Chapter 283 Dare to Confront
Ma Youguang frowned and looked towards the audience. Among the crowd, several female students stood out with outstanding temperament.
He squinted at Luo Jiu and said, "Student? Your accent doesn't sound like a local. Are you from another province?"
Luo Jiu said: "Yes, from the north."
Ma Youguang's eyes flashed with sternness. "Students from the north, why are you here meddling in other people's business instead of studying in the classroom?"
Luo Jiu sneered and answered loudly: "The Four Books say that the way of the university is to manifest the bright virtue, to love the people, and to stop at the highest good.
As a student, I naturally listen to the sounds of wind, rain, and reading, and I care about everything, including family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs. "
"Good!" Several shouts broke out from the crowd, and I didn't know who was applauding.
Ma Youguang's eyes swept over like a knife, and the audience immediately became quiet again.
Ma Youguang said: "Since you are a student, I, as the head of the county, will teach you.
Every country has its own laws, every family has its own rules, and everything has its own rules and regulations.
I, Ma Youguang, am an honest official. This registration fee is collected by the state. The state needs money, and I, Ma, am collecting it on its behalf. I am just a passing god of wealth. I do not take a penny myself."
Luo Jiu laughed, "So, County Magistrate Ma is truly an upright and honest man."
Ma Youguang smiled and nodded, "That's right."
Luo Jiu changed the subject, "But I heard that all Olympic-related activities are funded solely by the Ministry of Sports, and do not occupy the national treasury, nor charge any fees to the people.
"Which document does County Magistrate Ma say that the state will collect registration fees? Can you show it to everyone?"
Ma Youguang was stunned and stammered, "This... this..."
The secretary behind him immediately stepped forward and said, "Documents issued by the state are naturally state secrets. Only officials can see them. You don't understand them, so it's useless for you to read them.
Besides, how would a student like you know about the policies related to the Olympics? Don't tell me these rumors are just rumors from somewhere to confuse people. "
How could she not know about the Olympic-related policies? She formulated them all, so who could know more than her?
Luo Jiu sneered and said, "What I just said is public news in the north. People from other provinces like us all know it."
She looked to her side, and Cheng Yaoyao immediately said in unison, "That's right. The news that the Olympics will not charge any fees has long been made into big-character posters, and they are everywhere on the streets of Beiping."
Zhong Jialing laughed and said, "Not only that, it was even published in the newspaper. Who wouldn't know about it? We are trying to prevent someone from taking advantage of the opportunity to make money and enrich themselves."
Luo Jiu raised his lips slightly, "Yi County is located in a remote area, deep in the mountains, so the news spreads slowly, so it is understandable that there is a temporary delay. Otherwise, County Magistrate Ma should check with the higher-ups again?"
Ma Youguang slammed the table and said, "How dare you! You order me to do things. Who do you think you are? A supervisor? I think you are intellectuals, so I've been polite to you. Don't refuse a toast and then drink a forfeit."
As soon as he finished speaking, his subordinates came running over breathlessly, shouting, "County magistrate! Quick, Governor Sun is calling, and he wants you to answer the phone in person right away."
When Ma Youguang heard the governor's call, he was so scared that he jumped off the stage immediately. He didn't care about spraining his ankle in the panic, and jumped like a toad, having to be supported by someone to answer the phone.
Zhong Jialing chuckled and whispered in Luo Jiu's ear: "A phone call from the governor scared him to death. You know, he just had an argument with the vice president, who knows how embarrassed he will be."
Luo Jiu watched Gu Meng return to the crowd after finishing her work and nodded to her. He understood and couldn't help but smile, "I'm afraid he will get into trouble sooner or later. Let's see how he ends up."
When Ma Youguang answered the phone, Governor Sun scolded him harshly.
Ma Youguang was sweating when he heard this. "Governor, please calm down. If there is anything I haven't done well, you can criticize me. But I am really panicking now. I don't know why you are so angry."
Governor Sun took a breath and said, "Let me ask you, what's going on with your Olympic trials?"
Ma Youguang's heart skipped a beat, but he pretended to be calm and said, "Isn't this the whole country preparing for the Olympics? I also want to do my part to select talents for the country."
"Bah! Bullshit!" Through the phone, one could hear the sound of a large porcelain jar slamming on the table. Governor Sun angrily said, "You are collecting three yuan from the common people in the name of selection. Are you doing this for the country? You are doing this for your own pocket!"
Ma Youguang swallowed guiltily and said stubbornly, "Which grandson reported me? Governor, you can't believe rumors easily. Someone is definitely slandering me maliciously."
Governor Sun snorted coldly, "Ma Youguang, Ma Youguang, who slandered you? Do you know who gave me the news?"
Ma Youguang was stunned. "Who is the whistleblower? I request a confrontation."
"Confront? Haha, this is a call from the Beijing General Office. Minister Qiu of the Organization Department is personally asking about this. Do you dare to confront him?
Ma Youguang, you have made a big splash! You made me lose face in front of Minister Qiu, who scolded me profusely.
He is a ministerial-level leader. Would he wrongly accuse a small county magistrate like you without any real evidence?
I tell you, Ma Youguang, you should handle this matter properly as soon as possible, otherwise you should quit your job!"
Bang, the phone was hung up.
Ma Youguang held the phone and pondered for a moment, "This is strange. How did the leaders in Beijing know about Yi County? Do they have clairvoyance and super hearing?"
The secretary thought for a moment and reminded, “There have been rumors these past two days. There are rumors in Chang County that a village saw President Luo and Marshal Feng, and it seems that they came to the south for a trip.
Chang County is only a hundred miles away from us, could it be them?"
Ma Youguang shook his head, "Impossible, they must go to rich places to play. Our Yixian is a shabby place with mountain roads everywhere. It's so poor that even birds don't live there and people are dry. How could they be willing to come here to suffer?
Besides, who doesn’t know these two people? When they arrived in Yi County, someone had already seen them.”
He pondered for a moment and then said, "You reminded me that they are not far from here, we should be prepared.
Have people set up checkpoints at the city gates to register people passing through, especially women, and report any suspicious people to me immediately."
"Yes," the secretary thought for a moment and then asked, "County Governor, what should we do with the registration fee?"
Ma Youguang glared at him fiercely and shouted, "What else can we do? Get back immediately. Do you want to see me get shot?"
"Yes!" The secretary turned and was about to leave.
“Get back!” Ma Youguang shouted, calling the people back and whispering, “Also, drive away all the beggars on the street. If President Luo comes, they must not be seen by them.
Those female students are dangerous elements. You should find someone to warn them and tell them not to talk nonsense.
It doesn't matter if I lost face in front of the governor, this time, I want to show my face in front of President Luo. "
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