The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

4:30 p.m.

That was after the support from the city bureau's criminal police team arrived.

Chen Fang received a call from the Mayor Li Xiaomin, asking him to come to the county government.

Just as he got out of the car at the gate of the county committee compound.

Li Xiaomin's secretary, Du Hongchun, was already waiting at the gate.

Under his guidance.

Chen Fang once again arrived at Li Xiaomin's office.

After pushing the door open, he discovered that there weren't just one person inside, but six.

In the center of the sofa sat a middle-aged man in his fifties with a grim face—this man was none other than the Jinde County Party Secretary, Yang Yuanbo.

To the left of Yang Yuanbo sat Li Xiaomin.

Opposite Li Xiaomin was a middle-aged woman who looked to be in her fifties too, the County Deputy Secretary Chen Xu.

By Li Xiaomin's side was the Deputy County Magistrate Ding Yuan.

Opposite Ding Yuan sat the head of the organization department, Zhang Feng.

Another person.

Sitting directly across from Yang Yuanbo, in uniform, was the secretary of the Jinde County Political and Legal Committee and the director of the Public Security Bureau, Guan Cunzhong.

There are a total of 13 standing committee members in Jinde County, and now six were present in the office.

"Okay, Comrade Chen Fang has arrived; let's start the meeting," Li Xiaomin said with a stern face.

Then, clearing his throat, he said, "I believe everyone is already aware of the incident that occurred today. This matter is the greatest disgrace in Jinde County's history and a major shame for our education system. We've gathered everyone here today to discuss the aftermath. Comrade Guan Cunzhong, please briefly describe the situation first."

Political and Legal Committee Secretary Guan Cunzhong nodded.

He said, "After receiving the call from the city bureau, the city's criminal police team immediately took action. With the aid of the Education Bureau, they controlled Qin Shou, the principal of the No. 3 Middle School, and also conducted a preliminary investigation at the scene of Comrade Pan Youde's suicide. At present, we can confirm that Comrade Pan Youde died by suicide. Lastly, the city's public security bureau has already issued a warrant for the arrest of Comrade Qi Hui, and a comprehensive search is underway..."

No sooner had Guan Cunzhong finished speaking.

The Deputy County Magistrate Ding Yuan looked toward Chen Fang and said, "Comrade Chen Fang, I think you owe the county committee and the government an explanation for this incident. Why wasn't such a major operation reported in advance?"

The situation had developed to such an extent.

It was completely out of control.

Chen Fang knew that the county would definitely blow up about this.

After all, what Chen Fang did was, without any warning, to slap the county leadership in the face.

This included not only acting without authorization but also bypassing the proper reporting channels.

Either of the two was a major taboo in officialdom.

Chen Fang was just about to speak.

County Deputy Secretary Chen Xu said unhurriedly, "Now is not the time to investigate responsibility, but to manage the consequences. Such a big scandal at No. 3 Middle School has already seriously affected normal teaching. We called for Comrade Chen Fang to come here so that he can ensure stability at No. 3 Middle School as soon as possible."

Ding Yuan seemed quite dissatisfied.

He said, "He stirred up this trouble himself; let him sort it out. If he cannot handle the situation as the head of the Education Bureau, there is nothing more to say—he shouldn't continue in that position."

Chen Xu chuckled.

She said, "Deputy County Magistrate Ding, you're mistaken with your words. How can it be said that Comrade Chen Fang caused this trouble? Isn't that confusing cause and effect? Shouldn't the problem lie with Pan Youde and Qi Hui? Comrade Chen Fang hasn't been here long; he merely uncovered the issue."

"Enough, enough, let's not argue anymore."

Both sides had a few rounds of retort.

Yang Yuanbo was getting a bit impatient and interrupted what they were going to say next.

Pausing for a moment, he said, "Mayor Li just said, today's meeting is about dealing with the aftermath, not about arguing over who's right and who's wrong."

After finishing.

He looked toward Chen Fang.

