Family connections: From special recruitment by the county committee to the pinnacle of power

Li Qiang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said nervously, "Comrade, I... I just wanted to say that I... I don't have that level of skill. As for instigating... well, not really."

Li Qiang hesitated for a long time, but still didn't dare to say Wang Long's name.

After all, this matter really has nothing to do with Wang Long.

What if we get caught?

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man frowned, his face darkening as he coldly said, "Li Qiang! I'll say it again, I'm speaking to you on behalf of the organization! You said it yourself, it was you who said someone instigated you, it was someone who instigated you! What do you mean you don't have that level of competence, and no one instigated you!"

"Let me tell you, be loyal and honest to the organization!"

"Asking you now is giving you an opportunity. Do you know what that means? You're questioning the Party's leadership!"

A few words were enough to frighten Li Qiang into sweating profusely.

Even he himself didn't expect that a casual boast would cause such a big disaster.

After taking several deep breaths, Li Qiang finally steeled himself and said, "Comrade, that's not what I meant. What I meant was, I... I just blurted it out because I heard it from someone else, but really no one instigated me."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression softened somewhat, and his tone became gentler. He said calmly, "Who told you this? Was it County Magistrate Lin Hanlong, or Office Director Jiang Qinghua? And under what circumstances did you hear it—was it at a county government executive meeting or a county government office work meeting?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qiang sensed that something was amiss.

Saying such things in private has a completely different meaning than saying them in a public meeting.

He couldn't help but secretly admire Xu Hansheng, who had been right about almost every step of the way.

The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has made it clear that it intends to take action against Lin Hanlong. If Li Qiang reveals that Lin Hanlong made those remarks at the Standing Committee meeting, the matter will escalate significantly.

Questioning the Party's core leadership position—this is outrageous!

"Well... I heard it from Wang Long, the secretary of County Magistrate Lin, when we were having dinner together once. Wang Long used to work in our department, and we had some connection."

"I just felt that since he could say it, I... I just said it offhand."

Li Qiang stammered and made up a lie.

Wang Long, the county magistrate's secretary?

The middle-aged man opposite Li Qiang was clearly not satisfied with Li Qiang's answer. He frowned and said, "Director Li, I'll say it again, I'm asking you this on behalf of the organization. Don't have any reservations. The facts are the facts. There's no need to worry or be afraid. And don't try to cover for some people. Some things you can't hide."

"Furthermore, you don't need to worry about any retaliation from anyone; the organization will back you up and make decisions for you!"

Li Qiang repeatedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for taking care of me, but I really didn't lie. That day, Wang Long and I ate at Old Zhang's Meat Skewers in the county. He must have been drunk, because he told me that the county government office is where things really get done, while the work of the county party committee office is all too superficial and doesn't get down to business..."

"He only said one sentence at the end, so everyone says that the commissioner's office is all talk and no action, while the government office is all action."

"I don't know what's wrong with my blockhead. I can't remember what the county magistrate says normally, but... I can remember these things after hearing them only once..."

Seeing Li Qiang's distraught expression, the middle-aged man smiled faintly and said, "It's alright. After all, you only heard it from someone else. By the way, was anyone else present at the time?"

Li Qiang pretended to be trying hard to remember and said, "Well... there was no one else at our table, but there were quite a few people eating in the room at the time."

While taking notes, the middle-aged man turned to Li Qiang and asked, "Was his voice loud when he said all that?"

"big!"

Li Qiang nodded heavily and said, "That's why I said it. Secretary Wang was probably drunk at the time. It was like someone was going to argue with him, so his voice was particularly loud!"

The middle-aged man's lips curled slightly upward, and he nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Yes, Director Li, is there anything else you wish to report?"

Li Qiang shook his head and said, "Really, there isn't any. I really didn't mean to say that."

The middle-aged man stood up with a smile and said, "Comrade Li Qiang, don't feel pressured. We know that it's not easy being a grassroots cadre. After you go back, think about it carefully. If you remember any new situations, be sure to contact the Discipline Inspection Commission in time."

"You can report it directly to the Yutong County Discipline Inspection Commission, or you can call the number I called you yesterday."

Li Qiang nodded repeatedly and said, "Okay, if I remember anything else, I will definitely contact the comrades in the Discipline Inspection Commission in time."

The middle-aged man said calmly, "Alright, you can go back to work now."

After saying that, the middle-aged man escorted Li Qiang out of the office.

Immediately afterwards, he and two cadres from the Discipline Inspection Commission knocked on the door of Wang Long's office.

Wang Long never dreamed that disaster would strike him while he was sitting at home.

He was also planning that he would get engaged to Chen Hongsheng's daughter next month, at which point he would have a real backer.

Before he could finish his dream, the door was pushed open, and several discipline inspection officials took Wang Long out of the office.

Less than half an hour later, Wang Long was taken directly to Qingshan City by people from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Soon, the phrase "the Commission Office focuses on abstract concepts, while the Government Office focuses on practical matters," which originated from Wang Long, spread throughout the two offices.

When Chen Hongsheng heard this news, his blood ran cold.

Isn't this just asking for trouble?

Without saying a word, he hurriedly called his daughter Chen Lina and sternly warned her not to have any further contact with Wang Long!

She wasn't allowed to make even a single phone call; otherwise, she would disown her as her daughter.

Xu Changqing, who had just received the news, was puzzled when he heard that Wang Long was actually involved in this matter. He often drank with Wang Long and had never heard him say such a thing.

Wang Long isn't stupid, why would he bring this up for no reason?

Upon closer recollection, Li Qiang had just been summoned to the Discipline Inspection Commission's office that morning, and then emerged unscathed from there, returning to the Pingshan Township Poverty Alleviation Office.

But no sooner had he left than Wang Long took him to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Is that even a question?

Li Qiang used Wang Long as a shield.

But the question is, is this something Li Qiang could think of and do?

Xu Changqing was deeply suspicious.

Although Li Qiang is good at reading people, the problem is that he lacks political acumen and is ultimately too low-ranking.

Even if he were completely bewildered, he wouldn't be able to react so accurately and push Wang Long out directly.

Someone must have been instigating this behind the scenes!

Regardless of who is behind Li Qiang's instigation, for Xu Changqing, the situation is deteriorating every moment.

Wang Long was taken away, and Li Qiang was demoted. Something seems amiss about this.