71: Chapter 71 The Old Leader's Instructions

"Old Ma, at this hour, the Old Leader should still be in his office."

Minister Ma Fuqiang nodded, picked up the secure phone on the desk, then put it back down.

"Do you think if we call like this, the Old Leader will think we're making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Governor Zhou Wenbin laughed, "Making a mountain out of a molehill? When it comes to Comrade Weidong's affairs, which one of them is a small matter for us?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang also laughed, picked up the phone again, and dialed a number.

The phone rang twice before it was answered on the other end.

"Hello."

"Old Leader, it's me, Fuqiang."

Minister Ma Fuqiang's tone unconsciously became a bit more respectful.

"Fuqiang."

Xu Tianhua's voice carried a smile as he asked, "Calling so late, is something the matter?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang glanced at Governor Zhou Wenbin, then said, "Old Leader, Governor Zhou Wenbin is here too."

"We are together, and there is something we would like to report to you."

"Governor Zhou Wenbin is there too?"

Xu Tianhua's voice became even more relaxed, "When the two of you get together, nothing good ever happens. Speak, what is it?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang weighed his words before saying, "Old Leader, it's about Comrade Weidong."

There was silence on the other end of the line for a second.

"What's wrong with Comrade Weidong?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang hurriedly said, "Nothing, nothing, he's doing quite well."

"It's just... we saw a report submitted by Lüjiang City today, saying that Comrade Weidong personally led a team to handle a case involving organized crime, disguised himself, infiltrated a KTV, and dealt with gangsters..."

He summarized the situation briefly. On the other end of the line, Xu Tianhua listened very carefully without interrupting.

After Minister Ma Fuqiang finished, Xu Tianhua was silent for a few seconds, then laughed.

"This kid, he's still as bold as ever."

Governor Zhou Wenbin leaned closer to the phone and said, "Old Leader, Minister Ma Fuqiang and I discussed it, and we feel that this might be too risky?"

"After all, Comrade Weidong's position is special; if something were to happen..."

"Governor Zhou Wenbin, what do you think Comrade Weidong's status is right now?"

Governor Zhou Wenbin was stunned, "He... he is your son."

Xu Tianhua laughed, his laughter filled with deep meaning.

"Governor Zhou Wenbin, that understanding of yours is incorrect."

Xu Tianhua paused, his tone becoming serious, "What is Comrade Weidong's status right now?"

"He is the Executive Deputy Director of the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau in Lüjiang City, a young cadre nurtured by the Party, and a commander on the front lines of the Crackdown on Organized Crime."

"He is not Xu Tianhua's son; he belongs to the organization."

Governor Zhou Wenbin and Minister Ma Fuqiang exchanged a glance, neither speaking.

Xu Tianhua continued, "You think he's taking risks, you think he's in danger, but have you ever thought about those grassroots police officers who fight on the front lines all year round? Which one of them isn't in danger?"

"Which one of them isn't taking risks? Do they not have parents? Wives and children? Is their life worth less than my son's?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang hurriedly said, "Old Leader, you've misunderstood, that's not what we meant..."

"I know that's not what you meant."

Xu Tianhua's tone softened, "You care about him, you feel for him, I understand that."

"But you must understand, the organization put him in that position not to let him be a crown prince, but to get things done."

Xu Tianhua paused and continued, "I heard about the Hukuang Township incident. I also heard about the Qili Village incident."

"The kid did a good job; he has responsibility, grit, and methods."

"But this is just the beginning."

"The complexity of the grassroots, the treachery of human nature, the cruelty of the struggle—what he has seen is only the surface."

"If he isn't tempered, how can he grow?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang and Governor Zhou Wenbin listened quietly, not daring to interrupt.

"You said to bring him to the provincial level, but what would he do there? Sit in an office? Read documents? Listen to reports? Is that nurturing a cadre? That's raising a flower!"

Xu Tianhua paused, his tone becoming even more solemn.

"How did our generation make it through?"

"We walked out of the grassroots, one step at a time."

"When I was the mayor in Dongjiang, I went alone to negotiate with gangsters, did you know that?"

"The conditions back then were much harder and much more dangerous than now."

"But so what?"

"Without experiencing all that, I wouldn't be who I am today."

On the other end of the line, Minister Ma Fuqiang and Governor Zhou Wenbin were silent.

"So, there's no need for special treatment for Comrade Weidong."

"Let him do what he needs to do, let him go where he needs to go."

"If he has the ability and can achieve results down there, that is his fortune."

"If he lacks the ability and stumbles, then that is what he deserves. Xu Tianhua's son is not a flower in a greenhouse."

Minister Ma Fuqiang couldn't help but say, "Old Leader, but what if..."

"What if what?"

Xu Tianhua laughed, "What if something happens? What if he sacrifices himself?"

