Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 257: 7 places on fire, 8 places emitting smoke

Thanks to Zhang Xiaotian's efforts, Zhang Ping's job reassignment was finalized.

Zhang Ping was removed from his positions as deputy secretary of the Party Committee and mayor of Xindian Town, and transferred to Longcheng City as director of the Municipal Archives Bureau.

The Municipal Archives Bureau and the Municipal Archives have two names but the same staff.

Although Zhang Ping's rank is still deputy division chief, everyone knows that the archives bureau is a powerless department.

Before becoming the director of the Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee, Zhang Xiaotian served as the deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee for a long time, and had a wide network of protégés and former subordinates.

With Zhang Xiaotian's power and connections, it would be no difficulty at all to transfer Zhang Ping to a lucrative position as deputy director in a municipal department.

But why did he transfer Zhang Ping to a low-level government office?

Because he knew his nephew too well: mediocre ability but considerable greed; if placed in a powerful department, he would inevitably cause a major disaster sooner or later.

Placing him in the archives bureau would mean less power and less responsibility, unlikely to cause any major trouble, which would be perfect for him to handle things quietly and avoid the sharp edge of the disciplinary committee's investigation.

This is sacrificing a pawn to save the king, or a gecko shedding its tail to survive.

However, just as the documents for Zhang Ping's transfer were sealed and sent out through the official document system, before they even reached Xindian Town, a message arrived.

Zhang Xiaotian is under investigation by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection!

This is an aftershock of the political earthquake in Longcheng triggered by the investigation of Ai Kun.

Of course, this news is not surprising.

Because everyone knows that Zhang Xiaotian is a member of Ai Kun's camp, and they were close friends when they dealt with Xu Youwei.

With Ai Kun under investigation, he will most likely implicate Zhang Xiaotian in order to gain merit.

For Zhang Ping, this news was nothing short of a nightmare.

My uncle collapsed!

His biggest backer has collapsed!

He leaned wearily against his office swivel chair, feeling as if all was lost.

He didn't quite understand why his uncle transferred him to the Municipal Archives Bureau.

It now seems unlikely that I'll stay at the Municipal Archives Bureau for much longer.

Sun Dewang, director of the Party and Government Office, came in with a folder.

"Mayor Zhang, the transfer documents have been issued. You'll need to complete the handover process in the next couple of days. The town will then send a car to take you to the Municipal Archives Bureau to report for duty."

Sun Dewang had a bad relationship with Zhang Ping and had even worked with Wang Shi to investigate Zhang Ping and Jiang Furong's affair, but at Wu Zhiyuan's request, he did not report Zhang Ping's lifestyle issues.

Wu Zhiyuan did this with deeper considerations, and it was actually for his own good.

After all, trespassing and taking photos of private persons are illegal.

"I understand." Zhang Ping was somewhat lost in thought.

Sun Dewang said in a businesslike manner, "Mayor Zhang, these are several documents that need your signature, as well as some handover lists. Please take a look."

Secretary Wu stated that the handover of work must be clear and thorough, especially regarding the relevant documents for the Xindian Avenue and high-standard farmland construction projects, which must be transferred completely. For example, the supplementary contract for Xindian Avenue.

"Okay." Zhang Ping's hand trembled slightly as he signed the document.

No sooner had Sun Dewang left than Jiang Furong arrived.

At this time, Jiang Furong was unaware of the private relationship between Zhang Ping and Jiang Shan.

However, the fact that Zhang Ping was to be transferred to the Municipal Archives Bureau and that Zhang Ping's uncle, Zhang Xiaotian, was under investigation was common knowledge, at least within the town government compound.

Jiang Furong sat in the chair opposite Zhang Ping's desk.

"Mayor Zhang, I won't beat around the bush. I heard your transfer has been finalized; you're going to the Municipal Archives Bureau. Congratulations!"

Jiang Furong's words were less of a congratulation and more of a test, or a showdown.

"Yes, it's the organization's arrangement. I'll obey the transfer." Zhang Ping replied vaguely, picked up the now-cold teacup, took a sip, and tried to hide his inner turmoil.

"What about Shanshan's situation?" Jiang Furong didn't beat around the bush. "Is there any hope for a permanent position? You know, Shanshan's internship is almost over. If she doesn't find a job soon, she'll have to come back."

"How about you try to get Shanshan a contract nurse at the hospital first, and then we'll deal with the formal employment status later?"

"Furong, you can't just get a job at the hospital if you want to. It's usually once a year, maybe once every two years. You have to take an exam, but it's an internal exam that the hospital sets its own questions and decides on its own."

"Here's what we'll do: whenever the county hospital holds a recruitment exam, I'll put in the effort and pull some strings for you. Leave it to me."

"Mayor Zhang, that's not what you said back then. You said that when the county public institutions were recruiting, they would set up a 'radish position' for nurses with certain talents."

Today, I heard someone say that even if the county recruits nurses, they won't be looking for nurses with any special talents.

