82: Chapter 82 Qishan, Xiao Dingyu's Visit

Secretary-General Zhao Rui sat at his desk, picked up the landline, and dialed the internal hotlines of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee members one by one.

The message was brief: an expanded meeting of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee would be held at 3:00 PM.

After hanging up on the last Standing Committee member, Zhao Rui dialed the number of Director Qi Shan of the Provincial Public Security Department.

"Director Qi," Zhao Rui said in a calm tone, "Secretary Lao has instructed that you are to attend the expanded Standing Committee meeting at 3:00 PM."

"During the meeting, the Provincial Public Security Department will present a special report on the launch of the anti-gang and evil-eradication campaign. Please make full preparations."

On the other end of the line, Director Qi Shan agreed repeatedly.

After hanging up, Director Qi Shan leaned back into his large leather chair and let out a long breath.

It was done.

This special report on the anti-gang and evil-eradication campaign did not go through the approval of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, nor was it submitted to the Provincial Government Office; it went directly through the Provincial Party Committee Office.

Another copy was personally taken into the Provincial Party Secretary's office by Minister Xiao Dingyu of the Provincial Organization Department.

Yesterday evening, near the end of the workday, Chen Feng, the Provincial Party Secretary's personal chief secretary, dialed Director Qi Shan's private number. Since the number one leader of the Provincial Party Committee was summoning him, Director Qi Shan canceled all social engagements and rushed over with the materials.

In Secretary Lao Liguo's office, the two talked behind closed doors for a full hour.

Even when he stepped out of the Provincial Party Committee building and the night wind hit his face, Director Qi Shan still felt it was incredible. The head of the Provincial Party Committee had given him the most straightforward promise: as long as the framework for the Anti-Gang Office was set up, the position of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission would be his for the taking.

Provincial Party School, cafeteria.

The noise of dining filled the hall. The students of the Spark Class were in groups of three or five, separated into distinct small cliques.

Zhu Wenhao ate very quickly. He took his tray to the return area and turned to walk toward the main entrance.

Just as one foot stepped out of the cafeteria, a delicate, elegant fragrance wafted toward him.

Liu Ruobing stepped forward quickly and grabbed his sleeve.

"Come with me." She lowered her voice and, without explanation, pulled him toward the tree-lined path behind and to the side.

Zhu Wenhao let her lead the way. The two passed through the corridor behind the administration building and turned into an unused lecture hall.

Liu Ruobing stopped outside the door and said, "Minister Xiao and Director Qi Shan are inside."

She stood by the door. "Go in yourself; I'll keep watch outside."

Zhu Wenhao stepped inside, and the wooden door closed behind him.

Seeing Zhu Wenhao enter, Director Qi Shan stood up, walked a few steps to greet him, and shook his hand.

"Zhu Wenhao, you were absolutely right," Director Qi Shan said in an excited tone. "Secretary Lao accepted the proposal, and the Standing Committee meeting will be held this afternoon!"

Zhu Wenhao nodded slightly to Minister Xiao Dingyu in greeting.

"For both elders to forgo your lunch break and come all the way to the Party School, there must be urgent matters to discuss." He pulled out a chair and sat down.

Minister Xiao Dingyu pointed at Director Qi Shan. "What did I tell you? You can't hide anything from this kid, Zhu Wenhao."

Minister Xiao Dingyu straightened his posture and recounted every word of the fierce confrontation at the morning's Five-Person Group meeting. Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua's sudden attack, Governor Zhou's going with the flow, and Secretary Lao Liguo's unexpected final decision.

"After the meeting adjourned, we spoke with your grandfather on the phone."

"The old master gave the word for us to come find you to brainstorm. You have a sharp mind, so offer some suggestions; don't hold anything back."

Zhu Wenhao listened quietly until the end. "This move by Secretary Lao is leveraging the momentum," he said, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

"Minister Xiao, you previously pledged your loyalty to Secretary Lao, but in specific affairs, you still retained a great deal of room to maneuver. Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua openly suppressed you in the core meeting; his intentions could not be more obvious."

Zhu Wenhao analyzed the underlying logic of power.

"Secretary Yang is in charge of Party and mass work and nominally oversees the Organization Department. He used the opportunity of Executive Deputy Minister Liao Changxing's downfall to attack, wanting you to realize the cost of siding with Secretary Lao. He is fighting to intervene in the appointment of the new Executive Deputy Minister, using this as a springboard. If you soften your stance, he will arrange for a newcomer to cooperate with you; if you insist on following Secretary Lao, the person he plants will become a thorn in the side of the Organization Department, giving you no peace."

Minister Xiao Dingyu nodded repeatedly; this was precisely the hidden danger that made him feel like he had thorns in his back.

"What's worth noting is that Secretary Lao has precisely utilized Secretary Yang's coercion," Zhu Wenhao continued his deduction. "Secretary Lao has brought the conflict directly to the larger stage of the Standing Committee. This is forcing you. You would be left isolated and helpless at the meeting, with no choice but to lean completely toward him. In this way, he gains a legitimate, solid vote on the Standing Committee."

"As for Director Qi Shan, you are a sharp blade in Secretary Lao's hand."

