Chapter 966

Character sat in the office for Along time.

After returning from Furong Road, he never left the chair beneath him.

Documents piled on the desk, not a single one approved.

The tea was brewed twice, yet he didn't drink a sip.

He stared at the wall plaque reading "Integrity and Honesty," his mind racing with one thought: Luo Zhiwei's remarks weren't an explanation, but a provocation!

A Municipal Bureau Chief actually dared to talk back to the Municipal Party Committee Secretary to his face!

On what basis?

Is it because he's made no mistake, with nothing to fault procedurally? Or because he knows I, Character, am new here, unsteady on my feet, and lack authority?

Character slammed the teacup down on the desk, his anger unabated.

Having been assigned to Wuzhou for nearly two months, he had hoped to roll up his sleeves and achieve something, but instead he kept hitting walls everywhere. Lin Dongfan didn't take him seriously, and now even a minor bureau chief dares to oppose him.

This has ruined his prestige!

If this continues, he as Party Secretary will be just a figurehead—how can he establish himself in Wuzhou? If these things get out, he, Character, is a laughingstock!

Character stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window was Wuzhou's street scene, bustling with traffic, lively to watch, but it had nothing to do with him.

Thinking of his grand ambitions, Character keenly felt what it meant to be a bare-pole commander. To achieve something great, he first needed people; if no one obeyed his orders, nothing could get done.

He pondered painfully for a while.

Character turned, picked up the red desk phone, and dialed the Discipline Inspection Commission: "Old Shi, are you free tonight? Come to my office. Also, help me schedule a meeting with Mayor Lin."

On the other end of the line, Shi Liantang was silent for a second: "Character Party Secretary, what's the matter?"

"We'll talk when you get here."

Character hung up directly, thereby asserting his authority as the head of the Municipal Party Committee—this is a notice, not a negotiation!

At seven in the evening, the small meeting room of the Municipal Party Committee.

Lin Dongfan and Shi Liantang arrived as promised.

Before coming to this appointment, the two had communicated privately, knowing that Character's sister had been hit with an extortion scam, and also knowing that Character had been angered by Luo Zhiwei over a surveillance matter to the point of skipping dinner.

After sitting down, Lin Dongfan crossed his legs and lit a cigarette.

Character, who never smoked, could do nothing about this scene but suppress his disgust deep inside.

Character said: "I asked you two here today because I have something I want to discuss with you."

As he spoke.

Character glanced at Lin Dongfan and Shi Liantang, then asked: "What do you two think about Luo Zhiwei?"

Shi Liantang glanced at Lin Dongfan's reaction.

Lin Dongfan held the cigarette in his mouth, took a slow drag, and replied leisurely: "Character Party Secretary, are you looking to discuss Luo Zhiwei's work attitude, or his personal conduct?"

"Let's start with his work attitude."

Character spoke bluntly: "The city installed 1,600 public‑security surveillance points; he went to the second‑hand market to buy cheap equipment. After just one month, a third of them broke. Yesterday my sister was hit with an extortion scam; I tried to pull the surveillance, but the footage was black. I asked him what was going on, and he said the city didn't allocate funds, so it wasn't his responsibility."

Character lifted his tea cup, took a sip to wet his throat.

He continued: "The chief of our Place Faction has actually lain flat to this extent. Do you think someone like this can still be used?"

From the meaning of his words, it sounded like he wanted to remove Character.

Shi Liantang gave Lin Dongfan, who was only smoking, a meaningful look, feeling admiration! Indeed, everything was as Lin Dongfan had anticipated—Old Character wanted to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys and establish his authority.

Boss Fan had just discussed with Secretary Qi and Yang Qing a couple of days ago about moving Luo Zhiwei's position.

It's truly the case that when you doze off, someone brings you a pillow!

Now that Character Party Secretary has raised this matter, Boss Fan no longer needs to worry about offending people; he can simply reach out and pluck the ready‑made fruit.

Thinking this far.

Shi Liantang readily agreed: "Character Party Secretary, Luo Zhiwei's problems haven't been just a day or two. When Zheng Congwen was around, he acted as a hands‑off manager, which is understandable. But after Zheng Congwen fell, he still remained a hands‑off manager, which really doesn't hold water. In plain terms, he's now sitting on the toilet and not taking a shit."

Character nodded: "So, I called you two here today specifically to discuss whether we should remove him."

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.

Character also shifted his gaze to Lin Dongfan; this matter couldn't be settled with just Shi Liantang's cooperation—the key was whether Lin Dongfan would nod.

All that could be seen was Lin Dongfan gripping his cigarette without speaking, looking deep in thought.

This pretentious demeanor made Character quite vexed.

Character urged directly: "Mayor Lin, tell us your opinion."

"Character Party Secretary, I don't object to removing Luo Zhiwei," Lin Dongfan said, "but you need to think clearly—after removing him, who will take over as bureau chief?"

Character was taken aback; he hadn't expected Lin Dongfan to agree so readily.

He felt something was off.

Could it be that I've fallen for his trick again?

Character stared at Lin Dongfan, trying to read something from his face. But Lin Dongfan's expression was very calm, calm as a pond. He suddenly felt that this person was even harder to figure out than he had imagined.

Left with no choice.

Character tentatively asked: "Mayor Lin, do you have a suitable candidate?"

"None." Lin Dongfan shook his head: "You're the Party Secretary; personnel arrangements are up to you."

Upon hearing that, Character's face went blank—what the hell is this situation? He doesn't object, nor is he fighting for personnel authority; could this guy have found his conscience?

Just as Character was puzzled.

Shi Liantang suddenly spoke: "Character Party Secretary, Luo Zhiwei hasn't committed any mistake; what reason does the Municipal Party Committee have to remove him? You summoned me today—are you trying to get our Discipline Inspection Commission to investigate him?"

"He hasn't committed any mistake, but he also hasn't achieved any results. Lying flat and doing nothing, the organization adjusting his post—he has nothing to say about it." Character said: "The most important thing, however, is what Mayor Lin just said. After removing him, who should take over the bureau chief position? This needs to be weighed and compromised."

Lin Dongfan suddenly interjected: "What do you think of Gao Yicheng?"

Character chuckled and replied: "As far as I know, Gao Yicheng was just appointed detachment captain; his experience is a bit shallow. Moreover, he's good at solving cases, but he's still a bit green for being chief."

Seeing Lin Dongfan frown and remain silent.

Character thought Lin Dongfan was unhappy, and quickly explained: "Mayor Lin Dongfan, I'm not trying to undermine your dignity; I'm just discussing the matter, so don't take it to heart."

Character, however, didn't know that Fan Ye had merely casually tossed a smoke bomb, and incidentally made Gao Yicheng owe a favor.

Fan Ye smiled faintly: "Secretary Character, you're being too serious; what you said is also correct. If we look at seniority, Comrade Gao Yicheng's experience is indeed a bit shallow, and I respect the Municipal Party Committee's decision."

"Secretary Shi Liantang, what's your opinion?" Character then looked toward Shi Liantang.

Shi Liantang replied without hesitation: "Regarding this matter, I think it's better to let the Organization Department examine the candidates."

"That's reasonable."

Character nodded and said: "Alright. If you two have no other objections, then this is settled; I'll have the Organization Department proceed with the procedures."