Chapter 674

At 10 a. m., the Grassland Province Discipline Inspection Committee issued an announcement via its public account: Wang LeLin was removed from public office and placed under investigation; Zhelimu Municipal Party Secretary Wang Haimin resigned in apology, and answered questions on the focal issues of public concern, while simultaneously announcing a province-wide special rectification campaign on "eating empty rations".

In this "armed gun" public opinion incident, under the direction of Lu Fan, Grassland demonstrated efficient and decisive response capabilities, with each step handled in an orderly and vigorous manner, effectively curbing further deterioration of the situation; it can be called a model of government public opinion handling, gaining initial netizen approval, and a sudden "public opinion storm" was nipped in the bud.

But Propaganda Department Head Wang Jianming did not let his guard down, continually monitoring the dynamics of the internet and short-video platforms, because Secretary Lu had privately instructed him to guard against those with ill intentions and hostile foreign forces.

As expected, in the afternoon Wang Jianming noticed that online undercurrents were surging regarding the "armed gun" incident, a gust of malign wind blew, and various unfriendly remarks about Grassland flooded in like a tide; it was clear that someone was steering the rhythm, guiding public opinion.

This situation immediately raised Wang Jianming's high alert; he keenly sensed that things might not be so simple, and he promptly and decisively reported to Lu Fan.

Lu Fan saw the many comments compiled by Wang Jianming, and was startled, realizing the problem was serious! These remarks, as if fearing the world would not be chaotic!

"Official second generations" bully the people, "rich second generations" oppress the poor, acting lawlessly, wantonly destroying social fairness, violating the spirit of the rule of law; if this continues, the state will cease to be a state!

"With money and power, everything can be settled; I think Wang LeLin has nothing to worry about—once the wind dies down, he'll still be carefree and at ease!"

"How can three generations of my effort lose to your ten years of diligent study!"

"The bureaucratization and hereditary entrenchment of officials have always been obstacles to social development!"

"Ten years of study is not as good as three generations in business; three generations in business is not as good as ancestors bearing arms; ancestors bearing arms is not as good as the fragrance of an official's hat!"

"Even some people cried out: 'How could nobles and commanders be of a special kind!'"

Looking at these inflammatory comments, Lu Fan frowned and said: "These have absolutely no basis; they merely want to create chaos, with intentions that can be described as extremely malicious, causing great slander and disrespect to Grassland's image!"

If this continues, many low‑income, poorly educated masses will mistake it for truth, breeding resentment, easily creating opposing factions and undermining the overall stable and united social situation!

Jianming, such behavior we absolutely cannot tolerate; have Xiaohua immediately notify the heads of the Political and Legal Committee, Public Security Department, and Network Information Office to come to my office right away!

"Yes, Secretary!" Wang Jianming immediately rose to carry out Lu Fan's instructions.

Twenty minutes later, the Provincial Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale, Deputy Provincial Governor and Public Security Department Head Zhao Jiping, and the Provincial Network Information Office Director Dong Wenjun successively arrived at Lu Fan's office.

After everyone had gathered, Lu Fan, anger evident, said: "Come, look at these remarks—Jianming just compiled them; they are all aimed at the 'armed gun' incident, and suddenly they burst forth everywhere—do you feel this is normal?"

Hearing this, the three dared not delay, hastily picking up the materials to examine them carefully.

Soon after, their expressions turned grave, their eyes revealing shock and concern.

Lu Fan said harshly: "If we do not clear the filth from the internet's communication space, and allow high‑level black, low‑level red, and the 'black PR, water armies' that invert right and wrong to run rampant, the dominance of public opinion could be eroded, the public could be misled, and the effectiveness of correct voices would be greatly diminished."

The cyberspace is not a pure land; "some people" harbor sinister intentions, fearing the world will not be chaotic, they buy water armies with money, and through manipulating public opinion and fabricating false information, they inflict a huge blow on normal online order.

If this continues, what will the outcome be? Or as the saying goes, cyberspace is not a law‑free zone; the virtual world likewise needs sound laws and regulations. Faced with the rampancy of online water armies, we must take decisive measures to impose severe punishment.

The Propaganda Department, Network Information Office, and Public Security Cyber Police will each fulfill their duties and work together, immediately deploying the special action "Crackdown on Fabricated Traffic, Black PR, and Online Water Armies," strengthening supervision and crackdown on these individuals, taking immediate action on any leads, detaining them all, conducting lawful investigations, imposing severe punishment without leniency, urgent, to keep the cyberspace clear and fresh!

Public Security Department Head Zhao Jiping asked: "Secretary, some 'keyboard warriors' also like to follow the trend; as a popular internet saying puts it, 'meek in reality, fierce online,' they are accustomed to posting extreme remarks online because the cost is nearly zero—should we also regulate these people?"

