Chapter 973: In the end, it was still Old Man Fan who had the final say

Character returned from the province, his complexion worse than when he left.

Jiang Huantian's words kept echoing in Character's mind—when problems arise, consult more with Comrade Lin Dongfan, don't act unilaterally.

This saying, translated:

In other words: let Lin Dongfan handle what you can't manage; let Lin Dongfan clean up what you mess up! In short, you, Old Character, are no good at anything.

To kill a person, you must strike at the heart—nothing surpasses this!

Character sat dazed in the office, staring at Luo Zhiwei's dismissal document on the desk, as if staring at a hot potato, at a loss.

The tea was changed twice, yet he didn't take a sip.

Outside, the sky darkened; he didn't turn on the light, his whole person sinking into gloom, like a forgotten statue, dull and stiff.

The phone resting on the desk suddenly rang—it was a call from his archrival, Comrade Lin Dongfan.

He hesitated for two seconds.

Character ultimately answered the call.

"Secretary Character, are you free tomorrow morning? Regarding Comrade Luo Zhiwei's matter, I'd like to meet you and Minister Han of the Organization Department for a chat."

"Alright, tomorrow at nine a. m., my office."

Character said that, then hung up, tossed the phone onto the desk, still unable to vent his hatred.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Recalling his lofty ambitions when he first arrived in Wuzhou, they were like yesterday's flower—blooming fast, fading fast! In less than two months in office, he had achieved nothing, and had already been singled out for criticism twice by the Provincial Party Committee!

If this continues, Wuzhou will become Character's grave.

Then consider that he is already fifty-eight years old this year.

In theory, if he does well these two years, he still has a chance to advance further! But if he fails to gain superiors' approval, in two years he must retire, making way for Comrade Lin Dongfan.

But retiring in two years is not the worst outcome.

The real worst outcome is that he might not even last these two years, facing early dismissal—just like Comrade Luo Zhiwei now, the superiors say you're no good, and no matter how stiff your backbone, it's useless.

"Lin Dongfan, you bastard, if this series of events wasn't you stirring things up behind the scenes, I'd cut off my head and let you kick it like a ball!"

The angry voice roared in Character's heart.

But after the rage subsided, Character ultimately closed his eyes, like a desperate loser, able only to accept this cruel reality.

The next morning at nine a. m.

Lin Dongfan arrived punctually at the small meeting room of the Municipal Party Committee, holding a briefcase, his face showing no expression.

Minister Han of the Organization Department had arrived a step earlier, sitting on the sofa sipping tea.

"Mayor Lin, have a seat and talk."

Character pointed to the opposite chair.

Lin Dongfan sat down, habitually crossed his legs, lit a cigarette. Three people, three cups of tea, the atmosphere not tense but not relaxed either.

Character spoke first: "Mayor Lin, yesterday on the phone you said you wanted to discuss Comrade Luo Zhiwei's matter with me and Minister Han—what's your view?"

"The related incidents have already been posted online, causing a bad social impact. Moreover, Comrade Luo Zhiwei himself has appealed to the Provincial Party Committee. Although the Provincial Party Committee has given no clear directive on his case, I think it necessary to reexamine his specific position."

Lin Dongfan's remarks aroused Character's extreme displeasure.

But Character didn't dare to flare up face-to-face; Provincial Party Committee Secretary Jiang Huantian's warning still echoed in his ears. Regardless of whether he approves of Lin Dongfan's approach, at least he must maintain a friendly facade.

Character decisively tossed the contentious issue to the Organization Department head: "Old Han, what's your take on this?"

"Last night, I've also been thinking about this issue."

Old Han was clearly also a crafty old fox who'd practiced for a thousand years; from the moment online public opinion exploded, he had already sensed the crisis.

As expected, just as he had anticipated, Character was summoned by the Provincial Party Committee and given a dressing-down.

Who really runs Wuzhou City?

Now it's crystal clear.

Old Han pushed up the black-frame glasses on his nose.

He reiterated his stance: "Comrade Luo Zhiwei, while unsuitable to remain as chief of the Faction, his popular base is still solid. I agree with Mayor Lin's proposal to assign Luo Zhiwei a deputy post in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. A division-level rank adjusted to deputy bureau level fits the cadre appointment regulations. Moreover, this also gives the public an explanation."

"Minister Han."

Character, swallowing his anger, said: "Don't sit there talking as if your back doesn't hurt. Earlier the Municipal Party Committee announced Luo Zhiwei's handling—first dismissal, then early retirement. Now chopping and changing means we must admit our mistake. Who should bear this fault? You? Me? Or Mayor Lin?"

Upon hearing this, Old Han lowered his head and stayed silent.

He thought, 'You shameless bastard, you were dead set on removing Luo Zhiwei, now you've stirred up a mess and still have the nerve to ask who should take the blame.'

Seeing Old Han remain silent, Character thought he had been silenced by his presence.

Then…

Character then shifted his gaze to Lin Dongfan: "Comrade Lin Dongfan, regarding the matter of the masses presenting Luo Zhiwei with an Item, there's a key issue we must distinguish."

"What key issue?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Character spoke confidently: "The masses giving Luo Zhiwei an Item wasn't because of his outstanding work performance during his tenure, but because he gave them free furniture. Put simply, giving furniture has nothing to do with his official duties."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dongfan furrowed his brows slightly, never expecting Boss Character to hit upon such a sharp angle.

Character continued: "Put bluntly, as chief of the Faction, Luo Zhiwei neglects his work, spending all day in the carpentry shop—this is also dereliction of duty. If merely because he showed the masses a little favor, and they gave him an Item, then appointing him a deputy post in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference would be a joke."

"That makes sense."

Lin Dongfan nodded thoughtfully.

Then Lin Dongfan shifted tone: "But Comrade Luo Zhiwei has spent decades in the Faction; as narcotics squad chief years ago, he risked life and limb. Now nearing retirement, assigning him a transitional post in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is also standard practice, showing the organization's care for veteran comrades. I hope Secretary Character will consider this carefully, so as not to chill the hearts of the old-timers."

"!!!"

Hearing this, Character once again seethed, gritting his teeth in silence.

He had thought his arguments were sound and could silence Lin Dongfan, but he never expected Lin Dongfan to bring up "institutional convention," subtly mocking Character for lacking sympathy toward veteran comrades.

Damn it!

If this tone were to get out, in the future would Wuzhou officials see him, Character and not take a detour? Who would wholeheartedly listen to Character's commands?

Just as Character was painstakingly thinking of countermeasures.

Old Han of the Organization Department again suddenly spoke: "Secretary Character, if following past precedent, it indeed should transfer Comrade Luo Zhiwei to a secondary line, giving him an emotional buffer period."

Since you insist, then let's do it this way.

Character recalled the warning from the Provincial Committee's No. 1, and ultimately still made a compromise.

At this moment he felt a deep, personal pain——the reason he had become a bare-pole commander ultimately lay in his failure to win people's hearts; consequently, he was constantly being outmaneuvered by Lin Dongfan.