Chapter 657

October 9, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission website announced a striking notice: after study and reporting for approval by the Grassland Provincial Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission and the Provincial Party Committee, a case filing review investigation was launched into the serious disciplinary and legal violations by Ma Qiang, director of the Grassland Provincial Natural Resources Department.

As soon as the news was released, the whole province was shocked, and the entire land and resources system was thrown into a great uproar, with everyone feeling endangered.

For a time, rumors and speculation ran rampant. Those who had dealings with Ma Qiang were now panic-stricken all day, worried they would be implicated.

October 17, the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department completed the relevant inspections for cadre promotion and adjustment.

October 18, the Grassland Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee convened a meeting to analyze and study the current economic situation, further arrange and deploy fourth-quarter economic work; hear a report from the Party Building Work Leading Group; review relevant regulations and documents. Secretary Li Xingyuan chaired the meeting.

The preceding agenda items passed without incident, the meeting unanimously approved them, and Secretary Li Xingyuan made specific arrangements and put forward related requirements for each; when the final personnel agenda came up, all attendees became energized, and Gu Yunhao, Yang Jiale, and others exchanged glances.

Organization Department Head Li Yuering reported the preliminary plan for cadre adjustments and the inspection situation of the nominated personnel; next came the vote.

Regarding the internal adjustment of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission and the selection of the Ximeng Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, the five—Head of Inspection Room Two Song Junhui, Head of Inspection Room Three Peng Yunhu, Head of Inspection Room Four Wang Shanshi, Head of Inspection Room Eight Chen Hangjia, and Head of the Party Conduct and Clean Government Supervision Office Li Jiaxing—were promoted to members of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Standing Committee, among whom Li Jiaxing concurrently served as Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, and Head of Inspection Room One Sun Yu was reassigned as Secretary of the Ximeng Discipline Inspection Commission.

Li Jiaxing had originally been Head of Inspection Room Five; after his reassignment he bore no grudge, working diligently, conducting himself honestly, and performing his duties conscientiously, earning the unanimous approval of Du Wenlong and Lin Changping; moreover, he had little involvement with Yun Zhangsheng, and after several months of inspection he became the first cadre to be promoted and entrusted with important duties within the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, setting a model for its agency cadres.

The adjustment of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision system won unanimous approval from the standing committee members, with no one engaging in idle talk or meddling; this was the standing committee's respect for Lu Fan and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, even amounting to fear. Now interfering in the Discipline Inspection Commission's internal affairs is too sensitive, comparable to openly declaring war.

Regarding the discussion of the Ximeng League Secretary, although Secretary Li Xingyuan was the first to speak, supporting Men Junhao as Ximeng League Secretary, Governor Luo Shiyu and Deputy Secretary Lu Fan both expressed support, but 'some people' predictably caused trouble.

Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Gu Yunhao said: 'Compared to that, I prefer Xu Yan. Comrade Xu Yan has years of grassroots work experience, a strong sense of the overall situation, and greater ability to handle complex problems, manage complex situations, and solve practical problems. Ximeng is currently undergoing a major corruption case and needs a steady, mature leader to bolster confidence, steady the people's hearts, and unite the populace; all things considered, I believe Xu Yan is more suitable.'

Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale then said: 'The Ximeng leadership team is basically a total wipeout, leaving only Men Junhao as a lone survivor; this is hardly reasonable. I think his continued tenure as league head deserves scrutiny, because I suggest the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission conduct a comprehensive investigation of him, which is also a manifestation of responsibility toward cadres.'

Regarding the selection of the Ximeng League Secretary, I likewise believe Comrade Xu Yan has the edge, being more senior in experience, stronger in ability, and better in overall perspective.

Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General He Yuanhang glanced at Li Xingyuan, lowered his head and said, 'I support Comrade Xu Yan!' Then he sat like an old monk in meditation, saying nothing.

Li Xingyuan's gaze lingered on him for a long time, then he shook his head in disappointment.

Unexpectedly, United Front Work Department Head Luo Shiyu spoke up voluntarily, saying, 'Having just heard Comrade Yang Jiale's concerns about Men Junhao, I think it's unnecessary; Secretary Lu Fan has clearly expressed support for Men Junhao, which must mean he has undergone a comprehensive investigation, and I support Comrade Men Junhao serving as Ximeng Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary.' After speaking, she nodded toward Lu Fan, a move that made everyone feel surprised—this was openly taking sides!

Lu Fan likewise felt surprised, since he and Luo Shiyu had hardly ever communicated privately, but this is certainly a good thing; standing committee support is too important, and this is currently Lu Fan's weakest link.

Standing Committee Deputy Provincial Governor Yun Junjie said: 'I agree with Comrade Gu Yunhao's opinion; the Ximeng cadre team is currently in a turbulent period, and Comrade Xu Yan excels at mass work. While working at the municipal and county levels, he enjoyed high prestige and a good reputation among cadres and the masses, and with the training from the Provincial Party Committee, he is equal to the task, best suited to go to Ximeng to steady the people's hearts, correct thinking, set the course, and showcase prospects; I support him serving as Ximeng League Secretary.'

Now it's a 4–4 tie, but Lu Fan clearly sees that no standing committee member will support Men Junhao anymore; defeat is already certain.

