Chapter 45: The Unruly Venue

Jiang Zhaoyang was well aware that this so-called recommendation meeting was, for him, nothing more than a routine affair, with only a faint chance of being recommended. Therefore, he approached it with an almost detached attitude, as if it were merely a minor episode in his life, unrelated to him.

The conference room was already packed with people, a dense crowd buzzing with tension and anticipation. Everyone sat upright, solemn and composed. Amidst this atmosphere, Jiang Zhaoyang stood out distinctly. He slowly made his way through the crowd and finally found a relatively secluded corner in the room where he could sit unnoticed.

Time slipped quietly by until the clock struck nine in the morning. At that moment, the sudden roar of an engine shattered the room’s silence. A black sedan sped in like a wild horse, kicking up a cloud of dust. The car came to a steady halt in front of the town government building, leaving an echoing reverberation behind.

The door opened slowly, and a middle-aged man in formal attire, exuding an imposing presence, stepped out. This was Chen Qigong, deputy director of the county party organization department. Two staff members followed closely behind. The trio commanded a formidable presence.

Upon seeing this, Lin Weiquan, town party secretary, Tong Liguan, town disciplinary committee secretary, and Dong Xian, organization committee member, hurried over, their faces beaming with warm smiles. They shook hands and exchanged greetings with Deputy Director Chen and his assistants, then carefully guided them into the meeting room.

At the venue, Chen Qigong was escorted up to the podium. Sitting on the stage were Chen and Lin Weiquan. Other members of the town party and government leadership, along with the two staff members Chen had brought, were arranged in the front row of the conference room. The faces of these leaders bore expressions ranging from solemnity to eager anticipation, clearly showing the importance they attached to the upcoming meeting.

Among the two aides accompanying Chen, one wore glasses and appeared scholarly—a division chief—while the other, clad in a sharp suit, was an organizational officer. They whispered to each other intermittently.

Behind them sat the town’s middle-level cadres, each taking their seats in turn. Some held notebooks, ready to jot down key points, while others closed their eyes briefly to rest. Although the room was bustling with voices, the order remained intact.

He Di, director of the party and government office, stood in the center of the room. His gaze swept across everyone to ensure no one was overlooked. Wearing a smile yet carrying an unmistakable official air, he spoke: “Please keep your voices down. Comrades who have not yet found their seats, please do so quickly. We hope to start the meeting promptly so we can finish early and let everyone rest sooner.”

No sooner had he finished than a few began to flatter him: “Director He, you’ve been on a winning streak lately. Are you expecting another promotion?” He Di’s face blossomed into a broad smile but modestly waved his hand, “Enough, enough. After the meeting, drinks are on me for everyone!”

Undoubtedly, He Di’s gesture aimed to curry favor with the voting cadres present. In this setting, Jiang Zhaoyang’s demeanor was measured, neither ostentatious nor overly subdued, seemingly disconnected from the surrounding clamor.

Unexpectedly, He Di’s eyes immediately caught sight of Jiang Zhaoyang sitting in the corner. A barely perceptible cold smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he deliberately strode over, his steps laced with arrogance.

Stopping beside Jiang, He Di spoke bluntly, “Jiang Zhaoyang, you’re to sit in the last row.” The sudden command unsettled Jiang, stirring a wave of discomfort as if he’d swallowed a fly. Slowly lifting his head, he glared with undisguised indifference.

His voice was low but resolute: “Why? Isn’t my seat already far enough away? Isn’t that enough to be out of your sight?” He Di’s smile deepened, his eyes full of disdain. “Oh, you don’t get it? Those from the reservoir have always sat at the back during meetings. That’s the rule. What, you want special treatment?”

With a nearly provocative gesture, he pointed to the simple benches at the rear of the room. “You don’t get a chair; sit on the benches at the back.”

The words struck Jiang like a bucket of icy water in winter, dousing any hope he had brought to the meeting. Anger surged within him—he had come to participate, yet this man was picking on him.

His brow furrowed, eyes flickering with confusion and fury. Suddenly, he stood up, voice sharp: “He Di, you’ve gone too far! Just because I guard the reservoir, I have to sit at the back? Treated like an inferior? Whose rule is that?”

The rage inside him ignited like dry kindling catching fire, his clenched fists trembling slightly. Yet reason urged restraint; he could not lose control now.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang composed himself and shot He Di a cold glance: “Remember, a person’s worth isn’t decided by where they sit. Today you make me sit on a bench; tomorrow, I might be seated somewhere you can never reach.”

With that, Jiang turned away, heading toward the back of the room, where a few solitary benches were arranged. He took a seat on the last bench.

He Di smirked mockingly, “Oh? Even a salted fish can turn over?”

But soon, unrest stirred in the room, the atmosphere turning strange. He Di’s words had ignited a larger uproar. The other town cadres assigned to the benches were mostly elderly men, equally displeased. Seeing He Di’s condescending attitude, their resentment grew.

Unlike Jiang, who endured silently, their anger flared instantly. Finally, one older cadre could no longer hold back; he stood abruptly, his voice trembling with emotion: “What’s the point of a meeting like this?”

His words echoed powerfully through the room. “Right, let those with chairs have the meeting!”

Another stood up, eyes flashing with determination and dissatisfaction. “Who wants to sit on a cold bench for this kind of recommendation meeting?”

Suddenly, the back of the room erupted in commotion, like an invisible wind sweeping through. Several people rose nearly simultaneously, their movements urgent and displeased, heading quickly toward the exit as if eager to escape the stifling space.

This scene added a layer of unease to an already tense atmosphere.

On the stage, Lin Weiquan’s gaze immediately caught the unfolding disturbance.