97: Chapter 97 Removing the Subordinate Character

In February, Changyuan County was still biting with the chill of early spring.

However, the temperature of the county's political scene was steadily rising.

It was unclear when exactly it started, but a rumor began to spread through the streets and alleys of the county town.

"Have you heard? A leader from the city spoke up, saying Xu Weidong is too young and needs more tempering, so there's no rush to promote him to a full section-level position."

"Is that for real?"

"It came from someone in the Municipal Government Office; could it be fake?"

"Well, that's going to be exciting. It looks like the Public Security Bureau seat is going to change hands."

The news grew wings, flying across the County Party Committee, the County Government, the Public Security Bureau, and every corner concerned with personnel changes.

The first to lose his composure was Political Commissar Hu Ke of the Public Security Bureau. Political Commissar Hu Ke had worked in the Public Security Bureau for twenty years, grinding his way up from an ordinary police officer to Political Commissar.

In terms of seniority and experience, he felt he was far superior to Xu Weidong.

The reason he hadn't dared to make a move before was that everyone knew Xu Weidong had strong backing and was favored by both the city and the county; he hadn't wanted to hit a brick wall.

But now that a city leader had spoken about the need for "more tempering," didn't that mean Xu Weidong was out of the running?

Political Commissar Hu Ke went to the home of Qiu Ping, Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, that very evening.

"Secretary Qiu."

Political Commissar Hu Ke sat on the sofa, his attitude humble.

"I've worked in public security for twenty years and know the bureau inside and out. If the organization is considering candidates for the Director position, I will absolutely obey the arrangements, and I definitely have the ability to shoulder this responsibility."

Qiu Ping held his teacup, smiling as he looked at him. "It's a good thing that Political Commissar Hu has this ambition."

"When the organization employs people, it certainly prioritizes comrades with experience and ability."

Political Commissar Hu Ke felt a surge of joy, expressed his determination once more, and then took his leave.

What he didn't know was that the moment he left, Qiu Ping picked up the phone and dialed the number of Secretary Yang Wei.

"Secretary Yang Wei, Political Commissar Hu Ke just left my place."

Qiu Ping said calmly, "He came to lobby for an official position."

Secretary Yang Wei gave a grunt of acknowledgment on the other end of the line. "Noted."

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Chen Ling was also making moves.

Deputy Director Chen Ling was younger than Political Commissar Hu Ke, thirty-nine this year, a graduate of the provincial police academy, and considered to have a solid pedigree within the public security system.

He took a different path, getting someone to relay a message to Secretary Wei Kuan expressing his desire to "make progress."

Secretary Wei Kuan's reply was very enthusiastic: "Comrade Chen Ling is young and promising; there is an opportunity."

Hearing this, Deputy Director Chen Ling was even more motivated, running to the County Party Committee for several days in a row, seeking this person and that, wishing he could knock on the doors of every member of the Standing Committee in the county.

But what he didn't know was that after Secretary Wei Kuan hung up the phone, he casually wrote a name in his notebook.

Deputy Director Chen Ling.

Then came the Director of the Justice Bureau.

The Director of the Justice Bureau was surnamed Ma, fifty-one years old, had worked in the judicial system for most of his life, and had always wanted to change his post.

The position of Director of the Public Security Bureau had a much higher value than his current position as Director of the Justice Bureau.

He felt this was an opportunity, so he also started scrambling about, inviting this person to dinner today, reporting work to that person tomorrow, busy and enjoying it.

Then there was the Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, surnamed Zhou, an old-timer in the county with wide connections and deep relationships.

He didn't come forward personally, but entrusted several old colleagues to pass messages to the members of the Standing Committee.

The meaning was clear: if the position of Director of the Public Security Bureau became vacant, he was willing to shoulder the responsibility.

And then...

In just half a month, several lists had appeared on the desks of Secretary Yang Wei and Secretary Wei Kuan.

Secretary Yang Wei looked at the lists, smiling meaningfully.

