Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen: Intercession

Feng Guoqiang did not come to work for a couple of weeks after returning home. The notice of his dismissal from his position was made public, but the party disciplinary action was not disclosed to the township officials; it was only reported to the county. Meanwhile, the announcement of Guo Qiang's appointment as the head of the Forestry Station did not cause much of a stir, as Guo Qiang had been in charge of the station's operations for some time.

After a brief period of calm, everyone knew that the next round of intense competition for deputy township-level positions would be fierce. Many were surprised by Feng Guoqiang's unexpected downfall, which showed that things were not set in stone. Despite his long-standing qualifications, Feng Guoqiang, who was a natural candidate for a deputy township-level position, had been outmaneuvered.

Although no one knew who had outmaneuvered him, it was known that he had gone to a bathhouse with Lü Fang and Wang Jian. The two of them were unscathed, but Feng Guoqiang was not. This led people to suspect them, especially Wang Jian. Lü Fang, as a seasoned and cunning village secretary, had a set image, but Wang Jian's involvement added a chilling note. Wang Jian had only recently started working and had a sunny image, but this incident made him seem more calculating and mature beyond his years. In fact, Wang Jian always gave the impression of being mature beyond his years, and this only reinforced the belief that he was a formidable figure.

At first, Fang Zhiming deliberately analyzed the situation in front of others, suggesting that Wang Jian was involved. People believed him, but over time, Fang Zhiming realized that this suspicion had only increased Wang Jian's prestige, making people less likely to treat him as a recent graduate and more likely to respect him. This made Fang Zhiming very frustrated. He had intended to use this opportunity to discredit Wang Jian, but instead, he had helped him. Sometimes, he wished he could reveal the truth, but he dared not, as the truth and suspicion were two different things. Once the truth was revealed, people would likely call him a fool!

Wang Jian did not choose to defend himself. He knew the truth, and explaining it to others would be futile. No one would believe him, and the result would be the same: suspicion would persist.

In addition to his work in the Party and Government Office, Wang Jian also took an interest in the adjustment of the agricultural structure. The vegetable market in the township was gradually thriving, which was highly beneficial not only to farmers with vegetable greenhouses but also to ordinary vegetable growers. Lü Mingxiang from Xinhé Village recently called to say that his vegetables were growing well and that he expected a good harvest this year. Wang Jian was very pleased to hear this.

A few days after the call, Lü Mingxiang suddenly called again, saying that people from the Forestry Station had come to his house to collect fees. His son refused to pay, and a fight broke out, leading to his son's arrest by the police. He asked Wang Jian for help, saying that his son had just been discharged from the military and wanted to start a vegetable greenhouse.

Wang Jian asked anxiously, "What exactly happened? Why did they want to collect fees?"

Lü Mingxiang explained that there were two rows of trees at the edge of his land. He wanted to sell some of them this year. In the past, the Forestry Station had never charged fees for selling trees, but this year, they suddenly demanded a logging permit and a fine.

Wang Jian thought for a moment. He knew that a logging permit was required only for a certain area and for contiguous forest land. If Lü Mingxiang had only a few trees on his land, he did not need a permit, and a fine was unjustified. The Forestry Station had a history of charging fees arbitrarily, and despite multiple complaints, they had not learned their lesson. It was puzzling that Guo Qiang, who had just been appointed head of the Forestry Station, had not addressed this issue.

"Old Lü, don't worry, I'll check the situation," Wang Jian said.

After hanging up, Wang Jian called Guo Qiang to inquire about the situation. Guo Qiang was polite when he answered, but when Wang Jian mentioned Lü Mingxiang, he said, "Director Wang, is this family related to you? If so, we can let it go."

Guo Qiang's words were clear: if Lü Mingxiang was related to Wang Jian, he would give him a face and handle the matter leniently. If not, Wang Jian would be meddling in something that was not his business.

Wang Jian replied, "There's no family relationship. I met him when I was promoting vegetable greenhouses in the countryside, and he asked me to check the situation."

"In that case, Director Wang, you shouldn't get involved. He illegally cut down trees and obstructed official duties. It's a serious matter, and the police are handling it," Guo Qiang said immediately.

Wang Jian relayed this to Lü Mingxiang, who immediately protested, saying that his son had only pushed the Forestry Station people a few times and that they had started the fight. His son had no choice but to defend himself.

Wang Jian said, "Don't worry, I believe the police will handle it fairly."

