Chapter 42: The Horse's Might

  Following the usual practice of superiors' investigation and inspection, Xu Fei first listened to Zhang Dongfang's work report on behalf of Xinleng County Bureau Party Group in the fourth floor conference room.

  Zhang Dongfang and others sat down after Xu Fei, then took out the report materials written yesterday, and began to read:

  "Respected leaders:"

  In the pleasant autumn October with gentle breeze and fragrant osmanthus, Director Xu and Director Nie of the municipal bureau came to our bureau for inspection and research. We feel greatly honored and inspired. On behalf of all 135 cadres and staff of Xinleng County Bureau, I extend warm welcome to Director Xu and other leaders, and express heartfelt thanks to the municipal bureau leadership for their long-term care, concern and support to Xinleng County Bureau!

  In recent years, the Xinleng County Bureau has centered on tax revenue collection, firmly establishing the tax work concept of "gathering wealth for the country and enforcing laws for the people". With all-out efforts to grasp income, clear and honest leadership, multi-management coordination to promote tax collection, transformation of style and image, various aspects of work have achieved certain results...

  At this point, Xu Fei saw Zhang Dongfang's eyes fixed on the report, guessing that the following was the achievement and main approach of Xinleng County Bureau in recent years. He frowned and interrupted his words: "Sorry, Director Zhang, I'd like to say a few words: I have a bad habit when listening to reports - I don't like people reading from scripts or using flowery language and parallel sentences to pile up empty words."

  In my opinion, the main tasks of our grassroots tax bureau are only two: lead the team well and collect taxes well! You are one of the more senior deputy directors in the Xinleng County Bureau Party Group, and now you are also the acting director. Therefore, I suggest that when you report, don't read from a script, but focus on talking about the following aspects:

  "First, what is the current tax source situation of Xinleng County Bureau? Is it difficult to complete the annual tax revenue task? If so, what are the difficulties and what countermeasures do you have?

  Second, after Li Li and Chen Weiping's cases came out, has your county bureau party group used these two negative examples to strengthen anti-corruption education for cadres and staff? If so, what measures did you take and what were the effects?

  Third, what innovative measures do you have in strengthening tax collection and management, and improving taxpayer service levels? What are the achievements?

  Just report clearly on these three key points, and try to be concise."

  Zhang Dongfang did not expect Xu Fei to give himself a warning from the start, and suddenly felt a little flustered. He had no choice but to put aside the report in his hand and start stammering out the three key points that Xu Fei had pointed out...

  At this time, Ye Ming was lying in his dormitory reading a book.

  He deliberately turned off his phone. This was a bit of a prank: he knew that as soon as Xu Fei arrived at the Xinleng County Bureau, he would definitely look for him. Now turning off his phone was purely to tease Zhang Dongfang and others, letting them worry for a while...

  Soon, his dormitory door was knocked "bang bang bang". Then, he heard the deputy director of the office, Xiao Zhihui, shouting anxiously outside the door: "Ye Ming! Open the door quickly! The new Xu Director from the Municipal Bureau wants to see you!"

  Ye Ming opened the door, leaning lazily against the doorway, pretending to be puzzled and asking: "Does Director Xu of the Municipal Bureau want to see me? Didn't you tell him I'm on vacation?"

  Xiao Zhihui hastily grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the office building without saying a word...

  When Xiao Zhihui dragged Ye Ming towards the office building, the meeting on the fourth floor had already ended.

  Xu Fei carried his own briefcase, walking towards the stairs while somewhat discontentedly asking Zhang Dongfang: "Director Zhang, hasn't Ye Ming arrived yet? Did you guys call him?"

  "He's been contacted. His phone is turned off. We've already arranged for someone to go to his dormitory to look for him."

  Just then, Ye Ming and Xiao Zhihui appeared in the corridor.

  Zhang Dongfang saw Ye Ming and rushed over to him, grabbing his hand and saying: "Xiao Ye, come quickly, Director Xu has been looking for you all along."

  At this time, Xu Fei also walked to Ye Ming's side with Zhang Dongfang, smiling and saying: "Little Ye, did you know I was coming today and deliberately hid? I heard Director Zhang say that you're not feeling well, is it a cold?"

  Ye Ming glanced at Zhang Dongfang, who was standing tensely on one side, and said with a hint of a smile: "Director Xu, I'm indeed feeling a bit unwell. However, it's not physical discomfort, but rather mental unease. Director Zhang is showing concern and care for me, so he asked me to take some time off at home."

  Zhang Dongfang heard him say this, and his tightly strung heart finally relaxed.

  Xu Fei warmly grasped Ye Ming's hand and said, "You're on vacation these few days, that's just right. Come with me to visit a few key taxpayers below, and then go to several towns to visit the party and government leaders, listen to their views and opinions on your new Leng County Bureau."

  "Also, would you please tell the office that tonight when I rest, don't give me a single room, just give me a standard double room. Tonight Ye Ming will be sleeping in my room and we still have things to discuss."

  Zhang Dongfang, Zou Wenming and others heard Xu Fei say that he would sleep with Ye Ming tonight. They looked at each other in shock...

  Zhang Dongfang reacted quickly and immediately associated Ye Ming with Li, the deputy secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, as well as the relationship between Xia, the director of the Provincial Bureau, and his daughter. After careful consideration, he understood: the mysterious person who helped Xu Fei successfully win the position of Director of the K City Local Taxation Bureau might be Ye Ming. Otherwise, Director Xu would not have been so affectionate with him, nor would he have been so polite to a subordinate without any official duties...

  As soon as he realized this, Zhang Dong regretted it so much that he wanted to bang his head against the wall next to him: How could he be so impulsive and lacking in vision? He knew very well that Ye Ming had a deep background, and had easily overthrown Li Li. Not only did he not take the initiative to get close to him early on, but instead tried to kick him out of the middle-level deputy position selection, wasn't this being muddle-headed?

  Fortunately, I haven't clearly revealed my intention to kick out Ye Ming and promote **Huan yet, nor have I obviously offended Ye Ming. Everything should still be salvageable...

  Zou Wenming and the other two deputy directors were also shocked and uncertain: what is the relationship between Director Xu and Ye Ming?! A high-ranking city official, in front of so many subordinates, taking the initiative to propose sleeping with an ordinary cadre at night, this must be a very deep relationship!

  Here, Zou Wenming and Ye Ming have the best relationship. So, after seeing this scene, he suddenly had a thought: he has always been good to Ye Ming. He has such a good relationship with Director Xu, is this not a rare opportunity for himself?