Chapter 83

PS: Fish seriously asks for some votes and some collections. I've made it to the top three rivers, which is really surprising. I thought this book would be so poorly received that it wouldn't have such a strong push. But... I won't say anything more, the editor is a good person—tears are streaming down my face.

However, even more disheartening is the lack of collections after making it to the top three rivers. Fish knows that the book might not be favored by many readers, and it lacks many of those elements. I don't know how many people will follow after it goes on sale, but Fish can't abandon those who are still reading. I can only promise with blood and sweat: now at 4,500, an extra chapter for every 500 collections, and an extra chapter for every 500 votes! I've been on IV drips for the past few days, now I'm half-revived. For this book, even if it flops, I will enter the sewer with dignity.

Thank you, brother dseg, for the tip again.

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I won't make such requests for votes in the future.

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"Ha ha!"

"He he!"

Xu Shulin, the deputy director, who followed the pale-faced man, and Jiang Han, who followed Xu Shulin, were originally quite dejected, but they couldn't help but laugh when Zhao Zhiqiang said, "Pale and clean, the second master descends."

"You!"

The guy with a pale face, a fleshy exterior, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses turned red with anger. "How do you talk to me?"

He was also angry at the two people following him.

Zhao Zhiqiang suddenly put on a serious face.

"How do you talk to me!"

"You, fine, fine, I'll see how you act! Deputy Director Xu, show him the documents, let him give up!"

Zhao Zhiqiang's expression turned cold.

He thought, what are these guys up to.

"Comrade Zhao Zhiqiang, this is Ji Jiao from the street organization and personnel department, Director Ji. He has been out of town for training these days. He is the head of the village cadre election supervision team and just returned. Yesterday, when Director Li De of the street office was reviewing your appointment as village chief, he submitted a document from the district civil affairs bureau. Your file is blank. According to the instructions from Director Ning, your reason for discharge may not meet the political qualification standards, so the process for your appointment as village chief has been suspended. Of course, a final decision still needs a village meeting." Xu Shulin said with some regret.

Jiang Han wanted to ask several times but didn't speak, her eyes full of questions, staring at Zhao Zhiqiang's face, her delicate nose twitching slightly.

Zhao Zhiqiang was a bit surprised but then smiled. "Are you kidding? My file is encrypted by the military, even if there are any issues, it can't be blank or something else. Director Ji, are you saying I'm nothing just because of this? Can I say you're the reincarnation of Zhu Bajie because of the fleshy part under your chin? And I see a black line on your forehead and three scratch marks by your ear. Were you scratched by someone yesterday? Be careful, good luck when you go out, but avoid ditches!"

"I, I was scratched by who, it's none of your business! Stubborn! Superstitious! Hmph, what's the use of being stubborn? This is a red-headed document in black and white! Whether you made a mistake in the army needs to be investigated. We'll talk about your appointment as chief after the investigation!" He showed the document to Zhao Zhiqiang, looking very pleased, almost wanting to stomp on Zhao Zhiqiang's feet. This guy is Li De's direct subordinate, they've worked together for ten years, and he's counting on climbing up through Li De's connections!

Zhao Zhiqiang thought, damn.

What grudge do I have with this Ji guy?

Why does he dislike me so much?

But then he suddenly remembered that Xu Shulin mentioned Director Li De, and he immediately understood.

The issue is with Zhao Tiemao!

He didn't take the document, just smiled coldly.

"Fine, you investigate first. Let me know when you have results!"

This scene reminded him of the night after he returned from Aguo.

The same people, the same red-headed document, a similar outcome.

Suddenly, he wondered if he was wrong.

Fame, money, status, beauty, power... I'm so righteous?

Why, when I want to serve the country and benefit the village, do I suddenly face such opposition, and almost get completely crushed, with no chance to breathe? Looking at the red-headed document and the comments about his political review being不合格 (unqualified) and not being able to serve as the village chief of Chang'an, Zhao Zhiqiang didn't know what to say.

The power of a political review can determine a person's fate in this country.

He didn't expect that Li De could still influence things even under the watchful eyes of so many people at the district and street levels. In fact, he himself had never seen his file, so he didn't know what it looked like.

Blank, because they couldn't see the content. Encrypted files can only be decoded by special departments above the military level.

But, without any resettlement policy, it might really be as the political commissar said, sent back to his hometown?

The worst thing in life is to be slapped in the face when you're on top.

Although Zhao Zhiqiang always believed he was right, what good did it do... He didn't expect this matter to have such an impact.

So be it.

Suddenly, he felt that arguing with this pale-faced fat guy was meaningless. Not being the village chief at most would just bring his father's newly gained momentum back down, and the old Zhao family would return to their original state. Nothing too serious. The political arena... is as deep as the sea, he couldn't play it, and didn't want to play it.

Zhao Zhiqiang is a spontaneous person, his enthusiasm comes and goes quickly.

He turned around.

Walked out of the village committee hall.

Got in the car and slowly drove up the mountain.

"Zhao Zhiqiang!"

Jiang Han called out, but by the time she ran out, the car had already turned around and left the gate. The dejected look on Zhao Zhiqiang's face made her heart tremble.

That kind of dejection, like something precious being taken away, was painful.

"Kid, you need to eat salt for another thirty years to compete with Director Li." Director Ji Jiao sneered, his fat face twitching.

Xu Shulin frowned a few times but didn't say much. The intense debate at yesterday's meeting, where even Secretary Zeng Xiaofeng slammed the table, was useless. Li De had documents from the city organization, civil affairs, and united front departments, and nothing could stop the red-headed document from the higher-ups!

"Secretary Xu, I'll go see him!" Jiang Han suddenly felt uneasy, snatched the document from Director Ji's hand, and ran out.

"Here, take the car!" Xu Shulin threw the car keys.

Jiang Han caught the old Jetta's keys, opened the door, started the car, and turned around. Fortunately, she could still see Zhao Zhiqiang's car climbing up Longbei Slope, so she sped up and followed.

"How are we going back without the car?"

"Hehe, Director Ji, what's growing under your belly?"

"Under my belly? What?"

"Legs! Walk back!" Without finishing his sentence, he left, not looking back at Ji Jiao, who was also a deputy section chief, a position created by the district in recent years.

There were still people in the village committee office. Secretary Zhang couldn't believe the red-headed document was real. Tian Xiuqing was worried about the long string of zeros in the sponsorship money. Hu Jun had been staring at the ceiling for a long time. Only Zhang Jike looked very spirited, perhaps because he was well-served by the girls at Jinzun last night, looking radiant.

"Grandpa Secretary, what do we do now that he can't be the village chief?"

"What grandpa secretary!"

Zhang Weifa roared, "Didn't I tell you to call me Comrade Secretary? This is a public place! Besides, even if Zhiqiang can't be the chief, you can't be either. Look at you, you were crying in the toilet yesterday, disgracing the Zhang family!"

He walked away with his hands behind his back, deliberately bumping into the dog's butt at the gate.

"Bringer of misfortune!"

He kicked a dog that was fighting over a bone, sending it flying.

The big golden retriever howled and ran straight to the first street to Zhao Guangming's house...

Director Ji Jiao couldn't curse or stand still, he was speechless with anger!

Hu Jun thought for a moment, "I'll go find Wu Bing and the others!"

"What about the money? It's burning my hands!" Tian Xiuqing wailed.