82: Chapter 82 Awards

In Yancheng, at the Knife Handle press conference hall.

A massive national emblem hung in the center of the podium, with red flags standing solemnly on both sides.

Camera flashes flickered, and dozens of media lenses were aimed squarely at the podium.

Xu Tianhua walked to the podium, dressed in a dark police uniform, the police commissioner insignia on his shoulders gleaming under the lights.

"Fellow reporters, comrades: Today, I am here to report a major victory in the Crackdown on Organized Crime."

Xu Tianhua's voice was steady and powerful, each word clearly echoing through every corner of the press hall.

"Recently, under the high priority and strong leadership of the Fengtian Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, with the Provincial Public Security Department coordinating command, the Municipal Public Security Bureau providing guidance, and the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau executing the operation, we have successfully cracked the major organized crime case involving the Sihai Group."

Xu Tianhua paused, his gaze becoming more profound.

"In this case, a total of 47 criminal suspects were arrested, 12 criminal dens were destroyed, 23 trafficked women and children were rescued, 1 drug manufacturing factory was seized, 320 kilograms of various finished and semi-finished drugs were confiscated, 80 million yuan in illicit funds were frozen, and assets involved in the case valued at over 100 million yuan were sealed and seized."

There was a gasp of astonishment from the audience. Xu Tianhua continued, "Comrades, the successful resolution of this case fully embodies the wisdom and correctness of the CPC Central Committee's decision and deployment to carry out the Crackdown on Organized Crime. It fully reflects the firm determination and forceful measures of the Fengtian Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government to implement the central government's decisions, and fully demonstrates the spirit of loyalty, responsibility, and courage of our vast number of police officers."

Xu Tianhua's tone became more solemn: "Here, on behalf of the Knife Handle Party Committee, I extend my highest respect and heartfelt thanks to all the police officers who participated in this operation! I also extend my sincere gratitude to the Fengtian Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, and the Lujiang Municipal Committee and Municipal Government for their strong support!"

Applause erupted. Xu Tianhua nodded slightly, and after the applause subsided, he continued, "Comrades, the Crackdown on Organized Crime is a major decision and deployment made by the CPC Central Committee from the strategic height of ensuring long-term national stability and the people's peaceful life."

"This struggle concerns the hearts and minds of the people, the stability of political power, and whether the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation can be successfully realized."

Xu Tianhua paused, his gaze becoming more determined: "The successful resolution of the Sihai Group case has provided us with valuable experience."

"First, adhere to the Party's leadership and fully leverage the Party Committee's core leadership role in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties."

"Second, adhere to the mass line, rely closely on the people, and widely mobilize the masses to participate."

"Third, adhere to acting according to the law, strictly follow legal procedures, and ensure that every case can stand the test of history and the people."

"Fourth, adhere to addressing both symptoms and root causes, by strictly cracking down on criminal gangs while deeply investigating and exposing the 'protective umbrellas' behind them, and eradicating the soil in which criminal gangs breed."

Below the stage, reporters were recording rapidly.

Xu Tianhua continued, "This operation in Fengtian Province has set a good precedent and established a good example for the Crackdown on Organized Crime in provinces and cities across the country."

"They have proven with actual actions that as long as there is determination and the courage to tackle tough issues, even the most stubborn criminal gangs can be eradicated."

"As long as we rely on the masses and act according to the law, even the most complex cases can be solved."

Xu Tianhua raised his voice: "Taking this opportunity, I would like to put forward three requirements to the national public security organs."

"First, further improve political standing. We must profoundly understand the major political significance of the Crackdown on Organized Crime, earnestly unify our thinking and actions with the CPC Central Committee's decisions and deployments, and push the Crackdown on Organized Crime deeper with a high degree of political, ideological, and action-oriented awareness."

"Second, further strengthen responsibility and accountability. The main responsible comrades of public security organs at all levels must earnestly fulfill their duties as the primary responsible persons, personally researching and deploying, personally coordinating and promoting, and personally supervising and inspecting. We must dare to be serious and tackle tough issues, dare to chew on hard bones, and resolutely win this hard battle of the Crackdown on Organized Crime."

