Chapter 20: Daring to Abuse Official Power, Dismissed from Duty

At that moment, in the office of the Party Secretary of Nanping Government.

Qian Dazhi, with a protruding belly, was smoking a cigarette, leaning back in his boss chair, his legs casually resting on the desk.

His face bore an air of leisurely satisfaction, his eyes narrowed into slits, utterly comfortable.

The phone rang.

“President Wang, what’s the matter?”

Without knowing what was said on the other end, Qian Dazhi’s small eyes suddenly gleamed sharply, and a lascivious expression unmistakably spread across his face.

“What? A university student, only twenty years old?”

“Yes, I specifically had someone find her from Donghua University, but I’m not sure if Secretary Qian is free tonight?”

“Of course I’m free. President Wang is treating; even if I don’t have time, I’ll make time.”

On the other end was Wang Chuanhui, Chairman of Jinchang Agriculture.

After some casual chatter, Wang Chuanhui said, “Secretary Qian, Director Ou from the county party office just called. He said the villagers’ petitions have reached the county party secretary?”

Hearing this, Qian Dazhi was startled and instinctively straightened up.

He cursed inwardly: Which bastard stirred this up? Weren’t the petition materials already suppressed by Ou Huasheng? How did they get to the secretary?

“Secretary Qian, the land transfer issue—if it has alarmed the county party secretary, this is no trivial matter. You’d better be prepared.”

“Our company’s land transfer funds have already been allocated to the town. Yours should be delivered in full as well. What happens afterward has nothing to do with Jinchang. Secretary Qian, you must settle this so everyone can prosper in harmony!”

Wang Chuanhui’s sweet words were laced with pressure.

“President Wang, rest assured, the villagers won’t be able to cause any trouble. I’ve already arranged for people to work in the village—who dares to make a fuss, I’ll make sure they regret it.”

“As for the county, President Wang, don’t worry. I’ve been in officialdom for many years; it’s not for nothing.”

“Besides, what can happen if it reaches the secretary? The county official is no match for the current administrator. She’s just a woman parachuted into Ninghai. What kind of storm could she stir up?”

Qian Dazhi’s face was full of disdain.

Wang Chuanhui continued, “I hope Secretary Qian handles this well. Ninghai County once begged Jinchang to settle here. If this matter causes discord, our friendship ends here.”

Qian Dazhi laughed heartily. For Nanping Town, Jinchang Agriculture was a hen that laid golden eggs.

He, Qian Dazhi, was still waiting for Jinchang Agriculture to grow rich—how could he bear to let this hen fly away?

“President Wang, rest easy. Proceed with construction. Whether it’s the villagers or the county, I will handle it smoothly.”

“That’s right, that’s right. What kind of man am I, Qian Dazhi?”

“Wu Yunqiu just came to Ninghai County without understanding the situation, thinking she can boss everyone around just because she’s the county party secretary? Hmph... the waters of Ninghai aren’t something one woman can stir.”

...

What Qian Dazhi did not know was that every word he spoke was heard, without omission, by Wu Yunqiu standing just outside the door.

Her expression darkened, and one could clearly see the anger welling in her eyes.

“President Wang, rest assured! If any villager dares to petition, I will deal with them. Cut off water and electricity, throw filth? No, this time if they dare cause trouble, it will be hands and feet broken.”

Just then, a loud bang echoed.

The door to Qian Dazhi’s office was violently kicked open, crashing loudly.

Startled, Qian Dazhi angrily shouted, “Which bastard dares to kick my door, does he want to—”

His words stopped abruptly.

Because he recognized the visitor—it was none other than County Party Secretary Wu Yunqiu.

Wu Yunqiu looked at him coldly, her face brimming with undisguised anger.

“President Wang, I have matters to attend to here. We’ll be in touch.”

Hanging up, Qian Dazhi’s fury instantly transformed into obsequiousness.

He had never expected Wu Yunqiu to personally come to Nanping Town, to his office.

Recalling the phone conversation just now, he felt a wave of unease.

“Secretary Wu... why have you come?”

“Secretary Wu’s visit to Nanping Town truly honors us!” Qian Dazhi said, forcing a smile.

Wu Yunqiu snorted coldly, “If I didn’t come, how would I have witnessed this farce?”

Qian Dazhi’s face changed drastically.

“Secretary Wu, you must be joking. Please, have a seat. I will notify the town’s party committee to come and listen to your guidance. Xiao Chen, bring tea—make it good.”

But Wu Yunqiu waved her hand, saying, “No need. I can’t accept your tea, Secretary Qian.”

Qian Dazhi faltered. Wu Yunqiu continued, “Qian Dazhi, you have an audacity unlike any other. Coercion, intimidation, threats, cutting off water and electricity... Is this what a party secretary should do? You are nothing but a systemic parasite, a bandit and a thug.”

“Cutting off water and electricity isn’t enough; now you’re talking about personal harm? Tell me, who gave you the courage?”

Wu Yunqiu’s reprimand flushed Qian Dazhi’s face red, then quickly darkened.

“Secretary Wu, you’ve misunderstood. None of that happened. As a servant of the people, how dare I cut off water and electricity? It’s all fabricated, slanderous!”

“We all heard it outside just now. You still want to deny it?”

Qian Dazhi’s mouth twitched violently, cold sweat pouring down, unease overwhelming him.

By now, news had spread that the Ninghai County Party Secretary had personally come to Nanping Town, and a crowd gathered outside.

“Secretary Wu, please listen to my explanation. What I said earlier was a temporary measure, a ruse to deceive President Wang of Jinchang Agriculture. How could I ever cut off the villagers’ water and electricity? Even if I had ten lives, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Not dare?” Wu Yunqiu sneered coldly. “Do you want me to bring local villagers to testify and see whether you really don’t dare or if you are just spouting nonsense?”

Qian Dazhi was momentarily speechless, his face as ugly as if he had swallowed a hundred flies.

He ruled Nanping Town with an iron fist because he had backing from the county.

He also controlled the party committee there, completely sidelining the town mayor, Li Chaoyang.

But among the people, his reputation was that of a pile of filth.

If villagers were brought to confront him, the outcome would inevitably be unfavorable.

Wu Yunqiu continued sternly, “Qian Dazhi, embezzling land transfer funds, cutting off water and electricity, throwing filth, intimidation and threats... Which of these actions befits a party secretary? Where is there even a trace of a true party member?”

“You are a disgrace to Ninghai County, a disgrace to the entire cadre system... I am here today to tell you that, effective immediately, you, Qian Dazhi, are dismissed.”

Hearing this, Qian Dazhi was stunned, his body trembling slightly, eyes wide as saucers.

Then he quickly regained composure. Since the mask was torn off, there was no need to keep pretending.

He looked at Wu Yunqiu, snorted coldly, and squinted his eyes.

“Secretary Wu, I am a cadre at the division level. My appointment and dismissal must be voted on by the county party standing committee. Whether I am dismissed is not something you can decide alone, is it?”