The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

With such suspicion.

Chen Fang no longer insisted.

He said, "Okay, then I'll trouble Secretary Ma to follow the procedure first, while our supervisory team starts to get busy."

"Sure, Secretary Chen, let me know if you need any help."

After saying this politely,

Ma Xu turned and left.

As soon as he left.

Deputy leader Wu Xixin approached, just about to speak, when Chen Fang asked, "Comrade Xixin, do you smoke?"

Wu Xixin was taken aback.

He replied, "I do."

"Then come outside with me for a smoke."

After saying this, Chen Fang pulled out a cigarette and walked out the door.

They walked to a small pavilion in the courtyard of the street office.

After the two lit their cigarettes, Wu Xixin impatiently said, "Leader, it seems the county is not very cooperative with our work."

"Was it the same when Secretary Xu was around?"

Chen Fang asked.

Here we should first introduce Wu Xixin as a person.

Wu Xixin used to be a close associate of Xu Fengyuan.

When Xu Fengyuan wanted to investigate the 626 case, he also formed an investigation team with Wu Xixin busy coordinating it.

In the words of Mei Yiru, Wu Xixin is one of the few pragmatic people in the Shangqing City Discipline Inspection and Supervision Bureau. He works very seriously, but in the environment of Shangqing City, his abilities are destined not to be utilized fully.

After Xu Fengyuan's death,

Li Xizhong did not like him much.

So he sidelined him.

Chen Fang also only chose him as deputy leader after some observation.

Wu Xixin shook his head.

He said, "Previous supervisory groups, to put it bluntly, were just for show. There was practically no work involved, just some socializing and reporting back after a few days of play. The work reports from the Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Bureau in Shangqing City over the years reflect this.

Chen Fang nodded.

He said, "I noticed too that Ma Xu is deliberately stalling. In other words, our purpose for this trip might have been exposed already."

"How could that be? I haven't announced specific work yet; no one would know our focus."

Seeing his anxious look,

Chen Fang knew Wu Xixin was likely worried Chen Fang was suspicious of him.

He patted his shoulder, comforting, "The problem may not be with you; perhaps it leaked elsewhere. If they already know, it's likely our office has been secretly wired for surveillance or eavesdropping."

"I'll go find out!"

Wu Xixin moved to leave in a hurry.

Chen Fang pulled him back.

He said, "No need, let's set off a smokescreen first, make them think we are still unaware of their knowledge. This way, we might catch them off guard. Have you completed what I asked you to arrange ahead of time?"

Wu Xixin nodded.

He said, "I've already arranged for two reliable investigators to start probing in Baizhang Town."

"Good, cover for them. We'll begin the next stage of work in other towns first. Remember, don't give anything away."

"Understood, leader."

After saying this,

Wu Xixin went off to handle tasks.

Standing there smoking,

Chen Fang was also filled with suspicion.

His operation regarding Baizhang Town should be absolutely confidential; how did it leak?

However, it was currently only his guess.

He could verify it.

Thinking of this, he took out his phone and called Yang Qunjie.

"Brother Chen, I was just about to call you, worried you might be busy just after arriving, planning to call around noon. How about it, let's have lunch together?"

On the phone, Yang Qunjie said enthusiastically.

"I was thinking the same. You arrange it, give me the time and place, and I'll come over. You're the host, you should treat me."

Chen Fang teased.

Yang Qunjie laughed loudly, saying, "Of course, I'll arrange it and send you a message."

After hanging up the phone,

Chen Fang felt a bit better.

It seemed that his strategy of sending Yang Qunjie to Guangshou County was starting to work.

At noon,

in a restaurant not far from the opposite side of Meng City Street Office,

the two had a simple meal.

After eating,

Chen Fang wiped his mouth.

He sighed, "Brother Yang, you see our destiny together; you just came to Guangshou County not long ago, and I followed right after, hahaha..."

Yang Qunjie laughed heartily as well.

He said, "Yes, it's really such a coincidence."

"Then, old brother, you mustn't be stingy; support my work a lot!"

"Of course, but..."

Suddenly, Yang Qunjie hesitated as if wanting to say something but stopping.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Fang pretended to be surprised.

Yang Qunjie smiled, saying, "Before you came, Brother, Secretary Pan held an internal meeting and requested us... not to interact with your supervisory team. Any action by the supervisory team must be approved by him. So basically... he doesn't want us to provide any help to you guys..."

"Hmm, what does Secretary Pan mean by that?"

Chen Fang asked.

Yang Qunjie waved his hand, saying, "Brother, you don't need to think much about it. Basically, your supervisory team is just for show, whether there's any help or not doesn't matter, you just need to leave once the time's up."

"You're right, brother. I understand now."

Chen Fang said.

After the meal ended.

Chen Fang returned to the station, instructing the supervisory team to first initiate patrols on the three streets under Guangshou County.

By this time, he had basically determined that his objective of investigating Baizhang Town might really have leaked.

Sure enough,

in the following three days,

besides Ma Xu visiting once,

there was no help whatsoever from the Guangshou County Committee and county government.

Without the County Disciplinary Committee's mediation,

the supervisory team found it very difficult to operate.

Cooperation from the street offices was also limited.

Overall, it was very hard to fully engage in work.

Even within the supervisory team, complaints began, and initial fighting spirit was gradually worn down.

That night,

at the back door of Baizhang Town's Grand Theatre,

a Passat sedan pulled over.

At this moment, the leading figure of Baizhang Town, Lou Youhua, was already waiting at the door.

Seeing the car stop,

he approached to open the car door himself.

Two people got out of the back seat, one was Pan Shougu, the leading figure of Guangshou County, and the other was County Disciplinary Committee Secretary Ma Xu.

The three said nothing, seemingly not wanting to attract any attention.

Under Lou Youhua's guidance,

after walking through the back door, they took an elevator.

Soon,

the elevator stopped at a floor.

Lou Youhua pushed open a concealed small door.

A luxuriously furnished KTV private room appeared in front of the two.

"Please sit, leaders!"

Finally able to speak,

Lou Youhua promptly invited the two to sit down on the sofa.

As soon as they sat down,

Lou Youhua said, "I'll go call the ladies over."

"Wait a moment."

Ma Xu suddenly waved his hand to stop him.