21: Chapter 21 Li Youfu is dismissed from his post

Deputy Township Head Wang Feng said, "The teacher salaries in our Dahe Township rely primarily on fiscal allocations. The county hasn't disbursed funds for two months, so naturally, we don't have the money to pay the teachers."

"Secretary Qin, I think you could make a trip to the County Education Bureau, have a chat with the Education Bureau Director, and demand that they release the teacher salaries for our Dahe Township."

This Deputy Township Head Wang Feng really had a nasty way of speaking.

As expected of Township Head Liu Qiang's staunch supporter, he didn't give Qin Chuan any face at all, even going so far as to pressure Qin Chuan to go find the County Education Bureau.

Fortunately, he was well-informed about the whole situation; otherwise, he might have actually been fooled. Qin Chuan said, "Deputy Township Head Wang Feng, as far as I know, our township has been in arrears on teacher salaries for as long as six months, not two, right?"

This…

Deputy Township Head Wang Feng didn't know what to say for a moment.

Township Head Liu Qiang stepped in, "Secretary Qin, let me say a few words about this matter. It's not just the teachers' salaries that have been in arrears for six months; other funds and wages haven't been paid either. Here is what I think: our office building is too dilapidated. We plan to raise a portion of the funds within Dahe Township, get some more from above, and take out a fiscal loan from the bank to scrape together forty or fifty million to build a new office building…"

He was interrupted before he could finish.

Qin Chuan flatly rejected it, "We can discuss building a new office building later. What needs to be done right now is to pay out all the outstanding salaries."

Township Head Liu Qiang wanted to retort, but Ma Zhengnan spoke first, "I think Qin Chuan is right. Although our current office building is a bit old, it is still usable. Spending a huge amount of funds to build a new office building is truly inappropriate."

Following this, the meeting became quite heated.

The two factions were basically at each other's throats.

Qin Chuan pressed his hand down and said in a resonant voice, "Since everyone cannot agree, let's put it to a vote. Those in favor of immediately paying out the outstanding teacher salaries, please raise your hand."

After speaking, Qin Chuan raised his hand first.

Then came Ma Zhengnan and Deputy Party Secretary Fu.

With a total of three people raising their hands, Township Head Liu Qiang suddenly felt like laughing, his heart filled with joy.

After saying so much, it turned out there were only three of you, not even half. That means the entire Party Committee is still under my control.

He felt so comfortable inside that it almost showed on his face. Township Head Liu Qiang suppressed the joy in his heart and reminded him, "Secretary Qin, there are only three of you in total who agree; the number doesn't seem to be enough."

As soon as his voice fell, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen, who had been silent all along, spoke up.

"I think Qin Chuan is right. No matter how poor we are, we cannot be poor in education. Teacher salaries must absolutely not be in arrears and must be paid out immediately. I support Qin Chuan!"

After speaking, amidst everyone's gaze, he raised his right hand.

This…

Township Head Liu Qiang was stunned for a moment, and then, his heart was filled with fury.

Damn it, you really are playing the traitor, stabbing me in the back at this critical moment!

Deputy Township Head Wang Feng and Committee Member Zhou Fengjie quietly exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

If Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen defected to Qin Chuan's side, the situation would become serious, and the power structure of Dahe Township would be reshuffled.

Qin Chuan didn't care about the reaction from Township Head Liu Qiang and the others, and said in a booming voice, "Then the matter is settled. Pay out the outstanding teacher salaries immediately. Director Hu Qibin, record this and form a meeting resolution."

Director Hu Qibin replied loudly, "Understood, Secretary!"

Qin Chuan said, "The meeting has been going on for over an hour. Does anyone have any other matters?"

Township Head Liu Qiang and the others were fuming inside and just wanted the meeting to end early, so they shook their heads, indicating there were no other matters that needed to be discussed.

Who would have known that Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen would speak again.

"Secretary, there is one matter I feel is necessary to bring up at the Party Committee meeting."

Qin Chuan nodded, "Comrade Mu Xiuwen, go ahead, what is the matter?"

Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen said, "Director of the Party and Government Office, Director Li Youfu, has illegally built a large rural villa, seriously exceeding standards, and has forcibly occupied a neighbor's homestead. The impact is very bad. I think he is no longer suitable to serve as Director of the Party and Government Office. I suggest he be dismissed immediately and that Deputy Director, Comrade Director Hu Qibin, take over the position of Director of the Party and Government Office."

What!

Director Li Youfu was stunned, looking at Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen in disbelief, thinking he had misheard.

Township Head Liu Qiang and the others were also stunned for a moment.

They never dreamed that Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen would not only completely defect to Qin Chuan's side but would actually help charge into battle, landing a killing blow to dismiss Director Li Youfu from his position as Director of the Party and Government Office.

The key was that as soon as Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen's words fell, Ma Zhengnan and Deputy Party Secretary Fu followed up, clearly and unequivocally supporting the dismissal of Director Li Youfu.

Qin Chuan said, "Township Head Liu Qiang, what is your opinion?"

At this moment, Township Head Liu Qiang was filled with monstrous hatred for Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen!

He had originally thought about talking to Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen privately after the meeting ended, promising some conditions to win him back, but now it seemed there was absolutely no hope.

However, he didn't show it on the surface. He knew the situation was lost, and struggling was useless and futile. It was better to pretend to support it, temporarily numbing and confusing Qin Chuan, so he could secretly stir up trouble later.

Township Head Liu Qiang pretended to be very surprised and said, "I didn't know about this matter; I was completely unaware. I didn't expect Director Li Youfu to have forcibly occupied a neighbor's homestead. That truly requires reflection. I respect Qin Chuan's opinion."

He originally wanted to say a few words for Director Li Youfu, but knowing it was useless, he simply supported Qin Chuan's opinion and did not oppose it.

Director Li Youfu was miserable, looking as if his parents had died.

He had finally climbed to the position of Director of the Party and Government Office, only to be dismissed by the new Secretary at the very first Party Committee meeting.

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, "Those in favor of dismissing Director Li Youfu from his position as Director of the Party and Government Office and having Comrade Director Hu Qibin take over as Director of the Party and Government Office, please raise your hand."

The result was without suspense; it passed unanimously.

The meeting concluded here. Qin Chuan looked at the time, 11:20 AM, which was smoother than he had expected.

"Meeting adjourned!"

After speaking, Qin Chuan stood up and was the first to leave the meeting room, followed by the others.

Within a few minutes, the news of Director Li Youfu's dismissal spread throughout the entire Township Government compound.

"Good heavens, Director Li Youfu was actually dismissed!"

"Director Li Youfu deserved it. Qin Chuan really has courage!"

"Director Hu Qibin has turned things around this time; his luck has really turned!"

"…"

Many people were whispering to each other, and some sensitive individuals even sensed that the political climate in Dahe Township was about to change, and from now on, it would be Qin Chuan who called the shots.

As soon as work started in the afternoon.

Just as Qin Chuan sat down in his office, Director Hu Qibin walked in with the finalized meeting minutes.

"Secretary, please take a look to see if it is appropriate and if there are any places that need modification."

Generally speaking, no matter how well you do something, leaders always pick out a few places for you to modify to show that the leader has high standards.

Qin Chuan did not do so. After reading the meeting minutes, he felt they were of high quality and appropriate, with no need for modifications at all.

So, he picked up a pen, quickly signed his name, and then said, "Issue this immediately, and then accompany me to the Central School for a visit to take a look."