Chapter 465

Zhou Hongtao thought to himself, 'This loss isn't my fault; otherwise, if I ended up offending someone today, I'd be the one to blame.'

This line contains Zhou Hongtao. Also 'I' refers to the speaker (possibly Su Yang, though the line is Zhou Hongtao's thought). No other names appear.

If we say not to deal with it, that would violate the Cultivation Organization's principles; if we say to handle it as Fang Jingwen suggests, that would be equivalent to ruining someone's livelihood.

Contains Fang Jingwen, Cultivation Organization. Also possibly "Cultivation Organization Principles". Also "Cultivation Organization" appears.

In the end, they will surely blame Zhou Ruohan for this debt; this is equivalent to Fang Jingwen wanting to kill someone, but he instead directly handed the knife to Zhou Ruohan.

This line contains Zhou Ruohan and Fang Jingwen. Also 'he' refers to someone (possibly Su Yang, though unclear; not a named entity).

He must have come down from the provincial capital; his mind is full of political wisdom. If he weren't occupying this top position, he would definitely be overwhelmed by these two.

This line has no named entities; 'he' might refer to Zhou Ruohan, but it's not a name.

Zhou Ruohan's expression immediately turned cold; principles are principles, rules are rules. Generally, within the system, few people are directly dismissed from public office for making mistakes.

This line contains Zhou Ruohan and the term 'Within the System'. Also 'dismissed from public office' is not a name.

Especially for such a matter that could be major or minor, logically speaking, it would be recorded as a major demerit.

No names.

Normally, it could also just be a warning.

No names.

Unless it involves serious dereliction of duty, malfeasance, or bribery involving a huge amount with a harmful impact, only then would one be dismissed from public office.

No names.

No one wants to do something that ruins someone's livelihood; even with their status and position, they would not lightly undertake such an act.

No names.

Not to mention her; even the secretary who holds great personnel authority would not do such a thing.

This line contains the term 'Secretary'. Also 'she' refers to Fang Jingwen, but that's not needed.

Ruining someone's future is no different from killing their parents; if one truly encounters such extremists, they might even bring trouble upon themselves.

No names.

No one dares to guarantee they won't make a mistake; if someone is constantly watching, even in a gutter there's a chance of a mishap.

No names.

But Fang Jingwen has already handed over the knife; she cannot possibly refuse to take it.

This line contains Fang Jingwen.

I think Secretary Fang is right; someone who blatantly disregards the Cultivation Organization's discipline and seriously violates work regulations should be directly dismissed from public office.

This line contains Secretary Fang and the Cultivation Organization. Also 'discipline' is not a name.

Moreover, I clearly understand Secretary Fang's meaning: it is to use this as an opportunity to curb this trend, which is completely understandable.

This line contains Secretary Fang.

But the matter isn't that serious; although it caused harm to staff, it didn't lead to a major casualty case. As the saying goes, 'Knowing one's mistakes and being able to correct them is the greatest virtue.' Since they have voluntarily admitted fault, I think we should still give them a chance; after all, nobody has it easy.

No names.

Of course, a punishment is still needed. I suggested—well, actually it wasn't my suggestion; anyway, Secretary Fang's meaning is for me to handle it, so let's record a major demerit and issue a county-wide criticism.

This line contains Secretary Fang.

Comrades, do you have any opinions on this?

No names.

They were already ashen-faced, but upon thinking that their iron rice bowl would be smashed, losing this dignity and sense of superiority, wondering how they would face their family, friends, and even make a living, they actually heard the county magistrate's words and nodded, saying, 'Okay, okay, okay, no objections, thank you, County Magistrate Zhou, thank you, County Magistrate Zhou.'

This line contains County Magistrate and County Magistrate Zhou (referring to Zhou Ruohan as County Magistrate). The glossary lists County Magistrate → County Magistrate. For County Magistrate Zhou we should translate as 'County Magistrate Zhou' (combining the surname Zhou with the title). According to the rules, for a person's name plus title we translate the title and keep the name as pinyin? Actually the glossary provides translations for individual terms: Zhou Ruohan → Zhou Ruohan, County Magistrate → County Magistrate. For County Magistrate Zhou we should translate as 'County Magistrate Zhou'? But the glossary didn't give that combination. However we can infer: The surname Zhou is part of the person's name; we have Zhou Ruohan as the full name. For County Magistrate Zhou, it's a title with surname: 'County Magistrate Zhou'. Since we have Zhou Ruohan as the person, we can translate as 'County Magistrate Zhou'. The glossary didn't list that exact phrase, but we can construct using the given translations: Zhou (from Zhou Ruohan) + County Magistrate. The instruction: 'Reuse the EXACT English from the glossary above for terms already listed.' For terms not listed, we translate meaning. So we need to translate 'County Magistrate Zhou' as 'County Magistrate Zhou'. Also 'County Magistrate Zhou' appears twice.

Also County Magistrate Zhou appears twice.

Fortunately, this occurred in a public setting, in the meeting room. If it had been elsewhere, they might have already dropped to their knees, kowtowing in gratitude.

No names.

Naturally, they feel profound gratitude toward Zhou Ruohan, but they inevitably develop a hint of resentment toward Fang Jingwen.

This line contains Zhou Ruohan and Fang Jingwen.