"Secretary Wei Kuan, our fish pond has quite a few fish, doesn't it?"

Secretary Wei Kuan also smiled. "Secretary Yang, this is just the beginning. Let's wait a bit longer to see if there are any bigger fish."

"Fine."

Secretary Yang Wei put the lists away and continued with a smile, "Once they are tired of running, we will cast the net."

By early March, the people making moves gradually decreased.

It wasn't that they didn't want to run anymore; it was that they couldn't run anymore.

Political Commissar Hu Ke had visited seven or eight homes of Standing Committee members, and the response was always "okay, okay, okay, the organization will consider it," but he had no idea if there was any real chance.

Deputy Director Chen Ling had it even worse; he ran for half a month without getting a definite word, only managing to thin out his legs from all the running.

The Director of the Justice Bureau, Director Ma, had hosted three dinners, spending a lot of money, but while the Standing Committee members drank the wine and ate the food, they would just smile and dodge the issue whenever he brought up business.

"What's going on?"

Director Ma complained to the Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, "I've given gifts and hosted dinners; why is there no movement at all?"

The Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was also a bit puzzled. "Logically, if Xu Weidong's matter had really fallen through, someone should have been interested."

"How is it that after running a full circle, it feels like I haven't run at all?"

The two looked at each other, neither able to make sense of it.

But what they didn't know was that every step they took, every word they said, and every dinner they hosted was being recorded in the ledger of Secretary Yang Wei and Secretary Wei Kuan.

In late March, the Standing Committee was held as scheduled.

When the meeting reached the personnel agenda, the head of the Organization Department cleared his throat and took out a document.

"Members of the Standing Committee, there is an important personnel appointment to discuss today, which is the candidate for the position of Director of the County Public Security Bureau."

The conference room went quiet.

"After careful investigation by the Organization Department and consideration of various opinions, it is proposed to nominate Xu Weidong to serve as Director of the County Public Security Bureau."

"Xu Weidong is currently the Executive Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau. Having been in Changyuan County for two years, his work performance has been outstanding, his professional ability is strong, and his political quality is excellent."

"In last year's national anti-trafficking special operation, he led a team to destroy the criminal den of the Sihai Group in one fell swoop, capturing 47 criminal suspects, rescuing 23 abducted women and children, seizing a drug manufacturing plant, freezing 80 million in funds, and sealing assets worth over 100 million."

"The Provincial Public Security Department applied for an individual First-Class Merit for this case, and the County Public Security Bureau received a Collective Second-Class Merit. Such achievements are outstanding throughout the county and even the entire city."

After the head of the Organization Department finished speaking, he looked at the members of the Standing Committee present.

Qiu Ping, Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, was the first to speak: "I support this. I am aware of Xu Weidong's ability."

"He led the anti-trafficking operation last year, and I had many dealings with him. This person has courage, responsibility, and intelligence."

"He is fully qualified for the position of Director of the Public Security Bureau."

Secretary Yang Wei nodded. "Secretary Qiu is right."

"Although Xu Weidong is a young cadre, he has proven himself with actual results over the past two years."

"When the organization employs cadres, it looks at ability, not age. I agree with the nomination."

Secretary Wei Kuan followed closely: "I also agree."

"Xu Weidong's performance is obvious to all. Under his leadership, the work style and team image of the Public Security Bureau have significantly improved."

"I am confident in letting him take over as Director."

The three main leaders had expressed their stance, so the other Standing Committee members naturally had nothing else to say.

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

Unanimously passed.

Less than two hours after the meeting ended, the news spread throughout Changyuan County.

Political Commissar Hu Ke was drinking tea in his office. When he heard the news, he almost dropped the teacup in his hand.

"What? Unanimously passed? Didn't they say a city leader wanted him to have more tempering?"

The young police officer who came to report shrank his neck. "Political Commissar Hu, I don't know either, but the news came from the County Party Committee, so it shouldn't be fake."

Political Commissar Hu Ke stood there stunned, his face turning pale and then green.