Lu Fan waved his hand and said: "We must correctly distinguish; ordinary citizens venting a few complaints, even criticizing the government a bit, is no great harm, and our own people have no such deep hatred. What we need to control are premeditated, large‑scale, organized illegal groups, especially the 'water armies' financed and manipulated by hostile foreign forces—these people are tantamount to traitors, and no matter how harsh the crackdown, it is not excessive! We must let them know that Grassland Province is not to be provoked; if pushed too far, we will 'overturn the table'!"

With Lu Fan's instructions, the three departments immediately sprang into action, locking onto 256 abnormal comments, and with the cooperation of short‑video platforms began investigation, discovering that these gangs used group‑control software to send commands simultaneously to hundreds or even thousands of mobile phones, able to sharply spike comment heat within minutes.

On the morning of January 18, after a day and night of meticulous investigation, the Grassland Province Public Security Department locked onto its targets and, jointly with the Qingtian City Public Security Bureau, dispatched 38 teams to various provinces to launch the arrest operation.

At 4 p. m., the good news arrived; in close coordination with the local public security bureau, the First Action Team, like a sword drawn from its sheath, struck straight at the heart, assaulting the hideout of the criminal gang disguised as a media company, the "online water army."

When the police swooped in like heavenly soldiers, the "criminals" busy operating computers and phones instantly fell into chaos; some had not even realized what had happened, staring blankly at the officers rushing in.

Some even protested: "On what grounds are you arresting us?"

The team leader, with a fierce gaze, said contemptuously: "You dare to act but not to face the consequences? Slandering and defaming our Grassland, stirring up trouble—if we don't arrest you, who will we arrest? Take them all away!"

At the team leader's command, the police swiftly moved in, bringing the 11 suspects on scene under control one by one. Meanwhile, the action team seized a large quantity of tools used in the crimes, including over 50 computers and over 30 mobile phones—key evidence that will undoubtedly serve as a powerful weapon to expose the gang's crimes and lay a solid foundation for subsequent case solving.

At 6 p. m., the Second Action Team also scored a major haul; with strong support from the Nanling Province Public Security Department, they launched a full‑chain strike on three hideouts, utterly destroying the criminal gang, apprehending 53 suspects on the spot, seizing over 20 implicated computers and over 100 implicated mobile phones, and the five leaders were subjected to compulsory criminal measures by law.

……

By January 20, in the special operation to crack down on online rumors, Grassland Province displayed unprecedented resolve and strength, with thunderous force, lawfully handling over 130 "online water army" cases, apprehending over 620 suspects, shutting down over 25,000 illegal and non‑compliant accounts, and clearing over 720,000 pieces of rumor information; the operation's swiftness and grandeur were breathtaking.

The internet is not a law‑free zone; Grassland Province strikes both online and offline, and its thunderous tactics not only make those who recklessly create and spread rumors hear the wind and lose courage, but even the usual arrogant online trolls are silenced like cicadas in winter, daring not to maliciously attack or baselessly accuse Grassland.

That afternoon, the Grassland Province Discipline Inspection Committee released a notice that the former Zhelimu Municipal Party Secretary Wang Haimin, suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, had been placed under investigation.

The news immediately caused an uproar online, with netizens clapping and cheering incessantly; the tumultuous "armed gun" incident finally came to a satisfactory close.

On January 21, the 2026 provincial target responsibility assessment mobilization and training conference was convened in Qingtian City, with Deputy Provincial Party Secretary Lu Fan attending and delivering a speech.

The head of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, Shang Youyang, organized study of the "Six‑in‑One Assessment Measures," making the attending leaders tense, for this is truly a one‑test‑determines‑your‑lifetime system.

Lu Fan pointed out in his speech that the "Six‑in‑One" centralized assessment is this year's innovation for Grassland Province; by comprehensively reviewing the year's achievements in all undertakings and fully examining the functioning of leadership teams and the actual performance of cadres, it can better uncover shortcomings, summarize experience, distinguish strengths from weaknesses, reward the good and punish the poor, motivate responsibility, and promote development.

To grasp the assessment focus and effectively enhance the targeting and practicality of the work, through "statement, talk, examination, evaluation" and similar methods, we highlight work achievements, strengthen assessment of leadership teams and cadres, and via multiple channels, levels, and aspects, understand and verify their actual performance.

Lu Fan emphasized, strictly prohibiting perfunctory assessments, making concessions, or cutting corners; we must earnestly rank positions, strengthen the application of assessment results, and for municipalities, counties, and provincial‑level departments that rank last in assessment, we shall remove them from office; for departments deemed unqualified, we shall hold talks, and issue province‑wide criticism.

After the meeting, all provincial departments at every level attached unprecedented importance to this year's assessment; no one dared to treat their "rice bowl" as a joke.

In the afternoon, the training class continued; Provincial Party Committee Secretary Wu Xiaohua privately communicated with Organization Department Head Shang Youyang, raising questions about the work of Hetao City and the Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

Shang Youyang immediately understood; the two indicators that ranked last this year have thus been implemented.