Fang Zhongshu was slightly startled.

Then he casually asked, "Oh? Why do you say that?"

Chen Fang replied, "Yesterday I did not inform you of my identity, yet you found your way to the city committee. Moreover, you heard my conversation with Qianqian yesterday, knowing that Li Yuting was coming today, you still made a special trip to the city committee, waiting in front of so many people for me to invite you to dinner. There must be a reason behind this."

"So, what do you think the reason could be?"

Fang Zhongshu, neither confirming nor denying, asked with a smile.

Chen Fang looked up, deep in thought for a moment.

He said, "Either, Elder Fang, you were there to support me, or you were there to warn Li Yuting?"

"Which do you think it was, the former or the latter?"

"The latter is more likely, I guess."

Chen Fang stated confidently.

After hearing this, Fang Zhongshu laughed heartily.

He said, "When I was in office, Li Yuting was just a county official. At that time, he was quite diligent and had a good reputation, which is why he was promoted to vice governor. I don't know why, but after he reached higher positions, his entire disposition changed, becoming extremely bureaucratic, always liking to put on airs wherever he went. It seems he's been poisoned by officialdom."

"Officialdom poison? What is that?"

Chen Fang asked.

Fang Zhongshu chuckled and said, "That's a term I coined myself. When people reach high positions, they often become arrogant, losing sight of their identities, thinking they are above everyone else, and expecting others to revolve around them. I refer to this condition as 'officialdom poison.'"

"What a vivid term, 'officialdom poison.'"

Chen Fang exclaimed.

Fang Zhongshu sighed and said, "I came here today also to see, after so many years, whether this guy has made any progress. It turns out he's still the same, unclear in his thinking. Well, never mind, I'm already retired, and it's no longer my place to intervene in many things. Having a bowl of noodles to eat is already enough."

As he said these words,

Fang Zhongshu seemed very sorrowful.

He paused for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Young man, I heard that you've been transferred to Wulan City?"

"Although Elder Fang is retired, you're still quite well-informed."

Chen Fang said with a smile.

Fang Zhongshu, straightforward as ever, waved his hand and said, "Among the twelve prefecture-level cities in East River Province, this old man still knows a few people. Finding out your identity was a simple matter. I'm not here to support you or to warn Li Yuting, but to caution you."

"Warn me? What about?"

Chen Fang asked in surprise.

Fang Zhongshu smiled slightly and said, "As a young man climbing to the top, choosing sides is necessary, but some powers are better kept distant. Otherwise, when you find yourself utterly destroyed, it will be too late for regrets."

"Elder Fang, you might be mistaken. Although I, Chen Fang, am nothing special, I never engage in such activities as taking sides."

"Oh? Then how do you explain your recent promotion?"

"I was completely taken aback, I hadn't received any prior notice."

Chen Fang said candidly.

After staring into his eyes for a long time, Fang Zhongshu suddenly sighed deeply.

He said, "I understand now, I understand. I thought your promotion was due to a powerful backer, but now it seems someone wants you out of Guyang City."

Chen Fang shivered slightly.

He asked, "You mean, my promotion was orchestrated by the Hou Family?"

"So you knew?"

"I didn't know before, but what you've said has led me to think of that possibility. They're the ones who would least want me to stay in Guyang City, but why transfer me to Wulan City?"

As soon as he asked this,

he quivered.

He said, "I see, I understand now. It's Zhao Yiping. As the secretary-general of the city government, that makes me Zhao Yiping's top secretary, using Zhao Yiping to suppress me would become an easy task."

Following that,

he suddenly grasped Fang Zhongshu's hand and said, "Mr. Fang, thank you. Without your words, I would still be in the dark."

"Hahaha... It has nothing to do with me; I was here to remind you. But since there was an unexpected gain, it's not a loss for you to pay for the meal. Kid, I quite like you. You have the temperament I had when I was young."

After saying this,

Fang Zhongshu slowly stood up.

"Mr. Fang, let me take you back."

Chen Fang immediately said.

Fang Zhongshu waved his hand and said, "No need. I've been around Guyang City for several days now; it's time to change places and see more. Although I'm retired, for some reason, I can't let go of this land. I guess I'm just destined to worry all my life. Kid, go do a good job in Wulan City. You, my boy, will definitely have a limitless future as long as you avoid the 'official's poison.'"

"Mr. Fang, rest assured, I guarantee I won't be poisoned,"

Chen Fang said earnestly.

Fang Zhongshu laughed heartily again.

He waved his hand and said, "Then, if fate allows, we'll meet again. Who knows, we might meet in Wulan City."

After dropping that line,

he walked away slowly with his hands behind his back.

Watching Mr. Fang's figure disappear,

Chen Fang then flopped back into his seat.

He had clarified the issue of his promotion.

However, there was still one thing he couldn't figure out.

If he had disrupted the Hou Family's plans and prevented them from gaining any benefits in the Economic Development Zone, why would they still promote him? They could have easily found an excuse to "exile" him, couldn't they?

The promotion from deputy division level to division level.

It might seem like just half a level.

But it's like a huge chasm, blocking most people in their careers.

Some people might not achieve such a leap in their entire lives, and yet it was so casually handed to him?

What exactly is the Hou Family plotting?

If he couldn't figure it out, then it's better not to think about it. Whatever was meant to happen would happen in due course. Thinking too much now would only disturb his peace of mind.

In the afternoon,

Liu Mingkai returned to Guyang City.

Accompanying him was the official appointment letter for Chen Fang from the provincial party committee.

According to the requirements of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, Chen Fang must complete the handover of his work within three days, and then officially take up his new post in Wulan City Government next Monday.

This also meant that he was about to start a new chapter in his career.

As soon as the news spread,

Chen Fang's office also became a popular spot.

Not just because of his promotion,

but also because Fang Zhongshu's strong backing had showcased Chen Fang's powerful connections.

Whether they had gotten along with Chen Fang in the past or not, everyone wanted to make good relations with him before he left, since having more friends means more paths.

Having a friend like Chen Fang meant having more than just additional paths.

On the afternoon of the third day,

Chen Fang had almost completed all his handover work.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as he sat down on the sofa, Yu Zhengchuan walked in and said, "Ah Fang, there are visitors from the city."

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