"No, this person is not suitable."
"District Chief Yao, is there anyone better for the position?"
"Let think about it so more." Ji Weihua said nothing further; the first ray of morning light quietly crept over the clouds. "You should go ahead and prepare to welco the city leaders." The proposal just ntioned was sothing Yao Zheng remained silent about. Ji Weihua rarely saw Yao Zheng worry about a woman; he squinted his eyes and stepped out.
Yan Fengying can be sacrificed; Yan Juanjuan can likewise be pushed out to take the fall. His spouse can also be sacrificed when necessary, but there is one woman he wants to protect, even if it ans killing for her, even if it ans engaging in illegal trades. But at the end of his life, will he also have to push her out as a shield?
Suddenly, Yao Zheng, fully dressed, sat in his office waiting for the people sent by the municipal party committee. In those few hours, he was as restless as soone awaiting execution. Ji Weihua suggested such a plan, not after just a day or two of considering the matter; perhaps even earlier he had begun planning his escape. Standing at a high position versus standing at mid-level, who among them would choose sooner?
The internal line on his desk rang. The new secretary inford him that people from the city committee would arrive at the district governnt building in an hour, asking if proper arrangents should be made. "Just follow the standard welcoming procedures." As he was unaware of who was coming, whether to flaunt or not was secondary; now it was better to act low-key.
An hour later, three black sedans arrived precisely at the district governnt building. Yao Zheng greeted them five minutes early at the entrance. He was surprised to see who stepped out of the cars, with his mouth agape for a while before finding his voice. "Secretary Hua!"
Secretary Luo followed behind Hua Muyun, looking quite spirited, and Yao Zheng was familiar with the person who stepped out of another car—Xia Xue, the CEO of 'Rhein.' They had t a few tis, but in front of Hua Muyun, he dared not be too forward.
"Yao Zheng, what are you doing here?" Hua Muyun smiled amiably, shaking Yao Zheng's hand. "Weren't we supposed to forego such formalities? Everyone has their own tasks to handle."
"I didn't expect Secretary Hua to co in person." The person stepping out of the third car was Wang Zhanting, tugging at his suit and walking behind Hua Muyun. "Minister Wang is here too."
"Haha, I wouldn't have co to your place if it wasn't necessary!" Hua Muyun took Xia Xue's hand—a subtle gesture that made Yao Zheng exclaim silently. The importance and connection here were vast. He initially thought the Xia family had just squeezed into a threshold among the families in Yanjing, rely showing their erging presence in the city committee. From Hua Muyun's gesture towards Xia Xue, it indicated more than ordinary ties.
"It's my fault that the Secretary had to worry," Yao Zheng retreated half a step, accompanying Secretary Hua directly to the office.
"Let's go up and talk; this is a public area."
"Yes!"
The secretary brought tea, coffee, and snacks as the group settled on the sofas. Wang Zhanting remained seated at the periphery, silently, while Xia Xue stayed close to Hua Muyun. In such settings, Secretary Luo stood behind Hua Muyun.
"Is this the office that was attacked?" Hua Muyun observed the surroundings, which seed different from rumors. It was about seventy to eighty square ters, not occupying half a floor.
"For safety reasons, they gave a different office." Yao Zheng maintained a 30-degree posture when speaking with Hua Muyun, not daring even to try the coffee on the table.
"Don't be nervous. I heard you had urgent matters to handle last ti and couldn't attend the eting. Minister Wang and I thought we should visit the North District personally, so here we are to hear your report. Coming unannounced won't disrupt your work, right?"
"Yao Zheng is anxious!"
"Why?" Hua Muyun took a sip of tea, glancing at Yao Zheng. "You seem hesitant. Since when did you start being so unsure?"
"Secretary Hua!" Yao Zheng called softly, then stopped again.
"Everyone else step out. Zhan Ting, go visit various departnts, assess their work, collect any difficulties needing city committee assistance. We're here to care for those below, after all."
"Yes, Secretary!"
"Xiao Luo, you go with Xiaoxue to check out the North Palace, gather nearby residents' opinions and report back to ."
"Yes, Secretary Hua."
After glancing at Yao Zheng, Hua Muyun sent everyone out before leisurely putting down the teacup. "The tea is good, but the temperature is wrong. Why did you change secretaries? They don't know my taste anymore. Where is Li Zhenghan?"
