The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

There are three reasons why it cannot be managed.

First, in the current government work, the economy reigns supreme.

The development of the bamboo industry has indeed improved the GDP of Fuguang Town to a certain extent; this is a fact. Furthermore, it has created a calling card for Fuguang Town. Therefore, Yuan Zhenting's work in the county government is certainly commendable.

The second reason is that Yuan Zhenting has worked in Fuguang Town for twenty years, and he has his people at all levels, with deep roots.

He can basically achieve whatever he wants to do, with no one standing up against him.

Although Fuguang Town is under the jurisdiction of Changming County, major decisions still need to consider the local practical conditions.

Just on this point alone, the county's interference is very weak.

The third point is that Yuan Zhenting has backers.

After the outbreak of a largescale melee in Chagang Village and Songlin Village, as the town mayor, Yuan Zhenting was to be dismissed. However, the handling at the time only led to the party committee secretary stepping down, and Yuan Zhenting merely received a demerit.

"Who is his backer up there?"

Chen Fang asked.

Xu Lianyun sighed, "Sun Shenru, the county head."

Hearing that name,

Chen Fang's heart skipped a beat.

"So the reason you came to Fuguang Town today is to pretend to investigate, but actually, you're sending a signal that you're going to vigorously support the tea industry next, right?"

Chen Fang asked.

Xu Lianyun nodded.

"My presence is a probe. I want to see what the county head Sun's reaction will be, and I also want to see what Yuan Zhenting's reaction will be next."

After finishing her sentence, she patted Chen Fang on the shoulder.

"Comrade Chen Fang, the reason we transferred you here is one, to give you some experience, and two, we hope you can lead the people of Chagang Village out of their predicament. Economic development is important, but we mustn't sacrifice the interests of some for the wealth of others, which is unfair. Today, I called you out to prepare you mentally. Yuan Zhenting will definitely retaliate."

Damn!

Are you not just pushing me into the fire?

To think I made such efforts to serve you, and it turns out you brought me here to be a sacrificial pawn in Fuguang Town.

Having heard it all, Chen Fang complained in his mind.

But he did not voice it.

After all, Xu Lianyun wasn't the only one present.

"Alright, I've said what I had to say, I'll be going now. If you encounter difficulties in your work later on, feel free to call me."

With those words,

Xu Lianyun turned and got into the car.

The Coaster bounced as it started up and then disappeared at an intersection.

"Do you know why Executive Director Xu is so concerned about Fuguang Town's affairs? Why does she insist on intervening even if it means clashing with County Head Sun?"

Suddenly,

A voice from behind startled him.

Chen Fang swiftly turned around, only to discover that Gu Jingshu was standing right behind him.

He asked, "Why didn't you leave with them?"

"Didn't I tell you? I'm here to inspect the health clinic; I have to stay for two days."

"Oh."

Chen Fang nodded.

Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Why is she so concerned about Fuguang Town?"

Gu Jingshu looked profoundly into the distance and said, "About four years ago, a large-scale melee broke out between Chagang Village and Songlin Village, resulting in one death and over twenty injuries. The person who died was the deputy mayor who arrived at the scene, and the only leader present. His name was Xu Lianhai, and he was 31 years old at that time."

"Xu Lianhai? That name... What is Xu Lianyun's relation to him?"

Chen Fang asked.

Gu Jingshu slowly said, "That was her only younger brother, her only blood brother."

Boom!

Like a bolt from the blue,

Chen Fang stood frozen on the spot.

"Actually, Director Xu wanted to deal with Yuan Zhenting during her time as secretary of the Disciplinary Committee, but she couldn't because of Sun Shenru. This is also why, as soon as she took office, she sent you here."

Gu Jingshu's words shocked Chen Fang.

He had a belly full of grievances initially,

But now, he actually felt sympathy for Xu Lianyun.

On the way back,

Chen Fang treated Gu Jingshu to lunch.

After lunch, Gu Jingshu went to the health clinic, while Chen Fang returned to the town government compound.

He yawned and was about to head back to his office for a nap when he pushed open the door and was immediately taken aback.

He thought he had entered the wrong room.

Chen Fang stepped back and took another look.

No, it was definitely his office.

Why was he so surprised?

Because the office, which had been a mess due to his "mischief," was now quite tidy.

In the very center of the room, a young lad was mopping the floor, drenched in sweat.

Upon hearing the door open,

The young man was also startled.

When he saw Chen Fang come in, he immediately greeted him with utmost respect, "Good day, Leader."

"You are…"

"Reporting to the leader, my name is Guo Zheng, a local from Fuguang Town, 26 years old, single, living in Fuguang Town…"

Watching the young man as he went on without stopping,

Chen Fang quickly raised his hand to interrupt, asking, "What I want to know is why you are in my office?"

"Reporting to the leader, Director Li sent me here. He told me to await your orders from now on. If the leader tells me to go east, I cannot go west; if the leader commands me to chase dogs, I must not drive away chickens…"

"Alright, alright, go out to the yard and fetch that dog for me to give it a beating,"

Chen Fang instructed.

Guo Zheng hesitated for a moment,

Then immediately put down the mop and headed for the door.

Chen Fang grabbed hold of him and asked, "Where do you think you're going?"

"The leader instructed me to beat the dog; I will certainly not chase chickens!"

Guo Zheng replied earnestly.

Chen Fang couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Guo Zheng, however, scratched his head, completely baffled.

"Enough, enough, I was just joking. Did Li Yong send you to be my secretary?"

Chen Fang asked.

Guo Zheng stood upright again and bellowed, "Reporting to the leader, yes."

"Can you not speak so loudly in the future?"

"Reporting to the leader, alright."

This time, his volume indeed lowered a notch.

"Talk normally in the future; don't start every sentence with 'reporting to the leader.' I'm not used to it."

"Reporting to the leader, alright."

As soon as Guo Zheng called out, he realized it wasn't quite right and hastily added, "Alright, leader."

He might seem a bit dim-witted, but Chen Fang thought he could probably be trained. He was short on people around him at the moment, so he'd have to make do for now. Most importantly, Guo Zheng was a local, and Chen Fang had a lot of work coming up for which he needed someone from the area.

With that in mind,

He pointed to the sofa and said, "Guo Zheng, have a seat."

"Repo... Leader, please take a seat, I can stand."

"When I tell you to sit, you sit."

"Oh!"

Guo Zheng obediently sat down, but still remained very upright, chest out and head held high, not daring to relax.

"Guo, you're from here, so do you know the way to Songlin Village?"

"Repo... Leader, I do."

"Good, tomorrow is the weekend. Come to my apartment in the morning to pick me up, and we'll make a trip to Songlin Village."

"Should I notify anyone else?"

Guo Zheng asked.

Chen Fang waved his hand, saying, "No need, just the two of us will go."

"Alright, I understand. I'll continue cleaning…"

With that,

Guo Zheng resumed his mopping.

While Chen Fang's workday wasn't over yet,

The door to his apartment mysteriously opened all of a sudden.

A sliver of an opening revealed two figures, one after the other, slipping inside.

Afterward, the door closed gently behind them.