Chapter 658: The First Ally

Mu Yue smiled knowingly and said, "Secretary will certainly have a way! However, I need to address an issue: in 2022, Comrade Zhang Rongqiu and I were classmates at the Party School, studying together for three months, and we were very close friends!"

Lu Fan laughed, "This Zhang Rongqiu, you didn't tell me such important information. When he comes to the grassland, just watch how I deal with him!"

Mu Yue asked in surprise, "Secretary, is Rongqiu coming to work on the grassland? As Deputy Provincial Governor?"

Lu Fan replied, "Recommendation is one thing; whether the Organization Department uses it is another. Let's watch how it unfolds."

This was Lu Fan's deliberate move, hoping others would "mix" with you; he had to show some strength.

Otherwise, Mu Yue opened her heart and said, "After the 2022 Party School training, I was serving as the Municipal Party Secretary of Yun Gu. When it came to promotion, there were two options; Gu Yunhao and Yun Junjie repeatedly communicated with me, suggesting I go to work for the provincial government, but I 'cold‑heartedly' refused. So I have been the United Front Work Department head for five years; however, this was a decision I made after deep consideration and have never regretted, because I am a child of the grassland people and disdain to associate with certain individuals. I firmly believe the chaos on the grassland will eventually be 'set ablaze', and your arrival gave me hope!"

Secretary, for the long‑term peace and stability of the grassland, for the happiness and health of its people, if there is any place I can contribute, just give the order; I will do my utmost and not disappoint the heavy trust!

Hearing this, Lu Fan's face beamed with a brilliant smile, and he firmly replied, "Blue sky and white clouds are the scenery the grassland should have. We must all believe that the grassland will always belong to its people. My responsibility and mission is to lift the 'dark clouds' and restore a bright sky to the grassland! Minister Mu, let us join hands, act with determination, forge ahead, and create a wonderful future for the grassland together!"

The two exchanged a smile, everything conveyed without words! Lu Fan considered that he now had his first true "ally" on the grassland.

From the first to the second, the head of the Propaganda Department, Shang Youyang, is Lu Fan's second target; as for the other standing committee members, forget it—they're not a single "good bird."

At two p. m., Men Junhao, who oversees the work of the Xi Alliance Committee, hurried to Lu Fan's office and reported the current situation of the Xi Alliance and the progress of various tasks.

Lu Fan, knowing his purpose, did not beat around the bush and said directly, "The Xi Alliance is now your main front; don't wander around unnecessarily, and don't worry about irrelevant matters. Just conduct the work steadily and calmly; everything else is not your concern!"

Men Junhao's face showed a hint of worry, and he said, "Secretary, if it truly puts you in a difficult position, I can continue serving as Alliance Leader. Rest assured, wherever I am posted, I will work diligently without any emotion; there is still a long road ahead!"

Lu Fan looked up, glared at Men Junhao, and said in a harsh tone, "Work comes first; just do the job you're supposed to do well! Even if you pass the standing committee, so what? The Organization will not let a corrupt individual hold a key post!"

Hearing this, Men Junhao felt pleased and hurried, "Alright, Secretary, I'll go back immediately, devote myself to handling all Xi Alliance affairs, and will certainly not embarrass you!"

……

Provincial Deputy Secretary‑General Xu Yan, after receiving notice from the Organization Department, went happily to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee to undergo an integrity assessment, a necessary procedure for promotion.

As a provincial deputy secretary, Xu Yan was already a notable figure in this compound. He pushed open Li Jiaxing's office and said cheerfully, "Secretary‑General Li, I've come to you today; please give a big stroke of the pen and conduct an integrity assessment!"

Under normal circumstances, promotion is a good thing; everyone would lift a flower‑adorned sedan chair. Moreover, Xu Yan's position as the esteemed Secretary of the Xi Alliance Committee makes him high‑ranking and influential, a person many vie to befriend.

But today, Xu Yan encountered a 'second‑type' situation.

Li Jiaxing's expression remained as calm as water, and he replied sternly, "Secretary‑General Xu, I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid I'm unable to do it! Secretary Du personally instructed that your integrity assessment must be processed at his office."

Playing power all the way to the provincial level? Xu Yan was very displeased, but since it was a critical period, he swallowed his resentment and asked, "Secretary Du is that serious? Even an integrity assessment requires his personal involvement?"

Li Jiaxing replied lightly, "I'm not clear on the details; that's how Secretary Du instructed. You'll have to approach Secretary Du yourself, sorry!"

Xu Yan stood up and said, "Alright, I won't disturb you further; I'll go pay a visit to Secretary Du."

Turning left as he left, Xu Yan politely knocked on the office of Du Wenlong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee.

"Come in!" a commanding voice called from inside.

Xu Yan pushed the door open, his face beaming with a bright smile, and politely said, "Secretary Du, sorry to disturb you!"

However, Du Wenlong merely lifted his head, a puzzled expression on his face, his gaze fixed on Xu Yan, and asked coldly, "May I ask who you are? What business do you have with me?"

