167: Chapter 167 A Quiet Afternoon

He turned to look at Director Xu Jie, who was standing to the side, and gave an order.

"Director Xu, you must make proper arrangements for the food and lodging of the comrades from the County Commission for Discipline Inspection in our town. We cannot let them find any fault with Heishi Town's logistical support."

Having said his piece, Secretary Qiu Dehai did not even bother with half a polite word. He turned on his heel and slipped away, fleeing the office that had caused him to lose all face.

Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang sneered inwardly as he watched Secretary Qiu Dehai's pathetic, retreating back.

Although the excuse was a bit pathetic, it solidified their justification for staying.

"Since Secretary Qiu, as the top leader of Heishi Town, has personally made this request," Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang turned to look at Director Li Qiang, putting on the airs of a leader, "Director Li Qiang, you'll have to work hard for the next few days. Take your people and stay in Heishi Town for a while."

"Your daily work will consist of two tasks: first, thoroughly investigate and rectify the work culture in Heishi Town; second, assist and cooperate while the Town Commission for Discipline Inspection transfers Village Secretary Zhang Dahai's case files. Remember, you must follow the rules."

Director Li Qiang immediately stood at attention and loudly accepted the order.

Zhu Wenhao stood where he was, watching this clumsy double act unfold.

As The Annals of Lü Buwei says: 'When ministers are employed, there must be a reason.' Secretary Qiu Dehai sold his dignity for profit, while Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang took the opportunity to plant a spy. Each had his own hidden agenda.

"Since Secretary Qiu has made his stance clear," Zhu Wenhao brushed his sleeves, speaking at an unhurried pace, "our Heishi Town naturally welcomes the supervision and guidance of the higher-level disciplinary inspection authorities."

His tone suddenly turned razor-sharp as his gaze locked onto Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang's face.

"However, business is business. Regarding Heishui Village's Village Secretary Zhang Dahai's case, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's document clearly states that the County Commission for Discipline Inspection must absolutely not interfere."

Rules that crossed the line had to be firmly kept outside.

Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang's eye twitched slightly, knowing he wouldn't gain any verbal advantage over this young man.

"Of course. We understand the rules." Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang flicked the hem of his overcoat. "I need to go back and report today's matters to Secretary Pang, so I won't delay any longer. I'll take my leave first."

With that, Deputy Secretary Tian Wenguang left without looking at anyone else, striding out of the Town Commission for Discipline Inspection's office area with Deputy Chief Sun of the County Public Security Bureau in tow.

Seeing that the situation was settled, Zhu Wenhao turned to look at Secretary Chen Jianjun and Police Chief Zhao Gang, nodding slightly in acknowledgement, before gesturing to Su Qinghan and Director Xu Jie.

"Let's go."

The three of them turned and left the smoke-filled office together.

In the room, only Director Li Qiang, who had been assigned to stay, and Heishi Town's Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Chen Jianjun were left.

The two of them stared at each other across the desk.

Director Li Qiang knew he had become an abandoned pawn isolated behind enemy lines, while Secretary Chen Jianjun was certainly not going to show any good grace to this 'imperial envoy' who had come to boss them around.

With mutual dislike between them, the air grew incredibly cold.

Zhu Wenhao led the two of them back to the Deputy Secretary's office.

As soon as he entered, Zhu Wenhao stopped and turned to look at Director Xu Jie.

"Director Xu, you'll have to work hard for the next few days."

Zhu Wenhao arranged the tasks in an orderly manner.

"Since Director Li and his team are staying to rectify the work culture, their food and lodging arrangements must not be neglected. Vacate two good rooms for them at the guesthouse, with standards matching those of a municipal inspection delegation."

He tapped his fingers on the desk, pointing out the core of the matter.

"Of course. The comrades from the County Commission for Discipline Inspection are conducting work in our town and are unfamiliar with the place. As the Director of the Party and Government Office, you must 'accompany' them throughout the process."

"Wherever they go to inspect, you accompany them; whatever routine files they request, you find them. You must make them feel Heishi Town's warmth. We can't let them get lost in the town government compound."

The so-called 'accompanying' was actually round-the-clock surveillance.

By tying them down with endless paperwork and formalistic inspections, they wouldn't have a single shred of energy left to pry into the progress of Village Secretary Zhang Dahai's case.

Director Xu Jie was highly intelligent and naturally understood the hidden meaning in Zhu Wenhao's words.

"Rest assured, Secretary Zhu. The Party and Government Office will arrange the logistics and accompaniment flawlessly."

Director Xu Jie nodded in agreement without asking any unnecessary questions. She turned and left the office to implement the red tape that would surely drown Director Li Qiang in an ocean of paperwork.

In the office, only Zhu Wenhao and Su Qinghan were left.

Free from the gaze of others, Su Qinghan walked over to the sofa in the reception area and put down her briefcase.

She turned around and examined the furnishings of the office.

"That Director Xu just now has quite a background, doesn't she?" Su Qinghan remarked casually. "She pretends to be businesslike, but in reality, she has an extremely strong sense of crisis. When we met in the disciplinary inspection office just now, the look in her eyes was not the kind of temperament a typical township cadre would have."

Zhu Wenhao walked over to the water dispenser, took a white porcelain cup, added some tea leaves, and filled it with warm water.

He had no intention of fully revealing Director Xu Jie's background in The Capital at this moment, which would only create unnecessary complications.

"She's my classmate from the Spark Class." Zhu Wenhao handed the water cup to Su Qinghan, his tone light and casual. "She stayed in the provincial organs for too long and was transferred to the grassroots level to gain some credentials and go through the motions. Since the grassroots level is short-staffed, I just grabbed her to do some odd jobs."

Su Qinghan took the cup, her fingertips touching the warmth of its surface.

She looked up and glanced at Zhu Wenhao.

She didn't press further regarding Director Xu Jie's identity; since he said she was here to gain credentials, then that was what it was.

"I'm hungry," Su Qinghan said, holding the cup as she changed the subject.

"I received the order from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection this morning and drove straight here from Linjiang City without even eating breakfast. You have to take me out for something delicious as a reward."

She sank into the soft sofa, looking at the man standing in front of the desk.

"This afternoon, I'll go to your single dorm and tidy up the place for you. I reckon you've been so busy these past few days that you probably haven't even organized your dorm properly."

Su Qinghan set down her water cup and smoothed the hem of her uniform.

"Today is Friday. This weekend, I'll stay here and keep you company for two days."

Zhu Wenhao looked at her, noting how she rarely showed such a down-to-earth side.

With the overall situation temporarily settled and powerful enemies repelled, having a two-day peaceful respite in this tense Qingjiang County was truly a rare treat.

"Alright," Zhu Wenhao replied.

He turned and sat back in his office chair, opening a drawer to pull out a stack of photocopies regarding the flow of Heishui Village's funds.

"Once I finish reviewing these few approvals on hand, I'll take you to try a long-established noodle shop at the south end of town. The taste is quite authentic."

Su Qinghan sat there, making no further sound to disturb him.

She watched the man quietly as he lowered his head to review the official documents.

The winter sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting a slant across his profile and bathing his sharp features in a very faint, warm glow.

She just watched him, letting time flow slowly in this office filled with the scent of paper and ink.

Outside, the cold wind of Heishi Town was still biting, but inside the room at this moment, there was an added sense of peace, untouched by political schemes.