Chapter 47: The True Essence of Power

Back in the village, Fang Zhiming and Ma Zenggong were scolded by Zheng Shiguang, who was furious. The two remained silent, staring at Zheng Shiguang's angry face. After Zheng Shiguang finished his tirade and felt better, he recalled that Wang Jian was determined to deal with Ma Zenggong and tentatively said, "Old Ma, you should step down from your position as the head of the education committee and let someone else take over. You can go be the party secretary at the township middle school!"

The position of party secretary at the township middle school was not a real official post. The principal ran the school, and Ma Zenggong had previously been the principal of the township middle school. He was not willing to go back and serve as the party secretary.

"Secretary Zheng, is it Wang Jian who asked you to remove me from my position? You can't just listen to him completely!" Ma Zenggong said, feigning委屈 (vexation).

Seeing the situation, Fang Zhiming could not help but plead for Ma Zenggong, saying, "Old Ma has worked hard, even if he didn't return in time to meet Wang Jian, you can't just remove him from his position. I think Wang Jian has ulterior motives. Secretary Zheng, you need to think carefully!"

Zheng Shiguang hesitated for a moment, then raised his head and said, "Tell me the truth, where did you two go?"

"Secretary Zheng, we really went to the county education bureau and played around in the county town for a bit. We left our phones in the car and didn't know you called. How could we lie to you?" Fang Zhiming said with conviction.

Zheng Shiguang couldn't tell if Fang Zhiming was lying. After a while, he said to Ma Zenggong, "Old Ma, look at what you've done. You misused the funds for dilapidated house renovation, you didn't know about the teachers' petition, and when Wang Jian asked you to come see him, you pretended not to hear and turned off your phone. No matter how young he is, he is still the township mayor. If this goes to the county leaders, I'll be in trouble too. How could you be so foolish? Now he's using this to say you can't lead and is demanding your removal. What should I do? If I don't agree, he'll report to the county leaders that I'm covering for you and not supporting his work. How can I explain this to the county leaders? I really can't protect you!"

Seeing how serious Zheng Shiguang was, Ma Zenggong quickly looked at Fang Zhiming, hoping he would speak up for him.

"Secretary Zheng, I think Wang Jian is just being petty. A small matter has become a big deal with him. The funds for dilapidated house renovation were used for office expenses, but wasn't it still for work? The township has no money, what can we do? Besides, I got this money from the county finance bureau, just under the name of dilapidated house renovation. Old Ma has already promised to use the remaining funds for the renovation. Why is Wang Jian so persistent? I think he has ulterior motives!" Fang Zhiming pleaded for Ma Zenggong.

Zheng Shiguang listened to Fang Zhiming's words. Although he was unhappy with Fang Zhiming's boasting, he couldn't say much because of the face of Dai Changyong, the head of the county finance bureau. The teachers' salaries hadn't been paid, and he still needed to go to the finance bureau for money. If he offended Fang Zhiming, he would surely be in trouble with Dai Changyong.

"Alright, let me think about it again!" Zheng Shiguang felt a headache and dismissed the two.

Fang Zhiming and Ma Zenggong knew that Zheng Shiguang had been swayed, so they left without a word.

In the following days, Zheng Shiguang didn't mention Ma Zenggong's situation or convene the two committees. Wang Jian sighed in frustration. Zheng Shiguang couldn't distinguish right from wrong and lacked basic principles. How could he gain the respect of others if this continued?

Thinking about Han Yuting's promise to come to Xianhe Township soon, but it had been two weeks and she still hadn't arrived, Wang Jian realized the position was highly competitive. He hadn't seen Zheng Qingzhi for days, so he must be busy with this matter. Sitting in his office, Wang Jian reflected that power and being an official were not the same thing. Some people had no official position but had power, while others had positions but no power. The key was to gain power. Power comes from having people, and the more people you have, the more power you have. You must make your subordinates obey you, which is the true essence of power.

While he was thinking, Zhu Zhaoming came in to report on the agricultural restructuring. Wang Jian quickly invited him in. After some pleasantries, he said, "Deputy Township Chief Zhu, I was just about to find you. The farmers' loans are all set. The county leaders have already talked to the credit union. The next step is to encourage those who want to develop greenhouse vegetables to take out loans. We must be thorough and not let the credit union doubt our ability to repay!"

Zhu Zhaoming was facing the problem of some people trying to take advantage of the loan program to get government subsidies. The real headache was not the ordinary people but the township officials, who, out of face, couldn't refuse when approached.

