Chapter 51: Who is Making Trouble?

"I suggest that we first suspend Ma Zenggong from his position before conducting an investigation. If he continues to serve as the director of the Education Committee, it will be difficult to investigate him!" Wang Jian said softly.

"Whoosh!" This time, Zheng Shiguang turned his gaze towards him. Wang Jian's true intention was not what it seemed; he appeared to be deliberately trying to undermine his people!

"Without an investigation, we cannot determine the facts. Without determining the facts, we cannot suspend Ma Zenggong. Isn't it too hasty for Township Chief Wang to do this?" Zheng Shiguang had to personally step in to engage Wang Jian.

Wang Jian did not look at him but said directly, "In fact, the matter is already clear. There's no need for an investigation. Ma Zenggong has already admitted to misappropriating funds for the dilapidated housing renovation project. There are witnesses to the bribery, and he has also been insubordinate and ineffective. What use do we have for such a cadre? We can only produce a deterrent effect by suspending him, to warn others!"

"I also think we should suspend him. How can we investigate him otherwise?" Li Xiangshan promptly added.

It seemed that a confrontation was inevitable today. However, Zheng Shiguang found that his people were like bystanders, completely outmatched by Wang Jian's side. They were being tightly pressed by Wang Jian's people. He couldn't help but look at Zheng Qingzhi and Fang Zhiming, urging them to step up.

The two exchanged a glance. Zheng Qingzhi wanted to speak first, but Fang Zhiming beat him to it: "If he's that kind of person, just suspend him. There's no need for an investigation! Do we really need to investigate such a person?"

Ha, Fang Zhiming had also defected at the last moment. Wang Jian felt a surge of joy, but then he thought, this guy is just trying to protect himself. If we investigate, won't his own issues be exposed?

To win Fang Zhiming over, Wang Jian immediately said, "Township Chief Fang is right. I suggest we focus on investigating Ma Zenggong's misappropriation of funds for the dilapidated housing renovation project. A disciplinary action should suffice. We shouldn't get involved in other matters!"

Wang Jian hinted that he wouldn't implicate Fang Zhiming. Fang Zhiming immediately understood and said, "Township Chief Wang is right. We should investigate the misappropriation of funds for the dilapidated housing renovation project, but considering Old Ma's years of service and contributions, we should handle it internally and not involve too many people!"

Fang Zhiming and Wang Jian were now in perfect harmony. Zheng Shiguang's eyes almost bulged out as he stared at Fang Zhiming. This fool, who was usually bold and reckless, became a coward when faced with trouble. He was now acting like a man who had buried 300 taels of silver, and now Wang Jian was letting him off the hook, which might be used against him in the future. This was simply courting disaster!

"Let's suspend him first. We can put the investigation on hold!" Han Yuting and others were delighted and quickly chimed in.

Seeing Wang Jian's side pressing forward and his own people defecting, Zheng Shiguang lost the courage to organize a counterattack. He said, "Since everyone agrees to suspend him first, I don't object. But who will take over after he's suspended? Where can we find someone at a moment's notice?"

"I think Xiao Lu, Lu Yongqiang, from the Education Committee, is a good choice. He has performed well during my tenure and can handle the job!" Li Xiangshan lightly tapped the table and said.

All signs pointed to Li Xiangshan's long-planned move to remove Ma Zenggong and install their own people. This was truly an overreach!

"Lu Yongqiang was nothing before. Now he wants to be the director of the Education Committee? That's a pipe dream! Since no one can propose a new director for the time being, let's put it on hold and conduct an evaluation after the meeting. Dismissed!" Zheng Shiguang sneered and stood up.

Zheng Shiguang was now furious. To avoid escalating the conflict, Wang Jian also stood up and said, "Secretary Zheng is right. Let's suspend Ma Zenggong and conduct the investigation later. Township Chief Li can evaluate more candidates to give Secretary Zheng more options. That's all for today's meeting!"

Wang Jian's final word sealed the deal. Zheng Shiguang stormed out, and everyone knew that the conflict between the two top leaders was now public!

The atmosphere was somewhat tense. Wang Jian's side did not show any signs of joy, and Zheng Qingzhi and Fang Zhiming followed Zheng Shiguang out with their heads down. Cao Guoqing walked up to Wang Jian and said, "Township Chief Wang, we will start the investigation in the Discipline Inspection Commission!"

"Secretary Cao, you can investigate. Please report any developments to Secretary Zheng and me!" Wang Jian said.

Tang Linzheng lit another cigarette and walked out. Everyone understood that they would need to choose sides in the future!

Liu Fang maintained a neutral stance. She had her own backing and didn't need to rely on either side. Her promotions were in her father-in-law's hands. She stood up, smiled at Wang Jian, and left the meeting room.

Zhu Zhaoming didn't expect such a major conflict today. On principle, he sided with Wang Jian, but emotionally, he couldn't leave Zheng Shiguang. He kept his head down and left without speaking to Wang Jian, smoking as he went.

As soon as Zheng Shiguang returned to his office, Zheng Qingzhi and Fang Zhiming followed him in. Seeing them, Zheng Shiguang threw the items on his desk to the ground and shouted, "Zheng Qingzhi, you're incompetent! Fang Zhiming, you're a scoundrel!"

