74: Chapter 74 Father's Speech

Early January in Shengjing was biting cold.

Security was tight inside and outside the Provincial Party Committee auditorium.

Red flags snapped in the cold wind, and the national emblem gleamed with a solemn luster under the winter sun.

At the auditorium entrance, armed police officers stood at attention with their weapons, their gazes like torches.

Today was the day for the Fengtian Province Public Security Work and Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Special Campaign Promotion Meeting.

At 8:30 AM, attendees began to enter the venue one after another.

The top leaders, municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission secretaries, and Public Security Bureau chiefs from various cities, along with heads of relevant provincial departments, packed the entire auditorium, creating a sea of people.

A striking banner hung above the rostrum: "Deepen the Special Anti-Trafficking Campaign and Resolutely Protect the Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children."

A row of long tables covered with dark green tablecloths was set up on the stage, with nameplates arranged in order.

Party Secretary Yang Junze, Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang, Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan, Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Li Gang, Governor Zhou Wenbin, and Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Minister Ma Fuqiang, along with other members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, were all in attendance.

Everyone was waiting for one person. At exactly nine o'clock, the auditorium doors opened.

A figure in a dark Zhongshan suit appeared at the entrance, walking with a steady gait and a composed demeanor.

It was none other than Xu Tianhua, a trusted confidant of the leadership and a member of The Government Compound who had just achieved his position; he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Knife Handle and Party Committee Secretary, the second-in-command of the political and legal system, the First Political Commissar of the armed Knife Handle, and the First Party Secretary!

The entire hall stood up, and applause thundered.

Xu Tianhua smiled, nodded to both sides, then walked steadily onto the rostrum and took his seat in the center.

Party Secretary Yang Junze sat to his left, and Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang sat to his right.

The applause lasted for nearly a minute before gradually subsiding at a signal from Party Secretary Yang Junze.

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan. He cleared his throat and said into the microphone, "Comrades, today, we are very honored to invite Commander-in-Chief Xu to visit our province amidst his busy schedule to attend the Provincial Public Security Work and Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Special Campaign Promotion Meeting."

"The arrival of Commander-in-Chief Xu fully reflects the high importance that the Party Central Committee and The Government Compound attach to our province's public security work, and embodies the care and support of the Knife Handle Headquarters for our province's special anti-trafficking campaign."

"Let us once again express our heartfelt thanks to Commander-in-Chief Xu for his arrival with warm applause!"

The applause rang out again, and Commander-in-Chief Xu bowed slightly to acknowledge it.

Next was the address by Party Secretary Yang Junze. His speech was not long, but it carried significant weight.

"Commander-in-Chief Xu has worked at both local and central levels for a long time, possesses rich leadership experience and profound theoretical foundations, and has a deep understanding and unique insights into public security work."

"Today, Commander-in-Chief Xu's personal visit to our province to provide guidance is a tremendous encouragement and spur to us."

"We will certainly earnestly study and comprehend the spirit of Commander-in-Chief Xu's important instructions and effectively transform them into a powerful driving force for promoting our work."

Party Secretary Yang Junze paused, swept his gaze over the audience, and his tone became serious.

"The special anti-trafficking campaign is an important task deployed by the Central Committee, which concerns the happiness and tranquility of thousands of households and relates to social harmony and stability."

"As a key province, we must adopt a stance of fighting to win and resolutely triumph in this tough battle."

"Party Committees and governments at all levels must earnestly take responsibility, and public security organs at all levels must go all out to ensure that the special campaign achieves tangible results."

Below, leaders from various cities sat upright and took notes earnestly.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan of the Lujiang Municipal Committee sat in the third row, pen in hand, but could not write down a single word.

His gaze drifted from time to time toward the figure on the rostrum, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Secretary Lin Juncai sat beside him, also looking grave.

The two exchanged a look, both seeing the same worry in each other's eyes.

Finally, it was Commander-in-Chief Xu's turn to speak.

Commander-in-Chief Xu gently adjusted the microphone, swept his gaze over the audience, and then slowly began, "Comrades, I came here today mainly to see everyone and hear your opinions."

"Just now, Comrade Yang Junze and Comrade Yu Huainan both spoke very well, and I agree with them."

"Next, I would like to share a few points of view in conjunction with public security work."

Commander-in-Chief Xu's voice was not loud, but every word clearly reached every corner of the auditorium.

"Since the launch of the special anti-trafficking campaign, various regions and departments have attached great importance to it, taken a series of forceful measures, and achieved phased results."

"According to statistics, the whole country has solved cases of trafficking in women and children... rescued trafficked women and children... and dismantled criminal gangs..."

"These achievements were hard-won and are the result of the diligent efforts of all public security officers."

A round of applause broke out in the hall, and Commander-in-Chief Xu waved his hand, signaling for everyone to stop.

"However, we must be soberly aware that trafficking crimes are still frequent, the means of committing crimes are more concealed, the criminal chains are more complex, and the task of combating and governing remains extremely arduous."

"Especially in some places, there is insufficient attention, ineffective measures, and poor results regarding this work, and the masses have reacted strongly. This problem must be given high priority."

Commander-in-Chief Xu paused, swept his gaze over the audience, and seemed to linger for a moment in one particular spot.

"Here, I want to emphasize one point in particular."

"Public security leaders and cadres at all levels must perform their duties and take responsibility."

"Principal leaders must personally take charge and take overall responsibility, while leaders in charge must focus on specific execution and implementation."

"You must go deep into the front line and provide command from the front, but you cannot replace the front-line officers in charging into battle."

As soon as these words were spoken, many people in the audience felt a jolt in their hearts.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan's face turned pale instantly, and Secretary Lin Juncai's hand trembled slightly.

Commander-in-Chief Xu continued, "Front-line officers work very hard, braving the wind and rain, risking their lives to combat crime and maintain public order."

"We must care about their hardships, solve their difficulties, and do a good job in logistical support."

"Let them work with peace of mind, without any worries."

"This is what leaders should do."

Commander-in-Chief Xu paused, his tone becoming even more solemn as he said, "Anti-trafficking work is not about hosting dinner parties, nor is it about writing essays; it is a real, life-and-death struggle."

"Leading cadres at all levels must earnestly take responsibility; you must both take command and lead the charge, but you must not use front-line officers as tools, and even less should you treat young cadres as cannon fodder."

These words were even heavier, causing fine beads of sweat to appear on Secretary Wan Xiaohan's forehead.

Secretary Lin Juncai's Adam's apple bobbed; he wanted to say something, but could not get anything out.

Other municipal leaders sitting next to them moved away quietly, as if wanting to distance themselves from them.

Commander-in-Chief Xu continued his speech, shifting the topic to other aspects, but Secretary Wan Xiaohan and Secretary Lin Juncai could no longer take it in.

There was only one thought in their minds: Was this directed at them?

Was it talking about them making Comrade Weidong charge to the front line?

Or was it just a general statement?

They didn't know, but one thing was very clear to them.

Regardless of whether Commander-in-Chief Xu intended it or not, the people below would make that association.

And once it spread, their Lvjiang City would become the classic example of making the Commander-in-Chief's son cannon fodder.

They could not afford to take the blame for this.

Commander-in-Chief Xu's speech lasted about forty minutes, covering multiple aspects such as the in-depth promotion of the special anti-trafficking campaign, the building of the public security force, and the strengthening of grassroots foundation work.

It had both height and depth, combining theoretical exposition with practical guidance, causing the audience below to nod frequently.

After the speech concluded, warm applause broke out in the venue once again.