Chapter 26: The Abacus of Will

  Wang Youmin looked at his student in surprise, not expecting Zhang Tiancheng to have such a clever mind. Wang Youmin had risen from a middle school teacher to the position of deputy secretary of the county committee through hard work and was naturally familiar with some unwritten rules within the system. Zhang Tiancheng's reasoning made sense, and the final result might indeed be as he said.

  This time's public promotion and election is not only a pilot project in the province, but also closely watched by the Central Organization Department. Letting grassroots party representatives directly elect township party committee secretaries is a bold innovation in grassroots party building. What the top wants is successful experience, not this kind of scandal for personal gain.

  Zhang Tiancheng also figured out some of the vital points within the system. Family scandals should not be made public, this is an unspoken rule in official circles. As long as something happens, officials first think of covering their backsides, making big things small and small things nonexistent, trying to cover it up. In this scorching hot pilot project, the Dongfang Municipal Party Committee absolutely does not want a scandal to erupt.

  As soon as this scandal is exposed, the media will be all over it and the internet will come up with all sorts of new versions. The city of Dongfang will instantly become the center of attention. Unless the municipal party committee leaders are idiots, even if Han Qin cries foul and someone supports him, the municipal party committee won't get bogged down in this election issue.

  Seeing Zhang Tiancheng's success, Wang Youmin let out a light sigh. On the small position of township party secretary, Zhang Tiancheng dared to make such a risky move, and this student's future would only be at the township level. Wang Youmin originally had high hopes for Zhang Tiancheng, feeling that he still had potential for development, but at the critical moment, he revealed his true nature. Such despicable tactics were indeed effective, but after all, limited. To go further in one's official career, it still depends on one's own ability, political wisdom, and the courage to control the overall situation, rather than such unsightly petty tricks.

  Ma Ming is Zhang Tiancheng's confidant, for the position of this township party committee secretary, Zhang Tiancheng actually pushed him out. Wang Youmin also began to suspect Zhang Tiancheng's character, such a small person who burns bridges after crossing the river, it's better to keep a distance from him in the future.

  Wang Youmin said faintly: "Tian Cheng, by doing this, you've squeezed out Han Qin this time. Now that you're in this position, aren't you afraid of being held accountable after the autumn?"

  Look at his mentor, Zhang Tiancheng gritted his teeth and said: "The winner is the king, the loser is the bandit. As long as I sit in this position, I am the publicly elected secretary of the township party committee. This is a hot spot across the country. As long as I don't have obvious mistakes, not to mention Xiping County Committee, even Dongfang Municipal Committee wants to move me, they will also be cautious."

  Wang Youmin nodded, and Zhang Tiancheng added: "Secretary Wang, I am determined to get this position. I have carefully studied the recent series of documents from the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department. If one can succeed in this public election, it means that this person has a strong theoretical foundation, practical experience, and especially high prestige among grassroots party members. The Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department will include the publicly elected township secretary in the list of reserve cadres at the deputy department level, which is of great significance for future progress."

  Witnessing the outstanding performance of this student, Wang Youmin began to doubt his own judgment. This deputy secretary, who had been in charge of party and mass work for many years, had always thought that his ability to identify people was still solid, but he couldn't see through the Zhang Township head in front of him. Was this a clown or a wise and brave dark horse in the officialdom?

  Wang Youmin thought for a moment and said, "Tian Cheng, what's your next move?" Since Zhang Tiancheng was already prepared to have a fierce battle with Han Qin, Wang Youmin also wanted to know if this student had any tricks up his sleeve.

  Zhang Tiancheng observed Wang Youmin's face for a moment, seeing that Secretary Wang's tightly closed black face had relaxed a lot, and he knew that Wang Youmin was also very impressed with his own bold move. Now it was just a matter of adding fuel to the fire, letting his mentor continue to hold down the rear, while he himself went to Fenghuang Township to have a fierce battle with Han Qin.

  Zhang Tiancheng smiled fawningly and said, "Secretary Wang, in the official circles of Xiping County, everyone knows that you are my mentor. I am even more grateful to Secretary Wang from the bottom of my heart. Without you, there would be no Zhang Tiancheng today. If I lose this election to Han Qin, an outsider, it's not just a matter of me losing face, but also a loss of face for you, Secretary Wang."

  When Zhang Tiancheng said this, Wang Youmin's heart moved. What Zhang Tiancheng said was not wrong. If Zhang Tiancheng lost to Han Qin in the competition for the secretary of the Fenghuang Township Party Committee, Wang Youmin would be affected throughout the entire circle in Xiping County, and he would lose face in front of Li Chenfeng. After all, Zhang Tiancheng was his own recommended candidate, and even a grassroots outsider could not withstand him, which could only explain that there was a problem with his level of using people.

  Wang Youmin nodded and instructed, "Tian Cheng, everything has a limit. As the saying goes, 'going too far is as bad as not going far enough.' This is especially true when competing for the party secretary position. Do you understand what I mean?"

  Zhang Tiancheng smiled and said, "Secretary Wang, don't worry about this. I have a plan in mind. Next, I will fully utilize the aftermath of this incident to make it a big tsunami in Fenghuang Township, sweeping away all of Han Qin's influence there. I already have more than 20 votes in my pocket, and with some more effort, passing the half-number threshold shouldn't be a problem."

