: Heart-wrenching

But no matter what, Xia Xiang still remained calm. Not only did he smile and support him, but he also blocked the wind for him, which made Mr. Wu feel a rare sigh, and for the first time in his heart, he felt guilty towards Xia Xiang.

Because the reason why he came to meet Xia Xiang specifically today was that he really wanted to have a good talk with Xia Xiang, the second was that he was always curious about Xia Xiang, and the third was that he didn't hear a fact that shocked him until today - Lian Ruohan came back from the United States, which was the result of Xia Xiang's persuasion.

Wu Caijiang told him in person that his condition was critical at that time, and Xia Xiang resolutely persuaded Lian Ruohan to return to China, and even offered to let Lian Xia's surname Wu, just to allow him to get through the dangerous period and give him some comfort.

The old man was in the officialdom for his life, and no matter how turbulent the world was, he was also a living person, flesh and blood, and with feelings. Xia Xiang secretly did so much for him. Not only did he not appreciate it, he also suppressed Xia Xiang once after he recovered from his illness, which made Xia Xiang almost lose his official position. If Xia Xiang hadn't had a deep connection and a strong network of relationships, he would probably not even be the district mayor.

Even so, Xia Xiang silently endured his pressure and did not let Lian Ruohan leave afterwards. The old man knew in his heart that the reason why Lian Ruohan stayed was that Xia Xiang had the greatest influence on her. If Xia wanted her to leave, she would have flew back to the United States long ago.

Xia Want to repay his grievances with kindness, but Mr. Wu has never known what Xia Want is trying to do, is he trying to make the power of the Wu family, or wants to get greater benefits from the Wu family? He was puzzled and was always depressed, so he insisted on coming here in person today and talk to Xia Xiang in person.

Xia Xiang rejected his kindness again to his expectations, which made him feel a little shocked. Xia Xiang was really kind and did not seek rewards? He endured the humiliation of being suppressed and kept Lian Ruohan and his son in the Wu family. Is it really not for greater benefits?

Although he didn't believe it, Xia Xiang firmly rejected his proposal, which made the old man understand in his heart that Xia Xiang was not pretending or threatening him with Lian Ruohan and his son. Instead, he was sincerely thinking about his physical recovery. Not to mention anything else, just this filial piety made the old man feel the long-lost warmth.

A strange young man can be sincere to himself and have no desires. If anyone else is replaced, he will be truly moved.

"Tell me, why do you think that the Wu family cannot take the position of Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee?" Old Master Wu became old and weak, and he no longer had the domineering spirit of the past. Instead, he talked about the current situation with a normal and family tone, and in a chatting tone. "You don't know the true strength of the Wu family, nor do you understand the influence of the Wu family among the central high-level officials. Your vision is limited to Yan Province. How could you come to this conclusion? I am very interested. Tell your analysis and let me see if it makes sense."

Xia Xiang keenly discovered the emotional changes in Mr. Wu and the change in his attitude. He became calm and smiled: "Old man, you should also be clear that since the four major families became a conventional title, the benefits brought to the four families are obvious, but at the same time, the big tree attracts wind. As the strength of the four families further increases, the power of the four major families has now expanded excessively and has begun to have the ability to influence the decision-making of the central and local governments. This is a good thing and a bad thing."

"It is naturally a good thing for the four major families themselves. But it is a bad thing for the entire country and the general public. The stronger the power of the four major families, the more they are, the more likely they are to be vigilant from the top leaders, and at the same time, it will also make many grassroots officials in the country feel dissatisfied. As the first family among the four major families, the power in Yan Province is already huge enough at this stage. If a provincial party secretary-general is placed, the Wu family will have a significant influence on Yan Province, which is not the result of optimistic optimism among the top leaders and the other three families." Xia Xiang also knew that Mr. Wu would definitely see this, but Mr. Wu had been storming throughout his life, experienced countless major events, and had many methods of ups and downs. Perhaps in his mind, public opinion was not as strong as power, and opposition voices were not as strong as absolute strength.

