264: Chapter 264 Arranging Seats

The study was well-heated.

Zhu Wenhao leaned back in the guest chair, watching the words that had just popped up on his phone screen.

"The blade has fallen."

He turned off the screen and placed the phone face down on the desk.

Across the desk, Secretary Zhu Tianhe was flipping through a briefing. Hearing the movement, he looked up.

"The Xu Family has called off the marriage."

"One of Deputy Team Leader Liu Hao's key levers for exerting influence in Jiangnan Province has been removed."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe closed the briefing.

"The Liu Family in The Capital won't take this cancellation lying down. They have deep roots in the discipline inspection system, with many protégés and connections. With this marriage falling through, Deputy Team Leader Liu Hao will lose face, and he will inevitably try to make up for it behind the scenes."

"Once he swallows this bitter pill and calms down, he'll naturally figure out that it was my doing."

"Director Xu Jie has been working as the Director of the Party and Government Office in Heishi Town; the connection isn't hard to guess."

"However, so what if he figures it out?"

Zhu Wenhao tapped his index finger on the desk twice.

"Strike the snake at its seven-inch mark. If he dares to bite back openly, I have the hotel registration records in my hand."

"If he really wants to get into a physical brawl, I'll hand these things directly to the desk of Secretary Chen at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"Let's see if the Liu Family in The Capital can protect a descendant with such corrupt personal morals who openly defies discipline."

After hearing this, Secretary Zhu Tianhe picked up the purple clay teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of tea, then took another empty cup, filled it seven-tenths full, and pushed it toward Zhu Wenhao.

Zhu Wenhao caught the cup with both hands.

"Father, what is the current situation with Chairwoman Lin Yulan's appointment?"

"The Organization Department has already completed the investigation process," Secretary Zhu Tianhe said, picking up his tea. "The Executive Deputy is quite cooperative. However, she is not the only candidate. Mayor Su Changming has proposed Deputy Director Ge Qing of the Municipal Finance Bureau, and he has been spreading the word extensively, claiming that Ge Qing understands the financial landscape better. When it goes to the Five-Person Group meeting and then to the Standing Committee meeting, it will certainly be a fierce battle."

"What about Secretary Lin Weimin?"

"Secretary Lin has not explicitly opposed Chairwoman Lin Yulan, but he hasn't publicly supported her either."

"He is waiting."

"The art of checks and balances lies in not releasing the hawk until you see the hare. As the head of the Municipal Party Committee, Secretary Lin won't easily help us suppress Mayor Su Changming unless he can secure tangible benefits in exchange. We need to be on guard regarding this matter."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe set down his teacup.

"I will keep a close watch on Chairwoman Lin Yulan's appointment. It's just that Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang has been making frequent moves recently, and he is not being very honest."

"Oh?"

"The day before yesterday afternoon, Mayor Su Changming called Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang into the Mayor's office. The two closed the door and talked for a full two hours."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe stated, "The official explanation given to the outside world was that they were discussing key projects in the development zone, and the Mayor needed to exchange views with the head of the development zone. But this explanation doesn't hold water."

"For development zone projects, submitting an approval request is enough; there's no need for a secret meeting between the Mayor and the Secretary of the Management Committee."

Zhu Wenhao pointed out sharply.

"This isn't simple."

"Then, in your opinion, what did Mayor Su Changming promise him?" Secretary Zhu Tianhe asked.

"The position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission," Zhu Wenhao concluded.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe was silent.

"Father, you previously promised Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and he agreed to form an alliance with us."

"Yesterday, Director Qi Shan and I spoke on the phone. Team Leader Qiu Rui's thunderous methods at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection have been effective. The defense line of the Jingjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau has completely collapsed, and more and more mid-level cadres are unable to withstand the pressure and are lining up to surrender to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection is only one step away from the core truth of the Lei Zhenzi case."

Zhu Wenhao analyzed, "Furthermore, the Jingjiang Municipal Procuratorate had been dragging its feet on approving the arrest of Lei Zhenzi. The Provincial Procuratorate has already leaked news that they are preparing to send a special commissioner to intervene and investigate the inaction of the Municipal Procuratorate."

"Lei Zhenzi's arrest and conviction are already set in stone."

"Once Lei Zhenzi is finished, Secretary Lei Zhen, as the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, will also be in a very difficult position."

"The people in The Capital are still waiting for further conclusive evidence. They will only officially take action against Secretary Lei Zhen once the case files below implicate him personally. But anyone who isn't blind can see that his downfall is only a matter of time."

Zhu Wenhao shifted the topic back to Linjiang City.

"Secretary Lei Zhen is in a state of chaos at the provincial level. In order to reverse the decline and maintain his influence at the local level, he needs a target."

"Secretary Lei Zhen used Mayor Su Changming's mouth to dangle the lucrative position of Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary before Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang. This is to prove to everyone that he, Secretary Lei Zhen, still has influence in the political and legal circles of Jiangnan Province."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe understood this logic.

"But the building of Secretary Lei Zhen is about to collapse; why does Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang still want to lean on it?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

Zhu Wenhao pointed out Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang's fatal flaw.