He said, "Comrade Chen Fang, what's done is done. No matter what, we must ensure stability at No. 3 Middle School. We cannot afford any more chaos. It's crucial to promptly reassure the parents and students and restore normal order to the school."

"Understood, Secretary Yang, I'm on it," Chen Fang nodded and responded.

After Yang Yuanbo finished.

Li Xiaomin said, "What you did was good, but the method was too drastic and has caused an indelible impact on Jinde County. Therefore, the party committee will not commend you for this matter; otherwise, Jinde County would be thrown into complete chaos. I hope after you go back, you will reflect on your actions. This is my sincere advice to you."

Although these words were spoken in a calm tone.

Chen Fang could tell.

Li Xiaomin was very dissatisfied with him.

It was only because of the presence of others that he didn't lose his temper.

"Okay, go back and attend to your business; we'll continue the meeting,"

Li Xiaomin said, waving him off.

Chen Fang exhaled deeply, greeted everyone, and then turned to leave.

Today's meeting was very short for Chen Fang.

No more than ten minutes in total.

Yet, in these mere ten minutes, Chen Fang felt he could discern the leaders' attitude.

On the county government's side, including the County Magistrate Li Xiaomin and Deputy County Magistrate Ding Yuan, everyone deeply detested his actions, while County Deputy Secretary Chen Xu obviously approved of what he had done.

Only County Party Secretary Yang Yuanbo's attitude was unclear.

Of course,

as the County Party Secretary,

concealing one's attitude is also an essential skill.

One thing was certain.

Among the six bigwigs present, there was definitely someone backing Pan Youde, perhaps one, maybe two, or even more—and these people were surely aware of each other's involvement.

But who could that person be?

After returning to the Education Bureau,

Chen Fang immediately convened a leadership team meeting.

He established a post-incident management group headed by Deputy Director Li Weiyang, to be stationed at the Third Middle School, dealing with the aftermath, as the school was the most impacted.

At this moment, everyone in the Education Bureau was extremely anxious.

It was as if a sword hung over everyone's head, one that could drop at any moment to claim a life.

After all, nearly everyone here was a direct subordinate of Pan Youde and Qi Hui.

Now, with one dead and the other fled,

how could anyone of them not feel a chill down their spine?

He had just returned to his office

when there was a knock on the door.

Chen Fang turned around

to see Office Director Shao Rui standing at the door, grinning obsequiously.

"Oh, Director Shao, what can I do for you?"

Chen Fang asked.

Shao Rui hurriedly came in, nodding and bowing, with a key in his hand, and said, "Director Chen, I've been so busy lately that I've been muddled. You've been in office for nearly half a month now, and I still haven't arranged a room for you in the dormitory..."

After saying that,

he feigned a slap to his own face,

and continued, "Director Chen, here's your key. After work, I'll take you to see the dormitory."

"No need, just leave the key. I'll visit by myself when I have time,"

Chen Fang replied.

Upon hearing this, Shao Rui immediately said, "Director Chen, let me take you there. If anything's missing, the office can prepare it in advance."

As a direct subordinate of Pan Youde and Qi Hui,

he must be the most nervous now that they had fallen.

Chen Fang smirked, catching the hint.

"Director Shao, how's the progress with the secretary I asked you to arrange for me?"

Shao Rui jolted,

quickly responding, "Comrade Qin Yi, right? All the procedures have been arranged. He can start work tomorrow."

"Then please call Comrade Qin Yi for me,"

Chen Fang said.

Shao Rui replied anxiously, "Director Chen, what are you saying? It's all part of my job."

Chen Fang nodded,

approached Shao Rui, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Director Shao, there's no need to be so nervous. I, Chen Fang, am not a monster. I can't just swallow you whole, right..."

What did that mean?

If he wouldn't swallow him whole, did he mean to chew him up before swallowing him?

Shao Rui shuddered,

and spoke in a trembling voice, "Director Chen, I... I..."