Chapter 636: Chen Hangjia's Curiosity

The Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee is taking action, but its Deputy Secretary Yun Zhangsheng is sitting in Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Gu Yunhao's office with a worried frown, while Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale and Deputy Provincial Governor Yun Junjie beside him are also at a loss.

Yun Zhangsheng said anxiously, "My people have already been summoned for questioning—twenty or thirty of them—and now we can't even get any news. I estimate that in a few more days, Lu Fan will make a move against me!"

Unexpectedly, the previously silent Yun Junjie suddenly said, "Zhangsheng, why don't you go out and lay low for a while?"

At those words, everyone was startled, showing expressions of disbelief!

Yang Jiale asked in astonishment, "Junjie, has the problem become this serious?"

Gu Yunhao sighed and said, "The disciplinary inspection reform task force is conducting top‑level design for anti‑corruption, and the Discipline Inspection Committee has strengthened its independence. This year, under the advocacy of Wang Hongtao, it is a pivotal year for anti‑corruption institutional construction, especially the discipline inspection system reform, which may usher in a 'historically best stage.'"

The discipline inspection operates under a dual‑leadership system; in the past, the higher‑level Discipline Inspection Committee only provided business guidance to the lower‑level one, while the personnel, finance and material leadership of the committee were held by the same‑level Party Committee. As a result, strong supervision was hard to achieve, and usually the situation was a 'soft same‑level supervision.'

Now the situation is that investigations of corruption cases are led primarily by the higher‑level Discipline Inspection Committee, strengthening the higher committee's leadership over the lower one.

Another point is the nomination right for the Committee Secretary. Previously, the same‑level Party Committee would propose the list of same‑level Discipline Inspection Committee secretaries and deputy secretaries, but now the nominations and assessments of secretaries and deputy secretaries at each level are mainly handled by the higher‑level Discipline Inspection Committee together with the Organization Department, advancing the Committee's independence a step further.

Under the dual‑leadership system, the same‑level Discipline Inspection Committee has relatively independent supervisory authority over the same‑level Party Committee. We truly have no recourse against the Committee unless we take down Lu Fan! Looking at his current posture, he is not far from fully controlling the Committee; we must prepare in advance!

Gu Yunhao said, "Indeed, the Discipline Inspection Committee is half a rank above us; Lu Fan is still a Provincial Deputy Secretary, and he is indifferent and cannot be suppressed by us. We need Secretary Li Xingyuan and Governor Shi Yu to intervene! Otherwise we can only watch him advance step by step, gradually encroaching. Right now it's the judicial system; the next could be any sector."

Yun Zhangsheng, growing fierce, said, "This is excessive cruelty; why not create an accident and 'eliminate' him!"

Yun Junjie stared at Yun Zhangsheng as if looking at an idiot, with a look of frustration, and said, "What era is this? Have you ever seen a Provincial Deputy Secretary or a Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary meet with an accident? If you dare to act against Lu Fan, anti‑corruption becomes counter‑terrorism, requiring no evidence, only a list. Think before you speak! Even in struggle, there must be organization and discipline, within the prescribed limits; that's the minimum bottom line!"

Yun Zhangsheng suddenly considered a question: if I don't 'run' and Lu Fan captures me, will these people decisively abandon me, turning me into a discarded pawn, just as they treated Jiang Yizhong, silencing me forever!

On Sunday morning, Lu Fan stayed at the Integrity Education Base, directly requisitioned the site director's office, personally stationed himself to supervise a special project, and he didn't believe that all 28 of these people were 'hard‑bones'—not even a single mouth could be pried open.

Soon, Du Wenlong and Lin Changping came in to report a serious problem: the manpower for case handling was severely insufficient, and currently suspects were queuing for review.

Lu Fan was somewhat both amused and exasperated, saying, "Out of the province's several thousand discipline inspection cadres, you can't even pick a hundred or two hundred who are politically steadfast, professionally proficient, of high quality, and with excellent conduct? If there are none, go draw from each city and county, promise them proper staffing, tell them that the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee values deeds over titles, promotes based on performance, and places capable people in leadership roles! Wenlong, Changping, for the people drawn back this time, you must be stringent, interview them personally, and forge an absolutely loyal discipline inspection and supervision iron army—call them and they come, they can fight, and they will win!"

Du Wenlong replied, "Secretary, lately I and Changping have been scouting candidates and have selected 69 people, including three municipal Discipline Inspection Committee deputy secretaries, eight county Discipline Inspection Committee secretaries or deputy secretaries, and 58 directors of municipal and county supervision offices and key staff. We have conducted preliminary investigations on these individuals, and they basically meet the requirements."

"Then what are we waiting for? Both of you go negotiate personally and immediately recruit them into the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee! In the next two years, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee will be the main front and battlefield for anti‑corruption; we must concentrate talent, tighten our fist, and only by striking outward will we have strength!"

"Alright, let's get on it!"

After the two left, Zhou Xiang brought in a stack of documents, and wherever Lu Fan went, he had to handle paperwork.

Zhou Xiang was just about to go out when Lu Fan suddenly recalled Chen Hangjia's matter and said, "Zhou Xiang, help me find someone."

"Please give the Secretary's instructions!"

"Chen Hangjia, invite him to the grassland; I want to meet him."

"Alright, Secretary, I'll immediately find a way to contact him."

