32: Chapter 32 The Old Guys of Green River

The detached villa in the deepest part of the villa district in the east of Lvjiang City was brightly lit, yet it did not appear ostentatious.

Several inconspicuous black sedans were parked in the courtyard, and the license plates were all local Lvjiang registration numbers without exception.

In the living room, eight people sat scattered on the sofas.

At the head of the room sat Zheng Dongguo, Deputy Director of the Provincial People's Congress.

But everyone knew that this deputy director position had long been a nominal one; what truly allowed him to sit here was the foundation he had cultivated in Lvjiang for nearly forty years.

"Drink some tea."

Zheng Dongguo picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.

Only then did the others pick up their cups; Deputy Secretary You Chuan sat on his right, looking to be in his early fifties.

He was handpicked by Zheng Dongguo and was currently the actual helmsman of the conservative faction in the city.

"Old Leader, did you call us here today because you have some instructions?"

Zheng Dongguo smiled and then said, "Nothing major, I just missed you all."

No one took this seriously; when Zheng Dongguo missed people, he always met them individually.

Calling seven Standing Committee members together would certainly not be to reminisce.

Minister Lu Ziming of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department spoke up: "Old Leader, please just speak plainly."

"Which one of us here wasn't watched over by you as we grew up? If you have something to say, just give your orders."

Zheng Dongguo glanced at him and said with a smile, "Ziming, that impatient temper of yours—how many years has it been, and you still haven't changed."

Lu Ziming chuckled twice, and Zheng Dongguo set down his teacup.

"Alright, the reason I called you all here today is to remind you of something."

Zheng Dongguo paused, then said, "A young man has recently come to our Lvjiang."

A young man?

Those present exchanged glances.

Secretary Ye Jie of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission asked tentatively, "Is the Old Leader referring to..."

"The one in the Municipal Committee Office Secretariat, surnamed Xu, named Comrade Weidong."

Ye Jie thought for a moment and then said, "That new selected graduate?"

"Correct."

Minister Liu Fu of the Municipal United Front Work Department asked, somewhat confused, "Old Leader, is a newly recruited selected graduate worth you personally..."

He didn't finish his sentence before being shut down by Zheng Dongguo's gaze.

Zheng Dongguo leaned back on the sofa, looking at this group of cadres he had personally mentored.

"Do you know who his father is?"

No one answered; after all, who would bother investigating a new staff member for no reason?

"Xu Tianhua from Xishan Province."

The living room went quiet, so quiet it was as if no one was breathing.

Standing Committee Vice Mayor Qian Yi's teacup shook, spilling tea and scalding his hand, but he didn't even feel it.

Minister Zhou Ping of the Municipal Propaganda Department's face turned slightly pale, and she subconsciously gripped the sofa armrest tightly.

Xu Tianhua!

There was no one present who didn't know this name.

The Provincial Party Committee Secretary of Xishan Province; in just over a year, he had taken down seventeen department-level officials and two deputy ministerial-level officials.

His ruthless methods and immense determination had made the entire political circle sit up and take notice.

Ye Jie's voice sounded somewhat dry as he asked, "Old Leader, are you talking about that... Xu Tianhua?"

Zheng Dongguo nodded and said, "It is him."

After another silence, Secretary Xu Qing of the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission suddenly spoke up: "Old Leader, this Comrade Weidong was transferred to work as Secretary Wan Xiaohan's secretary some time ago."

"A few days ago, when Secretary Wan Xiaohan went to Changyuan County for research, he was the one he brought along."

Zheng Dongguo glanced at him and said, "You knew?"

Xu Qing nodded and said, "I knew, but I didn't know he was..."

"You didn't know whose son he was?"

Xu Qing didn't speak. Zheng Dongguo smiled and said, "It's right that you didn't know; that child's file was transferred directly from the Provincial Organization Department."

"I also only heard rumors from the provincial level, so I specifically had someone look into it."

A thin layer of sweat beaded on Liu Fu's forehead as he said, "That place, Changyuan County..."

The faces of the people beside him changed; Changyuan County!

That place was notoriously chaotic!

What wouldn't Secretary Chen Tianci and his people do?

If that young master happened to get hurt or bumped in Changyuan County...

Minister Lu Ziming asked anxiously, "Old Leader, is he alright going to Changyuan County? He wasn't hurt, was he?"

Zheng Dongguo glanced at him and chuckled, "What, are you afraid?"

Minister Lu Ziming laughed awkwardly, "It's not fear, it's just... that child is precious. If something were to happen, we in Lvjiang couldn't bear the responsibility."

Zheng Dongguo didn't answer; he looked at Deputy Secretary You Chuan and said, "You Chuan, what do you think?"

You Chuan hadn't spoken since just now. He sat there, holding a cup of tea, as if deep in thought.

Upon hearing Zheng Dongguo call his name, he set down his teacup.

"Old Leader, this piece of information is indeed very important."

"Let's analyze it first."

"First, Comrade Weidong is Secretary Xu's son."

"This matter is currently known only to the Old Leader and us few."

"Does Secretary Wan Xiaohan know?"

"He might know, or he might not."

"Does Secretary Lin Juncai know?"