We merely made a mistake that any Discipline Inspection Commission staff member could make, and it was just bad luck that it fell into your hands this time; yet you actually want to cut us down with a single blow?

This line contains the Discipline Inspection Commission. Also 'you' refers to Fang Jingwen, but that's not needed.

If discipline were really emphasized this strictly, then over 99% of these people would have to be dismissed from public office.

No names.

If this continues, how can we carry out this work? Who would dare to do it? Who would be willing to do it?

No names.

Fang Jingwen's face grew even darker; she knew Zhou Ruohan was difficult to deal with, otherwise the Cultivation Organization wouldn't have placed Zhou Ruohan directly in the county magistrate position.

This line contains Fang Jingwen, Zhou Ruohan, the Cultivation Organization, and County Magistrate. Also 'county magistrate's position' refers to the position.

Of course, there was the factor of Zhou Weiguo from the beginning, but the Cultivation Organization's personnel decisions are not based solely on background; personal ability is the main factor, especially in such a crucial position.

This line contains Zhou Weiguo and the Cultivation Organization.

If placed in a provincial-level agency as a bureau chief or similar, nobody would particularly care about your ability; as long as you have sufficient connections, that's enough.

No names.

At this very moment, the atmosphere in the huge meeting room has turned icy cold; they are all waiting for Fang Jingwen to erupt, because they can see that this is Fang Jingwen making things ugly for this county magistrate, ending up embarrassing herself inside and out.

This line contains Fang Jingwen and County Magistrate. Also 'this county magistrate' refers to Zhou Ruohan.

Sure enough, Fang Jingwen shouted, 'Meeting adjourned!'

This line contains Fang Jingwen.

She did not indicate on the spot whether she would implement Zhou Ruohan's earlier plan, which also shows her dissatisfaction with Zhou Ruohan; otherwise she should have announced a major demerit punishment for these people.

This line contains Zhou Ruohan. Also 'she' refers to Fang Jingwen.

Since County Magistrate Zhou has already said that, this matter's basic tone is set.

This line contains County Magistrate Zhou.

No matter how it's handled, these people's positions are essentially secured; however, the offense of offending others is also blamed on her.

This line has no names; 'she' refers to Fang Jingwen.

Watching Fang Jingwen's grim face, Zhou Ruohan thought to himself, 'If you want to mess with me, you still need to practice.'

This line contains Fang Jingwen and Zhou Ruohan.

She had just secretly felt happy for a few seconds when Fang Jingwen stood up, walked past his side, deliberately rolled up her sleeve, and exposed the gleaming bracelet before her eyes.

This line contains Fang Jingwen. Also 'she' refers to Zhou Ruohan (the one who felt happy), 'he' refers to Zhou Ruohan (the person Fang Jingwen walked past), and the final 'her' also refers to Zhou Ruohan. No other named entities appear.

Her beautiful mood instantly turned ugly; some hurdles in the heart are truly impossible to get over.

No names.

She now wishes to drag Su Yang over to ask exactly what's going on with this silver bracelet; how could Fang Jingwen have a silver bracelet?

This line contains Su Yang and Fang Jingwen.

Next, the three of them simultaneously went to the interrogation room and began routine questioning of Cui Mingjiu.

This line contains Cui Mingjiu.

Originally it was Li Qiming questioning him, but Cui Mingjiu's attitude was extremely arrogant—he not only refused to cooperate, he leaned back and began snoring loudly asleep.

He thought he had no evidence against him, and besides, he had people backing him.

When he was shoved into the Discipline Inspection Commission's car, surely someone would inform the people behind him about this.

His connection is different; others rely on smooth sailing and on meals and banquets to curry favor upward.

Rather, it's the person behind him who owes their family a great favor—a favor that cannot be repaid in a lifetime. Let alone that he's currently just been summoned by the Discipline Inspection Commission over a trivial matter.

Even if he committed a capital crime, the people behind him would try every means to deal with it for him.

Therefore, he disdained to speak with Li Qimin, and even felt that this matter had nothing to do with him; everything requires evidence, cannot rely on speculation to handle a case.

"Cui Mingjiu, Secretary Zhou Hongtao, County Magistrate Zhou Ruohan, and Secretary Fang Jingwen are all here; are you still going to pretend to sleep?"

Just as Cui Mingjiu was thinking, wondering when the person behind him would call and directly get him out, Li Qiming suddenly said beside him.

Cui Mingjiu suddenly opened his eyes; he could disregard this Deputy Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, because when a township-level principal official like him has problems and really needs to undergo interrogation, normally the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary personally conducts the questioning; a Deputy Secretary indeed is somewhat insufficiently qualified.

He had even considered that Fang Jingwen might come to find him, and thus he had already thought of a countermeasure—how to extricate himself from this matter involving Su Yang.

But he never expected that Zhou Hongtao, Zhou Ruohan, and Fang Jingwen would be together; this is probably the first time in the entire history of Jincheng County.

His face is really big enough; it startled the three main leaders.

Immediately, he had a feeling that something big was wrong; he secretly hoped that the person behind him would quickly call and get him out.

Otherwise, this time might really turn out badly; once he is questioned here, or if the Discipline Inspection Commission intensifies its efforts and they find other evidence from the countryside, then he might end up in a passive position…