Chapter 367

October 20 morning, after attending the bureau expanded meeting, Secretary Tang Yi prepared to return to the unit, but was blocked by Deputy Director Huang.

Guo Da-jin - Guo Da-jin

Tang Yi said with a smile, "Then I'll accompany you for a couple of steps; I have a Standing Committee meeting this afternoon and still need to prepare."

"It won't take long; just a few casual words."

The two walked and talked, appearing intimate on the surface but actually being strangers.

"Secretary Tang, I heard that Le Xue Ren in Qinchuan Province had an accident? Someone abused power and secretly took a person—this could be dereliction of duty!"

Although he hated Lu Yao to the point of gnashing his teeth, family disgrace cannot be aired; whether to kill or punish, it is an internal matter of the Discipline Inspection Committee. Tang Yi said lightly, "This hat is a bit too big. Dereliction of duty means using one's position for personal gain, practicing favoritism, abusing power, or neglecting duty, causing major losses to state and public interests. The interpretation by the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate on several legal issues states that causing the death of one or more persons warrants conviction. Old Huang, you need to study more!"

Director Huang also did not argue, saying, "Mistakes at work are unavoidable; knowing one's faults and correcting them is the greatest virtue. Since we have erred, we should let go of what should be let go, clarify the facts, correct the atmosphere, so that those who seek to muddy the waters for profit gain nothing, and let cadres work hard without worry. Otherwise, making cadres look disheveled not only hinders their growth but also creates a bad influence, even delays career development—more loss than gain."

Tang Yi replied, "Peace and rule of law are internal requirements and important guarantees for realizing the nation's great rejuvenation! The Discipline Inspection Committee will not wrong a good person, but will absolutely not let any corrupt element off! Whether Le Xue Ren has problems, who dares to guarantee? Do you dare? Therefore, we must conduct a prudent and meticulous investigation, taking facts and law as the basis and standard. The Discipline Inspection Committee will follow procedure: firmly deal with any problems, and promptly clarify those without problems. Thank you, Director Huang, for your guidance on the committee's work."

Wang Hongtao -> Wang Hongtao

After returning to the unit, Tang Yi could not dispel the anger in his chest, and his face remained grim even during the afternoon meeting.

At 3 p. m., the Discipline Inspection Committee held a Standing Committee meeting, conveyed a series of spirits, and studied and deployed the current key work.

Finally, Guo Da-jin reported on behalf of the project team the progress of the Liu Zhen-guo case.

Tang Yi concluded, "With Comrade Hong Tao's cooperation, the project work overall achieved the expected effect. But I never expected that you, Huang Xiaowu, would give me such a big 'surprise'! I want to ask you, as this team leader, how do you manage cadres? Who gave you such great authority? Do you know how big a mess you've made? Can you live up to the organization's trust? Having a brain on your neck is merely decorative! You must make a profound self-criticism at the Standing Committee meeting."

Guo Da-jin's face flushed red, full of shame as he stood up, not daring to look at the leader, he lowered his head and said, "Secretary Tang, I self-criticize; I have disgraced the Discipline Inspection Committee..."

"I won't listen to your explanation! You must be severely punished!" Tang Yi slammed the table, his voice like thunder, making the whole conference room tremble.

Guo Da-jin's body also involuntarily trembled, his lips slightly shaking, yet he could not utter a word; he had never seen the secretary so furious. He realized his career might end here, his heart filled with regret and self-blame.

After the meeting anger subsided, Tang Yi said, "Now let's discuss how to deal with Lu Yao."

Sensing Secretary Tang's attitude and determination, everyone understood that a decision had to be made today, so the Standing Committee members each voiced their opinions.

Based on Guo Da-jin's Standing Committee suggestion, give an administrative sanction, demotion or expulsion, after all Lu Yao's handling was too severe and Huang Xiaowu would be implicated; some suggested double expulsion—removal from Party and public office—this being none of their business, merely guessing Tang Yi's intent; others went further, proposing to hand Lu Yao over to judicial authorities for prosecution on dereliction of duty charges.

Hearing this, Tang Yi furrowed his brows and said, "Party discipline and state law are there; we are the Discipline Inspection Committee, handling cadres must be based on law and evidence, not speak recklessly!"

Meanwhile, the meeting's focus Lu Yao, on her brother's suggestion, prepared to return to Jingcheng, submit a resignation letter to the unit—this was also taking the initiative.