"Director Wang, how can I not worry? If the police handle it fairly, that would be great, but I'm afraid they will believe the Forestry Station people," Lü Mingxiang said worriedly.

"I'll talk to the police and ask them to handle it fairly," Wang Jian said.

The police chief was Chen Hailong. Wang Jian had had a drink with him once after becoming the director of the Party and Government Office, but they were not close. The police station was a vertical unit of the county public security bureau and generally did not heed the calls of anyone except the top leaders of the township. Wang Jian was unsure if Chen Hailong would give him any face in this matter.

After some consideration, Wang Jian decided to try. When he called, Chen Hailong did not recognize him at first. After Wang Jian introduced himself, Chen Hailong said, "Director Wang, what's up?"

"Chief Chen, I want to ask if you arrested someone named Lü Jun in Xinhé Village," Wang Jian said.

"Seems so, what's the matter, Director Wang?" Chen Hailong asked indifferently.

Wang Jian explained, "Chief Chen, Lü Jun's father called me and asked me to check the situation. His father said that Lü Jun did not initiate the fight, and no one was injured. I hope you can handle it fairly. We should focus on ideological work when dealing with the public."

There was a brief silence on the other end. Chen Hailong thought that Wang Jian was just a recent graduate and, despite being the director of the Party and Government Office, had no authority to interfere in his work. Even the top leaders of the township could only give face if they wanted to. He said, "Director Wang, in your honor, if his family pays five thousand yuan, we'll let him go."

Chen Hailong hung up, leaving Wang Jian taken aback. He did not expect the police to demand five thousand yuan. He wished he had known this earlier and suggested paying the Forestry Station's fine instead.

When he told Lü Mingxiang, Lü Mingxiang, desperate to save his son, asked, "Director Wang, thank you so much. Can you ask the police to reduce the amount? We don't have that much money."

Wang Jian thought they should not pay, as it was clearly an arbitrary fine. If Lü Jun had committed a crime, it would not be resolved with money. If not, he should not be fined at all.

"Old Lü, you shouldn't pay, but I can't decide. Why don't you wait and see?" Wang Jian suggested.

Lü Mingxiang thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll think about it."

After hanging up, Wang Jian wanted to call Chen Hailong again but feared that doing so might harm Lü Jun. He felt powerless to change the situation and did not know what Lü Mingxiang would decide—whether to let the police continue to detain his son or to pay the money to get him released.

The next day, Lü Mingxiang called to say that he had borrowed money and paid the police to get his son released. The Forestry Station people later came to his house demanding money, and Lü Mingxiang, gritting his teeth, paid them as well, buying peace with money.

Wang Jian felt that the police and the Forestry Station had acted improperly, but he could do nothing about it. He thought that if he ever became a township leader, he would address the issue of arbitrary fees. Otherwise, it would be difficult to create a good development environment.

This matter passed, but Wang Jian's efforts to intercede for an ordinary citizen spread. The Lü family was very grateful, and although the outcome was not perfect, they appreciated Wang Jian's efforts. The public, learning of Wang Jian's actions, began to seek his help, and Wang Jian always did his best to answer their questions and assist them. This not only satisfied the public but also pleased the township leaders, as it helped resolve many conflicts.

However, people like Guo Qiang looked down on Wang Jian and did not take him seriously. Wang Jian maintained a distant relationship with them.

Fang Zhiming noticed Wang Jian's situation. Compared to Wang Jian, he was well-connected with many station chiefs and department heads, and he had close relationships with several of them. To be promoted to a deputy township-level position, he needed recommendations from these middle-level officials. Wang Jian's votes would definitely be fewer than his, giving him a chance.

Wang Jian was not blind to this situation, but he was principled and independent. He associated with those who wanted to be his friends and did not pursue those who did not. He focused on his work and united people through his character, gradually earning the respect of many, including Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong.

At this time, the provincial organization minister, Zhao Bingzhi, after a provincial organization minister meeting, specifically asked the municipal organization minister of Sìméng, Guan Ning, "Is Wang Jian from Xiánhé Township in Dōngtíng County being cultivated as a reserve cadre?"

Guan Ning, who had never heard of Wang Jian, was taken aback. He called the Dōngtíng County organization minister, Liu Yeping, who quickly replied, "Minister Guan, Wang Jian is being cultivated as a reserve cadre. Please rest assured."

Guan Ning breathed a sigh of relief but was still amazed that the provincial organization minister had personally inquired about a small township cadre.

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