Chapter 19: Convening the Meeting

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“Sis, I managed to secure the person for you, but once we started digging, it was shocking. A tiny township like Fangshui has such chaotic poverty alleviation accounts, rampant misuse of funds, and serious corruption and bribery. Just imagine how terrible the corruption must be throughout Anxing County. You’re going to be very busy from now on,” Qin Yi sighed.

“I came to Anxing County with a political mission anyway. Being busy is normal. Thanks in advance for your help with this matter,” Ye Ziyi said softly.

“No need to thank me. Anxing County is a mess. If you can root out these rotten elements, the Discipline Inspection Commission should be the ones thanking you,” Qin Yi stuck her tongue out.

While the two were talking, Zhao Gang and Li Haotian were hastily summoned for questioning by the county authorities.

As for Song Bo and Niu Dashan, who were under investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission, they had still not been released, indicating they were truly in trouble.

At the county government, Zhao Gang and Li Haotian were scolded harshly.

After leaving the building, both of them hung their heads low.

Deng Song had been waiting outside and quickly caught up with Zhao Gang, while Wang Shaojie took Li Haotian to another vehicle. The leadership team of Fangshui Township, except for Lin Xiyue, had all come to the county.

“Secretary Zhao, how’s the situation?” Deng Song asked anxiously.

He had been on edge these past days. It wasn’t because he was involved, but since Zhao Gang was implicated, if Zhao fell, his own prospects would be over.

“It’s okay. This time, the investigation mainly targeted the Poverty Alleviation Office’s accounts. No other individuals or matters have been involved so far,” Zhao Gang exhaled deeply, speaking gravely.

He had been uneasy and stressed these days, his hair graying significantly.

The discovery of embezzlement in the Poverty Alleviation Office was a responsibility he, as the secretary, could not shirk.

Rumor had it that personnel changes at the county level were imminent. His chances of promotion were nil; even a lateral transfer within the county would be a relief.

After a pause, Zhao Gang continued, “Four people from the Poverty Alleviation Office were taken in. Song Bo probably won’t get out for life, but Niu Dashan surprised me—he was only demoted.”

Deng Song was somewhat surprised. “He wasn’t involved?”

Zhao Gang raised an eyebrow and said solemnly, “If he weren’t involved, why would he be demoted? His offense wasn’t as serious as Song Bo’s. I originally thought Li Haotian had instructed Niu Dashan to embezzle funds, but it turned out Song Bo was covertly pulling the strings. He almost dragged me down too. He deserves to be locked up.”

Thinking of this made Zhao Gang’s teeth itch with anger.

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Fortunately, Li Haotian was also reprimanded by Li Zhen, which somewhat comforted Zhao.

“Secretary Zhao, I feel something strange about this case. The county didn’t notify us at all. The Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission bypassed the county commission and came directly,” Deng Song said, puzzled.

Zhao Gang nodded. “Yes, that’s why this case is so thorny. I heard the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission’s Qin Yi is personally supervising the investigation. The county leaders can’t intervene directly.”

Deng Song was more shocked. “The city is making such a fuss over a tiny township like Fangshui? That’s unbelievable.”

Zhao Gang’s expression shifted, and he gritted his teeth. “It’s probably Lin Xiyue’s doing!”

“Secretary Lin? Her?”

“Exactly. County Magistrate Li went to great lengths to dig up some inside information. It’s said a woman called in the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission. Who else could it be but Lin Xiyue?”

Deng Song was startled. “Does she really have that much power?”

“Don’t underestimate her. When she was transferred to Fangshui, we analyzed that she must have someone backing her, though we never uncovered her background. This time, I insisted on making Lu Hao take the fall against her wishes, and she retaliated fiercely against me and Li Haotian.”

“But at least Li Haotian managed to clear his name, and Song Bo took the blame. That’s why the situation didn’t escalate further. Otherwise, I might have been finished too,” Zhao Gang said, his face dark and shaken.

