Chapter 28: Director Xia's Phone Call

  Ye Ming smiled faintly and said lightly, "So that's the case! I also got to know Secretary Li through a fight. However, that fight was quite big, and I even took down two thugs and saved Secretary Li from the knives of several killers. Both Secretary Li and I were injured and stayed in the hospital for several days together. If you must ask about my relationship with Secretary Li, then let's just say we're like brothers who have been through thick and thin!"

  "So you're still the one who saved Secretary Li's life?"

  Li Li's eyes widened in surprise and she asked in an incredulous tone.

  Ye Ming didn't want to deny it either, saying: "It's not that I'm a benefactor or anything, but saving Secretary Li's life is true. What? Why did Director Li suddenly ask about this?"

  Li Li hesitated for a moment before speaking in a somewhat hesitant tone: "Xiao Ye, it's like this. I came today, first to represent the county bureau party group and take you back to work; second, to sincerely apologize to you, hoping that you won't hold grudges against me, and after returning, continue to utilize your strengths, striving to once again elevate the county bureau's information research work to a new level. Before coming to Baozhu, I had already communicated with other bureau leaders, planning to single out the position of deputy director of the office secretariat in the upcoming mid-level cadre competition and directly appoint you, someone with this talent and contribution."

  Ye Ming saw him start to make amends and felt a wave of disgust, coldly saying: "Director Li, I think you've apologized to the wrong person. In front of all the cadres in the bureau, I beat you up, why are you still apologizing to me? I think the one you should be apologizing to is Chen Yi. As for your proposal to directly appoint me as deputy director of the office, I'm not worthy: just over a dozen days ago, I was given a severe warning, what logic is there in accepting punishment on one hand and being promoted on the other? If this gets out, it will definitely become a joke."

  Li Li saw that Ye Ming was not affected by the bribe, and his words were not working. He didn't want to accept the cigarette, and he refused to take the official position. When Li Li apologized, Ye Ming wouldn't accept it either. Suddenly, Li Li didn't know what to do next. While he was thinking of a solution, he saw Qi Bureau Chief, Lin Bureau Chief, Peng Group Leader and other municipal party group members all walking in.

  Qiu Shunming glared at Li Li with a "wasted iron can't be made into steel" expression, then turned his head and smiled warmly at Ye Ming: "Little Ye, just now the municipal party group members unanimously decided that from now on, we will lift the investigation against you. After dinner, you can go back to work with Director Li."

  Li Li hastily said: "Director Qiu, leaders, I'll treat everyone to dinner tonight. Comrade Ye Ming's removal from inspection today proves that the municipal party group is very concerned about and cares for our cadres. On behalf of Xinleng County Bureau Party Group, I wholeheartedly endorse the municipal party group's correct decision."

  Ye Ming was just about to say he didn't want to eat this meal, when Qiu Shunmin's phone suddenly rang. He looked at the number and it was a call from the Provincial Bureau Director Xia's office.

  Then he hastily gestured to Ye Ming, indicating that there was something to be said later, and carefully said: "Director Xia, hello! I am Qiu Shunming, what are your instructions?"

  "Comrade Qiu Shunming, this isn't any instruction. I just want to ask you one question: are you still investigating Ye Ming of Xinleng County Bureau? What's the result of the investigation?"

  "Director Xia, our municipal bureau just finished a party group meeting and decided to lift the double designation measures against Comrade Ye Ming from now on. At the same time, we are discussing the revocation of Comrade Ye Ming's major demerit punishment."

  "Um, since you've already lifted the review of Ye Ming, I don't want to say much more. The main reason I called you today is to tell you one thing: Ye Ming is currently applying for the 'Provincial Outstanding Individual for Bravery' honor, which was personally proposed by Li Runji, Vice Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, to our provincial bureau. Your municipal bureau needs to organize a writing team to collect, excavate and sort out Comrade Ye Ming's advanced deeds and form a set of advanced materials, and report them to the Provincial Bureau's Political Work Department as soon as possible. This is the first time our provincial taxation system has applied for this honor, with great significance and far-reaching impact, you must attach great importance to it and implement it as soon as possible."

  "Alright, alright. Please rest assured, Director Xia, we will fully cooperate with the Provincial Bureau's Political Work Department and strive to secure this honor for Comrade Ye Ming as soon as possible."

  Director Xia was silent for a moment on the other end, then asked: "Can you find Ye Ming now? His phone is unreachable. Tell him that Vice Secretary Li wants him to hurry to the provincial city as soon as possible, he wants to see him."

  Qiu Shunming hastily said: "Comrade Ye Ming is with me. Director Xia, would you like to talk to him?"

  "No need, just pass it on to him. If you can make it today, tell him to come over as soon as possible."

  Director Xia slammed down the phone with a "click".

  Qiu Shunming saw that Director Xia did not criticize himself, and a stone in his heart fell to the ground. He turned around with a smile and said to Ye Ming: "Xiao Ye, congratulations! Just now, Director Xia of the Provincial Bureau told me that Li Runji, Vice Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, personally suggested to the Provincial Bureau to declare you as the 'Provincial Advanced Individual for Bravery'. This is also the first time our land tax system has applied for such an honor in over a decade, and it's extremely significant. I just expressed my attitude to Director Xia: Our K City Land Tax Bureau, including Xinleng County Bureau, must fully support and cooperate with the Provincial Bureau to do a good job in this honorary declaration."

  Just as he finished speaking, Peng Hui, who had been frowning and standing aside, suddenly asked: "Director Qiu, Ye Ming has just received a major demerit punishment. Is he qualified to apply for this honor of righteousness and bravery?"

  Qiu Shunming saw Peng Hui say this in front of Ye Ming, and was afraid that Ye Ming would have some ideas, so he put on a serious face and said to Peng Hui: "Comrade Peng, the provincial bureau has decided to recognize Ye Ming as an advanced individual for his bravery. I hope you won't pick at him. As for the issue of Ye Ming's punishment, my idea is that tomorrow we will hold a party group meeting and immediately revoke the decision to punish him. At the same time, I suggest that the Xinleng County Bureau do a good job in selecting and appointing middle-level deputy positions in the next few days, and clearly appoint Ye Ming as the deputy director of the county bureau's office in written form."

  Li Li hastily replied: "Director Qiu, I will go back tonight and arrange this matter immediately. I will definitely follow your instructions to resolve Comrade Ye Ming's appointment issue."

  Qiu Shunming nodded and said: "Li Li, as the head of Xinleng County Bureau, you have not promoted or reused Comrade Ye Ming's talents for a long time. This is your biggest dereliction of duty! I hope you learn from this lesson and understand how to cherish, love, and use talent in your future work."

  He said with a very affectionate gaze at Ye Ming, "Little Ye, Secretary Li of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission has asked you to hurry to the provincial city. He has something to discuss with you. How about this: I'll have my driver take you to the provincial city. After meeting with Secretary Li, if there's nothing particularly important, you can come back and we'll discuss your application for the Provincial Heroism Award."