Chapter 54: Snakes and Rats in the Same Nest

  On Saturday, the Hong Lou drama crew arrived in Guangning and stayed at the county hotel. Lu Zhong had wanted to take a look, but Qiu Da received a phone call and called him back to the county committee compound. The public security bureau appointed Hou Jianjun as their representative to meet with the drama crew.

  In the office with portraits of leaders, Lu Zhong was shocked to find that Qiu Dahe's frown seemed deeper, apparently, Jiang Haiyan brought him extraordinary pressure. To say that he himself faced only the residual waves of Jiang Haiyan's pressure, but didn't he also feel it deeply?

  "Secretary, what's the background of Haiyan County Magistrate?" Lu Zhuo thought for a moment and asked. Being able to make two vice secretaries, Shang Ronghua and Peng Hongjun, stand on her side in such a short time, if there was no background, it would be impossible.

  Qiu Da rubbed his bald head and said: "To hell with her, I don't believe it, a little girl like that can turn the world upside down?"

  Lu Zhong knew that if he could squeeze out Ma Weiguo, Qiu Dahe and the people behind him were not to be underestimated. It seemed that in the struggle with Jiang Haiyan, Qiu Dahe also had some counterattack power. Of course, it was also possible that he was just cheering himself up, making himself stand firmly on his side.

  Actually, Lu Zhong thinks that looking at Jiang Haiyan's aggressive attitude, Qiu Dahai should have relinquished power earlier. Otherwise, the conflict between him and Jiang Haiyan wouldn't be so intense. Now, Qiu Dahai should take the initiative to resign and go to the People's Congress to enjoy his retirement. Why bother competing with others for this short-term position? Anyway, he is also approaching retirement age and will have to step down in a year or two.

  However, perhaps the older cadres who are supposed to step down are even more reluctant to give up power?

  Lu Zheng was silently thinking.

  Qiu Dahai took two puffs of his cigarette and said: "What's your take on Wang Zhiwei? I heard he has some financial issues?"

  Lu Zhong was stunned, the Guangning County Audit Bureau was established at the beginning of this year, but in fact it was still under the framework of the Economic Commission, and a temporary party branch was set up. It wasn't until Jiang Haiyan took office that the Audit Bureau formally separated from the Economic Commission. Although the staffing is only temporarily set at seven people, it has been clearly established as a regular section-level unit.

  Many times, Lu Zhong felt that Jiang Haiyan and himself had similar views. Lu Zhong always believed that the auditing system should be a very important department, it's just that most of the time, it can't play its due role.

  Listening to Qiu Dahe's hint, Lu Zhong slowly drank water and didn't make a sound.

  Qiu Daihe leaned against the sofa, sizing up Lu Zhong.

  It's unclear since when Lu Zhong became quite important among the several standing committee members, perhaps it was because only he could confront Jiang Haiyan face to face without getting scolded. Although Jiang Haiyan didn't have a good impression of him and might be resentful every day, wanting to rip out his tendons and peel off his skin, sometimes she still had to rely heavily on him.

  "Even if Wang Zhiwei has problems, shouldn't it be investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission?" As he spoke, Lu Zhong put down his teacup.

  Qiu Dahe took two puffs of his cigarette, stood up and walked to the windowsill, gazing out at the scenery.

  Lu Zhong nodded again and said, "I'll take care of it." He knew that Qiu Dahai was not satisfied with his previous answer, thinking that he was shirking responsibility. Although the Standing Committee had clearly defined the duties of the Discipline Inspection Commission, after all, it was still early days, and now the county bureau's internal security department had intervened, investigated Wang Zhiwei, and then transferred the case to the Discipline Inspection Commission, which was also possible.

  It is said that the case of the Business Bureau is still under in-depth investigation, and the Discipline Inspection Commission has already talked to Du Botao. Now, Qiu Da and others are using the same method to deal with Jiang Haiyan, telling her that the buttocks of her subordinates are not clean either.

  Out of Qiu Da and the office, Lu Zhong shook his head, thinking to himself: "You guys go ahead and fight, it's none of my business, as long as you don't affect what I want to do."

  But in fact, this kind of struggle back and forth is not beneficial for every cadre in Guangning. Those who are affected are not just themselves?

  With a hint of emotion, Lu Zhong went downstairs and coincidentally bumped into Du Bo Tao who was rushing upstairs.

  "Bo Tao." Lu Zhong smiled and stretched out his hand.

  Du Bo Tao's face was filled with worry, and his temples seemed to have suddenly sprouted a lot of white hair. When he saw Lu Zhong, he smiled bitterly and shook hands with him.

  "Secretary Lu, shall we get together tonight?" Du Botao's face showed a hint of hope. Ever since the disciplinary committee comrades had a talk with him, he had been feeling like every day was a year, and just like a plague, all the cadres who used to call him brother were now avoiding him.

  Du Bo didn't know how Lu Zhong suddenly came up, but at the age of 22, a county committee member, if he said that there was no extraordinary ability and no deep background, it would be impossible. Du Bo had also vaguely heard about Lu Zhong's confrontation with Jiang Haiyan at the Standing Committee meeting, now, he really wanted to probe into Lu Zhong's words, see how Lu Zhong would say, and whether he could point out a clear direction for himself.

  But Du Bo Tao didn't hold out much hope either, many old friends and comrades-in-arms kept their distance from him, let alone Lu Zhong with whom he had never been close.

  Who would have thought that Lu Zhong actually smiled and said: "Alright, I'll keep you company for a drink."

  In his past life, he was extreme, but in this life, he became enlightened. Lu Zhong had a bit of nostalgia for the old days, towards Qiu Dahe and also towards Du Boguang.

  Although I don't know if Du Bo Tao got his shoes wet or not, it's still okay to have a couple of drinks with him, after all, he has helped me out before.

  Du Bo Tao was overjoyed, grasping Lu Zhong's hand, speechless for a moment, with tears in his excited eyes. "Secretary Lu, this is truly 'time reveals the heart of men'! I, old Du, will get through this time, your kindness, I will remember forever!"

  Lu Zhong patted his hand and smiled: "Too serious, Botao, you're too serious."

  Du Bo Tao, however, refused to let go, sighed and said: "In short, Secretary Lu, I'm counting on you this time." This was also too excited, speaking without thinking.

  Qiu Dahua and Du had avoided him, shutting their doors to him, but suddenly this young delegate still treated him as before, even more warmly, how could he not be moved?

  At this time, the sound of footsteps came from the stairs, and Jiang Haiyan and Secretary Zhang walked down one after another. She glanced at Lu Zhong with a slightly sarcastic gaze.

  Lu Zhong was somewhat speechless, knowing that Du Botao's words had been misheard by Jiang Haiyan, who had only caught the tail end of what he said. The phrase "I'm counting on you this time" was already misleading, let alone to someone like Jiang Haiyan who already considered herself, Lu Zhong and Du Botao to be birds of a feather.

  Jiang Haiyan thought that she was also involved in this case, and she and Du Botao were just about to discuss how to collude with each other.

  It seems that Jiang Haiyan is still focused on political struggle, and doesn't seem to care about catching big tigers. For herself, she might be lenient, otherwise, with the current situation, wouldn't she have been isolated and investigated already?

  However, it is certain that despising oneself for thinking of oneself as a parasite is a given.

  Lu Zhong was speechless for a moment, fortunately he had gotten used to all kinds of hateful and disdainful gazes in his past life, so he didn't care about the gaze of outsiders.

  It was Du Bo Tao who, seeing Jiang Haiyan and his secretary coming down, had already stood aside to make way early on.