Mayor Zheng was an outsider in Lingjiang, and by the time he arrived, the local powers had long divided and controlled the territory.
This made his work incredibly difficult to carry out, as subordinates simply would not listen, instead only heeding Deputy Mayor Jiang Yuan.
Over the years, he too had been actively cultivating his own team, but to little avail.
After all, as a figurehead with less actual power than even the department heads with real authority in the city, nobody was buying what he was selling.
Left with no other choice, he had to extend his reach into the lower levels of townships.
Li Zhuang was Xu Xin's relative, and though lacking in formal education, he was very reliable and somewhat clever in his dealings.
Most importantly, he was obedient.
When Mayor Zheng told him to go east, he would never go west.
He hadn't treated Li Zhuang poorly either, using his position to secure him a job in the town.