267: Chapter 267 Qin Yuanshan's Plan

Cold wind blew outside past the withered branches, causing the glass windows to vibrate slightly.

Director Xu Jie's call came through.

"Zhu Wenhao, Town Mayor Luo would like to see you."

Ten minutes later, Zhu Wenhao walked into Town Mayor Luo Xingbang's office.

"Comrade Zhu Wenhao, do you need something?" Town Mayor Luo Xingbang asked.

"Town Mayor Luo, the personnel arrangements from the County Party Committee have been finalized."

"The Political and Legal Affairs Commission member will be Secretary Du Changhe from the County Public Security Bureau. The Executive Vice Town Mayor will be Deputy Director Liu from the County Finance Bureau."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang crossed his hands and placed them on his knees, his brows knitting together almost imperceptibly.

Of these two positions, one was Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan's confidant, and the other was County Mayor Gu Mingchuan's contact.

For the County Party Committee to send people down at this critical juncture was an attempt to dilute the authority of his position as Acting Party Secretary.

"New members joining the leadership team to bolster our strength is the County Party Committee showing care for Heishi Town." Town Mayor Luo Xingbang spoke in official jargon, his tone flat.

"With more people, we need to establish the rules first."

Zhu Wenhao sat back at the desk.

"Although the Heishui Village case is closed and the Zhang Clan has been apprehended, there are still lingering issues with public security in the town. Secretary Du Changhe is new and unfamiliar with the town's situation. If the work of the Police Station is not handed over properly, it could easily lead to trouble."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang looked at the young man opposite him, a glimmer of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"What does Comrade Zhu Wenhao mean by that?"

"Promote Police Chief Zhao Gang into the leadership team as Vice Town Mayor, while concurrently serving as the head of the Police Station."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang's heart skipped a beat.

Secretary Du Changhe was Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan's man; once he arrived, he would inevitably try to seize control of the public security apparatus. If Police Chief Zhao Gang remained just a station chief, his rank would be suppressed by the Political and Legal Affairs Commission member.

If he were promoted to Vice Town Mayor and became a member of the leadership team, it wouldn't be so straightforward for Secretary Du Changhe to issue orders.

Zhu Wenhao was building a fence, protecting his own blade.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang weighed the options for barely two seconds before reaching a decision.

Doing Zhu Wenhao a favor to maintain the current balance in Heishi Town was, for an Acting Party Secretary like him, more beneficial than harmful.

"Comrade Zhao Gang has been charging into the fray and performing outstandingly recently. Giving him more responsibility aligns with the principles of cadre training." Town Mayor Luo Xingbang agreed immediately, "I support this proposal."

Zhu Wenhao glanced at the wall clock.

"Let's hold an ad-hoc Party Committee meeting this afternoon to finalize this. Before the official documents from the County Party Committee come down, let's complete the recommendation process."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang nodded, "Fine, I'll have the Party and Government Office send out the notice."

At two o'clock in the afternoon, in the small conference room on the second floor, the Party Committee members who were in town arrived and took their seats one after another.

With the end of the year approaching, cold wind howled outside the window. Inside, the heating was on, and the temperature was comfortable.

Secretary Qiu Dehai and Executive Vice Mayor Qian Dayong had only been detained for a few days, and the political climate in the government compound was uncertain. With a sudden ad-hoc meeting called today, no one knew what the agenda would be.

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang entered with his water cup and walked to the head of the table. Zhu Wenhao followed closely behind and took a seat at the side.

"Comrades, let's begin the meeting." Town Mayor Luo Xingbang unscrewed the lid of his cup.

"With the end of the year approaching, the workload on all fronts is heavy. Today's meeting is mainly to emphasize safety production and maintenance work."

Town Mayor Luo Xingbang opened the documents in front of him and read out several notices from the County Party Committee one by one. He discussed the progress of repairs on South Street and the safety precautions for the old river embankment.

The committee members below took notes, their movements mechanical.

Once the procedure was finished, Town Mayor Luo Xingbang turned to look at Zhu Wenhao. "Comrade Zhu Wenhao, would you like to say a few words?"

Zhu Wenhao put down the pen in his hand. "The greatest danger in the world, the most difficult to deal with, is when things appear peaceful and untroubled, but in reality, there are unforeseen worries."

Zhu Wenhao spoke, his voice carrying throughout the conference room. "The Heishui Village case is closed, but this does not mean we can rest easy regarding public security."

His gaze swept across the room. "The Jiangnan Provincial Party Committee has recently issued several decisions regarding the deepening of anti-gang operations. Heishi Town must implement these without compromise. During this period, the comrades at the Town Police Station have withstood pressure and performed outstandingly on the front lines. The development of the force must keep up with the needs of the situation."