But now the times are different. The rise of the Internet has reduced the world into a global village, and it is no longer the era when the media spoke completely in the past. It is true that the Wu family is powerful, but no matter how powerful it is, it is not only a post or insider article on the Internet. Public opinion war is not only a weapon from various places, but also a tool that some figures in the central high-level officials can use.

Xia Xiang believes that if the power of the four major families expands to an uncontrollable level and exceeds the bottom line of someone at the central high-level, a public opinion war may break out, and the initiator of the public opinion war may be the senior officials hiding behind the scenes.

Absolute strength is only one aspect. Now we have soft power, economic power, geopolitics, etc. The period when we used to be a man of one's own deeds but could not hear any opposition voices are gone.

Of course, Xia Xiang used to speculate the ideas of the senior management based on the situation, but he had just talked with Lao Gu and had a more conclusive judgment on his judgment. He also knew that there would be senior management to prevent the four major families from devouring the interests of Yan Province. Yan Province is too close to the capital, and it is so close that it can be noticed when there is any movement. Moreover, Yan Province is related to the safety of the capital. It has the most mysterious army in the country. The senior management will never allow any family to grow up in Yan Province.

The lessons learned from some provinces that are too big to be lost are vivid in my mind. Lingnan Province, the Magic City, etc. have all had precedents of being cleansed because of confrontation with the central government. Although the four major families are not as good as those provincial and ministerial-level senior officials who have been cleaned without foundation, the four major families have forces in various places. It is also the only thing that the central government has seized some of the handles to remove several local forces.

Anyway, no matter what means are used, some senior officials' determination to prevent family forces from becoming bigger remains unchanged. Mr. Wu believes that he can reach the top of his life and that everyone in the world can go, but in fact he is still too optimistic about the prospects. The domestic political climate may sooner or later enter powerful capitalism, but it is not yet. The family forces have not yet been able to reach the top of their lives, just like the American consortium, which can fully control the political situation.

"Yan Province is still the Yan Province of the country, not the Yan Province of a certain family." Xia Xiang said in a heavy tone, "Among the top leaders, the nine Standing Committee members are actually a balance, and in Yan Province, they also have to maintain a balance. The Wu family already has two people and wants three or four people, which will arouse public anger."

Fortunately, although Xia Xiang's words were sharp, they did not arouse Mr. Wu's indignation. The old man just nodded: "Your statement is not unreasonable, and I have also considered balancing the situation. But after all, domestic politics still respects strength. You are not very clear about the game between senior officials, and judgment mistakes are inevitable. However, it is not easy for you to draw such a profound conclusion."

Mr. Wu obviously didn't take Xia Xiang's words to heart, but he seemed much more relaxed. He stood up and took the initiative to let Xia Xiang support him: "For young people, the New Year is socializing and walking, and for the elderly, it's one year to spend less. But seeing you this year is also a happy thing for me. I won't mention unpleasant things. It's rare that I'm quiet today. Come and have a drink with me, the old man."

Lian Ruohan saw the old and the young returning from outside with a smile, both of them looked relaxed. Her heart was finally put back into her stomach, thinking that Xia Xiang and grandpa had finally reached a consensus and no grudges were left.

Xia Xiang didn't think so. His relaxation was because the old man was not as arrogant and arrogant as Wu Caiyang, and he had a humane side. But he also knew that the old man's apparent relaxation was actually a belief that the Wu family could take the throne of the Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee because he wanted to wait until the dust settled and make him convinced, and then Mr. Wu would like to propose the intention of recruiting him again.

Xia Xiang was worried in his heart. No matter what purpose Mr. Wu insisted on winning him over, it was not what he wanted. He had already had a firm line and would definitely not change anything. If he was unfortunately told by him, he would not dare to guess what Wu Caiyang thought after the Wu family's defeat, but the old man would definitely value him more, and instead would try his best to pull him into the Wu family's system. What should he do then?

Xia Xiang shook his head, drove away all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and focused on drinking with the old man.