What did you say back then? The staffing issue can't be resolved anytime soon, and even the departmental hiring system is being evasive. You're just trying to fool me!

"Jiang Furong! Watch your words!" Zhang Ping raised his voice, trying to intimidate her with his imposing manner. "When have I ever fooled you?"

Helping is a favor, not helping is also one's right!

Personnel arrangements are the organization's business; how much power do I have?

"I'm barely scraping by myself, how can I guarantee Shanshan's job?"

At this moment, Jiang Shan called Jiang Furong.

"Mom, I heard Zhang Ping is going to be transferred to the Municipal Archives Bureau, that low-level department, and that his uncle Zhang Xiaotian has fallen from power?"

"Yes, I'm in Zhang Ping's office right now. He promised to resolve your job issue."

But now, he says he's like a clay idol crossing a river, barely able to save himself.

"Shameless! I slept with her just to get a job offer! And now he's heartless? No way!"

"Ah! He slept with you?" Jiang Furong was extremely shocked.

"Mom, I have no choice. I have to sacrifice myself for the sake of the job security. Mom, give the phone to Zhang Ping."

Jiang Furong glared fiercely at Zhang Ping. If looks could kill, Zhang Ping would have been torn to pieces by her.

"Answer it! Shanshan wants to talk to you!"

Zhang Ping wanted to refuse and escape, but Jiang Furong's almost murderous gaze made him unable to move.

He took the phone, and before he could even put it to his ear and utter a sound, Jiang Shan's insults rained down on him:

"Zhang Ping! You bastard! You old rogue! What did you say back then?"

He said that as long as I give myself to you, he'll take care of getting me a government job!

You say your uncle is very capable, what's a radish pit to him!

And now? You've packed your bags and gone to retire to a lowly government office, while your uncle has also fallen from grace!

You're just saying you're like a clay Bodhisattva crossing a river, barely able to save yourself? That's just empty talk.

What about my job? What about my official position? What do you take me for? A prostitute offering herself up for free?

"Shanshan, you...you listen to me..." Zhang Ping stammered.

"Don't listen to my nonsense! Let me tell you, Zhang Ping, I'm not that easy to bully!"

Do you think I slept with you without any preparation?

I have evidence! Chat logs, recordings, and all those disgusting promises you made—I have them all!

If you don't arrange my work properly, I'll expose all of this!

Send it to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, send it to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, send it online!

"I'll make you and your fallen uncle famous!"

Zhang Ping trembled all over. He never expected that Jiang Shan, who seemed avant-garde and open-minded and casual about relationships, would have such a trick up her sleeve! What a scheming bitch!

"Shanshan, don't be impulsive! We can talk this over!"

"We'll figure out a way to handle the job! I'll do my best to get a position with the institute! As for the permanent staff position, we'll discuss it in detail later..."

"Take it easy? Wait until you get fired from the archives bureau, or until I'm old and faded?" Jiang Shan sneered. "Zhang Ping, I don't have time to waste with you!"

I'll give you three days. Within three days, I need to see a hiring notice from the county hospital, or even a labor dispatch job!

Within a year, I want to become a county hospital nurse with a formal civil service position!

Otherwise, you can expect to be utterly disgraced and join your uncle in death! I mean what I say!

With a "click," the phone was hung up, leaving only a busy tone.

Jiang Furong snatched the phone back and stared at him intently: "Zhang Ping, did you hear everything?"

If my daughter doesn't find a job, I'll fight you to the death and make sure you suffer!

The Jiang Furong of the past was obedient to everyone, but now she's a completely different person.

This society is just that damn realistic!

"Get out! Get out of here! You slut! You're such a snob!"

"Look at me now, powerless and without backing? Don't you remember how you used to fawn over me?"

To Zhang Ping's surprise, Jiang Furong, who used to be a docile little lamb, has now become a vicious wolf.

She suddenly rushed over, brandishing the Nine Yin White Gourd Claw, and began to claw at his face.

"You beast! You animal! You violated my daughter! I'll fight you to the death!"

Several bloody marks instantly appeared on Zhang Ping's face and neck. The deepest one ran from the corner of his eye across his cheekbone, oozing blood and causing a burning pain.

He dodged awkwardly, and the teacup crashed to the ground with a clatter.

"Jiang Furong! You're crazy! Stop!" Zhang Ping parried while trying to grab Jiang Furong's waving arm.

But people in a fit of rage are incredibly strong. Jiang Furong broke free from Zhang Ping's control, grabbed a glass ashtray from the table, and threw it at him.

Zhang Ping tilted his head, and the ashtray missed his head, landing on his shoulder before shattering with a crash.

At this moment, Sun Dewang pushed open the door and hurriedly walked in.

"Mayor Zhang, Cao Xiaojuan, a nurse at the town's health center, is on the roof threatening to jump. She says she's pregnant with your child, and you're ignoring her completely!"

Zhang Ping's hair is flaming in seven places and smoking in eight.