176: Chapter 176 Uncle Chen

After visiting Grandpa Ning, the next morning, Xu Weidong took Mu Ruxue and drove to another elder's home.

The car drove through a quiet neighborhood; the trees lining the road had shed all their leaves, their bare branches stretching toward the gray, overcast sky.

After the car came to a stop, Xu Weidong got out and pressed the doorbell. A calm, steady voice came from inside.

"Coming."

The iron gate opened, and a man in his fifties stood inside, wearing a dark wool sweater. His hair was graying, his face lean, but his gaze was extremely sharp.

Seeing Xu Weidong, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. He reached out and patted Xu Weidong on the shoulder.

"Comrade Weidong, you're here. Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

Xu Weidong smiled and called out, "Uncle Chen," then stepped aside to let Mu Ruxue enter first.

Chen Jige glanced at Mu Ruxue, the sharpness in his eyes receding slightly, replaced by a touch of gentleness.

"This must be Ruxue, right? Old Mu's daughter, you've grown up to be so pretty. Come in, come in, don't be a stranger."

Mu Ruxue obediently called out, "Uncle Chen," and followed Xu Weidong inside.

The courtyard was small but kept very clean, with a few potted plants in the corner adding a touch of vitality to the gloomy winter day.

The living room was simply furnished with a sofa and a coffee table. On the wall hung a piece of calligraphy with the four characters "Never Forget Your Original Intention," written with powerful, vigorous strokes.

Chen Jige invited them to sit, poured tea himself, and sat on the opposite sofa.

He leaned back in his chair, looking at Xu Weidong with the characteristic affection and concern an elder has for a younger generation.

"Comrade Weidong, your father called me yesterday to say you were coming. I was so happy I didn't sleep well all night."

"I was even wondering if he had forgotten about this old friend of his after joining the cabinet."

Xu Weidong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smiled. "Uncle Chen, my father said that with you taking over his position, he can rest easy."

"He told me to come and learn from you."

Chen Jige waved his hand and laughed heartily. "Learn what? Your father is just being modest."

"He worked in this position for so many years and laid a solid foundation; I am just continuing the work."

He paused, looking at Xu Weidong, the smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by concern.

"Comrade Weidong, tell me the truth, how was last night's incident handled? I heard Director Zhao Jinan went to the scene; he didn't make you suffer any grievances, did he?"

Xu Weidong set down his teacup and gave a brief account of last night's events. He didn't embellish or deliberately hide anything, simply recounting the facts as they happened.

After hearing this, the expression on Chen Jige's face changed. The gentleness vanished, replaced by a cold, stern seriousness.

He leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, was silent for a few seconds, and then said, "The Crackdown on Organized Crime is an arduous and exceptional struggle."

"I have said this in meetings, written it in official documents, and repeated it to myself over and over."

"But some people just don't take it seriously."

"They think the Crackdown on Organized Crime just means sweeping up street thugs or catching a few village bullies or road tyrants and calling it a day."

"They don't realize that the real organized crime forces are often the ones in suits and ties, sitting in high-end office buildings."

"They have backgrounds, connections, white gloves, and protective umbrellas; they aren't so easily swept away."

"Of course, perhaps it's not that they don't know, but that some of them have already become their protective umbrellas."

Chen Jige paused, his gaze falling on the steaming cup of tea on the coffee table, his voice deepening further. "Yancheng is the premier district, the benchmark for the whole country."

"But I cannot say I am satisfied with the situation in Yancheng."

"In some places and some sectors, organized crime has infiltrated deeply, colluding with corrupt elements in the officialdom to form a community of shared interests."

"That guy last night was just a small fry, but who is standing behind him? Who is backing him? Who gave him the audacity to act without fear?"

"If these questions aren't investigated clearly and dealt with thoroughly, the Crackdown on Organized Crime will just be empty words."

Mu Ruxue sat nearby, listening to Chen Jige's words, secretly shocked.

In her impression, this Uncle Chen had always been gentle and kind, but at this moment, when he spoke these words, the sharpness and determination in his eyes made one afraid to look directly at him.

She stole a glance at Xu Weidong. His expression was very calm, as if he were listening to a perfectly ordinary lecture.

Chen Jige took a sip from his teacup, then looked at Xu Weidong, his tone softening a little, but still serious.

"Comrade Weidong, your father was right to place you at the grassroots level. The grassroots are the best classroom, and the common people are the best teachers."

"You have worked in Changyuan County for several years, and your achievements are plain for all to see."

"But you must remember, grassroots work isn't just about building roads, constructing industrial parks, or engaging in beautiful village construction."

"Grassroots work also includes fighting against those hidden organized crime forces and battling those corrupt elements who wear the cloak of legality."

"You are young, driven, and have background and connections; these are your advantages."

"But you cannot let your guard down just because you have these advantages."

"Last night's incident is a lesson."

Xu Weidong nodded, his attitude sincere. "Uncle Chen, you are right. I thought about it for a long time last night and felt that I am still too naive."

"In these two years in Changyuan County, things have gone so smoothly that I've become a bit conceited."

"I have taken this lesson to heart."

Chen Jige looked at him, was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. "I'm relieved that you can think this way. What your father worries about most isn't whether you can get things done, but whether you will become conceited."

"It seems you haven't, and that's good."

"Comrade Weidong, after you go back, do your job well. I will handle things here in Yancheng."

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime is not just a passing gust of wind; it is a protracted war."

"Some people think they can just change their masks to get by, and some think they can make a comeback once the wind blows over."

"They are wrong."

"This time, I will let them know that the Knife Handle is not made of paper."

Mu Ruxue sat on the sofa, looking at Chen Jige's back, and suddenly felt that this uncle had an incredible sense of justice!

She remembered her father, Mu Qing, who was also such a person.

These older generation cadres, no matter what position they are in, all share a common temperament.

Calm, steadfast, and grounded.

"Uncle Chen, I will definitely remember your teachings."

Chen Jige turned around, looked at his young face, reached out and patted his shoulder, without saying a word.