The old man didn't drink much, and because the doctor didn't let him drink too much, he only drank a few cups, then put down the cup, and talked about family matters with interest. From Xia Xiang's childhood, he talked about Xia Xiang's experiences after graduating from university. From him to Ba County, the Urban Village Renovation Group, the An County and the Industrial Structure Adjustment Leading Group, to the current secretary of the Xiama District Party Committee, he asked about it almost everything in detail.

Xia Xiang could say it, and he didn't hide much. He also knew that now was a good opportunity to talk to the old man. Now he didn't think that the old man was a powerful figure, he just thought that he was an ordinary old man, he thought that he was Lian Ruohan's grandfather, and he thought that he was an old man who could chat with.

Lian Ruohan was very happy to see Xia Xiang having a good chat with her grandfather, thinking that the two of them had made up their past grudges and became friends. Little Lian Xia was also happy to run between Xia Xiang and the old man. Sometimes he got into Xia Xiang's arms and called her father, and sometimes he got into the old man's arms and called her great-grandfather. The whole family was happy. To outsiders, they would never think there would be anything strange.

In fact, among the few people, Xia thought clearly that there might be a long distance between him and the old man, or to be precise, there was still a long distance between him and the Wu family.

The old man stayed until after 9 o'clock in the evening before leaving. Before leaving, he smiled and said to Xia, "I think Lian Xia, why don't you let me take Lian Xia away now."

Xia Xiang had no objection, and even Ruohan agreed, but Lian Xia refused to leave her parents. The old man thought that Lian Xia and Xia had little time together all year round, so he didn't force himself to get in the car and leave.

After the old man left, Lian Ruohan smiled and said to Xia Xiang: "Okay, I have bothered things. I think my grandfather likes you very much..."

Xia Xiang wanted to make Lian Ruohan worry about anything, so she deliberately teased her: "That's right, don't look at who I am, I'm a dignified person..."

Before he could say the boastful words, Xiao Lianxia interrupted in time: "You are your father!"

"Yes, yes, I am the dad of Lian Xia and the dad of Lian Ruohan's man, of course I am amazing." Xia Xiang changed his words temporarily.

"You're sweet-mouthed, I'll spare you once tonight." Lian Ruohan's eyes were charming and she flew to Xia Xiang.

Xia Xiang was shocked. In the past few days, Lian Ruohan has been a little overwhelmed. He is really a little afraid of her. Could it be that she will not stop tonight?

Lian Ruohan smiled: "Isn't you thinking wrong? Go, don't think about good things. I've already accommodated you enough. Just let me rest for one night. Will it work? I said to spare you once tonight, which means you don't have to get up to see Lian Xia at night, I'll just go."

Xia Xiang was relieved, patted her chest, thinking that some things between the two must be explained clearly, otherwise you will accommodate me and I will accommodate you, work hard every day, and the man will eventually die of exhaustion.

The next morning, Xia Xiang received a call from Lao Gu. Lao Gu did not let Xia Xiang go directly to the venue because Xia Xiang had not received the invitation and would definitely not be able to enter, so Xia Xiang went straight to his house to find him.

Xia Xiang drove to Lao Gu's house, but found that Gu Yu was not there. It turned out that Gu Yu went to meet several of his friends today, and made an appointment to go shopping, fitness, etc., so he left early in the morning.

With Xia Xiang accompanying him, Lao Gu did not let the guards follow him. He just sat in the Volvo car that Xia Xiang had not registered and led Xia Xiang to a place that would never be marked on the map.

After the car passed through many heavily guarded areas, it came to a place of a blue-gray building complex. There was no sign outside the building complex, only the armed police were standing guard.

As soon as Xia Xiang's car arrived in front of the door, an armed policeman reached out to stop him and asked Xia Xiang for his ID. Of course, Xia Xiang had no ID, so Lao Gu said to the guards in the car: "Let go!"

The guard did not dare to look inside at Lao Gu's appearance. He immediately looked nervous when he heard his voice, and immediately waved his hand and let it go.

