87: Chapter 86 Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee (Part Four)

Inside the meeting room, more than a dozen gazes pressed heavily on Secretary Gao Zhiyuan like searchlights.

Yet, he did not even lift his head.

The tip of his pen mechanically drew one concentric circle after another on the paper, the rustling sound exceptionally grating in the dead silence of the room.

In Secretary Gao Zhiyuan's mind, the scene from noon was replaying.

...

The private dining room of the Jingjiang Municipal Committee's cafeteria.

Just as the attendant finished setting out several delicate side dishes and withdrew, the door was pushed open.

Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua, the full-time deputy secretary, walked in and casually pulled out a chair.

"Secretary Gao, I've long heard that the private kitchen of the Jingjiang Municipal Committee has its own unique character. These dishes are exactly to my taste." Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua sat down, his tone as familiar as if he were in his own home.

Secretary Gao Zhiyuan paused his chopsticks. "You are welcome to visit often in the future, Secretary Yang. Xiao Liu, set another place for Secretary Yang."

The attendant set the tableware, withdrew, and closed the door.

Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua picked up a piece of winter bamboo shoot, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

"Secretary Gao, at this afternoon's Standing Committee meeting, regarding the proposal for the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary, you just need to remain silent."

Straight to the point.

Secretary Gao Zhiyuan put down his chopsticks and picked up his water glass. "Secretary Yang, this request is a bit too demanding. Secretary Lao personally came to see me, hoping I would support him."

Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua remained calm and unhurried. "The mayor of Jingjiang is about to reach retirement age. That municipal deputy secretary of yours has been running to the Provincial Party Committee very frequently lately, and is especially close to Secretary Lao."

These words struck right at the core of Secretary Gao Zhiyuan's concerns.

"Even now as a deputy secretary, his style of doing things is already quite overbearing. If he really takes a step up, will your days in Jingjiang still be as comfortable as they are now?"

Secretary Gao Zhiyuan snorted coldly. "As for the candidate for Jingjiang's mayor, the organization will first consult my opinion. It's not something anyone can just push through."

"That may be true, but we must appropriately block Secretary Lao. If we let him completely control the discourse of the Standing Committee and hold the entire personnel layout in his hands, how will we carry out our work in the future?"

Seeing Secretary Gao Zhiyuan remain noncommittal, Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua played his trump card.

"Not only will I owe you a favor, but Governor Zhou will also remember this kindness."

"For the year-end quarterly subsidies and next year's special industrial funds, the province will lean heavily toward Jingjiang City."

"Plus a set of tailor-made preferential policies for investment promotion."

Funds and policies.

These were the sharpest weapons to pierce the soft underbelly of a local top leader.

With the province's financial tilt, Jingjiang City's economic data could double.

Secretary Gao Zhiyuan extended his right hand.

The two hands clasped tightly together over the dining table.

...

The scene cut back to the enlarged meeting of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee.

Secretary Lao Liguo sat in the host seat with four votes in hand, still three votes short of a majority.

Secretary Gao Zhiyuan's silence was already a silent betrayal.

Governor Zhou picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, while Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua calmly organized the documents in front of him, victory seemingly within his grasp.

Just when everyone thought Secretary Lao Liguo was about to announce a postponement of the vote.

At the end of the long table, a hand was raised.

Vice Governor Liu Zhiyong, member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice Governor.

Governor Zhou and Executive Vice Governor Wu Jianguo turned their heads at the same time to look at this deputy of theirs, who was usually extremely low-profile in the Provincial Government.

Vice Governor Liu Zhiyong met their gazes. "I support Secretary Lao's proposal."

"Comrade Lin Weimin possesses the ability to handle complex situations."

This hidden piece that Secretary Lao had planted in the Provincial Government leadership team was activated at the critical moment.

The weather vane of officialdom was always sensitive, and Vice Governor Liu Zhiyong's statement instantly broke the deadlock.

The Publicity Department Director and the United Front Work Department Director exchanged glances and raised their hands in turn.

"Seven votes."

Secretary Lao Liguo finalized the conclusion. "A majority. The resolution agreeing to transfer Comrade Lin Weimin to serve as the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary is officially passed."

The corner of his mouth twitched, a flash of bitterness quickly passing by, only to be instantly covered by deep majesty.

Secretary Gao Zhiyuan's defection at the last minute had forced him to expose his trump card, Vice Governor Liu Zhiyong, ahead of schedule.

This was originally a sharp weapon he had kept to counterbalance Governor Zhou on future economic reform issues.

The price was high.

"Comrade Dingyu, talk to Lin Weimin as soon as possible after the meeting and make preparations for the handover," Secretary Lao Liguo instructed.

