Chapter 62: The Sky in the Village Has Completely Changed

Lin Hongjun met Wang Jian that day and, after much deliberation, felt he couldn't pretend to know nothing and needed to show some indication to Wang Jian. He heard that Zheng Shiguang had some unpleasantness with Wang Jian, so he called Zheng Shiguang and told him to cooperate well with Wang Jian.

Even the support of the mountain couldn't offend Wang Jian, so Zheng Shiguang, who was even more afraid, had no spirit all day. He didn't arrange any work and went back to his home in the county as soon as it was time to leave work.

Taking advantage of the night, Fang Zhiming quietly drove to Zheng Shiguang's house. Since it wasn't his first time visiting, he parked the car at the door, and Zheng Shiguang's wife opened the door and said, "Little Fang is here!"

Fang Zhiming asked, "Is Secretary Zheng at home?"

"He's here. He's been lying in bed since he came back, saying he has a headache. I told him to go to the hospital, but he wouldn't!" Zheng Shiguang's wife complained.

Knowing that Zheng Shiguang's illness was a mental one, Fang Zhiming parked the car and followed Zheng Shiguang's wife into the house. She went into the inner room to call Zheng Shiguang, and after a while, Zheng Shiguang came out. Although he wasn't very happy to see Fang Zhiming, he greeted him politely, "Little Fang, you're here!"

Fang Zhiming got up and sat next to Zheng Shiguang, taking out some photos for him to see. Zheng Shiguang looked at them carefully and asked, "Why are you showing me these?"

Fang Zhiming put the photos away and leaned close to Zheng Shiguang, saying, "Secretary Zheng, I'm showing you these photos to tell you that I'm currently gathering information on Wang Jian. I didn't come to you today to avoid arousing Wang Jian's suspicion. The closer I get to him, the more information I can gather. Once I have some crucial evidence, we can take him down in one fell swoop!"

"What did you say? Those photos are about Wang Jian? Show them to me again!" Zheng Shiguang, who hadn't understood the photos earlier, asked Fang Zhiming to show them again.

Fang Zhiming handed the photos to him, and Zheng Shiguang looked at them for a long time, saying, "What do these photos have to do with Wang Jian? Apart from the car being his, I don't see anything else!"

"Wang Jian is very smart. He stays in the car and doesn't come out. If he did, the girls from the hair salon would wrap around him, and the photos would be much more incriminating. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. But this set of photos can still be used. Parking the car at the hair salon will make people speculate and damage his reputation!" Fang Zhiming explained.

Zheng Shiguang looked at the photos again and said, "I don't think they're very useful. It's just a car parked there for a while, and some girls approached. No girls got into the car, and we didn't see Wang Jian. What does this prove? If he finds out you took these photos, the county leaders will think you're framing him, and that will be trouble. To gather information on him, we need solid evidence, or we won't be able to take him down!"

Fang Zhiming frowned and said, "Secretary Zheng, you're right. I need to get closer to him to gather information. He's still wary of me, so I need to keep my distance from you. I hope you don't mind!"

This kid is indeed cunning, Zheng Shiguang glanced at Fang Zhiming and smiled, "Why would I be angry? You can boldly get closer to him. I won't mind. I'll keep these photos. They're no use to you!"

As he spoke, Zheng Shiguang put the photos away. Fang Zhiming's heart tightened. This was clearly a sign of distrust, deliberately using his weakness against him!

"Secretary Zheng, I think it's best to burn these photos. I'll try to get some real evidence. Wang Jian and Han Yuting have a very ambiguous relationship. If I can get photos of them together, it would be great!" Fang Zhiming clearly didn't want Zheng Shiguang to use his weakness against him, tying him completely to his cause.

"Little Fang, our relationship isn't just a day or two. In the village, you know how I've taken care of you. You must never forget your roots. Director Dai and I have a long-standing relationship. Don't be scared by a temporary setback. Do you understand?" Zheng Shiguang, seeing that Fang Zhiming wanted the photos back, realized he was still trying to hedge his bets and not firmly stand with him. He had to give Fang Zhiming a lesson.

Zheng Shiguang was experienced, and Fang Zhiming could only agree repeatedly. He had originally wanted to show his loyalty to Zheng Shiguang to deal with Wang Jian, but instead, Zheng Shiguang had used the opportunity to control him. If he didn't join Zheng Shiguang, Zheng Shiguang could show the photos to Wang Jian, leaving him in a difficult position!

"Little Fang, you can openly get closer to Wang Jian, but at critical moments, you must stand with me. Wang Jian's power has grown significantly, all thanks to you and Zheng Qingzhi, which has made me so angry that I had to be hospitalized. If I hadn't been resting, he wouldn't have been able to establish himself in the village. We must turn the tide!" Zheng Shiguang said angrily to Fang Zhiming.

Fang Zhiming was criticized again. He couldn't blame it all on him and Zheng Qingzhi. It was entirely due to Zheng Shiguang's narrow-mindedness, getting sick over such a small matter. The situation had already changed, and it wouldn't be easy to turn it around. Besides, he had that issue with Wang Jian, making it impossible to turn the tide quickly!

