Chapter Fifty-two Dust Settles

  Ye Ming took Zhang Dongfang to find Xu Fei at night.

  At this time, he had already made up his mind to help Zou Wenming win the position of head of Xinleng County Bureau. Because he had long known that Zhang Dongfang was much more cunning and hypocritical than Zou Wenming. If he really became the head, he feared that many of his promises would not be fulfilled at this time.

  But Zou Wenming is different. Although he has also been in the official circle for a long time and has a set of ways to squeeze and exclude people, overall, this person is more honest and down-to-earth than Zhang Dongfang, and his words are trustworthy, and his actions are reliable. As long as he promised something, he will definitely do it, unlike some old foxes like Zhang Dongfang who use hypocritical promises to deceive people, and once their goals are achieved, they break their promises and don't feel ashamed or embarrassed at all.

  Of course, Ye Ming wanted to help Zou Wenming, the main reason was that Zou Wenming's proposal to directly promote himself to be in charge of a division had been fully affirmed by Xu Fei - just this morning, when Ye Ming returned to the bureau from Chen Yi's apartment, Xu Fei called him and asked who among the county bureau's leadership team members had explicitly expressed their intention to promote him.

  Ye Ming then told him about Zhang Dongfang and Zou Wenming's promises to himself, but he subconsciously concealed the part about promoting Chen Yi.

  Xu Fei paused for a moment on the phone, then slowly said: "Brother, I think Zou Wenming's plan is very suitable for you, it's the most beneficial and easiest to operate. From this point of view, he's a very thoughtful person. By the way, do you know him? What's his character like? Is he reliable?"

  "Director Xu, I know Director Zou very well. He is a clean and down-to-earth person with a practical work style, and he always keeps his promises. By the way, both Zhang Dongfang and Director Zou want me to bring them to visit you. Would that be convenient for you?"

  "It's alright, you've brought them here anyway. I was also thinking of having a private conversation with them to get a deeper understanding of their character."

  So, in the late afternoon when it was almost time to get off work, Ye Ming first took Zhang Dongfang and drove to the K City Public Security Bureau. When they arrived, Xue Fei had just finished eating and was preparing to watch the news in his room at the bureau's reception office.

  Xu Fei warmly entertained Zhang Dongfang and Ye Ming, not only personally making them tea, but also taking them to a nearby small restaurant to order a few dishes, accompanying them to drink a few beers. When it was time to pay the bill, although Zhang Dongfang insisted on paying, Xu Fei didn't give him the chance and paid first.

  Then they chatted idly in the small restaurant for over an hour. During this time, Zhang Dongfang suggested several times that he wanted to return to the reception office to report his situation to Xu Fei alone, but Xu Fei always smiled and said: "Director Zhang, let's just chat. Xiaoye is not an outsider, it doesn't matter if she listens to our conversation. Besides, if we two talk alone, it will inevitably be a bit awkward and embarrassing. It's better to have a relaxed and pleasant chat in this small store. What do you think?"

  Zhang Dongfang heard him say this and didn't want to force the issue, so he followed his request and talked about his own situation, also vaguely expressing his desire to be a leader.

  Xu Fei listened carefully to his words, with a gentle smile on his face from start to finish, but he didn't show any attitude from start to finish.

  When they finished talking and were about to leave the hotel, Zhang Dongfang suddenly looked around and took out a bulging envelope from his briefcase. He stuffed it into Xu Fei's body while smiling apologetically and saying in a low voice: "Director Xu, this time I came to see you, I didn't bring anything! You even treated us to dinner, it's really too much trouble for you. So, you must accept this, consider it as me treating you to a meal!"

  Xu Fei took a glance at the large envelope, and the smile on his face instantly disappeared. He stiffened his face and said: "Director Zhang, please take a good look at the situation: this is a busy restaurant with people coming and going, don't you think it's too conspicuous to do things this way?"

  Zhang Dongfang was taken aback, his face suddenly flushing like a big blood pancake. He stuttered for half a moment before putting the envelope back and apologizing: "Director Xu, I'm sorry! I didn't think it through..."

  Xu Fei smiled and said, "Director Zhang, this is not a matter of consideration, but a matter of principle. You don't have to worry about it, I understand your intention. It's already late now, you still need to rush back, I won't keep you here unnecessarily. Just go back and wait for the news! The city bureau party group will carefully study and properly arrange the personnel configuration of your county bureau leadership team, please rest assured!"

  At this time, Ye Ming only knew that Xu Fei insisted on talking to Zhang Dongfang in the restaurant, just to prevent him from giving gifts to himself. If two people were alone in the reception room, even if he didn't accept his money, it was likely to be framed. However, as long as they were in this crowded restaurant, and Ye Ming was present, when Zhang Dongfang wanted to give gifts, he would find it much easier to refuse, and no matter what happened to Zhang Dongfang in the future, he could explain himself clearly...

  Two days later, which happened to be Saturday, Ye Ming took Zou Wenming to the provincial bureau again and went directly to Xu Fei's home.

  Xu Fei was very satisfied with Zou Wenming after talking to him for over an hour. Especially when Zou Wenming took the initiative to discuss with him the issue of Ye Ming's promotion, he listened carefully and nodded frequently in approval of his plan to promote Ye Ming...

  Two days later, at the K City Tax Bureau's office meeting, Xu Fei suddenly brought up his recent experience of going to various counties and cities to conduct research, and specifically cited Zhou Wenming, the head of the Discipline Inspection Group of Xinleng County Bureau, as an example. He said with emotion: Although Xinleng County Bureau had produced negative examples like Li Li and Chen Weiping, Comrade Zhou Wenming, as the head of the Discipline Inspection Group, was not tainted by the mud. Not only did he himself behave correctly and firmly, but he also resolutely implemented the policy of "punishing and preventing corruption, emphasizing prevention, and treating both symptoms and root causes". He took measures such as heart-to-heart talks and warning conversations to educate, help, and save some comrades who were close to Li Li and Chen Weiping, making them stop in time and pull back their feet from stepping into the abyss of corruption... Comrades like him, we not only need to vigorously publicize his excellent deeds but also focus on cultivating and promoting him in a big way.

  When he solemnly mentioned the unknown Zhou Wenming, the people present were a bit confused and couldn't figure out his true intention. It wasn't until he said the last few words that everyone understood: Director Xu had actually taken a liking to the newly appointed head of the Discipline Inspection Group in Leng County, and wanted to promote him - this was him dropping a hint to everyone in advance...

  The heads of various departments in the municipal bureau, even including several newly transferred party group members, are trying every means to fawn on this new and somewhat mysterious head. As a result, with just one word from him at the meeting, all departments sprang into action: the office immediately organized an interview team to visit Xinleng County Bureau, and published a special report in the municipal information publication about Zou Wenming's advanced deeds; the political work department also organized the collection of materials on Zou Wenming's advanced deeds, preparing to nominate him as an outstanding tax worker in the province...

  Soon after, in the democratic evaluation held by the municipal bureau for promotion to a full-time position, Zou Wenming received the most votes, while Zhang Dongfang ranked fourth.

  Not long after, the K City Local Taxation Bureau Party Group decided: Zou Wenming was appointed as the Secretary of the Party Group and Director of Xinleng County Bureau, Zhang Dongfang was also promoted and transferred to the Municipal Bureau to serve as the Head of the Political Work Department.