Volume 1: Against the Tide Chapter 45: Worry-Free Troublemaking

  Today, four updates of blood, the third update is sent! Especially the member clicks, it's very crucial, brothers, can we return to the first place in the weekly rankings? The success or failure is on this move! Old Fish won't resort to evil ways, can only rely on everyone's help, thank you all for your support!

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  Chapter 45: Difficult Situation

  Coming out of Minister Song's office, Peng Yuanzheng felt a weight off his shoulders.

  Secretary Xue's dissatisfaction was not with Liu Qiang's manuscript - there was nothing wrong with the manuscript itself, but rather with Liu Qiang himself.

  That is to say, even if Liu Qiang writes a high-quality manuscript, Secretary Xue will still be dissatisfied. In other words, Secretary Xue's instruction to let Peng Yuanzheng write was just an excuse to vent his dissatisfaction, and no matter what kind of manuscript Peng Yuanzheng produces, as long as it is not too different, Secretary Xue will adopt it.

  His goal is to strike Liu Qiang, which is the key to the problem.

  This subtle detail can only be understood by leaders like Minister Song who stand at the high level of power. If it weren't for his hint and reminder, Peng Yuanzheng would still be wasting time on the draft itself.

  What was originally a difficult situation was surprisingly resolved so easily, and Peng Yuanzheng felt a wave of relaxation in his heart. He expressed gratitude to Minister Song's wake-up call and said a few polite and proper words.

  Song Bingnan laughed loudly and patted Peng Yuanzheng on the shoulder, encouraging him a few words before seeing him off.

  Back in the office, Peng Yuanzheng wrote a speech draft following Liu Qiang's train of thought. Except for changing the style of writing, it was almost identical to Liu Qiang's draft. The subheadings were changed, but the content of each paragraph was basically consistent.

  However, despite this, it was already late afternoon when I finished writing the manuscript.

  The next day was Sunday, Peng Yuanzheng did not go out and stayed at home helping his mother with household chores, a day without words.

  On Monday morning, Peng Yuanzheng went to work very early. By the time Wang Na and Ma Zi rushed over, he had already cleaned up the office, wiped down the tables, swept the floor, and filled the thermos with hot water.

  Sun Ping and the others walked into the office with proud steps, glanced at Peng Yuanzheng, and said coldly, "Little Peng, have you finished writing the manuscript arranged by Director Zhu? The on-site meeting is this afternoon, and Secretary Xue is still waiting!"

  "Besides, it still needs to be reviewed by Director Zhu first."

  "Oh, I know, I'll finish the draft on Saturday overtime." Peng Yuanzheng stood up with a calm smile and saw Gong Hanlin also walking into the office. He took out the draft from his drawer and handed it over, "Gong Ke, I've finished it, you take a look."

  Sun Ping let out a cold laugh.

  Gong Hanlin nodded and took it, walked back to his own desk and sat down, immediately diving into the manuscript. Time was tight, he had to submit the manuscript to Secretary Xue before noon, and before that, Deputy Director Zhu Chengrong would have to review it first.

  Gong Hanlin frowned as he read, feeling very disappointed.

  In terms of writing and logic, Peng Yuanzheng's draft is flawless. However, compared to Liu Qiang's draft, it basically follows the same template without presenting any new perspectives or tones - taking such a draft to Secretary Xue would be asking for criticism, wouldn't it?

  Gong Hanlin said: No matter whether the draft will satisfy Secretary Xue or not, at least change your thinking and write it again. This draft imitating Liu Qiang is like drawing a calabaza, isn't it obvious that you're trying to deceive the leader?

  Young people are young people after all, they don't have much hair on their lips but things aren't done solidly! And another thing, it's quite superficial. Looking at this draft, it's clear that not many brains were used, and laziness is showing through.

  Wasted all my efforts, found so many reference materials for him.

