Chapter 1104: with translation of chapter title

The news that the Public Security Bureau would hold competitive examinations for positions really caused an uproar throughout Liu Cheng County.

Translation: "The news that the Public Security Bureau would hold competitive examinations for posts really caused an uproar throughout Liu Cheng Xian."

Note: the expression "caused an uproar" really caused an uproar throughout Liu Cheng County.

At first, when people heard this news, they thought their ears must be playing tricks on them; otherwise it must be a rumor.

Translation: "At first, when people heard the news, they all thought their ears were playing tricks; otherwise it must have been a rumor."

In their view, every position of authority in Liu Cheng County is held either by someone connected to Pan Wenhai or by someone tied to the coal bosses; these people fill every slot like radishes in holes, and the succession of posts—who takes whose place, who retires and lets whom step in—has long been settled, except for occasional accidents or temporary fill-ins.

Translation: "In their view, every position of power in Liu Cheng Xian was held either by someone connected to Pan Wenhai or by someone tied to those coal bosses; these people had all the slots filled, and who would take whose post, who would retire and let whom take over which position—aside from unexpected changes or temporary fill‑ins—had long been arranged clear as day."

We need to keep concise but include all info. Let's try: "In their view, every position of power in Liu Cheng Xian was held either by someone connected to Pan Wenhai or by someone tied to those coal bosses; these people had all the slots filled, and who would take whose post, who would retire and let whom take over which position—aside from unexpected changes or temporary fill‑ins—had long been arranged clear as day."

That seems fine.

Now undertaking this move clearly aims to give capable, talented people without connections or background, who have been suppressed, a way forward—truly offering grassroots cadres an opportunity. But if these people all rise, what will happen to the well‑connected households? In Liu Cheng County, that simply isn't allowed.

Translation: "Now pulling this stunt is clearly meant to give a way out to capable, talented people who lack connections, background, and have been suppressed—it truly intends to give grassroots cadres a chance. But if those people all got promoted, what would happen to the well‑connected households? In Liu Cheng Xian, that simply isn't allowed."

Note: the term "households with connections" is rendered as "well‑connected households".

Even holding such a key position in the Public Security Bureau, if it were in something like the Archives Bureau, Judicial Bureau, or even the Agriculture or Education Bureau, they would believe it. Because as the county seat with the province's largest coal‑producing area, the Public Security Bureau is the most important unit.

Translation: "Even so, if this were happening at some archive bureau, judicial bureau, or even agricultural or educational bureau, they'd believe it; but as the county seat with the province's largest coal‑producing area, the Public Security Bureau is the most important unit."

We need to keep the term "county seat with the province's largest coal‑producing area".

The director of the County Public Security Bureau, Xu Jinxiou, is far more imposing than an ordinary deputy county magistrate because he wields considerable actual power.

Translation: "County Public Security Bureau Chief Xu Jinxiu is far more domineering than an ordinary vice county magistrate, because his actual power is considerable."

But after they repeatedly confirmed the news, upon hearing that the newly arrived deputy county party secretary and political and legal affairs committee secretary, Su Yang, was going to implement this so‑called competitive appointment system, they found themselves believing it to some extent.

Translation: "But after they repeatedly confirmed the news, hearing that the newly arrived County Party Deputy Secretary and Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Su Yang was pushing this so‑called competitive posting, they couldn't help but believe it a bit."

We need to keep punctuation. Ensure no extra.

Anyone who can survive within the system is no fool. Judging by their years of experience, setting aside other factors, the fact that someone could become a deputy county party secretary and political and legal affairs committee secretary at age 26—especially after transferring from another province—shows that it's far from simple.

Translation: "Those who can survive within the system aren't fools. Judging by their years of experience, leaving aside other matters, the fact that someone could become a County Party Deputy Secretary and Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary at age twenty‑six, having transferred from another province, shows it's far from simple."

Moreover, from the very first day when the county's four leadership teams went out to welcome him, the county party secretary's attempt to assert authority over this new deputy secretary was rebuffed, and then this morning he openly showed up late for the drill—clearly indicating that he is a capable figure.

Translation: "Moreover, from the very first day when the county's four leadership teams went out to welcome the newcomer, the County Party Secretary's show of authority toward this new deputy secretary was turned back on him, and then this morning he openly showed up late for the drill—this shows he's also a capable hand."

