Ma Xudong merely smiled, withholding his true thoughts. Check latest chapters at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
He only said, "It's just a pity that the environment you grew up in was so harsh. The situation with you and Zhang Hongyang is really annoying and complicated. As someone who has been through the officialdom, my advice is for you to move as soon as possible, to leave Yangzhou and develop in the Provincial City."
"Oh, ha~~~ Secretary Ma, thank you for your concern. I will try my best to do so. Indeed, staying in Yangzhou, the Zhang Family is a problematic matter."
"Yes, the Zhang Family is a problematic issue. Local powerful people have a very special existence in officialdom. One could say..."
Unknowingly, the topic had opened up.
Ma Xudong, an experienced official, had a heartfelt conversation with Liu Zhizhong about many things.
Apart from avoiding any mention of corruption and bribery, what was discussed could be considered valuable insights, helping Liu Zhizhong understand and grasp the commonalities and realities of officialdom better.
Of course, Ma Xudong also asked about Liu Zhizhong's situation at the Party School. After learning more, he expressed great admiration, saying it takes great suffering to better oneself and congratulated him on surviving such harsh conditions, affirming that he indeed had a promising future. Not to mention that this incident involved saving Minister Luo's daughter, which definitely scored points for him. Such points are very helpful for you to move out of Yangzhou.
To tell the truth, Ma Xudong greatly valued Liu Zhizhong as a talented individual.
He only regretted his own downfall and lamented that Liu Zhizhong was married; otherwise, as soon as Ma Qingqing graduated from university, Liu would have been an excellent choice for a son-in-law.
Those were the private thoughts and true feelings he had concealed earlier.
Now, even if Liu Zhizhong and Zhao Yan were to divorce, he felt that Liu marrying Ma Qingqing would not be beneficial for Liu's future growth. Having a father-in-law in prison could spell trouble for a son-in-law engaged in any line of work.
Unknowingly, the prison guard beside them indicated there was only one more minute left.
The 15 minutes allotted for the visit had flown by all too quickly.
Ma Xudong was taken aback subconsciously, but he could only smile helplessly and said, "Zhizhong, keep it up. There's not much more I can say. I should also strive to have my sentence reduced for good behavior and get out early. However, this place actually suits people very well. I've managed to get in good physical shape here; my diet is light and regular, I've lost weight, and I feel more energetic, haha..."
Liu Zhizhong nodded, "All right, Secretary Ma, keep it up. But my aunt hasn't come to visit you, please don't hold it against her, okay?"
"Mm, Zhizhong, I won't hold it against her. Yuqing has led a hard life. With two tough marriages, she really is a pitiable person. I'm very thankful to her for creating that security platform for Qingqing's safety. It was really a great move."
"Secretary Ma's magnanimity and breadth of vision are examples for me to follow! Qingqing's safety has always been a top priority for my aunt and me in life."
"Mm, thank you both, I'm grateful to you. From now on, when you visit, just call me Uncle Ma, I'm really not fit to be called Secretary any longer. Oh, will you visit again?"
"Yes, of course, why wouldn't we? Haha…"
With laughter, the phone line was cut off as the allocated time ended.
Ma Xudong stood up, gave Liu Zhizhong two thumbs up, then turned around smilingly and was escorted back by the prison guard.
Liu Zhizhong stood by the window, observing Ma Xudong's somewhat emaciated shadow. He did not perceive the desolation typical of a fallen official but rather sensed a relieved and composed ease.
Perhaps, for people like them, being imprisoned was also a kind of release?
Liu Zhizhong even considered that some fallen officials, having amassed sufficient money and moved it abroad, lived luxuriously overseas with wives, mistresses, and illegitimate children while they served privileged sentences in China. Once released, they could simply join their families abroad under the pretense of traveling, enjoying a life of luxury anew.
Isn't there a saying? One person goes to jail, the whole family prospers.
This was quite a common scenario, but perhaps Ma Xudong was an exception? His money, after all, had contributed to the state treasury, haha…