Chapter 892: The Candidate for the Public Security Bureau Chief

On the afternoon of the second day, the relevant personnel in the city had already arrived, exactly matching the information Su Yang had received.

Transport Department Director Zhaikai serves as the Jinzhou Municipal Party Committee Secretary, while the former Secretary Guo Haiyan has been assigned elsewhere.

This appointment left many people bewildered; the previous matters had clearly passed, many even began to forget, assuming that since Guo Haiyan was not involved there would be no issue, yet the outcome still arrived.

Some county secretaries and county magistrates began to hustle, and in a short time cadres from various regions streamed into the city one after another.

Su Yang deliberately observed Zhao Nanxing and found that Zhao Nanxing hadn't gone at all; he likely wouldn't report his work until after the New Year, or perhaps he simply didn't want to meet the newly arrived secretary, because Deputy Secretary Zhang Jiangbo, who came from Jingcheng, seemed more influential in his eyes.

At this moment, Zhao Nanxing, Jiang Tao, and Qi Guohui were drinking tea in the office.

"What do both of you think? Should we schedule a report of our work to Secretary Zhao?"

When Jiang Tao heard Zhao Nanxing say that, he thought for a moment before replying: "There are too many people now wanting to see Secretary Zhao; even if we go, we couldn't get in line right away. Had we known he was coming, we should have offered incense back in the province early on. Relying on last‑minute prayers now may not earn us the opportunity."

Qi Guohui furrowed his brows: "Up to now, aside from the prosecutor's office and the courts showing me superficial respect, the Public Security Bureau has been completely impermeable. As the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, I'm just an empty shell."

"I heard Su Yang has a good relationship with Mayor Wang; when he arm‑wrestled Geng Miao, Mayor Wang gave him strong backing behind the scenes, otherwise he couldn't mobilize the armed police. Now Secretary Zhao has arrived, I think we should find a way to report our work and see if we can settle the Public Security Bureau matters."

"Anyway, Lao Mo is about to retire, and they're really obstructing the Political Commissar's affairs; we can postpone that until after the New Year, but the bureau chief issue should be settled before year‑end. I can take on the role myself; it should pass in the city, right? As long as we give Secretary Zhao a report."

Jiang Tao said: "Makes sense. Previously Secretary Guo and Mayor Wang had no obvious conflict; after the Geng Miao incident they each remedied their own work. But now it's definitely different; the newly arrived secretary can't stand together with the mayor."

"Since Su Yang is so close to Mayor Wang, after we tactfully report the situation, I believe Secretary Zhao will give us strong support."

Zhao Nanxing agreed wholeheartedly: "Yes, what both of you said makes sense. I originally planned to decide after the New Year, but now it seems unnecessary; who knows, there might be changes after the New Year. Time is of the essence; let's each call Secretary Zhao's secretary to see when we can get in line. Ideally we can meet Secretary Zhao within the next two days and give a complete report of our situation."

The three of them were still speaking when Zhao Nanxing's secretary knocked and entered: "Leader, Minister Chen says there is work to report; the person is already outside."

Zhao Nanxing was taken aback; since he took office, neither Minister Chen nor Zhou Yanru had ever come to his office, which irritated him. Now Minister Chen suddenly arrived, giving him an indescribable feeling—certainly not a good sign; they wouldn't really come here just to report work.

Qi Guohui said: "We're all here now; isn't that a bit inconvenient? Should we ask him to come another day?"

Jiang Tao replied: "Can you really say that? He's not a lower‑level township cadre, nor someone from within the bureau. Him coming over is already giving County Chief Zhao face. You know the situation here; if you say today is inconvenient, you guarantee he won't come again."

Zhao Nanxing nodded slightly: "In that case, let's just tell him what just happened. That way we've completed the necessary procedures and won't have to seek him out separately."

After speaking, he told his secretary: "Then quickly invite Minister Chen in."

When Minister Chen entered and saw Jiang Tao and Qi Guohui, he smiled and said: "Am I interrupting the leaders' work discussion? If not, I can wait a while and report later."

Zhao Nanxing laughed: "You're being overly polite with us, making it seem like we're superiors and subordinates. Actually, I wanted to call you, and since you're here, I'll say it all at once."

Minister Chen said: "What instructions does County Chief Zhao have? Feel free to command; I'm not in a hurry with the content I need to report."

Zhao Nanxing thought: What on earth is going on? I don't understand the protocol? Unlike Su Yang, who came up from the countryside and is all brash with no courtesy.

He politely said: "You, being so courteous with us, we're all comrades after all. Let me tell you what we just discussed; it mainly involves the political‑legal side, so Secretary Qi and County Chief Jiang were invited to study it together."

"Old Mo of the Public Security Bureau will retire in a few months; you know the county's current state—maintaining public order and creating a good business environment are essential, and the most critical part is that the Public Security Bureau must do its job well."

"If we wait until next year to discuss the bureau chief's personnel issue, it will be too late. Moreover, regarding the few deputy bureau chiefs of the county Public Security Bureau, I've looked into them deeply; either they're too inexperienced or lack competence, and none are suitable."

"Especially that deputy bureau chief Sun Chengjun, half a year ago he was a squadron leader at Lancheng City Public Security Bureau, and in just over half a year he rose to deputy bureau chief—this even hints at irregular promotion."

"And that Lao Ding, who served many years as criminal police team captain, suddenly made a mistake and was dismissed, only recently reinstated and promoted to deputy bureau chief; although his professional ability is decent and he has a good reputation in the bureau, because of this history it's hard for him to be accepted as bureau chief. There's also that guy Song Zhong, apparently no one in the Public Security Bureau knows fully."

Minister Chen said: "County Chief Zhao is right; I came because of this very issue. Waiting until next year to replace would definitely lag behind. The Public Security Bureau isn't an ordinary unit; for the top leader to fully stand firm and enforce orders isn't that easy."

Zhao Nanxing thought: Is this a coincidence? The problem we're studying is exactly this.

Qi Guohui's eyes flashed with intense light: "What else to study? This candidate is far in the heavens yet right before our eyes."

Jiang Tao also smiled; since taking office, only this issue has made him feel somewhat at ease. If the few of us settle it here, we might not even need to report to Secretary Guo.

Zhao Nanxing said: "So we've been brewing a candidate who is experienced, qualified, capable, and nobody in the political‑legal system can refuse to accept as bureau chief."

Minister Chen, hearing this, paused slightly: "County Chief Zhao thinks very far ahead; I wonder if it's the same person I intend to mention. The person I have in mind is comrade Sun Chengjun."

Before he could finish, Qi Guohui interrupted: "Minister Chen, County Chief Zhao just explained it so clearly—did you not understand the meaning?"