Chapter 58: The Mayor’s Show of Authority

The welcome meeting in the county party committee's small conference room felt less like an official gathering and more like a personal exhibition of Wei Shili's authority. Glowing with health and speaking in a resonant, powerful voice, he heavily emphasized notions of organizational care and the deployment of elite personnel, framing Li Yifei's arrival as high recognition from the provincial leadership regarding Duoshui's achievements.

When it came to announcing portfolio assignments, Wei Shili made the final decisions unilaterally, giving the nominal head of the county government—County Magistrate Shi Dahai—zero opportunity to speak or participate in any discussion.

"Comrade Yifei is young, promising, and has been forged in national ministries with a broad vision! Therefore, within the county government, Comrade Yifei will take charge of culture, tourism, and investment attraction!"

"Duogang Town is a crucial pillar of our county and Comrade Yifei's hometown. He will personally take command there, serving as the town party secretary!" Wei Shili's voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness as his gaze swept across the conference room like a monarch surveying his domain.

County Magistrate Shi Dahai sat to one side with a rigid smile on his face, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of his teacup while his lowered eyes concealed a profound sense of helplessness and a trace of humiliation.

Within the impregnable domain that Wei Shili had cultivated for years, Shi Dahai had long been reduced to a figurehead, functioning as little more than a secondary messenger and a rubber stamp.

At this moment, he lacked even the qualification to voice an opinion regarding the new vice county magistrate's responsibilities. Li Yifei watched coldly, taking in every detail of the scene. Shi Dahai's silence was the most direct proof of Wei Shili's absolute control.

When it was Li Yifei's turn to speak, he instantly shifted his demeanor. His face blossomed with the characteristic, slightly bashful, and excited smile of a young man. He stood up, bowed slightly toward Wei Shili, and adopted a sincere tone that bordered on fan-like adoration:

"I am deeply grateful for Secretary Wei's trust and high regard! I thank the organization for giving me this opportunity to serve my hometown! I feel profoundly honored, yet acutely aware of the heavy pressure upon me!"

"I am young and lack experience. In my future work, I will closely rally around Secretary Wei, resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the county party committee, and diligently learn from and seek counsel from all the veteran leaders and predecessors present here!"

"I hope that under Secretary Wei's leadership and with the assistance of all our predecessors, I can contribute my modest strength to the development of Duoshui County, and particularly to the growth of my hometown, Duogang Town! I ask for everyone's kind guidance!"

He adopted a posture of utmost humility, elevating Wei Shili to the absolute center. Every word was saturated with reverence for his "seniors" and an eager desire to "learn," perfectly portraying the persona of a freshly minted, well-connected, yet humble "gilded cadre."

This compliant and tactful declaration left the attending standing committee members harboring varied thoughts. Ji Genbao, the county discipline inspection secretary—a solidly built middle-aged man with shifty eyes—immediately piled on a smile and chimed in: "County Magistrate Li is far too modest! With your precious experience from the Development and Reform Commission, you will undoubtedly inject a fresh atmosphere into our county!"

"Our discipline inspection commission will give your work our full support!" Organization Department Head Chen Tao also nodded eagerly: "Indeed, County Magistrate Li is young and promising. The future of Duoshui's development is looking all the more hopeful now!" County Party Committee Office Director Zhang Lei beamed with flattery: "Secretary Wei has a discerning eye for talent, and County Magistrate Li is sure to achieve great things!"

Ma Weiguo, the public security bureau chief and political and legal affairs committee secretary, wore a stern expression. He merely gave a slight nod, revealing little emotion, though his gaze lingered on Li Yifei for a fraction longer than necessary.

Li Yifei's gaze swept calmly over these faces, while his heart remained ice-cold. Ji Genbao, Chen Tao, Zhang Lei... their reactions were nothing short of parrot-like echoes of Wei Shili.

Ma Weiguo's stance remained ambiguous, yet trapped in this environment, it was unlikely he could remain entirely untainted. The entire standing committee had practically become Wei Shili's personal fiefdom! No wonder that in his past life, Wei Shili's downfall triggered a systemic collapse of corruption. This leadership core was rotten to the core!

