Chapter 16: An Unsolvable Paradox

After speaking, Shi Nian He took a voice recorder from his trouser pocket and turned on the speaker. Immediately, the voice of Hua Sheng Ou came through.

Seeing this, Hua Sheng Ou’s face darkened, and his anger grew even stronger.

He hadn’t expected Shi Nian He to have a backup plan, carrying a recording device to leave evidence behind.

Hua Sheng Ou reached out to grab the recorder from Shi Nian He’s hand, but Shi Nian He was quick and swiftly pulled it away.

“Director Ou, are you trying to destroy evidence?” Shi Nian He asked calmly.

Hua Sheng Ou’s expression flickered between gloom and displeasure. After taking a breath and quickly composing himself, he said, “Comrade Shi, perhaps I was overwhelmed with work and made a mistake.”

Shi Nian He naturally did not believe this excuse, but seeing Hua Sheng Ou soften his stance, he said, “Director Ou, you are my superior. I don’t want any unpleasantness between us. If you support my work, I can better relieve your burdens and serve the County Party Committee Office. Don’t you agree?”

“I also believe that this time, Director Ou was momentarily negligent. Since the matter is clear now, let’s just let it go.”

Though his words were subtle, the meaning was clear: from now on, don’t target me, Shi Nian He. If this time is overlooked, next time it may not be so easy.

Hua Sheng Ou was no fool; he understood the underlying threat in Shi Nian He’s words.

He forced a smile, one that was more skin-deep than sincere. “Comrade Shi, to develop such awareness within just a week at the County Committee—commendable indeed!”

After Shi Nian He left, Hua Sheng Ou’s face darkened once more. This incident was deliberately orchestrated by him. Unexpectedly, Shi Nian He had a recorder on hand and recorded their entire conversation.

Thinking this over, Hua Sheng Ou reminded himself to be more cautious in dealing with Shi Nian He, who was clearly no ordinary person.

He never anticipated that Shi Nian He would soon return, holding a form in his hand.

“Comrade Shi, what else do you need?” Hua Sheng Ou asked.

Shi Nian He said, “Director Ou, I feel partly responsible for today’s incident. To ensure smoother cooperation in the future, I propose that any tasks you assign be printed out. After you confirm they are correct, you can sign them. This will be beneficial for both of us.”

Hua Sheng Ou was simmering with anger but had no outlet. He intended to restrain Shi Nian He, yet Shi Nian He immediately countered with a legitimate and well-founded proposal, leaving Hua Sheng Ou unable to respond with anger.

In the end, Hua Sheng Ou reluctantly signed his name on the form.

Shi Nian He thought the matter was settled and that at least they could maintain a peaceful facade going forward.

What he did not expect was that Hua Sheng Ou immediately reported him to Yun Qiu Wu, complaining that Shi Nian He was disrespectful to leadership, carrying a recorder to record their conversations, which was inappropriate in the County Committee. If the recordings leaked, who would bear the responsibility?

The next day, on the car ride to the high-speed rail station to pick someone up, Yun Qiu Wu said to Shi Nian He, “I heard you had some trouble with Director Ou?”

Originally, Shi Nian He wanted to let the matter drop, but seeing Hua Sheng Ou was not letting go, he decided not to indulge him any further.

“Secretary Wu, here’s what happened...” Shi Nian He began.

He then truthfully recounted the entire incident from start to finish.

After listening, Yun Qiu Wu asked, “So the recording matches your written account?”

Shi Nian He nodded.

Fang Jie, the driver who was usually reserved, spoke up: “He’s deliberately making things difficult for Secretary He. He’s venting his frustrations on him.”

Yun Qiu Wu responded with a hum and asked, “What is Hua Qiang’s grievance?”

Fang Jie explained, “Hua Sheng Ou is on good terms with Jun Hai Sha, the County Governor. Sha promised to appoint him as Executive Deputy County Mayor or Propaganda Minister, but after three years, he’s still just the Director of the County Party Office. Can you blame him for being upset?”

Among the County Party Committee standing members, the Director of the Party Office ranks near the bottom. Although all are standing members, their status, influence, and power differ.

The Executive Deputy County Mayor is the government’s second-in-command and wields much more actual power and benefits in various respects.

Fang Jie seemed to open up further: “Also, I heard his brother-in-law’s construction waste transport company is actually mostly owned by him, but recently, there have been some troubles…”

Yun Qiu Wu looked out the window silently after hearing this.

Shi Nian He thought to himself: if he has grievances, there’s no need to take them out on me.

Shi Nian He believed there was another reason behind this hostility: Hua Sheng Ou did not want him to stay long in the County Party Committee Office, much less firmly secure the position of Secretary to the County Party Secretary.

Given this, the targeting and suppression of Shi Nian He were only just beginning and would not cease.

Moreover, since Shi Nian He had embarrassed Hua Sheng Ou and left him no face to save, Hua Sheng Ou would not easily let him off.

At the high-speed rail station, they arrived right on time to pick up their guest.

Jiang Wei Min, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, had hair already streaked with gray but was kind and approachable, without any airs.

This demeanor lent him an aura of inscrutable depth.

According to protocol, when inspecting Ninghai County, either the Party Secretary or the Governor of the prefecture, or one of the two, should accompany him.

However, Jiang Wei Min did not believe in formalities or grand displays and politely declined the accompaniment of the prefectural leaders.

Yun Qiu Wu and Jiang Wei Min seemed to have known each other for some time, which surprised Shi Nian He.

At Jiang Wei Min’s request, and accompanied by the county party leadership team, he conducted selective inspections of Ninghai’s agriculture and rural areas, examining land planning and usage.

They concluded with a symposium.

At the meeting, Jiang Wei Min spoke for about ten minutes, focusing on his official duties.

In summary, he emphasized the need to prioritize agricultural and rural development, coordinate the advancement of rural revitalization strategies, promote comprehensive agricultural upgrading, rural progress, and farmer development, and accelerate the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.

After the inspection, Jiang Wei Min stayed overnight but declined everyone’s attempts to persuade him to remain longer the next day. He boarded the high-speed train to continue southward.

Before leaving, Yun Qiu Wu accompanied him to the station. Jiang Wei Min clasped Yun Qiu Wu’s hand warmly and said, “Xiao Qiu, Ninghai County has vast land and arable fields. You must place great importance on land protection and use. Have the courage to strike hard against capitalists and individuals who unlawfully seize state land.”

Yun Qiu Wu promised to remember these instructions, saying, “I will bear these responsibilities diligently and work to benefit the people during my term.”

They chatted casually for a few moments more. Later, Shi Nian He learned that Yun Qiu Wu was actually from a prominent Beijing family circle.

After seeing Jiang Wei Min off, Yun Qiu Wu did not have Shi Nian He accompany him for the rest of the afternoon.

“Shi Nian, you’ve worked hard. This afternoon, I’m visiting an old leader. You don’t need to come along,” he said.

Shi Nian He replied respectfully, “It’s my honor to serve you. I do not find it tiring in the slightest.”