"One statement startled everyone present!"
"The Ling family's patriarch has changed?"
"Wasn't Ling Zhigao, the Ling family's head, doing a fine job?"
"Ling Zhigao was even the director of our martial arts hall before. How come he just resigned as director and immediately abdicated his family position? Is there some conspiracy behind this?"
"Tsk tsk, I reckon Ling Zhigao must have offended some big shot!"
"The Ling family has deep roots in Jiangbei. There shouldn't be anyone who can interfere in their internal affairs!"
"Hmm, there probably aren't that many tricks involved. It's just that the Ling family's actions this time are quite significant. They even invited an influential figure from the war zone. I'm very curious about the identity of this new patriarch!"
"Exactly! Who is this new patriarch? Why haven't we heard any whispers about him before?"
"Heh heh, your news has always been slow. It's normal that you haven't received any news. After all, you didn't receive news when the new director took office either, did you?"
...
A wave of murmurs followed. Dong Jinghua, however, felt a stir in her heart. She immediately gave a faint smile and said, "Heh heh, have the other high-ranking officials in the dojo not received invitations?"
As soon as she said this, the crowd below fell completely silent.
Many people began contacting their stewards or assistants. The final result was that they had not received any invitations.
This made everyone feel a bit disgruntled. After all, many of them had been subordinates of Ling Zhigao before. To their surprise, they hadn't received any invitations now.
Doesn't this mean the Ling family doesn't take them seriously at all?
"Heh heh, everyone, please calm down. Perhaps the Ling family's invitations are delayed. We only received this news temporarily, and everyone's invitations will arrive soon!"
Dong Jinghua spoke to appease everyone. Then, she took her invitation and said to the crowd, "I wonder who among you is interested in accompanying me to the Ling family banquet tonight. This invitation of mine can bring six people!"
Upon hearing this, the comfort they had just felt was instantly pierced.
An invitation only allowed for two people at most. How did it become six for Dong Jinghua?
This was very clear: the Ling family had only allocated six spots to the Jiangbei All-People Martial Arts Hall!
And who would go was not something the former director, Ling Zhigao, could decide. It was all up to Dong Jinghua.
Was Ling Zhigao intentionally building momentum for Dong Jinghua?
But no matter what, everyone knew this was an opportunity, and a time for them to declare their stance. Whoever went with Dong Jinghua today would likely become her confidant in the future.
Of course, if they went, it would also be equivalent to telling Vice Director Zhang Jia that they would be opposing him from now on!
However, for newcomers eager to make a name for themselves, they would absolutely not miss this chance, even if the old foxes might remain neutral and show some hesitation.
Immediately, someone stood up and expressed their willingness to go together!
Dong Jinghua didn't hesitate at all. As soon as one person stood up, Dong Jinghua would name them. In less than three seconds, the six spots were confirmed, and they were basically all young people.
Those behind them, even if they had made up their minds, had no chance to stand up now.
Their expressions were all rather grim.
Just then, Vice Director Zhang Jia returned from outside with a group of people. As he entered, he wore an apologetic wry smile and shook his head, "Heh heh, I'm truly sorry. Director Dong, we were indeed busy with some matters and returned a bit late. I wonder if your meeting has concluded!"
Dong Jinghua wore a smile, showing no hint of annoyance. How could Dong Jinghua not understand the meaning behind all of Zhang Jia's actions? It was just that Dong Jinghua didn't take these petty tricks to heart.
At present, Dong Jinghua simply smiled faintly, "Heh heh, the meeting has concluded. Vice Director Zhang doesn't need to worry. I've already had someone record the meeting content, and it will be distributed to everyone later. It's the same to review it later. This content is quite important and concerns many personnel changes and assessments!"
Zhang Jia couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
The expressions of the people around them also changed drastically. They never expected Dong Jinghua to make such a big move right after arriving, starting a reshuffle!
Was she not afraid of someone rebelling?
Moreover, they themselves were too lazy to listen to the meeting content, but now, they had no choice but to listen. They would definitely have to review it carefully later!
Zhang Jia felt the panic of those around him and couldn't help but furrow his brows.
"Director Dong, isn't this a bit too fast? You've just taken office and are already making personnel changes. I'm afraid it will cause instability in the troops!"
Dong Jinghua still smiled calmly, "It's alright. What I want is not whether the troops are stable or not. I already understood some of the internal issues of the Jiangbei All-People Martial Arts Hall before I came, and I've long planned to rectify them. If some people intend to deliberately cause trouble, I will not be polite."
These words were spoken with a smile, but they sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Zhang Jia couldn't help but his pupils contracted. He never expected that the smiling Dong Jinghua would be so ruthless and decisive in her methods. This was clearly aimed at eliminating dissent.
But Zhang Jia and his group happened to run into Dong Jinghua's trap on their first day, and they would inevitably become Dong Jinghua's targets!
Furthermore, Zhang Jia was very clear about one thing. Dong Jinghua was dispatched from above. Even if Zhang Jia had external help now, it wouldn't be easy to bring Dong Jinghua down. Therefore, the struggle between the two would only have one outcome: before they even officially clashed, he, Zhang Jia, might be kicked out of here. Being able to retain his current position as vice director would already be quite good!
This caused Zhang Jia's mentality to become unstable.
Someone next to him quickly spoke kindly to the meeting recorder, actively asking for the meeting content, and solemnly assured Dong Jinghua that he would definitely review the meeting content carefully and implement the spirit conveyed...
Although the number of people was not large, it had already achieved Dong Jinghua's goal.
Then, she also smiled faintly at Zhang Jia, "Heh heh, Vice Director Zhang, the Ling family is holding a banquet tonight for the succession of their new patriarch. I just received an invitation, but I can only bring six people. If Vice Director Zhang is willing, you can accompany me!"
"Oh? I just heard this news. Heh heh, Director Dong, I need to check my schedule for tonight. Moreover, if the Ling family hasn't invited me, it would be a bit awkward for me to go!"
Zhang Jia twitched the corner of his mouth and directly refused. The meaning was clear: if the Ling family invited you, they would definitely invite me. Why should I freeload an invitation from you?
Wouldn't that be telling others that you already had my support right after taking office?