"The old leader behind Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, the former Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary Tian, was a victim of the last struggle. Secretary Tian has retreated to the second line and still has no position with real power."

"Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang has become a duckweed without roots among the Municipal Party Committee standing members."

"Although you promised him the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, that was in the name of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. What Mayor Su Changming offered was a direct recommendation from the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, Secretary Lei Zhen."

"In the eyes of Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, the endorsement of a provincial leader is far more reliable than the promise of a Deputy Secretary, and it makes it easier for him to obtain real power."

"He cannot see the big picture. He doesn't know that Secretary Lei Zhen's collapse is imminent. Once Secretary Lei Zhen falls, all those who attached themselves to him will become targets for liquidation."

"From his perspective, there is no better choice; he can only gamble that Secretary Lei Zhen can withstand this crisis."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe sighed.

"Short-sightedness will ultimately ruin oneself."

"Since Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang chose to betray our trust and defect to Mayor Su Changming, we don't need to show any mercy either."

Zhu Wenhao sat up straight.

"Father, you can go directly to Secretary Lin Weimin. Put the candidate for the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary on the negotiating table."

"Use this position of real power as a bargaining chip to exchange for Secretary Lin Weimin's full support for Chairwoman Lin Yulan to become the Director of the Audit Bureau."

Zhu Wenhao said every word clearly.

"Secretary Lin has just arrived in Linjiang and is in need of opportunities to plant his confidants. He will absolutely not let go of such a key position as the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary."

"If you concede the quota to him, he will surely appreciate this favor. Regarding the personnel of the Audit Bureau, no matter how much Mayor Su Changming stirs things up, Secretary Lin will stand on your side and veto Mayor Su Changming's proposal."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe pondered for a moment and nodded.

"In this way, we not only stabilize the blade that is the Audit Bureau but also use the situation to do Secretary Lin a favor. As for Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, since he chose his own path, we don't need to feel any guilt."

"Heaven's sins may be forgiven, but one cannot escape the consequences of their own making." Zhu Wenhao provided the final verdict.

The political layout was finalized.

Zhu Wenhao finished the last sip of tea in his cup and set it down.

"Father, what is the current situation with Study Committee Member Cao Rui being transferred to Division Two of the Municipal Party Committee?"

Mentioning Study Committee Member Cao Rui, a trace of gentleness appeared on Secretary Zhu Tianhe's face.

"This young man is very composed. He doesn't have the impetuousness of those young masters from Jingjiang City. Secretary Gao Ming has been taking him along during this time, consciously handing over some drafting of documents and reviewing of meeting minutes to him. He picked it up quickly, and he is tight-lipped."

"Secretary Gao Ming is an old man who understands the rules. What did he say?"

"I have spoken with Secretary Gao Ming," Secretary Zhu Tianhe replied. "He has endured these few years with me; even if there is no credit, there is hard work. My meaning is that after the Spring Festival, in the early spring, we will first resolve and implement his status as a section-level cadre. Then, send him down directly. Find him a position in the districts and counties below, let him do some real work, and it can be considered a proper destination."

"Sending him down is a good path," Zhu Wenhao commented. "Secretary Gao Ming is steady; he can hold the fort down there. Once he stands firm below, you, Father, will have a confidant in the districts and counties whom you can directly consult."

Zhu Wenhao looked at the table.

"However, where to send him is a matter of strategy."

He extended his index finger and dipped it in some leftover tea at the edge of the teacup.

His fingertip fell, and on the smooth wooden desk, he traced the strokes and wrote:

"Qingjiang County Government Office."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's gaze fixed on those water stains.

County Mayor Gu Mingchuan of Qingjiang County has already defected.

County Mayor Gu Mingchuan is preparing to promote the current Director of the Government Office, Old Ma, to Deputy County Mayor. Once Old Ma vacates the position, the core hub of the County Government Office Director will be empty.

This position is the eyes and ears of the County Mayor, and it is also the throat for coordinating the administration of the entire county.

Letting Secretary Gao Ming take over as the Director of the Qingjiang County Government Office not only directly resolves the position of a real-power section-level cadre, but it can also firmly weld the administrative landscape of Qingjiang County with the line of the Deputy Secretary of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee.

Advance to attack, retreat to defend.

Taking a further step in the future and being promoted to Deputy County Mayor of Qingjiang County is also a matter of course.

"This position is indeed excellent," Secretary Zhu Tianhe agreed. "It is most appropriate for Secretary Gao Ming to go. And with you echoing from Heishi Town, he can stand firm there."

"I will talk to Secretary Gao Ming tomorrow and let him make some preparations in private."

"Talk to him first to put his mind at ease. Let him clear up the handover work and make room for Study Committee Member Cao Rui," Zhu Wenhao instructed.

In the study, all matters were decided.

Outside the window, in Linjiang City, the night had closed in. The lights of ten thousand homes dispelled some of the coldness of winter.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe stood up, ready to organize the meeting documents for tomorrow.

An abrupt ringtone broke the silence of the room.

Zhu Wenhao's phone, which had been placed face down on the table, lit up, the screen flickering, and the caller ID appeared in the halo of light.