"This report meeting for Wu Weina's achievements was personally organized by the higher-ups, so being cautious is a good thing."
Secretary Ma could only offer a self-deprecating remark.
Director Li forced an awkward smile and immediately went to find the review supervisor.
After half an hour, Director Li had meticulously reviewed the speeches of both Secretary Ma and Chen Feng.
"You weren't lying; Chen Feng's speech is indeed better than Secretary Ma's. Strange, what's this Chen Feng's background? How can he write official documents even better than Secretary Ma?"
Director Li asked subconsciously.
"Director Li, I've done a brief investigation. This Chen Feng is the deputy town head in charge of education in Mingshan Town, and he used to drive for the town leaders."
The review supervisor explained immediately.
"This is too unbelievable, isn't it? An underling in the official circles, so brilliant at writing official documents, did he copy and paste?"
Director Li asked with disbelief.
"Director Li, you can rest assured on this. I check every speech for plagiarism on Baidu. This speech by Chen Feng is one hundred percent his own work."
The review supervisor replied with a serious expression.
"Since Chen Feng's speech is his own writing and it crushes Secretary Ma's, we'll use Chen Feng's speech."
Director Li replied calmly.
"Then how do we explain this to Secretary Ma?"
The review supervisor tentatively asked.
"How else can we explain it? Just tell him his speech was rejected."
Director Li replied directly.
"Isn't that a bit… not good? Secretary Ma is the secretary to the top leader of Jiangcheng. Doing this might offend him."
The review supervisor explained in a low voice.
"There's no need to fear this. We don't operate in Jiangcheng's official circles, so there's no need to fear Secretary Ma. Besides, facts speak louder than words; even if Secretary Ma wants to retaliate, he'll have no grounds. Alright, tell Zhang Guimei that from now on, we'll use the speech written by Chen Feng."
With that, Director Li went to find Secretary Ma.
"Director Li, how did it go?"
Secretary Ma asked, feigning composure.
"Secretary Ma, I'm sorry, but your speech was rejected."
Director Li replied in a low voice.
"What? My speech was rejected? Impossible, absolutely impossible. Did you misread it?"
Secretary Ma said in shock.
"Secretary Ma, this is a big matter. How could I possibly misread it? I've looked it over several times, and you were indeed rejected."
"Fine, even if you didn't misread it and I was indeed rejected, then tell me, who defeated me?"
Secretary Ma asked with unconcealed defiance.
"Chen Feng."
"Chen Feng?"
Secretary Ma frowned.
These two words were unfamiliar; he had never heard of such a person in Jiangcheng's official circles.
"Yes, it's Chen Feng. He's the deputy town head in charge of education in Mingshan Town. Secretary Ma, I truly apologize. This national speech tour for Zhang Guimei was organized by the capital, and there are many things I can't decide on my own."
Director Li deliberately emphasized the words "the capital."
"It's alright. The most capable person gets the position, it's normal. Alright, I have matters to attend to back in Jiangcheng, so I'll be leaving now."
Secretary Ma replied, suppressing his anger.
"Secretary Ma, how did things go with the report group? Were they all conquered by your literary talent?"
In the office of the top leader of Jiangcheng, Cheng Liren asked with a smile.
"I apologize, Elder Cheng, I've disappointed you."
Secretary Ma replied, biting his lip.
"What do you mean?"
Cheng Liren was momentarily stunned.
"My speech was not selected."
Secretary Ma dared not look up at Cheng Liren.
"Secretary Ma, are you joking with me? In Jiangcheng, how could you possibly fail when you take action?"
Cheng Liren's first reaction was disbelief.
"Elder Cheng, it's absolutely true. I was indeed rejected, defeated by Chen Feng, the deputy town head of Mingshan Town."
Secretary Ma was very reluctant to mention Chen Feng's name, but he had no choice.
"Who?"
Cheng Liren was taken aback.
"Chen Feng. He's the deputy town head in charge of education in Mingshan Town, the one who used to be a driver."
Secretary Ma explained, suppressing his frustration.
He was a Doctor of Chinese Language and Literature from Capital University. To be defeated by an underling from the official circles who graduated from a third-tier university was something no one would believe.
"Oh, I see. Secretary Ma, don't think too much about it. Victory and defeat are common military knowledge."
Cheng Liren said, his eyes flashing with sharp insight.
Cheng Liren's reaction utterly confused Secretary Ma.
What was going on?
Shouldn't Cheng Liren have severely reprimanded Chen Feng?
Why was there a hint of admiration in his eyes?
This made Secretary Ma hate Chen Feng even more, grinding his teeth.
Not only did he lose face in Yongming County, but now he had also been thoroughly outshone in front of Cheng Liren.
If one can tolerate this, what cannot be tolerated!
He was the secretary most valued by Cheng Liren!
"Elder Cheng, I'll get back to my work now."
Suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, Secretary Ma left the office.
"It seems that Xiao Lu's judgment is quite good. Chen Feng is a talented individual. It's a pity his background is too poor; otherwise, he would be a perfect match for Xiao Lu."
Cheng Liren murmured to himself involuntarily.
Meanwhile, Secretary Ma returned to his own office, growing more and more indignant the more he thought about it.
He had to retaliate against Chen Feng; otherwise, how could he continue to operate in Jiangcheng's official circles?
Thus, Secretary Ma personally made a phone call to the deputy county magistrate of Yongming County.
"Secretary Ma, why are you calling me personally?"
Zhao Zhen, the magistrate of Yongming County, asked, feeling extremely flattered.
"I want to tell you something."
"Secretary Ma, you're too polite. If you have anything, you can just have your subordinates notify me. There's no need to be so polite and call me yourself."
The deputy county magistrate of Yongming County spoke with a fawning tone.
"Zhao Zhen, I want to ask you, is there a deputy town head named Chen Feng in your Mingshan Town?"
Secretary Ma asked with a severe tone.
"There is such a person, yes. What's wrong, Secretary Ma?"
Zhao Zhen asked cautiously.
"I believe this person has issues with his conduct. Investigate him thoroughly. Having such a scoundrel as a deputy town head is simply a disgrace to Mingshan Town."
Secretary Ma replied word by word.
"Secretary Ma, could there be some misunderstanding? Deputy Town Head Chen has a very upright conduct. He has progressed from driver to village head and then to town head of Mingshan Town; everyone has witnessed it."
Zhao Zhen instinctively tried to explain.
"Zhao Zhen, are you implying that I'm slandering Chen Feng?"
Secretary Ma questioned Zhao Zhen sternly.
"Secretary Ma, I didn't mean that. Since you say Chen Feng has serious issues with his conduct, then he must have serious issues with his conduct."
Zhao Zhen changed his tone and replied.
Secretary Ma was his biggest connection in Jiangcheng, and he couldn't go against him. He could only comply.
Whatever Secretary Ma wanted him to do, he would do.
As for this young man named Chen Feng, his prospects in the official circles were not worth mentioning.
"If possible, make him leave the official circles forever!"
Secretary Ma commanded coldly.