90: Chapter 90: The Cheap Scheme to Defeate Wanyang

Su Ye deliberated for a moment and asked, "Brother Yan, that old leader who was targeting Section Chief Wan, what about him now—?"

Su Ye didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was already quite clear.

Yan Zheng was a bit confused about the relationship between Su Ye and Section Chief Wan:

"Do you really have to beat around the bush when talking to me? Isn't it exhausting? That leader's surname is Ye. Don't worry, before the crackdown a few years ago, he had reached the position of Deputy Mayor of Chengdu, but he was placed under internal investigation for corruption and bribery."

Su Ye let out a long sigh of relief. To have reached the position of Deputy Mayor of Chengdu a few years ago—if he hadn't been investigated, he might have been the Mayor by now. That would have made him a top leader within the Chengdu municipal leadership. If that were the case, Su Ye really wouldn't have been able to resolve Section Chief Wan's problem, and might have even dragged Yan Zheng into it.

Yan Zheng said with annoyance: "Alright, judging by what you're saying, you want me to look after this Section Chief Wan?"

Su Ye nodded and said: "Brother Yan, as for Section Chief Wan, I don't have any personal friendship with him, but he has some connection to one of my brothers. Since I didn't know the specific situation, I asked you out to seek your advice."

Yan Zheng picked up the wine glass on the table, took a sip, and then said: "As I mentioned before about Section Chief Wan, his work ability and conduct are fine. Logically speaking, he should have already reached the division level by now. You know that university students from around 2010 are still quite valuable. His biggest problem is that he lacks a background. When he first entered the system, he was too headstrong and offended people he shouldn't have, which is why he's still stuck where he is."

"Logically speaking, he's nearly forty and still in a dead-end job; it would take a lot of effort to pull him out, so people above haven't really considered bringing him into their factions. But since you're my brother, go talk to him. If you can reach an agreement, I'll take him in and find him a new position. A deputy division-level position will open up in my department in a few months. I'll leave the specific choice to you—a real-power section chief role, a nominal deputy division role, or a real-power deputy division role. You decide."

Yan Zheng was very clear about Section Chief Wan. He had been hesitating about whether to take Section Chief Wan under his wing. Just as he said, the man had enough ability, a bottom line, and ambition, but he was too old. Having stayed in a dead-end unit for so long, it was unclear whether his spirit had been extinguished or if he was simply biding his time.

However, since Su Ye needed it now, he would certainly support him, which is why he offered these positions based on Su Ye's needs.

Su Ye was overjoyed. He took the initiative to raise his glass and said: "Thank you, Brother Yan. With you saying that, I'm relieved. I'll communicate with you again after I've talked to Section Chief Wan."

Yan Zheng nodded: "Good."

The matter was mostly discussed. After the two had a couple more drinks and chatted for a while, they each went home.

Su Ye pondered that he could visit Section Chief Wan tomorrow to talk, assess his specific situation, and then decide whether to introduce him to Yan Zheng and what conditions to promise.

——————

The next afternoon, Su Ye went to buy some gifts and sped off toward the Wan'an Resettlement Community.

The Wan'an Resettlement Community was, in fact, housing provided after demolition during Chengdu's development. Those who were allocated housing in Wan'an belonged to the early batch of relocatees and had received quite a bit of money and property. According to the investigation Su Ye had Attorney Shi Jun conduct, Section Chief Wan's family shouldn't be lacking money. They had three resettlement apartments in the community—one for their own use and two for rent—and an eighty-square-meter storefront outside the community where they ran a small supermarket.

Arriving at Unit 302, Building 8, Entrance 1, Su Ye rang the doorbell. The door was opened by a slightly plump middle-aged woman. Su Ye had seen a photo of Section Chief Wan's wife; this was Huang Xin.

Huang Xin had just returned home from the supermarket to get something. She had only been home for two minutes when the doorbell rang. She was wondering who it could be, but when she opened the door and saw an exceptionally poised and handsome young man, she was certain she didn't know him, so she asked suspiciously: "May I ask who you are?"

Su Ye smiled and then said: "Hello, I'm here to see Section Chief Wan."

Huang Xin realized he must be looking for her husband to get something done. Although Section Chief Wan was in a dead-end unit, he still held some power. She glanced and saw that Su Ye only brought some tea, milk, and similar items, which weren't expensive—maybe a thousand yuan or so—and her heart calmed down.

She knew that Section Chief Wan had a very clear bottom line. If someone came to ask for a favor with a few hundred or a thousand yuan worth of gifts, he wouldn't mind being accommodating as long as it didn't violate his principles. However, if the gifts were valuable, Huang Xin wouldn't dare invite them into the house.

Huang Xin felt quite happy now. To say the least, they were a well-off family. Her husband was a minor leader with some face, they were a harmonious couple, and their child was well-behaved. Huang Xin certainly didn't want to see her family destroyed.

What Huang Xin had been worrying about recently was her father-in-law, whom she had never met. The family was doing just fine, yet he insisted on dragging Section Chief Wan into some wealthy family power struggle. Was that a good thing? Huang Xin didn't want much; she just wanted her family to be safe, happy, and healthy.

"Hello, hello, come on in. No need to change your shoes. I'll call my husband for you." Saying this, she turned and called out toward the study: "Old Wan, someone is here to see you."

"Who is it!" Accompanied by a slightly serious middle-aged man's voice, the study door opened, and a man in his thirties, who looked 30% like Chen Ze, walked out of the study.

The moment he saw this man, Su Ye was certain that he was indeed Chen Ze's own brother.

Su Ye took the initiative to greet him: "Section Chief Wan, hello. My name is Su Ye. I apologize for the abrupt visit, but there is something I would like to discuss with you."

Section Chief Wan glanced at Su Ye, realized he didn't know him, then looked at the things Su Ye was carrying, and turned around, saying: "Come on, let's go into the study to talk."

Section Chief Wan's study was not large, only about ten square meters. After placing two bookcases and a mahogany desk, there was no other space left; it could only accommodate two or three people sitting on chairs to drink tea and read books.

Section Chief Wan didn't have any airs of a leader. He picked up a purple clay teacup from the mahogany desk and poured a cup of brewed tea for Su Ye, placing it in front of him.

From this point of view, being able to handle people and things this way without putting on airs of a leader meant he was at least decent.

After pouring the tea, Section Chief Wan sat in his chair, looked at Su Ye, and asked: "If you have something to say, just say it. But if it's something that requires me to violate my principles, please take your gifts and find someone else."

Su Ye smiled indifferently. He didn't rush to answer, but instead picked up the teacup, blew on it gently, and took a sip.

Seeing Su Ye's demeanor, Section Chief Wan found it interesting. He sat up slightly straighter and watched Su Ye.

After drinking, Su Ye tasted it and felt it was average. He then said: "Section Chief Wan, I'm here regarding Chaoyang Group."