Chapter 7: Does a higher official really have the power to kill with just one word?

  Lu Zhengdong and Luo Jinming discussed the handicraft factory's affairs, then had dinner at Luo's home before returning to the township government, also thinking about work matters in his mind.

  It is now September, and the collection of unified funds is still in the propaganda mobilization stage. Those who are willing to pay will naturally pay after the autumn harvest, and November and December will be more intense. We must take advantage of this relatively idle period to grasp the implementation of the handicraft factory's affairs. After Lu Zhengdong organized his thoughts, he prepared to report to the leadership and then rushed to the south in a hurry.

  It was just Village Head Wu Zhonghe who, after the Yang Yuqing incident came to an end, was rarely seen in the village again.

  Wang Liben has a strong personality, just like a tyrant, not to mention his lack of ability, he can't even listen to different opinions, and he dominates the conversation. Wu Zhonghe initially wanted to argue with Wang Liben, but Wang Liben was after all the boss, and had some backing in the county, so Wu Zhonghe quickly lost out. With Wang Liben's vengeful personality, how could Wu Zhonghe have a good life?

  Can't afford to provoke and can't afford to hide?

  Wu Zhonghe can't stand Wang Liben's arrogance and authoritarianism, now he is thinking of running away from the village, all big and small things in the village are controlled by Wang Liben, Lu Zhengdong has no choice but to deal with Wang Liben.

  Lu Zhengdong also reminded himself that Wang Liben was, after all, a top leader, and some things didn't require reporting or approval. If he didn't handle it carefully, he would end up wearing the hat of being undisciplined and unorganized again. He had just been freed from the Yang Yaqing incident, and now wasn't the time to have a falling out with Wang Liben. So he still went to Wang Liben's office on his own initiative. When he entered Wang Liben's office, Lu Zhengdong still greeted him respectfully, but Wang Liben merely hummed through his nose, indicating that he should speak if he had something to say, without even bothering to lift his head.

  "Director Wang, I'd like to report some ideas I have about work..."

  Wang Liben listened for a moment and waved his hand to interrupt him:

  "You're a university student, with a sharp tongue, speaking more eloquently than singing, but actually you're just afraid of facing difficulties and want to shirk responsibility. These tricks won't work on me. The Yang Yuqing incident was a serious violent event, so you should take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your efforts in tax collection, intimidate those who refuse to listen, and take advantage of the fact that farmers have grain at home after the autumn harvest to complete the tax collection work according to schedule..."

  Lu Zhengdong was speechless upon hearing Wang Liben's words. Previously, he had always been diligent and hardworking, doing more and saying less. He would find a way to complete tasks even when conditions were not favorable, but in Wang Liben's eyes, he was just being glib and cunning.

  Lu Zhengdong thought he had changed the nature of the Yang Yaqing incident, and Wang Liben's attitude towards him would also change somewhat. After all, no matter how much Wang Liben pushed the responsibility onto his head, as the top leader, he would definitely be implicated as well.

  Even if Wang Liben had a preconceived notion about him, he wouldn't change his attitude towards him. However, Lu Zhengdong thought that Wang Liben would also change some of his work methods, after all, the Yang Yaqing incident was eventually turned around, but the common people took advantage of the situation to cause trouble, which showed that there were problems with the guiding ideology of the township party committee government. If it weren't for being forced into a corner, the common people would not have adopted such extreme measures. This time, although it was just a false alarm, the signs were already clear. If this high-pressure policy continued, it would be a matter of time before something went wrong. Wang Liben would definitely learn some lessons from this and listen to others' suggestions and ideas in his work, improving the tense relationship between the cadres and the masses.

  He still overestimated Wang Liben, and Wang Liben not only did not change his attitude towards him, but also continued to blindly believe in his tough policies, and had no intention of reflecting on the Yang Yaqing incident, instead thinking that those people were just troublemakers who wanted to counterattack.

  When a person is in the midst of good fortune, they are often blinded by victory. When power is in their grasp, they are often oblivious to everything else. The Wang Li Ben before us is clearly no exception.

  Lu Zhengdong saw Wang Liben's attitude and knew that no matter what he said, it would be like playing the piano to a cow. They had different views and wouldn't come to an agreement. Lu Zhengdong didn't bother to discuss these things with Wang Liben anymore. Having just narrowly escaped from the Yang Yaqing incident, he definitely wouldn't get involved in this muddy water again. If Wang Liben wanted to dig his own grave, then let him do it himself. He had no interest in accompanying him.

  But Lu Zhengdong is no longer the reckless young man who only knew how to charge forward, struggles always require strategy, he still has to go through the motions, he doesn't want to follow Wang Liben's opinion and do things, nor does he have an opinion to directly conflict with Wang Liben, so he thought for a moment and said:

  "Director Wang, regarding the issue of unified collection and retention, I will expedite it, but with some adjustments to the progress... I know you are busy, and reporting takes up a lot of time. I'll organize my work thoughts into a brief written material for you to review when you have time."

  Lu Zhengdong knew Wang Liben all too well, once he had spoken, he didn't want to listen to anyone else's explanations. He would rub Wang Liben the wrong way like this, and Wang Liben must be getting very impatient.

  As expected, Wang Liben finally lifted his head, looked at him and said with a serious face:

  "I don't have that kind of leisure time?... You take it back, show it to whoever you want... I don't care if what you say is nonsense or brilliant, the only thing that matters is whether we can complete the full-year financial revenue task by the end of the year. If not, then go and explain it at the party committee meeting!"

  Lu Zhengdong just wanted this sentence, no matter whether Wang Liben was talking big or not, as long as Wang Liben made such remarks, he dared to act according to his own thinking, and said calmly:

  "I will follow Secretary Wang's spirit and do it no matter what method is used, to ensure that the full-year financial revenue task for the whole town is completed by the end of the year."

  Wang Lìběn waved his hand impatiently...

  As Lu Zhengdong walked out of Wang Liben's office, he glanced back at Wang Liben's office: Wang Liben still maintained a bit of leadership demeanor in front of outsiders, and would nod his head when greeting others. But when they were alone together, he treated him like a fly, not even bothering to show any courtesy. He wasn't even a member of the party committee, so if Wang Liben wanted him to speak at the party committee meeting, it was definitely to make a self-criticism and receive disciplinary action.

  What deep hatred is there between the two, Wang Liben has been targeting him everywhere because he can't stand him, with a posture that won't stop until he's ruined. Since Wang Liben insists on this, then he's not someone to be trifled with either, let's just wait and see who comes out on top.

  Lu Zhengdong sneered: Does being one level higher in official rank really mean you have to crush people to death?

  I doubt it!

  ;