311: Chapter 311 Zhang Zhiqiang's Doomsday

"The Municipal Party Committee held a Standing Committee meeting today. Secretary Gao Ming's appointment was approved: Section Chief of the Second Section of the Municipal Party Committee Office, at the full section level. Once the public notice period ends, he can take office."

"Good." Zhu Wenhao replied with only one word.

With Secretary Gao Ming promoted to full section level and transferred to Qingjiang County, he would be able to know about any developments in the county at the first opportunity.

"Chairwoman Lin Yulan's appointment as Director of the Audit Bureau hit a few snags, just as you predicted," Secretary Zhu Tianhe continued. "During the meeting, Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming opened fire directly, claiming that Chairwoman Lin Yulan had been away from the front lines for too long and might not be able to handle the mess at the Audit Bureau."

"Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming has Governor Zhou behind him; he came here with a mission, it's his duty, so it's not unexpected." Zhu Wenhao's tone remained calm. "The one who followed up and bit down, that was Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, right?"

"Yes, that's him!"

Zhu Wenhao scoffed internally. Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, having lost his backer, had become like a headless fly, desperate to find a new master. Mayor Su Changming held the resources of the Municipal Government, and it was easy to find shade under such a big tree; he had to sharpen his head to squeeze in, scrambling to offer a pledge of allegiance.

"But this move of his is a dead end," Zhu Wenhao said with conviction.

"Did it annoy Secretary Lin?" Secretary Zhu Tianhe asked.

"Topics that reach the Standing Committee meeting have all been discussed by the Five-Person Group and approved by the top leader," Zhu Wenhao explained thoroughly. "If Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming opposes it, that's a clash of titans, and Secretary Lin can tolerate it. But what is Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang? With no background and no faction, a junior Standing Committee member, he dares to jump out and slap the top leader in the face? That is called failing to recognize the situation."

"How can one allow others to snore beside one's bed? It would be strange if Secretary Lin didn't knock him down a peg."

"Everything you said was spot on." Secretary Zhu Tianhe sighed. "Secretary Lin drank tea the whole time, not saying a word. Mayor Su Changming was calm and composed, looking like he was about to succeed. But then, Secretary-General Lin Zhichao spoke first, setting the tone firmly, emphasizing procedure and rules in every word."

"Secretary-General Lin Zhichao took the lead, followed by Secretary Li Li of the Discipline Inspection Commission, and I also stated my position. Finally, the Minister of the Organization Department made the final decision." Secretary Zhu Tianhe recounted. "Seeing the wind direction was wrong, Mayor Su Changming immediately abstained. The votes from Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming and Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang were no different from scrap paper. The appointment was passed on the spot."

As expected of a high-ranking official, this tactic of "driving the tiger to swallow the wolf" was played very smoothly.

"Dad," Zhu Wenhao concluded. "If you strike a snake but don't kill it, you'll suffer the consequences later. Since Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang has torn off his mask, now is the time to pull him up by the roots."

"How should we move?"

"Go find Secretary Lin." Zhu Wenhao advised him.

"Initiate a cadre assessment. Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang is treacherous and politically unreliable, making him unsuitable to remain in his position on the Standing Committee. Transfer him laterally to a provincial agency and take away his Standing Committee hat!"

"Heaven's sins may be forgiven, but one who brings disaster upon oneself cannot live." Secretary Zhu Tianhe replied. "I will handle it this afternoon."

The call ended. Zhu Wenhao put his phone in his pocket.

Director Xu Jie walked in, holding a stack of freshly organized business reports for the South Street merchants. "Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan has been taken away; the Qingjiang County Party Committee compound must be in chaos right now." She looked at Zhu Wenhao. "The chair of the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee is vacant; who do you think can sit in it?"

Zhu Wenhao turned around, his gaze falling on the desk. There lay a thick stack of public opinion feedback letters.

"Someone who always keeps the common people in their heart," Zhu Wenhao said, his voice steady.

"Officialdom games and power schemes are ultimately just means. As the ancients said, 'The sage has no constant heart; he takes the heart of the people as his own.'" He walked to the desk and picked up the thank-you letter on top. "To serve as an official is to bring benefit to the region. Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan was in Qingjiang County for over a decade, with his mind entirely focused on forming cliques and scraping the land. How much of the common people's blood and tears are hidden in his old reservoir accounts?"

"With such a person in office, the roads below will always be broken, and the rice bowls of the common people will always be empty." Zhu Wenhao put the letter down. "We went to great lengths to pull these parasites off their horses, not to replace them with someone else to continue lording over people. The new appointee must understand the rules, abide by the law, and treat the livelihood of the people in Qingjiang County as the top priority."

Director Xu Jie nodded. "Once the road on South Street opened, the merchants' business volume doubled in just two days. The people in Heishui Village have also started preparing for spring plowing. As long as we stabilize the base in Heishi Town, this is a political achievement that no one can take away."

"Political achievements are for those above to see, but the days are lived by the common people themselves." Zhu Wenhao strode out of the office. "Let's go, let's go check on the construction site."

The renovation project on South Street was nearing its end. The newly paved asphalt road was smooth and wide, still carrying the warmth of the bitumen, and the drainage ditches on both sides were lined with sturdy stone bricks.

Zhu Wenhao walked along the street; the cold wind could not disperse the bustling activity here.

Boss Wang, who sold building materials, was directing workers to unload goods. Seeing Zhu Wenhao, he abandoned his work and ran over in a few steps. He vigorously wiped his rough hands on his dusty apron and grabbed Zhu Wenhao's sleeve.

"Secretary Zhu, my dear Secretary!" Boss Wang's voice trembled, his eyes turning red. "Back when Executive Vice Mayor Qian Dayong was in charge, this road was repaired every year and ruined every year. Whenever it rained, I had to bail water out of my shop, like raising fish. We paid protection money and still got scolded every day. Now the road is flat, the water is draining, and for the past two days, trucks coming to buy materials have been able to drive right up to the door. This is the life people should live; this is a way to survive!"

Boss Wang pointed to the newly painted parking lines outside the shop. "Before, cars could only park at the end of the street, and we had to rely on people to haul goods in cart by cart. The thugs under Executive Vice Mayor Qian Dayong would come every day to collect road tolls. Now, the Police Station patrol car passes by three times a day. The road is open, and my heart feels bright, too!"

Several neighboring merchants also gathered around, talking one after another about the real, tangible changes.

Zhu Wenhao looked at these simple, honest faces, the sixty years of governing experience from the Great Ming Dynasty settling in his heart. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; the hopes of the common people are actually very simple: just a bit of fairness.

"Everyone, do your business with peace of mind. 'The rise of a government lies in following the hearts of the people; the fall of a government lies in going against the hearts of the people.'" Zhu Wenhao's voice was loud and clear, carrying a power that settled people's hearts. "The Town Government posts the account books on the wall so that you all can act as supervisors. From now on, if anyone dares to extort or demand bribes, go directly to the Discipline Inspection Commission to report them!"

"The rule in Heishi Town is to let the common people who are willing to work earn money with their heads held high!"

Applause broke out. It wasn't the sparse, polite agreement heard in meeting rooms; it was the sound of arms swung wide, palms calloused and smelling of machine oil, clapping one by one, solidly and genuinely. That sound seemed to want to scatter all the resentment that had accumulated on this street for over a decade!

After the inspection, he returned to the Town Government compound.

At this moment, the mobile phone on the desk rang again.

Another call came in.