Chapter 1054

Su Yang had just been sent to the hospital when, led by Zhaikai representing the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee leaders, they came to visit him.

Also coming with him were Mayor Wang Huaizhong and Organization Department Head Lu Zhi Xin.

Especially Zhaikai, seeing Su Yang in this state, almost couldn't hold back two tears: "Su Yang, how did they torture you like this? Do these Discipline Inspection Commission people still have any law when handling cases? Do they still observe any rules?"

Although Su Yang's face remained pale, his strength had somewhat recovered; smiling, he said, "Thank you, Secretary Zhaikai, for your concern. I'm young and can endure it. I originally thought it would take a few more days, but they collapsed so quickly—I haven't even had my fill yet."

Wang Huaizhong raised his hand to slap Su Yang, but his hand halted mid‑air: "You think not bragging could kill you? For this matter, the senior leaders have slammed the table, some elderly folks in Jingcheng have been mobilized, and some units are already jumpy."

Su Yang chuckled: "We're just tough bones; standing up to them is fine. But how did this small matter alarm several leaders? I'm truly overwhelmed by the favor."

Lu Zhi Xin said: "Saying that, as the main leaders of the Municipal Party Committee, when such a big incident occurred, we didn't receive notice in time, nor did we protect you—we bear responsibility."

Su Yang looked at the three leaders before him, and for a moment he felt somewhat moved.

Speaking of which, he should have known Secretary Zhaikai for the shortest time, yet his feelings are the deepest.

The reason is simple: men say shaking hands ten times is not as good as drinking once together; they've drunk more than just once, and it's always the kind of drink where they open their hearts to each other.

Just now, Lao Zhao's display was absolutely not an act; it came from the heart. Moreover, he had already heard the news that happened at the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting—how could he not be moved?

Department Head Lu put it bluntly: it's all thanks to Old Zhou's connections; purely out of respect for Old Zhou, they're looking after him.

As for Old Lu, one could say their relationship involves some of the customary interactions within the system, and it's also a case of mutual help.

He was able to gain a foothold in Lieshan Xian largely thanks to Department Head Lu's help. Of course, to repay Department Head Lu, Li Lingyu smoothly entered the County Party Committee Standing Committee. This is a typical case of "you good, me good, everyone good"—one might call it revolutionary friendship.

"Thank you, three leaders. My body is fine; the doctor said I'd probably need a month or two to fully recover, but I think ten days or half a month will do, after which I can bounce back to serve the people and relieve the leaders' worries."

Zhaikai said: "You've always had guts and skill in handling things, but from now on, never get into such risky situations. If you had produced this evidence earlier, the Discipline Inspection Commission couldn't have delayed you so long, and you wouldn't have suffered."

Su Yang pursed his lips: "I'm already inside—where would I go to get this evidence? Besides, it's thanks to Public Security Bureau's Comrade Sun Chengjun running around; besides, he also had to be called in for questioning—doesn't that cause a slight delay?"

But actually, this is all his arrangement, because it's a grand chessboard. If it were only him, then after being taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission, those appraisal documents and office videos would already have appeared on the desks of leaders at all levels.

The reason he must be driven to desperation before striking back is that the more he is pushed to the brink of collapse, the more those behind him can all emerge.

For example, the Joint Investigation Team in Jingcheng is the masterpiece of those behind the scenes; he absolutely does not believe that the Former County Magistrate alone could possess such power.

Only when he bears enough will public opinion and justice stand on his side; only then can he stir the grand chessboard behind the scenes, allowing Old Zhou to handle things with ease.

He clearly understands that this matter against him is entirely baseless.

This time the Discipline Inspection Commission came with the purpose of extracting a confession through torture; although they came in force, determined to succeed, they never imagined he had Teacher Qi Guohui, had received Qi Teacher's true transmission—this bunch of people were really almost scared out of their wits.

As long as he holds firm here, Old Zhou will have room to maneuver.

After all, if Old Zhou really gets implicated in this matter, whether he actually violated laws and discipline is irrelevant; the outcome will inevitably be that he either loses his position and rank lightly, or ends up rotting in prison.

However, Old Zhou is fine, and he has successfully made the leaders who originally appreciated and supported him even more resolute in their stance; thus, even if he had trouble, it would be no trouble, especially since he actually has none.

But he cannot tell these leaders about these situations.

Of course, taking advantage of this opportunity he still hopes to give Sun Chengjun a chance to perform, at least letting these leaders remember Sun Chengjun. In the future, if Lao Gao gives a bit of support from his side, Sun Chengjun should have no problem becoming Vice County Magistrate.

Zhaikai said: "Hehe, you mean the chief of your county Public Security Bureau, Comrade Sun Chengjun? In this matter he has indeed made a great contribution; I also chatted with Secretary Gao about him—he's quite a fine young man. I expect he'll soon become Secretary Gao's son‑in‑law, and then we'll go together to the wedding feast."

Upon hearing this, Su Yang suddenly wondered whether he had been overdoing it—Zhaikai came from the Transport Department and is the official successor to Secretary Gao; he himself had forgotten this, which always makes him feel foolish.

That's how things are within the System—you never know who stands behind whom; even a low‑level clerk in some obscure corner, doing the most menial and chaotic work, could have a mighty figure backing them.

The reason he has never risen is simply that he's been waiting for an excellent opportunity.

But Old Gao's connections are his own, and his favors are his own.

Indeed, Department Head Lu said: "This comrade is truly not bad; starting from the Geng Miao incident, he has already shown extraordinary ability and extremely strong quality."

"Frankly speaking, even comrades from the Public Security System, when three or four of them face hundreds of people and dozens of guns, he can still handle the situation with ease and even escort people away in public."

"Not to mention just our city—looking across the Provincial Level, how many people could do this? I think we ought to cultivate such comrades."

He is, after all, the Organization Department Head; in that position he must constantly gauge the leaders' intentions, and moreover, with Su Yang's strong recommendation, he naturally goes along with the flow.

Wang Huaizhong, hearing them say that, understood: "Hahaha, in personnel matters, your Organization Department is responsible for brewing the candidates, and Secretary Zhaikai is the final gatekeeper; if you two think this comrade is fine, then there's certainly no problem—I personally support it."

"Recently the National Level has begun to emphasize public security work; basically, the heads of local Public Security Bureaus are now concurrently serving as Vice County Magistrates. Of course, this is an upward concurrent post; after this matter is over, we'll discuss it at the meeting."

Department Head Lu said: "Yes, we also need to seek their county's opinion; if the county agrees to the recommendation, I think there shouldn't be a major problem on our side."

Su Yang thought to himself, "You're also overestimating our county's cadres; the personnel decision already made by the three top leaders of the Municipal Party Committee is basically no different from an announcement. Although he spoke a couple of words in between, in reality it was still Secretary Gao's side that played the key role."

He hurriedly said: "Then I should thank the leaders, after all Sun Chengjun is also a cadre of our county; otherwise I'd invite the leaders to a meal."