In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

As Chen Jingcheng's black van exited the highway and entered Linchuan County, he looked out at the familiar scenery, yet felt as if it were yesterday.

"Young Master Chen, where should we go now?"

The driver, around thirty years old, was extremely burly and looked like he had undergone rigorous training.

This was the driver Chen Min'en sent to escort Chen Jingcheng back to Linchuan County, but he could also be considered a bodyguard.

Of course, these were not guards, but Chen Min'en's personal bodyguards.

Chen Jingcheng looked at the driver and said with a smile, "Just go directly to the county government compound."

"Thank you for bringing me back. After you have lunch, you can go back. Of course, you can also go to Oasis City first. He will arrive at Oasis City at noon today, and you can meet up with him then."

"Also, don't call me Young Master Chen, just call me Jing Cheng."

Upon hearing this, the driver didn't say much. He had originally been assigned to protect Chen Jingcheng, but Chen Jingcheng refused Chen Min'en's request. He wasn't used to having someone follow him. Perhaps Chen Min'en saw it as protection, but for Chen Jingcheng, it felt somewhat restrictive.

Besides, what kind of security does someone of his rank need? It wouldn't look right if word got out.

Chen Min'en couldn't refuse Chen Jingcheng, and also felt it was inappropriate, so he agreed.

The vehicle then began to drive towards the county government compound.

At this moment, although Li Feitu has not yet officially resumed his work, well-informed people already know that Sun Yikun has been arrested by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, and that the newly appointed municipal party secretary today is Li Zhixing. The fact that Li Zhixing is Li Feitu's uncle is known to very few people, limited to a few close confidants such as Zhao Mingyuan and Deputy Secretary Wang.

That's enough.

At this moment, Li Feitu no longer had the worried look he had before. Instead, he was sitting in his residence, brewing tea, and entertaining Li Guangming, the executive deputy county head.

Li Feitu and Li Guangming weren't particularly close, but when Li Feitu was suspended from his post and almost got into trouble, Li Guangming not only didn't betray him, but stood by Li Feitu's side and even stood up for him and Zhao Mingyuan, which moved Li Feitu deeply.

In addition, Li Guangming is indeed a capable and responsible person, and the two are not far apart in age, so their relationship is getting better and better.

Li Guangming sat on the sofa, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile, "County Magistrate, what kind of tea is this? It's delicious."

Upon hearing this, Li Feitu smiled and said, "Guangming, this tea is the same as before. As for why it tastes so good, it's probably just a matter of my mood."

"When I'm in a good mood, everything tastes good."

Upon hearing this, Li Guangming burst into laughter.

Li Feitu is right. When you're in a good mood, everything you do is enjoyable.

"While we're in a good mood, some people are naturally in a bad mood. County Chief, congratulations on your reinstatement."

"However, I am very curious about what exactly happened that could make the higher-ups change their minds in just a few days, causing the Sun family, who had already won, to fall from power."

"It seems the county magistrate's backing is stronger than I imagined."

Li Guangming spoke with a smile, naturally wanting to find out what was going on, but also genuinely happy.

Li Guangming had a problem with Zhao Mingyuan from the beginning and had never compromised or sided with Zhao Mingyuan. However, after Li Feitu arrived, he observed the situation and decided to side with Li Feitu.

And, they'll stay until the very end.

If Li Feitu had lost, Li Guangming's future would naturally have been affected as well. But now, Li Feitu has won.

So he's on the winner's side, and naturally, he'll reap the benefits.

Within the system, especially after reaching a certain rank, choosing sides is very important.

If you choose the wrong side, no matter how capable you are, it's useless. But if you choose the right side, even if you're not very capable, you'll still benefit.

This kind of factionalism isn't limited to higher levels; it exists at the county level, and even at the township level. Even within a single department-level unit, there are distinctions of who has a good relationship with whom, and who forms a small clique. After all, wherever there are people, there will be close and distant relationships, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

Li Feitu smiled but did not answer Li Guangming's question.

Chen Jingcheng's matter is top secret.

Let alone the fact that Chen Min'en is still planning to keep his relationship with Chen Jingcheng a secret for the time being, even if he doesn't keep it a secret, the fewer people who know about it, the better. At least, not enough people to let you know.

If you don't know, it means you're not qualified to know. It's that simple.

"Guangming, the municipal party committee has already communicated with me about your reinstatement. However, because we need to host the Linjiang Provincial Party and Government Delegation, we'll have to wait a bit, but it should be today or tomorrow."

"Speaking of which, I also want to thank you, Guangming. You've suffered a lot of injustices during this time."

Upon hearing this, Li Guangming smiled and shook his head, saying, "County Chief, let's not talk about these things. Since I'm on your side, there's nothing to say about whether I feel wronged or not. Fortunately, the outcome is good."

"By the way, I just heard that the city meeting has ended and your uncle, Secretary Li, has officially taken office. However, it seems that Secretary Zhao was not taken away for investigation."

"Isn't this being a bit too polite to Zhao Mingyuan?"

Li Guangming had witnessed firsthand how Zhao Mingyuan and Sun Yikun had shown Li Fei no respect.

Now that Li Zhixing has taken office, he remains silent, which Li Guangming finds somewhat incomprehensible.

However, he didn't understand, but Li Feitu did.

Li Feitu said with a smile, "As you know, the Linjiang Provincial Party and Government Delegation and the leaders of our Qingjiang Province are coming to the Oasis soon. Why create these problems at this time?"

"There's no need to vent your anger in front of so many people. My uncle isn't Sun Yikun. He's much more composed than Sun Yikun. Besides, the provincial party committee has already directly labeled Sun Yikun as having committed serious violations of laws and regulations. He's already vented his anger."

"Furthermore, today Minister Liu from the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department personally escorted my uncle to his new post, and the Executive Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection is also in Oasis City, so my uncle naturally couldn't act irrationally in front of them."

Upon hearing this, Li Guangming nodded and gave a thumbs-up.

"County Head, I truly admire you and Secretary Li. Putting aside everything else, your composure alone is something I can't match."

"If it were me, I would definitely point my finger at Zhao Mingyuan and start yelling at him."

At this point, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Li Guangming's eyes, and he smiled, "County Chief, Minister Liu from the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department personally escorted your uncle to his new post. Judging from this, it seems Secretary Li is about to be promoted, isn't he?"

Congratulations!

Li Feitu was pleased to hear this. Indeed, although no appointment had been made yet, Li Zhixing had already told him about Chen Min'en's advice to Secretary An, and he also knew what Secretary An had said. The implication was that Li Zhixing was about to shoulder a heavier responsibility.

This is several years faster than expected, and the location will be even better than previously thought.

In just a few years, coupled with his favorable position, Li Zhixing's potential for future advancement has been greatly enhanced. Things that were previously impossible or unthinkable are now perhaps within reach.

How could Li Feitu not be happy about this?

Just then, Li Feitu's phone rang. Seeing Chen Jingcheng's name on the screen, Li Feitu stood up excitedly.

After the call was connected, the excitement and attitude in his voice surprised Li Guangming, who was sitting next to him, and he was even more astonished. Then, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.