64: Chapter 64 The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; let's see who laughs last.

In the office of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Secretary Tian Limin was reviewing an environmental rectification report.

Half an hour ago, Division Chief Liu Haiping had made a private call, and over the airwaves, the two had completed an exchange of interests.

The Vice Governor of the Provincial Government in charge of science, education, culture, and health, Ma Youwei, was set to retire next year.

The vacancy for this powerful deputy ministerial-level position in Jiangnan Province had people eyeing it all the way from the Provincial Party Committee Compound to the riverside.

The bargaining chip Division Chief Liu Haiping offered was tempting enough: his family's network of connections in The Capital would support Secretary Tian Limin in competing for this position.

In exchange, for his part in Linjiang, he had to pave a smooth red carpet for Liu Xiaolei's future.

Mutual benefit, each getting what they needed.

To ensure nothing went wrong, Secretary Tian Limin had already given instructions to ensure Liu Xiaolei would receive "necessary conveniences" during the exam.

However, in the way of officialdom, one must never put all their eggs in one basket.

Secretary Tian Limin picked up his purple clay cup and blew on the floating tea leaves.

Mayor Su Changming had a secret line directly to the high-level officials of the Provincial Party Committee. Later, he would have to invite him over for tea to sound out his position.

Support from both sides was the only way to remain invincible.

A hurried knock on the door interrupted Secretary Tian Limin's calculations.

The door was pushed open frantically, and his secretary, Qi Lei, burst in, covered in sweat, ignoring basic protocol.

Just as Secretary Tian Limin was about to reprimand him, Qi Lei spoke first.

"Boss, Secretary Zhu Tianhe is leading a team, accompanied by Minister Zhao of the Organization Department and Secretary Li Li of the Discipline Inspection Commission. They are right outside the door."

"They say there is an urgent matter that must be reported to you in person!"

The reprimand Secretary Tian Limin had prepared stuck in his throat.

The Deputy Secretary of the Standing Committee, the Minister of the Organization Department, and the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

These three individuals usually operated in distinct lines and rarely appeared together.

Unless it was before an official's transfer, and a major disciplinary problem had been discovered.

But aside from the accident involving Zheng Jianguo, the city had been calm, and he hadn't heard any rumors.

With three members of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee arriving together, no matter the reason, the top leader had to show proper respect.

"Ask them to come in."

The door opened wide.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe walked in front, with Minister Zhao Donglai and Secretary Li Li half a step behind. The three entered the office with solemn expressions.

Secretary Tian Limin stepped forward, took the initiative to extend his right hand, and shook hands with the three in turn, his grip measured perfectly.

"Tianhe, what is the matter that requires such a big mobilization, having you three Standing Committee members come to see me together? Come, let's go over to the sofa and talk."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Qi Lei, who was still stunned in place, and ordered casually.

"Go contact the Mayors Office and ask if Mayor Su is there. If he is, ask him to come over immediately."

Since three Standing Committee members were already there, adding Mayor Su Changming would complete the Five-Person Group.

Qi Lei received the order and quickly retreated.

After the four were seated, Secretary Zhu Tianhe did not mince words and went straight to the point.

"Secretary Tian, this morning, while the Municipal Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Detachment was handling a burglary case, they seized a special piece of stolen property."

He reported the interrogation results, the footage from the law enforcement recorder, and the test papers found at Liu Xiaolei's residence, using the most concise language.

As Secretary Tian Limin listened, his fingers holding the teacup tightened.

Liu Xiaolei?

Top-secret test papers for the Provincial Organization Department's unified examination?

Connecting these two things was a nuclear bomb that could blow the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee to pieces.

Having spent decades in officialdom, Secretary Tian Limin had trained himself to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, and he listened patiently to Secretary Zhu Tianhe's report.

"The primary investigator of the case, Police Chief Zhao Gang, is waiting outside. He has all the physical evidence." Secretary Zhu Tianhe added at the right moment.

"Let him in." Secretary Tian Limin put down his teacup.

Police Chief Zhao Gang was called into the office. He suppressed his nervousness and opened his briefcase.

High-definition photos, a kraft paper bag sealed in an evidence bag, and the original test paper were spread out on the coffee table one by one.

Just then, Mayor Su Changming pushed the door open and entered.

He glanced at the evidence scattered on the coffee table and found an empty seat.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe turned his head and briefly summarized the case to Mayor Su Changming.

With everyone present, Secretary Tian Limin gave a look to Qi Lei, who was standing to the side.

"You stay and take the meeting minutes. We are now holding an emergency meeting of the Five-Person Group."

Secretary Tian Limin leaned forward and picked up the photos and evidence on the table to examine them carefully.

The evidence was ironclad.

In Secretary Tian Limin's mind, two voices were clashing violently.

One side was the Vice Governor seat promised by Division Chief Liu Haiping; that shortcut to the top was right before his eyes.

The other side was the deadly evidence on the table; he had to make a final test.

"Secretary Li Li." Secretary Tian Limin's tone was calm. "The Discipline Inspection Commission emphasizes that a case cannot be established on isolated evidence. Have you checked the source and authenticity of this evidence?"

As long as Secretary Li Li said "it is still being verified," Secretary Tian Limin could logically announce a suspension of action.

Secretary Li Li did not hesitate, meeting Secretary Tian Limin's gaze.

In Secretary Zhu Tianhe's office, she had already signed the meeting minutes with Minister Zhao Donglai.

The trap set by the Zhu father and son didn't leave her any room for maneuver.

