The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

This is actually the truth.

Though Li Weiyang prided herself on being aloof and dismissive of others, she had never shirked her responsibilities.

The Huqiu Township Primary School had always been under her charge as the deputy director.

After her last research visit, she had made a report requesting funding.

But the report had disappeared without a trace, without stirring the slightest ripple.

Later, Li Weiyang made a second report, and this time the response from the former director, Pan Youde, was that the Education Bureau also had financial difficulties and there was no spare money to allocate to Huqiu Primary School.

There was nothing Li Weiyang could do but let it go.

"Does the bureau really not have the funds?"

Chen Fang asked.

Li Weiyang sneered and said, "Our Jinde County has always valued education. The educational funding every year is the highest among the neighboring counties and cities. It's not that they don't have the money, it's just that those leaders are reluctant to allocate it here."

"Why?"

"There are many reasons. First, Huqiu Township Primary School is located in a remote area. The saying goes, 'the mountains are high and the emperor is far away,' and the leaders will not come down for inspections. What's the point of spending money if the leaders do not see the results?"

"Furthermore, pouring money into it is like casting stones into the sea; they get no benefits from it. But it's different for a few set schools—they can get some kickbacks."

Chen Fang was listening.

And slowly becoming angry.

He said, "To sum it up, it's all about achievements and interests, right?"

Li Weiyang nodded.

She said, "Pan Youde has been the director of the Education Bureau for eleven years, and his people fill the entire education system. Why does he keep such a tight grip on the system? Because he knows there are too many interests involved here. That's also why you faced opposition as soon as you arrived—they aren't willing to share the spoils with you."

"You knew all this?"

Chen Fang asked in surprise.

Li Weiyang smiled and said, "I'm not an idiot, how could I not know? It's just that I can't fight them, and I refuse to join them in their corruption."

Chen Fang nodded.

He asked, "Is the county leadership and the Disciplinary Committee not doing anything about this situation?"

Li Weiyang scoffed and said, "Take care of it? Why would they bother? Do you think Pan Youde alone could swallow such a big cake? There must be others involved at a higher level."

That made sense.

It was a very simple truth.

Controlling the education system for eleven years without a hitch.

God knows how many people's interests were involved behind the scenes.

If Pan Youde were to hog it all, those above would not stand for it.

Thinking this,

Chen Fang turned around and asked Zhao Jianzhu, "Mayor Zhao, how much money would it take to build a brand new school?"

"Brand new?"

Zhao Jianzhu responded with a pause.

Chen Fang said, "Yes, brand new, with a football field, basketball courts, multimedia classrooms, a library; the sort that has all the necessary facilities."

Zhao Jianzhu thought for a moment.

He said, "I haven't worked out the details, but I think, at the very least, it would take about half a million. Maybe even more."

Chen Fang nodded.

He said, "Later on, make a detailed calculation. On my side, I'll have Director Li coordinate with you. I'll find a way to secure the funding. Additionally, after I return, I will also try to arrange for teachers to be sent here to Huqiu Township. We can't let our poverty affect education, or our hardships hinder our children."

Zhao Jianzhu was overjoyed.

He grabbed Chen Fang's hand and repeatedly said, "Director Chen, thank you so much. If you really solve the school's issue, all of us in Huqiu Township will be grateful to you."

"Alright, let's leave it at that. I'll head back with Director Li now, and you wait for my news."

"Director Chen, please, have dinner and rest for a day before you go,"

Zhao Jianzhu said politely.

Chen Fang waved his hand and said, "No need, the children are still waiting for their classes. I'll go back today. Give me a week to ten days, and I'll strive to get this matter settled."

With Zhao Jianzhu's effusive thanks, Chen Fang set off on his journey back.

When he came, Chen Fang drove and Li Weiyang sat in the back seat.

On the return trip, Chen Fang still drove, but Li Weiyang now sat in the passenger seat.

"I didn't say this in front of Mayor Zhao, but although you're the director, it's unlikely that you'll be able to get the funding allocated,"

Li Weiyang said with worry.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "How do you know if we don't try?"

