Gong Chengze had provided a relatively complete solution.

The only drawback was that they still needed to wait.

A relaxed smile appeared on Sun Zhendong's face. "Chengze, you're still the one who thinks things through thoroughly. Let's do it that way."

"However," Gong Chengze added another sentence, his tone carrying a hint of concern:

"Old Leader, I'm not sure if that young man, Zhao Yang, can truly shoulder such a heavy responsibility."

In some contests, once they begin, there is no turning back.

And as a key pawn in the game, he had to possess abilities beyond those of ordinary people.

"Don't worry, he won't let you down."

From his performance around the time of the last trip to the capital, Sun Zhendong had gained a whole new understanding of Zhao Yang's abilities.

Having received a positive answer from his old leader, Gong Chengze asked no more.

The old leader was upright and appointed people based on merit, rarely misjudging anyone—this was something he had always admired.

"I'll start making arrangements as soon as I get back." Gong Chengze stood up.

"The selection for the work group and Zhao Yang's matter will proceed simultaneously. I will make sure everything appears to be in accordance with the rules."

Sun Zhendong also stood up and gave Gong Chengze a firm pat on the shoulder, everything understood without words.

After seeing Gong Chengze off, Sun Zhendong slowly walked to the window and lit a cigarette.

The sky outside was somewhat gloomy, the clouds hanging low as if a heavy rain was brewing.

He knew that the real storm was coming soon.

...

Once a person reaches a phased goal and develops the intention to leave, they lose their motivation for work.

On Monday, Zhao Yang slept until after nine in the morning before sluggishly arriving at the office.

Opening QQ, he saw that Jiang Nan's avatar was gray.

However, it was flashing incessantly.

He clicked to open it.

[Jiang Nan]: What should I do? It's been so long, and there's still no progress at all (frustrated emoji).

[The Scenery of Old]: Handling cases requires not just passion, but also patience. Keep it up!

After sending the message, Zhao Yang opened his stock trading software.

He found that he hadn't managed to buy any of the PT Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative shares he had bid for during last Friday's call auction.

There was no other way; the trading volume was too low. He could only participate every time to increase the chances of a successful purchase.

Just as he closed the stock software, Li Hongyi arrived.

"Xiao Zhao, given the station's current conditions, you'll have to stay in this office for the time being."

There was a hint of apology in Li Hongyi's tone.

He now looked at Zhao Yang as if he were looking at the God of Wealth.

"Once Interview Department II is established and the personnel are in place, the station will consider a unified arrangement."

Zhao Yang stood up and handed Li Hongyi a cigarette.

"I'm fine with it. Work is work, no matter where I am."

Then he lowered his voice: "It wasn't convenient to ask while drinking on Friday—how much did you make on that stock?"

The smugness at the corners of Li Hongyi's mouth was impossible to suppress. After holding it in for a while, he said with a smile:

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!"

Then, he patted Zhao Yang on the shoulder:

"In the future, you might be the one leading Interview Department II. During this period, you need to familiarize yourself with political and current affairs reporting as quickly as possible."

Current affairs reporting, to put it bluntly, was covering various meetings, research trips, or inspection tours of city leaders.

Meetings were okay, but if it was a leader's research trip, you had to follow them around carrying a large camera.

Filming aside, you also had to record the leader's speech in a notebook; otherwise, you'd have no idea what to write when you returned from the interview.

It was hard, tiring, and left you with absolutely no free time.

Missing a single key shot was a major error.

A current affairs reporter was essentially a pure beast of burden in front of the leaders.

In his past life, Zhao Yang had been a current affairs reporter for over 20 years and had a deep understanding of this.

He curled his lip at Li Hongyi. "When the time comes, wouldn't it be enough to transfer Cui Hao from Interview Group I to Department II?"

"He wasn't promoted this time, so he's already harboring resentment," Li Hongyi glared at Zhao Yang.

"If your own professional skills aren't up to par, how will you lead others in the future?"

My skills aren't up to par? You're looking down on me too much!

Though Zhao Yang was indignant, he didn't feel like proving himself.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would soon be leaving Tongan Television Station.

Perhaps before Interview Department II was even established, he would have already been transferred.

He nodded and said, "Fine then, first arrange for me to practice with some deputy city-level leaders from the Peoples Congress or the CPPCC."

Leaders from the Peoples Congress and the CPPCC had far lower requirements for reports than the top leaders of the Municipal Committee and the government.

Li Hongyi glanced at Zhao Yang. "You certainly know a lot, kid. Let's leave it at that for now."

That afternoon, Zhao Yang received an interview notice via SMS from the News Department Director, Gao Xiang:

July 24th, Municipal Party Committee Secretary Ji Hongwen will be researching corporate restructuring. Gather in front of the Municipal Committee at 8:10 AM.

What happened to the deputy city-level leaders? You damn well assigned me the biggest one in the whole city.

Zhao Yang gritted his teeth and fiercely replied with the two words most commonly used by bottom-tier corporate slaves:

Received.

That fellow Gao Xiang was likely unhappy seeing him promoted to deputy director at such a young age.

The very first time he assigned him a current affairs interview, he made him follow the Municipal Party Committee Secretary.

It was an obvious attempt to make things difficult, wanting everyone to see him make a fool of himself.

Do you really think I can't film a major leader well?

Then I'll let you all see how a standardized leadership activity should be filmed!

After venting his resolve, Zhao Yang suddenly realized that since his rebirth, he hadn't yet seen Ji Hongwen.

Was this man still the same as in his previous life—short, skinny, and wretched-looking?

Was he still pleasant on the surface while stabbing people in the back?

Thinking of this, Zhao Yang couldn't help but look forward to the next day's interview.