He thought of the seven or eight homes of Standing Committee members he had visited over the past half month, remembered the resolutions he had expressed, the words he had said... a chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

At the same time, Deputy Director Chen Ling was also dazed in his office.

"Unanimously passed…"

He muttered to himself, "Then what have I been busy with for the past half month?"

He wanted to call Secretary Wei Kuan to ask, but picked up his phone and put it back down.

He could say what?

Ask Secretary Wei Kuan, "Didn't you say I had a chance?"

But Secretary Wei Kuan had only said there was an opportunity from beginning to end; he hadn't promised anything. Who could he blame?

The Director of the Justice Bureau, Director Ma, heard the news and slammed the table, cursing.

"Damn it, I hosted three dinners, spent several thousand, and this is the result?"

The Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was calmer, but his expression was also grim.

"Fishing."

Director Ma was stunned. "What?"

"Fishing."

The Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission gritted his teeth. "Secretary Yang Wei and Secretary Wei Kuan were fishing."

"They had already decided on Xu Weidong and deliberately released the rumor to see who would take the bait."

"We were all hooked."

Director Ma's face turned completely white. He remembered the three dinners he had hosted and the words he had said at the dinner table.

These words had likely already reached the ears of Secretary Yang Wei and Secretary Wei Kuan.

"It's over."

"My life is as good as ruined."

That evening, Director Li Zhongmin carried a bottle of wine and knocked on the door of Xu Weidong.

"Director Xu, congratulations!"

Director Li Zhongmin put the wine on the table, his face wrinkled with a smile.

"Unanimously passed by the Standing Committee, awesome!"

Xu Weidong smiled and poured him a cup of tea.

"Let's skip the alcohol; let tea substitute for wine."

"Fine, fine, fine, tea it is."

Director Li Zhongmin picked up the tea cup, drank it in one gulp, and then sighed. "Director Xu, you don't know, but these past half months have worried me to death. With all those rumors outside, I thought something had really happened."

"But today, when the news came out, hey, everyone was dumbfounded! You should have seen Deputy Director Chen Ling's face; it looked like his own mother had died."

Xu Weidong smiled faintly and didn't respond.

Director Li Zhongmin sighed a few more times, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Director Xu, I heard that on Secretary Yang Wei and Secretary Wei Kuan's side, they kept a long list."

"Those who lobbied for positions, those who passed messages, those who hosted dinners—everyone is on it."

"These people, I'm afraid, won't be able to get promoted in the future."

Xu Weidong glanced at him. "You are quite well-informed."

"Of course."

Director Li Zhongmin laughed. "I'm with you, how could I not be?"

Xu Weidong shook his head and took a sip of his tea.

Outside the window, the night was thick.

But he knew that tonight in Changyuan County, some people would not be sleeping well.

Sure enough, in the next few days, the atmosphere in the county was very subtle.

When Political Commissar Hu Ke saw Xu Weidong, his smile was uglier than crying, calling him "Director Xu" over and over, as affectionately as he could.

Deputy Director Chen Ling took sick leave directly, hiding at home and not daring to come out.

The Director of the Justice Bureau, Director Ma, hid whenever he saw someone, fearing being asked about those three dinners.

On the contrary, Secretary Du Qing had been very quiet for the past half month.

Ever since his father had an incident, he had not shown his face in the county.

The Youth League Committee said he had taken long leave and returned to Heishui Province to handle family affairs.

As for Director Ye Mingzhu, she remained as calm and composed as ever, going to work and attending meetings as usual.

Someone tentatively asked her opinion on Xu Weidong's promotion, and she smiled and said, "Director Xu deserves it; I congratulate him."

Only Xu Weidong knew that that night, Director Ye Mingzhu had sent him a message.

"Congratulations, Director Xu. That fishing move was played beautifully."

Xu Weidong looked at the message, smiled, and did not reply.

On the last day of March, Xu Weidong officially received the appointment document.

From a selected cadre to Executive Deputy Director, and then to Director, among his peers, he was already moving extremely fast.