"Secretary Tian, I have generally reviewed this batch of evidence."

"The Municipal Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Detachment's law enforcement recorder filmed the entire process. The original test paper matches the questions in the photos exactly, and the suspect's confession is logically rigorous and mutually corroborating."

"The evidence is complete and the source is reliable. This is a typical, extremely malicious case of collaborative cheating and leaking of secrets."

Secretary Li Li's words shattered the last glimmer of luck in Secretary Tian Limin's heart.

With the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission providing absolute endorsement, this case could not be overturned.

The essence of politics is cutting losses.

The position of Vice Governor was tempting, but if he couldn't even keep the official hat of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, everything was empty talk.

"Since the evidence is solid and the facts are clear."

The authority of the Municipal Party Committee's top leader was fully revealed.

"Then proceed according to Secretary Zhu Tianhe's handling method. The Discipline Inspection Commission will intervene fully and dig deep into the structure of interests behind this!"

He looked at Secretary Li Li and gave the order.

"As a staff member of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Liu Xiaolei could access top-secret test questions; besides the help from people in the Provincial Organization Department, there must be other accomplices. This is the focus of your Discipline Inspection Commission's work. Regardless of who is involved, as long as it is within the jurisdiction of our Linjiang City, investigate it to the end!"

After arranging the work for the Discipline Inspection Commission, Secretary Tian Limin turned to look at Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

"Tianhe, Liu Xiaolei is, after all, a staff member of the Municipal Party Committee Office. Be mindful of the methods used when making the arrest." Secretary Tian Limin instructed. "See if you can arrange for personnel to take Liu Xiaolei away quietly during the lunch break. Avoid peak hours to minimize the negative impact."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe nodded and agreed: "Don't worry, Secretary Tian, I will arrange it properly and will not disturb the normal office order in the compound."

Secretary Tian Limin finally turned his gaze to the sweating Minister Zhao Donglai.

"Minister Zhao."

"The leakage of the test questions is a fait accompli. But the Young Cadre Training Class selection exam set by the Provincial Party Committee must be held as scheduled tomorrow; this is a task."

"Your Municipal Organization Department must immediately fully activate the backup test paper database. You must ensure the normal conduct of tomorrow's exam! Of course, during the grading process, you must strictly check for duplicate answers. If any are found to be similar, cancel their admission qualifications immediately and hand them over to the Discipline Inspection Commission for accountability!"

Minister Zhao Donglai agreed repeatedly: "I guarantee the task will be completed."

Having deployed everything with lightning speed, Secretary Tian Limin leaned back in his chair and picked up his teacup to moisten his throat.

He looked at Mayor Su Changming, who had been silent.

"Mayor Su, regarding the handling of this case, do you have anything to add?"

The opportunity Mayor Su Changming had been waiting for finally arrived.

"Secretary Tian's handling plan is very decisive, and I fully agree." Mayor Su Changming said, "However, for such a big matter, should we let the Provincial Inspection Team intervene?"

He pointed to the photo featuring Deputy Director Zhang Ming.

"After all, this is a case involving personnel from the Provincial Organization Department. Although our Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection can handle Liu Xiaolei, it involves cadres from higher-level organs."

"Currently, the Provincial Inspection Team is stationed in our Linjiang City. According to relevant inspection regulations, during the inspection period, if a major disciplinary or legal violation case involving provincial-managed cadres occurs, all matters must be reported to the Inspection Team immediately."

Secretary Tian Limin's hand holding the teacup paused slightly.

Invite the Provincial Inspection Team in?

Team Leader Qiu Rui was known for being incorruptible; once he intervened, the direction of this case would completely escape the control of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee.

By then, pulling out the radish would bring out the mud, and it might implicate more of Linjiang City's unsavory old accounts.

Secretary Tian Limin instinctively wanted to stop it and keep the case in the hands of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection to digest it slowly.

But before he could speak, he suddenly remembered what Secretary Zhu Tianhe had just reported.

Before coming to the meeting, the Municipal Public Security Bureau had already followed the reporting process for major cases and submitted the clues directly to the Provincial Public Security Department, requesting a transfer to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The Provincial Public Security Department and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection already knew!

If he forced a block on the Inspection Team's intervention now, it would be a case of covering up, causing trouble for himself.

"Mayor Su is right."

Secretary Tian Limin made the final decision.

"With the leadership of the Provincial Inspection Team coming forward to assist in the investigation, this case will be handled with more certainty, and it will be more open and transparent."

"Let's do it this way. Secretary Li Li, after the meeting, you personally take the materials and go to the Municipal Party Committee Guest House to report the situation to Team Leader Qiu Rui."

"That's all for today's meeting; everyone, go and implement your tasks."

The group stood up and walked out of the office one by one.

Mayor Su Changming walked last, and when he stepped out of the room and into the somewhat dim corridor.

He took out his private mobile phone, which had no contacts, and skillfully edited a text message.

"The eagle has left the nest; execute according to the plan."

Click send.

Mayor Su Changming put his phone back in his pocket and looked up at the gray sky outside the window.

Team Leader Qiu Rui, didn't you want to check the old accounts of Zheng Jianguo?

Now, a major case involving the high-level officials of the Provincial Organization Department is placed on your desk; all the energy of the Inspection Team will be sucked away by this gale.

As long as your attention is diverted, that black account book in the south of the city will be erased from this city forever.

In this game of chess, he, Mayor Su Changming, had taken the first move.