Chapter 652

Yun Zhangsheng has been muddling along in the Discipline Inspection system for over thirty years, his ability to resist organizational scrutiny is quite strong; since the day he met Lu Fan, he has become completely mute, refusing to confess or admit any disciplinary or illegal acts; no matter what measures are taken at Peng Yun Lake, he simply refuses to admit, leaving the task force at a loss.

But Wan Lingjun wasn't so tough; after just a few rounds his psychological defenses were broken, and he confessed to 28 leaders with major connections to him; the task force immediately launched a thorough investigation of these 28 people, reaping huge gains.

Deputy Section Chief Song Junhui has handled many major and important cases, with rich investigative experience and endless tactics; even Secretary Xiao Bin praises him highly, and dealing with a mere Municipal Party Secretary is a cinch for him.

On the morning of September 26, the Deputy Section Chief of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Supervision Section, Song Junhui, made a second return to Chang'an and again launched an assault back to Ximeng League; this time he brought all the personnel of Section Two with him, and Ximeng League Chief Men Junhao also coordinated police and legal officers to join the operation, because they needed to apprehend people on a large scale.

After arriving in Ximeng League, Song Junhui stood by on the spot, awaiting Secretary Lu's instructions.

Men Junhao organized a league-wide special anti-corruption rectification warning education meeting, requiring all municipal-level leaders to attend, with the top two officials of each city and county and the heads of all municipal departments participating, and no one was allowed to take leave.

At nine in the morning, Lu Fan went to Secretary Li Xingyuan's office to report on the progress of the Wan Lingjun case.

Hearing that Lu Fan planned to take action against the 28 leaders of Ximeng League, Li Xingyuan's face grew extremely grave, and he said worriedly, "Twenty‑eight people—if they were all arrested, the leadership of Ximeng League would be completely wiped out; it would surely have a huge impact on the grasslands, and could even cause a nationwide sensation, so we must be extremely cautious."

Lu Fan replied, "Everything has two sides; this also fully demonstrates the grasslands' firm resolve and clear attitude of disciplining and legally punishing corruption—no matter who someone is or how high their position, if they violate Party and state discipline, they must face serious investigation and strict punishment; I think this is also a good thing for the secretary."

After hearing that, Li Xingyuan fell into thought, then after a moment said, "Since we have evidence, let's go ahead with it!"

Lu Fan said, "To prevent leaks, I have already secretly sent people to Ximeng League; the relevant procedures are ready, and as soon as the Provincial Party Committee approves, we can simultaneously make arrests there."

Li Xingyuan nodded and said, "You've considered everything thoroughly; let's do this—we'll immediately convene a five‑person group meeting to hear the report on the Wan Lingjun case, and once we decide here, Ximeng League will take action."

Thank you for your support, Secretary!

After reaching consensus, Li Xingyuan instructed his secretary to invite the Governor and the Organization Department Head to the office for a meeting.

During casual conversation, he suddenly asked, "Lu Fan, what are your plans for the National Day holiday?"

Lu Fan laughed and replied, "I'm not preparing anything; I just plan to sleep in nicely and spend good time with my wife and children."

Li Xingyuan then asked, "I don't know if Secretary Hong Tao will return to Yancheng; can we, on behalf of the grasslands, invite the leadership for a simple meal?"

Lu Fan straightforwardly stated, "Secretary, I'll get in touch over the next couple of days and report any news to you right away."

Li Xingyuan laughed and said, "Good, good; the work of the grasslands cannot proceed without the support of higher‑level leadership, so thank you for your hard work."

Lu Fan seized the moment and said, "Secretary, since Wan Lingjun was placed in custody, the Ximeng League Party Committee has been chaired by Men Junhao; could the Provincial Party Committee consider confirming him in the post so work can proceed more smoothly? Also, I want to strengthen the Ximeng League Discipline Inspection forces by assigning a capable cadre from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to tighten up the conduct of its cadres."

Li Xingyuan thought and said, "In principle I agree; you have the Organization Department draw up a plan and submit it to the Standing Committee for discussion and study!" He no longer harbors ambitions for the grasslands, only seeking a smooth transition; strengthening Lu Fan's power is more beneficial than harmful to him, and he would love for Lu Fan to clean up the grasslands thoroughly.

At ten o'clock, Organization Department Head Li Yuenning and Governor Luo Shiyu arrived at the secretary's office in succession. Li Xingyuan deliberately assigned the secretary to take meeting minutes, pushing Secretary-General He Yuanhang aside. This was Lu Fan's suggestion, to prevent anyone from leaking information.

After the four took their seats in the reception room, Li Xingyuan said, "The matter is urgent; we'll temporarily convene a five‑person group meeting to specially study the progress of the Wan Lingjun case, and first ask Comrade Lu Fan to report the specific details."

Lu Fan nodded and said, "Secretary, you just emphasized that this is done under authority; I'll keep it brief. On September 20, the task force broke through Wan Lingjun's psychological defenses, and he began to truthfully confess his disciplinary and illegal acts. In the course of his confession, he implicated 11 municipal-level leaders—the deputy secretary of the League Party Committee, the head of the League Party Committee's Organization Department, the standing deputy league chief, the league party committee secretary, and others—as well as six county party secretaries, four district chiefs, and seven heads of municipal departments, including the finance, transportation, water resources, and forestry bureaus. Based on Wan Lingjun's testimony, the task force has conducted a meticulous and thorough investigation of the disciplinary and illegal acts of these 28 individuals, uncovering major findings……We now request the Provincial Party Committee to carry out disciplinary review and supervisory investigation of the aforementioned 28 leaders."

