Chapter 970: Secretary Zhang

Su Yang, who was eating pickled radish, said, "Hey, hey, hey, why are you all staring at me? It sounds as if I'm the one who likes this, but don't ruin me! I just got back from my wedding, and you're trying to harm me!"

The others burst into another round of hearty laughter.

Su Yang then said to Secretary Hou, "The food here is really good, it truly has a unique farmhouse rice aroma."

"Originally, I was thinking of setting up two tables in the county and inviting everyone, but now that such a sordid thing has happened, if I set up tables again it would be indefensible, it wouldn't stand up to public opinion."

"So today's meal will be treated as a treat for everyone; eat what you should, drink what you should."

"Help yourselves; I'll foot the bill for the whole place today."

Lao Mo said, "Comrade Su Yang, I have to criticize you for a couple of words. This counts as a make‑up wedding banquet; who can say anything? It's just postponing it a few days."

"Not only are you promoting a frugal spirit among all our cadres, but you're also being stingy yourself; that's indefensible. We're supposed to have a grand banquet!"

Amidst their chatter, the group polished off the dishes, and Chen Bo, still not satisfied, said, "If we'd known the county had such tasty specialty side dishes, why eat potatoes and cabbage day after day in the office canteen?"

At this moment, Hou Junlai said, "These treats are still available now; later, we might not even be able to get them."

Li Lingyu asked, "What's going on? Secretary Hou doesn't want to provide them for us?"

Hou Junlai replied, "It's not that; some people don't want to see us work peacefully in the county."

He then recounted the conversation they three had just now.

After hearing that, even the usually low‑key, restrained, and composed Li Lingyu slapped her chopsticks on the table with a "clack" and said, "How can they be so shameless? We always thought this was happening on the project site, and we were ready to take responsibility ourselves."

"Even if other matters have hidden aspects, it shouldn't lead to such an outcome!"

Chen Bo said, "We must investigate and punish them severely! What's the difference between these people and murderers?"

"In my political career, I have never seen such despicable political tactics; this can even be used to frame others!"

Su Yang said, "Don't get angry; anger ages a person, especially female comrades. If they go to work every day full of resentment, their delicate beauty will be ravaged."

"It's normal that they target me, since I led the work initially; some comrades in the county may still be stuck in old mindsets and practices, failing to give the two newly arrived senior leaders the respect and dignity they deserve."

"When such things happen, I don't think it's unreasonable, but as you said, this must not be tolerated."

"As for specifics, let the Discipline Inspection Commission handle the arrangements; other relevant comrades just do their own duties and don't let anyone pick at their hair."

"Also, notify the Public Security Bureau; the person who should be covertly monitored will be, and once all clues are clarified and the evidence chain is complete, we'll act immediately."

"As for us, just carry out our work normally."

Everyone answered in unison with a swift assent, but at that moment they exchanged glances and keenly sensed that Zhou Yanru was absent this time, unsure whether Su Yang had simply forgotten or ignored her.

Secretary Hou said, "Oh, I have something else, I almost forgot. A couple of days ago, Secretary Zhang invited me out for a meal alone. He, in his words, said he came from Jingcheng, bearing a mission, and must achieve results in our county."

"He asked me to cooperate as much as possible; my stance then was that the Discipline Inspection Commission is supposed to obey the leadership's directives, and every action will be reported to the leaders."

"He was satisfied with that and said the county's political ecology was poor, not returning to a normal state, so in future standing committee meetings, on key issues, I must grasp the overall situation and resolutely obey the Cultivation Organization's intent."

"Listen to him talk about the Cultivation Organization's intent? Who is the Cultivation Organization? Does that exclude the entire standing committee sitting in the conference room?"

"Of course, I didn't refute him; after all, he's the top leader, he flaunted his Jingcheng background, so the proper respect must be given."

"The unfortunate thing is, just after our meeting, I had to violate the Cultivation Organization's principle and launch an investigation into some cadres of Guantan Gou Zhen; my conscience felt uneasy, I felt I had let the Cultivation Organization down."

When he finished speaking, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Chen Bo said, "I'm in a similar spot. I don't know why, maybe because I'm a female comrade; he repeatedly hinted that, if conditions permit, he could take me to the provincial capital to meet some Provincial Party Committee leaders."

"Also, any key assessment projects in the county could be taken me to alone."

"Besides that, he told me the leadership team must include female comrades; the municipal party committee currently has only one, and according to the consistent Cultivation Organization principle, there should be at least two female comrades."

"So his meaning is that I should follow his orders, go with him, and after at most two years here I could join the municipal party committee's standing committee."

"Honestly, I'm really tempted. I'm a woman in that not‑awkward‑nor‑embarrassed age range; how many chances does one get to enter the municipal party committee's standing committee? Sacrificing a bit when needed pleases oneself and benefits others—what a wonderful thing."

"But then I thought, would doing this completely betray my original intention? My party‑spirit principle would be wiped out, and I'd also let down the handsome male comrades in our team."

"Moreover, he probably didn't anticipate that I've always worked in the Organization Department; I'm well aware of the cadre promotion system. Moving from County Standing Committee Member to Municipal Standing Committee Member in two years is almost impossible unless you're a Secretary or County Magistrate."

"Of course, it doesn't rule out comrades with special meritorious achievements, or those the Cultivation Organization is focusing on cultivating as young cadres; clearly I fit neither, and his picture is too grand."

"Also, let me discuss a topic: the overwhelming majority of female comrades within the system, when faced with such temptations, basically can't control their bodies."

"Whenever I see on the news those who, in front of the camera, confess their indiscretious behavior—climbing up, clinging to power, and maintaining improper relationships with multiple people—they all look there with a shameful face, as if they've committed an unforgivable mistake, though they may not think so inside."

"To put it simply, it's like little girls dating boys: if being together also brings some power, why not fling open the doors wide?"