Chapter 20: The Director of Poverty Alleviation

Li Haotian had made a promise to Li Zhen that he would never let Lu Hao have an easy time. If he were to rescind the disciplinary action against Lu Hao now, wouldn't it be a slap in his own face?

At this moment, Wang Shaojie wanted to stand up and support Li Haotian; he certainly didn't want to watch Lu Hao’s disciplinary record be cleared, as he was eager to see Lu Hao suffer a major setback.

Before he could speak, however, Deng Song hurriedly caught Li Haotian’s eye and said in a low voice, "Township Head Li, the county-level procedures for Lu Hao's disciplinary action haven't been finalized yet. It can be revoked."

This was the cleverness of Deng Song. Although he was one of Zhao Gang’s people, he often secretly fed information to Li Haotian. He played both sides, never pinning his hopes for promotion on just one person.

Seeing this, Li Haotian’s face darkened, and he said nothing more. After all, he was the only one voicing opposition; persisting further would change nothing. Seeing Li Haotian fall silent, Wang Shaojie had no choice but to hold his tongue as well.

Zhao Gang took the opportunity to speak up: "Very well, then we shall follow the majority: the disciplinary action against Lu Hao is revoked. However, the recent investigation by the Commission for Discipline Inspection has indeed proven that Comrade Lu Hao is innocent and entirely trustworthy. We must admit that our previous disciplinary action against him was a mistake. Furthermore, Comrade Lu Hao is a graduate of a 985 university and has prior work experience at the county committee. It is my opinion that we should not only rescind his punishment but also appoint Comrade Lu Hao to lead poverty alleviation efforts as the Director of the Poverty Alleviation Office."

"What? Secretary Zhao, are you joking? Lu Hao has only been transferred here for a few days. He might not even understand what poverty alleviation entails, let alone lead it as director. This is utter nonsense!" Li Haotian’s eyes widened, his expression one of fury.

The Poverty Alleviation Office was a lucrative post in Fangshui Township, and the position of director had to be held by one of his own men. He absolutely could not accept Lu Hao taking that seat.

"I agree with Township Head Li. Lu Hao has been in Fangshui Township for too short a time and lacks the experience in poverty alleviation to be suitable as director," Wang Shaojie immediately echoed.

Fang Jing had been angry with Lu Hao for the past two days; if Lu Hao not only had his punishment cleared but also became the director, she would surely stop holding a grudge, which was not what Wang Shaojie wanted to see.

"Township Head Wang was also just transferred from the county to our Fangshui Township. Do you mean to say you have experience in grassroots work? Experience is something that is accumulated. I think Lu Hao is quite capable, and in time, he will surely handle poverty alleviation well," Hong Haifeng countered.

Although he had always been in charge of poverty alleviation, his previous subordinates, Song Bo and Niu Dashan, were Li Haotian’s men who paid him lip service while defying his orders, turning the office into a mess. Now that the office was getting a clean slate, Hong Haifeng naturally wanted to push a new face forward to ensure his future work could be carried out effectively.

"Absurd! To have a greenhorn run the Poverty Alleviation Office is extremely irresponsible. I firmly oppose it!" Li Haotian slammed the table.

"I also firmly disagree. If problems arise, who will take the responsibility?" Wang Shaojie asked.

"Since you put it that way, who recommended Song Bo as director in the first place? How did Niu Dashan become deputy director? Now that both of them have caused such a massive scandal, shouldn't someone stand up and take responsibility for that?" Lin Xiyue spoke up again, her words sharp and piercing.

Li Haotian’s face turned ashen, and he wisely shut his mouth. After all, it was he who had pushed hardest for Song Bo and Niu Dashan to run the office.

"Enough, let us stop arguing. If we are not united internally, where will our effectiveness come from? It is no wonder there were issues in the Poverty Alleviation Office. If anyone else has a different opinion, speak up. If not, then Lu Hao is confirmed as the Director of the Poverty Alleviation Office."

