Chapter 96

Chapter 52: Threat

"Oh?" Wu Qingsource suddenly found Li Yi very amusing and said with a hint of disdain, "The head of the Water Supervision Group is surnamed Shao, not Li, right? If Director Shao says it can be concluded, what can you do, no matter how unwilling you are?"

Li Yi could see from his eyes that this county party secretary looked down on him from the bottom of his heart. The previous courtesy was entirely due to his position as the director of the Water Supervision Group.

Li Yi didn't care much about whether he was respected or not, but since he had become aware of this matter, he had no reason to ignore it. He had given up his business career and entered the political arena to achieve his ambitions, using his wisdom and experience from the future to do some meaningful things for the people, so as not to waste this second chance at life.

"Secretary Wu, take care!" Li Yi no longer wasted words and got up to take his leave.

Wu Qingsource stood up and called him back, saying, "Director Li, you can eat anything, but you can't say anything recklessly. I hope you will take good care of yourself!"

Li Yi suddenly turned around, "Are you threatening me?"

Wu Qingsource coldly replied, "If you insist on interpreting it that way, I don't object."

Li Yi chuckled, "I, Li, have nothing to be ashamed of and fear no threats!"

Wu Qingsource slowly said, "There are some people you can't provoke."

Li Yi retorted, "There are some things I must do!"

He pulled open the door and walked out. The secretary outside looked at him with surprise. A deputy director who dared to stand up to the county party secretary was something the secretary had never seen before.

"Director Li, hello, take care!" The secretary saw Li Yi out and gave him a thumbs up.

Li Yi didn't expect things to break down so quickly with Wu Qingsource.

Without the support of the county party secretary, this case would be difficult to resolve.

Shao Guoping wouldn't leave him alone in Lianshui.

Without the support of the Water Supervision Group and the county party committee, any personal investigation would be like picking chestnuts from the fire, extremely dangerous.

People die for wealth, birds die for food. For the sake of profit, these people could even embezzle water funds. What else couldn't they do? Wu Qingsource's threat was also a kind of well-intentioned warning.

As he passed the second floor, Xue Xue and Xiao Han happened to be walking over. Xue Xue greeted Li Yi and then signaled Xiao Han to go ahead. After Xiao Han had walked a bit further, she asked, "What did they say upstairs?"

Li Yi smiled bitterly, "The same tune as Director Shao."

Xue Xue frowned, "I heard that Secretary Wu was promoted by Deputy Mayor Zhang. It seems that Deputy Mayor Zhang has already spoken to him."

Li Yi suddenly realized, "In the political arena, there's an unwritten rule: don't criticize your predecessor. Let alone your direct superior! It looks like this will be difficult."

Xue Xue said, "Don't worry yet. I'll communicate with the other standing committee members and bring it up at the standing committee meeting. Lianshui County has nine standing committee members, and Secretary Wu can't control everything! I believe that most party members stand for justice."

Li Yi thought, this wasn't a bad idea. The reservoir funds were handled by a specialized agency, and the standing committee members were not involved. Moreover, the conflict between the secretary and the county head might be exactly what they wanted to see. He nodded, "I think it's worth a try."

Xue Xue was encouraged, "Great! I'll invite you to attend the meeting because you have the first-hand evidence and the most authority to speak."

"Alright, I'll certainly argue my case and won't let County Head Xue down," Li Yi was also pleased as the situation turned around.

"Director Li, if you don't mind, would you like to have a working meal with me?" Xue Xue smiled.

Li Yi looked at his watch, "Sure! I'm happy to have a meal at County Head Xue's expense."

As they were about to leave, a figure flashed at the corner. Li Yi didn't pay much attention, but Xue Xue said coldly, "That's the county government office director, Ge Hui."

Li Yi then realized, "He's Secretary Wu's man?"

Xue Xue nodded, "I didn't know at first, but several times, just as I was about to make personnel adjustments or work arrangements, Secretary Wu would immediately call to ask why I hadn't reported to him. That's when I suspected I had someone from his side around me."

Li Yi said, "Then he must have heard our conversation just now. If he informs Secretary Wu, and he becomes cautious and takes action in advance, that would be bad."

Xue Xue said, "At the standing committee meeting, there hasn't been a one-sided situation yet. Several standing committee members, like the county propaganda minister, the united front minister, and the discipline inspection commission secretary, are neutral and support whoever is right. Deputy County Head Jin Yuzhong, although he doesn't get along with me, still supports me due to the direct subordinate relationship. With the support of those who uphold the truth, we're not without a chance."

Li Yi smiled, "It seems County Head Xue has a good chance! To be on equal footing with Secretary Wu in such a short time, you're truly a man among women!"

Xue Xue said, "Don't say that. I don't even have the authority to approve a regular position. Without Secretary Wu's signature, the people below won't do anything! I'm just a figurehead as county head!"

"Cough!" A light cough came from the stairs, and then Wu Qingsource's tall and thin figure appeared at the corner, followed by his secretary.

Wu Qingsource, with his hands behind his back, didn't even raise his eyelids. He walked up to Xue Xue and waited for her to call, "Secretary Wu." He then said, "County Head Xue!" He glanced at Li Yi with the corner of his eye, and seeing that Li Yi didn't greet him, he turned and walked away.

His secretary, however, was very attentive, smiling and slightly bowing, "County Head Xue, hello." He straightened up and said to Li Yi, "Director Li!"

Li Yi had a good impression of him but didn't know his name, so he just smiled and nodded, "Hello."

The secretary paused and said, "Director Li, my name is Nie Lei."

Li Yi extended his hand, "Hello, Director Nie." The secretary of the county party secretary is usually a deputy director, and they were of the same rank. Since the other party was so respectful, Li Yi also treated him with great courtesy.

Wu Qingsource, although walking down, was listening to the conversation above. He then coughed heavily.

Nie Lei, hearing this, quickly waved to Xue Xue and Li Yi, "Goodbye."

Wu Qingsource waited for Nie Lei to catch up and then scolded him harshly, "You're my man, why are you always trying to please County Head Xue?"

Seeing his boss's face darkening, Nie Lei was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat, trembling, "Secretary Wu, no, I just greeted them."

"Hmph!" Wu Qingsource waved his hand, "You go, I don't need you to serve me anymore."

Nie Lei responded and turned to leave. After a few steps, his head buzzed, and he turned back, trembling, "County Head Wu, I..."

Wu Qingsource ignored him and walked away on his own.

Nie Lei felt cold all over.