However, he couldn't discourage Zheng Shiguang or make him suspicious. Fang Zhiming said, "Secretary Zheng, please tell me your plans. I will do my best to assist."

Glancing at Fang Zhiming, Zheng Shiguang said, "We must also do some practical things in the village. Without practical actions, we can't win people's hearts, and we can't turn the tide. You must focus on family planning and make a comeback. We need to impress the county leaders. In short, we must take the initiative and show everyone that it's not just Wang Jian who can do things for the people!"

"Secretary Zheng, I understand. Please rest assured about family planning. I will do it well!" Fang Zhiming nodded in agreement.

Zheng Shiguang didn't fully trust him and said, "Don't just talk. When I put you in charge of family planning, I had high hopes for you. Look at what you've done now; it's a mess!"

Fang Zhiming was speechless after being criticized several times. He regretted coming to see Zheng Shiguang. Following Wang Jian might lead to better development in the future!

"I understand, Secretary Zheng. I won't disturb your rest. I'll leave now!" Not wanting to hear more unpleasant words, Fang Zhiming got up to take his leave. Zheng Shiguang, knowing his thoughts, didn't try to keep him, as he had the leverage to control him.

After a night of reflection, Zheng Shiguang's spirits improved the next day. When he went to work in the village, Wang Jian came to him to request the adjustment of the Education Committee and the appointment of a new director.

Seeing Wang Jian's growing power, Zheng Shiguang knew he couldn't refuse. If he did, the two committees would vote, and he would be embarrassed. So, he didn't oppose it and said, "Who does the Deputy Mayor Wang want to be the director of the Education Committee?"

"I discussed it with Deputy Mayor Li, and we think Lu Yongqiang is the best choice. There's no one else suitable!" Wang Jian, no longer caring about Zheng Shiguang's attitude, focused on his personnel arrangements.

Zheng Shiguang pretended to think and said, "Alright, let's discuss it at the two committees meeting!"

Zheng Shiguang wanted to use the meeting to gauge the attitudes of the committee members and find a way to deal with Wang Jian.

After a moment, Wang Jian nodded and said, "Let's have the meeting tonight!"

Watching Wang Jian leave, Zheng Shiguang felt a lump in his throat. Originally, the power to call such meetings was entirely his, but now Wang Jian could call them at will, and he couldn't refuse!

The meeting room was filled with smoke, and Han Yuting and Liu Fang, the two women, had no choice but to endure it, working with a group of male colleagues!

Zheng Shiguang's face was hidden behind the smoke. As the village party secretary, he should have been the main character, but now he started smoking, watching everyone perform!

"Ma Zenggong has been dismissed and is now being handled by the judicial authorities for embezzlement. The position of Education Committee director needs to be filled. As the deputy in charge, I propose that Lu Yongqiang from the village education committee take over. Please, Secretary Zheng, Deputy Mayor Wang, and everyone else, consider this," Li Xiangshan said first.

As soon as he finished, Han Yuting said, "Little Lu is good. I think he can handle it!"

Tang Linzheng, who was known for his neutrality, unexpectedly supported Li Xiangshan's proposal second, shocking Zheng Shiguang. Tang Linzheng had always been neutral, and his visit to Zheng Shiguang's office yesterday seemed like a temper tantrum. Now, it was clear he was opposing Zheng Shiguang on Wang Jian's side!

With Tang Linzheng taking a stance, Liu Fang, the neutral party, had to consider her position. Glancing at Zheng Shiguang and Wang Jian, she said, "I agree with Deputy Mayor Li's proposal!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room was very strange. Zheng Shiguang now clearly saw that Wang Jian's power was overwhelming, and almost the entire village committee was under his control!

Next, Cao Guoqing and Zhu Zhaoming also supported Lu Yongqiang as the director of the Education Committee. Fang Zhiming, under pressure, said, "Lu Yongqiang is indeed good. I knew him when I was in charge. There's no problem with him being the director!"

The only one left from Zheng Shiguang's camp was Zheng Qingzhi. Faced with the overwhelming support, Zheng Qingzhi remained silent, effectively abstaining. Finally, it was the turn of the top two leaders to speak.

Following tradition, Wang Jian spoke first, clearing his throat and saying, "I agree with Deputy Mayor Li's proposal. Let's appoint Lu Yongqiang as the director of the Education Committee!"

As soon as Wang Jian finished, everyone knew the decision was made. When Zheng Shiguang started to speak, no one was listening.

"Everyone agrees that Lu Yongqiang should be the director of the Education Committee. I have no objections. I hope he will do a good job and not let the party and government down. Meeting adjourned!"

As soon as Zheng Shiguang finished, he stood up to leave, but he turned around and saw that no one was following him out.

"Meeting adjourned!" Wang Jian said softly, and everyone stood up and left, chatting and laughing.

After the meeting, Zheng Shiguang looked up to the sky and sighed. The sky in the village had completely changed!