Chapter 57

On Saturday, the Red Mansion crew arrived in Guangning and checked into the county guesthouse. Lu Zheng originally intended to go and see them, but a call from Qiu Dahu summoned him back to the county party committee compound. The Public Security Bureau then appointed Hou Jianjun as the representative to greet the crew.

In Qiu Dahu's office, which hung a portrait of the leader, Lu Zheng was startled to notice that the frown lines on Qiu Dahu's forehead seemed deeper. Clearly, Jiang Haiyan was putting immense pressure on him. After all, the pressure he faced was just the aftermath of what Jiang Haiyan had imposed, and he could feel it just as strongly.

“Secretary, what kind of background does County Chief Haiyan have?” Lu Zheng pondered and asked. For the two deputy secretaries, Shang Ronghua and Peng Hongjun, to stand on her side in such a short time, she must have some background.

Qiu Dahu scratched his bald head and said, “To hell with her, I don’t believe a little girl can turn the sky upside down.”

Lu Zheng knew that the person backing Qiu Dahu, who had squeezed Ma Weiguo out, was no pushover. It seemed that Qiu Dahu still had some fighting power against Jiang Haiyan. Of course, it was also possible that he was just trying to boost his own morale and make him stand firmly on his side.

Actually, Lu Zheng thought that given Jiang Haiyan's aggressive approach, Qiu Dahu should have ceded power earlier. Otherwise, the conflict between him and Jiang Haiyan wouldn't have escalated so much. Now, Qiu Dahu should proactively resign and retire to the People's Congress. Why bother with this struggle? After all, he was almost at retirement age and would be stepping down in a year or two.

But perhaps the older officials who were about to retire were even more attached to power?

Lu Zheng thought silently.

Qiu Dahu took a few deep puffs of his cigarette and said, “What do you think of Wang Zhiwei? I heard there are some economic issues with him?”

Lu Zheng was taken aback. The Guangning County Audit Bureau was only established at the beginning of the year and was initially under the framework of the Planning and Economy Commission, with a temporary party branch. After Jiang Haiyan took office, the Audit Bureau officially separated from the Planning and Economy Commission, although it was only provisionally staffed with seven people, it was clearly designated as a full-section-level unit.

Often, Lu Zheng felt that Jiang Haiyan and he had similar views. Lu Zheng always believed that the audit system should be an important department, but most of the time, it failed to fulfill its intended functions.

Listening to Qiu Dahu's hints, Lu Zheng slowly sipped his water and remained silent.

Qiu Dahu leaned back on the sofa and sized up Lu Zheng.

At some point, Lu Zheng had become quite important among the few standing committee members. Perhaps it was because he was the only one who could openly confront Jiang Haiyan without her losing her temper. Although Jiang Haiyan had a poor impression of him and might hate him to the point of wanting to tear him apart, she sometimes still needed to rely on him.

“Even if Wang Zhiwei has issues, shouldn’t the Discipline Inspection Commission investigate?” Lu Zheng put down his teacup as he spoke.

Qiu Dahu took a few more puffs of his cigarette, stood up, and walked to the window to look at the scenery outside.

Lu Zheng nodded and said, “I’ll handle it.” He knew Qiu Dahu was dissatisfied with his previous response, thinking he was shirking responsibility. Although the Discipline Inspection Commission's responsibilities were clearly defined at the standing committee meeting, it was still a recent development. Now, if the county bureau's internal security department were to initiate an investigation into Wang Zhiwei and then transfer the case to the Discipline Inspection Commission, it would also be feasible.

It was said that the investigation into the Commercial Bureau was still ongoing, and the Discipline Inspection Commission had already talked to Du Botao. Now, Qiu Dahu was using the same tactics to tell Jiang Haiyan that her subordinates were also not clean.

Leaving Qiu Dahu's office, Lu Zheng shook his head, thinking, "You two just keep fighting. It doesn’t concern me as long as it doesn’t affect what I want to do."

However, in reality, such infighting was detrimental to every official in Guangning. Who else would be affected besides himself?

With a touch of sentiment, Lu Zheng was descending the stairs when Du Botao hurriedly walked up and bumped into him.

“Botao,” Lu Zheng smiled and extended his hand.

Du Botao, however, had a worried look on his face, and his temples seemed to have suddenly sprouted many white hairs. Seeing Lu Zheng, he gave a bitter smile and shook his hand.

“Secretary Lu, shall we gather tonight?” Du Botao's face showed a hint of hope. Since the Discipline Inspection Commission had talked to him, he had been living in constant fear, and it felt as if everyone who used to call him brother was now avoiding him.

Du Botao didn’t know how Lu Zheng had suddenly appeared, but he knew that a 22-year-old standing committee member couldn’t have achieved his position without exceptional abilities and a strong background. He had also heard about Lu Zheng’s confrontation with Jiang Haiyan at the standing committee meeting. Now, he felt like a headless fly, wanting to probe Lu Zheng’s stance to see if he could offer any guidance.

However, Du Botao didn’t have much hope. Many of his old friends and comrades were avoiding him, so how could he expect much from Lu Zheng, with whom he had no deep relationship?

But Lu Zheng smiled and said, “Sure, I’ll have a drink with you.”

The extremism of his past life had transformed into a deep sense of nostalgia in this life. Lu Zheng had this sentiment towards Qiu Dahu and Du Botao as well.

Although he didn’t know if Du Botao had any issues, he could still have a drink with him, as Du Botao had helped him in the past.

Du Botao was overjoyed, clutching Lu Zheng’s hand, speechless, and tears welled up in his eyes. “Secretary Lu, this truly shows the true nature of people! If I can get through this, I will always remember your kindness!”

Lu Zheng patted his hand and smiled, “You’re exaggerating, Botao, you’re exaggerating.”

But Du Botao wouldn’t let go, sighing, “In any case, Secretary Lu, I’m counting on you this time.” He was too excited and spoke without thinking.

Qiu Dahu had avoided him to avoid suspicion, but this young standing committee member still treated him as before, even more warmly. How could he not be moved?

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs. Jiang Haiyan and her secretary, Xiao Zhang, came down from the upper floor, and she glanced at Lu Zheng with a slightly mocking look.

Lu Zheng was speechless, knowing that Jiang Haiyan had probably overheard the tail end of Du Botao’s words, “I’m counting on you this time,” which could easily be misunderstood, especially by someone who already saw him and Qiu Dahu, and Du Botao as a group of rats.

Jiang Haiyan must have thought that he was also involved in the case and that he and Du Botao were planning to collude.

But it seemed that Jiang Haiyan was more focused on political struggles and not necessarily on uncovering major corruption. She might be lenient with him, otherwise, they would have been isolated and investigated immediately.

However, she definitely looked down on him, considering him a corrupt official.

Lu Zheng was momentarily speechless, but he was used to various hostile gazes from his past life, whether they were contemptuous or respectful. He didn’t care about others' opinions.

Du Botao, however, stepped aside early to make way when he saw Jiang Haiyan and her secretary coming down.