Chapter 961

Qi Guohui said quietly: "Let him be pleased for a while; when the formal meeting starts later, let him know what it means to lose face completely."

Jiang Tao also said: "At today's meeting, we'll clarify the matters concerning the Public Security Bureau; then it will be directly under you, this Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, and the other leaders won't involve themselves in Public Security Bureau affairs."

Regarding the Finance Bureau, no one can interfere; we are only responsible to Secretary Zhang and County Magistrate Zhao.

As for Su Yang, just let him stay wherever it's cool. These people are still trying to curry favor with Su Yang, nothing more than valuing the departments he holds, and also hoping to cling to his thigh to gain some benefit in later personnel adjustments. Unbeknownst to them, Su Yang no longer has any say; in future standing committee meetings, he's just a decoration.

Among these township heads, the most active is Zhang Lei, the mayor of Shuanggou Town. He stepped forward and shook Su Yang's hand: "County Magistrate Su, just take your marriage leave if you're taking it. Our county has so many leading cadres, such a big team—if we can't even settle this small matter, how can the Municipal Party Committee leaders feel at ease?"

Your work in investment promotion is praised and recognized by the common people of the whole county, and with Secretary Li following up behind, you really don't need to worry so much.

If someone else said this in a different setting, it would be a provocation against the leaders, but Zhang Lei saying this now is entirely to speak up for Su Yang, which can also be understood as speaking out for Su Yang's injustice; between the lines, he's casting yin-yang on the top leaders Zhang Jiangbo and County Magistrate Zhao Nanxing. He really has the gall, and at the same time he's also making his stance clear.

Another detail is that Li Lingyu, when outside, everyone calls her County Magistrate Li, even though she also holds the position of Shuanggou Town Party Committee Secretary.

Because within the system, when someone holds multiple posts, they are addressed by the higher rank, but Zhang Lei calls her Secretary Li, because he's from Shuanggou Town, so addressing her as Secretary Li feels more familiar; thus even Li Lingyu herself would actually feel more accepting deep down.

Others also flattered in various ways, but none had Zhang Lei's gall to cast yin-yang on the leaders.

Zhang Lei had just finished speaking when Sun Chengjun, together with another man in his thirties wearing a police uniform, walked over. Sun Chengjun introduced: "Political Commissar Tang, this is County Magistrate Su. County Magistrate Su, this is our bureau's Political Commissar Tang."

Political Commissar Tang took Su Yang's hand with both hands and said: "Hello, County Magistrate Su, I'm Tang Niu. I took office last year but haven't had a chance to report my work to you; then you went back. Now you've just returned and called an enlarged meeting—I missed both times."

Su Yang laughed and said: "Whether to report or not is just a formality, and I don't bother with the Public Security Bureau anyway—it's unnecessary. Whenever you have time another day, I'll treat you to a meal to make up for the welcome banquet."

Tang Niu said: "Then I can eat with a clear conscience, because what I'm eating isn't a wedding banquet but a meal; later you can also bring the wedding candy."

Everyone burst out laughing for a moment.

At that moment, Zhao Nanxing entered holding a teacup, and everyone's gaze focused on him, but it wasn't as enthusiastic as when Su Yang came in; people just exchanged greetings.

Zhao Nanxing seemingly didn't care either; he fixed his gaze on Su Yang and said, "County Magistrate Su is back—I thought you'd need a few more days to return. This is great: newlyweds ought to be on honeymoon, yet you're still devoted to work, rushing back immediately upon hearing trouble in the county. Such dedication is something we all should learn."

As he spoke, he walked back to his own seat, yet the corners of his eyes kept smiling. Since Zhang Jiangbo took office, he has always presented himself as a kindly old man—smiling at everyone, his face full of goodwill.

Only after a moment did Zhang Jiangbo arrive punctually at the meeting room. He first glanced around at everyone, then his gaze lingered on Su Yang for a moment before saying, "Let's start the meeting."

The meeting room, which had just been filled with murmurs, fell silent in an instant.

Zhang Jiangbo said, "Comrades, it's the New Year holiday; some of you should still be on rotating leave, some on vacation, but since this has happened in the county, I have no choice but to recall you all. First, let me apologize, but as the leadership team of the County Party Committee and County Government, no matter what occurs in the county, we must face it proactively—handle what needs handling, resolve what needs resolving, and absolutely not let things drag on."

"Today I've called you together for two reasons. First, I demand that our Public Security Bureau thoroughly investigate this case within three days, completely stabilize the situation of this brawl, deal with the relevant responsible parties—detain those who should be detained, talk to those who should be talked to—so they know that everyone is equal before the law, and our government will absolutely not overlook such criminal behavior."

"Second, we must clearly establish and sort out responsibilities, letting whoever should bear them do so. At the last standing committee meeting, some comrades were absent, but the outcome has already been decided, so I will repeat it here."

"Because Comrade Su Yang is the person in charge of all road construction projects, this matter will be handled by Comrade Su Yang, who will work together with the Public Security Bureau and the involved township and town governments to address the issue, with the team members to be designated by Comrade Su Yang."

"Moreover, the Municipal Party Committee leadership is quite annoyed, even the provincial level has been stirred up, so we need to give the leaders an explanation and come up with a handling opinion. Besides confirming Comrade Su Yang's responsibility, the town government of Guantan Gou Zhen where the incident occurred must also bear corresponding responsibility, and the specifics will be discussed by Comrade Su Yang himself."

From start to finish, it's been entirely Zhang Jiangbo leading; he doesn't need a spokesperson. Seeing the slightly surprised looks from everyone, he smiled and added:

"Because Comrade Su Yang wasn't present last time, we didn't fully hear his opinion, so in the spirit of democracy we should still listen to his view: regarding the Guantan Gou Zhen town government's failure to handle this incident promptly, what kind of punishment should be given, and who should bear it?"

After the discussion, we'll vote, but regardless, I want to make my stance clear: the relevant leaders must bear responsibility, they must assume it, and no one can stay aloof.

After he finished speaking, everyone's gaze instantly focused on Su Yang.