pertwk Chapter 255 We Are All Pawns
Chapter 255 We Are All Pawns
Xiao Zhikai's phrase "one of our own" couldn't be clearer.
This implies to Wu Maocai that he, Wu Maocai, and Xu Aiguo are on their side.
The rest are not one of us.
Even Dawei isn't one of us.
This is to tell Wu Maocai to listen to Xiao Zhikai.
That's why Wu Maocai seemed troubled and then panicked just now.
Since Dawei took office, Wu Maocai's understanding of Dawei has deepened considerably.
Her feelings for Dawei also changed from passively following him at the beginning to admiring, understanding, worshipping him, and spontaneously following him.
And as time went on, especially after personally participating in and witnessing Dawei successfully securing agricultural support from the provincial government and winning over Zhou Xiangzhang, Lin Wangyou, and others, Wu Maocai became even more determined to follow Dawei to the end.
I thought victory was in sight.
After a long and arduous journey, the road ahead is smooth sailing.
Never thought.
Xiao Zhikai and Xu Aiguo had new ideas.
They seemed very keen to control David.
On the surface, it was helping Dawei and not making things difficult for him, but this help always seemed to be tinged with calculation and some unspeakable selfish motives.
This made Wu Maocai feel a little sad, thinking that Dawei was having a tough time.
They were extremely uneasy and worried about the new landscape that would soon emerge in Yuanshan County.
"Minister Xiao... I... I don't want to leave County Chief Chen yet."
The county has just launched a fruit industry company project.
They're going to build another highway soon.
There are so many things to do, and I'm involved in every single one of them.
I'm working quite well with County Chief Chen now.
To be arrogant, he's probably quite dependent on me now and wouldn't want to let me go.
There were other things, but Wu Maocai dared not speak of them.
Zhou Xiangzhang is gone, but Li Taoying remains.
This indicates that Dawei and Li Taoying have reached an understanding and agreed on the terms.
Dawei remained silent, as Wu Maocai couldn't interfere, otherwise it would disrupt Dawei's rhythm.
Our position has already been stated.
Wu Maocai must stand firmly on Dawei's side.
The position of director of the county party committee office is very desirable.
However, he could not accept the transfer or promotion of anyone other than David.
When you're out in the world, you have to have a sense of morality.
Once you've chosen someone, you have to stick with them all the way.
If he were to hesitate and waver at this point, Wu Maocai would despise himself.
He swore an oath to Dawei that he would not do anything to betray him—although Xiao Zhikai did not explicitly say he intended to harm Dawei, his intention to form cliques and control the situation was very clear.
Xiao Zhikai's facial muscles twitched slightly. He never expected that Wu Maocai would reject his "goodwill." He had underestimated him before.
After extinguishing his cigarette, Xiao Zhikai's expression gradually turned serious.
Looking at the vehicles speeding along the highway in the distance, his voice was a little hoarse: "Mao Cai, you... you've surprised me quite a bit."
"Hehe... I'm not exactly a presentable person, I still need to train more. For now, I just want to stay in this position and learn as much as possible."
Director Wu has thought this through very thoroughly.
He had already anticipated how to refuse anyone who tried to poach him and offered him benefits.
He had previously thought that Zhou Xiangzhang and his group would try to win him over.
Unexpectedly, the person who won him over was Xiao Zhikai.
I had previously thought that if anyone tried to win me over, I would definitely refuse them outright.
Otherwise, he will permanently lose David's trust in him.
What's even more frightening is that once Dawei climbs to a higher position and regains power, he will treat him the same way he treated Zhou Xiangzhang.
At that time, no one will be able to save him.
Wu Maocai no longer wanted to be a slave to three masters.
There was an even deeper concern behind refusing Xiao Zhikai's offer.
That is Wu Maocai's judgment: if Dawei and Xu Aiguo have a falling out in the future, Xu Aiguo will definitely drag him out to take the blame.
He was one of those who were sacrificed at that time.
He was sacrificed to maintain a balance in the relationship between Xu Aiguo and Dawei.
"You don't have to sit in that seat."
You have to get him out of here for me.
Xiao Zhikai then shifted the topic to Li Taoying.
He is a cautious person.
He was deeply afraid that Li Taoying, the director of the county party committee office, would have a negative impact on him, who was likely to take office as the county party secretary.
Faced with the somewhat commanding order, Wu Maocai became timid, shrinking his neck and leaning closer, saying, "Sir, would you like to reconsider this matter?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you really want to do it, you have to talk to County Chief Chen first. Only if County Chief Chen gives me permission can I do it."
Xiao Zhikai narrowed his eyes, his face clearly displeased: "Maocai, don't forget who helped you get to where you are today?"
Without the recommendation of Xu Aiguo's wife, Teacher Weng, Wu Maocai would not have followed County Magistrate Qiao to Yuanshan County.
He wouldn't follow Dawei and remain firmly in the position of office director—he'd probably been dealt with by Dawei long ago.
Wu Maocai is someone I will never forget.
Minister Xiao.
I understand everything you're saying.
My teacher told me to cooperate well with County Chief Chen and not to embarrass her.
They want me to achieve something in this position.
Minister Xiao, you don't want me to become a despicable person despised by everyone, do you?
Would you really feel at ease having someone like that by your side?
County Chief Chen is a rare and excellent cadre.
Look, it's only been a short time since I arrived, and the situation in Yuanshan County has been completely transformed.
Why can't we cooperate well, work together, and put our efforts into one?
Instead of wasting that energy, you should put it into your work.
Why worry that Yuanshan County won't develop?
As he spoke, Wu Maocai straightened up, relaxed his hunched shoulders, and became somewhat moved.
"This is my only chance."
If County Magistrate Chen succeeds, then I'll follow suit.
If he loses, I lose too.
Whoever harms him, I will harm them in return.
"I'm going all in."
Wu Maocai was initially quite happy.
Thinking of going back to report to Dawei, saying that Xu Aiguo and Xiao Zhikai had arranged everything in advance, County Chief Chen could rest assured and not worry about anyone sabotaging the construction of Yuanshan County.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhikai and Xu Aiguo also had their own ulterior motives.
I was completely at a loss as to how to report this to County Chief Chen.
After listening to Director Wu's words, Xiao Zhikai paced back and forth by the flower bed in the service area, and then stood in front of Wu Maocai, pointing his finger at him and saying, "Do you think that Yuanshan County is just something you can do as you please?"
Believe it or not, we can help you up, and we can pull you down too!
Wu Maocai's left corner of his mouth curved slightly upward, and he was no longer afraid: "You should become the county party secretary first."
If you harbor a similar mentality to Zhou Xiangzhang, wanting to control County Chief Chen, and have some selfish motives, then I advise you not to become the County Party Secretary.
In your words, if he can bring down Zhou Xiangzhang, he can bring you down too.
Xiao Zhikai said sternly, "You've got quite the nerve."
"I don't know what Director Xu talked about with you."
But I guess he definitely didn't say why he was so supportive of County Chief Chen and why he was so good to County Chief Chen.
This indicates that County Chief Chen has powerful backers.
Minister Xu wouldn't dare tell you that directly.
You, and me.
We are all pawns.
Minister Xu and County Head Chen were playing chess.
Let's not get involved. If something goes wrong and someone has to step up to settle things, the first ones to be blamed will be you and me.
Minister Xu couldn't be wrong, and County Chief Chen and the people behind him couldn't be wrong either.
In the end, the only ones who will be at fault are you and me.