Chapter 34: People's Congress Representatives (Three)

  The list of representatives attending the county people's congress from each commune was placed on the desk of Wang Benqing, director of the county revolutionary committee.

  The three words "Liu Jincai" deeply pained Director Wang's eyes. He picked up his pen and heavily crossed out Liu Jincai's name with a big "X", then snapped the red pencil into two pieces.

  Cui Xiuhuo stood in front of the office desk with his head bowed, not even daring to take a breath.

  Although he was a confidant promoted by Wang Benqing, after all, he was the deputy director of the county revolutionary committee. On ordinary days, in front of Wang Benqing, he wasn't so timid and fearful. However, this matter couldn't be handled properly, Liu Jinchao broke through layers of obstacles and finally became a representative of the County People's Congress, making him feel that he had betrayed Director Wang's trust, and he couldn't help but be more cautious.

  Director Wang, who usually doesn't show his emotions, has sharpened his pencil, apparently he is really angry.

  "Didn't you originally say that Liu Jincai could attend the People's Congress of Hongqi Commune at most? How do you explain it now?"

  Choi Soo-young wiped away her sweat without explaining.

  The Hongqi Commune originally had only five places for the county people's congress, so the Liujiashan Brigade elected Liu Jincheng as a representative to the People's Congress. Cui Xiuhuo personally went out to work on it but was unsuccessful, and he wasn't particularly tense about it either. As long as they could stop Liu Jincheng from participating in the county people's congress through the commune election, the problem wouldn't be too severe.

  A place as small as a red flag commune's palm can turn over what kind of sky?

  Who would have thought that during the commune election, representatives from nearby large teams such as Liujiashan and Matawan unanimously nominated Liu Jinchai as a county people's congress representative. By the time Cui Xiuhuo received the report, the election was already over, and Liu Jinchai had been elected with an overwhelming majority.

  Choi Xiuhuo was so angry that he gritted his teeth and scolded Zhang Mulian as a useless waste on the phone.

  Zhang Mulin was full of grievances.

  Before the election, he had actually done a lot of work. The cadres of the big team nodded one by one, saying that they would follow the instructions of the county and commune, and asked Director Zhang to rest assured. Who knew that when it came to the election, Liu Jin suddenly stood up as a representative, with thunderous applause, and everything turned upside down.

  It all boils down to "rice field raising fish" being at play again.

  Last year, all brigades in Hongqi Commune had a taste of the sweetness of "rice field fish farming". Although there was a ban from the county government, many brigades did not intend to follow it honestly. As soon as spring began, they secretly purchased fish seedlings and repaired their paddy fields, preparing for another big push. Some particularly bold brigades even planned to expand the water surface for fish farming to 40 mu or more.

  Apart from the temptation of actual benefits, another important reason is that last year's county-level document prohibiting "rice field fish farming" was vague and did not clearly state the reasons for the ban. The main "crimes" were "breeding corruption" and "speculation", but it did not say that "rice field fish farming" itself had many problems. The brigade cadres thought that as long as they controlled the distribution and sales links well, did not engage in "corruption" or "speculation", and raised fat fish for their own consumption, then there would be no big problem.

  Farmers in our country have always been honest and law-abiding, and it is unlikely that they will arbitrarily disobey the orders of their superiors. If the consequences of disobeying orders are severe enough, no matter how great the benefits or temptation, they dare not take a step beyond the bounds of what is allowed.

  It's all because of the loopholes in the county's documents, leaving room for people to take advantage of.

  But they were still not at ease, and coincidentally pushed Liu Jinchai out. Anyway, the one who started "rice field fish" was Liu Jinchai, pushing him to the position of county people's congress representative, the county government had to deal with it first. At that time, no matter what, the county would issue another order, criticizing the heads of the commune. So-called law does not blame the masses, can the county really remove all 21 brigade leaders of Hongqi Commune?

  After all, everyone just raised a few more fish and didn't commit any heinous crimes.

