Chapter 21: Recommending Cadres

"What are you doing?"

After Guo Qiang and Xinghua had sent Wang Jian into Xinghua's room, Guo Qiang left. When it seemed that Wang Jian was about to fall asleep, Xinghua started to undress him. Wang Jian noticed in time and stopped her.

"Nothing!" Xinghua stood there with a flushed face and said.

Although Wang Jian had drunk quite a bit, his mind was still clear. He remained cautious in his interactions with people like Yang Juncai, feeling that something was off today. He didn't expect to end up in Xinghua's room again, only to have this happen.

"What are you doing if you're not doing anything? Didn't I tell you last time not to do this again? What are your intentions?" Wang Jian sat up and questioned Xinghua.

Seeing Wang Jian's stern expression, Xinghua felt a bit panicked. She didn't want to be a pawn for others; she didn't want to offend anyone, but she couldn't afford to offend anyone.

Seeing Xinghua's helpless look, Wang Jian had a hunch that there was more to the story. He changed his tone and said, "Boss Xing, are you hiding something from me? Everyone was drinking here, and they brought me here. You started this as soon as I arrived. Even a fool could see something was up. I believe you wouldn't harm me, but I'm worried that others might force you to do this. Please tell me what's going on?"

Hearing Wang Jian's words, Xinghua suddenly covered her face and cried, "I'm sorry, Director Wang. It was Fang Zhiming and the others who instructed me to do this. I didn't want to."

"What exactly is going on?" Wang Jian asked in shock.

"They set up a trap today, planning to get you drunk first, then have me bring you to the room and undress you. I was supposed to notify the police station to come and search the room, saying you were molesting women, to ruin your reputation!" Xinghua sobbed.

"Damn, these bastards, I didn't expect them to target me!" Wang Jian was furious. He hadn't expected Feng Guoqiang's prediction to come true, and Fang Zhiming was indeed trying to sabotage him.

"Director Wang, you should leave quickly. I'll tell them you didn't want to stay here," Xinghua said.

Wang Jian frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "Go downstairs and tell Chen Hailong that I'm already undressed, and he should come to catch me in the act!"

"How can that be? Director Wang, you should leave quickly!" Xinghua was surprised.

"It's fine, just go and tell them. If I leave, they'll suspect you of leaking information, which would be very bad for you. Just go and tell them; I have a plan," Wang Jian said calmly.

Xinghua, half-believing and half-doubting, went downstairs. Fang Zhiming was laughing with Chen Hailong. Seeing Xinghua come down, he quickly asked, "How did it go?"

"All done!" Xinghua said.

"Great, let's go up!" Fang Zhiming and Chen Hailong were about to go up, determined to make Wang Jian understand that he wasn't someone to be messed with.

"Is it appropriate for you to go up?" Chen Hailong was puzzled by Fang Zhiming's willingness to expose himself.

"No problem, just for the show," Fang Zhiming laughed, perhaps learning from his previous mistake of not being caught.

So, Chen Hailong led two security guards and went up with Fang Zhiming and Xinghua. Xinghua opened the door and went to bed, and they pushed the door open. However, they didn't see Wang Jian. Xinghua came out and told Fang Zhiming and Chen Hailong, who were shocked, "What's going on? He was undressed, right?"

"Yes, I undressed him, and he was sleeping soundly. How could he be gone?" Xinghua pretended to be anxious.

Fang Zhiming and Chen Hailong were about to search the room when Wang Jian walked in from outside, adjusting his pants. "Chief Chen, Deputy Director Fang, what are you doing here?"

The two turned around, almost shouting, "Wang Jian, where were you?"

"Oh, I had to go to the bathroom. What are you doing here? Why did you enter Boss Xing's room?" Wang Jian said with a calm expression.

"No, Boss Xing said her room was burglarized, so we came to check!" Chen Hailong, quick to react, was still embarrassed.

"Then what about Deputy Director Fang? Is he also involved in the law enforcement action?" Wang Jian always called Fang Zhiming "Deputy Director Fang," never omitting the "deputy," which made Fang Zhiming uncomfortable.

Fang Zhiming, not expecting things to turn out this way, was exposed and mocked by Wang Jian. He stammered, "I, I just passed by and heard about it, so I came to check."

"Oh, do you need help? If not, I'll go back to the county!" Wang Jian smiled inwardly but spoke seriously.

"No, no, it's a small matter. If Director Wang has something to do, you can leave," Chen Hailong said hurriedly.

Wang Jian glanced at them and walked downstairs.

"Xinghua, what's going on?" Chen Hailong questioned Xinghua.

"I don't know. I undressed him, and he was sleeping soundly. How could he be gone?"

"Slap!" Before Xinghua could finish, Chen Hailong slapped her. "Did you tell Wang Jian anything?"

