In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

The call was answered quickly.

Director Zhang of the Market Supervision Bureau sounded very enthusiastic and seemed pleased that Chen Jingcheng had called him.

"Director Chen, is there any instruction you need for this call at this hour?"

Chen Jingcheng smiled and said, "Director Zhang, I don't have any instructions, but there's something I'd like to trouble you with."

Upon hearing that Chen Jingcheng needed to speak with him, Director Zhang immediately became interested.

In the network of relationships in the county town, favors are sometimes owed to each other, and people help each other out. This is how relationships become more closely intertwined. As people help each other, they become like family, and that is what we call connections.

For officials like them, sometimes when relatives and friends want to help, they may not be willing to do so due to certain circumstances. Even if they do help, it's not out of pure willingness. However, if it's someone of the same rank or someone with great potential, they are very happy to offer assistance.

After all, if you help someone today, that person might be able to help you another day.

This is how big a small county town is.

If you help me get into a school today, I can help take care of you at the hospital tomorrow.

If you expedite my paperwork approval today, I can offer you other assistance in my field tomorrow.

This is what you call connections.

Connections are not about who you know or how many people you know, but rather whether you have any value to others, and how much that value is.

While others are part of your network, can you become part of their network?

It's a bit cruel, but that's reality.

"Haha, Director Chen, why are you being so polite with me? Just tell me what you need."

Chen Jingcheng then told Director Zhang what Li Sumei had said.

After saying this, Chen Jingcheng smiled and said, "Director Zhang, I don't want to put you in a difficult position, but my aunt's family isn't well-off either; they run a small business just to make ends meet."

"At the time, there was some conflict and an argument with our law enforcement officers. It was because I was in a hurry. I asked him to apologize to our law enforcement officers and see if the seal could be removed."

"They will make the necessary rectifications. I will not accept it if they fail to do so."

"Also, isn't a fine of 30,000 a bit too much?"

"Hehe, I know that our bureau also has quotas for fines, but no matter how many quotas there are, they have to be reasonable. Thirty thousand is a bit too much. Even if it's the maximum penalty, we have to consider the people's ability to pay and give them a chance to correct their mistakes."

"Of course, these are just my personal thoughts. I don't know the specifics; I've only heard about it."

"So, I'd like to trouble Director Zhang to inquire whether it's possible to reduce the fine as much as possible within the bounds of reason, law, and compliance. If they really have to be punished this way, that's fine too. I'll look into the situation and give them an explanation."

Chen Jingcheng wasn't very familiar with this Director Zhang, and it was impossible for him to simply ask him to be exempted from punishment.

This isn't asking for help; this is creating trouble for yourself.

He first acknowledged that Aunt Lin did indeed have a problem and should be punished, and then he realized his mistake and was willing to apologize.

However, it was also mentioned that Aunt Lin's family was not wealthy. Was the maximum penalty of 30,000 yuan reasonable? If so, could the fine be adjusted upwards or downwards? Finally, Chen Jingcheng directly pointed out the fine quota set by Director Zhang within the bureau. He didn't say anything else, but by raising this point, he was essentially asking whether the law enforcement officers were imposing the maximum penalty simply to meet the fine quota, and whether doing so was appropriate and reasonable.

Of course, everything was phrased as asking for someone's help.

But they're all shrewd people. What kind of organization is the Market Supervision Bureau?

This can be described as a very powerful organization.

After all, this unit was formed by integrating the powers of the former industrial and commercial administration, food and drug administration and other departments.

Its jurisdiction is very broad, covering almost every aspect.

Therefore, the person who can become the head of this unit is not a simple person, but a shrewd and capable individual.

Director Zhang laughed and said on the phone, "Okay, Director Chen, I understand the general situation. Please wait a few minutes while I ask around. I'll call you back as soon as I've found out."

Director Zhang then hung up the phone.

Chen Jingcheng looked at Li Sumei and smiled, "Mom, don't worry, everything will be fine."

"I've already made the necessary arrangements, but I don't know how much help I can provide."

"We've done our best, Aunt Lin won't blame us."

That's true, but if you can't help someone, it's hard to say what they'll think.

In this world, many people feel that as long as they ask for help, others must help them, especially those who rely on kinship or friendship. They feel that if others fail to help, it means they did not try their best.

However, many people don't understand that becoming an official doesn't necessarily solve all problems.

The disciplinary committee is not just for show. There are many times when bureau chiefs are not familiar with each other and their relationships are not good.

If officials are to protect each other, at least those within the same camp should do so.

If you become the director of the education bureau, and you want to go to school or change classes, I can help you find a way. But the problem is, instead of asking the director of the education bureau to solve school-related issues, you insist on asking him to help you solve problems with the public security bureau. This is completely irrelevant, and it's uncertain how much help he can actually provide.

After all, he's the director of the education bureau, not the director of the public security bureau.

This also applies to the deputy county head in charge of specific areas, sometimes.

The departments they are in charge of are different. Some local bigwigs and bureau chiefs with deep roots will not give face to anyone, not even their own superiors, let alone those who are not in charge of them.

This is not a joke, it's the truth.

As for Aunt Lin, apart from exchanging greetings with Li Sumei, she didn't give her a single penny or a bag of fruit. She just used her connections to help her as much as she could, and even then, she couldn't solve the problem. So, Aunt Lin shouldn't complain at all.

Otherwise, then there's something wrong with that person.

A few minutes later, Director Zhang called.

After taking the phone, Chen Jingcheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, thank you very much, Director Zhang."

After finishing speaking, Chen Jingcheng hung up the phone, looked at Li Sumei with a smile and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Lin, the seal will be removed. Her husband should also apologize to the law enforcement officers."

"After all, they're just doing their job. You may not understand, but you can't push and shove them. If there's anything, you can complain, give feedback, or question them, but you can't resort to violence."

"As for the fine, we can forgo the 30,000 yuan fine, but the 5,000 yuan fine still needs to be paid, since they did something wrong."

Upon hearing this, Li Sumei immediately smiled.

"Okay, I'll call your Aunt Lin right now."

"She will be very happy."

However, as soon as she finished the call, Li Sumei looked at Chen Jingcheng and smiled, "Jingcheng, your Aunt Lin is coming to our house to talk to you in person. She's already downstairs and should be at the door by now."

"I'll go open the door for her."

Chen Jingcheng smiled and didn't say anything. He had used personal connections, and in principle, he had also abused his power for personal gain. However, he did not interfere with other people's law enforcement; he simply resolved the issue within the bounds of reason and law.

If sealing off the area is optional, why insist on doing so and deny ordinary people a way to survive?

Why must the fine be high, and why can't it be as low as possible, when the amount can vary?

Humane law enforcement cannot be just a slogan; it must be put into practice in the actions of every law enforcement officer.