boyutpedia Chapter 614 - 588: The New Candidate for Warden
Chapter 614 - 588: The New Candidate for Warden
Someone immediately joined the conversation, their tone suspicious:
"I remember the original few Prison Chiefs from the Second Prison all seem to have had issues, right?"
There were a few restrained chuckles in the conference room.
The people present exchanged knowing glances, no one mentioning Wang Cong or Feng Mu.
In their eyes, these two names weren’t even worth discussing.
One was in charge of an empty Death Row, without a single living person, merely a nominal title;
The other, from the Internal Inspection Department, was just Qian Huan’s plaything on a whim. Now that Qian Huan has fallen, it would soon be casually erased by the successor Prison Chief.
Lou Duan continued:
"If we cannot promote internally within the Second Prison, we should transfer someone from another prison to oversee the situation, for example... the Prison Chief Ling Song from the Fifth Prison.
In recent years, he has performed outstandingly in the Fifth Prison. I have spoken with him privately, and he has proactively expressed his willingness to transfer laterally to the Second Prison and shoulder this heavy burden.
I personally believe Ling Song is currently the most suitable candidate!"
Liu Bo’s gaze once again swept over the others present:
"What do you think?"
His voice remained calm and without any discernible inclination.
A brief silence.
The high-ranking officials in the prison system exchanged glances rapidly, silent messages being conveyed through the air.
They dared not to directly confront Member Wang Xinfa, as that would be political suicide.
But, if someone was willing to stand at the forefront and attract fire, and they only needed to wave the flag and shout from the back, that would be a different matter altogether.
After all, if there’s even a slight chance of keeping this ’piece of meat’ of the Second Prison within the prison system, who would truly be willing to hand over the meat inside the pot to outsiders?
One high-ranking prison official said in a low voice:
"Ling Song has performed well in the Fifth Prison over the past few years, with no major incidents, and the prison’s efficiency is also good."
Another senior official picked up the conversation:
"Indeed, the reputation of the Fifth Prison has always been good, Ling Song’s capability is undoubtedly acceptable, transferring him doesn’t seem impossible."
Someone else chimed in:
"What’s rare is that Ling Song is willing to take on the mess at the Second Prison, his proactive and responsible approach is commendable."
The atmosphere in the conference room subtly shifted.
Although no one explicitly voiced support for Ling Song or opposed Du Changle, the tendency in the conversation was obvious even to a fool.
Liu Bo’s brows furrowed imperceptibly, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the metallic clip of his pen.
The position under his seat dictated that he must prioritize the overall interest of the prison system, irrespective of personal likes or dislikes, out of duty.
If the subordinates played it safe, he could remain silent and observe the situation.
But when subordinates initiated actions, some leading charges and others rallying behind them, he could no longer remain silent.
Willingly or not, he had to stand in for the collective interest.
Yet, speaking for Liu Bo personally, if he indeed vetoed Du Changle and supported Ling Song today, the wrath of Member Wang Xinfa would inevitably descend upon him.
This clearly contradicted Liu Bo’s consistent policy of non-committal.
Liu Bo gave Lou Duan a profound look and said meaningfully:
"In principle, I agree with your suggestion, but the attitude from Mr. Wang remains a problem."
Lou Duan sneered internally, this old fox indeed wanted to pass the ball back.
Fortunately, he had prepared for this, he glanced around and replied:
"To be honest, my recommendation of Ling Song today wasn’t just on a whim, but was guided by Member Zhang Deming."
Member Zhang Deming is the most senior Member of Parliament in the Executive Government, wielding significant influence and is also a strong contender for the next Chief Member.
Liu Bo’s pupils constricted slightly, now understanding the underlying issue.
No wonder Lou Duan dared to speak up so boldly today, he had secretly contacted Member Zhang Deming.
The prison leaders exchanged looks, then exhibited an understanding expression.
Bringing Zhang Deming’s formidable backing indeed counterbalanced the influence of Wang Xinfa.
