Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

10:00 AM.

In front of the notice board in the lobby on the first floor of the High-tech Zone Management Committee building, a large crowd gathered, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it felt like a funeral.

A notice titled "A Notice of Criticism Regarding the Late Arrivals of Some Staff Members," printed on an A3 sheet of paper, was prominently displayed in the center.

Above, more than forty names were listed in dense detail, along with their exact lateness times this morning, down to the second.

From Zhang Xiaolong (45 minutes late) to Li Cuihua (6 minutes late), none escaped the consequences.

At the end of the list was a line of bold, black Song typeface characters, exuding an unquestionable coldness and authority.

[...The above-mentioned comrades disregarded organizational discipline, displayed a lax work style, and seriously disrupted the normal work order of the Management Committee. After deliberation, it has been decided to issue a district-wide public reprimand to the above-mentioned personnel and deduct their entire performance bonus for the month. All comrades are urged to take this as a warning and correct their work attitude. This is hereby announced.]

Signed by: Liu Ming, Deputy Director of the High-tech Zone Management Committee.

On the back, there was a bright red, brand-new personal seal belonging to Liu Ming.

This caused an uproar throughout the entire management committee building!

"Holy crap! They really issued a notice? And they're even docking my performance bonus?"

"He's gone mad! This guy surnamed Liu has really gone mad! Doesn't he know who's on this list? He's offended half of Ningzhou's influential people with connections!"

"This isn't just offending them, it's a direct declaration of war! Zhang Xiaolong is Secretary Wang's nephew, and Li Cuihua is the Finance Bureau Director's wife... This is a resounding slap in the face!"

"Just wait and see! I bet within three days, this guy surnamed Liu will be thrown out of the director's office!"

……

Public reprimand and performance bonus deduction.

For those with genuine connections, this might hurt, but it wouldn't be a serious blow.

However, they all underestimated Liu Ming's ruthlessness.

Or rather, they all underestimated the power of Liu Ming's "roster".

Right next to that notice of criticism was another document, one that sent chills down everyone's spine.

—Notice on the Termination of Labor Contracts with 15 Non-Civil Service Personnel Including Wang Ergou and Sun Meili.

These fifteen people are all "ghost employees" who are registered under the names of logistics and the labor union, but do not work year-round and only receive a salary.

What they have in common is that they have strong connections and deep backgrounds.

Normally, even Wang Dawei would politely offer them a cigarette, let alone the leaders of the management committee.

But now...

Liu Ming, the newly arrived deputy director, actually... fired them?

The reasons given in the document are simple and blunt, yet irrefutable.

[...The above-mentioned personnel have been absent from work without cause for an extended period, which is a serious violation of the Labor Contract Law and the relevant personnel management regulations of the Management Committee. Upon verification, their employment contracts are terminated effective immediately.]

The signature at the end was still the same, with its flamboyant and elegant style.

—Liu Ming.

This completely changed the nature of the situation.

If the previous attendance checks were just minor "discipline rectification" measures...

So now, directly expelling fifteen "royal relatives" is nothing short of a naked "political struggle"!

This is like flipping the table!

It was a direct, frontal assault on Wang Dawei and the intricate network of relationships behind him!

"This is outrageous! Outrageous! What right does a mere deputy director have to fire us?"

"Exactly! I got in here through personal connections from city leaders! They think they can just open it like that?"

"Let's go! Let's find Secretary Wang! I refuse to believe that this High-Tech Zone is run by some outsider like him!"

When the news broke, the dismissed associates were in an uproar!

They stormed up to the top floor, completely blocking the office of Wang Dawei, the director of the management committee, crying and demanding an explanation.

Wang Dawei looked at the group of relatives and old friends he had treated as "pawns" and "cash cows" and felt utterly overwhelmed.

He was holding the dismissal notice and the list of latecomers in his hands, trembling with anger.

He never expected this!

That Liu Ming kid is ruthless! He doesn't play by the rules at all!

He thought that being dumped on him with the "mess" of logistics and the labor union would be enough to overwhelm him and leave him no time to take care of himself.

But to his utter surprise, the other party was not intimidated at all. Instead, he used the "knife" he had given him to stab him in the heart!

This stab left him bleeding profusely, catching him completely off guard!

