83: Chapter 83 The Issue of Promotion

In the corridor of the Public Security Bureau building, footsteps hurried, and every person's face carried an indescribable, complex expression.

The news had already spread: Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang of Hukuang Township had been taken away by the County Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Just a few hours ago, two vehicles from the Discipline Inspection Commission drove into the Hukuang Township Government, and in front of everyone, they invited these two "parent officials" who had held sway in Hukuang Township for many years into the cars.

According to witnesses, Secretary Hu Dakui's legs went weak when he got into the car, while Township Head Ge Jiefang was composed, though his face was as pale as paper.

Director Li Zhongmin received the news immediately; he stood in front of the window in Xu Weidong's office.

Watching the police officers coming and going in the courtyard downstairs, he suddenly turned his head and said to Xu Weidong, who was sitting behind the desk.

"Director Xu, in my life, I haven't admired many people, but you are one of them."

Xu Weidong raised his head, looked at him, and smiled, asking: "Why the sudden comment?"

Director Li Zhongmin walked back to the sofa and sat down, crossing his legs and then uncrossing them.

It was rare for him to have such a relaxed posture, but his eyes revealed a sense of emotion.

"Director Xu, think about it, how much time has passed?"

"Sihai Group, taken down."

"President Cheng Xin, inside. General Manager Wan Baolai, inside. Now Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang are also inside."

"These people, how many years have they entrenched themselves in Changyuan County?"

"No one could touch them!"

"But you came, and in one year, you cleaned them all up."

Director Li Zhongmin paused, his tone filled with genuine admiration.

"I am truly impressed."

Xu Weidong put down the pen in his hand, leaned back in his chair, his gaze calm.

"Director Li, what you said is not right."

Director Li Zhongmin was stunned and asked: "How is it not right?"

Xu Weidong shook his head and said: "These people were not cleaned up by me alone."

"It is the correct leadership of the County Party Committee and County Government, the strong support of the City Public Security Bureau, and the joint efforts of all the comrades in the bureau."

"Crackdown on Organized Crime is my duty as the deputy director of the office. Maintaining social stability is my duty as the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau."

"These are all part of my job, there is nothing to be impressed about."

Director Li Zhongmin looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Director Xu, your level of speaking is getting higher and higher."

Xu Weidong also smiled: "It is not a matter of level, it is just speaking the truth."

Director Li Zhongmin restrained his smile and asked tentatively: "Director Xu, there is something I want to ask you."

Xu Weidong nodded and said: "Go ahead."

Director Li Zhongmin weighed his words, then said: "You have made such a great contribution, a personal First-Class Merit, and you are even on the radar of the whole province."

"Now that the new Party Secretary and the new County Head have arrived, there is still a vacancy for a Deputy County Head in the government."

"Our Director Liu, this time his contribution is also not small, a collective Second-Class Merit, and he is a veteran of the police force; it would be normal for him to take a step up, right?"

Xu Weidong looked at him without speaking.

Director Li Zhongmin continued: "If Director Liu goes up, won't the position of Director become vacant?"

"In terms of merit, in terms of ability, you tell me, besides you, who else can take it?"

Xu Weidong was silent for a few seconds, then smiled: "Director Li, are you worrying on my behalf?"

Director Li Zhongmin also smiled: "I am just showing concern for my leader."

Xu Weidong stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the courtyard outside.

"Director Li, our Public Security Bureau is under dual leadership; the county manages it, and the City Public Security Bureau also manages it."

"The candidate for Director must be agreed upon by the County Party Committee, recognized by the City Public Security Bureau, and also reported to the Provincial Department for the record."

"There are too many factors involved, it is not something we can guess here."

Xu Weidong turned around, looked at Director Li Zhongmin and said: "Besides, whether Director Liu goes up, when he goes up, and to what position, those are all things for the organization to consider."

"The most important thing for us as cadres is to obey the organization's arrangements."

"Whatever the organization tells us to do, we do. Whatever position it puts us in, we stay in."

"Thinking too much about other things is useless."

Director Li Zhongmin nodded, stood up and said: "Director Xu is right, I thought too much."

He walked to the door, turned back and smiled: "Director Xu, no matter what, in my heart, you are the only choice for Director."

Xu Weidong smiled and didn't respond.

The moment the door closed, he stood by the window, looking at the spring scenery outside, his gaze deep.

Director Li Zhongmin's words—had he not thought about them?

But thinking is one thing, saying is another.

In officialdom, some things can only be thought about, not said.