"That would be his fate, and it would also be his honor."

"In the line of police work, which day is without danger?"

"We, sitting in our offices, drinking tea and looking at documents—those comrades on the front lines are risking their lives."

"Since Comrade Weidong chose this path, he should have that awareness."

These words sent a jolt through Minister Ma Fuqiang and Governor Zhou Wenbin.

"Old Leader."

Governor Zhou Wenbin spoke, his tone filled with a bit of guilt, "It was our misunderstanding."

Xu Tianhua laughed, "It wasn't a misunderstanding; you just care about him too much."

"I understand that."

"But caring does not equal doting, and protection does not equal doing everything for him."

"What you need to do is not pave the way for him, but to point him in the right direction and keep an eye on things when he needs it."

Xu Tianhua paused, then changed the subject, "Speaking of keeping an eye on things, I actually want to ask you, how is the situation in Fengtian Province going now?"

Minister Ma Fuqiang and Governor Zhou Wenbin exchanged a glance, their hearts tightening. This was the real topic of today's phone call.

Minister Ma Fuqiang said sternly, "Old Leader, here in Fengtian Province, we have been pushing forward according to your instructions."

"Personnel adjustments in the political and legal system are basically in place, and the team at the Public Security Department has also been preliminarily straightened out."

"The special Crackdown on Organized Crime campaign is being carried out in depth, and breakthroughs have been made in the first batch of key cases."

Governor Zhou Wenbin added, "In terms of the economy, we have focused on rectifying several areas."

"Especially in the healthcare sector, in coordination with the Discipline Inspection Commission, we have already uncovered a number of issues."

"The case of Shenghong Pharmaceutical is being investigated in depth, and it should be able to implicate more people."

Xu Tianhua gave an acknowledging hum and was silent for a few seconds.

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime must be thorough, but it cannot be expanded indiscriminately."

"We must strike precisely, hit accurately and hard, and not harm the innocent."

"The rectification in the healthcare sector must continue to be pushed forward, but it must not affect normal medical order."

"The problems of the common people finding it difficult and expensive to see a doctor must be treated as a priority."

Minister Ma Fuqiang nodded repeatedly, "Old Leader is right, we will definitely maintain the right measure."

Xu Tianhua continued, "There is one more thing you must pay special attention to."

The two held their breath, concentrating.

"The situation in Fengtian Province is complex, with deep roots and intertwined interests."

"What you are moving now is only what's on the surface; the truly hard nuts to crack are still ahead."

Xu Tianhua's tone became grave, "Therefore, you must seize the time to develop reliable comrades, build a strong team, and lay a solid foundation."

"Only when you have people in your hands and confidence in your hearts can you open up the situation."

Minister Ma Fuqiang said, "Old Leader, rest assured, we have been working on this aspect."

"In several key departments at the provincial level, we already have reliable people, and we are gradually pushing forward at the city level as well."

Governor Zhou Wenbin also said, "On the side of the political and legal system, we are systematically training young cadres."

"Like Comrade Weidong, although he is young, he has already been tempered at the grassroots level and can be focused on for future training."

Xu Tianhua laughed, "Don't worry about Comrade Weidong's affairs."

"He walks his path, you do your work; they are two different things."

The two hurriedly agreed.

"Alright, it's getting late, you should also get some rest early."

"Remember what I said, do what you need to do, don't always keep your eyes on Comrade Weidong."

"He is just a twenty-something kid; he's not worth two deputy provincial-level cadres worrying about every day."

Minister Ma Fuqiang laughed, "Old Leader, we are just worried because we care."

Xu Tianhua also laughed, "Caring is fine, but don't be chaotic."

"Alright, hang up."

"Take care, Old Leader."

"Take care."

The phone call ended. Minister Ma Fuqiang and Governor Zhou Wenbin exchanged a glance and both let out a long sigh.

Minister Ma Fuqiang sighed with emotion, "We cannot compare to the Old Leader's perspective."

Governor Zhou Wenbin nodded, "It's not a question of perspective, but of stance."

"We were thinking about Comrade Weidong alone, but the Old Leader is thinking about the entire Fengtian Province, the entire big picture."

Minister Ma Fuqiang picked up the now-cold tea, took a sip, and said with lingering fear, "Governor Zhou Wenbin, do you think those last few words from the Old Leader were a reprimand for us?"

Governor Zhou Wenbin thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Not a reprimand, but a reminder."

"A reminder not to just focus on Comrade Weidong and forget our real work."

Minister Ma Fuqiang was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Right, the real work is what's important."

"The Old Leader is right; we must seize the time to develop reliable comrades. The game of chess in Fengtian Province has only just begun."

Governor Zhou Wenbin also stood up and walked over to his side.

"Yes, it has only just begun."