"Third, further deepen the approach of addressing both symptoms and root causes. While strictly cracking down on criminal gangs, we must deeply investigate and expose the 'protective umbrellas' behind them, and resolutely eradicate the soil in which criminal gangs breed. We must improve and perfect long-term mechanisms to promote the normalization, institutionalization, and legalization of the Crackdown on Organized Crime."

Xu Tianhua paused, his tone becoming more solemn: "Comrades, the Crackdown on Organized Crime is a people's war."

"In this war, there are no bystanders and no outsiders."

"Every police officer is a soldier in this war. Every member of the public is the source of strength for this war."

"Let us unite even more closely around the CPC Central Committee, and with firmer determination, more forceful measures, and a more solid work style, resolutely win this hard battle of the Crackdown on Organized Crime, and hand in a satisfactory answer to the Party and the people!"

The applause was like thunder. After the press conference ended, reporters surged toward the podium, scrambling to ask questions.

Xu Tianhua patiently answered a few questions, then politely ended the press conference.

Walking out of the press hall, his secretary came up and whispered: "Chief, there was a call from Fengtian. They said that the merit materials for Comrade Weidong have already been submitted."

Xu Tianhua paused in his steps, nodded slightly, and said: "I see."

He continued walking forward, his face expressionless.

In March, inside The Government Compound of the County Public Security Bureau, red flags fluttered in the wind.

A red carpet was laid on the steps in front of the office building, and flowers were placed on both sides.

Police officers, dressed in regular uniforms, stood in formation, each one high-spirited and sharp-eyed. Today was a big day for the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau.

At nine o'clock in the morning, several police cars drove into The Government Compound.

The car doors opened, and Guo Yongnian, Director of the Provincial Public Security Department, was the first to step out, followed by a group of leaders including the Director of the Provincial Department's Political Department, the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Corps, and the Captain of the Public Security Corps.

Police Chief Zheng Xilin of the Municipal Public Security Bureau accompanied them, and Secretary Wan Xiaohan and Secretary Lin Juncai also made a special trip from the city.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng walked up quickly, saluted, and said: "Hello, Director Guo! All police officers of the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau are in formation. Please give your instructions!"

Guo Yongnian returned the salute, his gaze sweeping over the neat formation, and he nodded with satisfaction.

"Hello, comrades!"

"Hello, Chief!"

The uniform voice echoed through The Government Compound. Guo Yongnian walked up the steps and stood in front of the temporarily constructed podium.

Behind him, the leaders of the Provincial Department and the City Public Security Bureau took their seats in order.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan and Secretary Lin Juncai sat in the front row, their expressions serious but tinged with some gratification.

Xu Weidong stood in the first row of the formation, wearing his brand-new police rank insignia on his chest, his posture upright.

The ceremony was hosted by the Director of the Political Department of the Provincial Public Security Department. He cleared his throat and said into the microphone: "Comrades, today we are holding a grand commendation ceremony here to award prizes to the advanced collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the Crackdown on Organized Crime."

"First, please have Comrade Guo Yongnian, Director of the Provincial Public Security Department, read the commendation decision."

Applause erupted. Guo Yongnian stood up, unfolded the red-headed document in his hand, and said in a resonant voice: "Decision on awarding Xu Weidong a personal first-class merit and the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau a collective second-class merit."

Guo Yongnian paused and continued reading: "In the Crackdown on Organized Crime, the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the central government and the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. Under the strong leadership of the Lujiang Municipal Committee and Municipal Government and the Municipal Public Security Bureau, they were courageous in taking responsibility and daring to tackle tough issues, successfully cracking the major organized crime case involving the Sihai Group."