He's now in a bind!

If he were to step in and protect this group of people with connections, it would be blatant defiance of the deputy director appointed by the municipal party committee, and a violation of the rules!

But what if he loses his life...?

How will he survive in Ningzhou, a place where "personal connections" and "relationships" are so important?

"Shut the fuck up, all of you!"

Annoyed by the noise, Wang Dawei slammed his fist on the table and roared, "What kind of behavior is this, crying and wailing?! So what if I got fired? Is the sky falling down?"

He looked at his beloved nephew Zhang Xiaolong and was furious.

"And you! I told you to go and find out what he's up to, who told you to go head-to-head with him?! And you even said 'the High-Tech Zone is my home'? Do you even have a brain?"

Zhang Xiaolong was thoroughly scolded, shrinking back and not daring to retaliate.

"Get out of here, all of you!" Wang Dawei waved his hand impatiently. "I know what I'm doing!"

……

They sent away that group of relatives who were crying and begging for mercy.

Wang Dawei sat alone in the empty office, lit a cigar, and looked so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip from his face.

He knew that Liu Ming's move was not only a slap in the face to him.

Even more so... a power grab!

Logistics and labor unions, although they are peripheral departments.

However, they control the most basic and important personnel and financial power of the management committee!

Liu Ming is now using "rectifying discipline" as a pretext to drastically clean house. While it may seem like he is offending people, he is actually planting his own people inside!

Once he gets the job, he can completely replace those two departments with his own people.

Then Wang Dawei, the top leader, is essentially being sidelined!

No!

We absolutely cannot let him succeed!

Wang Dawei took a deep drag on his cigar, a ruthless glint in his eyes!

"Kid, you want to play with fire?"

"Then I'll add a little something extra!"

He picked up the red phone on the table and dialed a number.

"Hey? Is this Lao Zhao? I'm Wang Dawei."

"Isn't your niece just back from studying abroad and hasn't found a job yet?"

"I have a good spot here, I wonder if she'd be interested?"

……

at the same time.

Liu Ming's office, however, was filled with peace and tranquility.

He was leisurely drinking tea and looking at the scenery outside the window.

It was as if the towering waves outside, which were caused by him, had nothing to do with him.

Chen Momo, the contract worker girl with thick-rimmed glasses, was standing in front of his desk, holding a document in her hands. She was so nervous that she could barely speak.

"Director Liu...you...you really want me...to be in charge of logistics and procurement?"

Just now, Liu Ming personally signed his first personnel appointment in the High-tech Zone.

Chen Momo was promoted to Deputy Director (in charge of work) of the Logistics Service Center.

"What? No confidence?" Liu Ming smiled.

"I...I'm afraid I won't do a good job..." Chen Momo's voice was barely audible.

"What are you afraid of?" Liu Ming looked at her, her eyes full of encouragement. "You just need to remember two things."

"First, all procurements will be conducted through open bidding, with the lowest bidder winning."

"Second, write down the names of everyone who dares to pass you notes, make requests, or try to get things done through connections, and give them directly to me."

"I'll handle the rest."

"Even if something really bad happens, I'll cover for you."

Chen Momo looked into Liu Ming's eyes, which were filled with strong confidence and a sense of security. Her heart, which had been trembling with inferiority and fear, miraculously calmed down.

She nodded heavily!

"Yes, Director Liu!"

Just then.

Liu Ming's phone rang.

It was a call from Shen Congwen, the secretary of the municipal party secretary and the governor of a province.

"Director Liu, the Party Secretary has seen the list of latecomers you sent."

Shen Congwen's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible laughter.

"The Party Secretary said, 'Well done.'"

He also said…

"This fire isn't burning bright enough."

"Let me ask you, do you need some more firewood?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ming smiled.

He knew that his first strike had not only hurt Wang Dawei.

Yes, it hit the nail on the head, right to the heart of the municipal party secretary.

"Secretary Shen, please thank the Party Secretary for me."

"No need for firewood."

"but……"

Looking out the window at the vast park, brimming with opportunities and... parasites, Liu Ming's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Could you please prepare a larger 'trash can' for me?"

"Because I'm afraid there will be too much trash coming out when we clear it out."

"One office isn't enough."