"His actions that day show that he knows, or at least knows that this child has a significant background."

You Chuan paused, then said, "Second, this child came to Lvjiang by passing the exams on his own."

"What does this indicate?"

"It indicates that the Xu Family doesn't intend for him to rely on his background to get by."

"At least in the initial stages, they want him to walk his own path."

Minister Lu Ziming of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department nodded, "That makes sense."

"Third, what is Secretary Wan Xiaohan's intention in taking him to Changyuan County?"

"We all know the situation in Changyuan County."

"As a Municipal Party Committee Secretary, why would Secretary Wan Xiaohan go to such a place for research and bring a newly recruited young man along?"

You Chuan looked at Zheng Dongguo and said, "Old Leader, what is your take?"

A flash of approval crossed Zheng Dongguo's eyes; he liked this steadiness of You Chuan's the most.

Not panicking in the face of issues, analyzing before deciding—this is the material for accomplishing great things.

"Continue."

You Chuan nodded and continued his analysis: "I think Secretary Wan Xiaohan is laying out a plan."

"A plan?"

"Yes."

"We all know that place, Changyuan County; the deeply rooted malpractice is too severe, and the previous two secretaries didn't want to take action."

"Secretary Wan Xiaohan has been here for nine months and has remained still; he was waiting."

"Waiting for what? Waiting for the right opportunity, waiting for the right blade."

Minister Zhou Ping of the Municipal Propaganda Department gasped, "You mean... Comrade Weidong?"

"Yes."

"This child has a strong background; no one dares to touch him."

"Placing him in Changyuan County is like stabbing a blade right into it."

"Secretary Wan Xiaohan bringing him along this trip is to let him see it with his own eyes."

"Only after seeing it will he have ideas."

"Once he has ideas, when he is eventually placed there, he will truly take action."

The living room fell silent for a few seconds, and Standing Committee Vice Mayor Qian Yi sighed.

"This Secretary Wan Xiaohan is more capable than the previous two."

Zheng Dongguo smiled and said, "Whether he is capable or not, it's too early to say."

"But at least, he is a person who knows how to use his brain."

"You mentioned earlier that Secretary Lin Juncai knows; tell us more."

You Chuan nodded and continued, "The day after Secretary Wan Xiaohan went to Changyuan County, Secretary Lin Juncai had Police Chief Zheng Xilin take people down there."

"The Municipal Public Security Bureau directly took over the command of the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau and suspended the two captains of criminal investigation and public security on the spot."

"Old Leader, think about it: what has been Secretary Lin Juncai's attitude toward Changyuan County all these years?"

"Covering things up, suppressing conflicts, dragging things out whenever possible."

"Why is he suddenly so active this time?"

Zheng Dongguo picked up his teacup and didn't speak.

"Because he is afraid."

You Chuan continued, "He is afraid that if something happens to that child in Changyuan County, he, as mayor, cannot bear the responsibility."

Secretary Xu Qing of the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission's expression changed; Police Chief Zheng Xilin was someone within his system.

"Old Leader, I..."

Zheng Dongguo waved his hand, "It's not your fault; Secretary Lin Juncai gave the order directly to Police Chief Zheng Xilin this time, bypassing you."

Xu Qing's expression looked even worse. Zheng Dongguo looked at him and said, "Xu Qing, do you know why Secretary Lin Juncai wanted to bypass you?"

Xu Qing didn't speak, as the question was difficult to answer.

"Because he doesn't trust you."

"How long have you people been in Lvjiang?"

"Twenty years? Thirty years?"

"The roots are intertwined, and everyone is connected to everyone else."

"It is perfectly normal that he doesn't trust you."

Xu Qing kept his head down and didn't dare to respond; everyone knew what was in Changyuan County, they just didn't dare to point it out.

Zheng Dongguo set down his teacup and continued, "Alright, I called you here today not to hold anyone accountable, but just to remind you."

"First, you need to be aware of this child."

"If you meet him, be polite."

"If you don't meet him, don't go and provoke him either."

"None of us can afford to offend his father's side."

"Second, you have understood Secretary Wan Xiaohan's move."

"He wants to use this child to pry open Changyuan County; once pried open, no one knows how many people will be implicated underneath."

"Do the people under you have any unclear dealings with Changyuan County?"

No one spoke, and Zheng Dongguo smiled.

"If there are, it doesn't matter, but you need to be aware of it."

"Cut ties where you should, break things off where you should."

"Don't wait until the blade falls to realize the pain."

"Alright, you all go back."

The seven people stood up one after another; when they reached the door, You Chuan paused.

"Old Leader, regarding Changyuan County... should we..."

"Should you what?"

"After all, he is your own son..."

Zheng Dongguo chuckled, "That beast, I long ago cast him out of the family."

"It's just that you all kept believing his nonsense, insisting on thinking that I was the one backing him from behind."

"Today I am also formally declaring: although he is my youngest son, ever since he did that unforgivable thing to his sister, our Zheng Family has had no such person."

"Moreover, this was done through an agreement to sever relations, and it even went through the civil affairs department."

"Aside from the bloodline, that scoundrel has absolutely no relationship with me."