Please, mature women, have some self-respect. I just want a raise and a promotion.

Lin Zheng wasn't in a hurry to give an answer. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and quietly started smoking.

Li Ting wasn't in a hurry either. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and waited quietly for Lin Zheng's reply.

A few minutes later, Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette and stared at Li Ting.

"Mr. Li, it's easier said than done."

"How difficult is it?" Li Ting asked.

"Wang Jianguo isn't stupid. He can see through our acting immediately."

"So we need to act more realistically."

Li Ting stubbed out his cigarette and said, "For example, I'll continue to use my connections in the court, and you'll continue to put pressure on Wang Jianguo."

"On the surface, they are like oil and water, but behind the scenes, they cooperate as well as they should."

Lin Zheng thought for a moment: "What about the engineering project? Do you still want it?"

"I want it, but not to take it from him."

"I want to go through a formal bidding process in the town."

"Can you win the bid?"

"able."

Li Ting said confidently, "Tianlong Company has been operating in Dianhai Town for so many years, its strength speaks for itself."

"I'm not afraid to compete with anyone in a formal bidding process."

Lin Zheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his mind raced.

Li Ting is right; in a formal bidding process, Tianlong Company does indeed have an advantage.

But the question is, will Wang Jianguo make the bidding process legitimate?

"Mr. Li, do you think Wang Jianguo will help us win the bid smoothly?"

"Won't."

"Therefore, we need to prepare in advance."

"What preparations?" Lin Zheng asked.

"To sideline Wang Jianguo."

"Empty?"

Lin Zheng's hand holding the teacup froze, and his gaze returned to Li Ting.

"Mr. Li, what you said has surprised me."

"It's not that I don't believe in your abilities, but you need to provide some proof."

Li Ting lowered his voice and said, "Wang Jianguo's power in the town mainly comes from his control over engineering projects and land."

"As long as the leaders of these two departments don't obey him, he'll lose his footing."

"So you have a solution?"

Li Ting nodded and said without any hesitation, "Director Zhang of the Land Bureau is one of my men."

"I also have a good relationship with Section Chief Liu from the Engineering Department."

"As long as you can get along with the other leaders in the town, Wang Jianguo is just a commander without troops."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zheng fell into deep thought, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as he considered whether or not to cooperate.

Li Ting's move was indeed ruthless, indirectly breaking Wang Jianguo's grip.

"Mr. Li, aren't you afraid I'll turn around and sell you out?"

"Afraid."

"But I'm even more afraid of being exploited by Wang Jianguo."

"Working with you at least gives us a chance."

"Cooperation will only lead to certain death."

"I know perfectly well how Zhang Wenshan fell from grace; Wang Jianguo was involved."

"We are all smart people, we will never follow Zhang Wenshan's old path."

Lin Zheng looked Li Ting up and down for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Mr. Li, your methods are more ruthless than I imagined."

"Likewise," Li Ting smiled.

The two men picked up their teacups, clinked them together, and simultaneously smiled.

When Lin Zheng came out of the Mingxuan Hotel, his back was covered in cold sweat.

He always thought he was working with Wang Jianguo.

I never imagined that from beginning to end, I was just a pawn on someone else's chessboard.

Wang Jianguo used him to fight with Li Tingdou to gain benefits from both sides.

Once you've squeezed all the value out of him, just like you did with Zhang Wenshan, kick him aside or even send him to jail.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and forced himself to calm down.

Li Ting's words cannot be completely believed, but they cannot be completely disregarded either.

This person has managed to stay in Dianhai Town for so many years; he must be someone to be trifled with.

His offer of cooperation may not be genuine.

Perhaps they want to use him to turn against Wang Jianguo.

Back at his lodgings, Lin Zheng took a cold shower and lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

Li Ting's words and Wang Jianguo's actions kept replaying in his mind.

Since the signing of the memorandum, Wang Jianguo has indeed been increasing his investment.

One shop, two shops, three shops...

His appetite grew larger and larger, and he became more and more deeply entangled in it.

If things continue like this, even if the project is successfully completed, Wang Jianguo will still skin him alive.

No, I have to find a way to solve this problem without him finding out.

Lin Zheng sat up and lit another cigarette.

Li Ting's suggestion of "outmaneuvering" is one approach.

He suddenly remembered what Qiu Xiuqin had said.

"Wang Jianguo is the kind of person who responds better to gentle persuasion than force."

"If you fall out with him, he's capable of anything."

Therefore, we can't force it; we have to take it slowly.

First, keep him calm and make him think that you are still in control.

Then they secretly plotted and waited for the right moment to deliver a fatal blow.

Lin Zheng took a deep drag on his cigarette, and ideas slowly began to form in his mind.

First of all, you can't get too close to Li Ting.

On the surface, they still have to continue fighting.

Wang Jianguo would only lower his guard if he thought they were still irreconcilable enemies.

Secondly, we need to get the project settled as soon as possible.

As long as the project progresses smoothly, Wang Jianguo has no excuse to interfere.

Once the deed is done, it will be too late for him to sabotage it.

Finally, we need to find a stronger backer.

Wang Jianguo has been operating in Dianhai Town for so many years, and his influence is deeply entrenched.

With just himself and Li Ting, they simply couldn't defeat him.

He needs someone with a higher position and more power to back him up.

Lin Zheng thought for a moment, then took out his phone and dialed Qiu Xiuqin's number.

"Sister Xiuqin, are you asleep?"

"Not yet, what's wrong?"

"There's something I'd like to ask you."

"you say."

Are there any leaders in the district who don't get along with Wang Jianguo?

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Why are you asking this?

"I want to find someone to rely on."

Qiu Xiuqin asked, "Lin Zheng, are you in trouble?"

"It's a bit troublesome, but we can manage."

Has Wang Jianguo increased his bets again?

"No, but I discovered something."

"What is it?"

Lin Zheng hesitated for a moment and did not repeat Li Ting's words.

"I discovered that he was using me, not just for the shop, but also to use me as a tool."

Qiu Xiuqin paused for a moment before saying, "I already warned you about this."

"I know, so I want to find someone who can keep him in check."

"Several district leaders don't get along with Wang Jianguo."

"Who?"

"Deputy District Head Liu Changhe."

"Liu Changhe?"

"right."

"He and Wang Jianguo used to be in the same team, but they had conflicts and never got along."

"Can you help me make a connection?"

"Yes, but not now."

Why?

"Liu Changhe is busy with a project in the district recently and doesn't have time to see you."

"When can we meet?"

"I'll make an appointment for you once his project is finished."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Xiuqin."

"Don't thank me. Be careful not to let Wang Jianguo find out you're looking for a backer."

"I know."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

He had heard of Liu Changhe.

The deputy district head is in charge of urban construction and transportation.

If he could get in touch with this person, Wang Jianguo wouldn't dare to be too reckless.

But now is not the time; we have to wait.

Lin Zheng lay back on the bed and closed his eyes.

We need to be extra careful in the days to come.

We must not let Wang Jianguo discover any clues.