A violent surge of revulsion churned in his gut, but he perfectly suppressed it beneath his humble smile. He knew that the more harmless and submissive he appeared right now, the more covert and lethal his eventual levering of this stubborn boulder would be. This achievement was something he had to grasp firmly in his hands.

Following the meeting, Wei Shili's attitude toward Li Yifei grew even warmer, treating him entirely as a newly acquired talisman of good fortune.

He personally instructed Zhang Lei: "Director Zhang, arrange the best office for County Magistrate Li! Right next door to mine! Also arrange the best dormitory with all living necessities fully provided. We must reflect the county party committee's high regard for talent!"

Then, speaking with paternalistic care to Li Yifei, he added: "Yifei, there is no need to rush the investment attraction work; familiarize yourself with the environment first. Your main energy should still be focused on Duogang Town. Manage that patch of your hometown well and produce some tangible results—that will be the greatest support you can give me!"

This arrangement granted Li Yifei superficial high-status treatment while firmly restricting his primary sphere of authority to the township level, subtly embedding a demand for "results to show me."

Naturally, Li Yifei displayed profound gratitude: "Thank you for your concern, Secretary Wei! I will familiarize myself with the situation as quickly as possible and get a firm grip on Duogang Town's work, and I will certainly not let you down!"

Office Director Zhang Lei operated with extreme efficiency, making arrangements in no time. Li Yifei's office was spacious and bright, directly adjacent to Wei Shili's secretary office, occupying a prominent location with brand-new furniture.

His dormitory was also situated in the finest residential building for county committee dependents. Yet Li Yifei understood clearly that this "courtesy" was simultaneously a form of invisible surveillance—it was simply too close to Wei Shili.

After a brief settlement, Organization Department Head Chen Tao personally accompanied Li Yifei to Duogang Town to assume office. In the car, Chen Tao discarded the cautious demeanor he had worn at the county committee and opened up completely.

With calculated intent, he dropped "inside information" regarding personnel relationships within the county, heaping lavish praise on Wei Shili and hinting that following Secretary Wei was the only path to a bright future. Li Yifei played the role of a young man eagerly seeking guidance and overflowing with curiosity about the county's political landscape, occasionally tossing out seemingly naive questions to guide the conversation.

"Department Head Chen, I noticed Bureau Chief Ma didn't say much at the meeting. Is he naturally introverted?" Li Yifei asked with apparent casualness.

"Ah, Old Ma? He's a veteran with seniority and had his glory days in the past. But now... Secretary Wei values execution above all; talking too much isn't necessarily a good thing," Chen Tao said with deep-seated implication, hinting that Ma Weiguo had already fallen from grace.

"What about County Magistrate Shi..."

"County Magistrate Shi?" A trace of imperceptible contempt flickered across the corner of Chen Tao's mouth. "County Magistrate Shi is an academic-type cadre with high theoretical proficiency, but when it comes to handling concrete work... well, Secretary Wei has the real drive and courage to make final decisions!" He cleverly depreciated Shi Dahai while exalting Wei Shili.

Li Yifei sneered inwardly while nodding repeatedly on the surface: "Yes, indeed. Secretary King—ah, Secretary Wei is truly decisive and worthy of admiration!"

The car rolled into the territory of Duogang Town. Gazing at the familiar streets and the somewhat aged two-story building of the town committee compound, complex emotions surged within Li Yifei.

Across past and present lives, he had returned here under entirely different identities. Beside the compound was the police station; further west stood the town hospital; to the east was the old grain station rented out to a cap and clothing factory, facing the family planning service point. Everything was much as he remembered, only looking somewhat more dilapidated. His family home sat at the eastern edge of the town, just a ten-minute bicycle ride away.

After receiving his phone call, his parents had already tidied up the old house. He would live at home in the future—a choice far safer and more grounded than staying in the county committee dormitory.

The moment the car came to a smooth halt in the town committee compound, a delegation headed by Town Mayor Wang Chengyuan came forward to greet them with "enthusiasm." Wang Chengyuan, forty-five years old, was a local with a sturdy build and dark skin. A smile was plastered across his square face, yet deep within his eyes lurked unyielding reluctance and careful scrutiny.

