Chapter 71

Liu Tairan lowered his head to smoke, his mood complicated. Last night, his wife, noticing his unusual demeanor, said with concern, "There's a colleague at the county high school whose husband works at the county public security bureau. I can talk to her; we have a good relationship."

Liu Tairan firmly stopped his wife, saying resolutely, "Even if you were sisters, don't mention my affairs to anyone. I don't want to use my wife to build a bridge for my career. That's a principle."

His wife was now angry, saying indignantly, "I think you're too principled, so you can't even compete with a clumsy bear. Who doesn't know you've worked harder than him?"

Liu Tairan was about to lose his temper, but then he thought about what his wife said and found some truth in it, so he held back. However, his temper, like muscles on his body, couldn't be changed in a short time.

Liu Tairan thought he didn't care about the deputy chief position, but today, when he saw Chen Shengjie's eyes shining with excitement, he felt a sharp pain in his heart. Even the personnel director, Director Feng, came to oversee the event, as if to give Chen Shengjie a boost. Liu Tairan's heart was heavy, and he couldn't hide it. Maybe he really needed to change his personality?

"Comrade Liu Tairan is hereby appointed as the deputy chief of the Kuangyang Police Station in Cangliu County!"

Chen Shengjie was still immersed in his happiness, thinking about the inauguration speech he had prepared. Last night, he practiced in front of the mirror until the early hours of the morning, but still felt the words were not smooth. When Feng Jinping finished speaking, Chen Shengjie clapped his hands subconsciously. But after two claps, he realized something was wrong. Wasn't his name just read? That can't be right! How could this happen?

He heard from the personnel department that the appointment documents were printed yesterday. How could they change their minds? He must have heard wrong! After practicing for most of the night and indulging his wife at dawn, his mind must be unclear. Instinctively, he looked at Jiang Xiao and asked in a calm voice, "What did Director Feng say just now?"

Despite his efforts to remain calm, his tightly gripping Jiang Xiao's hand betrayed his anxiety.

Jiang Xiao's next words were like a kick to the bottom of a valley: "Chief Chen, it's... it's Liu Tairan, Chief Liu."

How could this be? How much had he invested for this deputy chief position? The public opinion survey almost drained his salary for several months. This result made his face pale, and he almost lost control of his emotions, only to be filled with sudden panic and anger.

Chen Shengjie stared blankly at Feng Jinping sitting on the stage, watching his mouth move, but his head was buzzing, and he couldn't hear what Feng Jinping was saying.

Liu Tairan was also completely surprised. What was going on? His mind raced, trying to recall the events after drinking last night. He followed Cheng Jemin back to have tea, vented his frustrations, and Cheng Jemin seemed to advise him that as long as there was no official word, anything could happen.

He couldn't remember exactly what Cheng Jemin said, only that they were both drunk and found a public phone, and Cheng Jemin seemed to call someone "Director Wu."

Could it be... Could it be that Cheng Jemin found someone to turn the tide and change the situation?

Yes, it must be. He did nothing, and the leadership of the bureau wouldn't appoint him without a reason. The only reasonable explanation was that Cheng Jemin played a significant role!

They had only known each other for a few days, yet he helped him so much. Oh, what a reliable person!

Just as Liu Tairan was dazed, he heard Feng Jinping's voice from the stage: "Comrade Liu Tairan is a veteran in the public security force. We always say that people should be used to their best abilities, and this principle should not be just empty words. The organization has a clear understanding of Comrade Liu Tairan's professional capabilities. Now, let's welcome Chief Liu to give his inaugural speech!"

Liu Tairan immediately reined in his wandering thoughts, stood up quickly, and said sincerely, "Director Feng, Chief Li, colleagues, I'm not good with words, so I won't say much. I just want to express my commitment: from now on, we will all work hard under Chief Li's leadership..."

Liu Tairan's speech was like a pledge, and his few short words resonated with Li Qiuli. As soon as Liu Tairan finished, Li Qiuli clapped enthusiastically.

Liu Tairan's sudden promotion gave him a deep sense of crisis. Originally, his preferred deputy was Chen Shengjie, and the bureau leadership had agreed. But at the last moment, a dark horse emerged, and Liu Tairan unexpectedly took the position.

To be able to turn the tide at the last minute, Liu Tairan must have had a powerful backer that the county bureau leadership couldn't resist. With such a backer, it would be difficult for him to maintain his current control over the police station.

Li Qiuli, with years of experience in the system, had already considered his approach. Facing such an opponent, conflicts and disputes were inevitable. However, the goal of any political struggle was not to win but to achieve harmony.

