3: Chapter 3 I Want to Go Back to Gongfan County

Shang Rou's words were not without merit.

Everyone, including Gao Feng, agreed with Shang Rou.

Even Gao Feng himself had only been sent down to the local level after being promoted within the Central Government.

"Senior Sister, it is I who do not wish to stay in the Central Government."

Sun Ning had no intention of staying in the Central Government forever.

First, he feared that staying in the Central Government for too long would erode his drive.

Second, he knew clearly that if he wanted to go far and climb high, he must have experience at the grassroots level.

Furthermore, he harbored an obsession in his heart; in his previous life, he had been powerless to seek revenge and had lived in a daze for decades.

In this life, no matter what, he had to see that person fall with his own eyes.

As for grinding out a few years of experience in the Central Government and taking it one step at a time to reach the division chief level,

when the time was right, he would be sent down to the local level to serve as a county head or County Party Committee Secretary.

Then, he would achieve some results.

Afterwards, he would ride the momentum to get promoted, returning to the Central Government to become an unassuming deputy department director.

This "Central Government-local-Central Government" operation had always been the path for scions of influential families.

It had nothing to do with Sun Ning, a child born to farmers.

His greatest reliance at present was Elder Shang.

Although Elder Shang was a high-level government advisor and his students were spread across every department,

he was, after all, an outsider.

He appeared to have a prominent status and could put in a word at critical moments.

But if it happened too often, he would become an annoying old man who meddled too much.

It was inevitable that he would become unwelcome.

After all, this model of moving from the local level to the Central Government and vice versa involved too many departments, and the actual implementation was very taxing.

Sun Ning did not want his mentor to be so exhausted.

He believed that with his grassroots work experience from his previous life,

the broad vision gained from working in the Central Government in this life,

and the plans he had laid in the few years since his rebirth,

it would be quite easy to build a solid foundation at the local level.

When the time came, he would be able to accumulate strength and then burst forth, perhaps soaring straight to the top.

Elder Shang, this great tree, was his secret weapon for critical moments.

"Sun Ning, but..."

Shang Rou wanted to say more, but was stopped by a look from Sun Ning signaling that they should talk about it privately.

"Hmph!"

Shang Rou huffed in dissatisfaction and then focused on fiddling with the tea set on the table.

Born into such a family, she knew the boundaries well and never overstepped them on formal occasions.

"Senior Brother, thank you for your kindness, but I want to go directly to a township."

"Go to a township?"

"Junior Brother has just graduated; I'm afraid you won't be able to make much of an impact in a township!"

It was no wonder Gao Feng said this; when a master's graduate was confirmed in their position and ranked, they were merely a deputy section chief.

Returning to a township, at best, one would only be a deputy township official.

The political ecology of townships was often based on the responsibility system of the top leader.

In the eyes of the top leader, those deputies were just clerks with slightly higher titles.

Therefore, if one went directly to a township to hold a post, no one would listen to what was said; how could one accomplish anything substantial?

"Haha, little madman, you're the one with the blockhead; Sun Ning is not."

"Because of Sun Ning's outstanding performance previously, the commission specially approved his early confirmation."

"Now that the Northwest Development project has been completed, Sun Ning deserves the top credit."

"The commission has already decided to promote exceptional talent ahead of schedule."

"This is something our Sun Ning earned through real, solid ability."

Elder Shang felt very gratified whenever he mentioned this.

Especially during a high-level meeting once, a bigwig had personally praised him by name, saying, "This young comrade Sun Ning is very excellent, truly inheriting Elder Shang's mantle."

That one sentence made Elder Shang feel radiant.

The main reason was that all the old cronies attending the meeting had cast looks of envy or jealousy at him.

At that time, Elder Shang, who was always devoted to academics, felt a bit carried away.

"My disciple is simply better than yours."

Hearing such words, Sun Ning hurriedly explained: "Teacher, I cannot accept the top credit; your disciple only contributed minor efforts."

Are you kidding!

Such a massive policy.

From the project initiation to implementation, there were so many processes, countless high-level meetings, and it involved every aspect.

He couldn't afford to be credited with the top honor.

Saying it at home was just the teacher's affirmation of his disciple.

If it were to spread, he would attract so much jealousy and hatred.

However, he had indeed provided some novel ideas based on his experience from the future, eliminating several drawbacks.

"Old man, don't try to hide that smirk every time you mention this."

"Where are you planning to put Sun Ning?"

"If he returns to Bianzhou, Senior Brother Gao might find it hard to reach him."

In fact, where to return was also a point of hesitation for Sun Ning.

He really wanted to return to Bianzhou.

Because that was his hometown.

For a village boy like him, it would count as returning home in glory, and it could also allow his father to straighten his bent back.

He also really wanted to go to Gongfan County.

That place had once been where his dreams were shattered, and it was also a knot deep in his heart that could not be untied.

He felt that if he could wash away his past shame in Gongfan County, his soul would be elevated.

Now that he had Gao Feng as an asset, he was more inclined to go to Gongfan County.

As for that calamity Gao Feng faced, with him, a reborn person, it would be very easy to resolve.

Once Gao Feng ascended to the seat of mayor,

at the very least, he wouldn't need to worry about promotion issues for five years.

As for Gao Feng, he was certainly unwilling for Sun Ning to return to Bianzhou.

With Sun Ning as the link, whether he came to Yanjing to visit or called to send greetings, Elder Shang would not refuse.

Although he was in Heyang, he had heard from his fellow disciples about the teacher's doting on Sun Ning.

Not to mention anything else, there was a room in this small villa that belonged to Sun Ning.

None of the other disciples had this honor.

So at this moment, Gao Feng was a bit anxious.

"Junior Brother, it would be better to stay in Zhongzhou."

"Junior Brother has a bright future, so you should make preparations for regional avoidance in advance to avoid missing the opportunity."

At this time, Elder Shang also agreed from the side, saying, "Staying in Zhongzhou is better than going back."

Sun Ning was not a pretentious person, so he stated directly where he wanted to go: "Senior Brother, I want to go to Gongfan County."

In just a few words, Sun Ning's job was settled.

As for whether there was a suitable position left for him?

No one mentioned it.

If an Executive Vice Mayor wanted a township head position, which County Party Committee Secretary would dare not give that face?

Not to mention that Gao Feng was currently a red-hot mayoral candidate.

"Stinky little brother, now that your destination is set, are you still going to loiter here?"

"Come out with me, and ignore these two middle-aged men."

Sun Ning smiled and was about to get up and leave.

He was not a naive youth; Gao Feng had gone through so much trouble to find Elder Shang, so there must be something to discuss.

"Teacher, Senior Brother, I will leave with Senior Sister first."

"Why are you leaving? Your teacher's wife will be back with groceries soon; eat before you go. This stinky girl Shang Rou hasn't been home in so long, and she doesn't even say she'll stay for a meal."

"I have something to discuss with Sun Ning; we'll come back to eat tomorrow."

Before Sun Ning could offer any polite words, he was dragged away by Shang Rou.

At the entrance of the villa, Sun Ning unobtrusively broke free from Shang Rou and prepared to run away.

However, he was grabbed by the ear by Shang Rou.

"Get in the car."

Sun Ning was very helpless; he still hadn't escaped.

So he obediently sat in the passenger seat.

Shang Rou was always like this; she was very changeable in front of him, sometimes like a little demoness.

Not at all like the intellectual, elegant, and decisive new-era woman in the business world.

After getting into the car, Shang Rou leaned her face close to Sun Ning.