  In a unanimous vote, Liu Jincai was easily elected as the county people's representative, leaving Cui Xiuhuo and Zhang Mulin stunned.

  Choi Xiuhao had already reported the whole thing to Wang Benqing in detail. Now, Wang Benqing was asking again, just to vent his anger.

  "Director Wang, actually... it doesn't matter if Liu Jinchai was elected as a people's congress representative..."

  "Huh?"

  Wang Benqing glared at him with some ferocity.

  Cui Xiuhuo felt a chill in his heart, but still plucked up the courage to say: "The county people's congress representative is just an honorary title and doesn't have any actual administrative rank. He's just a grassroots cadre who has been suspended from duty for reflection, he shouldn't dare speak recklessly at the people's congress..."

  "You don't understand anything!"

  Wang Benqing bluntly interrupted him and scolded him rudely.

  "This Liu Jincai is a thorn in the side, a complete idiot. Haven't you suffered enough at his hands? Who knows what tricks he'll play at the People's Congress. Director Zhou of the regional office has already said so, now that the situation is delicate, we must keep a tight grip on Xiangyang County, not a single disturbance can be allowed!"

  "What... what should I do?"

  Choi Soo-young was at a loss for what to do.

  "Idiot! You got yourself into this mess, and you still have the nerve to ask me what to do?"

  How did I end up getting into this kind of trouble?

  Cui Xiuhuo was taken aback and felt deeply wronged. As the deputy director in charge of publicity, what did he have to do with the People's Congress?

  Although feeling wronged in his heart, Cui Xiuhuo didn't dare to show it, he just accompanied a smiling face and nodded. But in his heart, he secretly let out a sigh of relief. Director Wang was willing to scold people, which proved that he still regarded him as a trusted confidant, and did not treat himself as an outsider.

  "Now he has been elected as a people's congress representative, and it would be difficult to wipe him out again. However, we still have ways to deal with this..."

  Cui Xiuhuo originally wanted to sell a pass, seeing Wang Benqing's expression was not good, and hurriedly said out his own method.

  "...as long as he is not allowed to attend the county's People's Congress."

  "He is fine and healthy, why didn't you let him attend the People's Congress?"

  "He's fine for now, but whether he'll be fine when the county holds its people's congress is hard to say. Who doesn't have their own headaches and fever?"

  Choi Soo-hee gritted her teeth and said viciously.

  Wang Benqing's eyebrows jumped, and he said coldly, "What do you want to do? Don't mess around. It's not like the past few years when we could use authoritarian means at will. Besides, he is now a representative of the People's Congress, even if he really has something dirty on his hands, the public security organs need to take coercive measures, they still have to peel off this layer of skin first. Don't you understand this procedure?"

  "Hmph, dealing with Liu Jincai doesn't necessarily require resorting to dictatorship!"

  Choi Soo-hee narrowed his eyes and showed a sly face.

  "That's even more absurd! Do you think this is still the Great Revolution? Using your rebel tactics? If nothing happens, that's fine, but if things get out of hand, let's see how you'll deal with it!"

  "Uh..."

  Neither left nor right, Cui Xiuhuo was completely at a loss.

  Wang Benqing furrowed his brow. As the top official in the county, he wasn't really unable to deal with Liu Jincheng. After all, Liu Jincheng was elected as a representative of the County People's Congress, mainly because it had cut off Wang Benqing's face. If he didn't care about anything and just acted recklessly, things would inevitably get out of hand. Liu Jincheng now has the dual identity of "provincial celebrity" and "People's Congress representative". If he wasn't careful and made a mistake that affected Yangguang County, it wouldn't be something Wang Benqing could control. If this led to attention from the region or even the province, it would be even more unbearable.

  Zheng Xingyun and others are waiting to see their own good show!

  Zheng Xingyun?

  King Ben's eyes lit up in an instant.

  "Alright, you can go now, don't bother with this matter anymore."

