Chapter 863

After Qi Ting finished his call with Yang Qing, he pondered for Along time, heavily realizing that it was no longer a question of whether he wanted to express his stance, but that he must clearly state his position.

He had been sitting on a cold bench for over a decade in the Provincial Department, continually suppressed by Deng Chunning.

Wang Qigang and Deng Chunning are of the same faction, and they wouldn't give Qi Ting even a glance of respect. As for advancement, the only hope lies with the princeling from the Jing circle.

Yang Qing faced obstruction in the City Bureau, while the princeling stood by with folded arms, clearly wanting to see Qi Ting's attitude.

If Qi Ting drops the ball at a critical moment.

Then there's no hope for advancement; the princeling isn't a philanthropist. Just as Yang Qing joked on the phone—that's not a good person.

For advancement!

Qi Ting decisively lowered his posture, called Secretary Luo of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee, asking Secretary Luo to step in and convene a coordination meeting.

Luo Xiang is Lin Dongfan's mentor.

Everything went exactly as Qi Ting had expected, without a hitch; regarding the Provincial Department taking over the Wuzhou major case, Secretary Luo showed no hesitation and explicitly expressed support.

The next day.

The small meeting room of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee.

Luo Xiang sat in the seat of honor, holding a cup of tea, leisurely blowing the tea leaves floating on the surface. As he aged, his gaze grew ever gentler, always exuding a refined scholar's aura.

In contrast.

Wang Qigang, sitting beside him, lacked such refinement; Old Five crossed his legs, held a cup of tea, and a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.

And Qi Ting, the lowest in rank, was the most cautious person present.

Three people, three different postures.

"Comrade Wang Qigang."

Luo Xiang spoke up, his voice not loud, but every word was clear and distinct.

"Today I asked you to come mainly about the Wuzhou case. The Provincial Department issued a document to take over the investigation, but the City Bureau seems to have some resistance. How do you think we should handle this?"

Wang Qigang set down his tea cup.

He spoke with a half-smile: "Secretary Luo, I've also looked into the situation at the City Bureau. It's not a major issue, just some details in the case-handling procedures. Comrade Zhou Zheng is injured and hospitalized; some materials are in his hands, needing to wait for his discharge before handover. This is a pragmatic work arrangement, not any antagonistic sentiment."

Qi Ting took up the conversation: "Secretary Wang, regarding Zhou Zheng, the Provincial Department can send someone to liaise with the hospital. It won't affect his recovery and can quickly sort out the materials. What do you think of this approach?"

Wang Qigang waved his hand: "Secretary Qi, your proposal is theoretically feasible, but in practice it's difficult. Zhou Zheng's head injury requires rest and no stimulation according to the doctors. If you send people to the hospital asking this and that, could he avoid stimulation? If anything goes wrong, it would make us seem inhumane."

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene immediately reached an impasse.

Qi Ting furrowed his brow slightly: "Secretary Wang, the Wuzhou case is a major criminal case; it is proper and reasonable for the Provincial Department to take over. We cannot let the entire case stall because of one officer's problem. We need to give an account to the victims and to the public, upholding the spirit of the rule of law."

"I understand what you're saying."

Wang Qigang also kept his composure, his tone still calm: "But having said that, as leaders we ought to show some human feeling. While discussing legal principles, we must not neglect reason. Now that Comrade Zhou Zheng is injured and hospitalized, if we force him to organize case materials, wouldn't that be pulling up the plank after crossing the river?"

Qi Ting remained silent, turning his gaze toward Luo Xiang.

Luo Xiang glanced at Wang Qigang and smiled: "Secretary Wang, I have a different view on your appeal to reason."

"Please speak, Secretary Luo." Wang Qigang's face darkened slightly.

Luo Xiang said calmly: "Currently, the Wuzhou major case has already caused a negative social impact. If we cater to the emotions of a single public official while hurting the feelings of the masses, then the City Bureau's motto 'Serving the People' becomes mere decoration."

Without waiting for Wang Qigang to retort.

Luo Xiang further emphasized: "Should we prioritize the emotions of a public official, or should we prioritize the emotions of the broad masses? That is the true reason we ought to consider."

As these words landed, the muscles on Wang Qigang's face twitched slightly.

His displeasure was plainly written on his face.

Although Luo Xiang did not directly deny Zhou Zheng as a person, he placed Zhou Zheng against the broad masses! To say he hides a needle in cotton is not an exaggeration.

The implication, both between the lines and outright, is that whoever gives Zhou Zheng special treatment is an enemy of the broad masses!

Wang Qigang probably had no alternative, and he protested excitedly: "Secretary Luo, the City Bureau has investigated this case for Along time, pouring in massive manpower and material resources. Now the Provincial Department says it will take over, and the lower-level staff having emotions is only natural. As the head of Wuzhou, I must consider the feelings of the grassroots comrades."

Luo Xiang nodded: "Emotions can be understood, but they must not affect work. The Provincial Department taking over is an organizational decision, not anyone's personal opinion. If the City Bureau personnel have emotions, we can do some ideological work on them. I believe they will stand up to the test under your leadership."

"......!!!"

Wang Qigang choked, his face turning deathly pale.

He silently cursed: "You Luo, you're a real piece of work! No wonder you were a professor at the Political and Legal University, a stinking old ninth, trying to play the flattery game with me in a roundabout way! According to your logic, if the Wuzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau staff don't withdraw their emotions, they can't withstand the test? That would mean my leadership as Wang Qigang is inadequate? Pure bullshit…"

Endless anger surged tumultuously in Wang Qigang's heart.

After thinking it over for a while, he had expended many brain cells, yet couldn't muster a single word of rebuttal! This made Wang Qigang unable to hold back a lament: "Does this mean I have to back down today?"

Seeing that Wang Qigang couldn't hold back his words, Qi Ting immediately perked up: "Secretary Wang, to be frank, I fully understand your concern for your subordinates. How about this: we let the Provincial Department send people to coordinate with the hospital, asking the hospital to dispatch a medical team to escort Captain Zhou to the City Bureau for the case handover. This would ensure Comrade Zhou Zheng can settle the matter without leaving his sickbed. What do you think?"

"Not leave the sickbed?" Wang Qigang sneered rudely: "May I ask, Secretary Qi, how is Comrade Zhou Zheng supposed to go to the City Bureau for handover without leaving his sickbed?"

"Then we'll lift the sickbed along with him." Qi Ting said with a serious expression: "You don't need to worry about this; I'll handle the manual labor, you just need to nod or shake your head."

"......!!!"

Wang Qigang felt a surge of anger stuck in his chest, nearly making him vomit blood.

This time he finally understood:

Playing the hooligan isn't just the gangsters' monopoly; clever Qi Ting is just as adept at it! If anyone gives Qi Ting a hint of advancement hope, he'd dare to dream of moving Mount Everest!

Before Wang Qigang could catch his breath from that bout of resentment, Luo Xiang suddenly added a concluding remark: "Since Secretary Wang has no other objections, then let's settle it this way……"

"I said I had no objections?!"

This time Wang Qigang completely blurted out angry words from pure instinct, directly cutting off Luo Xiang's speech.