Chapter 990

Zhao Nanxing's routine is familiar to everyone present; each time he first lets others speak, then distances himself, then observes the situation.

Even if he already had an explanation in mind, even if he had already judged the matter, he still acted this way; this behavior can be called the smoothness of an old comrade, or the composure of an old cadre.

Qi Guohui has always been the vanguard; this time he also wanted to speak first, and the opportunity was given to him, so he spoke bluntly:

"I think Secretary Zhang's words are very reasonable; our Public Security Department is to protect the people's property safety, not to intimidate the people. Moreover, what is our work? It is to maintain social stability, not to cause trouble."

"What's wrong with their sand mining? Their ancestors have lived there all along, and the Sha He originally belongs to Guantan Gou Zhen; the locals want to mine sand, it's not like they're going onto someone else's turf to excavate."

"Moreover, this matter is allowed by the village; since the village collective agrees, what right does our Public Security Bureau have to arrest people? How will the common people view our political and legal organs then? Are we just bullying the unarmed populace? What's wrong with them wanting to live peacefully?"

"In our places, we can't rely on mountains or water; we only have a dried-up Sha He. Mining a bit of sand to supplement daily needs and subsidize household expenses—what's wrong with that? In this situation, what gives the Public Security Bureau the right to arrest people? Why arrest them? Who gave them that power? And they arrest dozens at once, even bringing along the village Party secretary and village head."

"Do you know how heinous this act is? A mass incident has already happened once; do you really want another? If you really do this, where will the County Party Committee and County Government put their face? How will the city's leaders view us?"

"Secretary Zhang just went to the city to clean up after my previous mass incident for everyone's sake, and yet you pull this stunt—are you dissatisfied with Secretary Zhang, or do you have opinions about the County Party Committee and County Government, or grudges against our organization?"

"Therefore, my opinion on this matter is to release all these innocent common people, let them go home for the New Year as they should, and not stir up such public outrage that draws condemnation. Second, the relevant personnel of the Public Security Bureau who violated regulations by enforcing law violently must be punished, and even be criticized and reported throughout the entire public security, prosecution, and judiciary system. Third, we should apologize to the relevant units' personnel, and do so publicly."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Su Yang: "Besides, I heard another piece of news: the Public Security Bureau personnel didn't go there because of a report or alarm; it was Comrade Su Yang who gave them the order to go."

"How can a Vice County Magistrate solely responsible for investment promotion overstep his bounds to command Public Security Bureau personnel? Is this overreach, or is it being unorganized, undisciplined, and doing as one pleases? If this continues, what use am I as the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission? Then all the work would be left to him alone."

Qi Guohui has been feeling stifled these days; he let out a shout that directly aimed his fire at Su Yang, and if possible, he would have liked to hit Su Yang with a nuclear bomb.

But Su Yang remained calm and composed; evidently Qi Guohui's near‑mad, clearly directed, almost verbal‑attack style of speech was entirely within his expectations. If it weren't, that would truly have surprised him.

However, his silence doesn't mean others aren't speaking. This time the first to stand up was Chen Bo, who said only: "Comrade Qi Guohui, this is a standing committee meeting, not a shrew scolding the street; if you have any problems, suggestions, or ideas, you should express them with reason and evidence."

Qi Guohui said: "Isn't what I'm saying already obvious?"

Chen Bo said: "If that's the case, please tell me who can prove that the Public Security Bureau personnel went to Guantan Gou Zhen to illegally mine sand on Su County Magistrate's orders? Moreover, what direct connection does this have with Su County Magistrate? When did he overstep his authority to command Public Security Bureau actions?"

"If you cannot produce sufficient evidence to prove it, the organization can completely define this as your baseless attack on a fellow comrade—lightly warranting a party warning, heavily a major demerit, or even removal from office. You are not unaware of this; if you are, let me give you a briefing."

Qi Guohui was instantly dumbfounded—where would he get evidence for this? How could there be any? Even if it were true, he couldn't produce evidence; even if he had stood nearby and heard Su Yang say that, he couldn't prove it unless he had a recorder, or unless someone from the Public Security Bureau stepped forward to testify—but unfortunately, there is none.

His face flushed and his neck thickened as he struggled to speak for a while; at that moment his close comrade Jiang Tao stood up to help him out: "Department Head Chen, you're making things difficult for a strong person—after all, not everything can be proven with direct evidence. So let me turn the question back to you: how do you prove it wasn't Su County Magistrate who ordered the Public Security Bureau personnel to go?"

As soon as he said that, Zhao Nanxing almost clapped and cheered; this Jiang Tao comrade usually appears low‑key and steady, but it turns out he's reliable in crucial moments!

However, before he could feel happy, he heard Chen Bo continue: "Fine, if we go by what County Magistrate Jiang said, then I can also say this order was yours, and even that those who illegally mined sand were your henchmen, working for you and giving you all their profits."

Jiang Tao was instantly rebuked with a bruised nose and swollen face: "You're just spouting nonsense!"

But Chen Bo hadn't finished speaking; he continued: "If we're talking about spouting nonsense, who's really doing it? Don't you all know in your hearts? Bringing up a completely baseless matter at such a solemn standing committee meeting—is that reasonable? It's equivalent to me saying County Magistrate Jiang has six illegitimate children; you ask for evidence, I say I won't tell you—could you accept that?"

Jiang Tao nearly jumped up from his seat: "What are you saying? Are you just playing the hooligan?"

Chen Bo said: "Look, you yourself admit that's hooliganism—how can you then apply that to others and pin it on their heads?"

Upon hearing this argument, Su Yang almost laughed out loud; it seems Department Head Cheng really has a sharp tongue! As for this sophistry, he himself had used it once before—apparently we're all of the same ilk.

When the opportunity arises, we can further discuss matters of rhetoric with Department Head Cheng, learning from each other's strengths and making progress together. After all, few people can react as swiftly and resonate with him.

After Qi Guohui and Jiang Tao suffered successive setbacks, Zhao Nanxing turned his gaze to Yang Kang. Since this incident occurred in Guantan Gou Zhen, if responsibility is to be pursued, Yang Kang cannot escape it. Thus Yang Kang must step forward to clear himself, so he said to Department Head Yang: "Why don't you say a few words?"