Chapter 19: The Coup

In the past few days, although Zhu Daodong couldn't drink every day, he seemed to no longer need to drown his sorrows in alcohol since his heart was at ease. However, after drinking two jin of old white spirit almost every day for the past few months, the craving for alcohol had taken root in him. Not drinking for a few days made him feel quite restless.

It was a big weekend, and out of boredom, Zhu Daodong wanted to go to the Sanqing Taoist Temple and buy a couple of bottles of old white spirit to satisfy his craving. But just as he reached the school gate, he ran into Vice Principal Zhang Zhichun. As soon as Zhang Zhichun saw Zhu Daodong, he enthusiastically invited him to his home. Zhu Daodong had always maintained a neutral stance with the school leadership, neither offending nor flattering them. Originally, he had intended to curry favor with Liu Tao, but after the Hu Lihua incident, Liu Tao's image in his mind had plummeted.

Zhu Daodong and Zhang Zhichun had not had deep interactions. Perhaps because Liu Tao held Zhu Daodong in high regard, Zhang Zhichun had never complained about Liu Tao in front of him. Instead, he always praised Liu Tao's abilities. However, Zhu Daodong knew that the two were now at odds. Zhang Zhichun, despite being a vice principal, had no real power in the school. Liu Tao, like a miser, clung to his power more tightly than to wealth, keeping everything in his own hands. The positions of vice principal, head of education, and head of administration were virtually meaningless.

When Zhu Daodong arrived at Zhang Zhichun's home, he found several people already seated, including the head of education Xu Zhengwu, the head of administration Pan Yong, and a few other teachers, but not Principal Liu Tao. They looked serious and somewhat excited. Zhu Daodong felt something was amiss. They seemed to be discussing something, and when he entered, they stopped. He hadn't tried to eavesdrop before entering.

"Let's eat first. I've already arranged for someone, so there won't be any problems," Zhang Zhichun said, appearing very excited and animated, as if a windfall had just fallen on him.

"Director Zhu, you should also join in with everyone," Zhang Zhichun insisted, pulling Zhu Daodong to a prominent seat, the so-called main seat.

"Principal Zhang, I can't accept that. I am of low rank and young, and this seat should not be mine," Zhu Daodong said, knowing that everyone present was more senior than him and that they had already formed a group.

What were they planning? Zhu Daodong had been pondering this question. Zhang Zhichun had said he had arranged for someone, and there would be no problems. Who had he arranged for? What problems would there be? Almost everyone present was a key figure in the school, and Liu Tao was not there. Their intentions were becoming clear.

They wanted to take down Liu Tao! Zhu Daodong immediately drew this conclusion. The best way to take down Liu Tao would be to remove him from his position as principal. But Liu Tao's position was secure; it wouldn't be easy to remove him.

Arranged for someone? No problems? Zhu Daodong suddenly thought of something. The best way to bring down a leader was to expose their misconduct. Liu Tao had significant misconduct issues. Did they know about it?

Seeing Zhu Daodong's insistence, Zhang Zhichun reluctantly moved him to a seat next to himself and Xu Zhengwu, but still ahead of Pan Yong. Zhu Daodong had wanted to sit at the end, but Pan Yong insisted, and Zhu Daodong reluctantly sat down. He was determined not to say a word and not to express any opinions, as the storm was brewing.

"Director Zhu, what do you think of these people?" Zhang Zhichun asked Zhu Daodong.

"Principal Zhang, don't make me feel uncomfortable. Just call me Xiao Zhu. Otherwise, I won't dare to eat," Zhu Daodong smiled.

"Alright, Xiao Zhu, you've been at the school for almost half a year. We haven't had a meal together before. What do you think of us?" Zhang Zhichun asked again.

"Good," Zhu Daodong said, not wanting to say more.

"Oh, what about Principal Liu?" Zhang Zhichun asked.

"Um..." Zhu Daodong was speechless, at a loss for words.

"In terms of character, any of us is better than him. Without his position as principal, he's nothing. He wields his power to bully everyone in the school, treating everyone as if they were nothing. He scolds people like scolding dogs. People outside say he has leadership, but what kind of leadership is that? Nonsense! He bullies us, and even the female teachers. He even sleeps with female teachers during the day!" Zhang Zhichun raged, spewing invectives.

Indeed, they already knew about this. Now Zhu Daodong was certain of their plan: a coup! The word suddenly popped into his mind. Liu Tao, this time you're going to bring about your own downfall.

Clearly, they had long harbored resentment against Liu Tao, nodding in agreement. Almost everyone present had been "persecuted" by Liu Tao over the years. With such a good opportunity, they were all eager to take action and rise to the top.

"Originally, I didn't plan to involve anyone, as they all said you were on the same boat as him. But I don't see it that way. You were deceived by him, and at such a critical moment, I have to help you. Your participation will add weight to our cause. What do you think, any objections?" Zhang Zhichun personally poured a glass of wine for Zhu Daodong, earnestly urging him.

Nonsense! Zhu Daodong thought to himself. The first part could be ignored. He was no longer a naive new graduate. Everyone knew that Liu Tao valued him. If he also opposed Liu Tao, it would only confirm his incompetence. Moreover, he had just won a second prize at the city level, and he was sure to receive the county-level and school-level outstanding teacher awards this year. His participation would certainly add weight.

But Zhu Daodong decided to agree, not because he enjoyed beating a fallen enemy, but because Liu Tao's behavior was distasteful. Originally, he was alone, but now with Zhang Zhichun's support, it seemed like a good idea to join in.

"Since Principal Zhang values me so much, I can't let you down," Zhu Daodong said, draining the glass of wine in front of him.

"Great, I knew I didn't misjudge you. You're a passionate young man," Zhang Zhichun said, delighted. He quickly took out a few pages of paper and asked Zhu Daodong to sign and stamp them.

Zhu Daodong took a look. It was a petition against Liu Tao, listing several of his crimes, including disrupting a military marriage, which was a serious offense. Zhu Daodong remembered that Hu Lihua's fiancé was in the military. If this charge was confirmed, Liu Tao's power would be useless. Seeing that others had already signed and stamped, Zhu Daodong did not hesitate and signed and stamped as well.

"Great, the big plan is set!" Zhang Zhichun said happily, secretly admiring Zhu Daodong's actions. College students were indeed wise and knew how to act in the right time.