Chapter 9 of 100

Chapter 9: Open Strife and Hidden Struggles

15 min read3,832 words

Wang Jian never knew that an article he wrote would be remembered by the provincial party secretary and praised at an expanded meeting of the provincial party committee. He was now not only thinking about the issue of agricultural structural adjustment but also pondering how to help Xianhe Township get out of poverty. He believed that the development of Xianhe Township could not be solved solely through agricultural structural adjustment, as all developed countries in the world were industrial powerhouses. Strong industrial development could enhance people's productivity, thereby creating astonishing material wealth to meet various needs.

The development of Xianhe Township also needed to be considered in the context of the entire county and city. The entire Simeng City was actually a long-standing impoverished area. The paths for the rich often became wider, while the paths for the poor often became narrower, and this was true for regions as well. Wang Jian summarized that to develop well, both software and hardware must be improved. Software involved improving the service environment, while hardware involved infrastructure such as roads and transportation. As long as these two aspects were done well, it would certainly attract foreign investors to invest and develop, changing the backward situation of Dongting and Simeng. However, these two aspects were the most difficult and required the most investment in funds and manpower, which would make any leader feel a headache!

The county government was not unaware of the importance of these two aspects. They also talked about it in the propaganda, emphasizing that everyone was part of the investment environment and required to serve foreign investors well. However, when it came to implementation, there were significant discounts, and they engaged in short-sighted actions. There was no money for infrastructure construction, and life went on day by day.

Wang Jian did not spend much time in the party and government office; he preferred to visit the villages. On one hand, he went to see the greenhouse farmers, and on the other hand, he examined the actual situation and thought about the path of development.

The director of the party and government office, Feng Guoqiang, was dissatisfied with Wang Jian's frequent absences from the office. Everyone else stayed in the office obediently, but he was the only one who couldn't be found when needed. So, Feng Guoqiang called Wang Jian in for a scolding.

"Xiao Wang, why are you often not in the office? What if something comes up and we can't find you? The agricultural structural adjustment is almost done, so you should stay in the office and follow the arrangements. Don't run around aimlessly; people will have opinions!" Feng Guoqiang said sternly.

Wang Jian stood in front of Feng Guoqiang, looking at his shiny, slicked-back hair, and respectfully replied, "I understand, Director Feng. It's just that there's not much to do now."

"Xiao Wang, don't think that because Secretary Zhang assigned you to work on agricultural structural adjustment, you can neglect your duties in the party and government office. You are still part of the office, understand?" Feng Guoqiang said with a stern face.

Wang Jian understood that Feng Guoqiang meant he shouldn't ignore him. Leaders hated it when their subordinates didn't take them seriously. Why did Zhang Zeguang recommend Fang Zhiming for promotion? Wasn't it because Fang Zhiming was good at flattering him and following his orders?

"I understand, Director Feng. If you have any tasks, just let me know!" In front of Feng Guoqiang, Wang Jian maintained a basic respect for him, unlike his treatment of Fang Zhiming, who now almost regarded him as an enemy and was determined to deal with him once he became the director of the party and government office.

"Good, you can go now!" Feng Guoqiang felt satisfied and ended the conversation there.

At this moment, Fang Zhiming was in the party and government office, enjoying the tea that Liu Yan had prepared for him. As he sipped the tea, he gently blew on the leaves and said, "Liu Yan, the tea is a bit too strong. In the future, make it lighter; I don't like strong tea!"

"Okay, Director Fang!" Liu Yan replied cheerfully, omitting the "deputy" in his title.

Fang Zhiming immediately narrowed his eyes, showing a very appreciative look, with a hint of lust in his eyes, making Liu Yan feel uneasy, as if she had seen her dream lover.

Fang Zhiming quietly beckoned Liu Yan, who approached him. He leaned close to her ear and whispered with a wicked smile, "I'll treat you to dinner tonight, in a private room. Don't miss it!"

Liu Yan seemed to understand Fang Zhiming's intentions and playfully hit him, whispering, "You're so naughty!"

"Why don't we go to a hotel directly?" Fang Zhiming pressed his advantage.

"Go to hell, I still need to find a boyfriend!" Liu Yan pretended to be angry.

"Can't we just be together?" Fang Zhiming put on a shameless face.

"Are you serious?" Liu Yan was very moved.

"Why would I lie to you?"

"Lie and your whole family will die!"

"Would it be enough if only I die?"

"No, your whole family must die!"

"..."

"Hum!" Although their voices were low, Du Xiaobei, who was sitting nearby, could still hear them. Seeing them flirt endlessly, she couldn't help but cough a few times.

"Alright." Fang Zhiming stopped his intimate behavior with Liu Yan, and she returned to her seat.