Behind him stood Deputy Secretary Liu Changhe, Discipline Inspection Secretary Zhang Guan, Organization Committee Member Sun Yumei, Propaganda Committee Member Li Hongxia, Deputy Town Mayor Qian Dayong, and Office Director Wu Ting.

"Welcome, Department Head Chen! Welcome, Secretary Li!" Wang Chengyuan's voice boomed as he took the initiative to extend his hand to shake hands with Chen Tao and Li Yifei. His gaze lingered on Li Yifei's youthful face for a fraction longer, making his smile appear somewhat rigid.

Chen Tao wore the full air of an official, offering only a faint nod and responding coolly to Wang Chengyuan's warm welcome: "Mayor Wang, I've brought the man to you."

"Secretary Wei specifically emphasized that the leadership core of Duogang Town must unite as one and give full support to Secretary Li's work! Secretary Li is a top-tier graduate and one of our own from Duogang Town. You must cooperate fully and drive Duogang Town's development upward!"

He deliberately singled out "one of our own" both to elevate Li Yifei and to warn Wang Chengyuan not to harbor any crooked thoughts.

The muscles on Wang Chengyuan's face twitched slightly, though his smile remained fixed: "Rest assured, Department Head Chen! We will firmly bear Secretary Wei's instructions in mind! Secretary Li's arrival is Duogang Town's great fortune!"

"Our leadership core will firmly rally around Secretary Li!" The members behind him echoed the sentiment in succession, though their smiles varied widely.

Deputy Secretary Liu Changhe's eyes flickered, Discipline Inspection Secretary Zhang Guan wore a blank expression, Organization Committee Member Sun Yumei maintained a standard smile, Deputy Town Mayor Qian Dayong looked honest and simple, while Office Director Wu Ting's eyes rippled with light as she sized up Li Yifei.

Wu Ting, thirty-five years old and still possessing a mature charm, wore a well-fitted professional skirt suit that accentuated her figure to perfection.

She possessed a pair of striking phoenix eyes that seemed to carry hooks when she looked at someone, and her voice was soft and sweet: "Secretary Li, you've had a hard journey! The office and dormitory have both been prepared for you. Would you like to inspect them and see if any adjustments are needed?"

In his past life, Li Yifei had heard the reputation of this "town flower," who possessed quite formidable methods. But at this moment, such allure inspired nothing in him save vigilance.

Ignoring Wu Ting's deliberately cast signals, Li Yifei addressed only Chen Tao and Wang Chengyuan: "Thank you, Department Head Chen, for personally escorting me here! And thank you, Mayor Wang and colleagues! From now on, we are comrades in the same trench—please give me your guidance!"

Clearly unwilling to linger and disdainful of sharing a meal with Wang Chengyuan and the others, Chen Tao declined Li Yifei's invitation to stay: "There's a mountain of matters back at the county, so I'll skip the meal."

"Secretary Yifei, work hard! If anything comes up, call me or Secretary Wei directly!" He patted Li Yifei's shoulder, cast a meaningful glance at Wang Chengyuan, turned, and boarded his car to leave.

The moment Chen Tao departed, the atmosphere at the compound entrance turned instantly delicate. The smile on Wang Chengyuan's face faded a fraction. He cleared his throat and announced to the crowd: "Secretary Li has just arrived and is fatigued from travel. Everyone disperse for now and let Secretary Li familiarize himself with the environment. Tonight—"

He turned to Li Yifei, his tone carrying an unquestionable arrangement: "The town has prepared a welcome banquet for Secretary Li at the Wang Family Restaurant! Director Wu, make the arrangements! Make it high-grade, and keep the liquor flowing!"

"We must let Secretary Li experience the warmth of his hometown!" He intentionally emphasized "high-grade" and "liquor flowing," his eyes carrying a hint of provocation and the expectation of a good show. Without waiting for Li Yifei's response, he turned and strode back to his office.

This blatant display of intimidation was deployed without pretense. He intended to leave Li Yifei hanging, isolate him into a commander without troops, and humiliate him at the banquet table to prove who truly called the shots in Duogang Town.

