Interrogation

  On a winter morning, Fuyi County was shrouded in a thin mist. The streetlights on both sides of the road were as dim as the eyes of an old man at dusk; cars occasionally drove by, making a rustling sound; cyclists kept ringing their bells, one after another; early risers exercising emerged from the fog in front like ghosts and gradually merged into the fog behind.

  Han Dong walked slowly, breathing in the damp and cold air, but his mind was preoccupied with how to repair Huang Song.

  Yesterday evening that wicked woman was obviously brought by Huang Song, her purpose is to frame Han Dong and then spread some rumors, so as to profit from the situation.

  Han Dong originally didn't plan to push people too hard, as long as Huang Song cooperated with work, he didn't want to bother him. But he repeatedly provoked, which made Han Dong determined to fight with him. As for those mid-level cadres, Han Dong didn't take them seriously, there were many ways to deal with them, and it wasn't necessary to rush at the moment.

  Although Zhou Zheng didn't know much about the situation, Han Dong's words matched what he knew, and he became even more certain that he was indeed caught in a struggle between county leaders.

  Han Dong is now placed in the Statistics Bureau, a cold government agency. In addition to taking control of the situation as soon as possible, he also needs to think of ways to change the status quo and strive for a position in a front-line department; otherwise, staying in the Statistics Bureau would be a waste of time.

  Not long after walking into the office and sitting down, Zou Gang knocked on the door and came in, saying cautiously: "Director, I have a suggestion."

  "Alright, go ahead and say it."

  "I think it would be better if our department equipped you with a pager so that we can contact each other more conveniently when there's something work-related."

  Zou Gang finished speaking, looking at Han Dong with some tension. The contact time was not long, and he could only slowly understand Han Dong through these details while expressing his following heart. Seeing Han Dong slightly frowning, his heart suddenly tightened, had he kissed the wrong ass?

  "Do you really think it's necessary?" Han Dong asked lightly.

  "Many leaders and even mid-level cadres of various units have been equipped with them." Zou Gang couldn't grasp Han Dong's thoughts, so he adopted a roundabout strategy, wanting to first dispel the concerns in Han Dong's mind.

  Han Dong smiled, "The statistical bureau's working hours can handle everything, and there are no urgent situations usually. Moreover, my dormitory has a phone, so there is no problem with contact, and pagers are not needed. Hmm, if it's really necessary, I can just buy one myself."

  Zou Gang said: "How can a unit's affairs let the director take out money?"

  "No need to say more." Han Dong waved his hand and said, "I understand what you mean, but I don't lack that bit of money either. In the future, you don't have to consider these aspects too much, just focus on doing your job well."

  "Alright." Zou Gang felt relieved, regardless of whether Han Dong responded or not, his work was done. Seeing that Han Dong's water cup was almost empty, he turned around and picked up the kettle to refill it with hot water. "If Director Han has nothing else, I'll head back to my office."

  "Don't worry, first sort out the problematic expense reports. Although the Statistics Bureau is a clean and honest place, national funds can't be spent recklessly."

  "The minister is right, if all leaders thought like you, the country would definitely save a lot of expenses every year."

  Zou Gang clapped his hands and immediately began to flip through the stack of bills, picking out those with questions and putting them aside. They were all related to Huang Song and Zhao Ren Shun. Because the head of the statistics bureau was absent for a period of time, Huang Song, as the acting director, thought he would definitely be able to get away with it, so some accounts were done very openly and boldly, making it easy to spot problems.

  "Alright, leave these bills with me for now and take the rest back. Also, ask Zhao Renshun to come over."

  Zou Gang had just left for a short while, and Zhao Ren came in knocking on the door. "Director, you're looking for me?" As he spoke, he lowered his head and saw the several expense reports on Han Dong's desk, his heart skipped a beat, and his body tensed up suddenly.

  "Sit down."

  Zhao Renshun sat down and felt that Han Dong's smile seemed to be full of sarcasm. "Director, I..."

  "Director Zhao, I've looked into the financial work of our bureau and feel that there are still some problems. From now on, any expenses incurred by the bureau can only be reimbursed with my signature, so please let each department know about this later."

  "Yes, Director."

  Zhao Ren was uneasy in his heart. The financial work had already been handed over to Zou Gang, and Han Dong's summons probably wasn't just about handing over this matter.

  His gaze fell on the several receipts on the table again, and he really wished to grab them and tear them to shreds.

  Coming out of Han Dong's office, Zhao Renshun went straight to find Huang Song and said anxiously: "Director Huang, I just saw those expense reports in Director Han's office. He also said that there were problems with the financial work in the past, and from now on, no expenses can be reported without his signature."

  "What does he want to do?" A cold glint flashed in Huang Song's eyes, "Does he really think I'm easy to bully?"

  "But what about those few..."

  "What's there to be afraid of? If he has the ability, let him send it to the Discipline Inspection Commission." Huang Song sneered, "I'd like to see how big a wave he can stir up. In this small piece of land, I'll make him know who's in charge."

  ※※※..※※※..※※※

  "Ding ding ding......"

  The crisp telephone rang.

  Shen Congfei put down his pen and waited for the phone to ring twice more before picking up the receiver with a serious expression, "Hello?"

  "I am Wu Jiequan." The voice on the other end of the phone was a little hoarse.

  Shen Congfei quickly piled a smile on his face, "Ah, old leader, what instructions do you have?"

  "Hmm, what instructions do I have? Are my instructions useful?" Wu Jiequan's voice on the phone sounded very dissatisfied. "I'm asking you, how is Han Dong's work arranged? Now that I'm not in position, are words useless?"

  Shen Congfei's face suddenly darkened, and he accompanied a smile to say: "Old leader, I was just about to report this matter to you, please listen to my explanation..."

  "Is this necessary?" Wu Jiequan asked and hung up the phone with a bang.

  Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Shen Congfei held the receiver for half a ring without putting it down.

  Wu Jiequan asked a few sharp questions, Shen Congfei was very depressed, and the resentment in his heart couldn't help but be directed at Han Dong. Originally, he was still planning to think of a way to transfer him to a township after a while, but now it seems that young people are indeed lacking in tempering, can't calm down, and like to make small reports.

  "It's been two days since you took office, and you still haven't come to report to me, the deputy county head. It seems that young people need to be knocked into shape."

  Shen Congfei's face turned gloomy as he started dialing the statistics bureau's phone number.