18: Chapter 18 Mu Xiuwen's Decision

"Secretary Qin, it's time. You need to come over and attend the Party Committee meeting."

Qin Chuan's authoritative voice came through the phone, "Director Li Youfu, organizing and convening Party Committee meetings is the power of my position as the top leader. You tell Township Head Liu that from now on, he does not need to act on my behalf to organize and convene Party Committee meetings; everything will be decided by me."

With a "clack," the phone was hung up.

After Director Li Youfu finished the call, Township Head Liu Qiang's face was very dark.

He snorted and stood up to return to his office.

He had just started work; everyone else had clocked in before nine o'clock, but he had arrived at ten, a full hour late.

Sitting in his office, his hatred for Qin Chuan grew even stronger. He was thinking about what moves he should make next; he could not let Qin Chuan have it too easy.

A few minutes later, Director Li Youfu knocked on the door and entered.

Township Head Liu Qiang glanced at him, thinking that Director Li Youfu could not let go of the matter of recommending him as a member of the Party Committee, but little did he know, that wasn't it.

"Township Head, something happened after eight o'clock this morning. I don't know if you've heard about it."

Of course he hadn't.

Township Head Liu Qiang had arrived very late, went straight to the conference room for the meeting as soon as he got to work, and had only just sat down in his office a few minutes ago.

"Tell me, what happened?"

Director Li Youfu briefly explained that Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen's son had been in a car accident, that Qin Chuan had saved Mu Zixuan, and that Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen had now taken leave to go to Dongzhou City Peoples Hospital.

As for Qin Chuan lending one hundred thousand to Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen, he did not mention it, because apart from the parties involved, no one knew about the loan.

After listening, Township Head Liu Qiang's face showed a grave expression.

For him, this was definitely not a good thing.

Although Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen was in their faction, he was not reliable because he did not collude with them at all and did not participate in many things; they only came together because of an alliance.

Director Li Youfu warned, "Township Head, I am worried that Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen will lean towards Qin Chuan. If that happens, it will be troublesome."

Township Head Liu Qiang thought for a moment and said, "It shouldn't come to that. In the system, being a fence-sitter or a traitor is a major taboo. He shouldn't dare to take such a risk."

In fact, Township Head Liu Qiang himself did not have much certainty.

After thinking about it a little more, he added, "I know about this matter. When he returns, I will have a chat with him."

It wasn't until after four o'clock in the afternoon that Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen returned from Dongzhou City Peoples Hospital.

On the car ride back to Dahe Township, he also thought a lot and felt torn.

He knew that the Township Head and the Secretary were not on good terms. Others might not know and might think that Township Head Liu Qiang and Qin Chuan would get along harmoniously, but as Vice Township Head and member of the Party Committee, he was very clear about it.

The secret struggle between Qin Chuan and Township Head Liu Qiang had already begun.

The key to their struggle was to see who could control the Party Committee. As of now, Township Head Liu Qiang held the absolute upper hand.

However...

If I turn to support Qin Chuan, the situation will change. In the current situation, should I support Qin Chuan?

If I continue to firmly stand on Township Head Liu Qiang's side, my conscience will not allow it. Qin Chuan saved my son and even lent me one hundred thousand yuan when I was in the most difficulty.

It was precisely because of this one hundred thousand yuan that his son's surgery was performed in a timely manner and went very smoothly. The doctor said that as long as he recuperates well, there should basically be no permanent disability.

He is my great benefactor. Even if I were to go against Qin Chuan, I would feel too guilty. What should I do?

On the way back, he thought about it the whole journey and finally decided to give it a try. He would go to Township Head Liu Qiang to borrow money, asking for one hundred thousand. If he could lend this money, then he would continue to follow him, and he would repay Qin Chuan's kindness in other ways.

If he did not lend this money, then I would have no psychological pressure and would firmly stand on Qin Chuan's side.

With his mind made up, he seemed to feel much lighter.

Upon returning to the Township Government compound, the first thing he did was go to Township Head Liu Qiang's office.

Seeing that it was Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen who knocked and entered, Township Head Liu Qiang put on a very concerned look, "Comrade Mu Xiuwen, you're back."

"Yes, I just got back from Dongzhou City Peoples Hospital."

"How is Mu Zixuan's condition? Is it serious?"

Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen said, "The surgery went very smoothly, and his condition is relatively good, but..."

He hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, and continued, "It's just that I already owe the hospital a large sum of money, and follow-up treatment will cost several tens of thousands more; the total will be about one hundred thousand."

"Township Head Liu Qiang, you know my situation. I basically have no money at home, and I am worried to death now. Where should I go to borrow money? After thinking it over, I have no choice but to shamelessly ask you for a loan."

What!

Borrow money from me?

Township Head Liu Qiang was already cursing in his heart. Lending money was equivalent to taking his life; he would rather throw money on the mahjong table than lend it to anyone.

Although he was already cursing in his heart, he did not show it on his face, instead putting on a very troubled look, "Comrade Mu Xiuwen, I am also strapped for cash right now. Let alone one hundred thousand, even taking out ten thousand is difficult."

"How about I try to scrape some together and strive to get you three or five thousand? How about that?"

Seeing this, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen felt disappointed and said in a slightly low mood, "Since you are also strapped for cash, Township Head, then forget it. I will go and try to find someone else."

Township Head Liu Qiang put on an extremely apologetic look and gently patted Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen's shoulder, "Comrade Mu Xiuwen, I really don't have any money. I hope you can understand."

After chatting for a few sentences, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen stood up to leave.

After walking out of Township Head Liu Qiang's office, his expression gradually changed, and he thought fiercely in his heart, "I've always supported you, but in the end, you won't even lend me money to save a life."

No money, heh, you're trying to fool a three-year-old.

Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen had completely made up his mind to actively and proactively lean towards Qin Chuan and properly repay Qin Chuan's kindness.

Therefore, he turned around and knocked on the door to enter Qin Chuan's office.

Seeing Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen enter, Qin Chuan was pleasantly surprised; he had originally thought that he wouldn't be able to return until at least tomorrow morning.

Unlike Township Head Liu Qiang, Qin Chuan's concern was from the heart.

"Vice Township Head Mu, how is the situation? Did the surgery go smoothly?"

Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen briefly explained the situation with a grateful look. After listening, Qin Chuan was also relieved; as long as there was no permanent disability and he could basically recover, that was good.

After some expressions of gratitude, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen proactively said, "Qin Chuan, I have no way to repay this kindness of yours. From now on, if you tell me to go west, I will absolutely not go east."

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan felt happy.

He had gained another ally. This way, he would hold the majority in the Party Committee and surpass Township Head Liu Qiang.

Since that was the case, some matters should be discussed at the Party Committee meeting, such as the issue of unpaid teacher wages, the issue of the candidate for the head of the Finance Office, the issue of Director Li Youfu, and so on.

After the two chatted for a while, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen prepared to leave. At this moment, there seemed to be some commotion coming from outside.

It seemed to be coming from the direction of the Township Government main entrance, and the commotion seemed quite significant. Could something have happened?

Qin Chuan hurriedly walked to the office window to take a look, and sure enough, he saw a lot of people gathered at the Township Government main entrance.