Chapter 99 of 100

Chapter 99

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Chapter 55: Intense Debate

Li Yi’s deep yet resounding voice still echoed in the meeting room. Each word, each sentence, was like a flying knife, piercing Wu Qingsource’s heart and striking the nerves of the Lianshui County Party Committee members.

"… The reservoir project funds, the provincial water conservancy department actually allocated 55 million, and now there is zero left. The progress of the reservoir project, after nine-tenths of the scheduled time has passed, only three-tenths of the total work has been completed!"

As he spoke, Li Yi placed the materials in his hand on the table with a light thud.

Everyone was startled, but then they saw Li Yi put aside the material and said with deep pain and indignation, "Not only that, according to my visits, thousands of farmers have put aside their farming work to help at the reservoir construction site, but for more than half a year, not a single wage has been paid!"

As Li Yi spoke, he was moved by the scenes he had witnessed and the words of the old soldier, and his voice choked with emotion, "Dear leaders, put yourselves in their shoes. To build the reservoir, their fields were taken, their land occupied, their people conscripted, and their work delayed, and you don’t even pay them their wages. Touch your conscience, how can you let the people live? What can they eat! Leaders, you are the parents of the million people of Lianshui County, but at the same time, they are also your breadwinners! If they were your own parents, what would you think? Could you still sit here in this spacious and bright meeting room, enjoying the warmth, plotting against each other, and feeling self-satisfied?"

The meeting room fell into a dead silence, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Only Wu Qingsource’s hand was trembling, and the cup in his hand began to shake with it. He was already filled with rage, wanting to vent, but years of political training forced him to remain calm. At this moment, he must not lose his composure!

"Clap, clap, clap!" A few light claps echoed in the silent meeting room, sounding so abrupt and disharmonious.

The person clapping was Xue Xue, her eyes brimming with tears, she said emotionally, "Director Li, what you said was so well put, so touching!"

Wu Qingsource thought disdainfully, "Little woman! Truly good at putting on a show! A few words can make you cry? That’s a bit exaggerated, isn’t it?"

Shi Guozhu sneered, "I seriously doubt the authenticity of this investigation! You just randomly ask a few farmers, and that’s considered an investigation? What if those farmers happen to have a grudge against the government, and they just spout lies? Secretary Ma of the Municipal Committee has already said that our Lianshui County officials are healthy and trustworthy! How can it be as bad as you say?"

Wu Qingsource quickly regained his composure, paused for a few seconds, and then continued, "The comrades from the provincial government’s water supervision group have worked hard, but is there something you haven’t written well in this report? Director Li, why don’t you go back and discuss it with Director Shao, and then submit a final report to me."

His words were skillful, both affirming the work of the inspection group and denying the authenticity of the report, covering his tracks without offending anyone, truly slick!

Li Yi sneered, "Secretary Wu, you just admitted that you recognize the content of this report! Besides, I represent the provincial government’s water supervision office. The inspection report needs to be submitted to the provincial government, to be seen by the provincial leaders." In other words, I am only responsible to the high-ranking leaders of the provincial government, and a county party secretary like you is not within my jurisdiction.

Wu Qingsource finally realized Li Yi’s skill and tactics.

First, he used a bait and switch, presenting a fake report as real, and at the right moment, handed it to Wu Qingsource, who was completely unprepared, forcing him to admit the report. Then, he read it aloud in public, exposing the inside story to everyone.

After today’s meeting, regardless of the outcome, the impact would be extremely negative, bringing endless trouble.

He had underestimated this young man!

Li Yi’s relentless attack left Wu Qingsource struggling to cope. At that moment, he was so angry that he shouted, "Li! Don’t think I don’t know your despicable methods! I tell you, this report is slander, it’s defamation! I will report you to the provincial government!"

"Be my guest!" Since the face had already been torn, Li Yi was not afraid at all. A county party secretary, though powerful, could not control him, a deputy section chief of the provincial government. What did he have to fear?

Wu Qingsource, in a fit of rage, grabbed the cup and was about to throw it at Li Yi. The other members of the Standing Committee realized that Secretary Wu was furious and quickly held him back.

Wu Qingsource pointed at Li Yi and said, "You, a mere deputy section chief, dare to be so disrespectful to me! Do you still respect your leaders? Are you still a party member and a cadre?"

"Sorry, I am only responsible for my work! I am naturally a party member and a cadre! I am a party member of the people, and I am a cadre who serves the people! I am not your subordinate, nor am I a dog you keep at home! I don’t need to follow your orders!" Li Yi replied coldly.

Li Yi’s words had a deeper meaning. Shi Guozhu and Qi Dongshan both blushed, clearly feeling that they were the “dogs” Li Yi was referring to.

