Chapter 95

Chapter 51: Negotiation

Li Yi returned to his room in a rage, taking a long time to calm down. Then he immediately dialed Secretary Xue Xue's office: "Hello, Secretary Xiao Han, is County Chief Xue available now?"

Xiao Han recognized Li Yi's voice and said happily, "Director Lu is still in a meeting. Come over and wait, I'll arrange for you to be next."

Li Yi thanked her and left with the materials.

Just as he stepped out, he was stopped by Shao Guoping: "Li Yi, come here for a moment."

Li Yi wanted to ignore him, but since he was a superior, he couldn't refuse and had to walk over: "Director Shao, what's the matter?"

Shao Guoping said, "Li Yi, in this world, nine out of ten things don't go as planned. We are both young, and before doing anything, we must think thrice and never act on impulse. That will harm you!"

"I understand your meaning, but I can't do it! I'm sorry, we have different paths. Director Shao, I have something to do, I'll be going now." He took a few steps and then turned back: "Take care!"

Shao Guoping waved his hand: "Li Yi! What do you mean..."

Seeing Li Yi walk away without looking back, Shao Guoping felt a bit uncomfortable. He also recalled Li Yi's words, "Take care." What did he mean by that?

Li Yi waited outside the county chief's office for a while, and then Lü Zhixin came out.

Lü Zhixin nodded to Li Yi and said, "Director Li, come in quickly. County Chief Xue is available now."

Li Yi smiled and got up to go in.

"Please sit, Director Li." Xue Xue sat behind her desk, looking obviously down. When she saw Li Yi, she didn't show much joy, as if the events of last night had evaporated with the darkness and the rising sun.

Li Yi knew her worries but didn't want to get involved. He just said, "County Chief Xue, I need to report some matters to you."

"Speak your mind. We don't need to be so formal." Xue Xue forced a smile and tried to muster some energy.

"County Chief Xue, someone above wants to cover this up," Li Yi said dejectedly.

Xue Xue was surprised: "To what extent do they want to cover it up?"

Li Yi admired her political sensitivity. From her question, it was clear she had anticipated that someone above would try to cover it up, then use a few insignificant people as scapegoats, and with time, the matter would be forgotten.

Li Yi repeated what Shao Guoping had said.

"County Chief Xue, if such behavior is allowed to continue, will Lianshui have a bright future?"

Xue Xue didn't fly into a rage or shout in anger. She just frowned and lowered her head in deep thought.

Li Yi watched her, lost in thought.

Xue Xue looked up and gave him a glare: "Have you talked to Secretary Wu about this?"

"Not yet, but I suspect he already knows."

"Hmm." Xue Xue said, "A long dike can be breached by an ant's hole. These parasites are the ant holes in our party! They dare to embezzle the reservoir project funds; what else won't they embezzle? Although I don't want to escalate the matter, I can't tolerate such corruption. This must be handled strictly, and every culprit must be punished without mercy!"

Li Yi said, "I think your suggestion last night is feasible. It's best to first form a unified opinion within the Standing Committee. That way, things can be handled more efficiently."

Xue Xue smiled, "Director Li, isn't it a bit out of line to act independently from Director Shao? Aren't you afraid of retaliation?"

Li Yi shook his head, "If it benefits the country, I will face life and death without hesitation. Why should I avoid trouble?"

Xue Xue raised her eyes and looked at this young man, feeling that they were kindred spirits.

The county party committee and the county government shared the same building. The secretary's office was on the top floor, at the far end. Everyone who wanted to enter the secretary's office had to pass through a long corridor, with plaques hanging on the walls, each bearing the name of an office, highlighting the mystery and nobility of the secretary's office, making it seem superior to all others.

Having made an appointment, as soon as Li Yi arrived, the secretary in the outer office politely invited him in: "Director Li, Secretary Wu is waiting for you!"

One sentence made it seem like Secretary Wu valued Li Yi greatly. The secretary was very good with words! Li Yi smiled at him and walked in.

Wu Qingsheng stood up from behind his desk, extending both hands, and said warmly, "Ah, Director Li, please sit. You've been here for so many days, and I've been too busy to meet you. I'm really sorry. Please don't take it to heart."

Li Yi smiled, "I wouldn't dare, Secretary Wu. You are so busy, and even if we wanted to visit, we wouldn't dare to disturb you. I'm here today to consult with you about a matter."

Wu Qingsheng waved his hand and said cheerfully, "Ah, Director Li, you are an imperial envoy, three ranks above any official. Whatever you instruct, I will listen!"

Only then did Li Yi explain his purpose and showed him the investigation records.

Wu Qingsheng flipped through the records without saying a word for a long time.

He remained calm, showing no signs of emotion. After a long while, he smiled faintly, "Director Li, are you mistaken? Your conclusion is quite different from what Director Shao said! This is no laughing matter. If mishandled, it could cost many people their jobs. Director Li, did you believe the slander of some people and mistake their complaints for the truth? Every action has its consequences. Take the compensation, for example. Giving it to some people will inevitably make others envious and jealous, leading to complaints and false accusations. Poor and harsh environments breed troublemakers!"

Li Yi felt a chill in his heart. What conclusion? What facts did Director Shao say?

What? My conclusion is based on slander, and Director Shao's is the truth?

Isn't this a complete inversion of right and wrong?

Secretary Wu, Lianshui County is under your jurisdiction. Those 'troublemakers' are all your people! How can you speak of them like this?

Li Yi didn't expect that the warm and friendly Wu Qingsheng would be so skilled in rhetoric, leaving him speechless with anger. He sighed lightly, thinking, "It seems that Wu Qingsheng has also received instructions from above!"

Li Yi said unhappily, "Secretary Wu, if this case is not thoroughly investigated, it will have a very negative impact on Lianshui County. If these corrupt officials are not removed, it will affect the county's reform and development plans! As a local leader, don't you bear any responsibility?"

Seeing that Li Yi wasn't cooperating, Wu Qingsheng became angry and his tone hardened, "Director Li, your water supervision team has no authority to manage Lianshui County's internal affairs. The case has already been investigated, and how Lianshui County develops and how its officials are managed is none of your business."

"This matter is far from over!" Li Yi patted the materials in his hand and said meaningfully.

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