Chapter 14: Official Notice of Disciplinary Action

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Zhao Gang had clearly underestimated Lin Xiyue’s resolve in this matter.

“Wait, Secretary Zhao, I still have something to say.”

Lin Xiyue interrupted Zhao Gang: “If this is the final decision after the organization’s discussion, I will comply, but I reserve my personal opinion.”

“Everyone knows well whether the problems in the Poverty Alleviation Office are related to Lu Hao. Whoever should bear responsibility knows it in their heart. What do you say, Mayor Li?”

Lin Xiyue’s smile was full of hidden meaning as she spoke.

“What do you mean by that?” Li Haotian’s heart skipped a beat.

“What I mean should be clear to Mayor Li. I repeat, fairness and justice, seeking truth from facts—these are the principles of the organization. I do not agree with nor accept the punishment for Lu Hao,” Lin Xiyue said with a serious expression.

“Finally, I emphasize again: the root of the Poverty Alleviation Office is rotten and must be pulled out and dealt with.”

“Since I arrived in Fangshui Township, the poverty alleviation efforts have been all noise with little action. Where has all the funding gone every year? The boss’s family lives comfortably, yet you don’t care at all. When something goes wrong, you look for someone to scapegoat.”

“I’m feeling unwell, I’ll leave first.” Lin Xiyue finished speaking and stood up, leaving promptly.

“When I get angry, my blood pressure rises. I need to see a doctor. What we do is seen by Heaven. Our Fangshui Township is the poorest in the county, and the boss’s family has it the worst. Think about why,” Hong Haifeng slammed the table hard to show his dissatisfaction, then followed Lin Xiyue out, not giving Zhao Gang or Li Haotian any face.

Because of his fearless nature, Hong Haifeng had missed every promotion opportunity.

…

Returning to her office, Lin Xiyue was filled with fury.

This was the first time since she had come to work in Fangshui Township that she had been so angry over work matters.

After a moment of thought, Lin Xiyue took out her phone and dialed a number labeled Ye Ziyi.

When the call connected, a gentle female voice came through: “Xiyue, I was just about to call you. I didn’t expect you to call first. Do you need something?”

“Yes, it’s about Fangshui Township and Lu Hao. I need to report to you,” Lin Xiyue smiled.

“Alright, go ahead,” Ye Ziyi said.

Lin Xiyue then recounted everything that had just happened, ending with: “This matter is a bit tricky. If we want to save Lu Hao, it’s up to you to intervene.”

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“A small place like Fangshui Township is already this corrupt. Imagine the chaos in Anxing County,” Ye Ziyi sneered over the phone. “Don’t worry about this for now. I’ll ask Qin Yi for help. We’ll bypass the county and have the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission intervene directly. By the way, I’ve already arrived in Anxing County.”

“You’re here? So the provincial authorities have already made a decision?” Lin Xiyue was somewhat excited.

“Yes, though the appointment hasn’t been finalized yet, it’s coming soon. Actually, I want to meet Lu Hao. Since I haven’t officially assumed my post, he doesn’t know my identity yet. Meeting won’t create any pressure on either side,” Ye Ziyi’s voice was pleasant.

“You can call him and invite him to dinner. I’ve met him; he’s a decent and enthusiastic person. I just don’t know if after all these years, he still remembers you,” Lin Xiyue said truthfully.

During the conversation, she also sent Lu Hao’s number to Ye Ziyi.

…

In the Poverty Alleviation Office, Lu Hao was still carefully reviewing the poverty alleviation documents, all previously managed by Niu Dashan.

The more he examined them, the more alarmed he became.

The accounts were a mess; large sums were disbursed, and much of the poverty relief funds were never actually spent on poverty alleviation. No wonder the county audit team’s inspection left Song Bo and Niu Dashan panicking.

At that moment, Niu Dashan leisurely walked into the office. Seeing Lu Hao, he clicked his tongue and said, “Oh, so serious, huh? What a pity.”

Lu Hao ignored him and continued to scrutinize the accounts.

“Stop looking. Even if you find something fishy, what good will it do? You’re innocent, yet you’re still going to get a serious demerit. That’s your fate,” Niu Dashan said smugly as he sat down smoking.

Clearly, he had already received the news from Li Haotian.

“What do you mean, Niu Dashan?” Lu Hao frowned.

“You’ll find out soon enough. Remember, don’t cry later, ha ha.”

Lu Hao wanted to ask more, but the office phone rang. It was Song Bo calling him to his office.

A minute later, Lu Hao, full of questions, entered Song Bo’s office.

“Director, you wanted to see me?”

“These are the notification and punishment documents for you. They’ll soon be submitted to the county. Take a good look,” Song Bo said coldly.

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Song Bo tossed two documents in front of Lu Hao with an indifferent attitude.

Lu Hao was stunned, then picked them up and read, his expression turning shocked: “A serious demerit? Director Song, what mistake have I made? I just came from the county. The problems with the poverty relief materials have nothing to do with me.”

“You’re in charge of the poverty relief materials now, so if there’s a problem, you’re responsible,” Song Bo said without any hesitation, his tone confident.

“You only put me in charge this morning. Until yesterday, Niu Dashan was still managing it,” Lu Hao said angrily.

He now fully understood that Song Bo had assigned him to manage the poverty relief materials precisely to make him take the fall.

It was outrageous that the township leadership had agreed to such a blatant scapegoating.

If he accepted this punishment, forget about a promotion in a month or even a year—it would go on his record and become a stain on his political career. Lu Hao would never compromise.

“Even if Niu Dashan managed it before, once you took over, you had the responsibility to point out problems. Your failure to correct and report them is your fault,” Song Bo said impatiently.

When Lu Hao was suddenly promoted to deputy director of the Poverty Alleviation Office by Zhao Gang, he had thought the two had some sort of relationship.

But today, with Zhao Gang agreeing to punish Lu Hao, it was clear he was just an easy target. Song Bo had no reason to be kind to him anymore.

At this point, Lu Hao slammed the documents on the desk with a loud bang and said coldly, “You think I’m easy to bully? I’m not accepting this.”

“What do you mean?” Song Bo’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected Lu Hao to slam the desk.

“I mean I will report this higher up. I reject this punishment.” Lu Hao struck the desk again and turned to leave.

“The punishment was decided collectively by the township party committee and has been communicated with County Head Li. He fully supports it. Even if you report it, no one will care,” Song Bo sneered at Lu Hao’s back.

Li Zhen?

Lu Hao’s lips curled in a bitter smile at the darkness of officialdom.

Indeed, such a good opportunity—how could Li Zhen possibly pass up the chance to put him down?

Knowing arguing with Song Bo was useless, Lu Hao swallowed his anger and returned to the Poverty Alleviation Office.