Other business? What business could there possibly be?

Thinking about this, Wang Ziqing couldn't help but pat Zhao Guoyang on the shoulder and said, "Guoyang, your performance at the meeting just now was truly beyond all expectations. I am genuinely glad that Jiangnan Province has a talent like you... Do you have any plans for your future work?"

"Uh..." Zhao Guoyang hadn't expected Wang Ziqing to address this issue so quickly, and he was momentarily taken aback.

After a brief thought, Zhao Guoyang answered frankly, "Director Wang, my future work is very simple. I'll continue doing technical work at the Hongda Machinery Factory, and under Director Mu's leadership, strive to help the factory grow stronger and more successful step by step..."

"Ah!" As soon as Zhao Guoyang finished speaking, before Wang Ziqing could react, Zhao Siyan beside them let out an involuntary exclamation.

Catching the simultaneous glances from both Zhao Guoyang and Wang Ziqing, Zhao Siyan's cheeks flushed. Feeling a bit uneasy, she said, "Well, Director Wang, I'm just a little surprised. Because I feel that with Guoyang's abilities, he ought to have a much better destination..."

Wang Ziqing let out an "hmm" and stroked his chin, saying, "Well, Researcher Zhao is completely right on that point! Given Guoyang's capability, even if he came to our Provincial Machinery Industry Commission, he could at least be a deputy division chief."

"However, everyone has their own aspirations. Since Guoyang has decided to stay at the Hongda Machinery Factory to continue exercising his talents, our Jiangnan Machinery Industry Commission will naturally fully respect his personal choice..."

Wang Ziqing's words made Zhao Siyan's suspicions grow gradually deeper.

However, she also knew that a leader's thoughts were certainly beyond her ability to fathom, so she remained silent for the time being.

Although Zhao Siyan didn't understand the implication behind Wang Ziqing's words, Zhao Guoyang understood every bit of it.

Undoubtedly, Wang Ziqing had only one simple hope regarding whether he stayed or left, and that was to remain in Jiangnan Province.

As for whether he continued to stay at the Hongda Machinery Factory or went to other government units, Wang Ziqing didn't really mind.

After all, as long as he was in Jiangnan Province, the Provincial Machinery Industry Commission could requisition or second him at any time.

Therefore, whether he was willing to go to the Machinery Industry Commission or not was of little consequence.

After chatting with Zhao Guoyang and Zhao Siyan for a while, Wang Ziqing prepared to ask them to head back to the hotel first.

The few of them were not included in the organizing committee's banquet at noon, so going back to the hotel to rest a bit seemed like a good choice.

Naturally, Zhao Guoyang and the others raised no objections to Director Wang's proposal and nodded in agreement. The three of them chatted as they walked outside.

The car that Wang Ziqing had requisitioned from the Songjiang Municipal Machinery Industry Commission was parked in the parking lot outside the exhibition hall.

When he, Zhao Guoyang, and Zhao Siyan arrived, the driver had already stepped out of the vehicle.

"Director Wang!" The driver respectfully opened the rear door and made a "please" gesture to Wang Ziqing.

After getting into the car, Zhao Guoyang and Director Wang sat in the back, while the front passenger seat was left for the only woman, Zhao Siyan.

Once the car started, the driver glanced at Zhao Guoyang through the rearview mirror, gave a light cough, and said, "Section Chief Zhao, a colleague from the Machinery Industry Commission just came here from the office, saying that Vice Director Ma Jian from your Hongda Machinery Factory has arrived and is waiting for you at our municipal commission."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guoyang was startled. He didn't know why Director Ma had suddenly come to Songjiang City.

Wang Ziqing, sitting beside him, was also somewhat puzzled and frowned as he said, "Guoyang, when Director Liu Yaohong requisitioned you, didn't he explain to your factory that it might take four or five days? How is it that only three days have passed, and your factory's leaders have tracked you down? Could it be they're afraid our Provincial Machinery Industry Commission is going to poach you away!"