The expressions of the remaining leadership members varied; some looked gloating, others impassive, and a few seemed on the verge of speaking before ultimately scattering in silence.

Wu Ting swayed her hips over to Li Yifei, bringing a wave of heavy perfume: "Secretary Li, regarding your office... shall we keep it as it is, or do you have special requirements? As for the dormitory..."

Frowning slightly, Li Yifei stepped back half a step to widen the distance, his voice flat and detached: "The office requires no changes; leave it as it is. The dormitory won't be necessary either, as I will be living at my family home."

"Director Wu, please compile and deliver the basic data for Duogang Town covering the past three years—including economic development figures, fiscal revenue and expenditure reports, key project lists, demographic structures, and land-use planning—to my office. The sooner, the better."

The seductive smile on Wu Ting's face froze momentarily, as if she hadn't expected this young secretary to be so completely immune to her charm and entirely strictly business. She replied awkwardly: "Understood, Secretary Li. I'll go prepare them right away." As she turned and left, a flicker of investigative curiosity remained in her eyes.

Li Yifei walked alone into his new secretary's office. The room was not small, but the furniture was old and exuded a stale odor. Standing before the window, he gazed out at the somewhat desolate streets of Duogang Town with a sharp gaze.

Wang Chengyuan's harassment was entirely within his expectations—it was even part of his plan. For an airborne secretary with zero local roots to carve out a foothold in a short time, he could either use thunderous methods to establish dominance or... borrow strength to strike. And the banquet table was frequently the most direct and brutal arena in township-level politics.

Instead of immediately calling a meeting, he quietly waited. Before long, Wu Ting returned carrying a thick stack of documents, placed them on the desk, and lingered as if wanting to say something, only to be dismissed by Li Yifei's polite "Thank you, I will call you if anything comes up."

He buried his head in these materials, reading like a genuine newly arrived secretary eager to understand the situation.

Time slipped away amidst the rustle of turning pages. Toward evening, Wu Ting knocked once more to remind him that the banquet time was approaching, hosted at the town's finest establishment, the Wang Family Restaurant.

Inside the largest private dining room of the Wang Family Restaurant, lights blazed brilliantly. A massive round table capable of seating fifteen or sixteen people was already covered with cold appetizers.

As the host, Wang Chengyuan naturally took the principal seat. Li Yifei was assigned to the seat of honor on his right. Deputy Secretary Liu Changhe, Discipline Inspection Secretary Zhang Guan, Organization Committee Member Sun Yumei, Propaganda Committee Member Li Hongxia, Deputy Town Mayor Qian Dayong, Armed Forces Department Head Zhao Tiezhu, Police Station Chief Sun Biao, and Office Director Wu Ting took their places in order.

The heads of several prominent local stations and offices were also conspicuously present, clearly belonging to Wang Chengyuan's inner circle.

The atmosphere was at once enthusiastic and delicate. Glowing with wine and health, Wang Chengyuan raised his glass to kick things off: "Come, come! First toast! A warm welcome to Secretary Li returning to his hometown to take office!"

"From now on, under the wise leadership of County Secretary Wei and the guidance of Secretary Li, our Duogang Town will surely scale new heights! Let's drink to this!" Everyone echoed the sentiment in unison and raised their glasses.

Li Yifei smiled and raised his cup as well: "Thank you, Mayor Wang, and thank you, colleagues! I will need your full support in future work! Bottoms up!" With that, he tilted his head back, and a cup of high-proof white liquor vanished instantly. The motion was crisp, decisive, and devoid of hesitation.

The crowd froze momentarily, not expecting the young secretary to drink with such abandon. A flash of sharp light cut through Wang Chengyuan's eyes as he laughed heartily: "Good! Secretary Li is a man of spirit! Come, come, fill the glasses!"

The second round of toasts commenced immediately. Wang Chengyuan took the offensive: "Secretary Li, on behalf of the town government, I propose a toast to you! In future government work, I ask you to keep a watchful eye and guide us!" Another full cup followed.

"You're too kind, Mayor Wang. We will support one another!" Smiling faintly, Li Yifei once more drained his cup in a single gulp.

