Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 393 Bait, Hook, and Fisherman

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "Xinghua, you draft a preliminary plan first."

The invitation list is based on this roster. Individuals not on the roster but possessing genuine talent, resources, and connections can also be invited.

Lü Xinghua nodded repeatedly and took out his notebook to take notes.

"The reception venue can be arranged at Qingyan Hotel, with local dishes served as the main course, so that everyone can taste the flavors of home."

Instead of lengthy speeches by leaders, Secretary Yuan, or myself, on behalf of the county party committee and county government, would like to report to all fellow villagers on the changes in Qingyan over the past few years, especially the development strategy and key directions after it was incorporated into Jiangzhou.

Then, please speak freely and offer your opinions and suggestions for the development of our hometown. Finally, we will have a reunion dinner together.

Lu Xinghua expressed his strong agreement: "County Chief Wu, this is a very good idea."

In the past, those events were like investment promotion conferences, which put pressure on the villagers, who were afraid of being coerced.

This time it's different; I truly treat them as family, as relatives.

"Yes. The goal is to create a warm and stress-free environment for everyone."

After the meeting, each member of the community will receive a small gift. It doesn't need to be expensive, but it should be thoughtful.

I suggest using local specialties from Qingyan—chestnuts, walnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and wood ear mushrooms, etc.

Lu Xinghua nodded and said, "Yes, they are all successful people and don't care how expensive the gifts are."

These local specialties may not be expensive, but they taste like home, and that's what truly touches people's hearts.

"After the plan is drafted, I will take a look at it first, and then report to Secretary Yuan."

……

Liao Shanshan sent another message to Wu Zhiyuan, saying that she had an important report to give that evening.

Important situation?

What important situation could Liao Shanshan be in?

A married woman comes every few days, ostensibly under the guise of work, but it inevitably raises suspicions of impropriety.

Wu Zhiyuan politely declined: "Manager Liao, if there's anything you need to say, you can talk to me on the phone, or come to my office tomorrow."

"County Chief Wu, there's a recording; things can't be explained without meeting in person."

Going to your office is inappropriate. As a hotel deputy manager, what right do I have to go to your office?

Don't worry, I won't resort to any underhanded tactics, and I won't let anyone see that I went to your place.

After much hesitation, Wu Zhiyuan agreed.

Liao Shanshan has arrived.

She was wearing a long, off-white down jacket, with a light gray cashmere scarf peeking out from the neckline.

She also brought some fruit.

"County Chief Wu, I'm wearing a hat and a mask. Even if someone sees me, they won't know who I am."

As she spoke, Liao Shanshan took off her mask.

Wu Zhiyuan poured a cup of tea and handed it to Liao Shanshan.

Liao Shanshan was somewhat flattered.

"Manager Liao, what important situation is there?" Wu Zhiyuan stared at Liao Shanshan.

He guessed that the so-called important situations were mostly exaggerated and overstated; the situations did exist, but they weren't important enough.

The reason it's considered an important situation is simply as an excuse to meet.

Liao Shanshan took her phone out of her bag, opened a recording, and placed it on the coffee table.

"County Chief Wu, listen to this first."

The recording started playing; it was Jiang Xiaohua's voice.

"...Do you think I did all this just to be Secretary Yuan's henchman?"

Shanshan, you're still young, there are some things you need to understand sooner rather than later.

These days, if a woman doesn't plan for herself, who will?

"...Secretary Yuan has indeed been good to me. He has given me everything I was entitled to over the years, and he even helped me get promoted to the rank of section chief."

But think about it, how long can he stay in Qingyan...?

"...If Longcheng hadn't been merged and personnel appointments hadn't been temporarily frozen, Secretary Yuan might already have been promoted to deputy director-general level..."

"...Secretary Yuan is gone, I must find a new patron. Wu Zhiyuan is the best candidate..."

I need you to find something on him, I need you to drag him down with you.

"As long as he's tied to us, we'll be able to gain a foothold in Qingyan..."

Wu Zhiyuan listened to everything.

These conversations weren't particularly important, but they were still very informative.

