"Chen Yang, they've come knocking on our door, you can't just stand by and do nothing! They're already sharpening their knives!" Fang Xu said angrily. "Want me to help you? Whether they're black or white, I refuse to believe I can't handle that old dog Fan Changtian! Even if his master, Fan Lao Er, comes to Southeast Province, he'll have to behave himself!"
Fang Xu exuded the aura of Southeast Province's number one playboy. Chen Yang was somewhat moved by Fang Xu's heartfelt words. He gently patted Fang Xu's shoulder and said:
"Buddy! Don't worry about this for now. I'll definitely ask for your help when I need it. It's not the right time yet. If you intervene now, it's too sensitive…"
Given Fang Xu's status, if he intervened in this matter, it could easily be interpreted by outsiders as a signal that the Fang family was about to take action against the Fan family's only remaining power in Southeast Province. It's true that Fang Hongda strongly controls Southeast Province, but other forces also have their own networks there, which Fang Hongda is happy to see—he can't afford to give the impression that Southeast Province is a family-run empire, impenetrable to any outside influence!
Therefore, both Fan Changtian and Han Wenhai of the Han family have been able to establish themselves in Southeast Province. Even at the provincial standing committee level, several officials are from other families and factions.
While Fan Changtian is a marginal figure within the Fan family, he can be considered their representative in Southeast Province.
Fan Changtian knows that Fang Xu and Chen Yang have a close relationship, and he certainly knows that Chen Yang holds a significant position in Fang Hongda's eyes. The reason he dares to use these methods against Chen Yang so brazenly is because he sees that Fang Hongda will definitely avoid any appearance of impropriety in the current situation.
In Fan Changtian's view, as long as the fundamental interests of the Fang family are not touched, Fang Hongda will definitely consider the overall situation and adopt some compromises. Therefore, Fan Changtian's actions these days have felt rather emboldened.
"So, how are you going to handle this? There's no escaping it..." Fang Xu asked hesitantly. "You're not thinking of going to Guan Weiping, are you? He's... at a crucial moment, probably not very convenient for him to get involved!"
Fang Xu was implying that Guan Weiping was at a critical juncture in his transfer to the position of mayor of Rongcheng, and the process had already begun with public announcements. This was a time when stability was most needed, and it was impossible for him to intervene for Chen Yang's sake.
Chen Yang glanced at Fang Xu and said irritably,
"Do you think I'm as stupid as you? Is there any difference between Director Guan intervening and you intervening?"
Guan Weiping was Fang Hongda's secretary. If he intervened, it would definitely be interpreted as Fang Hongda's doing, which was why Chen Yang hadn't gone to Guan Weiping.
Fang Xu chuckled sheepishly. He wasn't that politically savvy; he was just too concerned and blurted it out.
Chen Yang gave Fang Xu a meaningful look, then continued, "Don't worry! I know Director Guan is about to be transferred to a lower-level position, so I won't cause him any trouble... If all goes well, I might even give our Mayor Guan a grand inaugural gift!"
Fang Xu looked at Chen Yang, seeing his confident demeanor, and didn't pursue the topic further. He thought for a moment, then suddenly asked with a smile, "Hey Chen Yang, you just went to Beijing, right? Why is Fan Er so relentlessly pursuing you like a madman? What did you do that deserves everyone's wrath?"
"How would I know what he's going crazy about?" Chen Yang rolled his eyes in annoyance, saying, "You spoiled brats are all so capricious, I've just suffered an undeserved disaster!"
"Damn it! Don't generalize! I'm not like that scumbag, I'm not like that idiot Fan Er..." "Compared to him, he's practically a saint!" Fang Xu protested loudly upon hearing Chen Yang's words. He then looked around and whispered mysteriously in Chen Yang's ear,
"I heard that at Xu Qingya's birthday banquet, the Xu family was supposed to announce Xu Qingya's engagement to Fan Er, but it fell through. Tell me honestly, did you pull some strings? Otherwise, why would Fan Er suddenly turn into a mad dog?"
"Stop talking nonsense! I'd rather tear down ten temples than ruin one marriage. Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Chen Yang replied seriously.
In his heart, however, he thought: This isn't about ruining someone's marriage. Qingya is my fiancée; that scumbag Fan Er doesn't deserve her!
Seeing Fang Xu still looking at him suspiciously, Chen Yang called out to Song Yi, who was not far away,
"Xiao Yi, Su He and the others won't finish their inspection anytime soon. Let's go outside for a smoke!"
"Okay!" Song Yi readily agreed. He was a heavy smoker, and the no-smoking policy in the hospital building made it even more stifling. Chen Yang's suggestion was exactly what he wanted.
After speaking, Chen Yang headed towards the escalator leading downstairs, and Song Yi quickly followed. Fang Xu hesitated for a moment, then shouted:
"Wait for me! I'm coming too!"
After saying that, Fang Xu couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"He always uses a cigarette as an excuse to escape when it comes to crucial issues; there's definitely something fishy going on here..."