  If it were someone else, they would have left long ago, without hesitation. But Cui Xiuhuo hesitated, feeling that he had not fulfilled his responsibilities and couldn't just leave like this, with a guilty conscience.

  "Director, this..."

  "Alright, alright, you go ahead, I have my own ideas."

  Wang Benqing's face and tone softened a bit. Cui Xiuhuo had a thousand reasons for not doing so, but this loyalty was worthy of praise.

  ……

  "Old Zheng, you've arrived! Please take a seat!"

  When Zheng Xingyun walked into the office, Wang Benqing stood up with a smile to greet him.

  Zheng Xingyun was full of doubts, wondering what kind of trick Wang Benqing was up to. This director, even if it was just for show, had never been so polite before. When he himself went into his office, the most he would do was nod with a fake smile, without even budging an inch from his seat. Had he misread the situation today?

  "Director Wang, what instructions do you have for me since you've summoned me here?"

  Zheng Xingyun took over the tea personally brewed by Wang Benqing and was shocked.

  "Look at what you're saying, we two, can't even discuss instructions or not? Saying it this way is being too polite."

  Wang Benqing smiled and sat down on the sofa beside him.

  On ordinary days, you old man's airs are quite sufficient. What trick is this kid playing?

  Zheng Xingyun didn't think so, but his face didn't show it at all, and he also laughed with Wang Benqing.

  "Old Zheng, the People's Congress is about to be convened soon. The teams from various districts and communes, as well as some county-level organs, should also make some adjustments, right? I invited you here today to discuss this with you. Let's first communicate with each other before discussing it at the director's meeting."

  Adjusting the team is a big deal, and the first and second-in-command should discuss it first, which is not unreasonable. However, Wang Benqing has always tightly grasped the power to appoint and dismiss cadres, fearing that others would interfere. Although he himself is the second-in-command in charge of organization and personnel, there was little room for maneuver. Today, he suddenly changed his usual behavior and proactively invited him to discuss it, which must be unusual.

  Zheng Xingyun's heart was filled with even more doubts, but his words were extremely polite.

  "Director Wang, you're in charge, so of course you'll make the decision on personnel adjustments."

  "Haha, Old Zheng, you're saying this, aren't you criticizing me for being autocratic? I, Wang Benqing, am not that overbearing. It's still better to discuss and decide together."

  Zheng Xingyun's eyebrows slightly furrowed, he didn't take the bait and made up his mind to wait for Wang Benqing to reveal his trump card.

  Wang Benqing also knew that if he didn't clarify things first, Zheng Xingyun would accompany him to the end of the circle.

  "Who do you think is more suitable as the head of this Shi Ma district? How about Comrade Li Yong?"

  Zheng Xingyun was really shocked.

  Wang Benqing would actually take the initiative to bring up Li Yong?

  Li Yong is Zheng Xingyun's trusted general, serving as the deputy director of Shimadu District for many years. He is astute and capable, and Zheng Xingyun has intentionally cultivated him. Unfortunately, he has been suppressed by Wang Benqing all along and cannot be promoted to a leading position.

  "Uh, Li Yong's work ability is okay, but Director Wang..."

  "It's settled then, as long as you also think he's capable of doing the job. It'll be discussed at the director's meeting in a few days... Li Yong has been deputy director of Shimadu District for quite some time now, it's about time to take it further."

  Wang Benqing interrupted Zheng Xingyun's words and waved his hand generously.

  Look at Wang Benqing's appearance, it doesn't seem like he's telling a lie. Zheng Xingyun was indeed somewhat confused.

  Seeing Zheng Xingyun's foolishness, Wang Benqing gritted his teeth secretly in her heart. If it weren't for Liu Jinchai's constant meddling, would she have to make such a big concession to Zheng Xingyun? Shimadu District was the largest district in the county, second only to Xiangyang Town in importance. Wang Benqing had always held on tightly and refused to let go.

