Chapter 819: Slamming the Table at the Democratic Life Meeting

Comrades, today we are convening a Democratic Life Meeting; the main purpose is to exchange ideas, carry out criticism and self-criticism, and further strengthen the team's construction.

I will take the lead first, doing a self‑examination……

At 2 p. m. on Friday afternoon, the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee's Democratic Life Meeting began on schedule.

Wang Qigang sat in the chief seat; his opening remarks were as usual, with nothing new.

The first fifteen minutes.

It was a standard self‑criticism template—theoretical study needs to be deepened, investigation and research are not deep enough, grasp of grassroots conditions needs to be strengthened, and so on.

Overall, the wording was rigorous and the measure appropriate.

But when he spoke about concrete work, his tone gradually changed.

"But…" Wang Qigang put down his manuscript, his gaze sweeping the hall: "In these four years of working in Wuzhou, I can say with a clear conscience: I have lived up to the organization, I have lived up to the people!"

His voice suddenly rose, full of emotion.

"Over these four years, Wuzhou's GDP has grown by 42%! Municipal fiscal revenue has doubled! The city's appearance has been completely renewed……"

When speaking of his personal achievements, Wang Qigang could recount them off the top of his head.

Which key project had been launched, which important road opened to traffic, which people's livelihood project completed… As he mentioned each item, he glanced at the relevant divisional leader, who immediately nodded in agreement.

Round after round of applause sounded in the meeting room.

Wang Qigang waved his hand.

He waited for the applause to stop.

Wang Qigang's tone also sank: "I have always believed that development is the hard truth, stability is the major premise. Therefore these years I have continually stressed unity and looking after the overall situation."

Having said that, Wang Qigang paused for a moment.

His gaze turned to Lin Dongfan.

"But recently…" Wang Qigang criticized passionately: "Some comrades, having been in office only a short time, without understanding Wuzhou's actual situation, yet rush for quick results, adopting a 'campaign‑style' work method! They do not respect veteran comrades, do not listen to differing opinions, and even……"

Having said that,

Wang Qigang again intensified his tone: "For the sake of so‑called personal 'achievements' and 'prestige,' they undermine unity, affect stability, and damage Wuzhou's overall development!"

As his words fell, the entire meeting room fell deathly silent.

Everyone looked toward Lin Dongfan.

Lin Dongfan merely gave a faint smile, as if Wang Qigang's criticism were not aimed at him, and continued to lower his head, taking notes in his notebook with steady, firm strokes.

This unusually calm reaction evidently gave Wang Qigang the feeling of punching a sponge, making him quite displeased.

Seeing Lin Dongfan still make no response, Wang Qigang

He felt a bit of anger rising, and his voice instantly grew much harsher: "Take the recent events as an example. I support rectifying work style and carrying out audits, but we must not over‑expand the handling! We cannot, just to catch a few people, throw the entire cadre corps into panic! This has already seriously disrupted normal operations!"

"Secretary Wang."

Lin Dongfan finally raised his head and bluntly retorted: "When you say 'a few people,' do you mean Zhou Hongwei, Yuan Ben Zhong, and Tang Yuchao?"

"!!!"

Wang Qigang was choked up and glared angrily.

Lin Dongfan calmly emphasized: "These people were dealt with by the organization, not personally apprehended by me, Lin Dongfan. As for whether they have problems, that should be judged by facts and law."

"I didn't say they have no problems!" Wang Qigang's face darkened: "I'm talking about work methods! For such a large‑scale operation, why wasn't there full prior communication with the Municipal Party Committee? Why weren't other comrades' opinions sought? Do you still have any sense of organization, principle, or collective leadership?!"

This barrage of questions struck Lin Dongfan like artillery shells.

Such sharp criticism, if aimed at an ordinary person, would likely have knocked them flat; who the hell would dare to confront the top leader head‑on?

Only Lin Dongfan treats Wang Qigang as if he doesn't matter.

