Chapter 13: Becoming the Scapegoat

Tang Chunyan became a civil servant last year after graduating from university; her family was from Fangshui Township.

After interacting with her these past few days, Lu Hao had a very good impression of Tang Chunyan—beautiful, kind-hearted, and meticulous in her work.

“Thanks for the reminder, Miss Tang,” Lu Hao joked, though a hint of caution crept into his mind.

While he chatted casually with colleagues, one by one, the township government leaders entered the small conference room.

Party Secretary Zhao Gang, Township Chief Li Haotian, Executive Deputy Township Chief in charge of poverty alleviation Hong Haifeng, newly appointed Deputy Township Chief Wang Shaojie, and Propaganda Committee Member Deng Song, who concurrently served as Director of the Party and Government Office, were all present.

Besides these main officials, a striking woman sat beside Zhao Gang—naturally, the Party Deputy Secretary Lin Xiyue.

“Everyone must have heard about the sudden inspection by the county poverty alleviation audit team at the poverty office yesterday,” Zhao Gang began.

He wasn’t really asking; rather, he was setting the tone and reminding everyone why they were gathered.

“The audit uncovered a large number of falsified poverty alleviation documents. The county audit team suspects possible embezzlement, which is very serious. The county has instructed us to treat this matter with utmost seriousness—accountability must be enforced, and corrective measures taken. The county’s notice arrived at the office this morning.”

“The purpose of today’s meeting is for us to figure out how to report back to the county.”

Zhao Gang took a sip of tea and glanced around the room.

Though his words addressed the entire leadership team, everyone knew that after Zhao Gang spoke, it was customary for the second-in-command, Li Haotian, to respond.

“I consulted County Chief Li this morning. The county will not involve the Discipline Inspection Commission this time, but they require us to provide an explanation. Therefore, we must carefully control the extent of accountability and rectification,” Li Haotian added after clearing his throat.

“Chief Li is right. Family troubles should not be aired in public. We must contain the impact of this incident within a small circle,” Zhao Gang agreed.

Although Zhao Gang and Li Haotian often clashed behind the scenes, on this issue their opinions aligned perfectly.

After all, if this matter escalated, neither the Party Secretary nor the Township Chief would have an easy time.

Thus, the two rarely found common ground and set the direction for this matter.

Though unspoken, the implication was clear: the incident must not be blown out of proportion, and it would be best to scapegoat a minor figure with a light penalty, especially since the county chief had hinted there would be no in-depth investigation.

Soon after, Li Haotian subtly exchanged a glance with Deng Song.

As the Propaganda Committee Member and Director of the Party and Government Office, Deng Song immediately understood and spoke sharply: “Secretary, I believe handling this matter won’t be difficult. Since the county says the poverty alleviation documents were falsified, then whoever was responsible for the documents should be held accountable.”

He avoided mentioning whether the various projects or poverty relief funds involved were actually embezzled, reducing the issue again to mere document falsification.

“I agree. Who currently oversees the poverty alleviation documents?” Li Haotian asked.

“I just inquired with Song Bo; it’s Lu Hao who is responsible,” Deng Song replied promptly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiyue, who had remained silent until then, furrowed her brows.

Next to her sat Hong Haifeng, the Executive Deputy Township Chief in charge of poverty alleviation, whose expression also darkened.

It was obvious that Deng Song and Li Haotian were working in concert, directly targeting Lu Hao, clearly intending to make him the scapegoat.

Everyone present was sharp enough to notice.

Wang Shaojie, hearing this, was inwardly jubilant.

Lu Hao had been eyeing a deputy section chief position, but now he was destined to become the fall guy.

Unable to hold back a smirk, Wang Shaojie added, “Secretary Zhao, Chief Li, I just took office today, so I’m not sure if what I say is right, but if Lu Hao is responsible for the poverty documents, then he should bear the responsibility. There’s nothing to debate.”

No sooner had Wang Shaojie finished than Li Haotian cast him an approving glance.

But the next moment, Wang Shaojie felt a chill down his spine as Lin Xiyue’s sharp gaze landed on him, her expression dark and formidable.

Had he said the wrong thing?

Wang Shaojie’s heart sank and he instinctively avoided her eyes.

Yet, as the third-ranking official, Lin Xiyue was well connected in the county; there was no real need to fear her.

Thinking this, Wang Shaojie leisurely took a sip of tea.

“Deputy Chief Wang, no investigation means no right to speak. You just arrived and don’t understand the situation, so please refrain from making casual remarks,” Lin Xiyue said without sparing him any face. Her words left Wang Shaojie awkwardly holding his tea cup.

She then resumed, her tone serious: “If we are to hold someone accountable, it must be fair and just, based on facts. If the poverty office has problems, whoever is responsible cannot shirk their duty. That is a fundamental principle.”

No sooner had she finished than Li Haotian’s face darkened considerably.

Zhao Gang also frowned, clearly surprised that Lin Xiyue was making a fuss over such a minor matter with such sharp words.

“I agree with Secretary Lin. This Lu Hao—I know him. He was only transferred here from the county a few days ago. He hasn’t even had time to make mistakes. If the poverty office has problems, it’s got nothing to do with him. It’s too much to pin the blame on a young man,” Hong Haifeng said with some anger.

A former military man, Hong Haifeng was known for his blunt and upright character—black was black, white was white.

“Enough! Are you going to keep arguing over such a trivial matter? Don’t you have any sense of the bigger picture? If the poverty office has problems, it’s our township’s problem too. What, do you want to stir things up so the Discipline Inspection Commission gets involved and we all get suspended for investigation?” Zhao Gang suddenly slammed the table, furious.

“I share Chief Li’s view. Since it was found to be a document issue, and Lu Hao is responsible for the documents, then he must bear the responsibility. This matter needs no further discussion,” Zhao Gang decisively concluded.

Song Bo had hurriedly given him many gifts the previous night to secure Zhao Gang’s protection.

As for Niu Dashan, a man backed by Li Haotian—and Li Haotian himself was supported by County Chief Li—he was untouchable.

Now, without any backing, the down-and-out Lu Hao in Fangshui Township was clearly the best scapegoat.

“Moreover, the punishment must be severe, or we won’t be able to explain to the county. Lu Hao should receive a major demerit to set an example. Only then can our county’s poverty alleviation work improve. I’m sure County Chief Li won’t object,” Li Haotian sneered.

He was distantly related to County Chief Li Zhen and had been instructed before Lu Hao’s demotion to Fangshui Township to seize the opportunity to deal with Lu Hao harshly.

This was a perfect chance to kill two birds with one stone: punish Lu Hao and protect Niu Dashan.

Hearing that Li Haotian not only wanted Lu Hao to be the scapegoat but also to receive a major demerit, Lin Xiyue’s delicate face grew cold.

Just as she was about to speak, Zhao Gang interrupted.

“Enough. This matter is settled. Let’s move on to the next agenda.”

Zhao Gang’s words made his stance clear. As Party Secretary and top leader, he held the final say.