The six‑degree‑of‑separation theory, also known as the six‑degree space theory, simply states that on this planet the average bridge connecting any two people passes through 6.6 individuals. Through six people, you can get to know any stranger.

After inquiring with the Southern Ridge Provincial Committee and obtaining Chen Hangjia's mobile number, Zhou Xiang dialed his phone.

At that moment, Chen Hangjia was doing public welfare in West Sea Province; seeing an unknown number, the anti‑fraud app gave no alert, and out of courtesy he answered, smiling and asking, "Hello, may I ask who this is?"

"Hello, I am the secretary of Comrade Lu Fan, Deputy Secretary of the Grassland Provincial Committee and Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary; my name is Zhou Xiang, may I ask if you are Chairman Chen Hangjia?"

"I am Chen Hangjia, what can I do for you?" Chen Hangjia was very surprised; he had of course heard of Lu Fan and had been following him, but why was he suddenly contacting him?

Zhou Xiang politely said, "Secretary Lu has long held a spiritual connection with you and wishes to invite you to the grassland for public welfare, and also to discuss with you."

Chen Hangjia smiled and replied, "I have also admired Secretary Lu for a long time; if the opportunity arises I will definitely go to the grassland and will certainly visit Secretary Lu then."

Zhou Xiang hurriedly said, "Then set a time, so I can report to Secretary Lu. The Secretary has repeatedly instructed me to promptly invite you to the grassland as a guest!"

Chen Hangjia couldn't help but ask, "Does Secretary Lu have business with me? I truly can't think of any way I could serve him!"

Zhou Xiang replied, "Secretary Lu mainly wants to exchange work experience with you. In August the grassland has abundant water and grass, cattle and sheep everywhere, a beauty beyond words! Secretary Lu sincerely invites you to the grassland as a guest to talk about life. Chairman Chen, I guess this could also be an opportunity for you!"

Now Chen Hangjia was even more curious; after thinking he replied, "With such generous invitation, how could I refuse? I still have a day or two of work here; I will go to the grassland to visit Secretary Lu next Tuesday!"

Zhou Xiang said happily, "Alright, let me know when you set out, and I will arrange your itinerary on the grassland."

After hanging up, Chen Hangjia searched for Lu Fan on Douyin and quickly found the "case files" of the Grassland Provincial Prison Administration and the Provincial Department of Justice, which together had opened investigations on dozens of people. He sighed, "Lu Fan really is bold and decisive; he just arrived at the grassland and already dares such massive moves."

Then he also searched all of Lu Fan's past achievements and grew increasingly admiring, feeling far inferior himself! But what could such a figure want from him? Not to mention he is no longer a county Party Committee secretary; even if he hadn't resigned, a deputy division‑level cadre wouldn't catch the eye of a Provincial Deputy Secretary or Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary. Their focus is at the departmental level, and moreover he has that 'resignation' blemish!

At noon, Peng Yunhu, Deputy Secretary of the Jiuyuan Discipline Inspection Committee; Xu Zexin, Deputy Secretary of the Yike City Discipline Inspection Committee; and Liu Zan, Deputy Secretary of the Hetao City Discipline Inspection Committee, received a personal call from Du Wenlong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, requesting that they set aside their current work and report to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee immediately.

The three did not hesitate, immediately reported to their units and set off. It is common for the discipline inspection system to mobilize grassroots forces for case handling, especially since the recent moves of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee are widely known, so the personnel draw was expected.

But they never imagined that this journey, with its lofty mountains and long rivers, would have no set return date—once gone, never to come back!

After arriving at the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, Du Wenlong personally spoke with them, straightforwardly conveying Secretary Lu's directive to transfer them into the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee.

Peng Yunhu, having dealt with Du Wenlong a few times, joked, "Secretary Du, I would of course be willing to return to work in the provincial capital; may I ask, what position could you give me?"

Du Wenlong smiled slightly and replied, "First you will head the Supervision Department Three, and once you achieve results, you will be directly regularized!"

Peng Yunhu, newly promoted to deputy division level, could leap to a key office of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee as a director; having no reason to refuse, he immediately said, "I am honored that Secretary Lu values me; I will devote my utmost effort! Secretary Du, wherever you point, I will strike!"

Du Wenlong directly ordered, "Go report to Secretary Changping; today you officially join the special project team, and your work will be assigned by Secretary Lin."

"Alright, I will quickly get into work mode and strive to achieve merit soon!"

By Monday, a total of 69 people had been added to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's special project team, increasing case‑handling strength and accelerating trial speeds. Moreover, those drawn back were seasoned 'fighters' with extensive grassroots experience; the Committee's own cadres were truly no match for them, and some people's psychological defenses were already wavering.

At ten a. m., Lu Fan intended to go report to Secretary Li Xingyuan and smoothly 'communicate' the 'feelings.' Lin Changping called, saying Du Hongxuan needed to explain an issue, but he requested that the explanation be given only to Secretary Lu.

At half past ten, Lu Fan entered the interrogation room and, as before, quietly stared at Du Hongxuan.

After less than a minute of silence, Du Hongxuan looked up at Lu Fan, her face full of guilt and unbearable remorse, saying, "Secretary, I have let you down and made a mistake, but I have my reasons!"

Lu Fan said, "First explain the issue, and I'll see if there's a chance for rescue!"