Chen Tao fiddled with the red token for a while, then pursed his lips and was about to throw it into the trash can.
bell!
Just then, the phone rang.
When Chen Tao saw the incoming call, his eyes widened, and he quickly answered, "Mayor Liu, what instructions do you have for me?"
The person who called him was none other than Liu Zhengxiang, the mayor of Xidu.
He was also Chen Tao's mentor. If it weren't for Liu Zhengxiang's promotion, Chen Tao wouldn't be where he is today.
Liu Zhengxiang's voice was calm and steady as he got straight to the point: "I'm calling to inform you that from now on, you must strictly scrutinize everyone in your department, be careful with your words and actions, because something big might happen soon!"
"Huh? Mayor, what's the big deal?" Chen Tao asked in shock.
Liu Zhengxiang sighed, "I only got this information from Fengtian through rumors. It's said that the Imperial Inspector of the Eight Prefectures is coming to Xidu for an inspection. I think he'll most likely be traveling incognito. I don't know which department he'll be inspecting. You're one of my men, so you can't let me down at this crucial moment!"
Liu Zhengxiang knew that Chen Tao was not a clean freak, so he deliberately said this to him to make him behave himself recently.
Imperial Inspector of Eight Prefectures?
An incognito visit?
At that moment, Chen Tao's heart skipped a beat, and he trembled as he stared at the imperial inspector's token in his hand.
Really?
Could it be such a coincidence?
At that moment, an absurd idea surged into his mind.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Liu Zhengxiang said impatiently, "Don't you dare take this lightly! Don't blame me for not warning you! If anything happens, don't come looking for me!"
After Liu Zhengxiang finished speaking, he was about to hang up the phone.
"Mayor, please wait a moment!" Chen Tao called out hurriedly.
Liu Zhengxiang paused for a moment, then asked impatiently, "What's wrong? Is there something else?"
"Yes, there's something I need to do!" Chen Tao said somewhat awkwardly.
Liu Zhengxiang: "Spit it out! I have other things to do!"
Chen Tao hesitated for a moment, but still recounted the story of Chen Ning coming to see him earlier that day.
Of course, the story was rearranged; he wouldn't dare admit to favoritism or taking bribes.
Just say that Chen Ning failed the interview.
Then, enraged, she threatened him with the token.
"Your Excellency, this token has a serial number on the back. I checked it, and it looks quite authentic. You think it won't..."
Liu Zhengxiang was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Bring me the token first, let me take a look. I've never seen this thing before, but I can ask the higher authorities in Fengtian and check the code!"
"Chen Tao, let me tell you, if this token is real, you're in big trouble!" Although Liu Zhengxiang didn't shout, his tone was clearly angry.
Although his student downplayed it, saying that Chen Ning hadn't passed the interview, how could he not know the truth?
That bastard probably asked someone for money!
Chen Tao realized the seriousness of the matter and, not daring to delay, quickly took the token and went to Liu Zhengxiang's office.
Actually, the two lived in the same building, but Liu Zhengxiang lived on the top floor.
He quickly arrived in front of Liu Zhengxiang and presented the token.
Liu Zhengxiang put on his reading glasses, took a closer look, and saw the number Chen Tao had mentioned.
He quickly picked up the phone and called the higher authorities in Fengtian.
"Hello! I'd like to verify the administrative number of our Eight Prefectural Inspectors! What, it's not publicly announced? But I have a token here, and I'm worried someone might impersonate the Inspector!"
"What? You can only tell me the last few digits? Okay, okay, then please say... 9527?"
After hanging up the phone, Liu Zhengxiang held the token, his old hand trembling uncontrollably. His face gradually flushed red.
Chen Tao sensed something was wrong, "Teacher..."
Snap!
Liu Zhengxiang slapped Chen Tao hard across the face. "Don't you dare call me teacher! You son of a bitch, I'm about to retire, and you've caused such a huge mess. Are you trying to kill me?!"
thump!
Chen Tao immediately knelt down, his voice trembling, "No way, teacher, is this token really from the Imperial Inspector?"
"The serial number matches perfectly, how could it be fake?"
Liu Zhengxiang said irritably, "I'm asking you! What's the deal with this girl named Chen Ning? How did she do on her written test?"
Chen Tao's face was bruised and swollen, and he stammered, "She, she was the first in the written test..."
"What?!" Liu Zhengxiang almost raised his purse again. "Chen Tao! What am I supposed to say to you? She was the first in the written test and you dared to let her take it away! Are you crazy for money? Huh?? Tell me, how much money did you ask her for?!"
Chen Tao was almost in tears, "I... I just want 500,000..."
"What? Five hundred thousand?? Cough cough cough!"
Liu Zhengxiang was so angry that he couldn't help but cough violently.
Chen Tao quickly stepped forward to pat his back. After a long while, Old Liu finally recovered and sighed, "You! You're really going to drive me crazy! I've told you to tone it down all the time, but you never listen. Now you've kicked a hornet's nest! This girl has the imperial inspector's token. What if she's someone close to the imperial inspector? Do you think you can still keep your job as section chief? Forget about your work, I think you'll end up in jail sooner or later!!"
Chen Tao panicked and immediately grabbed Liu Zhengxiang's leg, pleading, "Teacher, please help me! Teacher, I really didn't mean it. Besides, this isn't just my problem. Some people get the meat, and some get the soup. I didn't set the rules! If I don't help myself, I won't be able to stay in this position!"
"I don't care! This is your own business, it has nothing to do with me!" Liu Zhengxiang kicked him away.
Chen Tao fell to the ground in a disheveled state, his eyes flickering, and said, "Teacher, I am your student, how can you say it's nothing? Not to mention the thatch and chaff during holidays, you've always liked calligraphy and paintings, and I've asked many people to procure them for you..."
"You!" Liu Zhengxiang's face turned ugly instantly. "You brat, are you threatening me?"
Chen Tao hurriedly said, "Teacher, I'm not threatening you! I just want you to think of a solution for me. You're about to retire, and we're all in this together. I also want you to be able to retire gracefully, don't I?"
Liu Zhengxiang took a deep breath, his expression shifting between light and dark.
"Alright, get up now!"
Finally, Liu Zhengxiang waved his hand helplessly, thought for a moment and said, "It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost. Since Chen Ning is the Inspector's person, you should immediately process her employment procedures. Didn't your Health Department select two positions this time? One of them is the Deputy Director of the Office. Let her take this position!"
"Deputy Director of the Office?"
Chen Tao's face immediately fell. "Teacher, this position was decided long ago. The eldest son of the Shen family's cousin was hired. If this position is given to Chen Ning, how will we explain it to the Shen family?"
The Shen family Chen Tao mentioned refers to the Marquis's Mansion outside the pass, the Shen family, the most powerful family in Xidu City.
Liu Zhengxiang glared at him and said, "Do I need to teach you how to explain yourself? The Imperial Inspector of Eight Prefectures is inspecting on behalf of the Grand Secretary, and even the Marquis's Mansion has to step aside! Can't you tell which is more important?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Chen Tao hurriedly wiped away his cold sweat and said, "Okay, I'll get on it right now!"
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