That is simply too far-fetched!

"Imagine a vast, open field where a man is trying with all his might to uproot a tree."

"With both hands gripping the trunk and his feet planted deep in the soil, sweat streaming down his face and veins bulging on his forehead, he is exerting every ounce of primal strength he possesses."

"After a long and grueling effort, the tree finally begins to loosen, its roots gradually emerging from the ground. The dawn of victory is right before his eyes."

"However, just at this moment, an uninvited guest suddenly appears."

"Without having contributed a single ounce of prior effort, he walks straight up to the tree that is about to be pulled out, and effortlessly pushes aside the exhausted man who did all the work."

"Then, grasping the trunk with both hands and giving it a gentle tug, he effortlessly finishes the job, uprooting the nearly liberated tree with consummate ease."

"Now, here is the question—should this newcomer be regarded as a hero who successfully completed the entire uprooting process, or is he merely a brazen usurper who appropriated the fruits of another's labor?"

A rhetorical challenge lingered in Qiu Hong's tone.

His gaze was fixed intently on Chen Qigong's face, seemingly awaiting a satisfying answer.

Upon hearing these words, the expression on Chen Qigong's face froze instantly.

He stared with wide eyes and slightly parted lips, unable to utter a single syllable for a long time.

On one hand, he felt a genuine sense of astonishment at Qiu Hong's exquisite and piercing metaphor, which was as sharp as a razor blade, precisely dissecting the core of the issue.

On the other hand, he sank into a profound state of distress.

Faced with such an intricate situation intertwined with various interests and emotional entanglements,

determining the merits and faults of each individual fairly and objectively had become an insurmountable dilemma.

In the end, he could only shake his head helplessly, struck dumb and left completely speechless.

After a long pause, Chen Qigong finally spoke: "Perhaps Ho Di also contributed in certain details or at the execution level, only those contributions were magnified in the final presentation."

"His biggest mistake was that he ignored Jiang Zhaoyang's indispensable contribution and failed to credit him."

Hearing this, a cold sneer inevitably tugged at the corner of Qiu Hong's mouth, hiding a deep sense of contempt and disdain.

"Are you trying to say," every word of his seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, "that someone who is fundamentally incompetent, who flatters superiors and bullies subordinates day in and day out, and acts with utter arrogance,"

"can simply transform into a core figure of this crucial research project based merely on those trivial contributions that anyone could easily accomplish?"

"There are plenty of people with contributions like that," he continued with a hint of sarcasm. "Those who print documents, proofread manuscripts, bind reports, deliver them up to the county, or drive the transport—which of them hasn't exerted effort for this project?"

"Which of them hasn't contributed?"

"Following your logic, shouldn't all these people have their names signed on the output report, turning the research findings into an endlessly long list of names?"

At this point, Qiu Hong could not help but shake his head.

His eyes were filled with mockery toward such an absurd logic. "If everyone has to be credited like that, how could the research report reflect its true core value?"

"Would we have to write such a long string of names that it covers the entire sheet of paper just to satisfy everyone?"

His words carried a sharp edge, striking straight at the heart of the matter.

"This logic is far too far-fetched!"

"Furthermore, if things were truly as you claim, why was He Di's name never heard of during the early or even middle stages of the research? Why was there never any word of his participation?"

"Did he materialize out of thin air? Or did we all suffer collective amnesia?"

Qiu Hong's rapid-fire series of rhetorical questions dealt Chen Qigong an unprecedented blow of pressure.

He was momentarily choked for words, unable to find a single forceful rebuttal.

"The truth behind this is likely far less simple than you make it out to be."

Chen Qigong realized that the hypothesis he had put forward did not seem entirely tenable.

His face flushed red.

Embarrassed, he glanced at the watch on his wrist and changed the subject. "Comrade Qiu Hong, I understand your viewpoint, and I have made a record of your opinions."

"I will report all of this to the leadership in detail."

Shifting the conversation abruptly, he asked, "What about Jiang Zhaoyang? I know your intention is to recommend him, but what specific views or evaluations do you have regarding him?"

Hearing this, a faint smile played on the corners of Qiu Hong's mouth, as if he had been prepared for this question all along. "Just as Minister Chen already knows."

"What do I know?" Chen Qigong looked utterly bewildered.

"You didn't know he is a selected graduate assigned to the grassroots?"

"This..." A flash of unnaturalness crossed Chen Qigong's face.

He quickly adjusted his mindset, attempting to salvage a shred of his dignity. "I—of course I knew, it just didn't cross my mind for a moment."

"I have always been quite optimistic about Jiang Zhaoyang's potential."

Qiu Hong continued to elaborate in detail: "Selected graduates indeed enjoy priority when it comes to promotions, which is a reflection of the organization's recognition of their grassroots tempering and potential."

"As for Jiang Zhaoyang, his ability is definitely not something any of us can underestimate."

"Not only does he possess a solid professional foundation, but what is even more commendable is his dedication and passion for his work."

"He is down-to-earth and proactive. Having served stationed in a village for half a year, he possesses profound grassroots working experience, a deep understanding of the masses' needs, and solves problems in a more grounded manner, demonstrating outstanding capability in his work."

"Whether handling complex issues or responding to emergencies, he navigates them with ease, commanding genuine admiration."

At this point, Qiu Hong paused briefly before continuing, "Of course, the ultimate decision on whether to promote him requires the organization to weigh multiple factors. I am not a decision-maker, so I do not know what the outcome will be."

"However, from my personal perspective, I strongly recommend him."

"I believe that given a higher platform, he will undoubtedly play a greater role and make greater contributions to the cause of the Party and the people."

Listening to Qiu Hong's words, Chen Qigong diligently jotted down every key point in his notebook.

He understood the gravity of this conversation and the responsibility he shouldered as a member of the organization's personnel department in the selection of cadres.

When Qiu Hong uttered his final sentence, Chen Qigong closed his notebook, nodded, and said, "Very well! I have noted down all your opinions."

"It is getting late. I still need to speak with several other comrades to understand their thoughts and opinions. Let us conclude our conversation here for today."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Hong rose from his seat.

He let out a long breath, feeling a profound sense of relief.