Li Xiuyuan's original plan was to use the contents of the materials to directly warn Ma Tao, and then meet Wan Xinxin at the restaurant where Ma Tao often ate that evening, make a brief appearance, and inadvertently reveal Wan Xinxin's identity.

To intimidate Ma Tao.

This isn't exactly an open conspiracy, but the plan has few steps and can be implemented openly and honestly.

However, after Hou Peng's betrayal, Li Xiuyuan's demands on Ma Tao changed. Before, he only asked Ma Tao to abstain from the competition, but now he demanded that Ma Tao turn around and support him.

A mere intimidation won't suffice; we need to utterly scare Ma Tao out of his wits.

So the plan was changed. Instead of revealing the dirty secrets about Ma Tao, Li Xiuyuan would first invite Ma Tao over to talk about work. After about ten minutes, Zhang Yaozong would call him and then leave, leaving Ma Tao with some personal space.

On the table were the bidding company's materials, which were the focus of the town's current political struggle. Ma Tao would definitely take a look, and then he would find the whistleblower letter hidden under the materials.

Before returning to his office, he called Wan Xinxin again to let Ma Tao know that he was having dinner with the county discipline inspection secretary's niece that evening.

If Ma Tao continues to fall for the trap and follows her to the restaurant that night to inquire about information, then she will further implement her plan by revealing that she wants to bring down Ma Tao and have Wan Xinxin take over as a member of the Discipline Inspection Commission in the central town.

Li Xiuyuan thought it unlikely that Ma Tao would doubt the authenticity of this matter, because it was a trap set for intelligent people.

Firstly, the reason why the whistleblower letter appeared on his own desk instead of in Zhang Xingguo's or Hou Peng's office is simple: he is the only newly arrived member of the town's Party Committee and the executive deputy mayor, and he also has connections and a strong background in the county.

If a whistleblower gives their letter to someone else, it might be useless and the complaint will be suppressed. However, if the whistleblower reports the complaint to the newly appointed executive deputy mayor, it might be taken seriously and reported to the county level, thus having an effect.

Secondly, he arranged to meet Wan Xinxin, the niece of the Discipline Inspection Commission, to prove that he could establish a connection with the Commission and that Wan Xinxin's identity was genuine.

Finally, Wan Xinxin replacing Ma Tao is a very feasible plan. He has always wanted to promote Zhang Xingdong to the position of town party committee member. If Wan Xinxin comes, she will be less qualified and can only take over as a member of the discipline inspection committee, not join the town party committee. The vacant position can then be filled by Zhang Xingdong, the director of the party and government office.

Moreover, Ma Tao is a smart man. Smart people can make connections. He can make connections even with unreasonable things. In addition, the materials he reported are true. He has nothing to fear and is not flustered.

If someone can kneel down to the former Party Secretary, can't they kneel down to themselves?

However, because there are too many steps involved, the whole thing is full of variables and very difficult to implement. Conversely, some plans, because they have fewer steps and are more straightforward, are more likely to be implemented.

For example, right now, Hou Peng suddenly came over. If Zhang Yaozong calls him in ten minutes and he leaves Hou Peng and Ma Tao alone, Ma Tao will definitely not look at the documents on the table because he will not have any space to be alone.