Fang Zhiming was now very pleased. If everything went as planned, he would soon take over as the director of the party and government office, and Feng Guoqiang would take over the position of deputy township head, which had been vacant for half a year. Once he became the director, his power would increase significantly. Even though he was still just a deputy director, the heads of various units in the township were already secretly flattering him, knowing he was a candidate for the director position. They wanted to build a good relationship with him in advance.

In the office, only Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei didn't take him seriously. Du Xiaobei, being a woman, was not a concern, but Wang Jian's disobedience was a major threat. Once he became the director, Fang Zhiming planned to persuade Zhang Zeguang to transfer Wang Jian out of the party and government office and assign him to a lowly station. If Zhang Zeguang refused to transfer Wang Jian, he had other ways to deal with him, such as making his life difficult until he submitted.

Fang Zhiming was thinking about these things when Wang Jian returned and sat down. Du Xiaobei immediately got up to pour him a cup of tea, which made Fang Zhiming very uncomfortable. Why should he receive the same treatment as himself? After all, he was the future director of the party and government office, and Du Xiaobei was being too naive!

Looking at his empty teacup, Fang Zhiming signaled to Liu Yan, who quickly got up to pour him some water. After pouring, he carefully observed Wang Jian and noticed that despite being scolded by Feng Guoqiang, Wang Jian still seemed in good spirits, as if he didn't take it seriously. This made him think of reporting Wang Jian to Feng Guoqiang again. The scolding by Feng Guoqiang earlier was due to his bad-mouthing. Now that Wang Jian had returned without taking it seriously, it showed that he had ignored Feng Guoqiang's words, which was unforgivable!

With this in mind, Fang Zhiming took a big sip of water and then loudly said to Liu Yan, "Pour me some more!"

Fang Zhiming's behavior startled Wang Jian and Du Xiaobei. Wang Jian, who was drinking from his cup, turned to look at him, and Du Xiaobei, sitting in front of Wang Jian, also looked up.

"There's no water left, Director Fang!" Liu Yan lifted the hot water bottle and shook it, saying.

Fang Zhiming rolled his eyes and suddenly said to Du Xiaobei, "Xiao Du, go get some water!"

Under normal circumstances, Du Xiaobei might have listened and gone to get water, but Wang Jian gave her a look, and she smiled and said to Fang Zhiming, "Whoever drinks it should go get it!"

Du Xiaobei was becoming increasingly disobedient. Fang Zhiming sneered and said, "Alright, Du Xiaobei, are you trying to oppose me? I'll give you one more chance. Will you go or not?"

"I won't, I won't. What can you do, Fang Zhiming? Are you going to eat me?" Du Xiaobei was provoked by Fang Zhiming's words. A mere deputy director was putting on such a big act; what would he be like if he became the director?

"Director Fang, don't be angry, I'll get you some water!" Liu Yan, seeing Fang Zhiming's angry face, got up to get water.

Fang Zhiming put down his cup and said, "Liu Yan, put it down. Let Du Xiaobei go get it!"

"I won't, what can you do?" Du Xiaobei countered.

"You... Du Xiaobei, what are you relying on? Don't think I won't give you a chance!" Fang Zhiming pointed at Du Xiaobei, angry and wishing he could announce himself as the director right now to deal with her.

"What are you talking about? Don't act so high and mighty before you become the director!" Du Xiaobei stood up and pointed at Fang Zhiming.

Fang Zhiming was helpless. Before becoming the director, all his threats were useless, so he had to sit down.

"Xiao Bei, my cup is empty. What should I do?" Wang Jian picked up his empty cup and leaned back in his chair.

"Easy, I'll go get some water!" Du Xiaobei cheerfully got up and took the water bottle.

"You two!" Fang Zhiming's face turned pale with anger.

Wang Jian looked at him and said, "What's wrong with us two?"

"Wang Jian, don't be so smug. I'll show you what it means to be in trouble soon!" Fang Zhiming said viciously.

"Haha, is that so, Fang Zhiming? Even if you become the director, what can you do to me? Let me tell you, I'm not easily scared. If you have the power to fire me, go ahead. Do you have that power? If not, shut up!" Wang Jian did not back down.

"Don't be so arrogant, you'll pay the price!" Fang Zhiming was almost hysterical.

Wang Jian, seeing his state, ignored him. At this moment, the township finance director, Yang Juncai, walked to the door of the party and government office and said to Fang Zhiming, "Zhiming, let's have dinner together tonight!"

Fang Zhiming immediately smiled and walked over, saying, "Brother Yang, is there anything?"

"Nothing, just a drink between us two!" Yang Juncai smiled.

"Alright, I'll wait for your call tonight." Fang Zhiming agreed.

Yang Juncai turned and left. He and Fang Zhiming had a long-standing relationship because Fang Zhiming was the nephew of the county finance director and was about to be promoted to the director of the party and government office, so they needed to deepen their relationship.

After giving Wang Jian a cold, smug look, Fang Zhiming also walked out.

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