After hearing this, Wang Jian said, "No township officials can use the subsidized loans. If they want to grow greenhouse vegetables themselves, I welcome it, but do they really want to put in the effort?"

Zhu Zhaoming nodded and said, "They won't openly take out loans, but they might use the names of ordinary people. It's a troublesome issue."

A good thing to help the people become wealthy, but some officials want to benefit from it. Wang Jian felt a headache and said to Zhu Zhaoming, "Find a few people to review each case. If you find any officials trying to cheat, report it to me immediately for serious handling. Deputy Township Chief Zhu, I appreciate you telling me these things. We must be responsible to the people and prevent any loopholes. If we don't, a good thing can turn bad, and all our efforts will be in vain."

Zhu Zhaoming also wanted to do something. Seeing Wang Jian's willingness to work, he was very supportive. He had been close to Zheng Shiguang in the past, but now, seeing Wang Jian's dedication, he gradually shifted his support to Wang Jian.

"Deputy Township Chief Wang is right. Many problems arise because we didn't manage well. Some officials come to us, and we have to reluctantly agree to their requests out of face. Now I will strictly follow Deputy Township Chief Wang's requirements and not let the people think we are just fooling them!" Zhu Zhaoming said.

"Let me know if there are any issues. I won't allow anyone to sabotage the agricultural restructuring!" Wang Jian said firmly.

After their talk, Zhu Zhaoming left. A while later, Han Yuting called and said, "Wang Jian, I'm coming to Xianhe Township tomorrow!"

"Really? I've been waiting for you for weeks!" Wang Jian said happily.

"What's wrong, missing me?" Han Yuting teased.

"Ha ha, I've been thinking about you every day, waiting for the stars and the moon!" Wang Jian laughed.

Han Yuting laughed and said, "If you think about me every day, why don't you come see me? You're just being insincere!"

"Ha ha, I've been busy with work. Han Sister, who will take over as the secretary of the Youth League Committee when you become the deputy party secretary?" Wang Jian asked with a smile.

Han Yuting said, "I'm just the deputy party secretary of Xianhe Township. If I give up my position as the secretary of the Youth League Committee, I won't do it. It would be embarrassing to go from a full-time position to a deputy position. Now everyone thinks I'm just getting some practical experience!"

Han Yuting's idea was good, but she couldn't hold both positions for long. Regardless, it was good that she was coming to Xianhe Township. Wang Jian said, "That's fine. The Youth League Committee doesn't have much to do, and it's good to get some practical experience."

"You're right. I'll come to your place tomorrow. Come and pick me up tonight, or I won't come!" Han Yuting said coyly.

Knowing what Han Yuting meant, and having not seen her for a while, Wang Jian said, "Let's see. If I have nothing to do tonight, I'll come and pick you up, okay?"

"What do you mean 'let's see'? Wang Jian, you're becoming more and more bureaucratic!" Han Yuting immediately disagreed.

"Ha ha, okay, I'll come and pick you up no matter what!" Wang Jian felt that Han Yuting was more eager than he was.

"That's better!" Han Yuting laughed.

After arranging the township matters, Wang Jian had Lü Jun drive him to the county and then sent him back. Han Yuting was waiting at a crossroads and picked up Wang Jian.

After getting in the car, Han Yuting asked, "Where do you want to eat?"

"Anywhere. I had some alcohol at noon and don't feel like eating now," Wang Jian said, lying back in the back seat.

"Let's go for hot pot!" Han Yuting decided after a moment's thought.

"Sure."

The two went to a hot pot restaurant and found a spot to sit. Just as they sat down, Wang Jian noticed Lin Hongjun coming down from the second floor of the restaurant, which had a hotel on the second floor. He told Han Yuting, who turned to look and saw a woman, probably in her early twenties, following Lin Hongjun out of the restaurant.

Wang Jian leaned in and whispered, "Han Sister, who is the woman behind County Chief Lin?"

Han Yuting snorted and said, "Who else? His mistress, and I heard she's a recent college graduate!"

Thinking about it, Wang Jian realized that county leaders were on a higher level, going for college graduates, while township leaders could only manage to get widows or similar. But then he thought, wasn't Han Yuting a college student when Liu Qingshan embraced her? It was funny how she seemed to look down on others when talking about them.

After dinner, Han Yuting suggested they go sing karaoke. Wang Jian accompanied her, and after singing, they returned to Han Yuting's place. As soon as they entered, Han Yuting kissed Wang Jian passionately and fell onto the sofa. After some foreplay, they went to take a shower together, where they became intimate.