55: Chapter 55 Deputy Secretary-General

April, Lvjiang City.

Xu Weidong stood by the river, holding his phone in his hand.

On the screen was the last message Bai Bing had sent.

"Weidong, I understand. Take care of yourself."

It was a simple sentence, without a single superfluous word.

Xu Weidong shoved his phone into his pocket, watching the flower petals drift across the river, standing still for a long time.

Yesterday, he went to the provincial capital.

He met Bai Bing in a quiet café.

The two sat across from each other, silent for a long time.

In the end, it was Bai Bing who spoke first.

"Weidong, I know why you came to find me."

Xu Weidong looked at her, wanting to say something, but finding himself unable to speak.

Bai Bing lowered her head, looking at the coffee cup in front of her, her voice very soft.

"My dad told me."

Xu Weidong's heart tightened as he asked, "What did he say?"

Bai Bing looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back, not letting them fall.

"He said that our family... is actually a white glove for some big shots."

Xu Weidong's hand trembled slightly.

"He also said that our family has done some disgraceful things."

Bai Bing continued, "I didn't know about those things before."

"I thought my dad was just doing legitimate business—medical equipment, wellness projects... I never thought about what was behind those projects."

Xu Weidong remained silent.

"It wasn't until a while ago that he told me."

"He said the big shot behind our family wants to use me to tie you down."

"They want me to be with you, and then, through you, make your dad compromise on certain matters."

Xu Weidong's fists clenched.

"They said this would be good for our family and also good for your family."

Bai Bing's tears flowed uncontrollably as she said, "They said the person behind the scenes could allow your family into their circle."

"They said it was a win-win situation."

Bai Bing looked up at Xu Weidong, her eyes red.

"Weidong, my feelings for you are genuine."

"From the day we enrolled in our freshman year when you called me 'Senior', my feelings for you have been genuine."

"For so many years, I have never thought about using you to trade for anything, and I don't want you to be dragged into this quagmire."

Bai Bing wiped away her tears and tried to force a smile.

"So, Weidong, let's break up."

Xu Weidong looked at her, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he couldn't say a word.

Bai Bing stood up and picked up her bag.

"Weidong, you must take care of yourself."

"Do what you think is right, and don't look back."

Bai Bing turned and walked quickly toward the door.

Xu Weidong stood up, wanting to chase after her, but found he couldn't take a step.

Xu Weidong took a deep breath, stopped the memories, turned around, and left the riverside.

At the end of April, Changyuan County announced several personnel adjustments in succession.

The former Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission and Chief of the Public Security Bureau, Secretary Hu Qiu, was transferred laterally to serve as Deputy Director of the Municipal People's Congress Committee for the Construction of Rule of Law.

From a position of real power controlling the legal and political affairs of a county to Deputy Director of the Municipal People's Congress Committee, Secretary Hu Qiu's political life was basically over.

Replacing him was Qiu Ping, 36 years old, the former secretary of Secretary Lin Juncai, who had served as Deputy Director of the Municipal Government Office.

This man, Qiu Ping, had a good reputation in the official circles of Lvjiang City.

He was low-key, pragmatic, solid in his work, and did not form cliques.

It is said that when Secretary Lin Juncai employed him as a secretary, he was the first to arrive at the office every day and the last to leave, never saying a word more than necessary.

Later, when he was sent down to the county to serve as Deputy County Magistrate, he also worked silently and never showed off.

Putting him in the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Changyuan County this time was clearly Secretary Lin Juncai laying out his strategy.

The choice for the new Chief of the County Public Security Bureau was even more surprising.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng, the former captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the City Public Security Bureau.

Whose man was Secretary Liu Qingfeng?

He was Police Chief Zheng Xilin's man.

And who promoted Police Chief Zheng Xilin?

Secretary Lin Juncai...

This line was crystal clear.

Both key positions had been taken by Secretary Lin Juncai's people.