Minister Xiao Dingyu nodded and noted it down.

The voting continued.

The candidate for the Executive Vice Mayor of Linjiang City.

Secretary Lao Liguo did not press his advantage, instantly pulling back all his sharp edges.

"Comrade Han Qiming, recommended by Secretary Yang, has indeed achieved quite a lot in the State-owned Assets System. Linjiang does indeed need cadres who understand economics to revitalize the situation now. I think this proposal is viable."

Agreeing to send Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming to Linjiang.

Striking a balance between flexibility and firmness.

Having secured the strategic position of Municipal Committee Secretary, he yielded the tactical position of Executive Vice Mayor to the other side.

This concession not only eased the tense atmosphere but also demonstrated to the higher-ups his political skill in uniting comrades. Furthermore, it completely choked back the many counterarguments Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua had prepared.

The vote passed without any suspense.

The Standing Committee meeting entered its final agenda item.

Secretary Chen, Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, briefed all the standing committee members on the illegal facts of Executive Deputy Minister Liao Changxing, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Provincial Organization Department.

"Using his authority to accept bribes and interfere in grassroots personnel selection, the nature of his actions is egregious," Secretary Chen read out the case summary.

The Standing Committee unanimously approved the decision to expel Executive Deputy Minister Liao Changxing from the Party and dismiss him from public office, transferring him to judicial organs for handling according to the law.

Secretary Lao Liguo showed no leniency on this matter.

"The Discipline Inspection Commission must not stop. Continue to dig deep along this line. Investigate and punish every single one found, with absolutely no tolerance."

Minister Xiao Dingyu stood up and made a profound self-criticism in front of all the standing committee members.

He analyzed his own shortcomings in cadre management with sincere language and a proper attitude.

As night fell, the chirping of insects echoed outside the corridors of the Provincial Party School.

Zhu Wenhao stood on the balcony, clutching his phone.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe finished reconstructing all the details of the afternoon's Standing Committee meeting on the other end.

"Secretary Lao's political maneuvering strikes a perfect balance," Zhu Wenhao commented on this high-level political game. "Securing the top leader while letting the vice mayor through. He doesn't back people into a corner, yet he showed thunderous methods on the Discipline Inspection Commission's agenda."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe responded on the other end of the line, "Linjiang City is really going to have a major earthquake this time. With Lin Weimin parachuted in as secretary, and Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming coming as Executive Vice Mayor, it will be even harder to carry out work in the future."

External monks might know how to chant scriptures, but they are also prone to failing to adapt to local conditions.

"With the new secretary taking office, the situation is complex. I'll make a trip to the provincial capital tomorrow to sound out my old leader, and while I'm at it, report my thoughts to the new secretary and express my support," Secretary Zhu Tianhe proposed his plan.

As a deputy secretary, taking the initiative to align oneself with a newly appointed top leader was the most basic wisdom.

"Father, this move is wrong," Zhu Wenhao directly objected.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe was stunned. "Why?"

"Lin Weimin is Secretary Lao's confidant. He is coming down with an imperial sword to clean up Linjiang's officialdom and break the local interest patterns. Right now, he looks at everyone in Linjiang with scrutiny and defensiveness."

"If you rush up to pledge your loyalty at this time, he will only view you as an opportunist anxious to clear your name, or even suspect you of having ulterior motives."

"So I should just sit at home and do nothing?"

"Only by offering help in times of need can the weight of a favor be truly felt."

Zhu Wenhao gave his strategy.

"As a newcomer, his attempt to implement new policies will inevitably meet with covert resistance from the local faction. His decrees failing to leave the Municipal Committee compound will be the greatest dilemma he faces next."

"Once he hits a wall in his work and is utterly overwhelmed, you can then step in to help him smooth out the joints of several key departments and help him push his decrees through."

"Siding with him too early, besides exposing your inner lack of confidence, will not yield any substantive bargaining chips."

"Leave him out to dry for a bit."

"Only when he needs you will your support possess decisive value."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe fell into deep thought on the other end of the line.

"I understand. Plan before acting. I'll cancel tomorrow's itinerary right away."

The call ended.

Zhu Wenhao put away his phone and pushed the door open to return to his dormitory.

Zhou Xu was facing the wall, his breathing steady, seemingly fast asleep.

Zhu Wenhao walked to the desk, briefly packed up his books, poured a cup of warm water, and drank it.

He finished washing up.

Turned off the lights, and got into bed.

Just a few seconds after the room fell into darkness.

From the opposite bed, an extremely soft sigh drifted over, vanishing in an instant.