As it turned out, Qingcheng Municipal Party Committee Secretary Yun Shuo straightforwardly stated his position, saying, 'From any angle, I believe Xu Yan is more suitable than Men Junhao to serve as Ximeng League Secretary.'

Li Xingyuan glanced at Li Yuering and asked, 'The plan was drafted by you; what is the Organization Department's opinion?'

Li Yuering replied solemnly, 'Secretary, the result of the department meeting's discussion is that Comrade Xu Yan is considered more suitable.'

5–4, Xu Yan had gained the upper hand, and everyone's gaze turned to Propaganda Department Head Shang Youyang.

Feeling the comrades' attention, Shang Youyang spoke calmly, 'Both comrades are excellent; I support the standing committee's collective decision.'

Provincial Military District Commander Wang Yanxing took leave, making Shang Youyang equivalent to an abstention; although Lu Fan held two posts, he could not cast two votes, so it appeared that Xu Yan's appointment as Ximeng League Secretary was a foregone conclusion.

The personnel proposal decided upon by the three top leaders—the secretary, governor, and deputy secretary—failed to pass the standing committee, which can be said to be a rather serious political incident; the scene was extremely quiet, even eerily so.

'Let me say a few words behind closed doors!' Lu Fan broke the silence of the venue, and the meeting recorder, Chenghao Hao, immediately put down his pen; today's recorder was temporarily replaced by him.

Instantly, including Secretary Li Xingyuan and Governor Luo Shiyu, all standing committee members turned their gazes toward Lu Fan!

Lu Fan said in a deep voice: 'Superiors have always demanded that all-level standing committees fully practice democracy and pool wisdom; today our Grassland Provincial Standing Committee is the most thorough and perfect implementation of superior spirit that I have ever heard or seen! The five-person group's resolution was directly overturned, fully interpreting our Grassland Province's democratic centralism, which absolutely has milestone significance, worthy of nationwide promotion, and superiors will also attach great importance to this meeting. Afterward, I will report to Secretary Li Xingyuan for approval and promptly submit a full account of today's proceedings.'

He paused, then despite everyone's surprised looks, Lu Fan continued: 'Nowadays, the Chinese Dream we have proposed is also a dream of political civilization. Without doubt, democracy plays an important role in safeguarding the people's status as masters of the country, improving the administrative efficiency of political operation, and maintaining the nation's long-term stability and social harmony.'

However, in some places, due to shallow and incomplete grassroots democratic practice, phenomena of power privilege and privatization continually emerge, making the emergence of grassroots power familyization unsurprising. Some leading cadres harbor the notion of 'the emperor is far away and the heavens are high,' acting as the heads of 'small kingdoms,' arbitrarily wielding their power, with a strong sense of privilege, unwilling to accept organizational and public oversight, even rising above the organization, and even acting as protectors of corrupt elements.

In short, ice does not freeze three feet thick in a day; the emergence of the grassroots power familyization phenomenon is the result of multiple factors accumulating over time. In the era of self-media, the exposure by self-media and public reports have already revealed many instances of power familyization; surely you have also heard of them, and will not remain indifferent, right?

In recent years, our country's legal system construction has achieved splendid results, the legal framework has initially taken shape, but the phenomena of having laws but not obeying them and having orders but not carrying them out remain serious, and this is precisely an important root of the proliferation of power familyization; in the face of these anomalies and disorders, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission will fight to the end!

On the day before National Day, the director of the Provincial Natural Resources Department, Ma Qiang, actually dared to bring tens of millions in cash to my residence to curry favor—what a tremendous irony! Where did he get the money? If the land and resources system has such a top official, how severe must its internal corruption be? Moreover, land and resources are closely tied to the energy industry, and Grassland Province is the nation's largest coal-producing region; while the coal industry is advancing vigorously, it also exhibits savage growth.

The Grassland Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, in accordance with superior deployment requirements, launched a special rectification of violations and illegalities in the land and resources and energy sectors, investigating related corruption issues back twenty years, and formally declared war on them! Please comrades, support and cooperate!

Then Lu Fan rose and said, 'Secretary, I'm feeling a bit unwell; may I take a short leave?' After speaking, he left the standing committee meeting room on his own.

After Lu Fan left, the meeting room fell into dead silence, with some standing committee members staring at each other, unsure what to do.

Li Xingyuan rose and said, 'Meeting adjourned!' and also left the meeting room.

Governor Luo Shiyu also rose and left, with United Front Work Department Head Luo Shiyu closely following.

Mou Yue was just about to step into the elevator when Cheng Haohao trotted up beside her, lowering his voice to say, "Minister Mou, Secretary Lu would like you to come over for a moment."

Mou Yue nodded and walked toward the Deputy Secretary's office.

After pushing the door open and entering, she saw Lu Fan personally brewing tea on the sofa and smiled, saying, "Secretary Lu, you have such refined interest—your tea-making is also first-rate!"

Lu Fan laughed and replied, "Please sit! This might be my only hobby now—drinking and appreciating tea. In life, one needs friends like tea and tea like friends. Thank you, Minister Mou, for your strong support just now."

Mou Yue sighed and said, "It's a pity that in the end we fell short at the final step."

Lu Fan dismissed it with disdain, saying, "Just a clown jumping on the beam—let them bounce around for a few days! As for Xu Yan, the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee has received many complaint letters; his integrity evaluation probably won't be issued, so any thought of promoting and reusing him is pure wishful thinking!"