"Used to purge the local faction, while simultaneously suppressing Governor Zhou."

Director Qi Shan's expression became stern, and he sat up straight.

"Governor Zhou has fully taken over the remnants of Liu Family's power and is currently at the height of his influence. Secretary Lao wants to use the Anti-Gang Office to forcibly insert his hand into the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, which was previously difficult to reach." Zhu Wenhao clarified the connections. "Secretary Lei Zhen of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission has mostly tended to lean toward Secretary Yang in past major votes. Secretary Lao wants to change this balance. You are the sharpest nail he is driving into the political and legal system."

Minister Xiao Dingyu raised a concern.

"Why is Secretary Lao so urgent? Holding an expanded meeting this afternoon, not even leaving time for subordinates to coordinate and buffer."

"This indicates that Secretary Lao has inside information," Zhu Wenhao said, hitting the nail on the head.

"The Capital will surely issue an official document soon, requiring all provinces to establish anti-gang leadership groups. Secretary Lao wants to get the institution in Jiangnan Province registered before this timeline. This move can both demonstrate his exceptional sensitivity to The Capital and seize the initiative in personnel appointments. Once the document is officially issued, if one wants to establish this institution again, all factions will intervene to divide the power."

Director Qi Shan's eyes flashed. "So that's it. By taking the first step, one can keep the leadership in one's own hands."

"Secretary Lao daring to hold this Standing Committee meeting means he has calculated the votes. He has, in all likelihood, already reached a secret agreement with Secretary Gao Zhiyuan of the Jingjiang Municipal Committee."

He picked up a piece of chalk from the table and drew the camp distribution of the thirteen members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on the tabletop.

"Governor Zhou Zhiwen, Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua, Secretary Lei Zhen of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and Executive Vice Governor Wu Jianguo. These four are an offensive and defensive alliance."

"On Secretary Lao's side, there is Secretary Chen of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Secretary-General Zhao Rui. He has now won over Minister Xiao, and adding Secretary Gao Zhiyuan of the Jingjiang Municipal Committee, he holds five votes. As long as he can win over one or two more among the neutral votes of the Standing Committee, such as the Vice Governor, United Front, or Propaganda, he can control this Standing Committee meeting by leveraging the momentum of establishing the Anti-Gang Office."

Minister Xiao Dingyu spoke after deep thought.

"Anti-gang and evil-eradication is a political task; Secretary Yang and Governor Zhou dare not vote against it on matters of principle. The proposal's passage is a certainty. The real point of contention lies in the appointment of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary and the candidate for Executive Vice Mayor. This is where the real, hard-fought division of interests lies."

"This requires Minister Xiao to act as a 'peacemaker' who goes with the flow during the meeting."

Zhu Wenhao threw out the solution to the deadlock.

"After Secretary Lao establishes his authority through the Anti-Gang Office, Secretary Yang will inevitably fight back with all his might, attempting to regain face regarding Linjiang City's personnel. At this moment, you should take the initiative to stand up and propose the candidate for Linjiang Executive Vice Mayor that Secretary Yang favors—Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission."

Minister Xiao Dingyu's eyes narrowed, and he sank into deep thought, silent.

"Repaying resentment with kindness, giving both sides a way out." Zhu Wenhao maximized the effect of this move.

"You take the initiative to concede the position of Linjiang Executive Vice Mayor in exchange for the smooth passage of Secretary Lin Weimin of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee. Secretary Yang gets the tangible benefits and regains face, so naturally, he won't be able to pursue you relentlessly. In this way, the position of Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary goes to Secretary Lao, and you also preserve the peace in the backyard of the Organization Department. A crisis is dissolved into nothingness."

A highly complex power struggle, under Zhu Wenhao's dissection, became distinct and clear.

In every advance and retreat, it was all calculation.

Director Qi Shan and Minister Xiao Dingyu listened and repeatedly praised it.

"Zhu Wenhao, your method for breaking the deadlock is seasoned and ruthless," Director Qi Shan remarked with emotion.

"Director Qi, you only need to fire the first shot at the meeting this afternoon. Leave the remaining confrontations to Secretary Lao and Minister Xiao," Zhu Wenhao replied.

The three of them finalized several contingency plans regarding the details of the speeches and variables at the Standing Committee meeting.

Time flew by during the secret discussion. Approaching 2:00 PM, Minister Xiao Dingyu glanced at his watch.

"It's about time; we must return to the Provincial Party Committee to prepare for the meeting."

Director Qi Shan stood up and patted Zhu Wenhao on the shoulder.

The two pushed the door open and walked out.

Outside the corridor.

Liu Ruobing had been waiting not far away. Seeing the two high-ranking officials leave, she walked into the classroom and looked at Zhu Wenhao.

"Finished talking?" she asked.

"Finished. Let's go; there's still class this afternoon."

The two walked side by side toward the teaching building. The autumn sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, dappling them with light.

At this moment, at the corner of the second floor of the administration building.

A student from the Spark Class raised their phone, aiming the camera at the two people walking side by side below.

Click.

The image froze on the phone screen. The student quickly sent the photo to an unsaved number.

After sending it, he put away his phone and walked toward the water room.