Chapter 10: Suspicion

There are quite a few middle-level officials like Yang Juncai who lord over the countryside. Wang Jian has seen many of them, each one acting superior and bullying the common people and those who haven't made it in the countryside. They spend their days eating and drinking with a group of people, forming a considerable force. The township leaders rotate, but they remain unchanged. In reality, they are the true rulers of Xianhe Township and the main reason for its poverty and backwardness.

Wang Jian deeply wanted to change all this, but he was powerless. He knew that if the political environment that caused Xianhe Township's poverty and backwardness could not be fundamentally changed, no measures would be effective. Now, he was nothing, and the middle-level officials in the township wouldn't take him seriously. The agricultural restructuring he had carefully planned seemed to them like mere window dressing, a waste of time.

After staying in the Party and Government Office for a few days in a gloomy mood, Wang Jian couldn't sit still anymore. Although the office was sheltered from the wind and rain, others might think it was a good place, but he didn't want to waste his youth inside. Great achievements always come from practice; one can never create anything great by sitting in an ivory tower.

After arguing with Wang Jian, Fang Zhiming began to criticize him even more fiercely in front of Feng Guoqiang. Seeing that Wang Jian had disappeared again, he ran to Feng Guoqiang's office to report the situation.

Feng Guoqiang frowned and said, "This kid is really out of line, treating my words as if they were nothing. Xiao Fang, I know about this. You can go now!"

As soon as Fang Zhiming left, Feng Guoqiang decided to report the matter to Zhang Zeguang. Wang Jian always acted alone, ignoring him as the head of the Party and Government Office. Such a person could not stay in the office and must be transferred out.

After some thought, Feng Guoqiang went directly to Zhang Zeguang's office. He knocked on the door and entered, smiling and said, "Secretary Zhang, I want to report something to you."

Seeing Feng Guoqiang come to him, Zhang Zeguang smiled, waved his hand for him to sit down, and then said, "Old Feng, I was just about to find you. What's up?"

Feng Guoqiang sat down lightly in the direction Zhang Zeguang pointed and said, "It's like this, Secretary Zhang. Recently, Wang Jian has been going out on his own without reporting or seeking permission, which has a bad influence in the Party and Government Office. Do you think it would be better to transfer him out? Let him do whatever he wants outside, and it won't affect the other comrades."

Zhang Zeguang narrowed his eyes and smiled mysteriously, "Is that so? Oh, that's quite normal. He did ask for my permission before going out."

Feng Guoqiang was slightly startled and felt a bit uneasy. He hadn't expected that Zhang Zeguang had been protecting Wang Jian. His words seemed a bit rash.

"I didn't know that. If so, then it's fine. I was just considering the impact on the other comrades in the Party and Government Office," Feng Guoqiang quickly smiled and changed his words.

Zhang Zeguang chuckled, "No problem, Old Feng. I understand. Let's not talk about this for now. I have another matter to discuss with you."

"What is it, Secretary Zhang? Please go ahead and tell me," Feng Guoqiang said humbly.

Zhang Zeguang took out two cigarettes and threw one to Feng Guoqiang, who quickly caught it and went forward to light Zhang Zeguang's cigarette. After taking a few deep puffs, Zhang Zeguang said, "Old Feng, you've been the head of the Party and Government Office for a long time, and I'm very satisfied with your work. I've already mentioned the recommendation for promotion to you. How about I give you the benefits of a member of the two committees now?"

This made Feng Guoqiang very excited. The benefits of a member of the two committees meant the benefits of a deputy section chief and a member of the township leadership.

"Thank you, Secretary Zhang. I will work even harder," Feng Guoqiang's face glowed with excitement.

Zhang Zeguang smiled inwardly and said, "To enjoy the benefits of a member of the two committees, you need to have a corresponding position. How about I appoint you as an assistant to the township head?"

"Assistant to the township head? Secretary Zhang, I haven't heard of this position in the whole county," Feng Guoqiang asked, puzzled.

Zhang Zeguang laughed, "We can create it. It's mainly to arrange for you."

Feng Guoqiang was confused and asked, "Secretary Zhang, what's your real intention?"

"Old Feng, you don't need to be the head of the Party and Government Office anymore. You will be the assistant to the township head. That's the idea. Do you have any objections?" Zhang Zeguang's face turned serious as he exhaled a smoke ring and spoke slowly.

Being relieved of his position as head of the Party and Government Office was unexpected for Feng Guoqiang. Now, the main work in the office was handled by Fang Zhiming, so it didn't matter whether he was relieved or not. Why did Zhang Zeguang suddenly want him to step down as head of the Party and Government Office and become an assistant to the township head?

"I have no objections, but is it necessary to do this..." Feng Guoqiang couldn't say it too clearly.