Hearing that, Xu Yan felt an unnamed fire rise within him and muttered inwardly: "I'm your father! Damn it, I'm a full‑blown Provincial Deputy Secretary‑General, you haven't seen me before? But under the roof one must lower one's head." He forced down his anger, tried to stay calm, and said, "I am Provincial Deputy Secretary‑General Xu Yan!"

Du Wenlong still responded expressionlessly, "Xu Yan? Huh, got it. What do you want?" His sharp eyes, like a hawk's, stared intently at Xu Yan, as if trying to see through him.

Seeing Du Wenlong's fierce gaze made Xu Yan's skin crawl, and he hurriedly said, "I have been appointed Secretary of the Xi Alliance Committee, and I'm here at the Discipline Inspection Committee to complete a procedure; I need an integrity assessment."

But Du Wenlong, after listening, showed no sign of relenting; instead he sneered and said coldly, "Deputy Secretary‑General Xu, please sit down. I happen to have something I'd like to 'chat' with you about. I'm afraid your integrity assessment won't be issued; I have over a hundred complaint letters about you right here!" He then picked up a thick file folder on the desk and waved it at Xu Yan.

Anyone hearing that would be unsettled; Xu Yan quickly replied, "Secretary Du, jokes shouldn't be taken so far! As a Party‑member leader, I have always upheld integrity and self‑discipline, served the public, strictly observed Party rules and state regulations, set high standards and strict requirements for myself, lead by example, and bound my words and deeds according to the 'Code of Integrity'. I start from the small, attend to details, prevent minor faults from growing, be cautious from the outset, and strive to be pragmatic, clean, and visible to the people…"

Du Wenlong interrupted, "Gold and silver cups are nothing compared to the reputation among cadres and the masses. The Discipline Inspection Committee will not wrong a good person, but it will never let a corrupt individual go unpunished. These complaint letters must be verified; if they are false accusations, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee will clear your name, dispel concerns, and brandish the 'sharp sword' against those who slander."

If the complaint letters are substantiated, the Committee will certainly 'strike as soon as they surface', ensuring that the power entrusted by the Party and the people stays on the right track, that the sword of punishing evil and rewarding good never gathers dust, and that a 'shield' for the public's interest is erected.

During the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation, you are required not to be absent and must respond immediately to any summons!

Xu Yan was completely stunned, his face showing utter shock. He never expected that simply applying for an integrity assessment would land him under the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's scrutiny! Is there any justice in this? Promotion turned into a bad thing? Retaliation so blatant?

It echoes the saying: 'When fortune arrives, disaster follows; when disaster comes, fortune hides,' and everything is the best arrangement!

Sensing trouble, Xu Yan stood and said, "Secretary Du, I have other matters at my unit, so I won't keep you any longer. As for the integrity assessment, I will report it to the leadership."

Du Wenlong pressed his hand down and said, "No rush. Since you're here, let's talk first, starting from your investment in the coal mine! The complaint letters are very detailed, even mentioning your dividends, which makes people doubt their authenticity!"

Xu Yan hurriedly said, "Secretary Du, false accusations cost nothing, yet they severely pollute the social atmosphere, disrupt the reporting order, and waste supervisory and law‑enforcement resources. This is a complete fabrication of facts and forged evidence—the so‑called 'one letter, a few cents, a few years of investigation', 'spend eight tenths of a yuan, trouble you for a year', exactly describes this situation."

I am currently in the promotion stage, and this is definitely a deliberate creation of 'black material' to trip me up. They adopt a mindset of 'yellowing' a case as soon as a complaint arises, pausing any promotion when a report appears, and they spread rumors to slander me at will. I believe Secretary Du can certainly discern right from wrong!

Du Wenlong sighed, "When it comes to policy you're consistent. The Committee handles cases based on facts and will conduct a comprehensive, objective, and fair investigation of the complaint letters. No rush; I've already sent people to investigate, so we'll wait for news. Rest assured, we will be meticulous, cautious, and thorough, clarify the issues, uncover the facts, and make the case a 'iron case' that can stand up to historical and practical scrutiny."

Xu Yan knew very well that few could withstand such an investigation; he could not sit idle, so he stood and said, "Secretary Du, I am innocent, and I have matters at my unit that I must return to report on." With that, he rose and left.

But as soon as he opened the office door, he saw two discipline‑inspection officers standing at the entrance, blocking his way.

Xu Yan turned to Du Wenlong and asked, "What does this mean? Restricting my personal freedom?"

Du Wenlong said gravely, "The Supervision Law explicitly stipulates that leading cadres must cooperate with discipline‑inspection and supervision investigations. The Party Internal Supervision Regulations state that the Discipline Inspection Committee conducts supervision and inspection of internal Party supervision work, monitors the performance and exercise of power by leading cadres, and examines and handles reports of Party‑discipline violations by cadres. Comrade Xu Yan, I, on behalf of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, formally summon you to explain each item in the complaint letters!"

Hearing Du Wenlong begin to lay out the charges, Xu Yan felt both urgent and fearful; in his haste he pulled out his phone, but it was quickly confiscated by the two discipline‑inspection officers guarding the door!