Zhao Gang stepped in at the right moment. Seeing that the matter was settled, Li Haotian did not utter another sound. Wang Shaojie wisely refrained from further opposition, and Zhao Gang immediately finalized the decision.

...

Lu Hao was currently overwhelmed. The Poverty Alleviation Office was already understaffed, and with only himself and Tang Chunyan left, he was incredibly busy.

Just then, a dejected figure walked into the office: it was the recently demoted Niu Dashan. Niu Dashan was utterly dispirited, stripped of his former arrogance. But upon seeing Lu Hao handling the paperwork, his anger flared up again. He roared, "Why are you still in this office? Get out at once! Seeing you makes me sick, you jinx."

He was venting all his resentment over his disciplinary action onto Lu Hao. With this black mark on his record, he would never have another opportunity in his life.

"Does that have anything to do with you? Is it any of your business?" Lu Hao sneered. The notice of Niu Dashan’s demotion had been announced by the Party and Government Office throughout the township government; he no longer took Niu Dashan seriously.

"You... kid, don't get cocky. Even if I'm not the deputy director, I’m still the one who calls the shots here. I can still make it so you can't survive in this place!" Niu Dashan sat furiously at his desk, making his chair rattle. Lu Hao couldn't be bothered with such a person and kept his head down to work.

At that moment, Hong Haifeng walked into the office.

"Township Head Hong, why are you here?" Tang Chunyan asked in surprise, hurrying to greet him. Lu Hao also stood up to pay his respects. He had heard from Tang Chunyan that Hong Haifeng was the vice township head in charge of poverty alleviation and his direct superior.

"You must be Lu Hao. I’ve read your file. Young man, you must work hard. Poverty alleviation is tedious and heavy work, and the office has just gone through such a major incident. I will arrange for more staff to assist you soon. From now on, you can report any matters regarding the Poverty Alleviation Office directly to me," Hong Haifeng said, patting Lu Hao heavily on the shoulder.

"I will certainly work hard," Lu Hao said, feeling somewhat flattered. He could feel that Hong Haifeng was genuinely encouraging him; he was the first leader to show him such regard since he arrived in Fangshui Township.

"Hmph, give him an inch and he takes a mile," Niu Dashan muttered dismissively. In his eyes, as long as Li Haotian was around, the "fat" opportunity of the Poverty Alleviation Office would remain firmly in his hands. Hong Haifeng had always been a mere figurehead, and he believed that wouldn't change.

Hong Haifeng glanced at Niu Dashan and smiled meaningfully: "I am here to announce two things. First, the disciplinary action against Comrade Lu Hao is rescinded. Second, Comrade Lu Hao is appointed as the Director of the Poverty Alleviation Office."

"What?" Upon hearing this, Niu Dashan’s eyes widened. Lu Hao was also somewhat shocked; although he knew he might be promoted from acting director to director, he hadn't expected the appointment to come so quickly.

"Director Lu, from now on you are the head of this office. You must manage the poverty alleviation funds well and not let our leadership team down," Hong Haifeng said.

"I will certainly not betray the trust of the leadership," Lu Hao said, visibly moved.

"Good. From now on, Song Bo’s office will be yours. The staff from the Party and Government Office will bring the keys shortly. Secretary Zhao wants to have a talk with you; I’ll take you over there." Hong Haifeng was very satisfied with Lu Hao’s attitude. The Poverty Alleviation Office had been held by Li Haotian for too long; it was time he cultivated his own people.

Seeing Lu Hao leave with Hong Haifeng, Niu Dashan finally snapped back to reality. He knew that someone with a disciplinary record like himself had no chance of becoming director, but he never dreamed that the greenhorn he had constantly bullied would climb above him. To him, this was a humiliation he could not accept.

He had done so much dirty work for Li Haotian, even acting as his shield during this crisis, and now Li Haotian had actually agreed to let Lu Hao lord over him. How could Niu Dashan tolerate that? Fuming with rage, he stormed off to Li Haotian’s office, determined to demand an explanation.