Chen Mo visits Sun Liancheng

Inside the car, Lin Yanzhou broke the brief silence. His eyes still closed, he posed a question in a steady voice: "Li Ze, how much do you know about Sun Liancheng?"

Li Ze's heart gave a sudden jolt. He had not expected the mayor to ask about this out of the blue. He quickly collected himself and chose his words carefully:

"Mayor, from what I've observed, District Mayor Sun's current work in Guangming District seems to focus more on theoretical study and meetings devoted to broad policy discussions. Secretary Ding Yizhen mainly directs the actual handling of major district projects and personnel arrangements. District Mayor Sun rarely appears on certain key occasions, and his public appearances mostly involve study sessions and policy discussions." He paused briefly to watch Lin Yanzhou's expression. Seeing that he was still listening quietly with his eyes closed, he continued.

"Some people outside feel that District Mayor Sun has grown more easygoing in recent years. He even enjoys gazing at the stars through an astronomical telescope in his spare time, quietly contemplating the universe. Objectively speaking, he's an upright man, without any particular greed or crooked intentions. Compared with the past, though, he may have lost some of his drive and willingness to take responsibility."

"But, Mayor, District Mayor Sun wasn't always like this. When he was executive deputy district mayor in Wuhua District, he was an entirely different man. Back then, Wuhua was an urban-rural fringe district, with complicated public security problems, scarce educational resources, and a whole pile of other issues. He took the lead and gnawed through the hard bone of restoring public order. He also coordinated the introduction of branch campuses from several excellent schools, greatly improving both the district's appearance and its reputation for public welfare. When Governor Liu came down on an inspection tour, he was very pleased with the changes in Wuhua District. He even singled Sun out for praise at the wrap-up meeting, calling him 'a hands-on official who can get difficult things done properly and practical things done well.'"

"At the time, Governor Liu told the municipal government's executive vice mayor and Minister Zhou from the Organization Department to pay particular attention to him, saying that a capable official like him should be given a larger platform on which to demonstrate his worth."

It was under the executive vice mayor's continued attention that Sun Liancheng gained the opportunity to become district mayor of Guangming District.

At some point, Lin Yanzhou had opened his eyes. He suddenly interjected, "Oh? When Governor Liu made that inspection visit, Wu Xiongfei should have been accompanying him, right? Why did he end up telling the executive vice mayor and the Organization Department to pay attention?"

Li Ze abruptly paused, unsure why the mayor had seized on this detail. "Mainly because the executive vice mayor once served as Governor Liu's secretary for several years. So before leaving, Governor Liu may have been more accustomed to giving instructions directly to him, telling the city to pay more attention to and cultivate solid, hardworking officials like Sun Liancheng. Not long afterward, Sun Liancheng was transferred and promoted to district mayor of Guangming District."

After hearing him out, Lin Yanzhou gave a quiet "Mm" and said nothing more. This question had gone far beyond a simple classroom quiz. Li Ze's answer had not only confirmed some of his judgments but also supplied deeper connections and crucial details.

Li Ze inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his carefully considered answer had passed muster, though his palms were still soaked with sweat.

A little over forty minutes later, the convoy entered the Guangming District government compound. Having received word, the principal leaders of the district's four leadership bodies were already lined up outside the office building. At their head stood Municipal Party Secretary Ding Yizhen and District Mayor Sun Liancheng.

Ding Yizhen strode forward and personally opened the car door for Lin Yanzhou. "Welcome, Mayor Lin, Minister Zhou! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to personally bring Comrade Chen Mo here to take up his post in Guangming District! With you here, even our shantytown feels more confident!"

Lin Yanzhou stepped out and shook his hand briefly. His gaze then swept toward Sun Liancheng beside him.

Sun Liancheng was around forty-five and slightly plump. He stepped forward, bowing slightly as he shook hands. "Hello, Mayor Lin. Hello, Minister Zhou." His tone was respectful, but it lacked Ding Yizhen's surging warmth and energy. His eyes held fatigue and detachment.

As Lin Yanzhou shook his hand, his gaze lingered on Sun Liancheng's face for a brief second. He wanted to see why this "hands-on official," once praised by the governor, had become the "stargazer" people now spoke of. Sun Liancheng's smile seemed to stiffen for a moment, but soon returned to normal.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone crowded around Lin Yanzhou and Zhou Minze as they headed toward the meeting venue. At the district-wide cadre appointment meeting that followed, Ding Yizhen delivered an enthusiastic speech on behalf of the district Party committee and government. He expressed firm support for the municipal Party committee's decision, warmly welcomed Comrade Chen Mo, and spoke at great length about the grand blueprint for the Guangming Peak Project, his words brimming with confidence and determination. Sun Liancheng's speech, meanwhile, remained full of safe phrases such as "firmly support the municipal Party committee's decision," "actively cooperate," and "advance steadily." There was no audible passion and little sign of his own personality.

Lin Yanzhou's speech was brief but carried considerable weight. He emphasized the urgency of shantytown redevelopment and called on the new leadership team to work together and dare to shoulder responsibility.

Ding Yizhen's statement was enthusiastic and watertight, while Sun Liancheng's remained steady and measured.