"Sorry, Secretary Hua, it's because Yao Zheng didn't handle things well, causing so many issues that you had to co in person." Hearing Hua Muyun speak, Yao Zheng sprang up from the sofa, standing straight and tall.
"Sit down. Regardless, I've watched you climb step by step; there's so credit in your efforts. The North District has always been peaceful; how can it not withstand a minor ripple? Or have you been fooling all along? Are monthly work reports all fabricated?" Hua Muyun's words were not loud, nor were they harsh, but in Yao Zheng's heart, they sounded alarms.
"It's not like this, Secretary Hua, you need to listen to my explanation."
"Being able to explain is certainly best. Do you want to start from the beginning, or should I ask and you answer?"
"I admit my mistake." There's no need for explanation, nor any answering. At this mont, Yao Zheng fully understood his current predicant. He hesitated for a mont with his head down. After deciding, his eyes showed determination, but Hua Muyun didn't see this expression; he just sipped his tea.
"What's your mistake? Or are all these incidents related to you?"
"I have been too indulgent with my subordinates, which has led to the current situation. I don't know what to do anymore!" A choking sound erged as Yao Zheng sniffled.
Hua Muyun took a deep breath upon hearing this. "Yao Zheng, I know you're a good superior, always generous to your people. Haven't I advised you not to pursue Han Fei's matters anymore? So things can be left at that, so why has it escalated? Tell honestly, where is Yan Juanjuan now?"
"I only found out about Han Fei's involvent with illicit drugs afterward. The northern district has always had good public security. I never expected such a result. I was heartbroken when I received the news."
"Hmph, is that so?" Hua Muyun snorted coldly. "You didn't know? If you weren't aware, would your people dare act under your very nose?"
"Secretary Hua, you really can't wrong . Though I am a greedy person, I truly wouldn't do things that violate national laws. Hengfei Group backed Han Fei. In our district, we only rely on them. As District Chief, I have to appease others. Han Fei had an incident, Yan Juanjuan asked for an explanation, Secretary Luo was aware of it too, he was present. Ji Weihua collected a lot of evidence against Hengfei Group, which I handed to Secretary Hua's office. I've always been cooperative, but now the person has fled, and we're vigorously pursuing the investigation."
"Yao Zheng, do you think I've gone senile and am no longer useful?" Hua Muyun stood up, hands clasped behind his back. "Is Yan Juanjuan a pawn under your command? The intelligence had already been transmitted over from Sword Edge; how dare you touch my people?"
A piercing gaze shot to Yao Zheng's face, causing him to inhale sharply. "The interception of Secretary Luo on his return trip isn't my doing!"
"Are you saying it's related to Yan Juanjuan?" Hua Muyun squinted. "Alright, since you have this ability, I give you half a day to hand over the person, or else bear the consequences yourself."
The irrefutable order left Yao Zheng dumbfounded and the situation made his heart chaotic. Hua Muyun's sudden visit collapsed his entire plan, leaving no backup preparation.
"Why are you still standing there? Do you not want to act, or is there sothing else to this matter?"
"Ah, no, I'll imdiately have Ji Weihua investigate." Dialing Ji Weihua's phone, the other party spoke first.
"District Chief Yao, City Police Departnt personnel have already arrived at my place, it's the Director Himself." The lowered voice indicated that there were others nearby.
"Go find Yan Juanjuan, alive or dead, you must see her."
"Yes!"
Yao Zheng had resolved himself; afraid that his ti there is not going to be pleasant. Ji Weihua hung up the phone, idly pondering. When Hua Muyun arrived at the district governnt office, Ji Weihua's side already received the news. Haha, how much longer can the old fellow endure?
"Did your people tell you that last night, the mobile private enterprise in the northern district exploded, causing hundreds of casualties?"
"I already received the news; it was a brick kiln factory producing green bricks. Maybe due to improper operation, the gas exploded."
"Have you gone to the scene to inspect it?"
"I originally planned to go, but upon hearing folks from the city committee arrived, I was detained here."
"I've beco your excuse for postponing the case!" Hua Muyun snorted coldly.
"No, Secretary Hua, you misunderstood my aning."
"How do you plan to handle this matter? The dia is widely reporting on it now; it's badly impacting us, along with several prior cases, it's likely you won't keep your district chief position. Yao Zheng, you're deeply disappointing ."
"Secretary Hua, I'll personally handle this matter. Please give another chance, I'll definitely resolve it." (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welco to co to Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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