Chapter 253

Just after starting work in the morning, Li Mingzhou received a call from Chen Guanghui, Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee: "Secretary Li, I hope I'm not disturbing your work!"

Li Mingzhou smiled and said, "What instructions does Secretary Guanghui have?"

Chen Guanghui hurriedly said, "It would be too exaggerated to call it instructions, but there is indeed a matter to communicate with you. The Provincial Public Security Department intends to make certain adjustments to the municipal-level Public Security Bureaus, including exchanges between municipal levels and exchanges between the Provincial Department and municipal levels, which involves our Yingjiang City, so I want to hear your opinion?"

Is this pulling the firewood from under the cauldron? Li Mingzhou sneered in his heart, but his face remained calm, and he responded lightly, "Secretary Guanghui, why do I feel that this adjustment is so coincidental? Is it intentionally targeted? I just arranged for the Public Security Bureau to carry out a special crackdown operation to rectify 'theft, robbery, and looting' of crude oil and some illegal enterprises. Now that the action has just begun to achieve some results, someone can't sit still? Could it be that it touched someone's interests?"

Chen Guanghui frowned and said, "I don't know about the special action in Yingjiang. Comrades from the Public Security Department talked to me about this concept this morning, and I think it's quite good. I communicated with you first, but I didn't expect there to be this issue in the middle. Let me find out more!"

"Hmm, my attitude is very clear: the Yingjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau Director should not be adjusted for the time being!"

Not long after the phone was hung up, Municipal Public Security Bureau Director Ye Chen came to Li Mingzhou's office and reported the rumors of the Provincial Department adjusting him with slight worry.

Li Mingzhou didn't have any reaction and said lightly, "Work with peace of mind, it's not someone else's turn to chirp about Yingjiang's affairs!"

Ye Chen felt at ease, and his anger also came up. He reported, "Secretary, according to the investigation by the Economic Investigation Detachment, the three associated gas stations in Ningyang have serious economic problems. Through buying low and selling high, they buy high-quality natural gas at the price of waste gas and directly produce it into LNG and light hydrocarbons, selling them at high prices. Some LNG is even bought back by the natural gas company. Just looking at the accounts, the profit exceeds 1 billion yuan!"

Li Mingzhou raised his head and said seriously, "This involves serious loss of state-owned assets. There is only one principle: no matter who is involved, it must be investigated to the end! Including enterprises! During the case handling process, if there is any interference, tell me immediately. Still the same sentence: Yingjiang's affairs are decided by Yingjiang!"

Ye Chen immediately stated, "Please rest assured, Secretary, I will definitely investigate the case clearly and bring the illegal criminals to justice!"

That afternoon, the Municipal Public Security Bureau filed a case to investigate Le Xuezhi!

At eight o'clock in the evening, Li Mingzhou's phone rang; it was Executive Vice Provincial Governor Duan Pengfei calling!

Li Mingzhou sneered, answered the phone, and said, "Governor Pengfei, it's so late, is there anything?"

"Secretary Mingzhou is still working, your diligence is obvious to all in the province!"

What's the use of these flattery? Li Mingzhou smiled and said, "The Central Committee and the Provincial Party Committee handed Yingjiang to me, and I must be responsible for the survival, development, and employment of millions of people in Yingjiang. Only by working conscientiously can I not dare to slack off in the slightest! If my ability is insufficient, I can only make up for it with attitude!"

"Secretary Mingzhou is joking. In the past two years, Yingjiang's work in all aspects has been constantly catching up and surpassing. The year-end assessment is coming soon, and the economic indicators I am responsible for are all at the forefront, which makes me feel both emotional and admiring!"

After flattering for nearly ten minutes, Li Mingzhou began to lose patience. Duan Pengfei finally got to the point and said, "Secretary Mingzhou, some things are not convenient to say clearly. Those factories in Ningyang did indeed commit some minor mistakes, and they can be allowed to improve. After all, they have also contributed to the economic development of Ningyang and Yingjiang. We still have to appropriately protect the interests of private enterprises and not let our entrepreneurs feel cold!"

Li Mingzhou replied righteously, "Where are they committing minor mistakes? They are simply seriously violating laws and discipline! These people, through despicable means of collusion between inside and outside, have caused a large loss of state-owned assets, as high as over one billion yuan!"

"Facing such despicable behavior, do you think I can be soft-hearted toward them? In Yingjiang, such things are absolutely not allowed to happen. It must be that one case is discovered, one case is strictly investigated. This is also the best protection for those law-abiding and well-behaved entrepreneurs!" His tone was exceptionally firm, revealing an unshakable determination and sense of justice.

Since the soft approach didn't work, Duan Pengfei changed his tactics and said, "Secretary Mingzhou, you and I both know some things. These factories are nothing more than using some resources. Are there few such things? There are countless things more exaggerated than this! I hope Secretary Mingzhou can lift his hand and let this matter be turned into a small matter and a small matter into nothing!"

Li Mingzhou frowned slightly and replied sonorously, "Governor Pengfei, some things can be handled flexibly, but there must be no compromise on issues involving party principles!"

"Especially knowing that those factories are suspected of serious violations of the law, how can I turn a blind eye? Engage in malpractice for personal gain? As a leading cadre, we must adhere to party principles and maintain the dignity of party discipline and national law. If we can't even hold these basic bottom lines, how can we be worthy of the trust of the party and the people?"

