161: Chapter 161 Meeting

In the afternoon, on the second floor of the Heishi Town Government, in the First Conference Room.

This was an ad-hoc meeting of the party committee secretaries. Secretary Qiu Dehai sat at the head of the table, with Zhu Wenhao, Town Mayor Luo Xingbang, Secretary Chen Jianjun, Renmin University Chairman Zhang Jianming, and Executive Vice Mayor Qian Dayong lined up on both sides.

The newly appointed Director of the Party and Government Office, Director Xu Jie, sat quietly at the very end at the recording station, while Director Zhou Mei stood by to assist, finishing her last shift.

There was not a single word of pleasantries throughout the entire session.

Secretary Qiu Dehai knocked the cigarette between his fingers heavily against the edge of the ashtray twice.

"Comrades, there is only one topic for today's meeting," Secretary Qiu Dehai cleared his throat, "It concerns the aftermath and coordination of the sudden incident in Heishui Village."

Setting the tone is the prerogative of the secretary.

The lighthearted "sudden incident" he spoke of completely erased the vicious nature of the violent blockade of the police car in Heishui Village and the corruption investigation of Village Secretary Zhang Dahai.

No mention of organized crime, no discussion of corruption, only talk of the aftermath.

Secretary Qiu Dehai picked up his thermos to moisten his throat, "The county committee attaches great importance to the issue of Village Secretary Zhang Dahai. Secretary Qiu called this morning and emphasized repeatedly that while the case must be handled, stability at the grassroots level takes precedence over everything."

"I propose that the Town Government take the lead in immediately establishing a 'Heishui Village Aftermath Coordination Group'," Secretary Qiu Dehai crossed his fingers, "I will take the title of group leader to oversee the general direction. Zhu Wenhao is young and driven, and since he is in charge of political and legal affairs and petitions, he should shoulder the burden of deputy group leader. Zhu Wenhao should put more effort into the specific work of appeasing the masses and coordinating with departments."

This arrangement was a masterpiece of grabbing power while shirking responsibility.

On the surface, this gave Zhu Wenhao plenty of face by letting him take the lead in actual operations. In reality, it was a trap that would devour him without spitting out the bones. Named "coordination," it was actually a power grab. As long as this group was established, Secretary Qiu Dehai could use "group leader coordination" as an excuse to legitimately demand that the Police Station and the Discipline Inspection Commission submit case details to the group for review daily.

Once the case touched the foundation of Heishi Town's interests, he could force the brakes by using "preventing mass incidents" and "maintaining stability" as excuses.

Turning big cases into small ones, and small cases into nothing.

If there were achievements, it was the group leader's strategic planning; if there was trouble, it was the deputy group leader's poor handling.

"Secretary Qiu Dehai's vision is far-reaching, and I fully agree," Executive Vice Mayor Qian Dayong was the first to speak, "The situation in Heishui Village is complex. Having a special group to coordinate from the center makes our actions legitimate. Zhu Wenhao is the most suitable person to be the deputy group leader."

Renmin University Chairman Zhang Jianming nodded repeatedly, "That's right. This case must not be expanded. Everyone is from the same village; if we make everyone panic, how can we carry out grassroots work next year? Having a group to oversee it is prudent."

With Village Secretary Zhang Dahai trapped, Renmin University Chairman Zhang Jianming was terrified. The village accounts and misappropriated compensation funds in Heishui Village all flowed out when he was in charge of finance back then. He needed Secretary Qiu Dehai to forcefully take back the power to investigate this case from the hands of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the police more than anyone else.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang lowered his head and fiddled with the tea leaves in his cup. He did not say a word.

He was calculating in his heart. On one side was the intertwined local power, and on the other was the unfathomable newcomer. He would not wade into these muddy waters.

The gazes in the conference room finally converged on Zhu Wenhao.

Having lived through sixty years of the ming dynasty court, how many schemes of using others' hands to kill or promoting someone in name while demoting them in reality had he not seen? In his eyes, Secretary Qiu Dehai's township-level power plays were nothing but the clumsy tricks of a clown.

He didn't want empty titles; he only wanted real power. Han Feizi said: "The enlightened ruler controls his ministers through two handles, that is all." Separating name from reality is a great taboo in governing subordinates.

"I accept the position of deputy group leader," Zhu Wenhao spoke, his voice steady.

Secretary Qiu Dehai felt relieved, "However, since the position of deputy group leader has been decided, there is a rule that must be established clearly from the start."

Zhu Wenhao turned his head and cast his gaze toward Director Xu Jie, who was sitting at the end.

"Director Xu, please record my next words verbatim into the meeting minutes."

Director Xu Jie straightened her back, her pen hovering over the paper.

"In the case of Village Secretary Zhang Dahai, the investigation of clues related to organized crime will be led by the police, and the investigation of corruption clues will be filed and reviewed by the Discipline Inspection Commission. The two lines will run in parallel and will not interfere with each other," Zhu Wenhao enunciated every word heavily, "The Town Government Aftermath Coordination Group will specialize in people's livelihood appeasement and policy interpretation. It will never interfere with or inquire about the progress of the investigation in any name or form."