  Zhang Tiancheng looked confident, and Wang Youmin reminded him: "Tiancheng, take care of yourself." After sending Zhang Tiancheng away, Wang Youmin quickly organized his thoughts. After work today, Li Chenfeng would definitely discuss how to handle this matter, and with the information he got from Zhang Tiancheng, he had a countermeasure. When Li Chenfeng was furious, he could respond calmly, rather than letting Han Qin pinch his nose and walk away.

  Just as Zhang Tiancheng said, if Han Qin really doesn't understand the situation, then go ahead and stir it up. If the Dongfang Municipal Committee can give him a fair trial, the sun will rise in the west, which temple doesn't have a ghost who died unjustly?

  The next morning, Han Qin made a call to the taxi driver. He wouldn't be going to Fenghuang Township this afternoon as he had some matters to attend to in the county town. The arrangement for the afternoon would be notified later.

  It was just past nine o'clock when Zhang Bin called. Zhang Bin asked anxiously, "Brother, didn't something happen to you last night? The rumors circulating around the Fenghuang Township Party Committee and government are saying that you had a duel with Ma Ming, some people even said you were with a prostitute, anyway they're all saying that you've been arrested by the Public Security Bureau and are still being held in detention. What's going on?"

  Han Qin had been prepared, but he didn't expect the rumor to spread so quickly. It seemed that he had underestimated his opponent's energy. This seemingly absurd method actually hid many mysteries, and one ring was linked to another. His original plan was to use force to defeat Zhang Tiancheng, but it seemed that things were developing in a way that was contrary to his intentions.

  Han Qin told Zhang Bin about what happened yesterday without hiding anything. Let's not mention other things, this also involved Song Jiare, although it was a rumor, but only such things spread the fastest, before he even took office, he got himself into a scandal, this matter is very tricky. Fenghuang Township is located in a remote area, with simple folk customs, and party representatives do not like a playboy as their leader.

  After listening to Han Qin's explanation, Zhang Bin said with some concern: "Brother, this matter is obviously Zhang Tiancheng instigating Ma Ming. That little Ma Ming is just a gunstick, brave but not wise. Now it seems that this matter has had a significant negative impact on you, and we must think of a way to deal with it. There are only three days left until the election, otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain."

  Han Qin smiled and said, "Zhang Ge, don't worry, today the county committee will give me an explanation. Let's see how the county handles it first, then we'll come up with a countermeasure. With such a despicable tactic, there will definitely be some effect, but it may not necessarily affect the overall situation."

  Just after Zhang Bin was comforted, Xiao Tian, Li Chenfeng's secretary, came with the car. Those who can sit in a secret position are all masters. Xiao Tian witnessed the whole process last night and had already understood its subtlety, but no one dared to break it.

  "Comrade Han Qin, Secretary Li and several major leaders from the county have all arrived. I was asked to come over and pick you up, saying it's something important."

  When Han Qin walked into the small conference room of the Xiping County Committee, Deputy Secretary Wang Youmin, Organization Department Head Yang Yang, Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary Zhang Jian, Public Security Bureau Chief Qian Fuli were already waiting there. County Deputy Secretary and Mayor Su Jin also arrived, whispering with Li Chen about something. Han Qin took a glance at the people present, basically all the big shots of Xiping County had arrived, it seemed they still attached great importance to this matter, let's see what they have to say.

  As soon as Han Qin entered, Li Chenfeng solemnly said: "Comrade Han Qin, I apologize for the fright you experienced last night. On behalf of the Xiping County Party Committee and Government, I offer my sincerest apologies to you. It was our fault that we didn't do a good job, which led to this unpleasant incident. The Public Security Bureau has investigated thoroughly overnight and made a decision on how to handle it."

  Li Chenfeng glanced at Qian Fuli and said: "Director Qian, report the investigation results and handling decisions of your Public Security Bureau to Comrade Han Qin."

  Qian Fuli pulled out two printed papers from his bag, cleared his throat and said: "After the county public security bureau's criminal police team interrogated overnight, it has been confirmed that Comrade Han Qin's prostitution case was a frame-up by Wang Changtong, a police officer at the Chengguan Police Station, and two temporary workers. The motive behind Wang Changtong's framing of Comrade Han Qin was to fulfill a request from his friend Ma Ming. According to Ma Ming's confession, he suspected that Han Qin had seduced his girlfriend, which led him to ask Wang Changtong to set up the trap to strike back."

  Director Qian looked at the leaders present and saw that they were all paying attention, Han Qin's expression was also calm. Director Qian continued: "After research by the Xiping County Public Security Bureau Party Committee and with the agreement of the County Politics and Law Committee, it has been decided to take the following actions: Ma Ming and Wang Chang, as people's police officers, broke the law while enforcing the law, which is extremely serious. Considering that the two have shown a good attitude in confessing their crimes and have not caused significant losses, it has been decided to remove Ma Ming from his position as deputy director of the Fenghuang Township Police Station and give him a party internal warning. Wang Chang will be given a party internal severe warning and suspended from duty for reflection."

  Li Chenfeng saw Qian Fuli finish reading the investigation decision, looked at Han Qin and asked with concern: "Comrade Han Qin, Director Qian has already reported to me. The handling of the two parties involved has been done according to the upper limit. Do you have any opinions on the handling by the Public Security Bureau? Just speak up."

  Almost scolded by Han Qin's tone, this kind of investigation result, instead pulled himself in. This means competing with Ma Ming for favor and jealousy, isn't this exactly what Zhang Tiancheng wanted?