We need to keep the word "drill" as the translation for the term meaning morning exercise.

Some people treat it as a joke, since after tea and meals they lack conversation fodder, so they chat and laugh about it; others utterly despise him, not taking Su Yang seriously at all, doubting in their minds whether he can even get past Pan Wenhai's gate, let alone considering the many coal bosses behind him.

Translation: "Some people treated it as a joke—after tea and meals they lacked a topic, so they chatted about it for fun. Others utterly despised it, not taking Su Yang seriously at all; in their minds, whether Su Yang could get past Pan Wenhai's gate was debatable, let alone the fact that behind him stood so many coal bosses."

According to them, the coal bosses wouldn't even need to deal with someone of Su Yang's level—handling municipal officials is as easy as stepping on an ant, and they can do it in a perfectly legal way that leaves no trace. In their view, Su Yang simply doesn't want to work anymore; he just wants to kick himself out of this place.

Translation: "According to them, coal bosses wouldn't even need to deal with someone of Su Yang's level—handling municipal cadres would be as easy as stepping on an ant, and they could do it in a perfectly compliant way, leaving no trace of wrongdoing. In their view, Su Yang simply didn't want to work; he just wanted to kick himself out of this place."

But some people feel a tremendous surge inside. They are ordinary university graduates who spent ten years studying hard, achieving outstanding results in their specialties, yet within the bureau they have always been the type who do the most work, receive the least bonuses, and remain stuck in the same position—capable, pragmatic doers.

Translation: "But some people felt a huge surge inside. They were also ordinary college graduates who had endured ten years of hard study, achieving a series of outstanding results in their specialties, yet in the bureau they were the capable doers who did the most work, got the least bonuses, and never saw their positions move."

Frankly, even in such an environment they are deeply unwilling. Who would want their aspirations and passion suppressed by others? Who would willingly hand over their achievements to those who only know how to eat, drink, and cling to connections—mere empty suits?

Translation: "To be frank, even in such an environment they were extremely unwilling. Who would want their aspirations and fervor suppressed by others? Who would hand over their achievements to those who only know how to eat, drink, and cling to connections—worthless sacks?"

Of course, they also worry that the Public Security Bureau might not implement Su Yang's orders at all, leaving them with nothing but vain hope. Still, the saying goes that opportunity favors the prepared. Regardless, they have readied themselves—some have even opened books on the basic theory that might be tested.

Translation: "Of course, they also worried that the Public Security Bureau might not carry out Su Yang's orders at all, leaving them with nothing but hollow joy. But after all, opportunity favors the prepared. No matter what, they've readied themselves—some have even opened the books on the basic theory that might be tested."

While the whole county was frenziedly discussing, mocking, scorning, and preparing around this issue, Su Yang was comfortably resting in his office for an afternoon. As deputy county party secretary and political and legal affairs committee secretary, he remains, for now, merely an empty shell—a figurehead.

Translation: "While the whole county was wildly discussing, mocking, scorning, and preparing for this matter, Su Yang was comfortably resting in his office for an afternoon. As a County Party Deputy Secretary and Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, he was at present merely an empty shell, a figurehead."

Not to mention lower‑level townships or rural government units—even the procuratorate, judiciary, and police have no one coming to report work to him. Even if someone were just going through the motions, nobody shows up, and he seems perfectly fine with that.

Translation: "Not to mention lower townships or rural government units—even the procuracy, judiciary, and police had no one coming to report work to him. Even just going through the motions, nobody showed up, and he was fine with that."

After work that evening, instead of going straight to the hotel arranged for him by the county party office, he wandered around the county, taking in the local atmosphere. Although the political climate is dreadful, the presence of the coal mines keeps the average income fairly decent.

Translation: "After work that evening, instead of first going to the room arranged for him at the Coal Grand Hotel by the County Party Committee Office, he wandered around the county, strolling and soaking up the lively atmosphere of Liu Cheng Xian. Although the political ecology was awful, the presence of the coal mine meant the local per‑capita income was still quite decent."

In the evening the night market bustles with business, every stall packed with customers, proving that these people have the means and money to spend—a good sign.

Translation: "That night the night market was booming, every stall packed with customers, proving these people had the ability and money to spend—a good thing."

He and Duan Xu ate a little something at the night market, then wandered around in a roundabout way before slipping into the hospital. Why say they slipped in? Because, according to Duan Xu, they had been tailed, and Su Yang didn't want anyone to know he had been to the hospital.

