Chapter 18: Anti-Corruption?

“Those officials without any issues certainly cannot be removed lightly.”
“Otherwise, if it stirs public outrage, the loss would far outweigh the gain.”
Liu Huang was already accustomed to such scheming and intrigue in officialdom.
“Even so, he can’t move against Jiang Jingzhang immediately. The disturbance would be too great, sparking public backlash and displeasure from above.”
“After all, the political arena is like a battlefield—one wrong step leads to a cascade of failures.”
“At least wait for half a year, right? Let the situation stabilize before making any moves,” Zhu Jieyu speculated.
“But how can he place his own people then? Just make them wait? No, that’s too passive and wastes time.”
“Some people can’t wait even a single day,” Liu Huang said, shaking his head.
He muttered to himself, “Then what should be done?”
“Anti-corruption is the best approach—a remedy so potent no one can argue against it.”
“Moreover, it kills two birds with one stone!”
“It establishes a clean, fearless image and simultaneously eliminates opponents.”
“Sometimes, to achieve the goal, they even fabricate baseless charges.”
“Under the guise of anti-corruption, they detain the predecessor.”
“Even if it’s later proven to be groundless.”
“But the position has already been taken, never to be reclaimed.”
“Besides, since it’s a setup, the architect will ensure everything is flawlessly executed.”
“Making it difficult to detect any flaws.”
“Verifying the truth behind it would be no easy task.”
“It might never be proven at all.”
“And afterward, they can always smooth things over by saying, ‘Anti-corruption efforts inevitably cause some collateral damage.’ It’s unavoidable!”
Zhu Jieyu frowned deeply upon hearing this.
She looked at Liu Huang in disbelief.
Her voice trembled slightly, “Are you saying Jiang Jingzhang might be innocent?”
Liu Huang shook his head, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. “I can’t say for sure whether he’s innocent.”
“But one thing’s certain: Jiang Jingzhang’s position is now vacant.”
“And he was taken away directly by the county’s Discipline Inspection Commission.”
“In such circumstances, trying to reverse the situation is nearly impossible.”
Zhu Jieyu said, “But even if Jiang Jingzhang’s position is vacant, it doesn’t necessarily mean He Donglai will take it!”
“Remember, there are still many official posts in the county’s government departments.”
“They’re all keenly eyeing this top leadership position!”
Hearing this, Liu Huang snorted softly.
A trace of disdain showed in his eyes. “You don’t understand the twists and turns of officialdom.”
“You’re not from this circle, so naturally, you can’t grasp its secrets.”
He explained, “Think about it—why was He Donglai able to summon the county’s number one figure tonight?”
“That’s not something just anyone can do.”
“The network behind this is far too complex for common logic.”
“In a county of a million people, how many can summon the county magistrate?”
“Most of the official heads probably can’t either.”
“He Donglai is just a deputy; how could he possibly manage this?”
“Is this a simple connection?”
“Given such complicated ties, do you think he’d end up as an obscure small bureau chief?”
“There’s a lot going on here!”
“The chance that He Donglai will become the director of the Education Bureau is about eighty or ninety percent.”
“All other bureau chief positions are occupied; only this one is vacant.”
“So, by that calculation, it’s practically certain.”
Liu Wen’s face was full of surprise and confusion after hearing this.
She never imagined the complexity of officialdom exceeded her wildest expectations.
Schemes, betrayals, conspiracies—things she had only seen in TV dramas.
And now, they were unfolding before her so vividly.
She couldn’t help but sigh, “This political arena is just too complicated!”
Seeing Liu Wen’s expression, Liu Huang said, “You just graduated from college and have just stepped into society. There are many things you still don’t understand.”
“Society is far more complicated than you imagine.”
“In this world, practical interests are always paramount.”
“You have to learn to adapt.”
Liu Wen’s face showed a trace of worry. Her eyes flickered between her parents’ faces, searching for a spark of hope in their expressions.
She bit her lip gently. “Dad, Mom, didn’t you just say that Jiang Zhaoyang’s father might have been framed by some ill-intentioned people?”
“If that’s true…”
“Doesn’t that mean there could be a major reversal someday?”
“That the truth will eventually come to light?”
Liu Huang was momentarily stunned. “I said that.”
“But what I emphasized more is that it’s extremely unlikely.”
“His adversaries are too powerful.”
“Why was his case transferred to the city level?”
“Isn’t it because the county was once almost entirely under Su Chaohan’s control?”
“His influence was deeply rooted; this county used to be his domain.”
“Though he’s been transferred, and the man is gone, his influence has not completely faded.”
“As the saying goes, ‘When the tiger leaves the forest, its shadow remains.’ Su Chaohan’s lingering power is still felt.”
“People are cautious, afraid to offend Su Chaohan. With his influence, would the county Discipline Inspection dare to lay a hand on Jiang Jingzhang?”
“One wrong move could trigger a chain reaction, affecting everything.”
“Besides, many in the disciplinary and judicial system were personally promoted by Su Chaohan.”
“They still owe him loyalty.”
“What could they possibly accomplish if they handled the case?”
“They might end up declaring you a so-called ‘upright official.’”
At this point, Liu Huang changed his tone. “But at the city level, it’s a whole different story.”
“The city Discipline Inspection Commission doesn’t have as many reservations.”
“Even the Bull Demon King would be forced to till three fields before leaving the city’s investigation base.”
“They have the means to make you spill your darkest secrets.”
“Unless you are completely spotless.”
“Otherwise, everything will come out.”
“Past secrets, current vulnerabilities—all laid bare.”
“Jiang Jingzhang has held real power for so many years; could he have no flaws?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Zhang Chaoshen’s steady rise to become county magistrate shows he’s no ordinary man.”
“That Jiang Jingzhang has been taken to the city Discipline Inspection shows how deep his background is and how powerful his patrons are.”
“Do you think someone like Jiang Jingzhang has a chance to turn the tables?”
“Does he have the chance to make a comeback?”
“Even if Jiang Jingzhang returns—which would be remarkable—he’ll come back empty-handed.”
“He’s lost his official position.”
“Then what is he but a commoner?”
“Without the halo of power, Jiang Jingzhang is just an ordinary person, even more vulnerable than most.”
“What could you hope for by marrying into such a family?”
After hearing this, Liu Wen covered her face and wept quietly.