34: powerful allies

Lin Zifeng soon received Wang Zhongyu's report, and he had already guessed some possibilities regarding Yu Hualin's intention to hold a Party Committee Meeting.

He had originally wanted to find a suitable opportunity to propose holding a Party Committee Meeting to resolve some urgent issues.

Yu Hualin's announcement of a Party Committee Meeting was exactly what he wanted.

There were still three days until the Party Committee Meeting, and he planned to use this time to make some preparations to achieve his goals.

So, during these three days, he didn't stay in his office but went to various departments in the town for investigation.

He visited all departments directly under the Town Government, as well as the Town Hospital, Town Middle School, and Town Primary School, with his staff.

In private, he also spoke with some people to understand the situation.

He had been the Town Mayor of Heping Town for almost a month, so such investigations were entirely reasonable.

Therefore, it did not arouse the vigilance of Yu Hualin and others.

In the perception of Yu Hualin and others, Lin Zifeng was just a young man in his twenties who became Town Mayor simply by luck, without much work experience, and posed no threat to them.

Three days passed in a flash, and on Friday morning, Lin Zifeng arrived at his office as usual.

Wang Zhongyu had just finished cleaning and brewed his tea when a knock sounded at the door.

Lin Zifeng called out “Come in,” and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission Zhang Zhenhua pushed the door open and walked in from outside.

Seeing who it was, Lin Zifeng quickly stood up, walked around the desk, and hurried to greet him.

"Secretary Zhang, I didn't expect you to grace us with your presence! If I had known it was you, I would have gone out to meet you."

Lin Zifeng said, extending his hand.

Zhang Zhenhua shook his hand and said with a smile, "Town Mayor, you're too kind. Isn't there a Party Committee Meeting? I misremembered the time and arrived at the conference room early.

Seeing no one in the conference room, I remembered that the meeting time was nine o'clock, not eight, so I came to bother you for a cup of water."

"Welcome, welcome, Secretary Zhang is a rare guest! Zhongyu, quickly pour some water."

Lin Zifeng said, ushering Zhang Zhenhua to a chair and then sitting beside him.

In his heart, however, he thought, 'As the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, how could he misremember the meeting time? You're trying to fool ghosts!'

He wondered what Zhang Zhenhua's purpose was in coming here before the meeting.

He was preoccupied with his thoughts, but his expression remained calm.

After pouring the water, Wang Zhongyu discreetly exited the office.

The two discussed some trivial topics. Due to limited time, and seeing that Lin Zifeng was very patient, Zhang Zhenhua hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"Town Mayor, you've been in Heping Town for almost a month now. You should have a general understanding of the situation in Heping Town, right?"

"I wonder what aspect Secretary Zhang is referring to?

I have a good understanding of various aspects of the work, but I don't know much about Heping Town's past."

Lin Zifeng saw that the other party was getting to the point and replied tentatively.

"The Town Mayor has been in Heping Town for too short a time. I've heard some rumors that Secretary Yu's purpose in calling this Party Committee Meeting is to finalize certain matters again in the name of the Party Committee collective.

The Former Town Mayor, Wang Yongfa, was completely sidelined by Secretary Yu, merely a figurehead. Some documents were given to him to sign just as a formality.

Secretary Yu wants you to become like the Former Town Mayor in the future.

I've been frank with the Town Mayor, and I hope you no longer have any reservations."

Zhang Zhenhua set down his teacup and said in a low voice.

Hearing what Zhang Zhenhua said, Lin Zifeng's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected this Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission to speak so bluntly about this matter.

So he replied with a question that wasn't a direct answer, "Why?"

"Why else? On the surface, I don't want Yu Hualin to continue to coerce and do things he doesn't want to do in the name of the collective.

The Former Town Mayor, Wang Yongfa, was not a strong person; to put it bluntly, he was weak and incompetent.

Coupled with the fact that his term was almost up, leaving no hope, I had no choice but to pretend to cooperate with him.

Even if I was dissatisfied, I could only abstain from voting because I couldn't stop Yu Hualin at all.

Although you've only recently arrived in Heping Town, you possess a composure and shrewdness that people your age usually lack.

I don't want to tolerate it anymore; the time has come to end Yu Hualin's one-man rule.

That's why I've been frank with you. I just wonder if the Town Mayor has the courage?"

After expressing his thoughts, Zhang Zhenhua's bright eyes fixed on Lin Zifeng.

"Secretary Zhang, Yu Hualin is not alone. Aren't you afraid of offending the person behind him?"

He asked, probing again.

"Afraid? How could I not be afraid? But what can fear do?

Three years ago, I had the opportunity to become the Town Mayor of Hetao Town, but because I disagreed with the newly appointed Yu Hualin at a Party Committee Meeting and voiced opposition,

Yu Hualin said some things in front of Yu Guodong, and my path to promotion was cut off.

I was only thirty-nine that year, and now I'm forty-two.

I've been the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission in Heping Town for a full five years. At worst, I'll just stay where I am! What more can they do to me?

Demotion, disciplinary action, being sidelined—I don't care anymore. Is there a worse outcome than this?

I really don't want to continue living so miserably.

Town Mayor, you don't need to test me anymore; what I'm telling you is from the heart.

Furthermore, I can tell you clearly that I'm gambling that you're unwilling to be a puppet.

I'm also gambling that people like Yu Hualin and Yu Guodong won't last long.

They've gone too far with some things, and coupled with the County Magistrate's incident some time ago, Yu Guodong's actions cannot possibly escape the notice of higher authorities.

As the saying goes, 'The net of heaven is vast, though its meshes are wide, it lets nothing through!' Do you understand what I mean, Town Mayor?"

Zhang Zhenhua once again spoke his mind.

Hearing what Zhang Zhenhua said, Lin Zifeng finally dropped his guard. He couldn't help but think, 'This Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission seems reckless, but he's not simple at all!'

He knew that he wouldn't be content to be a puppet like Wang Yongfa.

This heart-to-heart talk with him was also an attempt to get him to lead the charge!

However, he already had this intention, and now he had a powerful ally, which was the outcome he desired.

Thinking this, he smiled and said, "Secretary Zhang's keen insight is truly admirable!

My views align perfectly with yours, Secretary Zhang. Your saying, 'The net of heaven is vast, though its meshes are wide, it lets nothing through,' is excellent.

As Cadres, we must have the courage to fight against all illegal activities."

Hearing his words, Zhang Zhenhua smiled happily. The two exchanged a look and reached a consensus.