Chapter 361: Grass and Trees All Soldiers

Lu Fan sat in the office, carefully studying the Provincial Party Committee's "Institutional Reform Implementation Plan", fully feeling the resolve and determination of Secretary Wang Hongtao, sighing that this was true streamlining!

Lu Fan secretly rejoiced that Ganshui County's institutional reform had already taken several steps ahead; once provincial and municipal reforms were in place, Ganshui would surely strictly follow policy to maximize streamlining.

On September 3rd, a piece of news exploded like a heavy bomb across the province, causing an uproar: the Central Discipline Inspection Commission's task force had already entered Qinchuan Province! The team leader was Guo Da Jin, and Lu Yao was a member of the task force!

On the very day the task force entered, another shocking piece of news spread: several provincial-level leaders were placed under shuanggui in the office of Provincial Party Deputy Secretary Wang Hongtao!

The uproar caused the entire Qinchuan Province to fall into shock and turmoil, touching many nerves, with countless people closely following the developments.

People began to speculate wildly: who would become the task force's next target?

For a time, rumors ran rampant, people discussed endlessly, making the atmosphere throughout Qinchuan Province unusually tense.

Everyone knew a anti-corruption storm was coming, set to sweep the entire Qinchuan officialdom with overwhelming force.

In Yingjiang, Mayor Sun Weidong and the Executive Vice Mayor stayed in a smoke-filled office, like startled birds.

The two silently smoked, their eyes occasionally meeting, revealing mutual inner unease and anxiety; the room was filled with thick tobacco smoke, making one feel oppressed and breathless.

Sun Weidong took a deep drag of his cigarette, then slowly exhaled, trying to use nicotine to calm his inner agitation, then said in a low, hoarse voice tinged with helplessness and despair: "I intend to turn myself in!"

Upon hearing this, the Executive Vice Mayor jerked his head up, a flash of pain in his eyes, he let out a heavy sigh and said in a solemn tone: "If I had known today would come, why did I ever start… alas, he is the Provincial Party Secretary; what can we do?"

Sun Weidong shook his head, wryly smiling: "There's no regret medicine in the world; whatever the purpose, once done, it's done! Wang Hongtao is the task force leader; I no longer hold any hope! Tomorrow I will go to Chang'an, personally confess to him, play the affection card, and strive for lenient treatment!"

The Executive Vice Mayor extinguished his cigarette, the two exchanged a glance, each seeing the other's helplessness and bitterness: "Let's go together; after all, we once served under Wang Hongtao—look past the monk's face to the Buddha's face, be sincere, and best keep our positions!"

Among the leaders taken down today was the Provincial Political and Legal Committee Secretary; in the afternoon, Wang Hongtao reported work to Provincial Political and Legal Committee Secretary Chen Jiazhong, discussing how to recommend candidates to superiors.

Wang Hongtao frankly recommended Guo Ming Xiong, gaining Chen Jiazhong's support.

While Qinchuan Province's leaders were still digesting the morning's shock, the task force launched another thunderous action, placing over fifty leaders under shuanggui and summoning over a hundred others for discipline inspection questioning—basically all were leaders of key positions!

Today, Qinchuan's political arena experienced its darkest day in history; no one's mind was on work, for you never know whether the discipline inspection's next target will be you!

Lu Fan eagerly awaited news of Le Xue Ren's arrest, but by the next day when the Provincial Party Committee convened a stability meeting, he still hadn't received the desired good news, so he called his sister.

Seeing her brother's number, Lu Yao hid in the bathroom to answer, saying: "Brother, I'm handling a case!"

"Yao Yao, I only ask one thing: this time you came down, why keep targeting Le Xue Ren?"

Lu Yao helplessly said: "Brother, I've done my utmost; he was originally on the list, but now there's nothing against him!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Fan rarely swore: "That damn bastard! He escaped again; trying to help him in the future will be even harder! Ah, Yao Yao, you focus on work first; we'll figure it out later!"

Hearing her brother's disappointment and anger, Lu Yao felt utterly heartbroken!

After hanging up, she directly went to Team Leader Guo Da Jin's room, asking with a questioning tone: "Team Leader, I participated throughout in Liu Zhen Guo's case; his confessed clues involved many issues concerning Le Xue Ren in Qinchuan Province, which I reported truthfully—why isn't he among those placed under shuanggui this time?"

Usually, Guo Da Jin highly valued this enterprising girl, and the discipline inspection knew Lu Yao was under leadership's attention, a key cultivation target, so he patiently explained: "Lu Yao, discipline inspection work, due to its special nature, you're not a rookie; you know matters have priorities—when it's time to investigate whom, we naturally will; just do your assigned duty."

Lu Yao unwillingly pressed: "But since we already have so much evidence, why not take action against Le Xue Ren? You often teach us that discipline inspection must firmly achieve: must investigate every case, must correct every case investigated, must enforce law strictly, must punish every violation!"

Guo Da Jin furrowed his brows, sternly saying: "Lu Yao, you must understand that discipline inspection work requires considering many factors. Le Xue Ren's situation is relatively complex; don't ask what shouldn't be asked, carry out orders!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yao felt a surge of grievance and unwillingness, trying to argue further: "But…"

However, Guo Da Jin interrupted her, earnestly saying: "I know you have a sense of justice, but you must always trust the organization, implement organizational decisions! First go out and finish your current work."