"This case arrested a total of 47 criminal suspects, destroyed 12 criminal dens, rescued 23 trafficked women and children, seized 1 drug manufacturing factory, confiscated 320 kilograms of various finished and semi-finished drugs, froze 80 million yuan in illicit funds, and sealed and seized assets involved in the case valued at over 100 million yuan."

"After study and decision by the Party Committee of the Provincial Public Security Department: Xu Weidong is awarded a personal first-class merit, and the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau is awarded a collective second-class merit."

Thunderous applause. Guo Yongnian closed the document, his gaze sweeping over the police officers below, a gratified smile appearing on his face.

"Comrades, this first-class merit and this collective second-class merit were hard-earned."

"They were earned by all the police officers of the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau with sweat, wisdom, and responsibility."

"On behalf of the Party Committee of the Provincial Public Security Department, I extend my warm congratulations and highest respect to you all!"

Applause erupted again, and the next part was the award ceremony.

Guo Yongnian personally pinned the first-class merit medal on Xu Weidong. The golden medal gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting Xu Weidong's young and determined face.

"Comrade Weidong."

Guo Yongnian shook his hand, his eyes full of appreciation.

"You performed outstandingly in this operation, leading from the front and commanding appropriately, making an important contribution to the successful resolution of the case. I hope you will cherish this honor, continue to work hard, and make new contributions."

Xu Weidong saluted, his voice steady: "Thank you, Director Guo! I will definitely not forget my original intention, keep my mission in mind, and continue to struggle for the cause of public security!"

Below the stage, Secretary Wan Xiaohan and Secretary Lin Juncai exchanged glances, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes.

This young man—they had watched him go from a fresh graduate selected for government service to where he was today, step by step.

Next was the presentation of the collective second-class merit plaque to the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau. Secretary Liu Qingfeng accepted the plaque on behalf of the entire bureau and held it high.

There was thunderous applause below, and many police officers' eyes turned red.

This was the honor they deserved—those days and nights of stakeouts, those thrilling arrests, those sleepless interrogations!

It was all worth it!

After the award ceremony, Guo Yongnian delivered a speech.

"Comrades, the successful resolution of the Sihai Group case is of great significance and has far-reaching influence."

"It not only eradicated a criminal gang that had entrenched itself in Changyuan County for twenty years and rescued a group of trafficked women and children, but more importantly, it sent a strong signal to the whole society."

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime is by no means just a passing fad, and it will never be abandoned halfway."

Guo Yongnian paused, his gaze sweeping over the police officers below.

"Why was this case successful?"

"It is because of the strong leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, because of the strong support of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, and because of the forward-deployed command of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, but most fundamentally, it is because of you!"

"It is because of the heroic struggle of all the police officers of the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau!"

"Especially Xu Weidong."

"As the deputy bureau chief in charge, he personally commanded, personally coordinated, and personally charged forward. This spirit is worthy of learning by all police officers in the province!"

Applause erupted again. Xu Weidong's expression was calm, but a warm current surged in his heart.

He knew that this honor did not belong to him alone; it belonged to every comrade who participated in the operation and to those family members who silently supported them from behind the scenes.

After the ceremony, Guo Yongnian specifically called Xu Weidong aside.

"Comrade Weidong, the Commander-in-Chief asked me to bring a message to you."

"Well done, keep up the good work."

Xu Weidong felt a warmth in his heart and nodded: "Thank you, Director Guo."

"Please tell the Commander-in-Chief that I will."

Guo Yongnian patted his shoulder and smiled: "Alright, keep working hard."

"If you have any difficulties in the future, call me directly."

Xu Weidong saluted: "Thank you, Director Guo!"

After seeing off the Provincial Department leaders, the courtyard gradually quieted down.

Xu Weidong stood on the steps, watching the collective second-class merit plaque being carried into the office building, an indescribable feeling surging in his heart.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng walked over and stood beside him.

"Comrade Weidong, what are you thinking about?"

Xu Weidong smiled and said: "Nothing."

"Just thinking that this road is still long."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng also smiled: "Yes, it is long, let's take it one step at a time."