As soon as his words fell, Li Xingyuan was the first to state, "Deeply advancing Party conduct and clean government construction and the anti‑corruption struggle is a major political task we must grasp; we can only strengthen, not weaken it. The grasslands must resolutely win this righteous battle against corruption, adhering to no forbidden zones, full coverage, and zero tolerance in punishing corruption; we must strictly investigate corruption cases occurring among the populace, and continually consolidate the overwhelming momentum of the anti‑corruption struggle."

Since we have solid evidence, let's pursue the matter to the end! I agree with the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's opinion to take measures against these 28 corrupt elements, focusing on straightening the 'crooked trees', curing the 'sick trees', and removing the 'rotten trees'. Governor Luo Shiyu, what is your opinion?

You've already discussed it among yourselves—what more could I possibly block? Governor Luo Shiyu said firmly, "Corruption is the greatest threat we face; the anti‑corruption struggle must maintain strategic resolve and high‑pressure posture, without stopping or retreating even a step; I agree with the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's opinion."

When it was the Organization Department Head's turn to state his position, his opinion was of little consequence—he was just there to make up the numbers, so even if he disagreed he would have to agree.

Li Yuenning said, "I will firmly follow the Provincial Party Committee's decisions and deployments; given such a major corruption case in Ximeng League, my biggest worry is that the cadre team will fall into turmoil, affecting the league's normal operations."

Li Xingyuan said, "Then let's pass it unanimously; please have the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission immediately take measures against these 28 cadres."

Lu Fan nodded and immediately called Du Wenlong to convey the relevant matters.

After the arrangements were made, Li Xingyuan said, "Comrade Yuenning's concern is very necessary; taking action against these 28 important leaders in one go, maintaining stability is the top priority for Ximeng League at present. Lu Fan, you should go to Ximeng League yourself, emphasizing political loyalty, looking at the bigger picture, observing discipline, putting career first; you must do well in uniting and stabilizing the entire league, guiding the broad masses of cadres and workers to unify their thinking in support of the Provincial Party Committee's decisions, ensuring that all work in the league proceeds smoothly and orderly."

All right, Secretary, I'll set off right after the meeting.

Li Xingyuan continued, "Filling out the Ximeng League leadership lineup is urgent, with the top post being of utmost importance; the Organization Department should quickly select candidates, produce a cadre adjustment plan, and have Comrade Lu Fan review it, then promptly submit it for meeting discussion and decision. Do you have any other opinions?"

Seeing that the matter had already been "settled", Lu Fan instead became calm, intending to delay a bit to prevent Li Yuenning from leaking information, which could lead to someone fleeing; thus he said, "Secretary, let me say a few words! Over these years I've noticed a chaotic phenomenon, a strange phenomenon—sometimes the Standing Committee here hasn't even finished, yet outside it's already turned into a chaotic mess, feeling like the Standing Committee is a live broadcast with no secrets at all; this is extremely abnormal."

Confidentiality work is an important safeguard for security and interests; for meeting content and discussions that should be kept secret, we must strictly observe secrecy and not leak. We must clearly recognize the new challenges and requirements that domestic and international developments pose to confidentiality work, constantly keep the alarm bell ringing, strengthen confidentiality awareness, build a solid confidentiality barrier, and prevent espionage, leaks, and loss.

The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission plans to launch a special rectification campaign targeting confidentiality work……

Lu Fan spoke at length for nearly half an hour, and Li Yuenning felt that every sentence seemed directed at her, not touching her phone once from start to finish.

After the meeting ended, Lu Fan, accompanied by Du Wenlong and Zhou Xiang, immediately headed to the airport; the flight had already been delayed by half an hour for takeoff.

En route, Lu Fan called Ximeng League Chief Men Junhao and asked, "Is the meeting still ongoing?"

Replying to Secretary, the meeting has already been underway for an hour and a half; now they are playing an integrity education video.

Have all 28 of them attended?

They're all in the venue; I've assigned people to monitor them one‑on‑one.

Fine, the meeting will continue; I'll arrive at Ximeng League around noon.

All right, Secretary, I'll make thorough preparations and ensure that not a single person is missed in the arrests!

As noon approached and work was about to end, the leaders of Ximeng League felt doubtful, sensing that today's meeting exuded a strange atmosphere everywhere. Someone went to the restroom and actually saw police appearing in the corridor; perceptive individuals already sensed that something big was about to happen.

The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission completed the procedures in the shortest possible time, transmitting the documents via secure channel to Song Junhui, who was on standby in Ximeng League; the arrest operation was now fully ready.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, the plane landed in Ximeng League; Lu Fan and his companions had just stepped out of the cabin when they saw two police cars flashing red and blue lights. After getting in, the police cars sped off like arrows released from a bow, rushing swiftly to the Ximeng League Auditorium, where an unprecedented arrest operation was about to begin.

However, Gu Yunhao, Yun Junjie, and others remained in the dark, because after the meeting dispersed, Organization Department Head Li Yuenning was retained by Secretary Li Xingyuan to discuss cadre adjustment matters.

Li Xingyuan harbored a deep hatred in his heart for these people of the grasslands; he had already made up his mind to proactively explain the situation to Secretary Hong Tao and seek the organization's understanding. Even if he were to be punished, he would have no regrets.