Qiu Mingchen snorted coldly and said, "Our police station wanted to arrest someone, but Mayor Chen got there first."

"Mayor Chen, what's going on here? Since when did you start doing the police station's job?"

Liu Fuwen asked mockingly.

Chen Fang smiled and replied, "When did Commissioner Liu start leading? Since I am the mayor, when has it become your place to question me?"

"You…"

That remark stopped Liu Fuwen in his tracks.

Committee Member Ye Guiying quickly said, "Mayor Chen, it's true you're the mayor, but you can't just do whatever you want, can you? Don't tell me you intend to cover for the suspect?"

"Exactly, such behavior makes it hard for us not to suspect that you want to protect the suspect. Everyone here knows Xu Lianyun intends to support Chagang Village's economy, and you are deliberately trying to absolve them."

Upon hearing what Ye Guiying had said, Liu Fuwen felt energized.

He contested passionately.

Indeed, just as anticipated.

They were going to bring Xu Lianyun into this.

Seeing Chen Fang at a disadvantage,

Yuan Zhenting on the side seemed very pleased.

He crossed his legs, showing an air of watching a fight from the sidelines.

Suddenly, Chen Fang turned to him and asked, "Old Mayor, as you know, I, Chen Fang, just took office as mayor and have already encountered such a thorny issue. May I ask, in such situations of dispute, how does our town's party committee typically resolve them?"

Yuan Zhenting hadn't expected Chen Fang to ask such a question.

Isn't that too elementary?

How can such a person be a mayor?

With a slight smile, he said, "Our government's decisions rely on democratic centralism, which is exactly why we have party groups, preventing any individual from making all decisions and abusing power. The minority follows the majority."

"Good, the Old Mayor put it well, the minority follows the majority. Since that's the case, let's follow the old rules and take turns stating our positions. I'll start. I declare the establishment of a cooperative warehouse fire investigation committee, and I will personally lead it. Let's hear your opinions."

Chen Fang said.

Take turns stating positions?

Hearing this, Yuan Zhenting almost laughed aloud.

Has Chen Fang lost his mind?

To think of using a show of hands in Fuguang Town?

If we really resolve it this way, wouldn't it play right into my hands?

To prevent Chen Fang from backing out, Yuan Zhenting quickly cleared his throat and said, "Mayor Chen is right, it's essential to set up an investigation committee. However, Mayor Chen, I remind you, a party committee meeting is no child's play. Once we enter into a vote, it will be recorded and whoever it is, whatever their views, must adhere to it."

"Don't worry, Old Mayor, I, Chen Fang, still understand these rules."

This response pleased Yuan Zhenting.

He glanced at Liu Fuwen.

Liu Fuwen got the hint and said, "I'll start then. I don't think Mayor Chen is the best choice for the head of the investigation committee. He has just arrived at our Fuguang Town and still doesn't quite understand everyone's situations. Therefore, I disagree with this proposal."

"Exactly, I think the same. We need someone who understands our town very well to head this committee, so I also disagree."

Committee Member Ye Guiying quickly stated as well.

Right from the start, there were already two votes against him.

Of course, this wasn't the end.

The Director of the Armed Forces and member of the Political and Legal Committee, Zou Qiling, paused for a moment before simply saying, "I also disagree."

"I disagree."

Party committee member and police station chief, Qiu Mingchen, added as well.

As soon as he finished speaking,

Deputy Mayor Li Song quickly followed, saying, "I also disagree."

In less than a minute,

Out of the 11 party members, five had already expressed their opposition.

The situation was more than one-sided; it was a rout.

The outcome of the vote was within everyone's expectations.

In a corner, Yuan Zhenting lit a cigarette, leisurely started smoking.

He had reached the peak of his contempt for Chen Fang in his heart.

At that moment, Ruan Yan, the propaganda member, cleared her throat and said, "I have a different opinion on this matter. Songlin Village and Chagang Village in our town have always had inherent conflicts. The disharmony between the two villages over the years is well-known, and since this issue has never been resolved, it indicates that our previous methods were ineffective. Now that this incident has emerged, involving both villages, allowing Mayor Chen, our new leader, to resolve it might be the best approach."

After finishing her speech,

She paused again and said, "Therefore, I support Mayor Chen serving as the head of the investigation team."

Ruan Yan's words were like a bombshell.

They rippled the calm lake surface, creating waves upon waves.

However, this outcome did not surprise Yuan Zhenting much.

After all, when he was in office, he had suppressed Ruan Yan numerous times; it was well-known that this woman did not get along with him.

He thought, what use was Ruan Yan's support anyway?

It still wouldn't change the overall situation.

"I also agree with Commissioner Ruan's opinion. I also think that entrusting this thorny issue to Mayor Chen is appropriate," said Gao Bo, the deputy mayor in charge of village planning, expressionlessly.

3 to 5.

Were the signs of a comeback emerging?

Liu Fuwen sensed that something was wrong.

He elbowed Cong Duo, who had been silent next to him.

He signaled her to quickly make her stance clear.

Cong Duo had been in a dazed state throughout the meeting.

Now reminded by Liu Fuwen, she hastily said, "Uh... well, in my view..."

At this point,

She paused.

She made eye contact with Chen Fang.

As if she had made up her mind, she said, "In my view, Comrade Chen Fang is suitable to serve as the head of the investigation team; I also express my approval."

Another bombshell.

This time, even Yuan Zhenting, who had been looking down and smoking, raised his head.

At this moment,

He must have been regretful.

After all, Cong Duo had expressed numerous times her willingness to align with him, and it was only he who had consistently underestimated her.

"Mayor Chen really has good tactics, quite adept at winning people's hearts. He hasn't been in office for long, yet he has already drawn his own camp out. Admirable, admirable!" said Liu Fuwen in his typical sarcastic tone.

His words were intended for Chen Fang to hear, and they were also a satire on those who sided with him.

Chen Fang just smiled and said, "Commissioner Liu, I, Chen Fang, accept your criticism as a young man, but you shouldn't ridicule the former mayor like this. Don't you have any respect for the elderly and love for the young?"

"When did I ridicule the former mayor?"

"If these people support me, it means I am winning people's hearts. I heard that when the former mayor was in office, whenever he made a suggestion, everyone would agree. Aren't you implying that the former mayor was even better at winning people's hearts?" Chen Fang asked.

Liu Fuwen was rendered speechless again.

In the field of verbal exchanges, he indeed was no match for Chen Fang.

"Alright, stop interrupting and continue the vote," said Yuan Zhenting.

He should not have spoken.

But seeing their endless quarreling, he could only interject a reminder.

At this moment, he was starting to get anxious.

This time, everyone's eyes were on Luo Yide, the chairman of the People's Congress.

Luo Yide's stance was clear to everyone without needing to think.

Firstly, he was personally promoted by Yuan Zhenting, and secondly, being the son-in-law of Songlin Village, he was practically a member of the Yuan family. Whom he would support was crystal clear.

The opposition was just one vote short.

If Luo Yide expressed opposition, this vote could be considered concluded.

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