Chapter 142: Parting on Unpleasant Terms

“Ha ha, everyone, please sit down, have a seat.”

Cheng Dayong, casually dressed in a yellow wool sweater, approached the dining table and waved to everyone.

Zhao Yufei immediately vacated the seat of honor and sat in Zhao Guojun’s place.

Zhao Guojun then moved up one seat according to protocol.

However, Yang Dong’s seat remained unchanged, placing him right next to the county magistrate of Kaiyang County.

“So, you must be Comrade Yang Dong from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission?”

Cheng Dayong took the main seat and extended his hand toward Yang Dong.

Yang Dong slightly bowed and shook Cheng Dayong’s hand.

“Greetings, County Magistrate. I am Yang Dong.”

When addressing a county magistrate, it’s customary to omit the surname; only when addressing a deputy magistrate would one use both name and title.

“I know of you—young and promising. As a secretary in the municipal government seconded to the Discipline Inspection Commission, you’ve certainly made a name for yourself.”

“Heh, you, comrade, are somewhat unconventional.”

Cheng Dayong smiled as he spoke.

Was this praise or a veiled criticism of Yang Dong’s meddlesome behavior?

It was entirely up to Yang Dong and the others present to interpret.

Yang Dong, however, took Cheng Dayong’s remark as criticism.

A criticism of him, a municipal government secretary, for neglecting his duties and stirring up trouble on behalf of the Discipline Commission.

Now he was trying to stir up trouble in Kaiyang County as well—clearly overstepping.

Faced with criticism from a local government’s top official, whether he accepted it or not, Yang Dong had no choice but to accept.

The county magistrate held a senior official rank, the administrative head, while Yang Dong was but a small deputy section-level cadre, three ranks below.

Yet, when he was still a clerk, he had dared to confront the deputy secretary of the municipal Discipline Commission, Xu Yuncai.

Naturally, he was unwilling to simply accept Cheng Dayong’s criticism without resistance.

“So, County Magistrate, are you criticizing us secretaries from the municipal government office for not minding our own business? Ha ha ha.”

Yang Dong’s remark immediately altered Cheng Dayong’s expression.

He had only criticized Yang Dong’s negligence, not the entire municipal government office.

He disliked Yang Dong—really disliked him.

Cheng Dayong’s expression returned to normal as he responded lightly, “I’ve been friends with Secretary Yin for many years, yet I didn’t know Secretary Yin had trained such subordinates.”

“Next time I see old Yin, I must ask him directly whether the municipal government office’s standards for selecting personnel have become more lenient.”

Cheng Dayong’s words defused the awkwardness Yang Dong had created and even further criticized him.

Yang Dong had already pushed back once and knew he shouldn’t press further, but he wasn’t about to let the county magistrate who made him uncomfortable off the hook.

He smiled and said, “So, County Magistrate, you and Secretary Yin have been friends for many years. Recently, Secretary Yin was slandered by a nanny, accused of corruption. I wonder how you feel about that?”

“You claim to be Secretary Yin’s friend, but when he was in trouble, did you inquire? Did you care? Did you take action?”

If not, what right do you have to use Secretary Yin’s name to pressure me or criticize me?

Cheng Dayong’s temple twitched; then, smiling, he nodded.

“I’m glad Secretary Yin was able to clear his name.”

“At the upcoming city-wide economic mobilization meeting, I plan to have a proper talk with Secretary Yin.”

“That’s enough talk. I’m here to eat!”

Waving his hand, Cheng Dayong stopped arguing with Yang Dong and picked up his chopsticks to eat.

At that moment, the atmosphere finally settled into a heavy silence.

Song Sifeng cast a dark glance at Cheng Dayong, then sat down, sulking.

Cheng Dayong’s interruption had derailed the plan they had prepared.

Zhao Yufei squinted slightly as he sipped a bowl of millet porridge. Having already drunk over half a bottle of wine, he needed to soothe his stomach.

Since Cheng Dayong’s arrival, Zhao Yufei hadn’t spoken again.

Zhao Guojun crunched on several slices of cucumber, his eyes occasionally fixed on Cheng Dayong.

Other officials like Gong Hongyang and Jin Homin remained silent, pretending to eat.

“How does the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission intend to handle the nineteen county cadres involved in the case?”

“By the way, County Magistrate Zhao, you’re implicated as well, aren’t you?”

After finishing a bowl of rice, Cheng Dayong suddenly asked Yang Dong, openly pointing at Zhao Guojun.

Zhao Guojun’s face immediately darkened. He said, “County Magistrate, this is lunch; perhaps it’s best not to discuss work now.”

“This isn’t about county work; it concerns the Discipline Commission’s work.”

“As county magistrate and second-in-command of Kaiyang County, I have the right to know.”

“When the Discipline Commission’s task force handles the case, they cannot bypass me.”

At this moment, Cheng Dayong revealed a domineering side.

He was nearly telling Yang Dong and the others that if they didn’t heed his advice, their work would be difficult.

Of course, the Municipal Discipline Commission was not to be trifled with, and Cheng Dayong himself dared not offend them.

But a task force led by a deputy section-level cadre was still beneath the county magistrate’s notice.

“The Discipline Commission will carry out its work according to procedures and regulations. Any new developments, I will keep the county party committee, county government, and county Discipline Commission informed.”

Yang Dong replied formally.

Cheng Dayong nodded and smiled at Yang Dong.

“Don’t take offense at my frankness. You’re still young and inexperienced. I fear you won’t handle the nineteen cadres well.”

“I was formerly the county Discipline Commission secretary. I understand the work well. Investigations proceed as they should, and resolutions are handled properly.”

“Kaiyang County is upright and promising; it won’t lose its footing because of a few implicated cadres.”

“Under the absolute leadership of Secretary Tan of the county party committee, the county’s overall situation will not be undermined by a few individuals.”

“This is the county government’s position. Your municipal Discipline Commission task force may consider it a reference.”

Cheng Dayong wiped his mouth with a napkin and then stood up.

“All right, I must get back to work. The livelihood of 400,000 people in this county depends on me as their magistrate.”

“Comrade Yang Dong, comrades from the municipal Discipline Commission, please continue your meal.”

Waving to them, Cheng Dayong turned and headed downstairs.

Seeing this, Yang Dong immediately spoke to Zhao Yufei and Zhao Guojun, “Secretary Zhao, County Magistrate Zhao, it’s getting late. We should return to the county Discipline Commission to continue our work.”

Since they represented the municipal Discipline Commission in the county, the county Discipline Commission naturally arranged their accommodations.

They were assigned an office for work and three rooms at the county Discipline Commission guesthouse for overnight stays.

Yang Dong had initially been seeking an excuse to leave, and now the best opportunity had arrived.

“All right, Comrade Yang Dong, you should return to work.”

Zhao Yufei nodded, his expression much more serious.

“I will escort you out!”

Song Sifeng stepped forward, leading several people downstairs.

Upon leaving the county party committee canteen, Yang Dong declined further escort and led his group toward the county Discipline Commission office building.

Song Sifeng watched them enter the elevator, then his expression darkened.

Cheng Dayong’s disruption was deliberate—he had purposely soured the luncheon!

Otherwise, how could a county magistrate be so tactless? Criticizing Yang Dong at the start and offending the leader of the municipal Discipline Commission task force?

He was definitely acting intentionally.

Because his approach to handling the nineteen implicated cadres differed from Secretary Tan’s…

This matter must be reported to Secretary Tan immediately!