  "Old Zheng, how much do you know about the situation in Red Flag Commune lately?"

  Wang Benqing asked tentatively.

  Red Flag Commune?

  Zheng Xingyun's mind was still on Li Yong and Shimadu, but when Wang Benqing mentioned the Red Flag Commune, he suddenly thought of Liu Jinchai's delegate. Ah, it seemed that this was the real reason why Wang Benqing had called him over.

  It was just that Zheng Xingyun couldn't think of what role he could play in this matter for the time being.

  "Uh-huh, I've heard a bit about it. It seems that Liu Jincai, who was suspended for reflection, has been elected as a representative of the county People's Congress."

  Zheng Xingyun carefully accepted the conversation.

  "Yes, what do you think about this matter?"

  Wang Benqing picked up his teacup and took a sip, seemingly very casual. In fact, the corner of his eye never left Zheng Xingyun's face for a moment.

  Zheng Xingyun's brain immediately became violently turbulent.

  This matter, he has not only heard about it a little, but has been paying close attention to it all along. Liu Jincai's election as a People's Congress representative is no small blow to Wang Benqing. Having been entangled with Wang Benqing for so many years and always being at a disadvantage, Zheng Xingyun naturally welcomes anything that can make Wang Benqing suffer.

  But for Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai, Zheng Xingyun's impression was not very good either.

  Yan Yucheng relied on his seniority, and no one in the county dared to buy his account. He did not belong to Wang's faction or Zheng's faction, but he had a slightly closer relationship with Tang Haitian, the third-in-command. However, Tang Haitian himself did not have a strong factional force, so Yan Yucheng could not be considered a member of Tang's faction either.

  Last time, during the "rice field fish" incident, Zheng Xingyun openly quarreled with Wang Benqing at a director's meeting and severely embarrassed him. Although he ultimately failed to prevent internal disciplinary action against Yan Yuchen and Liu Jinchang, he still managed to curry favor with them. Unexpectedly, after the incident passed, Yan Yuchen didn't make any gestures or show signs of leaning towards Zheng's faction, leaving Zheng Xingyun quite displeased. Therefore, when it was time for them to be suspended from duty for reflection, Zheng Xingyun remained silent and no longer spoke up for these two ungrateful individuals, letting them fend for themselves.

  In an instant, Zheng Xingyun understood Wang Benqing's meaning. This was to make a deal with himself. Using Li Yong's promotion in exchange for Liu Jincheng's concession. It seems that in Wang Benqing's mind, Yan Yucheng and Liu Jincheng have already been branded as Zheng's faction. Wang Benqing is certain that as long as Zheng Xingyun takes the lead, he will definitely be able to get through to Liu Jincheng.

  Since Wang Benqing had extended an olive branch, Zheng Xingyun quickly calculated in his heart how to take advantage of this opportunity to gain the greatest benefit for the Zheng faction.

  "Director Wang, I also think this matter is not good. Liu Jincai has already been suspended and is reflecting on his actions, and now he's being elected as a people's congress representative. Isn't that saying that our county's disciplinary decision was wrong? This will seriously affect the prestige of the county revolutionary committee."

  "This wind cannot last long!"

  Zheng Xingyun's tone relaxed, Wang Benqing was overjoyed in his heart and followed along with him.

  "Alright, I'll take some time to find Comrade Liu Jinchang himself and get a better understanding of the situation."

  Wang Benqing nodded silently without changing his expression.

  Zheng Xingyun stood up to bid farewell, and Wang Benqing did not retain him. As he walked to the door, Zheng Xingyun turned his head again and said casually: "Director Wang, Wu, the director of the county transportation bureau, is also approaching the age limit. Is it worth considering letting Chen Songhua, deputy director of the county revolutionary committee office, go to the transportation bureau for training?"

  Damn it, this guy is really greedy and never satisfied.

  Wang Benqing's eyes twitched slightly at the corners, and he nodded with a smile.