422: Disciplinary results

It wasn't until the golden patterns completely faded that everyone slowly took their seats, thin beads of sweat already forming on their foreheads.

Their gazes collectively fell on the center of the table, where the content of the Emperor's Edict clearly appeared. Everyone quickly looked at it, committing it to memory.

After the words dissipated into specks of light, the Premier, who was at the head, finally let out a long breath and massaged his throbbing temples with his fingertips.

"It's a good thing we didn't make a hasty decision just now. The Emperor's considerations are indeed different; he neither condoned dereliction of duty nor disheartened the loyal and upright."

"Indeed."

A committee member next to him echoed.

"If we had followed the usual procedure, we would have either punished too severely and displeased the Emperor, or been ridiculously lenient and undermined the authority of the law. Only the Emperor can grasp this balance so perfectly."

The tense atmosphere in the conference room finally relaxed. Everyone exchanged glances, seeing the same sense of relief in each other's eyes—this disciplinary storm, which had lasted for several days, had finally concluded under the judgment of the highest will.

After all, if their own decisions were to contradict the Emperor, wouldn't it simply displease the Emperor?

This was no laughing matter—the Emperor's authority tolerated no questioning, and even a slight error could lead to eternal damnation.

"Everyone, since the Emperor has already given the order, let's proceed according to the Emperor's decision!"

The Premier made a decisive call, his tone filled with unquestionable resolve.

He knew that any hesitation at this moment could be seen as disrespect to the highest will, so swift execution was necessary.

"Understood!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices carrying a sense of relief, yet also absolute obedience to the Emperor's judgment... Meanwhile, in an office at the administrative center of This Galaxy Cluster, Comrade Li Yang was staring blankly at the light screen.

When the message notification from the Imperial Supreme Political Council popped up, his fingertips trembled slightly—it had finally arrived.

Although he was mentally prepared, this was, after all, his first disciplinary action since entering the Imperial officialdom, so it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous.

Taking a deep breath, Comrade Li Yang opened the message box.

But the more he read, the more his brow furrowed, his face filled with confusion, even a touch of disbelief.

He read it three times, confirming he hadn't misread, then suddenly stood up and quickly headed to Ou Ben's office.

Because the disciplinary result was truly beyond his expectations.

As Comrade Li Yang reached the door of Ou Ben's office, the door opened from the inside.

Ou Ben was walking out, and the two almost collided.

"Secretary Li?"

Ou Ben was startled for a moment, then smiled.

"You've come at a good time; I was just about to look for you."

He stepped aside to let Comrade Li Yang in, closing the door behind him.

"Let's talk inside."

The two sat down on the reception sofa, neither speaking for a moment, just looking at each other, their eyes reflecting a similar confusion.

Comrade Li Yang was the first to speak, his tone a bit uncertain.

"I suppose Chairman Ou has also received the disciplinary notice from the Supreme Political Council, right?"

Seeing Ou Ben's hesitant expression, he was certainly as confused about the result as he was.

Ou Ben nodded, his fingertips tapping lightly on his knee.

"I received it, but looking at Secretary Li's expression, I'm afraid you're like me, not expecting this result?"

As his words fell, the two exchanged glances, both seeing the same wry understanding in each other's eyes, and couldn't help but laugh simultaneously.

"Speaking of which, this result is completely different from what was expected."

Ou Ben picked up the tea on the table and handed a cup to Comrade Li Yang.

Comrade Li Yang took the teacup, his fingertips touching the warm cup, and the tense emotion in his heart gradually relaxed.

"Yes, it's truly unexpected."

"Alright, no more idle talk, Secretary Li, quickly look at my disciplinary result notice..."

As Ou Ben spoke, he tapped his wristband, and a pale blue light screen unfolded in response, clearly displaying several lines of neat text.

Comrade Li Yang quickly leaned in, his gaze fixed on the light screen, reading it word by word.

"...comrade Ou Ben exhibited negligent behavior in his post. After deliberation, it has been decided to issue a warning disciplinary action and revoke his promotion eligibility for five years..."

He was silent for a moment, then looked up at Ou Ben, his tone cheerful.

"This result is already quite good! A warning disciplinary action is just a routine verbal admonition, not recorded in the core archives, with minimal impact. As for not being able to be promoted for five years, with your current position and ability, the Chairman of This Galaxy Cluster is already stable enough. Five years won't make much difference; it's a good time to adjust your state and refine work details. Once this period passes, with your qualifications, the path to promotion will only be smoother."

Ou Ben looked at the text on the light screen, also with a relaxed expression.

"Secretary Li, if it weren't for the Imperial Supreme Political Council's red seal on this notice, I would truly think someone made it up to tease me."

Ou Ben joked, but the uncontrollable smile at the corner of his mouth had already revealed his inner joy completely.

Anyone could see that he was in a good mood at this moment—he had personally dismantled Vice Speaker Wang Wen's corrupt group, and his own disciplinary action was as light as dusting off his sleeve. How could he not be happy with such a result?

"Oh, right, Secretary Li, where's your notice?"

Ou Ben suddenly remembered something, looking up at Comrade Li Yang with a hint of curiosity.

After all, his own disciplinary result was so lightly brushed over; surely Secretary Li, with his special identity and mysterious background, would have an even lighter one?

Upon hearing this, Comrade Li Yang also raised his hand to display a pale blue light screen between them, with the text clearly visible.

Ou Ben leaned in to look, and the smile on his face instantly froze, his eyes widening abruptly, his voice even rising a few octaves.

"Transfer?!"

The light screen clearly stated:

"In view of Comrade Li Yang's dereliction of duty in this operation, after deliberation by the Imperial Supreme Political Council, it has been decided to transfer him from This Galaxy Cluster to serve as the 19th Division Commander of the Xili Empire Homeland Security Force in Gongjing No. 3 Star System."

"Division Commander? A position in the Imperial Homeland Security Force?"

Ou Ben stared at the text on the light screen, his brows furrowed into a knot.

"This change is too absurd, isn't it? You are currently the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee and supervision director of This Galaxy Cluster, a proper political position. How did you suddenly get transferred to the military?"

Comrade Li Yang's fingertips slid repeatedly over the words "19th Division Commander," his tone tinged with confusion.

"I'm also puzzled. After all, my current military rank is only Lieutenant Colonel. Just by the name, you know this military unit isn't simple. For me, a Lieutenant Colonel, to become the Division Commander of a division, wouldn't that be a joke?"

Ou Ben stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Not necessarily. Have you forgotten? Our Division Commander Wei of This Galaxy Cluster is only a Colonel. Presumably, Gongjing No. 3 Star System is at most the same level and size as our This Galaxy Cluster."

"But the situation is different."

Comrade Li Yang shook his head slightly.

"I have always built my own fleet to complete military tasks. According to regulations, I must first be promoted to a general's rank to be eligible to hold an actual military position. This current arrangement clearly bypasses the process, and I don't know what the higher-ups are considering."

This was what Comrade Li Yang found most strange.