Translation: "He and Duan Xu ate a bit at the night market, then wandered around in a roundabout way before sneaking into the hospital. Why call it sneaking? Because, as Duan Xu said, they had been tailed all along, and Su Yang didn't want anyone to know he'd been to the hospital."

In the hospital's ordinary ward, Wang Ping was feeding his father, who had just undergone acute appendectomy surgery, some rice porridge when a voice called out from behind: "Comrade Wang Ping, hello. I heard you're looking after Uncle Wang at the hospital, so we stopped by to check in."

Translation: "In the hospital's ordinary ward, Wang Ping was feeding his father, who'd just had acute appendectomy surgery, millet soup when a voice suddenly sounded from behind: "Comrade Wang Ping, hello. I heard you're looking after Uncle Wang in the hospital, so we've come by to take a look.""

Hearing that voice, Wang Ping felt it was somewhat familiar; he turned sharply and saw a person wearing a mask and a hat.

Translation: "Hearing that voice, Wang Ping felt it was somewhat familiar; he turned sharply and saw a person wearing a mask and a cap."

He was still puzzled when Su Yang removed his hat and mask and said to Wang Ping, "Just think of me as an ordinary friend dropping by. You know the situation—I'm not affected by coming here, but I'm afraid you might be targeted. Actually I wanted to come this morning, but considering various factors, I waited until tonight when fewer people are around."

Translation: "He was still wondering when Su Yang took off his hat and mask and said to Wang Ping, "Just think of me as an ordinary friend dropping by. You know the situation—my visit here won't affect me, but I'm afraid you'll be targeted. Actually I wanted to come this morning, but considering various factors, I came tonight when there were few people around.""

Saying that, he stepped forward to Wang Ping's father and said, "Hello, Uncle Wang, I'm Wang Ping's colleague, here to see you." After he spoke, Duan Xu placed a fruit platter on the table, along with two boxes of high‑grade nutritional supplements.

Translation: "Saying that, he stepped forward to Wang Ping's father and said, "Hello, Uncle Wang, I'm Wang Ping's colleague, here to see you." As his words fell, Duan Xu placed the fruit tray on the table and also set down two boxes of high‑grade nutritional supplements."

Upon hearing that Su Yang was Wang Ping's colleague, his father's eyes filled with doubt. He muttered, "Wang Ping has offended many people over the years, yet a colleague is willing to come see me—this is the first time." That one sentence summed up Wang Ping's predicament.

Translation: "Upon hearing that Su Yang was Wang Ping's colleague, Wang Ping's father's eyes filled with doubt. He muttered, "My Wang Ping has offended many people over the years, yet a colleague is willing to come see me—this really is the first time." The old man's remark made Wang Ping's situation clear."

Wang Ping's face also showed some embarrassment, but since the two patients in the neighboring beds were sound asleep, he felt no further restraint and whispered, "Secretary Su, you probably understand my situation."

Translation: "Wang Ping's face also showed some embarrassment, but the patients in the neighboring beds were sound asleep, so he had no further reservations and whispered, "Secretary Su, you probably understand my situation.""

"Frankly, my unit treats me like a transparent person. On many matters I don't want to get involved, and they just keep squeezing me out. The only reason I can still hold the deputy director post is that I never ask about those things, I have no right to ask, and they simply regard me as invisible."

Translation: ""To be frank, my unit treats me like a transparent person. On many matters I don't want to get involved, and they just keep squeezing me out. The reason I can still hold the deputy chief post is precisely because I never ask about many things, I have no right to ask, and they simply regard me as a nobody.""

"Of course, not only the bureau leadership, but even ordinary cadres won't give me the time of day. I still haven't thanked you for this morning's incident."

Translation: ""Of course, don't even mention the bureau leadership—ordinary cadres won't give me the time of day. I still haven't thanked you for this morning's affair.""

"You just said that my coming here might implicate me, but I really don't mind. They can't very well fire me, though if Secretary Peng finds out you were here, he could cause trouble for you at work."

Translation: ""You just said my coming might implicate me, but I actually don't mind. They surely can't fire me, but if Secretary Pan learns you were here, he'd create trouble for you at work.""

"I appreciate your kindness, but you'd better leave quickly, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable!"