221: Chapter 221 Teahouse Conversation

Traffic flowed like a tapestry on the main thoroughfares of Jingjiang City.

A Lavida sedan drove steadily, Zhu Wenhao's hands controlling the steering wheel, his speed perfectly rhythmic.

His phone rang.

Zhu Wenhao glanced at the caller ID and pressed the answer button with his fingertip.

"Zhu Wenhao." The voice of Office Director Chen Jian came from the other end of the line.

"Director Chen." Zhu Wenhao's tone was steady.

"Minister Xiao has adjusted the meeting location." Director Chen read out an address, "Jinshui Street, Zhuying Teahouse."

"Understood."

After answering, Zhu Wenhao ended the call crisply.

Ahead was the intersection leading to the Provincial Party Committee Compound, and the traffic light turned from red to green.

Zhu Wenhao tapped the brakes, turned the steering wheel all the way to the left, and the car veered, entering a completely different side road.

The navigation software turned on, guiding the vehicle as it wove through the streets of Jingjiang City.

The further they went, the fewer high-rise buildings there were, replaced by ancient parasol trees lining the road and old alleyways with grey bricks and tiles.

The car stopped in front of a three-story, antique-style wooden building that hung no sign.

Director Chen was standing in the wind, waiting.

Seeing the Lavida approach, Director Chen strode forward to meet them.

Zhu Wenhao stepped out of the car and extended his right hand, "Director Chen, thank you for your hard work; I'm sorry to have kept you waiting in the cold."

The two shook hands.

Director Chen skipped the pleasantries, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding streets in a flash.

Afterward, his eyes landed on Su Qinghan, who had stepped out from the passenger seat.

Director Chen did not ask; he never mentioned what shouldn't be asked—this was an iron rule of survival.

"Secretary Zhu, please, upstairs." Director Chen gestured.

Zhu Wenhao led Su Qinghan into the teahouse.

The first-floor lobby was set up quite spaciously; aside from a few pots of precious orchids and a screen, there wasn't even any seating for guests.

The three walked up the wooden stairs.

Upon reaching the corner where the second floor led to the third, their path was blocked by two expressionless men.

Director Chen stepped forward, lowering his voice to exchange a few words with one of them.

The man scrutinized Zhu Wenhao and his companion, then silently retreated to the wall, clearing the way upward.

The three successfully reached the third floor.

The entire floor was deathly silent.

The corridor was covered with a thick carpet, and a row of closed private room doors had no numbers; not even a server responsible for tea and water could be found.

They walked to a private room door deep inside.

Director Chen raised his knuckles and knocked on the door panel three times.

"Enter." Minister Xiao's voice came from inside.

Director Chen opened the wooden door.

He did not cross the threshold himself but stepped aside, bowing his head slightly to signal for Zhu Wenhao to enter.

Having completed his task of leading the way, Director Chen turned and walked silently toward the stairs.

Zhu Wenhao did not hesitate; he turned sideways and stepped into the private room.

Su Qinghan followed behind, but seeing Minister Xiao sitting upright in the room, her steps faltered.

Zhu Wenhao reached back, caught her fingertips, and gave a gentle tug.

A steady, unyielding strength came from his palm, signaling there was no turning back.

Su Qinghan's fingertips trembled slightly, but she followed that strength into the room and closed the wooden door behind her.

Minister Xiao sat in the main seat, taking in every detail of their actions as they entered.

He sat upright, making no outward expression, save for a hint of intriguing scrutiny flowing deep within his eyes.

Zhu Wenhao walked to the tea table and sat steadily opposite Minister Xiao.

Su Qinghan, very tactfully, took off her coat, walked to the tea tray, washed her hands, took the utensils, and skillfully played the role of boiling water and serving tea.

The small red clay pot on the charcoal stove emitted a faint sound of boiling water.

Zhu Wenhao and Minister Xiao sat opposite each other.

Neither spoke any pleasantries; the surrounding air seemed to thicken little by little amidst the agarwood incense.

Zhu Wenhao's back was straight, sitting as still as a bell, allowing that invisible pressure to wash over him like a landslide, without moving a single inch.

Su Qinghan lifted the pot to pour water, but a drop of boiling water suddenly splashed onto the edge of the tea tray, making a sound of shattering water.

Zhu Wenhao broke the silence, "Minister Xiao, this teahouse is arranged quite elegantly, finding tranquility amidst the noise. It is truly not easy to find such a place in Jingjiang City."

Seeing him respond calmly, Minister Xiao withdrew his outward pressure.

"That is true." Minister Xiao stroked the tea table, "This was also where Elder Li brought me once, back when he was in office."