Lin Dongfan closed his notebook, stared straight at Wang Qigang, and said: "The Special Audit Work was a resolution passed by the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee; the Leading Group is headed by you personally. All actions have followed the plan and procedure. If you have doubts about the procedure, you can consult the meeting minutes and document dispatch slips."

After a brief pause.

Lin Dongfan then continued his rebuttal: "You just said it affects stability and work. So I want to ask: if corruption problems are not resolved and the people's complaints fill the air, is that stability? Is that the overall development situation?"

"Lin Dongfan!"

Wang Qigang slammed his palm on the table, his eyes bulging like bronze bells: "What attitude is this?! I'm helping you, reminding you, and you turn around to lecture me?!"

Lin Dongfan replied calmly: "I am merely stating facts. If you think anti‑corruption undermines stability, then I have nothing more to say."

"How dare you speak like that?! Full of nonsense, who said anti‑corruption destroys stability?!" Wang Qigang slapped the table again: "Get up and speak clearly!"

"Bang!!!"

Lin Dongfan rose to his feet, slapped the case, and made a sound even louder than Wang Qigang's.

The shock left the venue in utter silence.

"I can't continue this meeting; you guys carry on yourselves!"

Lin Dongfan picked up his notebook, turned and walked away: "Since taking office to today, I haven't rested a single day! Sorry, I'm feeling unwell and need to take leave to see a doctor!"

The meeting room door was slammed shut by Lin Dongfan with a loud 'bang.'

It left everyone in the room staring at each other.

Wang Qigang, who had slumped back into the chief seat, was already so angry his face turned livid and his chest heaved violently.

Although Wang Qigang had anticipated Lin Dongfan's rebuttal, he never imagined Lin Dongfan would actually slap the table and walk out! It was as if he didn't even regard this top leader.

This also made Wang Qigang angrily realize that their contradiction had now been laid bare.

It has developed into an irreconcilable contradiction!

As the old saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers!

But who is truly the king of all beasts? In this matter we cannot compare; once we do, Wang Qigang feels a sense of utter helpless defeat.

The Lin family's illustrious lineage stands there, and that too is Lin Dongfan's capital for acting without fear.

"Today's meeting was originally meant to blunt his edge, but who would have thought… that by the end I, Wang Qigang, would become a laughingstock……"

Lost in thought, Wang Qigang only felt a pain as if thousands of arrows pierced his heart.

But on the surface...

Wang Qigang still put on a calm facade, glancing around at everyone present: "Since Mayor Lin is on sick leave, let's skip over his page. Everyone here, also talk about your own matters."

The meeting continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed.

Afterwards, everyone's remarks became cautious and careful. The Democratic Life Meeting, which should have been a frank exchange of views, turned into a mere formality.

At the end of the meeting, Wang Qigang gave a concluding speech, again emphasizing the importance of unity.

After the meeting adjourned.

Wang Qigang summoned Li Bin of the Municipal Party Committee Office to his office and flew into a rage: "This Lin Dongfan actually dared to slam the table and walk out in public—utterly arrogant!"

"Secretary Wang..."

Faced with Wang Qigang's exploding emotions, Li Bin felt nervous inside, but his mind remained clear.

He cautiously proposed: "Lin Dongfan relies on his background and acts without fear. Going head-to-head with him would be bad for everyone. I have an idea, though I don't know if you dare to fight with your back to the water..."

"Oh? Go on, let's hear it."

Seeing Li Bin's confident look, Wang Qigang immediately became interested.

Li Bin turned around and closed the office door.

He then further advised: "They are determined to thoroughly investigate the Zhao Group; if the Zhao Group completely halts work and production, this responsibility— I'm afraid even Lin Dongfan couldn't bear it."

That hit the nail on the head.

The Zhao Group is not only Wuzhou's leading enterprise, but also a major contributor to Wuzhou's GDP, and it has solved employment for eighty thousand people.

If the Zhao Group completely halts work and production, it will inevitably trigger a series of serious problems!

By then, a slap from the province will surely land, and someone will have to take responsibility.