The yard is large, with blue-gray buildings everywhere, inconspicuous, and there are no tall buildings. They are all small buildings with two or three floors, giving a solemn and solemn feeling.

After walking through a few small courtyards, we arrived at a wide parking lot. Xia Xiang parked the car and was about to go around the side of the car door to open the door for Lao Gu. A military vehicle came next to it. It was parked on the right side with majestic appearance, only 10 cm close to Xia Xiang's car. Not to mention that it opened the door, even people couldn't squeeze through.

Xia Xiang couldn't help but get angry. His car had no license plate and was not of high quality. It might be normal for people to be looked down upon in such places, but there is no such thing as bullying. Parking the car tightly close to it is simply too bullying.

Xia Xiang said angrily: "Please move the car away, there are still people in the car that can't get out."

Several soldiers jumped out of the car. The leader was tall and big. He was slightly fat and slightly bald, and he looked at Xia Xiang proudly for a few glances and waved his hand: "Your car is not parked correctly, can you move it away by yourself? What's the effort?"

Xia Xiang turned back on the car without saying a word, then started the car, then turned it out, revealing Lao Gu's passenger seat. Lao Gu pushed open the door and got out of the car, with his hands behind his back, looking angry: "Who insisted that my car move, it's very majestic!"

Just now, several soldiers saw Xia wanted to give in, so they turned around and laughed. After walking a few steps, they heard Lao Gu's voice behind him. When the few people looked back, they were stunned on the spot!

The lieutenant colonel was still a little bit able to stand, and he stuttered: "Chief? Why are you?"

Several other people who were not of high level but also knew Lao Gu were so scared that one of them was even scared that he retreated repeatedly, and did not see clearly, and he stumbled to the ground and fell down and squatted!

Lao Gu is so powerful. Xia Xiang was secretly surprised when he saw Lao Gu's all-round power with his own eyes for the first time. It turned out that Lao Gu was really a powerful figure. He could scare a lieutenant colonel so hard that he could not even speak. In the army with strict hierarchy, it seemed that he was also a very prestigious figure.

Lao Gu is going to do the important business today, so it’s okay to scare people, so he won’t be able to calculate with them. He shouted angrily: “Get out of here!”

The group of people led by the lieutenant colonel, like birds and beasts scattered, ran without a trace in a blink of an eye, which made Xia Xiang realize that at the critical moment, the potential of human beings was indeed huge. The fat lieutenant colonel ran as fast as a rabbit, just like a few young men.

Xia Xiang and Lao Gu came to the gate of the synagogue, passed the security check at the door, and came to the lobby. In fact, there was nothing surprising in the lobby, just an ordinary synagogue was decorated with banquets and almost full of people.

At the banquet, there were elderly people over 60 years old, including soldiers and veteran cadres, which had a bit of a military-civilian party. Xia Xiang didn't ask Lao Gu who would come along the way. Now when he arrived at the venue, he asked curiously: "What level are these veteran cadres?"

"Personal and above." Lao Gu nodded slightly, "You must be curious about who will come. It was originally planned that the General Secretary and the Prime Minister would come, but if the General Secretary has something to do temporarily, he may not be able to come. It may be that the Chairman and the Prime Minister came forward."

Prime Minister Xia Xiang has met himself, and Chairman Zong Chang Gui Xia Xiang has only seen him on TV, and has never seen a real person.

Xia Xiang could almost memorize Zong Changgui's resume, but he knew that the public resume had no reference value, and the undisclosed part was the truly useful part. Zong Changgui started step by step from the grassroots level, almost starting from the township party secretary, county party secretary, municipal party secretary, and provincial party secretary. Almost every level has political achievements and practical things.

But officials from grassroots origin may not be opponents of family forces in the end. Xia Xiang dared not draw conclusions about the political propositions of the top people. Because the policy guidelines and speeches announced to the public are all artistically processed press releases, and there is no way to judge a person's political stance.
Chapter completed!