Chapter 39: Forced to Let Them Go!

That theoretically existing possibility of promotion would also burst like a bubble, turning into an unreachable dream.

The procedure for dismissing a civil servant is far more cumbersome and complicated than people can possibly imagine.

Compared even to the process of recruiting a new civil servant, it appears much more tedious and thorny.

In theory, any civil servant who violates relevant regulations may face the prospect of dismissal.

However, the reality is that carrying out such an action is extremely difficult.

Unless there is a major fault or a crime committed.

Tong Liguang dropped all pretense and let out a cold snort. "Dismissal isn't even necessary. A single disciplinary penalty is enough to keep you guarding the reservoir for the rest of your life."

"What kind of penalty? My shoulders are broad enough to bear it."

"Let me inform you, the penalty originally discussed and agreed upon for you was a major administrative demerit."

At this point, Tong Liguang changed his tone. "Considering your meritorious service in assisting the forest public police force in capturing poachers, your merits and demerits offset each other. As a compromise, it has been decided to give you a simple demerit."

Assisting the forest public police force in capturing poachers was considered a meritorious service of his?

This was clearly a deliberate and calculated attempt to erase his contributions!

Tong Liguang continued, "The probationary period for a demerit is one year. Compared to a major demerit, this also reduces your financial losses by tens of thousands of yuan."

"This is the organization showing you lenience."

Jiang Zhaoyang's anger flared up instantly, his voice carrying unmistakable disdain and fury. "I don't want this lenience. You might as well just stick with the original verdict."

Tong Liguang said coldly, "Whether it's lenient or not is a matter for the town party committee. I am merely informing you."

"Come to the town government office tomorrow and sign the disciplinary decision document."

Furious, Jiang Zhaoyang slammed his palm against the desk and roared, "I won't come! Jiang Zhaoyang couldn't care less about this kind of humiliating lenience!"

"You guys might as well stick to the original verdict and just give me a major demerit!"

With a snap, he hung up the phone.

Jiang Zhaoyang felt a profound sense of disgust toward this man, Tong Liguang.

In his eyes, Tong Liguang was a textbook chameleon.

Previously, he had worn a smiling face, inquiring about his well-being and showing an enthusiasm as if they were sworn brothers.

Yet, the moment the wind shifted, this fellow changed his expression immediately, turning as cold as frost and plunging people into an icy abyss.

He was entirely comparable to He Di, save for the fact that one was arrogant and despotic, while the other was insidious and cunning.

The next day, Jiang Zhaoyang did not go to the town government office to sign.

He had originally expected Tong Liguang to call again to urge him, or perhaps even threaten him with something.

Yet, what puzzled him was that Tong Liguang made no call.

Suddenly, a sharp and urgent mobile phone ringtone shattered the indoor silence.

He couldn't help but be startled, thinking to himself: Instead of dialing directly through the office landline, why has this fellow Tong Liguang switched to calling my personal cell phone today?

However, when he glanced at the screen, to his surprise, it was a call from his mother.

He quickly answered the phone.

Right beside his ear came the familiar and joyful voice of his mother, Zhou Jing: "Son, I'm telling you some great news!"

Jiang Zhaoyang's heartbeat accelerated instantly, and an indescribable premonition welled up in his heart. "Dad is back?"

His voice was laced with undisguised excitement and anticipation.

"Yes!"

"The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection didn't find any issues with your dad. They had no choice but to release him!"

At this point, Zhou Jing shared another crucial piece of information with him: "The second wave of the anti-corruption campaign launched by Zhang Chaosen has also been halted from above."

"Was it the newly arrived county party secretary who intervened?"

"It's unclear who exactly did it, but there is indeed a force stopping all of this." Zhou Jing's reply carried a hint of uncertainty.

After finishing the call with his mother, Jiang Zhaoyang's thoughts remained unsettled for a long time.

For some reason, an exceptionally beautiful face surfaced in Jiang Zhaoyang's mind.

He thought, she is also a woman, and he had saved her life.

At the time, she had merely fainted from excessive shock.

Yet if he had arrived even a moment later, that Passat would have been swept up by the fierce gale and plunged into the fathomless depths of the lake.

From that perspective, he was truly her savior.

If this female county party secretary happened to be her, would his current predicament be much better?

Would she extend some help to him at certain critical moments?

However, the moment this thought flashed through his mind, Jiang Zhaoyang spat in disgust at himself. *Bah! How could I have such a thought?*

At most, she was merely someone else's... how could that be possible?

It was even less likely that she had reached the level of county party secretary.

His thoughts were simply too unrealistic!

Jiang Zhaoyang's mobile phone rang abruptly once more in the quiet office.

This time, when his gaze fell upon the screen and he saw the name "Liu Wen," he froze momentarily, as if time had solidified at that very instant.

Ever since he was transferred to work at this remote reservoir, far away from the hustle and bustle and the prosperity of the city, Liu Wen had only called once in a hurry to inquire about how he was doing.

After that, communication between the two of them became like a kite with a snapped string, drifting further and further apart.

The common language they shared seemed to grow scarcer by the day.

He hesitated for a moment before finally pressing the answer button.

He secretly speculated in his heart: What would she say this time?

Would it be long-overdue care, or...

"Zhaoyang, how have you been lately?" On the other end of the line, Liu Wen's voice remained gentle, yet carried a trace of imperceptible alienation.

"Pretty good, my work is quite fulfilling." Jiang Zhaoyang tried his best to make his voice sound calm.

"Zhaoyang, I know you are a selected graduate with ideals and ambitions, and state policies stipulate that selected graduates are to be cultivated as key personnel."

"Can't you try to temper your temper a bit, communicate more with the leaders, and build good relationships? I believe that as long as you are willing to put in the effort, you can still rise back up."

Hearing this, a bitter smile tugged at the corners of Jiang Zhaoyang's mouth.

He let out a soft sigh. "Xiaowen, you don't understand the complexities of officialdom."

"The water here is deeper than you could ever imagine."

"Sometimes, having ability and a good attitude alone doesn't determine everything."

"Zhaoyang, as long as you change your personality, that will be enough. You know the saying: the tongue survives because it is soft, while the teeth perish because they are hard."

At this point, Liu Wen continued, "I can talk to my dad again and ask him to smooth things over with the party secretary of your town. There might still be room for a turnaround."

"Matters in officialdom sometimes rely on personal favors and connections; having an extra path is always a good thing."

"After all, you have talent. Which leader doesn't like to employ talented people? Talented people can accomplish things, while mediocre minds ruin them."

Hearing this, a bitter smile welled up in Jiang Zhaoyang's heart.

He thought to himself: Your father is merely a deputy section-level deputy bureau director; what kind of weight could he possibly carry in front of a full section-level town party secretary?

Seeking help across different administrative ranks—one can easily imagine the difficulty involved.

Besides, Jiang Zhaoyang knew very well that Liu Wen's father did not look favorably upon their relationship, and could even be said to be opposed to it.

Judging from the attitude revealed in Liu Wen's father's words, they all without exception leaked the desire for the two of them to break up.

Jiang Zhaoyang thought to himself: How could that man ever humble himself to beg Lin Weiquan for my sake?