Why does The New York Times like this story?

[tw]

Originally Posted by Billy

Is it about politics? What is the goal, for reader or misunderstand the readers?

I don't understand why you have a problem with this story. It is rather interesting in that it demonstrates the relationships between villages, provincial authorities, and the central Beijing government. How the complexities of politics in a rural village can even turn friends into adversaries and a cause a town to turn on one who might be working for them.

What in this story do you have a problem with?