58: Chapter 58 Zhu Zihao Appointed as Director

Over the phone, Secretary Wang Shengli told Sun Ning that the matter regarding the Mishui Township Police Station had been settled.

Chief Wu's transfer paperwork had also been processed directly.

As for the public notice period for Zhu Zihao's appointment, none of that was important.

The first thing Secretary Wang Shengli brought up on the phone wasn't the Discipline Inspection Commission's business, but rather the matter of the Mishui Township Police Station.

Evidently, this County Head was quite well-informed about the ins and outs of this matter.

Who in Mishui Township was the one tipping off this County Head?

This was certainly worth careful consideration.

As it stood, the politics of Mishui Township were being propped up entirely by the lingering influence of Party Secretary Xue Hongtao.

And these township party committee members were likely people with their own hidden agendas.

However, it was unlikely that a deputy township official would have climbed up to Secretary Wang Shengli; it was more likely that Secretary Wang Shengli had extended an olive branch, and someone in the township had taken the bait.

Next, Secretary Wang Shengli briefed him on some situations within the County Commission for Discipline Inspection.

It was said that after Li Bing arrived at the Great Wall Hotel yesterday, he was given a severe dressing-down by Tian Xiaojun.

During the morning meeting today, Li Bing's division of labor was even adjusted.

Sun Ning knew that Tian Xiaojun intended to thoroughly investigate this matter.

The warning yesterday and the reassignment today were simply to prevent certain people in the Discipline Inspection Commission from pulling any stunts.

It also signaled that the Discipline Inspection Commission was going to get to the bottom of yesterday's incident.

After hanging up, Sun Ning informed Secretary Xue Hongtao about the appointment situation at the Police Station.

"That's great. This appointment is just like timely rain. Call Chief Zhu over and have a good talk with him!"

"Thank you, Party Secretary. I'll head back now."

Sun Ning's thanks were not without purpose; Secretary Xue Hongtao was giving him the opportunity to do Zhu Zihao a favor.

It was only right for him to express his gratitude.

After returning to his office, Sun Ning dialed Zhu Zihao.

Twenty-plus minutes later, Zhu Zihao arrived at Sun Ning's office.

Sun Ning gestured for him to sit in a chair and poured him a cup of tea.

It was evident that Zhu Zihao's demeanor was very reserved, and he seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

This reserved state was clearly a lingering effect from the failed attempt to give a gift last time.

It seemed that his action of refusing the gift had left a psychological scar on this shy man.

"Comrade Zihao, there's no need to be reserved when you come to see me. You have a detailed and clear approach to the Police Station's work, and I admire that very much."

"Mishui Township is set to develop. The permanent population will continue to increase, the scale of the township will keep expanding, and the public security issues in Mishui Township will become increasingly severe."

"The responsibilities on your shoulders will become heavier and heavier. As for me, I hope you can shoulder this responsibility."

As Sun Ning's words grew more profound, Zhu Zihao felt increasingly apprehensive.

He was just a deputy chief; if he were a deputy chief in a city, there might be some perks in his jurisdiction.

But as a township deputy chief, he could only really intimidate the common folk.

The greatest power he had was probably eating for free at some restaurant in the township.

Why did it sound like Sun Ning was implying that he should vie for power with Chief Wu?

The key was that he had no confidence in winning against Chief Wu.

The other party was a section-level cadre, while he was at best a reserve section-level.

Furthermore, he had offended people in the Bureau, so he couldn't get any support there.

Therefore, Zhu Zihao summoned his courage and said, "Township Head, I will strive to do my best, but sometimes I am not the master of my own fate!"

"It's not about striving; you must do your best. After the New Year, the station will be allocated five additional official staff positions and at least twenty auxiliary police positions. Funding will also be increased."

"But……"

"No 'buts.' A few days ago, I suggested to Party Secretary Xue that you be made Chief. Party Secretary Xue submitted a report to the County Bureau, and just now, County Head Wang called me to say the paperwork is done. From now on, you are the Chief of our Mishui Township Police Station."

Upon hearing Sun Ning's words, Zhu Zihao was absolutely shocked.

He stood up involuntarily.

His hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

His ambition had already died; the reason he had given a gift to Sun Ning was for his wife, whom he felt he had neglected for years.

From the moment Sun Ning refused the gift, he and his wife had given up on the possibility of advancing any further.

Yet, just as he was filled with guilt and despair, suddenly, Sun Ning gave him hope.

His mind was filled with the word "impossible."

But Sun Ning was a Township Head; he had no grudge against him, so it was impossible that he would use this matter to provoke him.

In his anxiety, he stammered, "Township Head, didn't you refuse to accept that gift?"

Pfft!

The tea Sun Ning had just taken into his mouth sprayed out.

He could have imagined Zhu Zihao being moved to tears or fawning over him.

He just hadn't expected him to bring up the refusal of the gift.

He must have cared so much about the failure of his first gift-giving attempt.

"What? Does me not accepting a gift conflict with promoting an outstanding cadre?"

"Township Head, I'm sorry, I……"

Before Zhu Zihao could finish his sentence, his cell phone rang abruptly.

He looked at who was calling and quickly cut the call.

Just as he was thinking about continuing the previous topic, the phone rang again.

"Answer the phone first!"

Zhu Zihao hurriedly answered the phone, skipping the pleasantries, and said directly, "I'm in a meeting, I'll talk to you later."

"What? Are you serious?"

After saying these two sentences, Zhu Zihao hung up the phone. He immediately gave Sun Ning a ninety-degree bow; it seemed someone had called to congratulate him.

He said in a very solemn tone, "Thank you for the promotion, Township Head. From now on, I will devote myself to you completely!"

Coming from the mouth of an upright retired soldier, this sentence carried the weight of allegiance.

And this loyalty value was quite high.

Sun Ning was naturally very happy to hear this; this Chief Zhu could be considered the first "his own person" in the true sense since he came to Mishui Township.

He smiled slightly and said, "It's all about serving the people!"

Not waiting for him to say any more words of thanks, Sun Ning waved him off and said, "I called you over today because there is a case for the Police Station to investigate."

"You know about the northern industrial park, right?"

"The contractors there are suspected of cutting corners and passing off inferior goods as quality ones."

"I suspect they used improper means to obtain this project. Arrange for someone to investigate; the more detailed the evidence, the better."

Following that, Sun Ning detailed the ins and outs of this matter.

By assigning the task, Sun Ning also meant to test Zhu Zihao.

Allegiance and acceptance are mutual; just like strategists in the Three Kingdoms period would offer advice when choosing a lord, and the lords would test them through their analysis.

Although Sun Ning didn't have the great ability of an ancient emperor, he didn't want the people he promoted to be useless sacks of wine and rice.

Zhu Zihao, who had just sat down, stood up again and directly saluted Sun Ning.

"I guarantee to complete the mission!"

A simple sentence was more effective than a hundred words of fawning.

Sun Ning could finally rest assured in handing this matter over to Zhu Zihao.

After discussing the matter, Zhu Zihao stood up to take his leave, but Sun Ning waved him off.

He took a carton of cigarettes from his drawer and tossed it to Zhu Zihao.

"I have too many cigarettes here; help me get rid of some."

Seeing Zhu Zihao's surprised look, he added an explanation: "My girlfriend bought too many. I don't smoke!"

The news that Sun Ning's girlfriend was a rich and beautiful woman had already spread throughout Mishui Township.

And these cigarettes were indeed the ones that Shang Rou and her friend had bought and left at the house last time.