When Ji Yang received Tao Guangming’s phone call, he hurried to his office.
Upon entering the office, Ji Yang noticed it was shrouded in cigarette smoke; he couldn’t tell how many people had been smoking.
On closer inspection, there was only Tao Guangming sitting there.
"Deputy Tao, what’s going on here?" Ji Yang was confused.
"Ji Yang, sit down and let’s talk."
Tao Guangming, without getting up, gestured for Ji Yang to take a seat.
Ji Yang had no choice but to sit down.
Tao Guangming’s gaze lingered on Ji Yang for a while before he slowly said, "Ji Yang, I’ve been notified that I must return to the country immediately. The organization wants you to temporarily take charge of the work here."
Ji Yang looked at the other man, puzzled. This news was truly unexpected.
Tao Guangming tossed a cigarette to Ji Yang and, after lighting one for himself, took a deep drag and said, "Several of the people who came here with me have had incidents, and someone has to take responsibility for that. It just so happens that I’m in charge here."
Ji Yang had known such a situation was likely and was somewhat at a loss for words now. In fact, Tao Guangming wasn’t entirely to blame; those people had simply been set up. However, an incident had occurred, and indeed someone needed to take responsibility.
"At the beginning, I didn’t anticipate it becoming so complicated. If it hadn’t been for the recordings you provided, and my questioning of those we captured, I could have really believed it was orchestrated by anti-government forces. Sigh, alas, discussing it now is pointless."
Ji Yang said, "Not all of this can be blamed on you, right?"
"Ah, Ji Yang, sometimes I can’t help but think it comes down to luck. My luck has been quite bad. I thought nothing would go wrong, but things still did. I’ve reported the contents of the phone you gave me to the higher-ups, and they are aware of the inside story, but the fact is, the incident did occur."
Ji Yang now didn’t even know what to say.
Tao Guangming continued, "During this incident, you performed very well, rescuing those who were captured without any harm coming to you. The organization has taken note of this. That’s also why, after I leave, you’ll be temporarily in charge of our work."
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Ji Yang didn’t mind overseeing things temporarily, but the key was that the right person needed to be in charge.
Tao Guangming sighed and said, "This position is a pitfall. Do you think any of them would actually want to come here?"
Ji Yang was left speechless. Tao Guangming was right – those deputy provincial leaders from the rear did not want to step into Tao Guangming’s shoes; they would avoid it at all costs. In other words, don’t expect anyone to come in the short term.
Seeing Ji Yang understood, Tao Guangming said, "When I leave, some others will return too, mainly those with connections. So, regarding those who remain, you can command them as you see fit."
"Leader, I’m just a regular deputy director. There are a few people more experienced and qualified than me; letting them take over wouldn’t be too bad."
Tao Guangming then looked at Ji Yang and said, "Those few will be returning with me. Some people will be sent to replace them. Oh, and your subordinate Lu Wanli and others will be going back as well."
It was like being set up to wait for disaster!
Ji Yang suddenly felt that if the slightest thing went wrong here, some people would blow it out of proportion, cutting off his path to career advancement.
This was done with impermeable precision.
Ji Yang couldn’t think of any way to counter this for the moment.
Tao Guangming added, "The provincial office has also given instructions – the initial work must still continue. It’s all up to you now."
To be in charge of work while the original tasks must still go on!
Tao Guangming gave Ji Yang a meaningful look and said, "Ah, Ji Yang, be careful." He clearly knew some inner details, and with those words, he gave Ji Yang a hint.