Most importantly, as the decision-maker within the prison system, Liu Bo’s position would become "safe" and "aloof" as never before!
He would no longer need to worry about incurring Wang Xinfa’s wrath and possible reckoning. On the contrary, in their bid to secure his support, the two bigwigs might even compete to curry favor with him, extending goodwill!
The situation was instantly favorable!
Having figured all this out, the lines on Liu Bo’s face seemed to soften slightly.
He slightly lowered his eyelids, tapping his fingers gently on the table twice unconsciously, then looked around and in a calm, strong voice said:
"Given the new developments, further coordination and communication of various opinions are needed. As for the selection of the Second Prison’s Prison Chief..."
He paused, his gaze finally landing on Lou Duan’s face,
"To be discussed later!"
These four words allowed Lou Duan’s heart, which had been stuck in his throat, to momentarily settle back down.
Nobody knew what Lou Duan had sacrificed privately to connect with Member Zhang Deming, it could only be said that when there’s a crazy woman at your back, your subjective initiative becomes terrifyingly strong even to yourself.
"The position of the Second Prison Chief is stalled for now, now it depends on this crazy woman Li Hanyu."
Lou Duan didn’t know how much longer he could stall, maybe a day, maybe a week?
This would depend on the bargaining chips or the satisfaction of both sides in the duel between the two Members of Parliament.
And he himself had entered the game as a chess piece in the hands of Member Zhang Deming, the progress hereafter was beyond Lou Duan’s control.
After all, how Member Zhang Deming would use him as a chess piece was something he could not influence.
Whether he’d be used to checkmate, or as a trade, or maybe even be turned over to Wang Xinfa as a favor remained unclear.
Lou Duan did not remember how he left the conference room, nor how he returned to his office.
He collapsed into the leather swivel chair, realizing only then that the back of his shirt was soaked with cold sweat.
He knew he was walking a tightrope, any misstep would lead to a bottomless abyss.
"Ultimately, it’s because I’m too weak, which is why I’m being blackmailed by Li Hanyu, compelled to act against my will. This ungovernable feeling of not being able to control my own destiny is truly dreadful!"
Though coerced by Li Hanyu, Lou Duan had reached a point of no return. He could only hope for the success of Li Hanyu’s plans, to continue traversing this tightrope.
"Perhaps, only by ascending to the position of Member of Parliament can I truly grasp my Destiny."
Lou Duan took a deep breath to calm his nerves, his eyes glinting with unprecedented madness and ambition.
However, within the Executive Government, the positions of the high and mighty Members of Parliament had long been occupied by entrenched seniors, unwilling to vacate.
What to do?
Lou Duan’s former career peak was Liu Bo’s position, but now he harbored a new ambition.
"Perhaps, if Li Hanyu is secretly backstabbing Member Wang Xinfa, and Wang Xinfa seems unaware, then maybe this mad woman might actually prove a valuable partner?"
Lou Duan’s thoughts raced. Indeed, Li Hanyu held leverage over him, but conversely, didn’t this mean he also held leverage over Li Hanyu?
If Li Hanyu could drag him down to die together, couldn’t he do the same to her?
Neither Lou Duan nor Li Hanyu wanted to die, therefore, paradoxically, they could also ascend together.
Li Hanyu for her son, Lou Duan for himself.
Having clarified his thoughts, Lou Duan then turned on his computer and retrieved a USB drive hidden deep within the drawer, inserting it into the port.
The screen flickered, and he skillfully logged into [Libra Net].
–[Libra Net] was the code name he privately gave this assassination site.
After all, he never learned its real name.
He had tentatively asked the administrator but never received an answer.
Seeing it as justifiable, Lou Duan figured that perhaps the assassination site didn’t have a name. After all, assassinations require discretion, and flashy names might be too conspicuous.
"Welcome back, esteemed Bronze Member."
The cold system prompt appeared onscreen, soon followed by the familiar dialogue box.
No matter when, [Clown] was always online...