51: Chapter 51 A Warning

Early April, Lvjiang City.

At 9:00 AM, three Coaster minibuses with Fengtian license plates drove out of the Lvjiang City expressway exit, led and followed by police cars.

The motorcade passed through the city center and drove straight to the Municipal Party Committee Compound.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan, Secretary Lin Juncai, Deputy Secretary You Chuan, Secretary Xu Qing of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and other key leaders of the four major municipal bodies had been standing at the gate of the Municipal Party Committee Compound for twenty minutes.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan's expression was calm, but he felt somewhat anxious inside.

Secretary Lin Juncai had a smile on his face, but his eyes occasionally darted toward the approaching motorcade.

Deputy Secretary You Chuan kept his eyes lowered, lost in thought.

Only Secretary Xu Qing looked pale, with fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead.

The motorcade stopped at the gate. The doors opened, and the first to step out was a man in his early fifties.

He wore a dark gray jacket and no tie, but his aura was so imposing that people dared not look him in the eye.

Minister Ma Fuqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Fengtian Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Following him were Director Guo Yongnian of the Provincial Public Security Department, Deputy Secretary Liu Zhendong of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and seven or eight accompanying staff members.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan hurried forward to greet him, his face wearing a smile. "Secretary Ma, welcome, welcome! You've had a long journey!"

Minister Ma Fuqiang extended his hand for a shake, then said, "Secretary Wan, the scenery in Lvjiang City is quite nice."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure and replied, "Secretary Ma has a keen eye. The river is just starting to thaw these days, so the river surface is quite lively."

"Lively is good."

Minister Ma Fuqiang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. It paused on Secretary Lin Juncai's face for a moment, then on Secretary Xu Qing's face.

"Lively means there's popularity; I'm only afraid of it being desolate."

These words sounded ordinary, but Secretary Wan Xiaohan and the others were shrewd; who couldn't hear the hidden meaning behind them?

Secretary Lin Juncai quickly chimed in, "Secretary Ma, let's go to the conference room first. You've had a long journey, have some hot tea."

Minister Ma Fuqiang waved his hand. "Tea can wait. I came this time to hear about the situation in Lvjiang City."

As Minister Ma Fuqiang spoke, he suddenly chuckled and stared directly at Secretary Wan Xiaohan.

"Secretary Wan, I heard that human traffickers are very rampant in your Lvjiang City?"

The smile on Secretary Wan Xiaohan's face stiffened for a moment, and Secretary Lin Juncai's smile also froze.

Deputy Secretary You Chuan's eyelids twitched, and Secretary Xu Qing's face turned pale instantly.

With the national anti-trafficking campaign underway, for their own Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary to say such a thing—wasn't this forcing them into a corner?

Minister Ma Fuqiang watched their reactions, his smile unchanged as he continued, "Before I came down this time, the leadership specifically instructed me, saying that Fengtian Province is a key province for the special anti-trafficking campaign, and Lüjiang City is a key area in Fengtian."

"He asked me to ask if there is anything that Lüjiang City needs support from the province with?"

Secretary Wan Xiaohan took a deep breath, struggling to maintain his composure.

"Secretary Ma, we are currently conducting a comprehensive screening of the situation in Lüjiang City."

"Some time ago, the city established a special action leading group, with Mayor Lin personally taking the lead, and all work is proceeding in an orderly manner."

"Mayor Lin personally taking the lead?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang turned to Secretary Lin Juncai, nodded, and said, "Mayor Lin is pragmatic and willing to work; I have heard of this for a long time."

"With Mayor Lin taking the lead, I feel much more at ease."

Secretary Lin Juncai quickly stated his position, "Secretary Ma, please rest assured. Lüjiang City will resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and ensure the special anti-trafficking campaign is implemented effectively."

Minister Ma Fuqiang gave a hum of acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd again. Suddenly, he said, "By the way, I heard there is a place called Changyuan County in Lüjiang City, where organized crime is running rampant."

Once these words were out, the atmosphere completely froze.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan's smile vanished completely, and Secretary Lin Juncai pursed his lips tightly.

So direct!

Is this guy not even bothering to act?

Minister Ma Fuqiang looked at them, his tone as relaxed as if he were chatting about daily life.

"Secretary Wan, everyone here is a parent official of Lüjiang City."

"The organized crime in Changyuan County hasn't harmed your families, has it?"

These words were vicious; on the surface, it was concern, but in reality, it was a warning.

You condone organized crime running rampant; aren't you afraid that one day the retribution will come to you?

Even more viciously, there was another layer of meaning hidden in these words.

Lüjiang City had previously unanimously defaulted to suppressing Comrade Weidong; have you ever thought about who is standing behind him?

Sweat finally broke out on Secretary Wan Xiaohan's forehead.

He knew that Minister Ma Fuqiang was backing Comrade Weidong, and also expressing his dissatisfaction with the Lujiang Municipal Committee.

Three months ago, Comrade Weidong took people to Qili Village to investigate and was stopped by a phone call from Secretary Xu Qing.

At the time, Secretary Wan Xiaohan and Secretary Lin Juncai were not unaware of this, but they chose silence.

Because the person who stepped forward was Secretary Xu Qing, and standing behind Secretary Xu Qing was Deputy Secretary Zhang Honglian...

The Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary at that time...

Who could have imagined that the fifty-something Deputy Secretary Zhang Honglian could be chased away just like that?

And furthermore, he even brought his own family members over, afraid that people wouldn't know he was here to provide protection...

What was hardest to swallow was that Minister Ma Fuqiang's first stop for research after taking office was Lüjiang City.