Deng Song’s heart skipped a beat, growing even more wary of Lin Xiyue.

“By the way, Secretary Zhao, I just remembered something Xiao Sun reported to me…” Deng Song began, then mentioned that Lin Xiyue had assigned Lu Hao to temporarily manage the Poverty Alleviation Office.

Zhao Gang’s expression faltered, but he quickly raised an eyebrow. “Hmph, she’s doing that to send me a message—revoke Lu Hao’s punishment and make him director of the Poverty Alleviation Office.”

“Make him director? That’s impossible. He just arrived a few days ago and isn’t qualified,” Deng Song disapproved.

“Do I have a choice? This nearly sank us. We can’t afford to ignore Lin Xiyue. We have such a big ‘Buddha’ hidden in Fangshui Township—we must keep him well.”

“I really don’t understand why Secretary Lin favors Lu Hao so much. Could there be some connection between them?” Deng Song was baffled.

“Who knows? Since she’s protecting Lu Hao, we can treat him well too. I heard County Magistrate Li dislikes Lu Hao, and Li Haotian is on the same side. They’re targeting him. Let the bad guys handle that,” Zhao Gang sneered.

“Anyway, Li Zhen won’t become the top leader now. Let Li Haotian continue colluding with Li Zhen. Our focus should be on the new county party secretary—that’s the smart move.”

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Deng Song nodded repeatedly. Today’s words from Zhao Gang had truly shocked him.

Back at the township, Zhao Gang immediately convened a leadership meeting.

Both he and Li Haotian looked particularly grim, especially Li Haotian.

Hong Haifeng, the executive deputy township head, snorted and continued smoking, seeing their expressions.

Lin Xiyue sat there, looking over her work notes, completely indifferent to everyone’s moods as if none of it concerned her.

Wang Shaojie naturally said nothing. He had just arrived in Fangshui Township and bore no responsibility for whatever was happening.

Soon, Zhao Gang summarized the corruption issues in the Poverty Alleviation Office and conducted a self-criticism. He then shifted to the main topic.

“There’s still one matter that must be resolved—the personnel of the Poverty Alleviation Office. Poverty alleviation is the top priority for our township and the entire county. Most of the staff in the office have been implicated and removed. We must immediately fix the staffing issue so that poverty work can continue. Does anyone have suggestions?”

Zhao Gang looked around, but no one spoke. He quickly turned to Lin Xiyue and gently asked, “Secretary Lin, your opinion?”

By convention, after Zhao spoke, the second-in-command Li Haotian would usually respond first. Even if Zhao asked for opinions, he should have asked Li Haotian before anyone else. This time, Zhao skipped Li Haotian, which surprised everyone.

“I have no objections. I will abide by the organization’s decision,” Lin Xiyue said formally.

Her noncommittal answer left Zhao Gang in a bind. He couldn’t openly propose Lu Hao’s name, so he gave Hong Haifeng a subtle nod.

Without hesitation, Hong Haifeng said, “I believe that after this Discipline Inspection review, Comrade Lu Hao is innocent and has no faults. Now that the Poverty Alleviation Office needs personnel, I suggest revoking Lu Hao’s punishment so he can focus fully on poverty alleviation work.”

Li Haotian glared fiercely at Hong Haifeng and said sternly, “I disagree! Do you think punishments are a joke? They’re organizational decisions—not something you can revoke at will. Besides, the Discipline Inspection not finding issues doesn’t mean Lu Hao is faultless.”

“Are you questioning the Discipline Inspection’s findings, Li Township Chief? Or do you think they’re shielding Lu Hao?” Lin Xiyue suddenly interjected coldly.

Her words made Li Haotian’s face flush with anger and embarrassment. He dared not retort and could only continue, “I’m not questioning the Discipline Inspection. I just believe revoking Lu Hao’s punishment would undermine the organization’s authority. I disagree.”