  Gong Hanlin frowned and sighed, "Little Peng, didn't I tell you to think carefully before writing? You need to come up with new ideas and unique highlights. But look at your draft, what's the difference between it and Liu Qiang's draft? With a draft like this, it's not just that Secretary Xue will be unhappy, even Director Zhu's side will have a hard time passing it!"

  Peng Yuanzheng smiled, "Gong Ke, I've thought about it for a long time. As for the tertiary industry, this is all I can think of. Maybe I'm still not familiar with the situation, and my level is indeed not enough, so... please forgive me."

  Sun Ping said indifferently, "He's been here for less than two days and has already become a regular pen in our department, with a reputation outside. How is it that this small speech draft can stump our great talent Peng?"

  "My ability is limited, I can only write such a draft. If Director Sun is not satisfied, he can take up the pen himself!" Peng Yuanzheng was polite and respectful to Gong Hanlin, but as for Sun Ping, who had always been oppressive and deceitful towards him, he didn't have any good feelings.

  Besides, she was originally prepared to take advantage of this matter to attack him, Peng Yuanzheng had long been aware of it, how could he tolerate it.

  Sun Ping is a woman who is good at advancing inch by inch. If you retreat one step, she will advance further in a domineering manner. With this kind of woman, the only way to deal with her is to confront her head-on and strike back hard.

  "Can't even write a draft? What's the point of coming to the news department? Go do some logistics work! You're young and strong, you can still do some odd jobs." Sun Ping slapped the table loudly.

  Peng Yuanzheng looked up at Sun Ping, who was furious, and a deep sarcasm suddenly appeared on the corner of his mouth. "Director Sun has been in the news department for so many years, but he hasn't written a few decent articles. Director Sun can also go to the logistics department, I heard that the canteen is still short of a cook, why not give it a try?"

  After hearing Peng Yuanzheng's sharp words, Wang Na and Ma Zi couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh lightly.

  Sun Ping was so angry that she slammed her water glass on the desk to the ground, making a crisp sound.

  She glared at Peng Yuanzheng, raised her hand and was about to shout, when Gong Hanlin slammed his fist on the table and shouted angrily, "Shut up! Look at what you've become. Old comrades don't behave like old comrades, new comrades don't look like new comrades!"

  At this moment, Zhu Chengrong walked in with a gloomy face.

  Gong Hanlin suppressed his anger and forced a smile as he went forward, "Director Zhu!"

  Zhu Chengrong said in a low voice, "Has Xiao Peng's manuscript been written? The meeting is at 2 pm this afternoon and Secretary Xue is still waiting for the manuscript!"

  Gong Hanlin awkwardly rubbed his hands, "Sorry, Director Zhu, Xiao Peng has finished writing the draft, but I think it still needs some revisions. Please wait for a moment, leader."

  "No more time, hand it over to me." Zhu Chengrong stretched out his hand.

  Gong Hanlin hesitated for a moment and reluctantly handed Peng Yuanzheng's manuscript to Zhu Chengrong.

  As expected, Zhu Chengrong stood there and quickly scanned it, his face turned very ugly. He casually threw Peng Yuanzheng's manuscript on the table and said coldly, "Little Peng, this manuscript obviously didn't put in any effort! Compared to Liu Qiang's manuscript from the office, you're lazy at the wrong time! Do you want to deceive Secretary Xue or deceive me? Hmm?"

  "If you were an ordinary newcomer, that would be fine. But the problem is that you have a high level of ability, but only use three tenths of it, isn't this obviously being lazy and deceitful?"

  Zhu Chengrong got angry.

  As a department leader, publicly reprimanding a young colleague is relatively rare.

  Peng Yuanzheng remained silent, lowering his head and not speaking. No matter what, he couldn't argue with the department leader, even if Zhu Chengrong was being very unreasonable or intentionally making things difficult for him.

  Gong Hanlin sighed silently. After going through this ordeal, Peng Yuanzheng, the new star of the propaganda department who rose to fame overnight, was probably going to sink down from now on.

  Ma Zi secretly regretted it and was also surprised by Zhu Chengrong's anger: It's just a draft, is it worth it?