Chapter 937

Provincial Party Committee office building, small meeting room.

Sunlight streamed through the window, landing on the pothos in the center of the long table, its leaves glistening.

Seated at the head of the table was the provincial bigwig Jiang Huantian, holding a cup of tea in his hand. But he didn't drink, just boredly holding it, his fingers lightly tapping the lid.

Sitting opposite were Executive Vice Governor Deng Chunning and the head of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Luo Xiang.

Both of their expressions were very calm.

"In just a few days, so much has happened in Wuzhou. What are your thoughts, you two?" Jiang Huantian glanced at the two colleagues opposite him.

Deng Chunning seized the floor: "Wang Qigang is not only the Party Secretary of Wuzhou, but also a member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee! As mayor, Lin Dongfan actually laid hands on a deputy minister‑level official at the Standing Committee meeting! It's utterly lacking organization and discipline! If this gets out, what will people say?"

He paused briefly.

Deng Chunning intensified his angry tone: "Secretary Jiang, this matter cannot just be let go. Lin Dongfan's behavior—lacking organization and discipline, showing no respect for leaders or superiors—must be dealt with seriously! Otherwise, if he dares to throw a punch at the municipal Party secretary today, tomorrow he might not even take the Provincial Party Committee seriously."

Jiang Huantian didn't respond, turning to Luo Xiang: "Secretary Luo, what do you think of this?"

As Lin Dongfan's mentor, Luo Xiang was indeed troubled this time.

Just now, he had been thinking about how to help that kid Lin Dongfan wipe his ass, and what posture to use to do it.

Today's thunderbolt—whether you catch it or not, you have to catch it.

Luo Xiang collected himself.

Sitting upright, he replied: "Comrade Wang Qigang's injury has been checked by the hospital—just a superficial wound, not serious. But Wuzhou's problem is not a simple superficial wound; it has penetrated to the marrow."

What is a political and legal heavyweight? This is it—his use of dialectical law is consummate.

Before Deng Chunning could interject,

Luo Xiang then elaborated further:

"Wan Xiaoxing was promoted two ranks in a row to bureau chief, and less than a month into the post he halted work at Cloud Peak Mountain Villa. In this matter, Comrade Wang Qigang bears responsibility for faulty personnel selection."

The halt at Cloud Peak Mountain Villa left thousands of workers without wages and hundreds of suppliers awaiting payment.

A mess lay there.

What was Comrade Wang Qigang doing then? He summoned the director of the Urban Construction Bureau, Ma Ju, to his office, berated him severely, and forced a division‑level official to resign and quit the Party on the spot.

Secretary Qigang is so foolish!

Those who cannot solve problems, he pushes through opposition and promotes them out of turn; those who can solve problems, he drives to resign and quit the Party.

What kind of nature is this?

When it comes to blasting off, Luo Xiang is clearly a master‑level veteran.

His wording and tone are spot on.

While presenting evidence to prove Wang Qigang's fault in personnel selection, he also lamented Wang Qigang's foolishness, as if saying it was an unintentional mistake.

Deng Chunning, suppressing his anger, sneered: "Secretary Luo, no wonder you're a professor—you can talk the talk."

"Comrade Chunning, aren't I stating the facts?"

Luo Xiang tossed off a question that left Deng Chunning speechless.

Luo Xiang pressed further: "Just now you said Lin Dongfan lacks organization and discipline—what about Wang Qigang? When he promoted Wan Xiaoxing out of turn, did he consider the consequences? When he forced Director Ma to resign and quit the Party, did he observe discipline?"

"Old Luo, are you trying to let Lin Dongfan off the hook?" Deng Chunning's sharp retort.

Luo Xiang smiled faintly: "I'm not trying to let anyone off the hook. I'm saying the root of Wuzhou's problem isn't Lin Dongfan's three punches, but Wang Qigang's years of conduct. A municipal Party secretary who treats power as a tool, subordinates as pawns, and the people's livelihood as a game—can you tolerate such an official standing before you?"

"……!!!"

Deng Chunning was once again left red‑faced and choking, his heart filled with resentment; he couldn't stand Luo Xiang's rhetorical questions, each word striking at his heart.

Damn it!

If I say I can tolerate it, then I'd be suspected of being in league with snakes and rats.

If I say I cannot tolerate it, I fall right into Luo Xiang's trap, proving that Lin Dongfan's assault was somewhat justified—any answer would be a slap in my own face.

"You two, calm down first, don't get so worked up."

Seeing the two sides on the verge of conflict, Jiang Huantian spoke up at the right moment, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

Jiang Huantian then said:

"Cloud Peak Mountain Villa is a key provincial project; repeated halts have caused a very bad impact. The stoppage problem not only creates negative social effects but also drags down Wuzhou's economic development."