Immediately following, Liu Changhe, Sun Yumei, Li Hongxia, Qian Dayong... the leadership members took turns stepping up. While their toast speeches were steeped in formal rhetoric, every single cup was filled to the brim.

Wu Ting swayed over with her cup in hand, her words soft and honeyed: "Secretary Li, on behalf of the entire office, I toast you! Wherever you point in the future, we will charge!" Her gaze was seductive, yet her cup-delivery was utterly unyielding.

Li Yifei accepted all comers! A gentle smile remained permanently fixed on his face. No matter who toasted him or under what pretext, his response was invariably the same: "Thank you! It's my duty!" Then he raised his glass and drank it dry! It was as though he were drinking plain water rather than high-octane liquor.

After a dozen rounds, two empty bottles already stood on the table. With the exception of a few with exceptional capacity, the faces of the others were flushed red, and their speech had begun to slur.

In contrast, other than a slightly heightened flush on his cheeks, Li Yifei's eyes remained crystal clear, his posture as steady as a mountain, and he even initiated counter-toasts!

"Mayor Wang, I toast you! You are the veteran expert in town affairs, and I must learn a great deal from you!" Li Yifei took the initiative, filling Wang Chengyuan's glass.

Inwardly, Wang Chengyuan cursed bitterly. While his liquor tolerance was respectable, taking this kind of punishment was unbearable. Yet with the arrow notched on the bow, he had no choice but to fire. Gritting his teeth, he managed: "Secretary Li is far too polite! Bottoms up!" They clinked glasses and drained them.

"Deputy Secretary Liu, a toast to you! Party building is the foundation and cannot do without your support!"

"Secretary Zhang, discipline inspection carries a heavy responsibility; thank you for your hard work!"

"Mayor Qian, I hear you are in charge of agriculture. I look forward to your future guidance!"

...

Li Yifei operated like an untiring machine, returning toasts one by one! Every single cup was emptied cleanly, and every remark struck the right balance—paying due respect while subtly signaling his awareness of their respective jurisdictions, warning them that he was not walking in blind.

Wang Chengyuan's face grew increasingly unsightly. He had originally intended to exhaust Li Yifei through a battle of attrition, making him lose face in public and establishing his own absolute authority.

To his horror, he had kicked an iron plate! This kid was a bottomless vat! Seeing that his own people were already showing glazed expressions and incoherent speech while Li Yifei grew stronger the more he fought, panic set in.

"No! I cannot accept defeat like this!" Hardening his heart, Wang Chengyuan shot a meaningful look at Li Pangzi, the finance bureau head. Grasping the intent instantly, the pot-bellied Li Pangzi stood up with a greasy, ingratiating smile plastered across his face: "Secretary Li! I've long admired your reputation!"

"I'm a rough man, and I have the utmost respect for young and capable leaders like you! I'll toast you three cups! Drink as you please—I'm finishing mine!" This was the deployment of a "depth charge"—the most vicious tactic in township drinking culture, where three consecutive toasts forced the opponent to commit.

The atmosphere in the room froze instantly. Everyone looked to Li Yifei to see how he would handle this challenge.

If he flinched, he would never lift his head before these local tyrants again; if he accepted head-on, swallowing three cups of high-proof liquor back-to-back was enough to fell an iron man!

Looking at Li Pangzi's oil-slicked face, Li Yifei suddenly smiled. The smile remained gentle, but a sharp, icy edge flickered in the depths of his eyes. Leisurely picking up a liquor bottle, he poured three full cups for himself without the slightest hurry, lining them up neatly before him.

"Director Li is too kind," his voice was soft yet carried clearly to everyone's ears. "Our town's finances are the very lifeblood of our development, and Director Li carries a heavy responsibility! Since Director Li is so sincere, I will accompany you for these three cups! However..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on the slightly shifting expression of Wang Chengyuan, deepening his smile: "It's dull for just the two of us to drink. How about this—Mayor Wang can keep us company, and the three of us will drink together! Mayor Wang is the master of our household here in Duogang Town, and financial work operates under his leadership after all! Director Li, wouldn't you agree?"

Boom! In an instant, every eye in the room locked onto Wang Chengyuan! Li Yifei's counter-move was lethally brilliant!