The words fell like a blade cutting the throat. Secretary Qiu Dehai's plot to use the group to seize power was undermined.

His hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, the composure on his face faded instantly, replaced by an ashen pallor.

Zhu Wenhao's move to use the enemy's strategy against them not only accepted the responsibility of appeasing the victims but also drew a clear line between the "Town Government" and the "investigative agencies."

The hand Secretary Qiu Dehai stretched toward the case files was severed at the root.

"Zhu Wenhao, what do you mean by this?" Secretary Qiu Dehai slammed his teacup onto the table with a dull thud.

"Your thinking is too immature!" Secretary Qiu Dehai used a big label to suppress him, "The Town Government is the core that oversees the overall situation of Heishi Town! You are now completely separating the party committee from the investigative agencies. Are you trying to create an independent kingdom in Heishi Town? What do you mean by 'no interference'? If this case is mishandled, does the Town Government not even have the power to correct mistakes?"

A label of "breaking away from the leadership of the Party Committee" was enough to crush any cadre.

Zhu Wenhao did not retreat an inch.

"The 'Local Party Committee Work Regulations' are clear," Zhu Wenhao cited legal principles, "The Party Committee discusses major events and grasps the direction. Interfering in the investigation of specific cases is called overall control, but it is actually overstepping authority."

He looked directly at Secretary Qiu Dehai, his gaze like a torch.

"Secretary Qiu Dehai. What the Party Committee oversees is the development direction of Heishi Town's peace and prosperity."

"It is not a retreat for criminal suspects to escape guilt."

These words hit Secretary Qiu Dehai's face like a loud slap in public.

"Zhu Wenhao's words are in line with the organizational principles of the Discipline Inspection Commission's handling of cases."

Secretary Chen Jianjun, who had been silent, exerted force at the critical moment. "I second that. The Discipline Inspection Commission is currently in the stage of sudden interrogation regarding Village Secretary Zhang Dahai's case. If the Town Government can reach into the detention room at any time and interfere with the interrogation in the name of 'coordination,' this case cannot be investigated. If the law is not followed, it starts from the top. This must be written into the minutes."

The iron wall of the police and the Discipline Inspection Commission had already formed.

The conference room fell into dead silence.

"Swish, swish, swish."

The sound of pen nibs rubbing against paper came through. Director Xu Jie stopped writing.

She stood up, opened the black leather notebook in front of her, her face cold and businesslike.

"Leaders, I will repeat the resolution just now," Director Xu Jie's voice had no ups and downs, "The Town Government establishes a Heishui Village Sudden Incident Aftermath Coordination Group. Secretary Qiu Dehai will serve as the group leader, and Zhu Wenhao will serve as the executive deputy group leader. Additional clause: The Town Government will coordinate livelihood aftermath work and shall not interfere with the independence of the police and the Discipline Inspection Commission's dual-track case handling in any form."

She raised her head, her gaze sweeping across the long table.

"Is the above record accurate? If there are no objections, please read and sign after the meeting."

Words are the ultimate contract of power. Once the meeting minutes are formed in black and white, they become irrefutable evidence.

Secretary Qiu Dehai stared fixedly at Director Xu Jie. This woman, who had only reported for duty this morning with a suitcase, had now become a cold iron lock, locking him completely out of the game. He had intended to use the fact that Director Xu Jie was a newcomer and didn't understand the situation to gloss over the matter, but he had never expected that this woman would not only not fear his pressure but would use the procedural system to force him to sign.

He was in a dilemma.

If he didn't sign, he would be opposing the procedure; if he signed, any attempt to rescue Village Secretary Zhang Dahai in the future or cover up the mess in Heishui Village would be an illegitimate and non-compliant interference.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang still kept his head down. He blew a breath of tea. The broken wall that had stood in Heishi Town for ten years had finally been kicked open with a hole today.

"Secretary Qiu Dehai?" Director Xu Jie held the notebook and asked again.

The muscles in Secretary Qiu Dehai's cheeks twitched twice. He knew he had lost, lost completely.

"Write it down." Secretary Qiu Dehai gritted his back teeth and squeezed out two words from between his teeth.

"Meeting adjourned!"

He pushed his chair away violently, not even bothering to take his teacup, and strode out of the conference room. His steps were messy, lacking the steadiness of a top leader.

Executive Vice Mayor Qian Dayong hurriedly packed his things and followed with his tail between his legs.

Zhu Wenhao sat in his original seat, smoothing his sleeves.

The crowd dispersed. Renmin University Chairman Zhang Jianming walked the slowest; his feet felt weak. Village Secretary Zhang Dahai not being able to withstand the Discipline Inspection Commission's interrogation was only a matter of time. The town's retreat had been completely cut off by Zhu Wenhao, and this fire would sooner or later burn to him, the former Executive Vice Mayor.