...
Zhonglou District Committee.
In the office of Fan Changtian, the deputy secretary of the district committee, Lu Xun, the deputy secretary of the discipline inspection commission, stood with his head bowed in front of Fan Changtian's desk, carefully reporting on the progress of Guo Li's case.
Fan Changtian was forty-five years old this year. He had very well-maintained skin, with almost no wrinkles on his face, making him look only thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old. He was leaning back in his tall chair, his eyes slightly closed, his clean and slender fingers unconsciously tapping on the armrest.
During his years in office in Southeast Province, Fan Changtian received very little support from the Fan family, as this was the Fang family's traditional territory. Even so, Fan Changtian still managed to climb to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Zhonglou District Committee at the age of forty-three, indicating he possessed some ability.
In truth, Fan Changtian disapproved of using such drastic methods to deal with a young man who was likely closely related to the Fang family, even resorting to framing. However, he dared not disobey Fan Zihong's orders, and despite his reservations, he gritted his teeth and acted.
Therefore, this matter had been Fan Changtian's primary concern lately. As Lu Xun reported, Fan Changtian's expression grew increasingly grim. For a day and a night, Guo Li had neither eaten nor drunk anything, remaining silent. The Discipline Inspection Commission had obtained absolutely no useful information, which infuriated Fan Changtian.
Fan Changtian snorted coldly, his face grim, and said:
"Secretary Lu, is this all you came here to report? I don't want to hear any objective reasons! I want results, so you don't need to complain! If you feel there are difficulties, I can consider replacing you!"
Having said that, Fan Changtian closed his eyes and ignored Lu Xun. Lu Xun quickly stood up and said,
"Secretary Fan, I have some questions for you. There's been absolutely no progress on this case so far, and I need to apologize to you. I saw Guo Li again early this morning, and I judge that he's determined to hold out this long…"
Fan Changtian, feeling annoyed, waved his hand impatiently and frowned, saying,
"Get to the point!"
"Yes!" Lu Xun subconsciously glanced back at the office door before leaning down and whispering, "Secretary, in my opinion… it would be better to give him another 100,000 yuan plus two eyewitnesses, preferably witnesses who saw the kid delivering the money in the office. That way, the economic crime police can open a case and investigate…"
Fan Changtian's eyes narrowed; Lu Xun's words had hit the nail on the head. Fan Changtian's biggest worry now was that things might get complicated if things dragged on. Southeast Province was Fang family territory, and for him to be making these moves right under Fang Hongda's nose was a recipe for disaster!
Fan Changtian hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively,
"Are the witnesses...reliable?"
Fan Changtian naturally understood what Lu Xun meant by "adding a few more eyewitnesses." Even the 100,000 yuan was something he had personally instructed Lu Xun to arrange.
"Xu Maorong in the demolition office has always been frustrated. Guo Li has been ostracizing and suppressing him severely. This whistleblower letter was orchestrated by him, including the office assistant Xiao Song who testified. Having him handle this shouldn't be a problem," Lu Xun said cautiously. He hesitated for a moment, glanced at Fan Changtian, and continued,
"However, just to be on the safe side, I suggest… giving Xu Maorong a little something in terms of personnel arrangements within the demolition office. That way, he'll definitely be more loyal…"
Fan Changtian frowned and said,
"He's only a section chief now. If he's directly promoted to director of the demolition office… I'm afraid the other colleagues in the leadership team will have different opinions."
In fact, Fan Changtian had already promised the directorship of the demolition office to a trusted subordinate. It was a lucrative position that he had long wanted to control. This opportunity was too good for him to pass up. Lu Xun quickly said,
"Secretary is right. Directly appointing him as director is definitely inappropriate. However… do you think we could consider adjusting the position of deputy director? Raising his administrative rank by half a level would surely make him incredibly grateful to Secretary Xi, and he'd be even more dedicated to his work!"
Fan Changtian breathed a slight sigh of relief. A deputy director position wasn't a problem. With three deputy director positions in the demolition office, adjusting one for Xu Maorong wasn't a big deal.
However, Fan Changtian didn't show it outwardly. After pondering for a while, he said seriously,
"You can tell Comrade Xu Maorong that his performance is evident to everyone in the organization. Tell him to focus on his work and pay attention to uniting with his comrades. If he doesn't have a good foundation among the masses, he won't pass the organizational review, and no one can help him!"
Lu Xun was overjoyed. Although Fan Changtian hadn't explicitly stated his position, the signal he conveyed was very clear. With Fan Changtian's attitude, Lu Xun would find it much easier to work on Xu Maorong. He nodded hastily and said,
"Yes, Secretary Fan, I will definitely convey your instructions to Comrade Xu Maorong. Please rest assured, Secretary Fan, we will handle this case perfectly!"
"Hmm! Efficiency is key!" Fan Changtian nodded slightly and said.
A hint of fatigue appeared on his face. Seeing this, Lu Xun quickly got up to take his leave.