11: Chapter 11 The enemy of my enemy is my friend

The Auditorium was packed with a dense crowd.

A buzz of discussion filled the air, creating a chaotic din.

Everyone was quite curious about the new Secretary taking office, especially after hearing that he was very young and had been parachuted in directly from above; this only heightened their curiosity.

"He's here, he's here!"

Someone shouted, and many people turned to look. They saw the township leaders escorting three people into the Auditorium.

Most people recognized two of them; one was the Standing Committee member of the County Party Committee and Organization Minister Sun Zhen, and the other was Township Head Liu Qiang.

That unfamiliar face was undoubtedly the new Secretary.

Too young!

Some people even started to feel disappointed—what could someone so young possibly accomplish?

"Can this greenhorn even hold his position steady?"

"He's too young. At first glance, I thought he was just a fresh college graduate!"

"Sigh, he's probably just here to pad his resume. Expecting him to do any real work for Dahe Township is wishful thinking!"

"..."

Hearing these remarks, the corners of Township Head Liu Qiang's mouth curled up slightly. Not bad; this was exactly the effect he wanted. If everyone was dissatisfied with the new Secretary, his plan to isolate him would be easier to execute.

Qin Chuan had excellent hearing and, of course, heard these comments. However, his face remained calm and composed, showing remarkable steadiness.

Since you think I'm young and incapable of doing real work, I will let time prove everything. I will let everyone see how I lead Dahe Township to soar.

Amidst everyone's gaze, Qin Chuan walked steadily to the podium and sat down in his assigned seat.

He showed no signs of nervousness, remaining very calm.

This performance made some people's eyes light up. They thought to themselves, perhaps the new Secretary isn't simple, and not as he appears on the surface.

This cadre meeting was hosted by Township Head Liu Qiang.

Facing the microphone, he said in a loud voice, "Comrades, our new Secretary has officially taken office today. Next, Organization Minister Sun Zhen, Standing Committee member of the County Party Committee, will announce the new Secretary's appointment!"

Scattered applause rang out in the Auditorium.

Organization Minister Sun Zhen wore a serious expression as he read out the County Party Committee's appointment of Qin Chuan. He also gave a speech, demanding that the Dahe Township leadership team remain united and work hard to build a better Dahe Township, while also outlining some of the County Party Committee's requirements for the team.

Then it was Township Head Liu Qiang's turn to speak.

His speech was formal and standard, basically formulaic—for instance, expressing support for the County Party Committee's appointment, pledging to unite around the new Secretary, and promising to cooperate with the new Secretary's work, and so on.

Qin Chuan also gave a speech.

The entire meeting lasted about an hour. After the meeting adjourned, most people left to go home, while the township leaders, along with the main heads of the various stations and offices, remained behind—about thirty people in total.

The luncheon had already been arranged.

Not far diagonally across from the Township Government was a decent restaurant. The entire second floor had been booked, filling four large tables.

Township Head Liu Qiang invited him, "Minister Sun, it's lunchtime. How about we all have a simple meal?"

When a new official takes office, hosting a lavish welcome banquet is the custom.

Organization Minister Sun Zhen readily agreed, "Then we will eat before returning to the county."

The group walked into the restaurant. Organization Minister Sun Zhen sat in the seat of honor, with Qin Chuan and Township Head Liu Qiang sitting on his left and right, respectively.

The banquet was very lively.

Led by Township Head Liu Qiang, everyone toasted Qin Chuan one after another, round after round, appearing very harmonious and united.

Seeing this situation, Organization Minister Sun Zhen nodded slightly.

Perhaps he had really overthought things before; Township Head Liu Qiang was performing well, showing no signs of having any objections to the new Secretary. The team was quite united.

In fact, Organization Minister Sun Zhen had misjudged the situation.

Township Head Liu Qiang was so enthusiastic, even taking the lead in toasting Qin Chuan, for only one purpose: to get Qin Chuan drunk and see him make a fool of himself.

Once a person is drunk, they often do a series of unbelievable things. If the new Secretary got drunk and lost his composure on his first day, it would be a huge blow to his prestige—this was exactly what Township Head Liu Qiang wanted to see.

Unfortunately, Township Head Liu Qiang had miscalculated slightly.

After downing at least a jin of baijiu, Qin Chuan still acted like nothing had happened, even raising his glass to say:

"Township Head Liu Qiang, from today on, we are comrades in the same trench. Come, I'll toast you—cheers to our future cooperation!"

With so many people present, the top leader was personally offering a toast; it was certainly impossible to refuse.

Township Head Liu Qiang picked up his glass, clinked it lightly against Qin Chuan's, and bit the bullet to drink the glass.

His alcohol tolerance was not bad, but he had already drunk at least seven or eight taels, and with this glass, he was basically at his limit.

Besides, they were using large glasses now, the kind that held two or three taels each.

This was lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet.

Switching to large glasses had been Township Head Liu Qiang's own suggestion, intended to get Qin Chuan drunk. Little did he know, as soon as they switched to large glasses, Qin Chuan was the first to clink glasses with him.

After this large glass, his stomach was churning, and it felt terrible.

As for Qin Chuan?

He was completely fine, as if what he had just drunk wasn't baijiu, but a cup of plain water.

Qin Chuan realized once again that since his physical constitution had improved, not only had his strength, reaction speed, physical durability, and mental fortitude greatly increased—reaching the ceiling of human limits—but his alcohol tolerance had also improved along with them.

He couldn't get drunk no matter how much he drank; it was just like drinking plain water.

In the officialdom, having a good physique or being able to drink were both good things.

Secretly observing Township Head Liu Qiang's reaction, Qin Chuan was extremely satisfied.

Others didn't notice it, including Organization Minister Sun Zhen, but Qin Chuan had already seen it: Township Head Liu Qiang wanted to get him drunk and make him make a fool of himself on his first day. Heh, he was destined to be disappointed. The one who would be drunk today should be you, not me.

This one glass wasn't enough; he needed to increase the amount further and completely drink this guy under the table.

Qin Chuan was just wondering what excuse to find to clink glasses with him again when, to his surprise, someone stood up and said loudly:

"Township Head Liu, it is impolite not to reciprocate. The new Secretary took the initiative to toast you, so you should return the favor. Everyone, am I right?"

The person speaking was Discipline Committee Member Ma Zhengnan.

As soon as this suggestion was shouted out, it actually received support from a few people.

"Right, Comrade Ma Zhengnan is right!"

"Township Head Liu, don't be a coward!"

Qin Chuan glanced at Ma Zhengnan and thought to himself: This is getting interesting. It's clear that this Ma Zhengnan is probably usually at odds with Township Head Liu Qiang.

It seems the Dahe Township leadership team isn't an iron plate after all.

This is a good thing. As long as it's not an iron plate, Qin Chuan has the confidence to win some people over and get them to support him.

He had guessed correctly indeed. As expected of Qin Chuan, he saw through the intricacies at a glance; Ma Zhengnan was indeed at odds with Township Head Liu Qiang.

Their infighting had been going on for two or three years, ever since Ma Zhengnan was transferred from the County Commission for Discipline Inspection to Dahe Township as a Discipline Committee Member. It had never stopped, though Township Head Liu Qiang had basically been suppressing Ma Zhengnan the whole time.

Now was an opportunity, and Ma Zhengnan didn't let it slip, directly and loudly suggesting that Township Head Liu Qiang drink another glass.

The new Secretary, the top leader, took the initiative to clink glasses with you; if you don't return the favor, that wouldn't be very good, would it?

In this situation, Township Head Liu Qiang had no choice but to bite the bullet and pick up his glass.