Chapter 959: In the ranks, is anyone's resolve wavering?

Even though Su Yang's expression grew so serious, Ma Su's face still showed not a hint of embarrassment.

She still wore a smile and said, "County Magistrate Su, I'm mainly here to inform you that a County Party Standing Committee meeting will be held in half an hour. This time Secretary Zhang is formally convening an expanded County Party Standing Committee meeting, so please attend on time."

Beside them, Li Lingyu asked, "Besides the County Party Standing Committee members, who else will attend the expanded meeting?"

Ma Su replied, "There will also be the various Vice County Magistrates, the Party Committee Secretaries and heads of several major towns, as well as the Public Security Bureau Director, the Political Commissar, the Finance Bureau Director, and so on."

She also said to Jiao Qiang, "County Magistrate Jiao, you're right here, so I don't have to waste time specially notifying you."

After speaking, she gave a faint smile, struck what she thought was a very elegant pose, and left.

As soon as Ma Su stepped out, Jiao Qiang said angrily, "The political ecology in our county really doesn't need anyone to flaunt their nameplates. This expanded meeting is clearly aimed at the Public Security Bureau; the other directors, town heads, secretaries are just there as background. I reckon Director Sun Chengjun will have a hard time this time, sigh, it's truly infuriating."

Su Yang said, "As the saying goes, we must bear the responsibilities that belong to us, but if we follow your analysis, it's definitely targeting Sun Chengjun, and it may also affect Guantan Gou Zhen."

Li Lingyu frowned, "No way? Everyone knows the situation in Guantan Gou Zhen; comrade Yang Kang has just become the Town Party Committee Secretary. If he holds Guantan Gou Zhen accountable, wouldn't that put Yang Kang in a difficult position? Putting Yang Kang in a bind would be targeting Zhao Nanxing and his group, which isn't beneficial for him at all."

Su Yang smiled, "Not necessarily. If he holds the Public Security Bureau accountable, logically we could hold the leaders of Guantan Gou Zhen accountable for inaction, couldn't we?"

"If that's the case, it would push comrade Yang Kang completely onto our opposing side, and we would lose any future chance of uniting with Zhao Nanxing and his group."

"If we don't dare to stand firm on this now, the leadership responsibility of Guantan Gou Zhen can be avoided this time, and Zhao Nanxing's side will profit. This is a Yang scheme; we have to bite the bullet and push forward."

While he was speaking, Chen Bo and Hou Junlai arrived together.

Jiao Qiang stood up to greet them, "Department Head Chen, Secretary Hou, you're here. Go ahead and chat; I have something to attend to, I'll step out first."

He still has a good eye, because those who came in are all County Party Standing Committee members, including Li Lingyu, and they might discuss other major county affairs.

This Vice County Magistrate staying here is rather inappropriate, and if his presence were needed, Su Yang would definitely keep him. Since Su Yang said nothing, it indicates he won't be needed later.

After Chen Bo entered, he first said, "County Magistrate Su, you're back. We were still assuming you need at least ten more days. Within the System, even leaders must take their marriage leave when due; you can't devote all your time to work, life must go on."

Hou Junlai said, "This time the county leaders are being unreasonable, dragging you in. In theory you're on leave, we should give you proper respect; it's not like the sky is falling, what can't be resolved?"

"Moreover, this newly arrived leader, I don't think he's a kind soul; his 'kindness' is everywhere, but it's all targeted."

"I think regarding this accountability issue, you should claim you were not present, or that it didn't occur during the construction period and has nothing to do with you; that way, even if they try to pin the blame on you, they can't. Moreover, at the Standing Committee meeting, I don't believe they can forcefully attach that label to you."

However, Chen Bo said, "The situation is not optimistic. As far as I know, our team isn't as united as before. Of course, that's just my guess; after two Standing Committee meetings, we'll know the specifics."

Since Jiao Qiang had already spoken and Zhou Yanru wasn't present, Su Yang had an idea. Zhou Yanru and Chen Bo indeed differ a bit.

Chen Bo came from the Municipal Organization Department, so he should know something about his own system, and the Department Head has also looked after him. Of course, he hasn't deeply understood the connections behind Chen Bo, but from the interactions during this period, Chen Bo will definitely stand firmly on his side.

As for Hou Junlai, there's not much to add; from initially fighting side by side to betraying him without any bottom line in the room, this undoubtedly weakens Hou Junlai's resolve to cooperate fully. The three of them could be an iron triangle, and Li Lingyu is absolutely reliable, no need to say more.

While he was sifting through all this information, the office door opened again, and in walked Zhou Yanru.

The few who had just been whispering about Zhou Yanru changed expression a bit, since such a matter is a little awkward for anyone.

Su Yang laughed, "Hey, Old Zhou, I just wanted to call you, ask you to come over and sit for a while, and you just showed up."

Zhou Yanru said, "That's what you call a telepathic connection. Besides, you just arrived, probably haven't even finished a cup of tea; how could I trouble you to call me? I came here on my own to report. Since everyone's here, I'll keep it brief."

"This matter isn't simple; Secretary Zhang is openly targeting you. Over the past two days I had someone investigate secretly and found that those two who often gamble actually don't like drinking much; I don't know what happened that day, but they arranged to meet and drink."

"After drinking, they inexplicably went to steal something, and during the theft, the two fought over the loot, which sparked the subsequent chain of events."

"But there's a huge doubt here: even if they were drunk, it wouldn't lead to such a deadly fight. I seriously suspect the alcohol's composition is problematic, and there's another odd fact—the bodies of the two have already been cremated."

"Of course, even if they weren't cremated but buried, opening the coffin for examination would be obstructed. I propose an investigative direction: secretly investigate the immediate families of the two, and also trace where this alcohol came from."

"Of course, before that, we must first handle this Standing Committee meeting, ensuring County Magistrate Su isn't arbitrarily punished because of this. What are everyone's thoughts?"