Comrade Lin Dongfan's act of striking someone at the Standing Committee meeting.

Although it was somewhat excessive.

But his intention was to break the deadlock and solve the immediate problem; overall, it has positive significance for the people and for Wuzhou's economic development.

We should view this issue objectively.

Upon hearing this, Deng Chunning deflated like a punctured balloon, only able to lower his head and stay silent.

The implication of Secretary Jiang's remarks was actually a criticism of Wang Qigang, believing that Wang Qigang had indeed held back Wuzhou and deserved the beating.

With that tone set, Deng Chunning felt a lump in his throat, unable to speak up for Wang Qigang.

Just as Deng Chunning was agonizing over how to steady his position,

Jiang Huantian suddenly asked again: "Comrade Chunning, you are the Executive Vice Governor in charge of economy. Tell us, how should Wuzhou's problem be resolved?"

Deng Chunning thought hard for a few seconds.

He gritted his teeth and replied:

"Secretary Jiang, just now you said we should view the problem objectively—I fully agree with that view."

"I believe the issue of Cloud Peak Mountain Villa's shutdown and Lin Dongfan's assault should be separated and examined independently, not lumped together."

"The shutdown issue has already resulted in the removal of Wan Xiaoxing from his post."

"Next, the municipal government should promptly verify the related tax matters, release the chairman of Mortal Group, Ye Jiaying, and push forward the resumption of work."

"But Lin Dongfan's act of striking someone at the Standing Committee meeting must still be dealt with seriously."

"Otherwise..."

Those who don't know the truth will spread rumors, saying that Comrade Lin Dongfan is relying on his family background to throw punches and kicks in Wuzhou, and saying that our Provincial Party Committee plays favorites.

Once this matter gets out, it will surely cause a bad social impact.

Not only will it damage the government's image, it will also damage the political reputation of the Jingcheng Lin family; by then, we may not be able to answer to the senior leaders of Jingcheng.

Deng Chunning has also become clever this time, using the guise of protecting the Lin family's reputation to sanction Lin Dongfan.

For a moment.

Even Luo Xiang, who is usually eloquent, couldn't find a suitable point to rebut.

Jiang Huantian stared at Luo Xiang for a few seconds.

Seeing that Luo Xiang was indeed unable to rebut, helpless, he could only speak up himself: 'The issue with Comrade Lin Dongfan will be handled by the organization talking to him and giving him a warning; this matter is settled as such. The more pressing issue now is that Comrade Wang Qigang and Comrade Lin Dongfan cannot work together, which is highly detrimental to Wuzhou's economic development.'

Luo Xiang went along with the saying: 'Since they can't work together, we can only transfer one of them.'

'That's what I was thinking.' Jiang Huantian nodded, then asked Luo Xiang: 'Lao Luo, who do you think should be transferred away from Wuzhou would be more appropriate?'

Upon hearing that, Luo Xiang was speechless, thinking: 'You clearly have the answer in mind, yet you insist on making me the bad guy.'

Never mind!

Anyway, we've already fired one shot; what's another?

Luo Xiang collected himself.

He spoke bluntly: 'Wuzhou's cadres have been running into problems one after another. In this short half-year, we have already dealt with seven deputy-division-level or higher cadres. In this matter, as the head of the Municipal Party Committee, Comrade Wang Qigang bears an inescapable responsibility. If we really have to transfer someone, I suggest transferring Comrade Wang Qigang. Currently, Comrade Lin Dongfan is playing a stabilizing role in Wuzhou; Wuzhou cannot do without him.'

Jiang Huantian nodded in deep agreement, then asked Deng Chunning: 'Comrade Chunning, do you have anything else to add?'

!!!

Deng Chunning made a bitter face.

He thought, 'You two are putting on a show here, you've already decided things in your hearts, why bother asking me? You really are giving me face!'

Lin Dongfan threw punches at people at the Standing Committee meeting, yet all he needed was a warning talk.

The beaten Wang Qigang, however, was to be transferred away from his frontline leadership post.

This world...

After all, it's still those in power who have the final say.

Deng Chunning swallowed his resentment, gave a cold reply: 'I have no objections.'

'Since nobody has any objections, then this matter is settled as such.' Jiang Huantian also couldn't be bothered with more talk, and on the spot hammered out the decision: 'Comrade Wang Qigang will be temporarily suspended, with Comrade Lin Dongfan taking full charge of Wuzhou's work. As for Comrade Wang Qigang's specific placement, I will discuss it further with the Central Organization Department later.'