Not only did he accept Li Pangzi's "depth charge," but he dragged Wang Chengyuan directly into the water with him! You wanted to see me make a fool of myself?

Then we sink together! Moreover, his pretext was unassailable—you are the head of the house, and financial matters are under your command!

Li Pangzi froze, looking to Wang Chengyuan for rescue. Wang Chengyuan's face had turned the color of a bruised plum! His tolerance was decent, but he had already consumed plenty; draining three more cups on top of that would surely knock him flat.

Yet with Li Yifei putting it this way before so many subordinates, if he backed down now, how could he ever command respect again? His authority would be utterly ruined!

"Fine! Secretary Li is a man of his word! Director Li, pour the drinks!" Biting down hard, Wang Chengyuan slammed his hand on the table, forcing a heroic smile through twitching facial muscles. "Secretary Li is right! Financial work is indeed crucial! The three of us will drink this together! For the development of Duogang Town, bottoms up!" He had no choice but to swallow his broken teeth along with the blood!

Three wine glasses crashed together heavily! Under the complex gazes of everyone present, Li Yifei, Wang Chengyuan, and Li Pangzi tilted their heads back and forced down three consecutive cups of high-proof liquor, one after another!

The burning liquid scorched their throats like liquid fire! By the second cup, Wang Chengyuan's face had turned liver-colored; when the third cup went down, his body swayed, and though he managed to stay on his feet, his eyes had already begun to lose focus.

Li Pangzi fared even worse. Before he could finish his third cup, he retched violently, vomited onto the table, and collapsed limply into his chair.

Turning to Li Yifei, he calmly set down his final empty cup. His complexion was slightly rosier than before, but his gaze remained as sharp as ever, tinged with a hint of unfulfilled amusement.

Picking up a wet towel from the table, he leisurely wiped the corners of his mouth, swept his gaze across the room, and spoke in a voice that remained clear and steady:

"Mayor Wang has impressive capacity! Director Li... seems to have been a bit too happy. Everyone," he raised the only remaining cup filled with tea, "drinking too much harms the health. Let's substitute tea for wine and share one final toast to thank Mayor Wang for tonight's lavish hospitality!"

"And thank you all for your kind regard! There's a long road ahead of us, and work matters can be discussed tomorrow! I hope everyone will report to their posts punctually tomorrow morning!"

With that, he raised his teacup, his calm gaze sweeping over the stunned, drunken faces before settling on the desperately upright Wang Chengyuan. Offering a slight smile, he downed the concentrated tea in a single draught!

Absolute silence descended upon the private room! Everyone was stunned into stillness! The battle of attrition had failed to knock him down, and the "depth charges" had instead blown up two of their own heavy hitters!

This young Secretary Li not only possessed a bottomless capacity for liquor, but his methods were terrifyingly ruthless!

His parting remark—"report to your posts punctually tomorrow morning"—was gentle yet freighted with unquestionable majesty, landing like an invisible slap across the faces of those who had wished to see him humiliated.

Spinning the room into a dizzying blur with a churning stomach, Wang Chengyuan maintained his last shred of sobriety, pointed at Wu Ting, and stammered: "Director... Director Wu... escort... escort Secretary Li... back..." With those words, failing to hold on any longer, he slid off his chair with a dull thud and vanished beneath the table.

Looking over the chaotic dining room and the drunken figures, the gentle smile finally vanished from Li Yifei's face, replaced by a profound and heavy composure.

Refusing Wu Ting's offer of assistance, he walked out of the Wang Family Restaurant alone. The cool late-autumn night breeze brushed against his face, carrying a hint of chill that only made his mind clearer.

The first round had ended in his sweeping "victory at the banquet table." But this was merely the beginning.

Wang Chengyuan would never take this lying down, and the treacherous undertones hidden beneath the calm waters of Duogang Town were far more perilous than any clash across a wine table.

Touching the hangover medicine in his pocket and gazing toward the deep night shadows enveloping the town government compound, his eyes gleamed like a whetted blade.

The true trial had just officially begun. Those who wished to watch a "commander without troops" make a fool of himself would soon discover what a terrifying opponent had just arrived in their midst.