Chapter 1985 - 1985: 1985

"Uncle Gu, there's no outsider here, so I'll speak frankly, okay?"

Lu Hongzhong's old face, he's really willing to use it!

Of course, in terms of seniority, he really should call Gu Changsha 'Uncle', coming from a small aristocratic family.

Even though Gu Changsha is only 62, just seven years older.

Gu Changsha has his own way of employing people.

For big aristocratic families, just about enough.

For the children of smaller families, he seems to pay more attention and care.

What's this about?

Because promoting people from smaller families, hehe, they understand gratitude more, have a stronger sense of crisis, and can accomplish tasks for you with solidity.

Gu Changsha nodded, "Speaking frankly is right. If you ever stop speaking frankly to me, that would be a huge mistake. Hehe..."

"Yes, yes, yes, Hongzhong will always be loyal to Uncle Gu, doing everything possible," Lu Hongzhong patted his chest, showing full loyalty.

"Mm, go ahead!"

"Recently, everyone's been saying, Yunxi's Tang Zhi will be your successor! Your nurturing and favoritism towards him have made many waver, but many are still watching!"

Gu Changsha's eyes widened, making Lu Hongzhong nervous, he bent over and lowered his head, whispering: "Uncle Gu, did I speak out of turn?"

Seeing the other's reaction like this, Gu Changsha strangely felt a sense of comfort.

This feeling of vain satisfaction from authority is truly unparalleled.

The majesty of heaven, unstoppable! That's the thrill of it.

Gu Changsha thought for a moment, then said: "Mm, you didn't speak out of turn, this information is important. I had already thought of it, that people would perceive it this way. But Tang Zhi is still young, not yet sufficient to be raised to the level of a successor, understand?"

His voice was quite soft, making Lu Hongzhong less tense inside.

However, Lu Hongzhong said: "Speaking objectively, people's view of Tang Zhi is not baseless. After all, he accompanied you to visit Valle not too long ago, and has been thriving recently over in Yunxi, hehe..."

"But what of it? That doesn't prove anything. If not for President of Valle Chi Zhongshui's active cooperation, just when he proposed a strategic concept favorable for Changnan State and Yunxi Province, then Tang Zhi's reputation and achievements wouldn't amount to any height, understand?"

"Understood, understood, hehe... hehe..." Lu Hongzhong still seemed a bit proud, nodding and bending, "Speaking like this, I mean, I'm worried it might affect the progress of the eldest son, hehe..."

At the mention of the eldest son, Gu Changsha's heart softened once more.

That's his own son!

The older brother of Zhao Yan!

Currently, this eldest son is under the leadership of Lu Hongzhong, serving as mayor of a Prefecture-level City.

His name is Ding Xiyang.

Gu Changsha nodded, "Hongzhong, your concern for Xiyang, your care for Xiyang over the past two years hasn't gone unnoticed, and I'm grateful. Regarding Xiyang, what are your upcoming intentions for nurturing him?"

"I..."

Lu Hongzhong paused, thought for a moment, then smiled slightly, "I plan to transfer him to the Provincial City, slot him into a vice-ministerial position. After all, the eldest son's age is there for all to see, if he doesn't progress, it's really hard to say. The eldest son is two years older than Tang Zhi!"

Speaking of age, Lu Hongzhong displayed a look of worry.

Indeed, Tang Zhi at 44, achieves frightening achievements as a vice-minister!

While Ding Xiyang is 46, yet still holds a full hall-level position, his achievements aren't particularly outstanding.

In a full hall-level role, what's there to be extraordinarily accomplished? In this economically thriving province, it's the same for anyone, no one can particularly stand out, right?

But as a successor, Ding Xiyang needs support from achievements, if he wants to take over once his father retires.

Lu Hongzhong can nurture and care for him, transfer him to the Provincial City, slot him into a vice-ministerial position; resolve vice-ministerial in a year, resolve full ministerial in three years, before 50, enough capital can be accumulated.

Considering conventions, Lu Hongzhong's route has no flaws at all.

But Gu Changsha's eyes glimmered lightly, that regal aura flared out instantly.

"Transfer to Provincial City? Are you certain?"

As soon as he said this, Lu Hongzhong, the bootlicker, immediately reacted, "Uncle Gu, if you say so, I can't be certain, I'll have to wait for your arrangements and guidance!"

This fellow, really understands the master.

Gu Changsha smiled, nodded, took the cigarette Lu Hongzhong offered, lit it, and slowly exhaled smoke, saying:

"Send him to Zhou Mountain City as Mayor!"

"What?!" Lu Hongzhong was shocked, ash falling directly onto his pants.

If he hadn't been considering his appearance before Uncle Gu, he might have stood up.

"Uncle Gu... you..." Lu Hongzhong showed genuine concern, really displaying genuine feelings, "Think it through!"

Because Lu Hongzhong knew, Zhou Mountain City is the most economically backward Prefecture-level City in the province.

This place, located in the province's northeastern corner, half mountainous region, half coastal area.

Speaking of the mountains, they were still undergoing poverty alleviation just a few years ago, only recently been officially declared poverty-free.

The coastal area, just two county towns there. Even though near the sea, it's shallow sea, not good for aquaculture, nor for maritime traffic.

Even the City Government of Zhou Mountain City is situated on the edge of the mountain region, no way to relocate to the seaside.

In terms of economic development, there's nothing to speak of, purely a desolate place.

Over the years, any officials assigned to Zhou Mountain City have all been subjected to concealed downgrades, lacking any political future.

Officials sent there, the county-city group leaders, are either ostracized suppressed ones, or just mixing to get by.

Ding Xiyang, that's the eldest son!

Gu Changsha, being such a father, sends his son to such a place?

If he agrees, Lu Hongzhong won't agree either!

Lu Hongzhong is currently a mayor, although it's a mediocre city, economically it's not bad! Sending him to Zhou Mountain as Mayor, isn't that a concealed downgrade? Not only are achievements hard to accomplish, but there might be more trouble from the local failures, written blemishes on his political resume could emerge, believe it or not?

But Gu Changsha merely smiled calmly, sensing Lu Hongzhong's care for his son, he was quite pleased.

Yet Gu Changsha said: "Only after enduring hardship can one rise above others, Hongzhong, what's so serious about this?"

"Well... the more one endures hardship, the more endless hardship is experienced! Uncle Gu, your arrangement, Hongzhong really dares not follow, unwilling to see the eldest son suffer there!"

Gu Changsha shook his finger, extinguishing the cigarette, calmly said: "Hongzhong, you see, you're still too young! 'Edge hiding technique,' understand? Reverse logic, understand?"

"This..." Lu Hongzhong was baffled, because he really didn't understand...