Xie Peng looked quite embarrassed, lowering his head to hide everything.

Liu Zhizhong said, "It's no wonder you're pretending not to know each other; it's normal. However, Comrade Xiao Xie, as a Party member, and as a cadre about to step into a leadership position, I still need to speak to you!"

Xie Peng cursed inwardly, calling him names, thinking he's said quite enough!

But as he looked up, he appeared genuinely concerned and sincerely said, "Secretary Liu, please instruct me. Xiao Xie will definitely keep it in mind."

"As a leading cadre, what is the most important thing?"

This question caught Xie Peng completely off-guard, feeling like many answers seemed incorrect.

But he thought for a moment and said, "Loyalty, absolute loyalty to the Party and the people!"

The words were eloquent and forceful, in the same vein as many officials who have faltered! In reality, are these officials loyal? Loyal to the Party and the people? Bah...

Liu Zhizhong chuckled and said, "Comrade Xiao Xie, your response, well, it's somewhat empty and impractical!"

Xie Peng felt a bit awkward, "Xiao Xie's consciousness is indeed much lower than Secretary Liu's. Please enlighten me more!"

Liu Zhizhong took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and said, "I think it's having a sense of the bigger picture. You must have a sense of the bigger picture!"

The words, mild yet powerful, hit straight to the heart.

Xie Peng shuddered, surprised, and quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, Secretary Liu is right. Your guidance is correct! Indeed, we should always maintain an awareness of the bigger picture!"

"And what is the bigger picture for Shanan County?"

Xie Peng was briefly stunned, then smiled and said, "Secretary Liu, Shanan's development and its bright future, that is the bigger picture!"

"Well said! Anything related to Shanan's development is the bigger picture, including our foreign investment medical project. For this bigger picture, we've unified efforts, done a lot of work, yet it's still not perfect. For example, the feud and issues between you and Mr. Wen need to be resolved. Just standing off against each other isn't a solution. Mr. Wen's success may justify his stance. But Comrade Xiao Xie, you're different. You shouldn't act that way. You need to demonstrate a sense of the bigger picture, understand?"

Xie Peng, with a look of sudden realization, tapped his forehead, "Okay, okay, Secretary Liu, I understand now. I've grasped it, thank you! When Mr. Wen returns from Singapore, I will definitely visit him to apologize personally, seek forgiveness, and contribute my due effort for Shanan's medical development!"

Liu Zhizhong nodded, "Ah~~~ that's the spirit, Comrade Xiao Xie! Everything for Shanan's tomorrow, for the people, a little sacrifice is nothing for us. Under the bigger picture, no one can claim to be great, you and I are both small!"

"Right, Secretary Liu summarized it perfectly. My sense of the bigger picture is indeed lacking, and I must definitely strengthen it in the future!" Xie Peng nodded, cursing him inwardly for being such a con artist, no wonder the higher-ups like him so much.

Liu Zhizhong seemed very pleased, "Being able to understand so quickly shows you're a talent! Having you by County Head Zhang's side allows you to do many things for him. But, between you and Mr. Wen, is there something you're hiding from me?"

"Ah? What... what is it?" Xie Peng's heart skipped a beat, unsure of Liu Zhizhong's intentions anymore.

Liu Zhizhong, smiling, said, "Think about it, reflect on it yourself?"