Hearing the slight displeasure in Wang Ziqing's tone, Zhao Guoyang quickly smoothed things over for Director Ma, saying, "No, no, Director Liu explained the situation fully and accurately to our factory. Director Ma Jian coming to Songjiang City probably isn't to look for me; he most likely has other business!"

"Other business? What business could he have?" Wang Ziqing was clearly not so easily fooled.

Mentioning this, Zhao Guoyang actually recalled a certain matter. He slapped his forehead and said, "I remember now, Director Wang. Earlier, the factory kept talking about buying a laser spot welding machine, and in the early stages, I also gathered some information on this and reported it to several of the directors."

"It was only delayed because Director Ma has been quite busy lately. His coming to Songjiang City this time is probably for this very matter."

"Oh? If that's the case, it's understandable." Hearing this, Wang Ziqing gently patted the back of the front passenger seat where the driver sat and said, "Xiao Li, please turn around and go to your Machinery Industry Commission first."

The driver, Xiao Li, acknowledged the instruction, nimbly flicked on the turn signal, and headed straight toward the Machinery Industry Commission.

...

At the Songjiang Municipal Machinery Industry Commission, Zhao Guoyang met Director Ma Jian, who had been waiting for quite a while.

The moment he saw Zhao Guoyang arrive, Ma Jian, who had been feeling somewhat restless, was inexplicably excited.

He rushed forward, grabbed Zhao Guoyang's hand in both of his, and shook it vigorously, saying, "Guoyang, oh Guoyang, I've finally found you. Well, are you finished with your matters here?"

The fact that Zhao Guoyang had come to Songjiang City to attend this auto show was later notified to the Hongda Machinery Factory by Zhou Taishan, the director of the Ninghai Municipal Machinery Industry Commission.

Originally, Zhou Taishan had wanted to keep it under wraps for a couple of days, but he couldn't withstand the hardline attitude of Director Mu Aijun and gave in after just one day.

Hearing that Zhao Guoyang had been taken to the auto show by Liu Yaohong, the director of the Guangling Municipal Machinery Industry Commission, the leaders of the Hongda Machinery Factory all felt a bit uneasy.

Whether it was Mu Aijun, Ma Jian, or Wang Youchang, all of them highly recognized Zhao Guoyang's abilities.

Now that the Guangling Municipal Machinery Industry Commission had made such a move, they were all worried that Zhao Guoyang would be poached.

Although Mu Aijun's administrative rank was not far behind Liu Yaohong's, he was after all only the head of a local state-owned enterprise, and there was still a huge gap in weight compared to the head of a prefecture-level municipal bureau or commission.

If the Guangling Municipal Machinery Industry Commission really took a fancy to Zhao Guoyang and requested his transfer from the Ninghai Municipal Government, the Hongda Machinery Factory would be placed in a very passive position.

In view of this, the Hongda Machinery Factory naturally could not just sit and wait for doom.

Mu Aijun, Party Secretary Zhang Zhizhong, and the two vice directors discussed the matter and decided to let Director Ma use the pretext of purchasing a laser spot welding machine to immediately go to Songjiang City and meet with Zhao Guoyang.

Doing this had two advantages.

First, after Ma Jian went to Songjiang City, it would give the Guangling Municipal Machinery Industry Commission some hesitation when trying to poach someone.

Second, Zhao Guoyang was very familiar with the performance of laser spot welding machines. With him assisting on the side, Ma Jian would also find it easier to make a choice.

Consequently, early in the morning on the third day after Zhao Guoyang's departure, Ma Jian boarded the first bus from Ninghai City to Songjiang City and hurried over, dusty and travel-worn.

Originally, after getting off the bus, Ma Jian had been prepared to rush straight to that so-called auto show. However, after thinking it over carefully, he felt it would be safer to first go to the Songjiang Municipal Machinery Industry Commission to inquire about the situation.

And so, Ma Jian came directly here at the very first opportunity.