Meanwhile, in Political Commissar Hu Ke's office, the atmosphere was completely different.

Deputy Director Chen Ling sat on the sofa, a smile playing on his face. He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then put it down.

"Political Commissar Hu Ke, have you heard about today's events?"

Political Commissar Hu Ke was looking at documents and raised his head upon hearing this.

"What events?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling smiled and said: "Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang were taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission."

Political Commissar Hu Ke nodded and said calmly: "I heard, they deserved it."

Deputy Director Chen Ling looked at him, his eyes carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Political Commissar Hu Ke, you are right, they deserved it."

"The things they did in Hukuang Township all these years should have been investigated long ago, but..."

Deputy Director Chen Ling paused, changing the subject: "Political Commissar Hu Ke, have you ever thought about how many people they will implicate once they go in?"

Political Commissar Hu Ke put down the documents in his hand and looked at him: "Deputy Director Chen Ling, what are you trying to say?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling waved his hand: "Political Commissar Hu Ke, don't misunderstand, that is not what I meant."

"I mean, Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang are in, President Cheng Xin is in, and General Manager Wan Baolai is in."

"As these people bite at each other, no one knows who it will eventually implicate."

Deputy Director Chen Ling paused, his tone becoming more meaningful.

"But this has little to do with us. We are from the Public Security Bureau, we investigate cases, we are not the ones being investigated."

"What I want to say is another matter."

Political Commissar Hu Ke looked at him without speaking.

Deputy Director Chen Ling continued: "Political Commissar Hu Ke, do you think Director Liu will take a step up after such a great contribution this time?"

Political Commissar Hu Ke's gaze flickered, but his expression remained calm.

"That is something for the organization to consider."

Deputy Director Chen Ling smiled: "Political Commissar Hu Ke, your words are too official. Let's speak behind closed doors; if Director Liu goes up, who will take the position of Director?"

Political Commissar Hu Ke looked at him, his gaze becoming somewhat sharp.

"Deputy Director Chen Ling, what exactly do you want to say?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling waved his hand, putting on an appearance of being sincere.

"Political Commissar Hu Ke, I am thinking of you."

"How many years have you worked in the bureau?"

"From Deputy Political Commissar to Political Commissar, step by step, down-to-earth."

"In terms of seniority, in terms of ability, in what way are you inferior to others?"

"Logically speaking, if Director Liu goes up, this position of Director should belong to you."

Deputy Director Chen Ling paused and sighed: "But now there is an extra variable."

"How many merits has Xu Weidong made since he came here?"

"A personal First-Class Merit, even on the radar of the whole province. He has connections above, and he is capable himself; who can stop such a person?"

Political Commissar Hu Ke's expression changed slightly. Deputy Director Chen Ling looked at his expression and felt secretly pleased, but said: "Of course, I am just guessing blindly."

"Whatever the organization arranges, we must obey."

"But Political Commissar Hu Ke, some things should be strived for, and some activities should be carried out."

"Otherwise, when it is set in stone, it will be too late to move."

Political Commissar Hu Ke was silent for a few seconds, then said: "Deputy Director Chen Ling, I appreciate your good intentions."

"But these kinds of things are not for us to worry about."

"The organization has the organization's considerations, and the leaders have the leaders' arrangements. As cadres, the most important thing is to obey the organization and follow the arrangements."

Political Commissar Hu Ke paused, his tone becoming firmer.

"As for the rest, thinking too much is useless."

Deputy Director Chen Ling looked at him and sneered in his heart.

Pretend, keep pretending.

Of course, Deputy Director Chen Ling said on the surface: "Political Commissar Hu Ke is right, I was overthinking."

He stood up and took his leave.

The moment the door closed, Political Commissar Hu Ke leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh.

Director Liu's words—had he not thought about them?

If Secretary Liu Qingfeng goes up, logically, the position of Director should indeed be taken by him.

He is the Political Commissar, his seniority is sufficient, and his ability is not bad.

But what about Xu Weidong?

That young man, he made contributions, and he has such strong connections above.

Who can stop such a person?

He opened his eyes, looked at the ceiling, his mind a tangled mess.

He knew very well that Deputy Director Chen Ling's words just now were instigation and probing.

But those words happened to hit the softest part of his heart.

He thought of Xu Weidong's young face, thought of his steady speeches at every meeting, and thought of his composed command during the Sihai Group case.

This young man is indeed not simple.

And he, Political Commissar Hu Ke, is getting old this year.

If he doesn't make a move soon, there will be no chance left.