"Even if we try, it won't work. Although Pan Youde has left, he still holds financial power in the Education Bureau. Do you know the Deputy Director in charge of finance, Shi Zhengxiang? He's Pan Youde's nephew by marriage."

Hearing this,

Chen Fang's gaze gradually became shadowed.

He said, "Let's start with this Shi Zhengxiang…"

When he returned to the Education Bureau, it was four o'clock in the afternoon.

As their vehicle just drove in,

Qi Hui had already received the news.

He went last night and came back today, the speed of which really surprised him.

He felt somewhat puzzled.

So, when Chen Fang returned to his office, Qi Hui sauntered over nonchalantly.

"Oh, Director Chen, you're back?"

Pretending to pass by the door, he deliberately exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Fang guzzled down a cup of water and said, "Oh, it's Director Qi."

"Director Chen, I'm really sorry. I was occupied yesterday afternoon. I should have been the one to visit Huqiu Township. It's regrettable that you, just having taken office, had to make the trip. My apologies."

"No problem, no problem. It's all work, all the same,"

said Chen Fang, waving his hand dismissively.

Qi Hui walked in the door.

He asked, "How's the situation with the school buildings over in Huqiu Township?"

"Quite severe. I estimate that they all need to be completely renovated,"

said Chen Fang.

Qi Hui paused and, frowning, said, "That's going to be troublesome. Our bureau's finances have been really tight lately. Coming up with such a large sum of money at this time is definitely not feasible."

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Chen Fang, trying to gauge his reaction.

Chen Fang smiled and said, "We'll discuss this problem at a meeting tomorrow morning and see how we can resolve it."

A meeting to discuss?

Upon hearing this,

Qi Hui sneered.

It wouldn't matter if you held one meeting or ten; there would be no outcome.

He knew that Chen Fang had just arrived and was undoubtedly eager to get things done. This was the perfect opportunity to dampen his enthusiasm and to show him who truly held the reins in the Education Bureau.

With that thought,

he nodded and said, "Let's schedule it for 9:30 tomorrow morning then. I'll notify everyone."

"Alright, I'll leave it in your capable hands, Director Qi."

"What are you talking about? This is all part of our job,"

said Qi Hui politely.

Turning, he left.

Qi Hui then called the other party committee members into his office.

He made it clear to each of them the agenda for tomorrow's meeting.

He asked them to be in agreement.

Having arranged all this, Qi Hui felt a wave of satisfaction.

He, the deputy director, enjoyed his role more than the director himself.

As the day neared its end,

Li Weiyang knocked on the door of Shi Zhengxiang's office.

Shi Zhengxiang was reviewing documents. Seeing Li Weiyang come in, he was caught off guard and asked, "Director Li, what brings you here?"

Li Weiyang smiled slightly.

He opened a paper bag he was carrying, took out a box from inside, placed it in front of Shi Zhengxiang, and said, "Director Shi, this is for you, a token of good fortune."

Shi Zhengxiang was taken aback.

Upon opening it, he saw that it was a Tissot watch.

He furrowed his brows and pushed it back, saying, "Director Li, what do you mean by this?"

Seeing his reaction, Li Weiyang hurriedly made a "shush" gesture with her hand, then looked around and said, "You're overthinking it, Director Shi. It's not just for you; aside from Director Qi, each member of our leadership team has one: a watch for the men, a belt for the other men, and a bottle of perfume for the women, everyone got something."

"Everyone got something?"

Shi Zhengxiang was startled.

After a moment's thought, he said, "So many? Did you hit the jackpot, Director Li? Such a generous gesture?"

With a smile still on her face, Li Weiyang said, "Didn't I have a foul temper before, making everyone unhappy? Recently, I made a little profit and I thought I'd buy some gifts to apologize to everyone. However, you must keep this under wraps. I don't plan to give one to Qi Hui. Alright, now that I've delivered the gift, I'm off to see Director Gao."

Having said that,

she left cheerfully.