Having heard that Le Xue Ren had already been investigated, Lu Yao's long-held wish was fulfilled; even if sentenced, she would hold no resentment. Since she could remember, the Le family had been an inescapable nightmare, a shadow that would not fade.

But toward Team Leader Guo and colleagues Song Junhui and Wang Shanshi, Lu Yao felt deep guilt; they were innocently dragged into this dispute solely because of her personal interests. Especially Team Leader Huang, who is upright and kind with a bright future—if he were implicated because of this, affecting his career, Lu Yao would blame herself for life.

People are selfish; compared with deep hatred and great grudges, Lu Yao would even go to hell to try. She is willing to spend a lifetime making up for the harm done to the three colleagues.

County Party Committee -> County Party Committee

As the car drove on, Chen Xu suddenly brightened, seeing the graceful figure he had day and night dreamed of; he immediately told the driver to stop, jogged up to catch the sorrowful-faced Lu Yao, and excitedly said, "Lu Yao, what a coincidence!"

Provincial Statistics Bureau -> Provincial Statistics Bureau

Chen Xu quickly said, "Longteng has invested two major projects in Ganshui; I came to have a look, and I am about to go greet your brother."

Supreme Procuratorate -> Supreme Procuratorate

Organization Department -> Organization Department

Discipline Inspection Committee -> Discipline Inspection Committee

Seeing Lu Yao's low spirits, Chen Xu did not ask further but said, "I happen to be returning to Everlasting Peace; let's go together—we can chat and relieve boredom along the way."

Lu Yao did not refuse Chen Xu's kindness; she had completed her mission, could no longer protect her brother, and had shed her burdens.

Western Top Hundred County -> Western Top Hundred County

National Outstanding County Party Secretary -> National Outstanding County Party Secretary

After meeting, Li Mingzhou directly said, "Lu Fan, the third-quarter economic operation report is out; Ganshui's GDP ranks first in the city, totaling 16.3 billion. Combining last year's GDP of all counties in the province, I feel Ganshui has a chance to win three honors: the province's 'Advancing Leading County' in economic and social development, the province's 'Top Ten Counties' in annual county economic and social development, and the Western Top Hundred Counties; if you secure these honors, you can contend for the national outstanding county Party secretary."

Lu Fan's heart gave a jolt; he had never thought of this problem—this is the difference in cognition, vision, and pattern, and also the biggest bottleneck for ordinary people entering politics.

For those with a background, they have been exposed to the workings of politics and power since childhood; their path has been smooth all the way, naturally going swimmingly.

But for ordinary people, every step requires them to clear their own thorns; the road ahead is naturally winding and tortuous. At critical moments, a small mistake in decision can set you back half a life, with difficulties and challenges everywhere!

Lu Fan felt fortunate to have Li Mingzhou, the secretary, point out one clear path after another for him; his selfless help benefited him greatly. It can be said that without Li Mingzhou's guidance, there would be no way for him to have today!

「Secretary, vying for advanced county status shouldn't be a big problem, after all Ganshui's GDP growth rate this year is high. As for the top ten counties in the province, I recall last year's tenth place was around 21 billion, and I feel catching up will be somewhat difficult。」

Li Mingzhou said: "The gap is not big, so in the fourth quarter you need to step up, push forward the progress of key project construction, achieve comprehensive coverage and store every grain. At the same time, you must ensure the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of statistical data, because obtaining these honors will inevitably prompt the provincial statistics bureau to come down for inspection; avoid falsification! As for those soft indicators, you don't need to overthink them."

Lu Fan gritted his teeth and said: "Secretary, I will definitely solidify the refinement of economic indicators, persist with a goal-oriented approach, further refine and perfect work measures, identify gaps and make up for them, tackle tough challenges, muster determination, fight decisive battles, give it my all for 100 days, win the year-end showdown, and not disappoint your expectations!"

Li Mingzhou said earnestly: "Step up, get the economic indicators up, I will also coordinate with Wang Hongtao and Li Yixiao to strive to obtain the national outstanding county Party secretary honor, laying a solid foundation for your future work! Also, there will be a personnel adjustment at year-end; you should also plan for it."

Lu Fan, I won't be staying in Yingjiang much longer; after the New Year I might leave, and next I'll likely go to the Jingcheng Organization Department for a temporary assignment. You and Zi Meng are no longer young; it's time to get married!