He paused slightly, "However, the third floor of this teahouse has always been open only to a very select few. Before, it was Elder Li who brought me; later, it was because I had the qualifications to come myself."

The first half acknowledged the favor of Elder Li's guidance, showing he had not forgotten his roots; the second half showed off his own capability and confidence.

He reached his current position based on political achievements earned through real, hard-fought battles.

Zhu Wenhao picked up his teacup and brought it to his lips.

"The person sitting here having tea with you today is Zhu Wenhao, the son of Deputy Secretary of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Zhu Tianhe."

He did not shy away from it.

"And also, Zhu Wenhao, the Deputy Party Secretary of Heishi Town."

Both identities were made clear.

Only the label of being the Li family's grandson was stripped away.

"My father was elevated by your own hand back then, which is why he has his achievements today."

Zhu Wenhao continued to lay the groundwork, "Coming from a background of masonry, without deep-rooted connections, he relied on the political achievements he built brick by brick, as well as his honest, dutiful, and grateful nature."

"You know his character better than anyone."

Listening to these words, Minister Xiao's thoughts were drawn back many years.

Zhu Tianhe, who had clawed his way up from the grassroots and taken every step firmly and steadily, was indeed his most satisfying protégé.

He followed orders and got things done.

Zhu Wenhao placed his teacup back on the table.

"Now, my uncle is about to parachute in from The Capital to take up a new post here in Jingjiang City."

"On the surface, this is a great thing."

Zhu Wenhao analyzed clearly, "My grandfather is old and should have been enjoying his retirement long ago. My mother has been the only one by his side busy taking care of things, but there are some matters that are inconvenient for her to handle."

"The current situation in Jiangnan Province is full of undercurrents, with various forces clashing. With my uncle back, he can legitimately take charge of the Li family's overall affairs. For those of us below, the burden on our shoulders can be a little lighter."

First praise, then suppress; a tactic of playing hard to get.

"However, Minister Xiao. Have you thought about an extremely realistic question?"

"If, one day in the future, the power of the Provincial Party Committee changes hands. If only one of the two—my father Zhu Tianhe or my uncle Li Zhengxing—can be chosen to succeed you."

Zhu Wenhao threw out the fatal question, "Tell me, who would be more beneficial to you personally to succeed you?"

"One is someone you trained yourself, someone you know inside and out, and someone who is grateful for your guidance."

"The other is the legitimate heir of the Li family."

"Who, after you retreat to the second line, would still be able to maintain the respect of all parties in the province as they do now?"

"Once my uncle is firmly established and has gathered all the resources of the Li Faction, will this big tree, which you have painstakingly supported for my grandfather for so many years, still follow your every command as it does now?"

Minister Xiao's fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the table.

"I know you are loyal and righteous, and that you do this to repay the favor of my grandfather's promotion all those years ago."

Zhu Wenhao's words carried a bleakness that pierced through the ways of the world.

"But, after so many years of storms, how many open attacks and secret arrows have you blocked, and how much heart's blood have you contributed to preserve the Li family's foundation?"

"This account of favors—after calculating it back and forth, isn't it time to settle the score?"

"You hold the high position of Minister of the Organization Department and have seen countless people. You must have seen too many once-powerful figures who, once they handed over their power and retired, found their doors deserted within three years, with not even an old subordinate to visit during the New Year."

"The reason they ended up in such a bleak state, in the final analysis, is because they had no successor, or they handed over power to the wrong person."

"When my grandfather retires, with you as the pillar supporting the sky in front, everyone will give him full respect wherever he goes. But if you hand over the position to the Li family, when the day comes for you to retire, who will support you? Who will protect the career stability of your old subordinates?"

"The favor has been repaid; you cannot let your own legacy end in your own hands."

These words, like peeling an onion, laid out the most hidden worries deep inside Minister Xiao's heart, layer by layer, under the sun.

Zhu Wenhao was gambling.

He was certain that the fact Minister Xiao chose to meet him in this private teahouse meant that this Minister of the Organization Department was absolutely unwilling to be a passive successor waiting for his end.

Once one has drunk the wine of power, no one is willing to easily put down the cup.

Zhu Wenhao quietly picked up the teacup in front of him, letting the tea fragrance curl up.

His gaze never left Minister Xiao's face.

Minister Xiao sat there, his facial muscles twitching slightly.

Years of cultivation allowed him to maintain an outward appearance of calm, but the turbulent struggle and weighing of options in his eyes, and even the realization of being awakened from a dream by someone's words, alternated and changed deep within his pupils.

The room was filled with the fragrance of tea, quietly awaiting the final decision of the chess player.