Chapter 866

Chen Bo said: "Okay, Magistrate Zhao. Our Organization Department, based on the current situation of the People's Congress and the CPPCC, and combined with cadres who currently meet the conditions, intends to nominate one person for the post of Vice Chair of the People's Congress. Your recommended candidate is Comrade Yao Daya, the Town Party Committee Secretary of Guantan Gou Zhen, but in order to comply with organizational procedures, we also nominate Comrade Mo Tai, the County Public Security Bureau Chief, as a candidate."

Zhao Nanxing, after hearing this, was very satisfied, thinking: No matter whose side your butt leans on, I am the top leader, the Organization Department must listen to me, I am the County Magistrate, and also a member of the County Party Committee...

"Comrades! According to procedure, please raise your hands to vote. Those who agree to Comrade Yao Daya becoming Vice Chair of the People's Congress, please raise your hands."

At that moment, without waiting for others to raise their hands, Chen Bo added: "Magistrate Zhao, everyone, just before the meeting started, I received a notice from the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department, but I haven't had time to inform you all yet. The Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department has already approved the appointment of Comrade Li Lingyu as a member of the County Party Committee Standing Committee and concurrently as the Town Party Committee Secretary of Shuanggou Zhen. Therefore, regarding the related personnel matters, I believe Magistrate Li also has the qualification to sit with us and vote."

The people present were again collectively shocked! They didn't know about this matter, and it just so happened that the notice came down only before the meeting.

Zhou Yanru first stared blankly for a moment, then said: "As a member of the County Party Committee Standing Committee, you have voting rights on major political decisions and personnel matters, so please invite Magistrate Li over. I think everyone has no objections, and it's also a good opportunity for us to congratulate him."

After saying that, he directly took out his phone and, in front of everyone, called Li Lingyu. Less than three minutes later, Li Lingyu entered the meeting room.

As the Deputy Secretary, Zhou Yanru took the lead in applauding to show welcome: "Welcome Magistrate Li to join our County Party Committee Standing Committee team."

Once he took the lead in applauding, others also began to follow suit and clap.

Clap clap clap, clap clap clap.

Amidst the warm applause, mixed with soft pap-pap sounds, this feeble clapping came from Zhao Nanxing. His expression also turned ugly as a result. At this moment, suddenly an additional standing committee member appeared; even with one's toes one could guess what would happen next. However, this personnel matter mainly revolved around Yao Daya, and in his view there should be no major problem.

He said with a tense face: "We warmly welcome Comrade Li Lingyu, and we also ask Comrade Li Lingyu to exercise her first standing committee voting right. We will continue with the previous agenda: those who agree to Comrade Yao Daya becoming the new Vice Chair of the People's Congress, please raise your hands."

After saying that, he then turned his gaze to Qi Guohui and the others. Without absolute certainty, he would not be the first to raise his hand, because now there is an extra standing committee member, which might introduce a variable; even if he didn't think so in his heart, he still had to be cautious.

Qi Guohui, Jiang Tao, and Yang Kang raised their hands in unison, and then everyone's gaze focused on Bao Shuang. Bao Shuang looked at the crowd, then smiled and said: "You all don't need to stare at me like I'm a criminal on trial, ya; I naturally agree, ya. Your gazes make me not want to raise my hand."

After she finished speaking, everyone burst out laughing. Although everyone was laughing, the atmosphere might not have been that enthusiastic.

Zhao Nanxing's face grew even more displeased; now counting him, only five people agreed. If Su Yang and the others disagree, the first appointment will run into trouble.

But after another thought, even if Su Yang and the other five opposed, it would only be a tie; waiting until the next standing committee meeting to do their homework before raising this issue again would not be too late. Having come to this point, even if the outcome is like this, he must raise his hand, otherwise he would suffer a direct defeat.

However, following procedure, he reluctantly said: 'Comrades who disagree, please raise your hands.'

As his words fell, Su Yang and the others raised their hands in unison, without a hint of hesitation.

Zhao Nanxing immediately said: 'Since it's a five‑five tie, why not discuss it again at the next meeting? Is there any comrade who supports Mo Tai?'

Just as his words fell, Hou Junlai said: 'County Magistrate Zhao, I have some situations to report in front of everyone. I have received a large amount of material accusations, all related to Comrade Yao Daya, saying that he engages in privilege‑seeking in the township, drinks alcohol and plays cards during work hours, messes around with male‑female relationships, and moreover embezzles large amounts of the annual poverty‑relief funds and road maintenance expenses.'

If these are true, I think as a veteran Discipline Inspection Commission member I can still tolerate it, but what makes me especially angry is that, given our county's economic conditions, he actually forces the middle and primary schools in the town to order two sets of uniforms each year, and their winter and summer vacation homework is also one set more than elsewhere.

Besides these, he also charges heating fees higher than elsewhere. Don't think Guantan Gou Zhen is small, but the primary and middle school students together number several hundred; originally these were school‑district matters, yet our Guantan Gou Zhen school district has been taken over by him.

After collecting this money, he gave each of the township's democratic guidance officials and school‑district principals a 1500‑yuan Western suit. Do you think this is something a person would do? Moreover, everything I have said above is backed by relevant evidence and materials. Therefore I propose to immediately place Comrade Yao Daya under suspension for investigation; if necessary, we will personally go to Guantan Gou Zhen.

As these words fell, Zhao Nanxing was dumbfounded. He had previously thought this appointment would almost certainly pass 100%; even if there were others, they would merely be making up the numbers.

But then Li Lingyu suddenly appeared, causing a change in this personnel matter. Of course, in his view, it merely meant convening another standing‑committee meeting and using a bit more brainpower next time.

But he never expected the Discipline Inspection Commission to move directly against Yao Daya, leaving him completely unprepared. Although he was not unaware of Yao Daya's situation, who within the System dares claim to have a clean record?

Generally speaking, unless major interests are involved, one does not lightly investigate a cadre, especially an old cadre about to retire. But Hou Junlai went ahead and did just that—what is he trying to achieve? He was still thinking of promoting him, yet Hou Junlai directly wants to remove him.

Not to mention the position of Vice Chair of the People's Congress, it now seems even the Town Party Committee Secretary of Guantan Gou Zhen cannot be kept. Thinking back to last night when he finally patted his chest and gave a guarantee to others, he is now utterly embarrassed, losing face even before his grandmother.

The atmosphere on the spot instantly turned somewhat icy.

Qi Guohui was the first to stand up and oppose: 'Secretary Hou, these baseless rumors shouldn't be taken too seriously. Moreover, Comrade Yao Daya has worked in the township for many years; he may have no merit, but he has put in hard work. No matter how you say it, we should also give some respect to veteran comrades.'

Besides, he's about to retire—why take action against him now? Be lenient where you can. If I may step back one further, such problems among township cadres are everywhere; are you really going to put them all under suspension for investigation?

If that's the case, I think we might as well stop working and all go to the Discipline Inspection Commission to undergo investigation.