The two stood with their heads down, unable to respond. Zheng Shiguang's anger rose, and he suddenly fell to the ground. Zheng Qingzhi quickly helped him up, and after a while, they rushed Zheng Shiguang to the hospital for a check-up.

The next day, the news that Zheng Shiguang had fallen ill due to Ma Zenggong spread throughout the township government. Curious onlookers inquired about what had happened at the meeting. Soon, they learned that Wang Jian had been assertive at the meeting, and Zheng Shiguang had fainted not because of Ma Zenggong but because of Wang Jian's pressure and Fang Zhiming's defection.

Wang Jian's prestige soared. When people saw him, they no longer treated him with the same courtesy but with a sense of awe. All the middle-level cadres no longer dared to underestimate him and began to consider which side to follow. The uncertainty about Zheng Shiguang's health and whether he could regain power in Xianhe Township was now a major concern. The only certainty was that Wang Jian would no longer be a figurehead!

When Zheng Shiguang was admitted to the Dongting County People's Hospital, Wang Jian led the way to visit him, holding his hand in a show of concern. Zheng Shiguang merely nodded in acknowledgment and finally said, "Township Chief Wang, I need to take a few days off. Please take care of the township's affairs in my absence!"

"Please rest assured, Secretary Zheng. I will do my best to handle the work according to your requirements. You've been overworking yourself these past few days!" Wang Jian quickly responded.

Seeing Wang Jian's youthful and ambitious face, Zheng Shiguang felt old. He could maintain the status quo, but lacked the energy to innovate. If he had followed Wang Jian's advice earlier, the confrontation at the meeting could have been avoided, leaving him in an awkward position with diminished prestige. In the end, he would have to follow Wang Jian's demands.

"Township Chief Wang, you are young and capable. I am old and no longer fit. Please take on more responsibilities in the township!" Zheng Shiguang said sincerely to Wang Jian.

It wasn't that Zheng Shiguang was deliberately against him; he was just easily influenced by others. Now, he was willing to delegate power to Wang Jian. Wang Jian had to show his sincerity and said, "Secretary Zheng, I have always respected you, and I still do. Some people are deliberately playing tricks and sowing discord. Such people are the most despicable!"

Zheng Shiguang sighed and said, "Township Chief Wang, you don't need to say more. I know what to do from now on!"

After Wang Jian left, others came to visit Zheng Shiguang. When Fang Zhiming arrived, he didn't receive a warm welcome. However, after the county finance bureau chief Dai Changyong visited and talked with Zheng Shiguang, Zheng Shiguang forgave Fang Zhiming. The township still needed to work with Dai Changyong, so he couldn't afford to offend him.

Back in the township, Yang Juncai came to report to Wang Jian. Seeing that Wang Jian now had the power to challenge Zheng Shiguang, he had to change his stance and show loyalty. The position of finance bureau chief was coveted by many, and if Wang Jian targeted him next, he would be in danger.

"Township Chief Wang, I have something to report." Yang Juncai walked into Wang Jian's office with a smile.

Sitting at his desk, Wang Jian looked up at Yang Juncai and asked calmly, "Oh, Director Yang, what is it?"

Seeing that Wang Jian didn't invite him to sit, Yang Juncai didn't dare to sit either. He stood and said, "Township Chief Wang, you asked me to go to the county finance bureau to collect the youth poverty alleviation funds from the Youth League Committee. I went, but the county finance bureau said they had no record of it and sent me back. I was busy and didn't report it to you earlier, but I'm reporting it now!"

Wang Jian had been thinking about this fund for a few days but hadn't had the time to inquire. He only heard from Han Yuting that all the procedures had been handed over to the finance bureau, and they were just waiting to collect the funds. He hadn't had the chance to ask Yang Juncai. Now, Yang Juncai was reporting the result, and although Wang Jian was somewhat dissatisfied, he appreciated his initiative to report.

"Director Yang, Secretary Han said all the procedures were handed over to the finance bureau. How could they not know? Who told you that?" Wang Jian asked, gesturing for Yang Juncai to sit down. Yang Juncai then sat.

Yang Juncai thought for a moment, then stood up and walked to Wang Jian and said, "It was a section chief from the county finance bureau. I felt he was deliberately making things difficult. Every time I went to the county finance bureau to collect funds, I had to give them something, but this time, he said he didn't know, which was unexpected. His expression also seemed strange. I suspect he knows about it and was told to say that!"

Yang Juncai's words made Wang Jian think. He leaned forward and asked, "Director Yang, who do you think told him to say that?"

Looking at Wang Jian, Yang Juncai felt even more uncertain about Wang Jian's depth. Clearly, Wang Jian already had an answer but wanted to hear it from someone else. But at this point, he had to speak, and said, "I think it must have been a leader from the county finance bureau who told him to say that, but I don't know who specifically."

Wang Jian smiled and said, "Whoever it is, this is a fund arranged by the Youth League Committee. The county finance bureau has no right to withhold it. Go again and tell them that Secretary Han of the Youth League Committee said the procedures have been handed over. If they still don't give it to you, have Secretary Han come to collect it personally!"

"Okay, Township Chief Wang, I'll go right away!" Although he didn't think it would be that easy, Yang Juncai had to agree to try again.