46: Chapter 46 The Standing Committee reviews the new plan

Secretary Chen Ran was taken aback for a moment and said, "It's alright, quite familiar."

"Notify her to come to my office before 8:30 tomorrow morning. I have something to tell her."

A flash of suspicion crossed Secretary Chen Ran's eyes, but he quickly said, "Very well, Secretary. I will contact her shortly."

At 8:20 the next morning, Lu Waner arrived early at the outer office of 605, standing and speaking with Secretary Chen Ran.

"Secretary Chen, what exactly does the Secretary want with me?" She had changed into a black dress today; simple, fair-skinned, and possessing a sense of mystery.

"I'm not sure either. The Secretary is a very good person, so you don't need to be nervous." Secretary Chen Ran comforted her gently.

"I know, he is a very good person," she murmured softly.

After a few minutes, light and rapid footsteps approached, and Secretary Chen Ran whispered, "The Secretary is here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Huaijing walked in, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and dark business trousers. Both of them hurriedly and respectfully greeted him.

Zhang Huaijing nodded with a smile and said, "Little Lu, come with me. I have something I need you to take care of."

"Very well, Secretary." Lu Waner set down her disposable cup and followed him into the inner office.

"Lock the door," Zhang Huaijing said.

Lu Waner hesitated for a moment, but still locked the door, then walked to the reception area, sat down opposite Zhang Huaijing, raised her head slightly, and looked at the leader.

"During our last research trip, I remember you saying you were Cui Liming's fiancée, and that you had planned to get married during the National Day holiday, is that correct?"

"Yes." Her expression suddenly turned sorrowful.

Zhang Huaijing went straight to the point: "I have received some whistleblower letters and documentary materials stating that Cui Liming was murdered. I don't know if it is true or false. What do you think?"

Lu Waner's expression tightened: "Really? Someone else mentioned that his death was suspicious."

"I have looked at those materials, and there are indeed many suspicious points. For instance, the nearby surveillance cameras were broken; the vehicle involved did not have its headlights on, did not slow down, and did not hit the brakes, but instead floored the accelerator. It is said that Ah Shui is 29 years old and has 10 years of driving experience. And so on." Zhang Huaijing tried to maintain a calm narrative, devoid of personal emotional color.

"Yes, he had offended some people, especially the county magistrate's father-in-law. He had written letters to the county, city, and province to report them. That person had encroached on farmland, occupying several acres of good fields. Cui Liming was too upright and loathed evil; he would report anything he couldn't stand, so it is possible he was retaliated against." As Lu Waner spoke, her eyes reddened again.

Zhang Huaijing waited for her to calm down and continued: "Someone anonymously gave me these materials. I am the Deputy Party Secretary and am not in charge of political and legal affairs, so it is difficult for me to handle this. If I give it to the relevant departments, it might not solve the problem and could instead alert the culprits. I have a suggestion: you should mail it to the leadership of the Provincial Public Security Department. After they study and evaluate it, they may set up a special investigation team. After all, this is a criminal case. Regardless of whether Cui Liming was wronged, they will give you a result."

Lu Waner quickly said: "Okay, Secretary, I will do it. Thank you."

Zhang Huaijing then used a key to open the drawer and took out a file bag that was sealed. He said: "You don't need to open it; just mail it out. This is the mailing address and the recipient's name."

He also handed her a note.

Lu Waner took the file bag and the note with trembling hands. For a moment, she was so moved she didn't know what to say, only shaking her shoulders with tears in her eyes and choking out: "Thank you, Secretary, thank you!"

"This matter is top secret. That is the reason why I asked you to handle it, you should understand."

"I understand, I know. I won't let a second person know."

"Go ahead, good luck."

At ten o'clock, Secretary Man Chaojian presided over a Standing Committee meeting in the Municipal Party Committee conference room to specifically discuss the new proposal for the Chaojiang Bridge.

All 11 members of the Municipal Party Committee leadership were present to vote on whether or not to approve the new proposal.

Reporter Ye Xiaoni from the city television station arrived again with a cameraman, and her standing position was once again opposite Zhang Huaijing.

She smiled at him and stuck out her tongue; Zhang Huaijing responded with a smile as well.

After the first agenda item concluded, the deliberation on the new proposal for the Chaojiang Bridge began.

Secretary Man Chaojian kept a smile on his face throughout and said enthusiastically: "After several rounds of expanded research and discussion, all sectors of society have basically reached a consensus. In building the Chaojiang Bridge, we should do it right in one go, constructing a high-standard, two-way six-lane scenic bridge, making it a landmark of Haizhou, representing Haizhou's pioneering, innovative, magnificent, and grand urban temperament and character;"

"At the same time, the bridge will become a new tourist attraction, connecting the Xiaoqingshan National 4A-level Scenic Area in the Jiangbei New Area, the Ancient City Old Street, Archway Street, Zhuangyuan Pavilion, as well as the coastal boardwalk and Central Park, forming a scenic linkage. It can be said that this is a solid step forward in our efforts to build a modern, international, and fashionable coastal tourism city!"

Speaking up to this point, he raised his chubby little hand and waved it in the air, appearing very heroic.

But the people below, with varied expressions, all remained silent.

Secretary Man Chaojian was good at performing and cared quite a bit about the reactions of those below, so he continued: "Therefore, today we are bringing the new proposal to the Standing Committee for discussion. Please express your opinions. Comrade Huaijing, you go first."

This time, without waiting for the mayor to speak first, Zhang Huaijing said straightforwardly: "I have already expressed my position many times: I support the new proposal."

Subsequently, Secretary Lian Ming of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Minister Hui Fang of the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department both expressed their support.

Secretary She Xionghan, Executive Vice Mayor Zuo Youfa, and Xiang Zhicheng expressed their opposition.

Currently, it is three to three. If the Municipal Party Committee Secretary and the mayor are included, it is four votes to four.

The gazes of Secretary Man Chaojian and Niu Panlong both fell upon Minister Meng Zhaodi of the Municipal Organization Department. Her face, painted a bit too pale, shone with a sheen, and she kept her head down, saying nothing.

Last night, the mayor had called her, hinting at her connection with Deputy Minister Xue Zhongkai, and asked her to oppose the new proposal. To avoid repeated persuasion from the other party, she had agreed beforehand.

Secretary Man Chaojian then turned his gaze to the Military Region Commander Zheng Fuguo, who was sitting at the very end, and asked: "Commander Zheng, why don't you share your opinion as well?"

Commander Zheng Fuguo was obviously hesitant. After pondering for a moment, he said: "Regarding this project, I see that there is a significant divergence between the new and old proposals. Everyone has their own logic. Both are based on promoting the economic and social development of Haizhou. I think both are quite good. Whichever proposal the meeting decides on, I will raise both hands in support. I have finished stating my position."

Secretary Man Chaojian's smile instantly froze. He cursed in his heart: You bastard, you spoke so well yesterday about supporting the new proposal, how did you suddenly change your mind?

He looked at Niu Panlong, who was closest to him. A smug smile appeared on the corner of the latter's mouth.

Indeed, Niu Panlong had worked on him overnight. Although the Commander did not support the old proposal, his neutrality meant that Secretary Man Chaojian lost an important vote. The outcome of today's showdown was now unpredictable; if it ended in a tie, that would also be a failure.

Just at this moment, Minister Meng Zhaodi spoke up: "I support the new proposal, thank you."