88: Chapter 88 Yu Huainan's Considerations

In the office of the Deputy Party Secretary, Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan stood before the window, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

Minister of the Organization Department Li Linfu sat on the sofa, with several documents spread out on the coffee table in front of him.

His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of the sofa, producing a dull sound.

"Deputy Party Secretary Yu, have you heard about the matter in Lvjiang City?"

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan turned around and walked back to sit on the sofa.

He set down his teacup and looked at Li Linfu with a calm gaze.

"Are you referring to the matter where Comrade Zou Nanping had people spread rumors?"

Li Linfu nodded and said, "Yes."

"Zou Nanping had people in Lvjiang City spread unfavorable remarks about Comrade Xu Weidong, saying things like he is impetuous, overbearing in his working style, and forms small cliques."

"Although it hasn't caused much of an impact yet, the nature of the matter is very severe."

Li Linfu paused, his tone becoming more serious.

"Deputy Party Secretary Yu, this matter cannot be simply viewed as Comrade Zou Nanping's personal behavior."

"Whose person is Zou Nanping?"

"He was promoted single-handedly by Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang."

"He has followed Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang for fifteen years; from division chief to vice governor, every step was facilitated by Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang."

"In doing this, was there any instruction from Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang behind it? Was there any tacit approval from Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang?"

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan looked at him without speaking.

Li Linfu continued, "Who is Comrade Xu Weidong? He is the son of Commander-in-Chief Xu."

"For Zou Nanping to target him is to slap Commander-in-Chief Xu in the face."

"And can Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang, who stands behind Zou Nanping, escape responsibility?"

Li Linfu leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Deputy Party Secretary Yu, this is an opportunity."

"If we bring this matter to the Standing Committee, amplify it, and let it ferment, we can strike a heavy blow against Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang's faction."

"They have operated in Fengtian for many years and have deep roots and great influence, but this time they were the ones who made the first move; they were the ones who broke the taboo."

"If we seize this handle, we can at least make Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang shed a layer of skin."

After hearing this, Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan remained silent for a long time.

He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and then set it down.

"Comrade Li Linfu, do you think Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang is such a stupid person?"

Li Linfu was stunned for a moment, then said, "Deputy Party Secretary Yu, you mean..."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan leaned back on the sofa, his gaze becoming deep and profound.

"I have worked with Old Fang for so many years, and I still understand him."

"This man may have this or that shortcoming, but he is certainly not a fool; he would not do something so lacking in discretion."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan paused and continued, "Did Zou Nanping report to Old Fang beforehand about going to Lvjiang City to spread rumors?"

"I am certain he did not."

"If Old Fang had known, he absolutely would not have agreed."

"Because it is too stupid, so stupid that it would implicate himself."

Li Linfu frowned and said, "Deputy Party Secretary Yu, are you so certain?"

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan nodded and said, "I am certain."

"The greatest strength of Old Fang is his stability."

"He has worked in Fengtian for so many years; what storms has he not seen? Would he provoke Commander-in-Chief Xu for the sake of one Xu Weidong?"

"This is impossible and unrealistic."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Li Linfu.

"This matter is, in all likelihood, Zou Nanping acting on his own initiative."

"He wanted to protect his turf in the medical and health sector and wanted to give a warning to the executive and the Discipline Inspection Commission, so he had crooked thoughts."

"As a result, his crooked thoughts didn't work out, and he got himself into trouble."

Li Linfu stood up and walked behind him.

"Deputy Party Secretary Yu, even if Zou Nanping was acting on his own, he is still Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang's person."

"Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang cannot escape responsibility for what he did."

"We can completely take this opportunity to give Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang a taste of our power."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan turned around and looked at him, his gaze carrying somewhat complex emotions.

"Comrade Li Linfu, have you thought about what would happen if we brought this matter to the Standing Committee?"

Li Linfu thought for a moment and said, "Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang would certainly have to make a statement."

"He would either have to protect Zou Nanping or abandon Zou Nanping."

"If he protects him, he would have to go up against the Xu faction."

"If he abandons him, the morale of his faction would dissipate."

"Regardless of the outcome, it would be beneficial for us."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan shook his head and said, "You are thinking too simply."

He walked back to the sofa and sat down, signaling for Li Linfu to sit as well.

"First, if we bring this matter to the Standing Committee, what would Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang do?"

"He would certainly communicate with Commander-in-Chief Xu at the first opportunity to explain clearly that this was not his intention."

"Given his rank and backing, Commander-in-Chief Xu would believe him, and by then, we would instead become the ones causing trouble."

Li Linfu's expression changed slightly.

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan continued, "Second, what Zou Nanping did, while stupid, has not yet caused any substantive consequences."

"Comrade Xu Weidong has not suffered any harm, and those rumors have not spread extensively."

"If we handle it with great fanfare, it would make us look like we are making a mountain out of a molehill, and it would make people think we are using the issue as a pretext."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan paused, his tone becoming more serious.

"Third, and this is the most important point."

"Comrade Li Linfu, you must understand that the Xu faction is in Fengtian to get things done, not to engage in infighting."

Li Linfu was stunned.

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan looked at him, his gaze carrying a sense of earnestness.

"Why did Commander-in-Chief Xu send Comrade Minister Ma Fuqiang, Comrade Governor Zhou Wenbin, and Comrade Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Li Gang to Fengtian?"

"It was to cooperate with the work of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, to promote work in key areas such as the Crackdown on Organized Crime and medical and health services, not to engage in factional struggle."

"If we spend all day thinking about how to strike at this faction or weaken that faction, how can we get any work done?"

Li Linfu lowered his head and stopped speaking.

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan sighed and said, "Comrade Li Linfu, I know you are doing this for my own good, wanting to use this opportunity to expand our influence."

"However, some things cannot be rushed, and they cannot be overdone. Politics is sometimes not about hosting dinner parties, nor is it about life-or-death struggles."

"Politics is sometimes also about compromise, about balance, and about finding that most suitable point among various forces."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued, "Regarding this matter of Zou Nanping, it is enough that we know about it; there is no need to make a big show of it."

"But we can appropriately let Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang know that we know it is his people who are causing trouble."

"Let him be aware of it, let him keep his people in check; that is enough."

Li Linfu raised his head, looked at Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan, and said, "Deputy Party Secretary Yu, are we just going to let it go like this?"

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan smiled and said, "Let it go? How can we let it go? Zou Nanping did something wrong; he must pay a price."

"But this price should not be set by us; it should be set by Vice Governor Fang Zhenggang."

"If he is smart, he will handle it cleanly himself."

"If he does not handle it cleanly..."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan paused, his gaze becoming deep and profound.

"Then it will not be too late for us to act."

Li Linfu nodded thoughtfully, and Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan stood up and walked a few steps.

"Comrade Li Linfu, you must remember that in officialdom, sometimes not moving is more powerful than moving."

"Letting opponents deal with their own messes is much more effective than us taking the field ourselves."

Li Linfu stood up, walked to his side, and said, "Deputy Party Secretary Yu, I understand."

Deputy Party Secretary Yu Huainan nodded, patted his shoulder, and said, "Alright, go back."

"Remember, only the two of us know about today's conversation."

Li Linfu nodded and took his leave.