After the meeting, Lin Yanzhou and Zhou Minze did not stay for a meal. They got straight into the car and returned to the city.

On the return journey, Lin Yanzhou once again rested with his eyes closed. As the newly appointed executive deputy district mayor, Chen Mo had remained in Guangming District to begin his duties.

After the appointment meeting ended, Chen Mo did not disperse with the crowd, nor did he first pay a visit to District Party Secretary Ding Yizhen, as many had expected. Instead, he went straight to the district mayor's office. Seeing Sun Liancheng's liaison seated in the outer room, he stepped forward. "Excuse me, is District Mayor Sun available?"

The liaison was clearly startled and rose instinctively. Few officials came to the district mayor's office to report on their work in the first place, let alone a newly appointed executive deputy district mayor who ranked immediately below the district mayor and had come directly after the meeting. As far as he could remember, this had virtually never happened before. Not daring to neglect him, he hurriedly replied, "District Mayor Chen, please wait a moment. I'll go and ask."

"District Mayor, the executive deputy district mayor is here. He's asking whether you have time." Sun Liancheng looked up at this, unable to conceal his surprise. "Quick, show District Mayor Chen in!"

As he spoke, he quickly stood and came around his desk to greet him.

By then, the liaison had already led Chen Mo inside. Smiling, Sun Liancheng reached out to shake his hand. "District Mayor Chen, come in, come in. Please sit! The meeting has only just ended. Why didn't you get some rest first? You came all the way from the city and went straight into a meeting. Thank you for your hard work."

Chen Mo entered with an appropriate smile. "District Mayor Sun, I've come to report for duty. From now on, I'll be working under your direct leadership. There are many matters I'll need to learn about from you and seek your instructions on. I also hope that, with your support, I can get to grips with my responsibilities as quickly as possible."

Sun Liancheng invited Chen Mo to sit and personally made him a cup of tea, while his thoughts raced.

This executive deputy district mayor, personally escorted here by Mayor Lin and Minister Zhou, had clear backing, but his intentions were not so simple. Rather than going to Ding Yizhen, he had come here first. This seemingly respectful gesture actually carried an unusual element of probing.

"You're too kind, District Mayor Chen. You're an elite officer sent by the city. We couldn't be more pleased to welcome you." Sun Liancheng responded with a smile. "We'll be relying heavily on you in the government's work from now on. If you have any ideas or needs, don't hesitate to raise them. As long as it serves Guangming District's development, we'll give you our full support."

Chen Mo keenly detected the caution and reserve beneath Sun Liancheng's warmth. He knew that if he wanted to break Ding Yizhen's single-handed dominance in Guangming District and truly carry out the city's intentions, he first had to secure the government side and obtain at least the district mayor's nominal support, so that the district government could speak with a unified, powerful voice. He had come today precisely to send a clear signal of alliance.

"District Mayor Sun, I've only just arrived. My greatest source of support is you and the other comrades on the leadership team." Chen Mo sounded sincere, but his words carried a deeper message. "Guangming District's situation is more complicated than I imagined. Major projects such as shantytown redevelopment and Guangming Peak, in particular, have a thousand threads to untangle. I firmly believe that as long as all levels on the government side work as one and put our own house in order first, we'll certainly be able to move the work forward and better implement the instructions of the municipal Party committee and government, especially Mayor Lin's."

At the words "Mayor Lin's instructions," Sun Liancheng's eyelids twitched slightly. Of course he knew who stood behind Chen Mo, and he understood that beneath these seemingly mild words lay an implicit intention to wrest control of government work from the district Party committee. Yet Ding Yizhen's years of accumulated influence and Li Dakang's backing, especially Li Dakang's domineering manner, left him with lingering apprehension. He did not dare readily accept the olive branch of alliance Chen Mo had offered.

Meanwhile, a more practical concern circled in his mind: as executive deputy district mayor, Chen Mo was already the "crown prince" to the district mayor's seat. In a sense, his arrival was precisely a sign that Sun Liancheng's own position was in imminent danger. Was Chen Mo's friendly overture now a sincere offer of cooperation, or did he have some other design?

So Sun Liancheng kept smiling, but his words were slippery as an eel. "You have clear ideas and plenty of drive, District Mayor Chen. That's very good. Government work must, of course, emphasize unity and efficiency. Rest assured, as long as the work falls within your responsibilities, go ahead boldly. I'll firmly support you. On specific matters, consult more with the deputy district mayors in charge and draw up proposals. We'll follow procedure and bring them before the Party leadership group for discussion. At standing committee meetings, I'll support anything that benefits the district's development." He had offered a vague promise of support, with the emphasis on "following procedure." He had offended no one, but neither had he provided any substantive endorsement.

Chen Mo heard the self-preservation beneath this courtesy. He knew that truly winning Sun Liancheng over was not something a single conversation could accomplish. But he had already achieved his purpose today-he had made every appropriate gesture and sent his signal. What remained would require time and further action to gradually break the impasse.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Mo rose to take his leave.

Sun Liancheng courteously saw him to the door. Watching Chen Mo's retreating figure, he sank into still deeper thought.