"Therefore, I will act according to the law and regulations and will never be soft on those who violate laws and discipline! No matter how much resistance I encounter, I will defend the dignity of the law without hesitation, let those moths receive the sanctions they deserve, and create a fair and just business environment! I hope Governor Pengfei can understand!"

Duan Pengfei didn't have a good temper to begin with, and after being retorted by Li Mingzhou, his anger rose, and he said, "Comrade Mingzhou, we are all comrades in the same team, we see each other when we look up. For such a small matter, can't you give me any face?"

Li Mingzhou said crisply, "I'm sorry, I really can't give this face! I'm a bit confused, do those factories have anything to do with you?"

Duan Pengfei was silent for a moment and said slowly, "Just entrusted by others! Comrade Mingzhou, the feng shui takes turns, forgive others where you can! Sometimes being too rigid makes it easy to break!"

Li Mingzhou smiled contemptuously and said, "In the face of right and wrong, I cannot violate my principles and bottom line! If anyone wants to retaliate or something, they can come, at worst we'll bump into each other. I think justice will stand on the side of the law!"

Seeing that Li Mingzhou had no intention of backing down, Duan Pengfei knew that it was useless to say more. He shook his head helplessly and said, "Okay, since you are so persistent, I have nothing to say. We'll have a long time to come!" After speaking, he hung up the phone.

"What the hell? Who are you talking to! Don't you go pee and look at yourself in the mirror!" Li Mingzhou cursed and hung up the phone. Having been in the world for so many years, no one had ever dared to talk to him in this tone. If I don't bother with you, you still come to find a beating?

At this moment, Duan Pengfei was also furious and said to Le Xueren, "Damn it, not giving any face at all, lecturing me? What the hell!"

Le Xueren sighed and said, "No way, he is the Yingjiang Municipal Party Secretary, we can't intervene! If he is determined to do it, my fourth brother will have to go in for a few years, it's just a pity for those factories. What I'm worried about now is the associated gas stations in the counties of Anbao and Zibei. Will Li Mingzhou push his luck?"

Duan Pengfei asked, "Doesn't Sun Weidong also have shares? He has been the mayor in Yingjiang for so many years, and he doesn't even dare to fart?"

"Li Mingzhou personally deployed, the special action bypassed the Municipal Government, and Mayor Weidong doesn't dare to stroke the tiger's whiskers! Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, sigh, dimensionality reduction strike! It's not that Weidong is incompetent, it's that the opponent is too powerful!"

"Let's think of another way. I don't believe that in this place of Qinchuan, we are afraid of an outsider like him?"

In the Yingjiang Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, Wu Xiaohua called Du Wenlong and arranged, "Wenlong, I have a task for you!"

"Please give your instructions, Secretary!"

"Go to Ningyang and investigate Le Xueli! Here are some whistleblowing letters, you can refer to them."

Du Wenlong happily accepted the task and patted his chest to guarantee, "Please rest assured, Secretary, I guarantee to complete the task!"

Wu Xiaohua smiled and said, "You can communicate with Lu Fan about the progress of the investigation. Whether you can take him down depends on you!"

"I guarantee I won't let the Secretary down!" Lu Wenlong thought to himself, I've been watching him for more than a day or two, finally waiting for this day!

That afternoon, a black Passat drove into the Ningyang County Government compound. Du Wenlong and several discipline inspection cadres arrived in Ningyang. They were serious and immediately went to County Head Bian Jide's office to dock the investigation of Le Xueli.

As soon as he entered the office, Du Wenlong explained his intention to Bian Jide.

Lu Fan had already greeted him in advance, so Bian Jide did not hesitate at all, immediately dialed the phone, called the County Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary over, and solemnly instructed, "Comrades from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission have come to our place to investigate the whistleblowing of Le Xueli's violations of discipline. You also know Wenlong, we must go all out to cooperate! At the same time, ensure that the entire investigation and evidence collection work is carried out secretly, and absolutely do not let any wind leak out!"

"Okay, Secretary, I will fully cooperate with Wenlong's investigation work."

Then, Bian Jide called the township secretary where Le Xueli had stayed to the office, demanding that he fully cooperate with the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission's investigation and take the initiative to provide clues, also paying attention to confidentiality.

With the completion of a series of deployments, an investigation into Le Xueli was officially launched.

And all this was done in secret, no one knew that a storm was about to sweep in...

By Friday, Lu Yao returned to Ningyang from Jingcheng because the family was moving, and she had to come back to pack her things.

What Lu Fan didn't expect was that Li Zimeng also followed!

After the two entered the door, Lu Fan said in surprise, "Why are you here?"

Li Zimeng smiled playfully, "I'm here to help Yaoyao pack her things, not to find you!"

Lu Fan smiled and said, "With free labor to help, I'll be much more relaxed!"

Before long, Xia Li, Yang Minghao, and the others came to help, bringing a dozen large cardboard boxes.

A group of people worked until after eight o'clock in the evening before they cleared out the things in the house.

When going to eat, Lu Yao pulled her brother aside and said, "Brother, I don't plan to study for a master's degree. After graduation next year, I want to take the national exam!"

Lu Fan asked in surprise, "Didn't we agree to study for a master's degree? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Lu Yao said stubbornly, "You were framed and didn't tell me! Brother, I don't want you to be bullied by others anymore! I want to protect you!"

Lu Fan smiled, "Silly girl, isn't your brother fine? I've even been transferred to the city, you should still take the exam!"

"No, I must pass the exam to the Central Discipline Inspection Commission!"