Zhu Wenhao paused here. "In order to further consolidate our public security achievements and strengthen the majesty of the law, I propose that Police Chief Zhao Gang, the head of the Town Police Station, be appointed as Vice Town Mayor of Heishi Town, while concurrently continuing to serve as the station chief. This will be reported to the County Organization Department for approval."

As his voice fell, the conference room was silent. Promoting Police Chief Zhao Gang. Everyone had their own calculations. With Secretary Qiu Dehai's downfall, Zhu Wenhao's prestige in Heishi Town was at its zenith.

The head of the Armed Forces Department was the first to raise his hand. "I agree. Police Chief Zhao Gang is bold and capable; he has the ability to take on this role."

Secretary Chen Jianjun of the Town Commission for Discipline Inspection followed up, "I second that. The public security force needs a leader like this."

The remaining committee members raised their hands in agreement one after another. Town Mayor Luo Xingbang looked at the arms raised throughout the room.

"Since there are no objections, this proposal is passed unanimously. After the meeting, the Party and Government Office will compile the minutes, prepare the formal recommendation materials, and submit them to the County Party Committee."

A personnel maneuver was completed step by step. Zhu Wenhao leaned back against his chair.

Once Police Chief Zhao Gang's status as Vice Town Mayor was confirmed, if Secretary Du Changhe wanted to reach into the Police Station, he would lose his absolute administrative advantage.

Qingjiang County Party Committee building. Deputy Secretary's office. Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan sat behind a large desk.

A knock on the door. "Come in." Secretary Du Changhe pushed the door open and entered.

He was sturdy, with a crew cut, and his gait was extremely steady. He had originally been the captain of the Security Brigade of the County Public Security Bureau and had investigated major cases, carrying an aura of long-term law enforcement.

"Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan, you wanted to see me." Secretary Du Changhe walked to the desk and stood straight.

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan pointed to the chair opposite him. "Secretary Du Changhe, sit."

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan personally picked up the kettle and poured a cup of water for Secretary Du Changhe. Secretary Du Changhe took it with both hands.

"Secretary Du Changhe, you have worked in the Security Brigade for so many years, and I am confident in your professional capabilities." Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan sat back in his chair and picked up his teacup.

"The County Organization Department's documents will finish the process today. You are going down to Heishi Town to serve as the full-time Political and Legal Affairs Commission member."

Secretary Du Changhe put down the water cup. "I obey the organization's arrangements. Wherever Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan points, I will strike."

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan waved his hand. "Going to Heishi Town is a heavy burden. You've heard about the situation in Heishi Town. Secretary Qiu Dehai is inside, and the current Town Party Committee is a bit chaotic. Zhu Wenhao, a Deputy Secretary, is making quite a stir over there. The County Party Committee's opinion is that we must strengthen the construction of the Town Party Committee and re-establish the rules."

Secretary Du Changhe understood. This was him being sent to seize territory.

"Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan, rest assured." Secretary Du Changhe stated, "I am a veteran of public security; I can handle those people at the Town Police Station. Once I get there, I will never let matters in the political and legal sector slip out of the County Party Committee's control."

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan looked at this subordinate and shook his head slightly. "Secretary Du Changhe, when doing things, you must pay attention to methods and approaches."

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan's voice softened. "Zhu Wenhao is no ordinary person. His methods are extremely seasoned. Ma Yunlong's mine was sealed just like that. If you go down there and go head-to-head with him, you won't gain any advantage."

Secretary Du Changhe frowned, "Then what do you mean?"

"If the name is not right, the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, then the affair will not be successful." Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan instructed him.

"You are the Political and Legal Affairs Commission member; this is your title. When you go down, don't immediately interfere in specific cases upon arrival, and don't try to seize Police Chief Zhao Gang's authority."

"You must use systems to manage people." Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan placed the teacup on the table.

"When you arrive in town, the first thing you must do is establish rules and regulations. Require that all major police deployments and the handling of major or serious cases by the Police Station must first be reported to you, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission member. This is in accordance with organizational procedures."

"Once this rule is established, the blade in Police Chief Zhao Gang's hand will be sheathed in your scabbard."

Secretary Du Changhe's eyes lit up. "I understand, Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan. Nominally standardizing law enforcement, but in reality, cutting off their operational authority."

"Correct." Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan nodded, "As long as you hold the command authority of the Police Station in your hands, Zhu Wenhao will be missing an arm. By then, whatever he wants to do in town, he will have to pass through you first."

"You are my person. If you do well over there, in the future, there will be a position for you as Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau."

Secretary Du Changhe stood up, straightening his back. "I will never fail to live up to the kindness of Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan's cultivation."

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan waved his hand and watched Secretary Du Changhe walk out of the office. Another piece had been placed on the chessboard of Heishi Town.