Lu Yao bit her lip, struggled to calm herself, knowing she must stay rational now, and silently left the office.

On September 5th, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's task force arrived in Yingjiang, after communicating with Municipal Party Secretary Li Mingzhou, placed shuanggui on the Executive Vice Mayor and an ordinary Vice Mayor, as well as the County Committee Secretary of Fu County and the County Head of Xiuyan County; finally the anti-corruption wave reached Yingjiang!

Lu Fan received many calls, he could no longer stay put, and hurried to the Municipal Committee to inquire about news.

Secretary Li Mingzhou was deep in thought; seeing Lu Fan enter, he said: "Two Vice Mayors, a County Committee Secretary, a County Head—afterwards there may be more to fall; Yingjiang too has felt the impact!"

Lu Fan said: "Compared to the whole province, Yingjiang isn't too severe; Liu Zhen Guo has been in Qinchuan for years, politically irresponsible, work negligent, cultivating personal power, forming cliques, indulging relatives to meddle in cadre selection and appointment, recklessly amassing wealth through power-money deals, illegally receiving huge sums of property, severely polluting and destroying Qinchuan's political ecology; it's no surprise many are implicated."

Li Mingzhou nodded: "He is the top leader; the upper beam shapes the lower. There's no way around it. The biggest beneficiary of this is Wang Hongtao; after this investigation and adjustment, future Qinchuan will be his domain, and perhaps for decades no one can shake it! Watch: in the next Provincial Committee personnel adjustment, cadres from Chang'an and Yinzhou will emerge in droves, occupying key provincial posts!"

Li Mingzhou continued: "I've considered this all morning; the vacancy of Yingjiang's Executive Vice Mayor—I plan to transfer Organization Department Head Zhang Rongqiu there, and let Secretary General Zhang Ziqiang take over the Organization Department; I haven't informed them yet—this 'wind' you must 'spread', learn how to win hearts, bestow favors then use them for yourself!"

Also, the Municipal Committee Secretary General, Vice Mayor, Fu County Committee Secretary, and Xiuyan County Head must be equipped soon; you consider candidates; this personnel adjustment is led by you, strive to lay a solid foundation for yourself; I will definitely leave Qinchuan Province next year!

Lu Fan solemnly nodded: "Secretary, thank you for your patronage! I will first devise a plan, then have you review it."

Before Lu Fan could go downstairs, Secretary General Zhang Ziqiang pulled him into his office, served hot tea, and enthusiastically said: "The Municipal Government has lost two people; over there it's chaotic!"

Lu Fan sighed: "The bigger the commotion, the greater the trouble; in the end, won't Yingjiang's cadres and masses foot the bill?"

Zhang Ziqiang clearly knew Lu Fan's weight with Li Mingzhou, bluntly said: "The Executive Vice Mayor being taken down is a rare opportunity; I want to strive for it—old brother, you must definitely help me!"

Lu Fan thought: "Having ideas is good; I will surely support you, and I will speak for you to the Secretary. But directly going for Executive Vice Mayor seems a bit rash? I think several Municipal Committee Standing Committee members will also vie for it; you consider your own chances of success."

Zhang Ziqiang fell into thought; after a while, looking at Lu Fan, he said: "If Zhang Rongqiu goes for it, I indeed lack advantage. If he goes to the Municipal Government, the Organization Department will be vacant!"

Lu Fan nodded: "That fits reality better, leaves room for maneuver! You first talk to the Secretary; I'll help you sound things out!"

After hearing this, Zhang Ziqiang's eyes flashed a hint of gratitude; he sincerely said: "Lu Fan, this adjustment is crucial for me; please give me your all! Brothers are certainly not ungrateful; should you ever need anything, I will spare no effort!"

Lu Fan replied: "Talking about that is vulgar; our brotherhood values mutual affection and joint progress. Rest assured, I will give my utmost!"

Returning to Ganshui, Lu Fan began planning this city-wide personnel adjustment; he would not disappoint Secretary Li Mingzhou's good intentions, laying a vast "jiangshan" for himself, so that after the Secretary departs, he can still display his talents in Yingjiang and realize his ambitions.

For the Vice Mayor position, Lu Fan unhesitatingly chose Ningyang County Committee Secretary Bian Jide, with Ningyang County Head Yang Chuanbei taking over as County Committee Secretary.

For the Fu County Committee Secretary, Lu Fan considered Municipal Committee Deputy Secretary General Wang Jia Ming; this also counts as a previous promise, and moreover Wang Jia Ming's qualifications and abilities have earned Lu Fan's approval.

Next came the Municipal Committee Secretary General position; after careful thought, Lu Fan decided to recommend the Director of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Yang Shao Kai.

Thus, we still need to consider the Ningyang County Head, Xiuyan County Head, and Municipal Development and Reform Commission Director—three important posts.

No matter how matched, after this adjustment Lu Fan will also have deep roots in Yingjiang!

After Secretary Li Mingzhou departs, I will have to face Yingjiang's political situation alone.