When dealing with superiors, Lu Jinzhong would be submissive; when dealing with peers, he would be jovial; and when dealing with ordinary people, he would be fierce. This was the law of changing faces in the political arena. Lu Jinzhong had been in the agency for a long time and had already mastered this law to perfection.
Originally, he and Cheng Jemin had no grudges. However, in the morning, after hearing Fu Jiangbo say he was going to make things difficult for Cheng Jemin, he realized this was an opportunity. The rumors outside were getting more and more frequent, and even outsiders were calling him, saying that Director Chen was about to be transferred, and Director Zhao might take over the vacancy. The Department of Water Resources would face a personnel change. Regardless of whether the news was true or false, as the deputy director of the finance department, he had to seize the opportunity to advance!
Lu Jinzhong had been a deputy director for several years and could not afford to wait any longer. For those in politics, every round of personnel changes meant a golden opportunity to reach a higher rank. This was a rich political resource, and as long as one was good at mining and developing it, the path would be surprisingly smooth. One just couldn't waste the opportunity.
On his way to work today, Lu Jinzhong was filled with enthusiasm, his legs moving swiftly. He thought to himself that Cheng Jemin was now a fallen dog without a boss. Making things difficult for him would not only win him a favor with Fu Jiangbo but also make Boss Zhao happy.
In the past, Lu Jinzhong did not dare to take a clear stance on the matters between Director Chen and Director Zhao. Everyone knew that a new emperor meant new ministers. Getting too close to a certain leader was not good, and staying too far away was also not good. Getting too close meant risking the wrong team, and if the big tree fell, disaster would follow. Staying too far away meant never getting the benefits and always being the one to suffer. Therefore, Lu Jinzhong believed that one should not be too square or too round. Being too square would hurt others, and being too round would make others keep their distance. One should be oval.
Over the years, Lu Jinzhong had always kept a low profile. Even with the secretaries of these leaders, he treated them like second masters. These little masters could not be easily offended. Their thoughts were unfathomable, and their mouths were boundless. Moreover, one had to consider the master. Going against them was like going against the boss they served. These secretaries often followed closely behind their leaders, and their words could be sweet or sour. A stab in the back at a critical moment could leave one injured without even knowing it.
But now things were different. Chen Bingshan had already left. Although outsiders saw him as promoted, this promotion was in another province, and he might never return.
Director Zhao, however, was still in the provincial department, and there was a rumor that he would become the deputy director. At such a time, not showing loyalty to Boss Zhao would be a waste of a great opportunity. Lu Jinzhong felt he would be letting himself down if he didn't seize this chance!
As for Cheng Jemin, he didn't think Cheng would dare to do anything to him. This young man had always been quiet and gentle, and even if he faced some challenges, he wouldn't cause much trouble.
But what Lu Jinzhong didn't expect was that Cheng Jemin would give him a hard slap! The slap left him dazed, and he could still hear the echo in the office. His left cheek was still burning.
"You... You dare to hit me?" Lu Jinzhong glared at Cheng Jemin in shock and anger.
"I did hit you, what are you going to do about it?"
"You... You..." In a fit of rage, Lu Jinzhong pushed the table to stand up, but before he could, Cheng Jemin slapped him again, staring at him and said, "I hate people like you who kick others when they're down. If you have the guts, let's go outside and see if I can beat you up!"
Seeing Cheng Jemin like a raging lion, Lu Jinzhong suddenly felt a bit intimidated. He realized that although Cheng Jemin looked gentle, he was taller and younger, and if he burst out, Lu Jinzhong might be the one to suffer.
Cheng Jemin was now a sheep without a mother, but Lu Jinzhong was the deputy director of the finance department. If he got a severe beating, it wouldn't take long for the news to spread throughout the agency.
"Cheng Jemin, you wait, I won't let this go!" Lu Jinzhong shouted, but he didn't dare to move.
The staff of the finance department were stunned by this scene. When they came to their senses, they realized that standing and watching was not good. Although Director Lu was stern, he was clearly a softie. Although Cheng Jemin was honest, he was clearly very angry. They immediately stepped in to mediate.
"Lu Jinzhong, I'm waiting. If you dare to cause me trouble again, I won't be nice to you. Do you believe I can slap you to death?" Cheng Jemin pointed at Lu Jinzhong's nose and said this, then stormed out of the office.
