111 is secretly very pleased.

Ma Xudong was indeed a man of many faces in the world of officialdom.

Emerging from humble beginnings, he made his own way in the world, and by his forties had climbed to the position of head of both Party and government in a Prefecture-level City, holding a department-level rank. Moreover, he had prospects of advancing to the Provincial City—which truly required some skill.

Such individuals often leverage various resources, directing everything to their advantage for personal development and are especially adept at handling affairs.

The way of officialdom sometimes is simply a way of handling affairs.

As a leader, it doesn't matter if you have genuine talent; what's important is whether you can deal with matters!

Being able to deal with matters tests one's judgment and suavity.

So, clutching a recording, Ma Xudong paid a late-night visit to Vice Governor Cheng Shengyang.

Originally, Ma Xudong's backers in the provincial echelons got along quite amicably with Cheng Shengyang.