"If you have no objections, then it's settled!" Without directly answering Feng Guoqiang, Zhang Zeguang suddenly stood up, clearly indicating that it was time for him to leave. Feng Guoqiang had no choice but to leave.

After leaving Zhang Zeguang's office, Feng Guoqiang was uncertain. Suddenly being relieved of his position as head of the Party and Government Office without mentioning who would take over, what was the reason? Was Fang Zhiming secretly plotting to take over? This was possible. Just like the conflicts between the emperor and the crown prince, it was all about succession. Fang Zhiming might have persuaded Zhang Zeguang to remove him from his position. If so, this guy was a white-eyed wolf, betraying all his efforts to cultivate him.

Sitting in his office, Feng Guoqiang called Fang Zhiming to find out the truth.

Fang Zhiming, not knowing what it was about, hurried to Feng Guoqiang's office. Feng Guoqiang stared at him for two or three minutes, making Fang Zhiming feel uneasy and stand there helplessly.

"Director Feng, what do you need me for?" Fang Zhiming, feeling strange, had to ask first.

Feng Guoqiang finally looked away and said, "Xiao Fang, I've been letting you handle the work in the Party and Government Office. Are you satisfied with it?"

"It's fine. Except for Wang Jian, who doesn't listen, everyone else follows my instructions and hasn't made any mistakes," Fang Zhiming answered obediently, not picking up on the hidden meaning in Feng Guoqiang's words.

Feng Guoqiang grunted, "I've reported Wang Jian's issues to Secretary Zhang for you. I've done my best for you. Don't hide anything from me!"

"I will never forget your kindness, Director Feng. I won't hide anything from you!" Fang Zhiming felt that Feng Guoqiang's conversation today was strange, but he had to answer truthfully.

Feng Guoqiang glared at him and continued, "Do you want to be the head of the Party and Government Office now?"

This was a difficult question to answer. Saying no would be too insincere, and saying yes would sound like a power grab. Fang Zhiming, unsure why Feng Guoqiang was asking this, stammered, "Director Feng, I don't know what you mean. Being the head of the office is something I want... but it's all because of your cultivation. You are still the head!"

"You still remember that I cultivated you! Then why are you plotting against me behind my back? Can't you wait a bit longer? If you do this, I can guarantee you won't become the head!" Feng Guoqiang's tone became stern.

Fang Zhiming realized that something had made Feng Guoqiang misunderstand him. He thought hard and realized that he had been acting a bit independently recently, not reporting to Feng Guoqiang as often, but this was because Feng Guoqiang had given him more autonomy. It wasn't disrespectful. What had made Feng Guoqiang suspicious?

"Director Feng, I haven't been plotting. Is there something that has made you misunderstand me? Please tell me so I can explain," Fang Zhiming asked with a pained expression.

"Hum! Alright, I'll ask you directly. Have you gone to Secretary Zhang behind my back to say you want to be the head of the Party and Government Office?" Feng Guoqiang, after a series of intimidating words, began to ask Fang Zhiming directly.

Fang Zhiming felt this was a difficult question to answer. He had been to Zhang Zeguang's house, but this was nothing unusual. Was it necessary to ask about this now?

"I have, but it was to prepare for taking over from you, as you instructed," Fang Zhiming answered truthfully to dispel Feng Guoqiang's doubts.

Seeing that Fang Zhiming didn't seem to be lying, Feng Guoqiang asked, "Have you been there recently?"

"Not recently. There haven't been any holidays, and without your instructions, it wouldn't be useful for me to go," Fang Zhiming quickly denied.

"Have you asked anyone else to go to Secretary Zhang?"

"No."

Feng Guoqiang's tone softened, "Xiao Fang, I'm going to step down early, and you will be the head of the Party and Government Office!"

"What? Director Feng, what did you say? I'm going to be the head?" Fang Zhiming was almost shouting in excitement.

Seeing his excitement, Feng Guoqiang suspected that he had been dreaming about being the head. This showed that he wasn't prepared and was unlikely to have been plotting behind his back. However, he still couldn't figure out who might be eyeing his position.

"Xiao Fang, you're going to be the head. You need to have the composure of a head. Don't get excited over every little thing, understand? I'm finally unburdening myself, and you need to be able to shoulder the responsibility," Feng Guoqiang couldn't help but criticize Fang Zhiming.

Fang Zhiming, suppressing his excitement, asked, "Director, are you going to be promoted to deputy township head?"

"That's not decided yet. I'm going to be the assistant to the township head first!" Feng Guoqiang didn't know if being an assistant to the township head was good, but Zhang Zeguang had said it came with the benefits of a member of the two committees.

Fang Zhiming, hearing about the position of assistant to the township head for the first time, thought it sounded good and said, "Congratulations, Director!"

"Alright, I also congratulate you. You can go now!" Feng Guoqiang waved his hand.

"Then I'll go, Director!" Fang Zhiming left Feng Guoqiang's office, overjoyed.

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