Chapter 149: Tit for Tat
Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Tit for Tat
The neutral parties, seeing Zhao Liqiang’s fury, chuckled to themselves. ’Heh, Zhao Liqiang is losing his composure.’ If the situation was as described, they would side with Zhou Jianmin. After all, Zhao Liqiang had used Zheng Delin for years to oust dissidents and suppress many people, which had also damaged their own interests.
The reason there were no suitable candidates in Labor County now was because of Zhao Liqiang’s arrogance, which had driven people away. He then blocked Zhou Jianmin from advancing, claiming Zhou Jianmin lacked work experience and needed more seasoning. As a result, Zhao Liqiang had practically monopolized two positions within the department.
Fortunately, Zhou Jianmin was resourceful enough to withstand Zhao Liqiang’s suppression.
Just then, Zhou Jianmin came in. He didn’t sit down. Instead, he pushed open a window, pointed down below, and said, "This is the result of Zheng Delin violently assaulting two villagers—two ordinary, common people. He claims they were shielding people designated for assistance. But Miao Dahai is the most diligent worker in these villages. When it comes to manual labor, he always exceeds his quota. If that doesn’t prove Miao Dahai’s dedication, then what does?"
Everyone looked through the window and saw the bruised and swollen faces of Miao Dahai and Li Guihua.
Zheng Delin had gone too far. He had crossed everyone’s bottom line. All eyes turned to Zhao Liqiang.
"Zhao Liqiang, aren’t you going to say something?" Zhou Jianmin looked at Zhao Liqiang with a half-smile. "Zheng Delin’s conduct is simply atrocious. I have now found evidence of him deliberately misrepresenting facts to frame others last year. I’ve already submitted it to the higher-ups. I trust he will be punished soon."
"What?" Zhao Liqiang was stunned. "I’m the one in charge here. You’ve overstepped your bounds."
Zhou Jianmin just smiled, not at all angry. He said in a calm and pleasant tone, "You are the general director, in charge of everything. I am only in charge of the economy. Last year, eight villages failed to turn in enough grain and other crops. As a result, many people in six of those villages went hungry. That is something that I, the person in charge of the economy, should be concerned with."
Hearing this, Zhao Liqiang’s face turned livid. For Zhou Jianmin to say this so directly in front of so many people, without giving him any face, it was clear he had come fully prepared.
Zhao Liqiang looked down at Miao Dahai and Li Guihua. Beside them stood a tall man, who was squinting as he looked up.
The man’s gaze startled Zhao Liqiang, causing him to take two steps back. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Zheng Delin was indeed out of line. He shouldn’t have been so reckless. But Zhou Jianmin, for you to report this to the higher-ups... isn’t that going a bit too far? When the time comes, our entire department will be the one to suffer! As one of the people in charge, you won’t be able to escape the fallout either."
"Heh, if we let Zheng Delin continue like this, our department will fall into chaos," Zhou Jianmin said. "Besides, where would a minor figure like Zheng Delin get such power? Who gave him the guts to act so lawlessly?"
Zhao Liqiang narrowed his eyes at the stern-faced Zhou Jianmin. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said slowly, "Zhou Jianmin, this is a government department, not your personal soapbox. If you have evidence, present it directly. Why stand here making veiled accusations?"
"Evidence?" Zhou Jianmin sneered. "I’ve already submitted no fewer than three sets of evidence, but I imagine that evidence is in your trash can by now, isn’t it, Zhao Liqiang? When you were first transferred here from out of town, you didn’t understand the situation in our Labor County department. We could all understand you making mistakes in management. But for you to condone, or even incite, people like Zheng Delin to commit evil and bring disaster upon the community—that is your fault. Today, in front of everyone, I just want to ask you one thing: since you came to our Labor County, what exactly have you done for the people of our Nianqiao Village?"
Backed into a corner by Zhou Jianmin’s relentless pressure, Zhao Liqiang was startled and retreated another two steps.
’Zhou Jianmin is being so aggressive today. He must have come prepared. And that idiot Zheng Delin delivered the evidence right in front of everyone’s eyes. Even my own supporters don’t dare to speak up after seeing a scene like this.’
Zhao Liqiang’s gaze swept over his supporters, hoping they would stand up and say something to buy him some time to think of a response.
Seeing this, a few of them had no choice but to bite the bullet. They looked at Zhou Jianmin and said, "Zhou Jianmin, acting so arbitrarily... how does that make you any different from Zheng Delin?"
Hearing this, Zhou Jianmin turned to his secretary and said, "Bring out the files and show these gentlemen. Then they’ll know whether I’m acting arbitrarily."
The man was stunned. He hadn’t expected Zhou Jianmin to be waiting for him to say just that.
"Zhou Jianmin, we all have to work together here. You can’t take things to such an extreme," the man said with a frown. "Leave a little leeway, so we can still face each other in the future."
Zhou Jianmin listened, looking at the slick people-pleaser. He felt contempt inwardly, but his expression was completely serious as he said, "The people of my Labor County are living hard lives. As a native of Labor County, I can’t be as stone-hearted as you outsiders. Perhaps you’ve only come here to gain some experience before you’re transferred away. But my parents, my siblings, my elders and neighbors have lived on this land for generations. I cannot stand by and watch you act recklessly for your own shady purposes."
Zhou Jianmin’s words landed with force. The meeting room fell silent; no one spoke.
Zhou Jianmin systematically refuted every point made by Zhao Liqiang’s handful of subordinates.
"Zhou Jianmin, are you planning to completely drop the pretense today?" Zhao Liqiang looked coldly at Zhou Jianmin. In front of so many people, Zhou Jianmin’s tone was severe and his words righteous. It was obvious he intended to openly oppose him.
In the past, Zhou Jianmin had been constrained by his low rank and lack of authority, so he couldn’t oppose him in a legitimate capacity.
’Why is Zhou Jianmin being so bold today? Is it just because of the two bruised and swollen villagers down below?’
’I’d be a fool to think it’s that simple!’
"I never wanted to drop the pretense with you, but things have reached a point where if I don’t step forward, our department in Labor County will fall into even greater chaos. When that happens, it won’t just be a matter of me talking back or openly contradicting you," Zhou Jianmin said with grave sincerity. ’Although Miao Dahai and Li Guihua being beaten today is an excellent opportunity, it can’t be the only thing I use to truly bring down Zhao Liqiang. This is just the fuse.’