The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

Chen Fang was at a loss for words.

Of course, he knew that Zhou Jingyan convened the secretary meeting to shut him up.

Even if he had a temper, he couldn't express it now.

Even if Chen Fang wanted to criticize Zhou Jingyan's "autocracy," he couldn't find any excuse.

This shows that this person is quite meticulous in doing things.

No wonder Jiang Chuo favored him.

"I disagree."

Zhang Moqian was the first to express his opinion.

Li Li followed closely, saying, "I disagree as well."

Then.

Zhou Jingyan looked at Deputy Secretary Gao Shouyi.

Gao Shouyi hesitated for a moment, saying, "Mayor Chen, it's not that I don't value what you say, but there is indeed no evidence suggesting that a major event will occur in Yinjiang County. So on this matter, I maintain a cautious attitude and will abstain."

After Gao Shouyi abstained.

Chen Fang wanted to turn the tables.

That would require Zhou Jingyan to be on his side.

Is it possible?

Of course not!

Zhou Jingyan's attitude was self-explanatory.

She said coldly, "Mayor Chen, you see the results yourself. While I support your work, we adhere to democratic centralism. Since everyone holds an opposing viewpoint, you should reflect on yourself."

This sounded innocuous enough.

But it was quite heavy.

For a City Secretary to tell a Mayor to reflect was blatant admonishment.

Chen Fang felt somewhat deflated, also somewhat helpless.

He slowly stood up.

And said, "Alright, I understand."

After speaking, he turned around and left a bit dejectedly.

As he left.

Gao Shouyi also made an excuse about having work to leave.

Zhang Moqian watched his disappearing back and snorted coldly, "This comrade Chen Fang really takes things for granted, taking hearsay rumors seriously and wasting everyone's time."

Zhou Jingyan was relatively cautious.

She looked up at Wu Guantao who had been silent.

And said, "Comrade Guantao, what are your thoughts on what Mayor Chen said?"

Wu Guantao immediately thumped his chest and said, "Secretary Zhou, this is simply nonsense. I have confidence in my jurisdiction and assure you that nothing of the sort will happen in Yinjiang County; it is impossible."

"Good, with your assurance, I'm relieved."

Zhou Jingyan nodded.

And reminded, "Well then, go back and let the public security department further investigate the situation. Better safe than sorry..."

"Okay, Secretary Zhou."

Although Wu Guantao agreed verbally.

He didn't take it to heart.

When leaving the City Committee Courtyard, he even thought, this bunch of high-ranking officials are just making trouble out of nothing.

Sitting in the car headed back.

Wu Guantao received a call from the Vice County Chief and Director of the Public Security Bureau of Yinjiang County.

On the phone, he was reported about the same situation by politically commissar Wen Mei.

Upon hearing this, Wu Guantao instantly became impatient.

He directly interrupted, saying, "Alright, you don't need to say any more, I already know about this. The city has confirmed that it's baseless, just do what you need to do..."

Then, he directly hung up the phone.

On Chen Fang's side.

After returning to the office, he was restless.

The only hope now rested with Wen Mei.

Not long after.

He also received Wen Mei's reply.

On the call, Wen Mei told him that the county bureau had already rejected her proposal to take immediate action in response.

In other words, the so-called Heavenly Appearance Sect riot had not received any attention from top to bottom.

"Meimei, this event will definitely happen; there's one day left. I advise you to find some way to make certain deployments to prevent the worst-case scenario. I'll contact your husband on this side to see if we can gather evidence to convince those above."

Chen Fang sighed deeply and said.

Wen Mei remained silent for a moment.

And said, "Alright, I trust you, and I'll do my best here."

After ending the call.

Chen Fang immediately contacted Wen Mei's husband, Chen Huaizhong.

Chen Huaizhong is the Brigade Leader of the National Security Brigade of the Rongjiang City Public Security Bureau.

The National Security Brigade's duty involves combating penetration, subversion, and sabotage activities from hostile forces, involving counter-espionage, counter-cult activities, counter-terrorism, etc.

Monitoring religious, ethnic, and other special areas to prevent foreign forces from using religions or non-governmental organizations to engage in activities that endanger national security.

At the same time, it also involves intelligence gathering work.

The "unrest" of the Heavenly Appearance Sect this time was within his scope of authority.

At ten in the morning.

Chen Huaizhong urgently came to Chen Fang's office.

It turned out that the National Security Brigade had long been monitoring and investigating the Heavenly Appearance Sect.

Three years ago.

When Chen Huaizhong took office as the Brigade Leader of the National Security Brigade.

He found an investigation report on the Heavenly Appearance Sect among the piled-up files.

At the time, he had held an internal brigade meeting to discuss it.

But opinions within the brigade were not unified; most believed the Heavenly Appearance Sect could not yet be classified as a cult.

So.

He reported to the Executive Deputy Director Wu Qifeng.

Wu Qifeng also did not attach importance to it.

He even gave instructions not to waste energy and funding on such meaningless things.

With the directive from the superior leadership.

The National Security Brigade naturally couldn't proceed further.

In recent years.

The activities of the Heavenly Appearance Sect became increasingly frequent.

Chen Huaizhong made several reports.

But they were still suppressed.

The reason was that under the current circumstances, economic development and maintaining stability were crucial. Suppressing the Heavenly Appearance Sect would inevitably lead to social disorder. For stability and performance considerations, Wu Qifeng again rejected Chen Huaizhong's suggestions.

Upon hearing this.

Chen Fang asked, "How much do you know about the Heavenly Appearance Sect in Rongjiang City?"

Chen Huaizhong took out a pre-prepared document.

Placed it in front of Chen Fang, saying, "The Heavenly Appearance Sect in our Rongjiang City is led by a Holy Daughter named Ye Ziyin..."

"Holy Daughter? A woman?"

Chen Fang asked with some surprise.

Chen Huaizhong nodded.

Saying, "Yes, and she's also quite young. Here is her photo."

Then.

From the document.

He took out a photo.

Chen Fang had known for a long time.

In the organizational structure of the Heavenly Appearance Sect, the head of a city is called a "Saint," and the head of a province is called an "Immortal Leader."

He just didn't expect, in this absurd structure, that there would also be a female as a head, and she is called a "Holy Daughter."

Upon closer inspection.

It surprised him even more.

The woman in the photo was not only young but also very beautiful.

Ye Ziyin, 36 years old this year, had previously served as a ballet instructor at a dance academy and joined the Heavenly Appearance Sect five years ago, rising step by step to her current position as "Holy Daughter" of Rongjiang City.

Regarding this Ye Ziyin's background.

Chen Huaizhong conducted a detailed investigation.

So, he had rather comprehensive knowledge about her.

At 23, Ye Ziyin graduated from Rongjiang Art College and then worked with the Rongjiang City Song and Dance Troupe. A few years later, she became a ballet instructor at Rongjiang Art College. Five years ago, after a marital breakdown, she joined the Heavenly Appearance Sect, becoming an active participant...