"I didn't, really didn't," Xinghua covered her face, her eyes red.

Chen Hailong glared at her, then said nothing. Fang Zhiming also pointed at Xinghua and said, "Be careful!"

Seeing the two leave, Xinghua almost collapsed. The political struggles in the county were much more intense than the quarrels among the common people. Despite the surface harmony, the private battles were life-and-death struggles.

Today, Wang Jian narrowly escaped a crisis. If he hadn't been alert, Chen Hailong and the others would have caught him in the act, and he would have been disgraced in Xianhe County, leaving him no choice but to resign.

Reflecting on the situation, Wang Jian realized he lacked support from the county's middle-level cadres. This wasn't because he couldn't win their hearts; it was a matter of time, and he didn't want to be corrupt like the others. Without support from the county's middle-level cadres, he needed to gain support from higher-level leaders. This made him feel it was necessary to actively pursue Zhao Yixuan. With her uncle's support, no one could touch him.

When he contacted Zhao Yixuan, she was troubled. The son of the provincial finance department's director was pursuing her, but she found him very selfish and disappointing. When Wang Jian called her to visit Qinghe County, she surprisingly agreed.

Wang Jian was very happy. He told Zhao Yixuan to have Chen Yu drive her there, treating it as a vacation. Zhao Yixuan agreed.

A few days later, the county organization department suddenly came to evaluate cadres. Zhang Zeguang hadn't informed Wang Jian in advance. When they arrived, Wang Jian learned that they were recommending candidates for deputy county-level positions.

Before the voting began, Zhang Zeguang called Wang Jian to prepare the ballots and told him, "There are two candidates on the recommendation list: Fang Zhiming and you. It depends on the voting results!"

Wang Jian knew the situation was not in his favor. Being listed as a candidate was probably just a formality to comfort him, and he wouldn't be recommended. However, he wasn't dissatisfied, as his probationary period hadn't ended.

"I'll go prepare, Secretary Zhang," Wang Jian agreed and went to prepare the ballots.

After preparing the recommendation ballots, Wang Jian went to the meeting room. Fang Zhiming was sitting in his seat, confident he would be recommended. He had not only secured votes but also had his uncle Dai Changyong persuade Zhang Zeguang to recommend him. He had also found county leaders to promote him to a deputy county-level position.

The participants in the recommendation process were the county's middle-level cadres. Each had a ballot with two candidates. They could mark a check next to the candidate they supported, or choose another if they disagreed with both. The process was quick, and the ballots were filled out in a few minutes, then collected by the county organization department.

After the voting, the county organization department conducted interviews, talking to the middle-level cadres about their recommendations and the candidates' strengths and weaknesses. This process took the entire morning.

After everything was done, the county organization department left. Although Wang Jian didn't know the results, he could guess. The people interviewed were all like Yang Juncai, who wouldn't speak well of him.

Just after the interviews, Zhang Zeguang called Wang Jian over and said solemnly, "Wang, your probationary period hasn't ended, so you won't be promoted this time. I hope you can handle it correctly!"

"Secretary Zhang, I understand. I'm not too concerned, but some people seem very concerned and are resorting to any means!" Wang Jian said calmly.

"What happened, Wang?" Zhang Zeguang was surprised by Wang Jian's words.

Wang Jian recounted how Yang Juncai had invited him to drink, and then Chen Hailong and Fang Zhiming had come to search the room. Zhang Zeguang remained expressionless after listening. He knew a bit about the truth of Feng Guoqiang's situation and couldn't comment on Wang Jian's case, as he had already promised Dai Changyong.

"Wang, maybe there's nothing to it. Don't jump to conclusions. Don't easily believe what the boss said. Colleagues should still be united," Zhang Zeguang said.

Seeing that Zhang Zeguang didn't express any opinion about Fang Zhiming, Wang Jian could only say, "I understand, Secretary Zhang. I won't hold a grudge, but I felt it necessary to report these matters to you."

"Very good. If anything happens, report it to the higher leadership!"

Wang Jian agreed and left. At that moment, Fang Zhiming came to find Zhang Zeguang, and they met.

"Director Wang, what are you doing with Secretary Zhang? Did you get many votes?" Fang Zhiming mocked.

Wang Jian remained calm and said, "Congratulations, Deputy Director Fang, you're about to become Deputy County Chief Fang!"

Wang Jian deliberately emphasized the "deputy," which made Fang Zhiming's face darken.

"I'm just a deputy, but I'm better than those who can't even become a deputy!" Fang Zhiming said angrily.

"Good, being a deputy is good, but it's better than making County Chief Feng go home!" Wang Jian said lightly.

"You...," Fang Zhiming turned and left in anger.

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