Chapter 29: A Delaying Tactic

The Poverty Alleviation Office was the most lucrative department in Fangshui Township. As its director, the person in charge held the most significant budget and authority among all mid-level cadres.

The fact that this position was not currently under his direct control left Li Haotian feeling deeply frustrated. If the director were his own man, today’s matter could have been settled with a single phone call, sparing him all this trouble. Instead, he found himself constrained at every turn.

Since petty favors couldn't win Lu Hao over, he would offer power instead. The priority was to get Lu Hao on his side; once he secured the top position in the township, he would have plenty of opportunities to deal with Lu Hao later.

Seeing Lu Hao remain silent, Liu Ruyan assumed he was tempted. She seized the moment to add, "Lu Hao, as long as you allocate these funds to me, I will put in a good word for you with County Magistrate Li. We will definitely promote you to Deputy Township Head."

She knew that in the world of officialdom, some people cared little for money but craved power. For a man in his twenties like Lu Hao, the allure of a deputy-section-level position was far greater than any amount of cash.

Wang Shaojie’s heart leaped to his throat. He truly had not expected Li Haotian to dangle such a massive temptation in front of Lu Hao.

Fang Jing’s parents were currently pressuring Lu Hao to achieve a promotion to a deputy-section post. If Lu Hao took this opportunity to agree, the promotion would be within his grasp. Once that happened, her parents would surely change their attitude toward him, making it even harder for Wang to pursue Fang Jing.

Lu Hao sat in deep contemplation. Naturally, he wanted the promotion; it would be the perfect way to win the approval of Fang Jing’s parents.

Yet, he didn't believe a word of Li Haotian’s promise. Such impromptu promises were nothing more than empty checks, and Niu Dashan’s situation was the perfect example of that. Furthermore, he could not bring himself to sacrifice the poverty relief funds meant for the common people just to trade them for his own career advancement.

However, he was in a difficult spot. Li Haotian had made his intentions clear and extended an olive branch; to refuse bluntly now would be a direct affront to the Township Head, a major taboo in the political arena.

Finally, Lu Hao took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Township Head, you know I am young and lack experience in poverty alleviation. This is my first time encountering such a situation. Please give me some time to go back and think it over carefully before I give you my answer. Would that be acceptable?"

Watching Lu Hao resist the temptation of the promotion, Wang Shaojie was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but feel a shred of admiration. After all, if it were him, he would do whatever a superior commanded if promised a section-level promotion.

Lu Hao was being incredibly cautious, but Wang Shaojie was determined not to let him have his way. He put on a stern face and snapped, "Lu Hao, is this something that needs consideration? You need to understand your place—you are just the poverty alleviation director. When the Township Head tells you who to allocate funds to, you just sign and execute the order. Why all these excuses?"

He was determined to corner Lu Hao, forcing him into complete opposition against Li Haotian.

As expected, Li Haotian’s expression turned sour, his face darkening as he stared coldly at Lu Hao.

Lu Hao felt a deep resentment toward Wang Shaojie. This man had first sabotaged his relationship with Fang Jing and was now teaming up with Li Haotian to pressure him—he was like an annoying fly.

Suppressing his anger, Lu Hao replied, "Deputy Township Head Wang, I didn't say I wouldn't sign. But whoever signs takes the responsibility. Given the gravity of the matter, I need time to consider it. Is it really impossible to give me a little more time?"

Wang Shaojie slammed the table and stood up, ready to lash out, but Li Haotian held him back. Li stood up calmly and said, "Little Lu, what you say has some merit. Since this is your first time dealing with such a matter, I understand if you can't wrap your head around it yet. Go back and think it over. Give me a definitive answer tomorrow, and get the funds to Manager Liu as soon as possible. Don't let me down."

Having made his point, there was no need for further talk. Li Haotian rose and walked out. Wang Shaojie followed with a cold sneer. He was satisfied with the outcome; Li Haotian would undoubtedly be annoyed with Lu Hao now. Even if Lu Hao came around tomorrow and released the funds to Liu Ruyan, Li Haotian would harbor a grudge against him from this day forward.

The room was left with only Lu Hao and Liu Ruyan.

"Lu Hao, your actions today really surprised me," Liu Ruyan said with an enigmatic smile. When Lu Hao had been under Liu Yuanda, she had tried to offer him gifts, but he had refused them all. She had assumed that after Liu Yuanda’s downfall, Lu Hao would have learned to be more tactful or at least learned to go with the flow. Instead, he remained as stubborn as ever. In her many years navigating officialdom, this was the first time she had encountered someone like him.

Seeing Lu Hao remain silent, Liu Ruyan smiled meaningfully. "I know you won't release the funds to me; you're just stalling the Township Head. But you should consider the consequences. Is it worth offending your superiors for the sake of public funds? In this line of work, most people start out wanting to be honest officials, but eventually, they get eroded without even realizing it. Given how complex things are in Anxing County, I don't hold much hope for you."

Liu Ruyan shook her head, picked up the gifts Lu Hao had rejected, and slowly left the private room.

Lu Hao sat smoking, motionless. Even Li Haotian had given him time, assuming he wouldn't dare refuse the funds, yet Liu Ruyan had been certain he wouldn't release them. This woman had seen through him so quickly; she was truly formidable.

After a moment of hesitation, Lu Hao pulled out his phone and called Niu Dashan. Niu had been in charge of poverty alleviation at the township government for a long time and must have encountered similar situations. Since the two had been getting along well lately and had shared drinks, Niu answered the phone with extra warmth.

"Hello? Why are you calling me so late?"

Lu Hao smiled helplessly and recounted everything that happened at dinner with Li Haotian.

After listening, Niu Dashan let out a cold laugh over the phone. "If you want to follow in Song Bo’s footsteps, then go ahead and listen to him."