He needed to lower his stance and build a good relationship with Liu Tairan. If Liu Tairan didn't challenge his authority, he wouldn't mind sharing some power. Of course, if Liu Tairan didn't know his place, it would be time for a showdown.

However, Li Qiuli's summary speech was still good. He first praised Feng Jinping's insightful speech and then pledged to work with Chief Liu under the leadership of the county bureau.

This kind of empty pledge naturally won a round of applause.

Liu Tairan originally planned to meet Cheng Jemin after the meeting, but as soon as it ended, he was pulled by Li Qiuli to chat with Feng Jinping. It wasn't until just before lunch that Liu Tairan had a chance to leave a message on Cheng Jemin's pager.

As the main character of this appointment, Liu Tairan spent the entire noon toasting and being toasted. After drinking about a catty, the clearest memory he had was when Director Feng personally poured him a glass of wine, held his hand, and said sincerely, "I have a good relationship with Director Xu from the city bureau. If you go to Director Xu, remember to invite me!"

The Director Xu from the city bureau? There was only one Director Xu in Yinyin City, and that was Deputy Director Xu Chunqian. His promotion this time must have been due to Director Xu's recommendation, but Xu Chunqian was a legendary figure to him. He knew of Xu Chunqian, but Xu Chunqian didn't know him.

However, Liu Tairan didn't say this, just mumbled a few vague words to get by.

Last night, he felt terrible after drinking more than eight liang, but today, with his mood greatly improved, he felt a bit light-headed after a catty of wine but had no headache. After seeing Feng Jinping off, Liu Tairan walked out of the police station with large strides.

"Chief Liu." As soon as he walked out the door, he met Jiang Xiao and a few others supporting a drunk Chen Shengjie. When they saw him, they greeted him respectfully and instinctively pulled back their hands supporting Chen Shengjie.

"Damn, Jiang Xiao, let's keep drinking. I can still drink. Is it because he's the new Chief Liu that you think I, Old Chen, am finished? I'll tell you..."

In the past, if Chen Shengjie had cursed him like this, Liu Tairan would have been furious, but today he stopped.

"Chief Liu, he's drunk, just talking nonsense. Don't... don't mind him."

Liu Tairan waved his hand and said, "You guys take Old Chen back and let him rest."

Watching Jiang Xiao and the others hurriedly leave with Chen Shengjie, Liu Tairan felt a sense of satisfaction. However, he was also a bit scared. If he hadn't turned the tide today, he might have been the one being laughed at.

Thinking of Chen Shengjie's drunken state, Liu Tairan quickened his steps. When he knocked on the door and entered Cheng Jemin's room, Cheng Jemin was looking at a black notebook. Seeing him come in, he smiled and said, "Congratulations on your new position."

"Cheng Township Chief, I can't express my gratitude! If you need anything from me, just say it, and I won't hesitate."

Cheng Jemin laughed heartily, "Ah, we're brothers. Why are you acting like an official? Come, sit down and have some tea!"

Cheng Jemin felt both sympathy for Liu Tairan and saw an opportunity to build a good relationship, which would help him open up the situation. He was also dissatisfied with Chen Shengjie.

Just because I got along well with Liu Tairan, you targeted me. Wait until you become deputy chief, and who knows what trouble you'll cause.

Before coming to Yinyin City, Cheng Jemin had a drink with Wu Dagang and a few people from the city bureau. Wu Dagang told him that he had a good relationship with Director Xu from the city bureau and that if he had any problems, he could seek help from Director Xu.

Cheng Jemin had originally planned to visit Director Xu, but in a moment of drunkenness, he called Wu Dagang directly.

Wu Dagang just said, "I know," and hung up. Cheng Jemin didn't expect the matter to be handled so smoothly. Now he understood that Wu Dagang didn't comment because the matter was too trivial to warrant a response.

Seeing Liu Tairan's flushed face, Cheng Jemin's inner fire burned even more intensely. He wanted to control his own destiny and not let others manipulate it.

"Cheng Township Chief, there's something I need to tell you." Liu Tairan took a sip of tea and recounted what Chen Shengjie had said that morning.

Cheng Jemin clenched his fists tightly. He had already felt something was off, but he didn't expect the real reason to be this.

Make me stay in Kuangyang Township for the rest of my life? Dream on!

PS: Next week, I'll strive for the Three Rivers seal. I hope all my readers will help me by giving a few recommendation and collection votes!