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

Indeed, they've completely abandoned any attempt to hide it.

And this also means that, in Zhao Mingyuan's eyes, everything has reached its final stage.

Li Feitu's fate is already sealed; the only thing to consider now is how terrible his end will be.

In Zhao Mingyuan's view, the more miserable the better, but although the Li family had failed, they still had power. Without absolute certainty, he was not confident that he could bring Li Feitu down to the bottom, or even imprison him for a period of time.

And Chen Jingcheng had just such an opportunity.

"Jingcheng, everyone has to consider things for themselves."

"You haven't known Li Feitu for very long, and he has shown you great kindness, but should such kindness really cost you your prime years?"

"I know you are young, and young people are often impulsive and lack composure."

"Some things that you think can move you or even others, not to mention that they will become a joke in the eyes of many people, even you yourself, years later, when you look back on today's choices, will feel a sense of loss and regret."

"So, I'm giving you one last chance, a chance to change your destiny."

"As long as you do as I say, you can continue as the deputy director of the government office, and you will still be guaranteed a position at the level of section chief within one to two years. Furthermore, I will continue my previous promise to make you a deputy director-level cadre before you turn thirty, so that you can completely step out of the social class of Linchuan County and truly enter the officialdom."

"You need to understand that the starting point of a career is never at the section chief level, but rather, it's only when you reach the deputy director level that it truly begins!"

As Zhao Mingyuan spoke, a smile, even one of pride, appeared on his face.

"There's one more thing I can tell you now, so you'll understand that my promise to you is valid and will be fulfilled."

"Just after the meeting today, Secretary Sun of the Municipal Party Committee personally spoke with me and told me that he hoped to see me in the leadership team of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government."

"Perhaps soon, I will be promoted. Of course, I will try to stay in Linchuan County and serve as the county party secretary for a while, but I think you understand what that means."

"So, Jingcheng, do you want a smooth career with the help of benefactors and to rise all the way up, or do you want to fall to the bottom with Li Feitu? You can decide for yourself."

It's very appealing. It has to be said that Zhao Mingyuan really went to great lengths to win over Chen Jingcheng, or rather, to deal with Li Feitu.

Moreover, Chen Jingcheng had to admit that Zhao Mingyuan's words made sense.

Especially the choices made by so-called young people, the so-called impulsive decisions, the so-called loyalty of today, may lead to regret in the future.

At least, Chen Jingcheng knew that a considerable number of people who were not young were regretting some of the wrong decisions they made when they were young.

In their view, if they hadn't made the wrong choice due to youthful impulsiveness and instead chosen a different path, they might be living a better life now.

Chen Jingcheng doesn't deny these things, but that's just the nature of young people: not mature enough, not rational enough, not clear-headed enough, and even knowing it's wrong, they still insist on doing it.

However, as I said before, this is what young people are like, this is what young people should be like.

Chen Jingcheng didn't know if he would regret it later, but he knew that if he made the decision Zhao Mingyuan wanted today, he would be unable to get over it, at least for now.

Looking at Zhao Mingyuan, Chen Jingcheng's expression also became serious.

"Secretary Zhao, I am very grateful to you for giving me chances time and time again, but what I want to say is that the condition for the chances you gave me is that I betray County Chief Li, or even, when he is in his most difficult time, throw a huge rock that is enough to sink him to the bottom of the abyss."

"You framed him for doing something he didn't do, didn't you?"

Zhao Mingyuan was also very frank, saying calmly, "If you insist on understanding it that way, then so be it."

"But, in fact, the result is that, whether you do it or not, Li Feitu's fate is already sealed, but yours is not."

"Chen Jingcheng, if you think that doing this will make many people say that you are a villain or a traitor, then I think you don't need to worry about it at all. Because when you are powerful enough, when you still hold power and are still in a position, all you will see and hear are good people, good words, and good things."

"And if you are to sink to the bottom with Li Feitu, then what you will see and hear in the future will be the last thing you want to see and hear. You will not be the one who is loyal in other people's eyes, but only a fool and an idiot in other people's eyes."

"Li Feitu is not already standing on the edge of a cliff, he is destined to fall off the cliff. Whether you push him or not, this step cannot be changed. However, you can change your own destiny."

"To be honest, I admire you too, which is why I keep giving you chances."

"I think I, as the county party secretary, have already shown enough sincerity. If you still refuse me, then you can get up and leave my office now."

"But you need to be prepared. I'm certain your fate will be far worse than Li Feitu's. At least the Li family, though defeated, can still offer some protection to Li Feitu. But who will protect you?"

It's both an attempt to win them over and a threat.

It was both enticement and coercion.

What can be said is all true.

Chen Jingcheng took a deep breath and, without the slightest hesitation, stood up from his chair, looked at Zhao Mingyuan, and revealed a smile.

"Secretary Zhao, thank you very much for your appreciation and for giving me this opportunity."

"But, I'm sorry."

"I know that the best choice for me right now, and the best outcome for me in the future, is to accept your proposal and betray County Chief Li."

"I've thought about it, but ultimately, I couldn't convince myself."

"Perhaps my personality is not suited for a career in politics, but I don't want to go against my inner will and conscience. If these things change, no matter how high or far I go, I will not be a good official, nor will I be the kind of official I want to be."

"Actually, this is no longer a question of whether or not I betray County Magistrate Li Feitu. Rather, if I make this choice, I am betraying myself. I will become the kind of person I hate the most, the kind of bureaucrat. Because this is not only betraying myself, but also becoming the kind of person who will choose to betray the people in the future."

"I'm sorry, I don't want to be the kind of person who only thinks of himself and doesn't consider the people."

"I can compromise, I can be tactful, I can even do things against my conscience, and I can blur the lines between public and private matters, but I can never be without principles or conscience!"

"Excuse me, Secretary Zhao, I'll be going now."

After saying these words, Chen Jingcheng turned and left Zhao Mingyuan's office, his steps firm and powerful.

Yes, he would not betray Li Feitu for his own future. As he said, if he betrayed Li Feitu, he would be betraying himself, his conscience, and his bottom line.

Perhaps betraying these people will bring a smooth and successful career, but would that make one a good official?

Will he be a good official who cares about the people and wants to do things for them?

Do not!

No, not only will he not, but he will probably become the kind of bureaucrat he hates most.

This is not the result Chen Jingcheng wanted.

If he knew he would become that kind of person in the future, he would rather cut off his path to promotion now and never set foot in officialdom again.