Back in his office, Cheng Jemin did not regret his actions. From reading the diary, he knew that people were very practical. The more you tolerated, the more they saw you as weak and easy to bully.
It was better to fight back than to endure being bullied. He had already taken a risk in the rural support project, so why not with Lu Jinzhong?
Lu Jinzhong would certainly not let this go. He would definitely report it, and the most likely person he would report to was Deputy Director Zhao Huazhong. But would Zhao Huazhong directly confront him?
The moment this thought appeared, Cheng Jemin dismissed it. From his interactions with Zhao Huazhong and the content of the diary, Zhao Huazhong was a man who cared about his reputation. His relationship with Director Chen was subtle and almost everyone in the Department of Water Resources knew about it. If Director Chen had just left, and Zhao Huazhong used this incident to confront him, how would the subordinates view him?
If Zhao Huazhong did not get involved, the most likely person Lu Jinzhong would turn to would be Director Li Zhonghua. After all, Li Zhonghua was the director, and he couldn't avoid this issue.
How to deal with Director Li Zhonghua? Director Chen had not yet left. Should he ask Director Chen to intervene? If Director Chen spoke up, Director Li would probably give him some face, but if he sought help right after Director Chen left, wouldn't that be too much?
While Cheng Jemin was thinking about how to solve the problem, a gentle knock came at the door. Cheng Jemin opened it and saw Tang Zhengshan looking anxious as he walked in.
"Brother, why are you so impulsive?" Tang Zhengshan asked bluntly.
Seeing Tang Zhengshan's expression, Cheng Jemin felt a warm feeling in his heart. He knew Tang Zhengshan was concerned for him. This concern meant their relationship had deepened.
Thinking about how Tang Zhengshan would follow the historical path to become Secretary Liu's assistant in half a year, Cheng Jemin's troubled mood instantly lightened. He immediately sat Tang Zhengshan down and said, "Brother Tang, I have some tea, let's drink and talk."
Tang Zhengshan had no interest in tea. He urged anxiously, "Brother, you really can sit still. I heard that Lu Jinzhong has already said he won't let you off without a punishment!"
"Jemin, I don't think you are an impulsive person. What happened today? A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken. Can't we just endure it?"
Cheng Jemin smiled dismissively, "Brother Tang, now that Director Chen is gone, if I don't stand up for myself, won't I be seen as a soft target? Lu Jinzhong was too overbearing today. If I don't show him some color, how many more people will step on me?"
Tang Zhengshan understood Cheng Jemin's situation. Without Director Chen's protection, those who were against Director Chen might make things difficult for Cheng Jemin.
People have a tendency to bully those who are too polite. Now that Cheng Jemin had given Lu Jinzhong a hard slap and threatened to slap him to death if he bullied him again, those who wanted to take advantage of him would think twice.
For example, although Lu Jinzhong was making a lot of noise, who wouldn't say he got what he deserved?
"But how will you deal with the leadership? I heard that the person most likely to replace Director Chen is Zhao Huazhong," Tang Zhengshan said with concern.
Tang Zhengshan had always been grateful to Cheng Jemin. Seeing Cheng Jemin's current situation, he felt a sense of empathy and mutual respect.
Seeing Tang Zhengshan's worried face, Cheng Jemin changed the subject, "Brother Tang, what are your plans for your work?"
"What plans? I'll just sit on the cold bench until the end!" Tang Zhengshan laughed casually when the topic was brought up.
Tang Zhengshan seemed so dejected. How did he become Secretary Liu's assistant? Cheng Jemin was puzzled. However, he didn't dwell on this. A person's opportunities are like a play. Just like the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who, at birth, was destined to be a minor prince, but ended up becoming the emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Sometimes, a person's fate is not just about one's own efforts but also about other factors.
"Then let's warm up this cold bench together!" Cheng Jemin patted Tang Zhengshan.
"Brother, if you become rich, don't forget me. We will always be brothers!"
Seeing Tang Zhengshan's genuine emotion, Cheng Jemin felt a warm and joyful feeling in his heart. Although he had done a great favor for Tang Zhengshan, their relationship was only close and based on the fact that Tang Zhengshan owed him a huge favor. Now, with Director Chen gone, they were in a similar situation, and their relationship had deepened significantly.
Comrades are those who share the same ideals and goals!
PS: A new week has started. I hope all my brothers and the little cat will work hard together to climb the rankings. Clicks, recommendations, and collections are all essential. Thank you, everyone!