146: Chapter 146 A Disgrace to the Nation and a Loss of Sovereignty!

At 2:00 PM, Township Head Jiang Tiansheng walked into the Township Government building on time.

His complexion was still not great, but it was better than in the morning; at least when he met people in the hallway, he could still force a decent smile.

He walked to the office door and pushed it open; the documents on the desk were exactly as he had left them, untouched by anyone.

He sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip; the water was cold, but he didn't call anyone to change it and just drank it as it was.

Damn, the water here was never hot!

The door was knocked twice, and Wang Jianguo poked half his body inside.

"Township Head Jiang, Secretary Xu requests your presence. He says the Discipline Inspection Commission's handling opinion is out and requires your countersignature."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng's hand paused for a moment. He put down his teacup, stood up, picked up the notebook on the desk, and followed Wang Jianguo toward Xu Weidong's office.

The door to Xu Weidong's office was open. When Township Head Jiang Tiansheng walked in, Xu Weidong was leaning back in his chair, reading a document.

On the desk in front of him lay a stack of materials; the top one had a few words marked in red ink, which were unclear from across the desk.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming was sitting on the sofa nearby, also holding a document and flipping through it.

Seeing Township Head Jiang Tiansheng enter, Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming looked up and nodded at him, his expression indifferent.

"Township Head Jiang, you're here? Sit."

Xu Weidong pointed to the chair opposite him and handed him the document in his hand.

"The Discipline Inspection Commission's handling opinion is out. Take a look first."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng took the document and flipped through it page by page.

Station Head Zhu Yan, head of the Water Conservancy Station: irregular use of project funds, large amount, serious nature; recommended expulsion from the Party, expulsion from public office, and transfer to judicial authorities.

Station Head Jin Ming, head of the Family Planning Station: severe delay in the distribution of family planning incentive subsidies, causing negative social impact, and failing to truthfully explain the situation during the organization's investigation; recommended expulsion from the Party and expulsion from public office.

Liu Hao, head of the Statistics Station: repeated falsification of statistical data, serious circumstances; recommended expulsion from the Party and expulsion from public office.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng's fingers trembled slightly. He flipped the document to the last page, where there were three blank spaces waiting for his signature.

"Secretary Xu, this handling opinion..."

"Isn't it too heavy?"

"Regarding Station Head Zhu Yan, concerning the project funds, although the amount is not small, her attitude is good, and she is actively cooperating with the investigation."

"Regarding Station Head Jin Ming, the delay in fund distribution has objective reasons; it is not his responsibility alone."

"Regarding Liu Hao, the issue with statistical data has existed before; it is not entirely his problem."

"Expelling three people at once, isn't it..."

Xu Weidong said solemnly, "Township Head Jiang, the Discipline Inspection Commission's handling opinion has been repeatedly verified and carefully researched."

"Regarding Station Head Zhu Yan's issue, the amount is not the key; the key is the nature. Project funds are the people's money, the state's money, and every cent must be used effectively. This is not the first time she has made a mistake on this issue."

"We have reminded her, criticized her, and had her rectify things before, but she didn't take it seriously. If we don't handle it this time, someone else will make the same mistake next time."

"Station Head Jin Ming's issue is not just the delay in fund distribution. During the organization's investigation, he did not truthfully explain the situation; this is an issue of attitude."

"For a Party member cadre, being disloyal and dishonest to the organization is more serious in nature than a work error."

"Regarding Liu Hao's issue, falsifying statistical data is a bottom-line issue. Statistical work relates to the Party Committee and government's decision-making; if the data is inaccurate, the decision-making will deviate."

"This responsibility cannot be brushed off with a simple phrase like 'negligence'."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng lowered his head, looking at the document as if looking at a contract of indenture.

He knew that he had to sign this document whether he wanted to or not.

Xu Weidong took the document, glanced at it, and nodded with satisfaction.

He handed the document to Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming, his tone returning to that unhurried pace.

"Comrade Hu Ming, handle this matter according to the Discipline Inspection Commission's opinion. Organize the materials and report them to the County Party Committee for the record."

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming took the document, acknowledged it, stood up, and walked out.

Only Xu Weidong and Township Head Jiang Tiansheng remained in the office.

Xu Weidong leaned back in his chair, looked at Township Head Jiang Tiansheng, and said, "Township Head Jiang, I know you are feeling bad."

"Station Head Zhu Yan, Station Head Jin Ming, and Liu Hao were all cadres promoted by you, and they have followed you for so many years."

"They had problems in their work, and as the official in charge, you also bear responsibility."

"However, feelings are feelings, and principles are principles."

"We cannot disregard Party discipline and national laws because of personal feelings, don't you agree?"

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng sat there, his face ashen, like a stone statue.

What could he say? What dared he say?

All of this was nothing more than the victory of the king and the defeat of the bandit; he could only blame himself for not being the Party Committee Secretary, and he could only blame himself for having no one backing him...

If he were the one in power today, and if he were the one with support behind him, and if he were as young and vigorous as Xu Weidong, he could act even more arrogantly than the other party.

With so many halos of support, the fact that he was still politely asked to come over and sign was already quite restrained for this young master.

In the past, the Secretary would have handled the matter himself.

"Secretary Xu is right. These pests must be dealt with when they need to be dealt with."

"I cannot show leniency just because they have worked with me for many years. I firmly support the Discipline Inspection Commission's handling opinion and firmly support Xu Weidong's decision."

Xu Weidong looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly; the smile was faint, carrying a sense of satisfaction.

"I am relieved that Township Head Jiang can think this way."

"The work in Hukuang Township cannot do without you. You still need to worry more about matters on the government side."

"Only when you take care of your health can you do your job well."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng nodded, stood up, took his notebook in which nothing had been written, and turned to walk out.

Returning to his office, he closed the door and sat in his chair for a long time.

He looked at the pile of documents on the desk and stared blankly for a long while.

How true it is that things remain, but people have changed, and everything is over!

Would those old friends who were defeated by his power back then have had the same mindset as he did now?

Then he picked up the phone and dialed a number; it rang a few times, and the other side answered.

"Luan Ping, the Discipline Inspection Commission's handling opinion is out. Station Head Zhu Yan, Station Head Jin Ming, and Liu Hao, all three have been expelled from the Party and public office."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

"Township Head Jiang, did you sign it?"

"I signed it."

Another silence, and then Luan Ping's voice came over, carrying an indescribable weariness.

"I understand, Township Head Jiang, you take care too."

The phone hung up. Township Head Jiang Tiansheng put down the receiver, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

He suddenly felt tired, not physically tired, but tired in his heart.

His current feeling was just like those envoys who previously signed humiliating treaties; facing the unequal treaties forced upon him by the arrogant powers, he could only, like a prostitute who dared not resist, let the other party trample on him...

Township Head?

If things continue like this, his power will soon be less than that of the secretary beside Xu Weidong...

He cannot let the other party continue to be so arrogant; he must hold those Party Committee members in his hand. He does not want to experience a humiliating moment like today a second time!