First, the fact that Yuan Jin is likely to be promoted to deputy director-general level indicates that he has very strong connections in the province.

Secondly, Jiang Xiaohua was not completely devoted to Yuan Jin, but was paving the way for his own future.

Third, Jiang Xiaohua attempted to secure her future position by controlling him.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "When was this recording made?"

"A few nights ago, there was a dinner party at Liao Chenggong's villa."

Yuan Jin, Chen Jimin, Deng Haidong, Jiang Xiaohua, and Liao Jinshen were all present.

"A dinner party? What's the pretext?"

"There's no reason. The villa belongs to Liao Chenggong, and it's also a private gathering place for Yuan Jin and others."

The resort offers a one-stop service for eating, drinking, and entertainment. To put it bluntly, the resort is Liao Chenggong's "Red Mansion" for winning over and corrupting Yuan Jin and others.

Liao Chenggong frequently brought in young and beautiful girls for Yuan Jin and others to enjoy.

I didn't want to go, but Jiang Xiaohua insisted on dragging me along.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Yuan Jin said she's going to be promoted to deputy director-general level. Is this news reliable?"

Jiang Xiaohua spoke with absolute certainty, saying that Yuan Jin had special connections.

But she didn't say what the specifics were, and she wouldn't tell me.

What does it mean that people like County Chief Wu and Yuan Jin can be promoted to deputy director level?

This indicates that they have connections in high places, and their relationship is quite special.

Jiang Xiaohua is eager to control you now because she's afraid that once Yuan Jin leaves, she'll lose her backer.

This woman is very cunning and ambitious; she wants to become the deputy county head, and may even be thinking about more.

By the way, Jiang Xiaohua has a conflict with Liu Yun, the current manager of the hotel.

She told me privately that if I could win you over, she would find a way to make me replace Liu Yun as the hotel manager.

Liu Yun is also one of Yuan Jin's people; she's slept with Yuan Jin, but she doesn't really listen to Jiang Xiaohua.

Wu Zhiyuan didn't answer, but instead asked, "Was there anything else noteworthy at the dinner party that night?"

Liao Shanshan hesitated for a moment before saying, "That night, Yuan Jin wanted to sleep with me, but I lied and said I had my period."

"Aren't you afraid he'll become suspicious if you reject him?"

"I really don't want to be ruined by him anymore. County Chief Wu, you don't know what kind of person Yuan Jin is in private."

On stage, they talk about integrity and conduct, but off stage, they're worse than animals.

He's incredibly twisted; every time I go to his place, it's torture for me.

Wu Zhiyuan paused for a moment, then said, "Manager Liao, the information you provided tonight was very valuable."

When Liao Shanshan heard Wu Zhiyuan say "very valuable", she was overjoyed: "County Chief Wu, I'm glad I can help you."

I will continue to keep an eye on what Jiang Xiaohua and Secretary Yuan are up to.

"Manager Liao, how many times have you been to Liao Chenggong's villa?"

"It happened about five or six times, County Magistrate Wu. I won't lie to you, there were several times when Yuan Jin tormented me at the manor. You could say the manor was Yuan Jin's harem."

"Have you noticed whether there are any security cameras installed in the resort?"

"County Chief Wu, do you suspect that Liao Chenggong installed hidden cameras in the private rooms and other rooms?"

Wu Zhiyuan did not answer directly, but said: "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

Liao Chenggong spent so much money to turn the villa into Yuan Jin's "Red Mansion," a one-stop shop for eating, drinking, and having fun, and he often brought in young and beautiful girls to keep him company.

Do you think he was simply being hospitable, or did he have ulterior motives?

Liao Shanshan gasped.

She had thought about this question before, but she had never thought about it deeply or cared much about it.

"County Chief Wu, are you implying that Liao Chenggong may have filmed Yuan Jin, Chen Jimin, and others engaging in debauchery at the resort, and could use that as leverage to confront them at a crucial moment?"

Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "No businessman is stupid. What did Liao Chenggong rely on to build such a large business in Qingyan?"

It relies on connections and relationships.

But connections and relationships, in the end, are just an exchange of interests.

