Right path to power

The group moved closer to Lin Xiao, while the man next to the one with the black-rimmed glasses glanced at Lin Xiao with a hint of contempt on his face, and then said in a cold voice, "Little Lin, the county is going to entertain VIPs here, you should leave."

The newcomer was Hong Feng, the executive deputy county head of Fengshan County. In the blink of an eye, he was already smiling obsequiously at the bespectacled man beside him: "President Li, they are just a few ignorant little people. You don't need to lower yourself to their level. I believe that even if Secretary Huang were here, he would still have to give way to your request as a distinguished guest."

The man with black-rimmed glasses is named Li Hang. He is the son of Mayor Li Cheng. He had come to the county specifically to ask Gao Dayong for help and to secure construction projects, but Gao Dayong refused him firmly.

Now that County Chief Gao is gone, he immediately "hooked up" with Hong Feng, seemingly convinced that this executive deputy county chief will be promoted to "county chief".

"Haha, County Chief Hong really knows the rules and understands politics. It seems that you are the one who deserves to be the county chief."

After saying that, Li Hang patted Hong Feng on the shoulder with his right hand to congratulate him.

"Really? I heard that the new municipal party secretary hasn't even taken office yet, so how come you've already elected a county head?" Lin Xiao sneered again.

Hong Feng's face immediately darkened, and he said with displeasure, "Lin Xiao, watch your attitude. President Li is Mayor Li's son, and he's a distinguished guest whom our county went to great lengths to invite to guide our work. If something goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility?"

At this moment, Li Hang leaned forward, adjusted his glasses, and feigned surprise, saying, "Oh, I wondered who it was? It's Secretary Lin. Wait a minute, Secretary Lin, why are you still so lively? Where's your County Chief Gao?"

"Ha, some people are remembered forever even after they're gone; others, even if they're still breathing, are like soulless walking corpses, ultimately turning into a lump of mud." Lin Xiao retorted sharply, not losing ground at all.

"I think you're asking for it!"

Hong Tao, standing to the side, quickly took a few steps forward, looking furious and aggressive.

"Hong Tao, are you openly threatening a public official? Why don't you come to the office with me?" At this moment, Liu Yun also stepped forward and blocked Lin Xiao's way.

"What? You're going to stand up for him?"

"I'm upholding the dignity of the law! You openly threaten public officials, so I have the right to deal with you."

"Liu Yun, I don't believe you dare to touch me."

The next second, a scream of pain was heard, and within seconds Liu Yun had subdued Hong Tao on the ground.

Everyone present, including Lin Xiao, was stunned by Liu Yun's action.

"Liu Yun, you dare to touch me..."

"I told you I have the right to deal with you."

At this moment, Hong Tao's face darkened again, and he said coldly, "Deputy Director Liu, you have quite the nerve. Are you going to invite us to the station for tea too?"

"Deputy County Chief Hong, Hong Tao has openly threatened state officials, which may constitute obstruction of official duties and disorderly conduct. I have the right to take him back to the station for questioning."

"What a huge accusation! Are you trying to crush someone? Let me ask your Chief Xiao what he really means."

Then, Hong Tao picked up his phone and called Xiao Cong, the director of Xikeng Town Police Station. After chatting for a few minutes, he hung up.

Immediately afterward, Liu Yun's phone rang. It was his superior, Xiao Cong, calling with one message: release Hong Tao.

However, Xiao Cong's attitude was relatively humble. He dared not offend Hong Tao, nor did he want to make enemies with Liu Yun, so he gave a long speech.

Finally, Liu Yun could only say, "Director Xiao, I know how to handle this. I won't make things difficult for you."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work!"

So Liu Yun let go.

In fact, while Hong Tao was on the phone, Lin Xiao had already whispered a few words in Liu Yun's ear:

"Just scare them a little. Taking them back would be a waste of time. If we really want to deal with them, we need to strike decisively. Besides, we have more important things to do later."

"This guy is too arrogant, so I have to teach him a lesson. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Therefore, this incident is more like expressing an attitude!

Hong Tao, who had just gotten up from the ground, originally wanted to carry out some kind of "revenge," but he was stunned by a cold and stern look from his own uncle. He could only suppress his anger and obediently come to stand behind his uncle.

"Hey kids, I've got my eye on you. The real show is yet to come. Believe me or not, one day you'll be begging for mercy on your knees."

The one with that tone was none other than the young master of the Li family, and his lewd face could even reveal a hint of coldness and disdain.

"I don't believe it!"

A firm and confident voice came from Lin Xiao's mouth, and then he said: "Fengshan County is neither owned by the Li family nor the Hong family, and it is not a private backyard for any particular person."

Even though it is currently shrouded in gloom, it is only temporary. One day, its sky will return to its azure, its waters will become clear again, and all the miasma will vanish without a trace. As for those who scheme and plot, they will eventually turn into dust of history like autumn leaves swept away by the wind.

"Well said!"

A loud voice echoed in the corridor. Gong Lei, the deputy secretary of the county party committee, strode towards Lin Xiao, first patting him on the shoulder with a smile, then turning to Hong Feng and saying, "What a coincidence, Deputy County Head Hong is also having lunch here!"

Although both are titled "Deputy," the Deputy Secretary is always ranked third, while the Executive Deputy County Head's highest ranking is only fourth. In other words, with Deputy Secretary Gong Lei in place, Deputy County Head Hong Feng has no say in the matter.

Of course, Hong Feng, also a member of the county party committee standing committee, wasn't so easily intimidated. He displayed confidence that the new county head was definitely his, and with the backing of Mayor Li, he retorted, "If Deputy Secretary Gong can dine here, then naturally I can too!"

"Haha, of course! It's just a meal. Why should we differentiate between people and arrange seating? You need to broaden your perspective to see the bigger picture. I'm not good at using power to oppress or control people."

This statement clearly carries a double meaning, but those who care will naturally take it to heart.

"Deputy Secretary Gong, you have a good perspective. However, I've heard that your father-in-law has been quite active lately, always finding fault with things and causing trouble for others. Isn't that just adding to their problems?" Li Hang naturally wouldn't let Gong Lei's open and veiled mockery go unchecked.

Gong Lei, however, did not show any anger. Instead, he smiled and said, "President Li is right. It's because some people have a guilty conscience. They can't control themselves or their families. Even if they hold high positions and are successful in front of others, when have they ever had peace of mind? Because they are always worried that if they are exposed to the sunlight, they might be destroyed."

His father-in-law, Zhang Jingsong, frequently offered opinions on the work of the municipal government after retiring from his official post, which greatly displeased Mayor Li Cheng. However, given Zhang Jingsong's status as a retired official, Mayor Li Cheng couldn't say anything. But once, under the influence of alcohol, he bluntly told some officials, "That Zhang guy is just a retired old geezer who always likes to act like he's old and arrogant. I wonder if he was born in the Year of the Dog, otherwise why does he like to bark everywhere like that..."

What was thought to be drunken ramblings at a drinking party still reached Zhang Jingsong's ears, infuriating him to no end. He went straight to the mayor's office and launched into a tirade, sparking heated discussion in the office building and making Li Cheng lose face.

At this moment, Li Hang was clearly struggling to keep up. His face was flushed with anger, and he said resentfully, "We'll see. Who knows who will have the last laugh?"

"Okay, I'll be waiting." Gong Lei laughed and said.

Then, the group turned and left.

Gong Lei couldn't resist adding a sarcastic remark: "All bark and no bite, just a fox borrowing the tiger's might!"