Although Secretary Chen Tianci was still the County Party Committee Secretary, he didn't have as many cards in his hand as before.

In early May, Changyuan County held a meeting of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee.

Eleven people sat around the oval table in the conference room.

Secretary Chen Tianci sat in the center, County Magistrate Lan Tianxing on his left, Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee Li Taimin on his right, and the other members of the Standing Committee took their seats in order.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng also attended the meeting. Although he was the Chief of the County Public Security Bureau, he was not yet a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee, so he could only sit in the non-voting seats in the back row.

Xu Weidong sat in an even further back row, with a set of meeting materials in front of him.

Today's meeting had only one agenda item: the establishment of the Changyuan County Leading Group for the Special Campaign to Crack Down on the Trafficking of Women and Children.

Secretary Chen Tianci presided over the meeting.

He cleared his throat and began to read the list.

"The team leader position will be held by me."

"The first deputy team leader is Comrade County Magistrate Lan Tianxing."

"The executive deputy team leader is Comrade Qiu Ping."

"The deputy team leader is Comrade Secretary Liu Qingfeng."

Secretary Chen Tianci paused, his gaze sweeping over the people present, finally landing on Xu Weidong in the back row.

"The position of Deputy Secretary-General will be held by Comrade Xu Weidong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hukuang Township, who will be in charge of daily operations."

As his voice fell, the conference room went silent for a few seconds.

Then, someone started to applaud.

The applause was sparse, but no one dared not to clap.

Everyone present was shrewd; who couldn't see the meaning of this arrangement?

Team leader Secretary Chen Tianci was clearly just a figurehead and wouldn't handle specific matters.

The first deputy team leader, County Magistrate Lan Tianxing, was also a figurehead; the ones who would really be responsible were Qiu Ping and Secretary Liu Qingfeng.

And the executive deputy team leader, Qiu Ping, was Secretary Lin Juncai's man, responsible for overall coordination.

But the one who would actually be in charge of daily operations was Xu Weidong.

A deputy section-level township Party Committee deputy secretary, presiding over the daily operations of the county-wide anti-trafficking special campaign.

What did this mean?

It meant that in this special campaign, Xu Weidong could mobilize the county's police resources, coordinate various departments, review all case files, and report the progress of the work to the County Party Committee at any time.

To put it bluntly, it was giving him an imperial sword to let him investigate.

Moreover, this arrangement was personally proposed by Secretary Chen Tianci.

No one knew what Secretary Chen Tianci was thinking.

But one thing was certain: after Secretary Hu Qiu was transferred away, Secretary Chen Tianci's resolve had wavered.

At this time, he had to curry favor with those above.

Putting Xu Weidong in this position was his pledge of allegiance.

As for the other Standing Committee members, no one dared to say anything.

Who dared to speak?

That was Xu Weidong!

The person personally escorted down by four members of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee.

The person personally named and received by Minister Ma Fuqiang, Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission...

Did they have a death wish?

Thus, it was passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Qiu Ping took the initiative to walk up to Xu Weidong and extended his hand.

"Comrade Xu Weidong, let's keep in touch regarding work in the future."

Xu Weidong shook his hand and nodded, "Secretary Qiu, you are too kind. It is I who should learn more from you."

Qiu Ping smiled, didn't say anything more, and turned to leave.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng also walked over, patted Xu Weidong's shoulder, and said, "Secretary Xu, we meet again."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "Chief Liu, I will really have to trouble you this time."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng waved his hand, "What trouble? It should have been done long ago."

He lowered his voice and said, "Police Chief Zheng Xilin asked me to pass a message to you."

"Go ahead and do it; the City Public Security Bureau will fully support you."

Xu Weidong nodded, a surge of warmth welling up in his heart.

From the Municipal Party Committee to the City Public Security Bureau, from the provincial level to the county level, those who supported him were falling into place one by one.

Now, it was his turn!

Walking out of the conference room, the sunlight outside was just right.