Liao Chenggong provided Yuan Jin with food, drink, entertainment, and women, and Yuan Jin took care of Liao Chenggong in return.

This kind of relationship is inherently unstable.

What will Liao Chenggong do if Yuan Jin is transferred away, or if Yuan Jin turns his back on him one day?

He's invested so much; there has to be some kind of guarantee.

Filming videos to gain leverage is a common tactic used by businessmen to control officials.

Even in the event of trouble, it can be used to seek leniency or to drag others down with it.

Liao Shanshan asked thoughtfully, "So you think Liao Chenggong must have installed hidden cameras in the private rooms and other rooms?"

"I can't be 100% sure, but it's very likely."

Moreover, Yuan Jin isn't a fool; he couldn't be unaware that Liao Chenggong might do such a thing. So why would he still go?

Liao Shanshan was stunned.

Yes, Yuan Jin is such a shrewd person, how could she not know that going to such a place is risky?

Didn't they know that Liao Chenggong might have left behind evidence?

Wu Zhiyuan noticed her confusion and smiled faintly: "It's like a fish knowing there's a hook hidden behind the bait, but it still bites. Because the bait is too tempting."

Yuan Jin was the same; the services Liao Chenggong offered were too tempting for him, so tempting that he ignored the risks.

Moreover, he probably felt he could control the situation and that Liao Chenggong wouldn't dare do anything to him.

"So, if those videos really exist, they're a ticking time bomb."

"Yes. If Liao Chenggong really has those videos, then he has Yuan Jin's life in his hands."

This is one of the reasons why Liao Chenggong was able to remain standing in Qingyan.

Liao Shanshan was clever; she could read people's minds. She asked, "County Chief Wu, do you want me to find those videos?"

Wu Zhiyuan did not deny it: "Manager Liao, this matter is related to whether we can take the initiative."

Yuan Jin and Jiang Xiaohua are now eager to drag me down. If I can't find incriminating evidence against them, I'll remain in a passive position.

What Wu Zhiyuan didn't say was that corrupt and lecherous officials like Yuan Jin should go where they belong, instead of being promoted step by step, as that would be the greatest harm to the interests of the people.

Yuan Jin's ability to rise to the position of deputy director-general after committing so many dirty deeds through special connections is a mockery of Party discipline and national laws, an insult to all hardworking and principled cadres, and an injustice to the ordinary people he has oppressed and harmed.

Liao Shanshan hesitated for a moment, then said, "County Chief Wu, I can give it a try. But Liao Chenggong's villa is very large. If he really installed hidden cameras, the monitoring room and video storage equipment must be very well hidden. I need time, I need an opportunity."

"No rush. Safety first. Let's see if we can get our hands on those things."

If the risk is too high, don't force it. We can think of other ways.

Wu Zhiyuan used "we" instead of "I" to convey that he considered Liao Shanshan as one of his own.

Liao Shanshan is a smart person; she must have understood.

"County Chief Wu, I understand, and I will do my best to complete your task."

Liao Shanshan picked up her water glass, took a sip of tea, and said quietly, "County Chief Wu, you just said that Yuan Jin is like a fish, knowing there's a hook behind the bait, but still taking the bite."

Actually, many people are like this. Including me.

I know Jiang Xiaohua is using me, and I know Yuan Jin only treats me as a plaything, but I still harbor illusions that as long as I perform well enough, I can get what I want.

Like a fish, even knowing there's a hook behind the bait, it still can't resist biting.

Wu Zhiyuan looked at her: "So, you're awake now?"

Liao Shanshan put down her teacup: "I guess so. Before I met you, I felt like a fish struggling in murky water, unable to see the direction or escape the circle."

Jiang Xiaohua's empty promises and Yuan Jin's occasional acts of kindness were all the bait I could find.

I knew it was poisonous, but I had no choice, and I dared not choose it. Until I met you.

She looked up at Wu Zhiyuan and said, "You are different from them all."

I know I'm not good enough for the comrades you mentioned; I was too dirty in the past.

But if you're willing to give me a chance, even if it's just as a spy or a tool, I'm willing to give it a try.

This time, I want to try biting through the hook to see if the water outside the hook is clear.