Is this research?

This is coming to settle accounts...

Secretary Lin Juncai bit the bullet and replied, "Secretary Ma, the situation in Changyuan County is relatively complex, we are currently..."

He had tried hard initially, but his old leader behind him had advised him not to get involved in this matter, so he chose silence.

"Mayor Lin, you don't need to explain."

"I know that grassroots work is difficult, and I know that some things are not within your control."

"However..."

Minister Ma Fuqiang paused, his smile fading slightly.

"Some things, no matter how difficult, must be done."

"Some problems, no matter who they involve, must be investigated."

"This is our responsibility."

Minister Ma Fuqiang turned to Secretary Wan Xiaohan. "Secretary Wan, don't you agree?"

Secretary Wan Xiaohan took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "Secretary Ma is right."

"The Lujiang Municipal Committee will definitely shoulder its responsibilities; what needs to be investigated will be investigated, and what needs to be cracked down on will be cracked down on, without hesitation."

Minister Ma Fuqiang looked at him, nodded, and said nothing more.

The group walked toward the conference room. Secretary Wan Xiaohan walked in front, his steps steady, but his heart was in turmoil.

Every word Minister Ma Fuqiang just said was a warning, every sentence was applying pressure.

Those few sentences about the organized crime in Changyuan County directly pointed out their previous dereliction of duty.

In the conference room, the hosts and guests took their seats.

According to protocol, they first reported on their work.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan, representing the Lujiang Municipal Committee, reported on the city's economic and social development and the progress of political and legal work, and then Secretary Lin Juncai supplemented the Municipal Government's arrangements for the special anti-trafficking campaign.

Minister Ma Fuqiang listened very carefully, nodding from time to time, and occasionally asking one or two questions.

The report ended, and Minister Ma Fuqiang spoke.

"Secretary Wan, Mayor Lin, fellow comrades."

"I came today not to pick faults, but to work with everyone to clarify the problems and get things done."

"Overall, I affirm the work in Lüjiang City."

"However..."

The Lujiang Municipal Committee was now afraid of the word "however"...

Minister Ma Fuqiang changed the subject. "Some problems cannot be avoided, such as Changyuan County."

He opened the notebook in front of him, glanced at it, and then closed it.

"The problems in Changyuan County have not been around for just a day or two."

"Organized crime is rampant, disputes over mineral resources are constant, and the social security situation is worrying."

"It's not that the province doesn't know about these things."

"But why haven't they been resolved well?"

"Because someone is muddying the waters, someone is acting as a protective umbrella."

Minister Ma Fuqiang looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"This special anti-trafficking campaign is directly deployed by the public security authorities and is being personally overseen by the leadership."

"As a key area, Lüjiang City must produce tangible results."

"I don't look at reports or listen to briefings; I only look at results."

Minister Ma Fuqiang paused, his tone deepening. "Anyone who dares to set up obstacles for this special campaign at this juncture, tips off criminals, or acts as a protective umbrella for organized crime..."

"I don't care who they are, and I don't care who is standing behind them, I, Minister Ma Fuqiang, will be the first one to refuse!"

The conference room was deathly silent, and the faces of the Lujiang Municipal Committee members burned.

Deputy Secretary You Chuan's face was ashen, but he had already made up his mind.

What needs to be cut off must be cut off.

Secretary Xu Qing's face was as white as paper, his palms full of sweat.

Why did he have to be the one to make that phone call?

He wouldn't have time to even embezzle money and run away now; the import/export side must have already been arranged...

After Minister Ma Fuqiang finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a sip, then suddenly smiled again, his smile as warm as if he hadn't just said those things.

"Of course, I believe that the comrades in Lüjiang City are aware and capable of handling things."

"Secretary Wan, Mayor Lin, don't you agree?"

Secretary Wan Xiaohan nodded. "Secretary Ma, please rest assured, Lüjiang City will definitely complete the task."

Secretary Lin Juncai also stated his position, "We will definitely go all out."

Minister Ma Fuqiang nodded, stood up, and said, "That's it then."

"This afternoon I'm going to Changyuan County to take a look. I heard there is a Hukuang Township there, and a young cadre has emerged recently who is quite capable."

Minister Ma Fuqiang looked at Secretary Wan Xiaohan and chuckled. "Secretary Wan, what was that young cadre's name again?"

Secretary Wan Xiaohan felt a tightness in his chest, but didn't show it on his face. "Secretary Ma, are you referring to Comrade Weidong?"

"Right, Comrade Weidong."

Minister Ma Fuqiang smiled and nodded. "I heard he is a top student from the Civil Engineering University and is doing well at the grassroots level. Let him accompany me for a walk this afternoon."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan nodded. "Okay, I will arrange it immediately."

Pretending not to know him, are we?

No wonder he rose so quickly...

Minister Ma Fuqiang walked out. When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Secretary Xu Qing.

"Secretary Xu Qing, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"

Secretary Xu Qing was stunned and quickly said, "Secretary Ma, I'm fine, maybe I didn't rest well last night."

Just a moment ago he was already contemplating the path of smuggling, but being asked by Minister Ma Fuqiang like this brought him back to reality.

Minister Ma Fuqiang nodded and said meaningfully, "Health is the capital of the revolution, take care of yourself."

"Work has been busy lately, don't overwork yourself."

After saying this, he pushed the door open and walked out.

Secretary Xu Qing stood where he was, feeling his legs go weak.

If singing "Misguidedly Entering the Heavenly Family" a thousand times could return him to the time he made that phone call, he would definitely choose to slap the son of Deputy Secretary Zhang Honglian...