"I need to find Director Shao! You, a mere deputy section chief, can’t make this decision!" After his initial anger, Wu Qingsource quickly calmed down, realizing that physical force would not solve the problem and regretting his earlier outburst. How could he lose his composure in front of so many Standing Committee members? It was too damaging to his image!

It must be said that Wu Qingsource had hit Li Yi’s weak spot. If Shao Guoping strongly supported him and there were people in the provincial government covering up, Li Yi alone might not be able to turn the tide.

At this moment, there was a knock on the meeting room door.

The Standing Committee was a symbol of power, and in Lianshui County, no one dared to disturb the Standing Committee members during a meeting. But since someone was knocking, it must be something very important.

The recorder ran over and opened the door, and Shao Guoping led three subordinates into the room.

As soon as Shao Guoping entered, he urgently asked Wu Qingsource, "Secretary Wu, where is the report from this morning?"

Without waiting for Wu Qingsource’s answer, he saw the report lying quietly on the table, witnessing this dramatic scene.

"Whoa!" Shao Guoping drew a sharp breath!

Although Ouyang Jinxuan had helped Li Yi by sending the fake report to Wu Qingsource, she was afraid that Li Yi would cause an irreparable situation. After much thought, she informed Shao Guoping.

After hearing this, Shao Guoping immediately understood Li Yi’s intentions and rushed over with three people, but it was already too late.

The truth had already been revealed to all the Standing Committee members! This was Shao Guoping’s first thought.

Wu Qingsource, feeling like he had found a savior, grabbed Shao Guoping’s hand and said, "Director Shao, what’s going on with this report? Isn’t this harming people? When has Lianshui County ever done such a shameless thing? You must help us clear our name!"

Shao Guoping’s hand was tightly gripped, causing him some pain. He freed his hand and said somewhat angrily, "Secretary Wu, whether the report is true, I believe you have your own account in your heart! You know better than I do!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

Earlier, it was just Li Yi’s one-sided account, and everyone was still uncertain. Now, they had the best confirmation.

Actually, the Standing Committee members were not naive. Each of them had their own judgment. Who hadn’t heard about the problems in Lianshui County? Who didn’t have some idea? It was just that, as one of the highest leaders of Lianshui County, they were unwilling to believe such ugly things.

Wu Qingsource did not expect Shao Guoping to say this as well, feeling both anxious and angry. If the situation was not controlled, disappointing Deputy Mayor Zhang would be a minor issue. The political upheaval in Lianshui County would cause him immeasurable losses, and his political future would come to a halt, or even regress.

For a county party secretary in his prime, with a bright future ahead, how could he bear to sacrifice his promising career?

Wu Qingsource calmed down and frowned, "Director Shao, you must take responsibility for what you said!"

Shao Guoping glanced at Li Yi, whose eyes were firm and bright.

A surge of passion flowed through Shao Guoping’s heart, the passion he had when he first entered the political arena. He patted his chest and declared loudly, "I take full responsibility for every word I said! This report is absolutely true! If it’s not, I am willing to go to jail!"

Everyone was stunned by Shao Guoping’s courage and the authenticity of the report!

Li Yi was deeply moved, the Shao Guoping in his heart had returned!

Wu Qingsource, with the authority of a county party secretary, said, "Impossible! You must have made a mistake in your investigation!"

Li Yi replied, "Then let’s continue the investigation, even report to the provincial government, and send a joint investigation team. The Statistics Bureau, Water Conservancy Department, Supervision Office, Discipline Inspection Commission, and Finance Department can each send one or two people until we find evidence that convinces you!"

"No! This matter is already over, you must leave Lianshui!" Wu Qingsource would not easily fall for such a provocation.

Shao Guoping, out of anger, regretted his straightforward words, blaming himself for being too young and impulsive. If he really offended the provincial leaders, his future would be ruined! Thinking of this, he broke out in a cold sweat.

If Li Yi knew what he was thinking, he would certainly scold him: indecisive, hesitant, and incapable of achieving great things!

At this moment, Xue Xue stepped in and said, "Let’s vote, shall we? Let’s see what the Standing Committee members think about this matter!"

Wu Qingsource thought for a moment, seeing no better option, and found this method good, as he believed most of the Standing Committee members were on his side.

Li Yi also thought this method was worth a try, as he knew that there were people in the provincial government covering up. If he really returned to the provincial capital, how the report would be written would not be up to him. His earlier words were just a bluff to scare them.

The only way now was to make the case solid in Lianshui, to make it an ironclad case that no one would dare to touch or cover up!

Shao Guoping was momentarily at a loss, without a plan, and felt that this was the only option. He decided to follow the majority of the leaders in Lianshui County!

The Standing Committee members were naturally pleased, as voting was a way for them to express their power and demonstrate their value.

Think about it, in Lianshui County with nearly a million people, only they nine could raise their hands and cast a vote! What a noble power!

Thus, everyone nodded in agreement with Xue Xue’s suggestion.

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