Hong Kong Film: Jimmy? Please call me Councillor Li

Chapter 188 Li Jiayuan's Fate

Guan Jie was dumbfounded, clearly not expecting his boss to come up with such an idea.

He wanted to say something more, but Chen Zhili was already very impatient and waved Guan Jie out.

With Guan Jie's nagging gone, the office was indeed much quieter. Chen Zhili picked up the newspaper on the table, which reported the words of the protesters that day.

There are also some photos and videos from the scene.

Looking at the complaints against the Welfare Department made by reporters, Chen Zhili felt only laughter; these people were simply troublemakers.

It's just the death of an old beggar, why is it causing such a big commotion? The government is just too well-fed and is giving these people subsidies.

They should all be starved to death.

As for how to suppress this matter, we should give the police some benefits and send some blessings to the civil affairs department. If everyone helps each other, those troublemakers won't be able to cause any trouble.

They've received plenty of benefits in the past, so getting their help with this little thing shouldn't be a problem.

The civil affairs department is responsible for the relationship between the people and the government, so it seems like this kind of thing is something that can't be bypassed.

The police force is responsible for controlling the protest site and also needs to make arrangements. These operations are very familiar to Chen Zhili, and they have almost become muscle memory for her.

As for Guan Jie's claim that it would cause a huge commotion, he felt that it was somewhat alarmist. Although the previous incidents were not as sensational as this one, they were still quite significant.

If you let it cool down for a while, the matter will pass.

Do you really think those people don't have to go to work or support their families?
Unless someone is willing to pay them to cause trouble every day, this rabble will not amount to anything.

If Li Jiayuan were here, he would definitely give this director a big round of applause.

What a coincidence! How did you know? I don't have much of anything, but I have a lot of money, huh?

After Guan Jie left the office and returned to his post, Chen Ziqian, a colleague and friend of his, saw him come out with a sullen face and went up to him.

"How did the talks go? What does the boss say about how to handle this?"

Guan Jie had no smile on his face; instead, his eyes conveyed a hint of sorrow.

Seeing his state, Chen Ziqian probably knew that the conversation was likely to be very unpleasant, but he did not expect that the situation was actually much worse.

Guan Jie gulped down a mouthful of water.

"The boss said to get a report from the forensic doctor and issue a certificate of determination, classifying the homeless man's death as an illness."

Chen Ziqian's eyes gradually filled with horror. He could hardly believe his ears and screamed softly.

"No way!!"

"Are you crazy? Aren't you afraid of inciting public outrage? Do you think the civil affairs department will help us?"

The core of this matter lies with the Home Affairs Department. If they don't help share the burden, then doing so will inevitably backfire, Kwan Kit countered.

"What do you think?"

"Do they get all those quotas and bonuses every year for nothing?"

Guan Jie understood the relationship between these departments better than Chen Ziqian. He was certain that the Civil Affairs Department would step in to share the burden, but Chen Zhili's approach was a very poor one.

Moreover, he always had a bad feeling about it.

Chen Ziqian patted Guan Jie on the shoulder, no longer as nervous as before.

"Hey, since the Civil Affairs Bureau will be the one to carry the flag, what are you worried about? Don't worry, it's fine. We're just doing a job anyway."

Guan Jie didn't respond. He was thinking further ahead. Chen Zhili's method was likely to provoke a strong backlash from the people, and he didn't dare to imagine how serious the consequences would be.

If things become unbearable and those above hold accountable, who will be responsible?

Based on his understanding of Chen Zhili, it definitely couldn't be him.

Guan Jie was a seasoned veteran; he knew that in situations like this, he was the most vulnerable. One wrong move and he'd be the scapegoat. No, he had to think of a backup plan.
In fact, besides this perfunctory approach, Kwan Kit and his colleagues had many other ways to quell public anger, such as having the Welfare Department take the lead and proactively admit their mistakes.

We should try to provide compensation, improve the basic environment, and introduce new policies to make things more convenient for the people, so that everyone can see our sincerity.

But neither Guan Jie nor Chen Zhili were used to, or rather, had ever considered, those methods.

Because all those methods require spending money.

Cultivating relationships also requires spending money, but the welfare department staff would rather use that money to cultivate relationships than do anything practical, because they feel deep down that it's not worth it.

Using this money to cultivate relationships and maintain connections can solve problems just as well, so why not?

Under Guan Jie's arrangement, the Welfare Department published a clarification in the newspaper to clarify the rumors. After so many days of sensation, how could the media possibly let go of such a hot topic?

Both TVB and ATV rushed to report on their responses to this matter.

Wong Tai Sin, the small house in the housing estate rented by the Fong family
Fang Min was watching TV. Sister Ling didn't go to work today; she was doing housework at home.

"Wow, Sister Ling, look at the news! The welfare department said that the old man died of illness."

"That's absolutely outrageous!"

The recent incident of an elderly person starving to death outside the Welfare Department in Yau Ma Tei has sparked intense public reaction and discussion. In response, the Welfare Department issued an official statement clarifying that the incident was a baseless rumor.

While hanging clothes out to dry by the window, Sister Ling turned to look at the news and was amused and exasperated by the story.

"When TVB reported it before, the police said he starved to death. Now that it's been going on for so long, they're saying he died of illness. Do they think we're stupid?"

"Exactly. They're like dead men when it comes to getting them to work, but they're masters at shirking responsibility."

"I'm not watching anymore, the more I watch, the angrier I get."

Fang Min turned off the TV and went back to her room to study.

Anyone in Hong Kong who was following this issue saw the news reports, and even the most patient person couldn't help but curse after reading what that reporter said.

Residents of Tsim Sha Tsui, the epicenter of the public outcry and the main area of ​​the protests, were even more furious upon seeing the news.

"This is outrageous!"

"Brother Yuan, these people have no shame whatsoever, what should we do now?"

Today, Li Jiayuan also came to the parade site to participate in the parade with Li Yao and the others, mainly to take photos in preparation for being featured in the news and newspapers.

He believes that the addition of a local councilor will make the news even more sensational.

Then he took the opportunity to cheer on the protesters. Just as he finished encouraging them, the news came out, and Li Jiayuan, Li Yao, and others who had watched the news at a convenience store were furious.

Li Jiayuan did not expect the Welfare Department to give such a response at this time.

He really didn't know whether to call that director an idiot or too confident for saying something like that at this time; you could even call it a provocation.

Li Yao was the angrier one; he looked like he was about to faint.

Actually, they didn't want to cause trouble; they just wanted an attitude. Over the years, what has the Welfare Department of Hong Kong Island done that they can be proud of or talk about?

Letting such a bunch of good-for-nothings waste taxpayers' money, who wouldn't be angry?

If you can do it, do it; if you can't, get out. Isn't their protest just to force the welfare department to make changes and actually do something practical?

But the Welfare Department did nothing wrong; instead, it shamelessly shirked its responsibilities. This complacent attitude completely ignited the protesters in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The day after the press release, the number of protesters increased by two-thirds compared to the previous day.

A bombshell was also dropped in the news.

[Li Ka-yuen, a prominent Hong Kong Island businessman, and a Yau Ma District Councillor participated.]

(End of this chapter)