Chapter 378: Chapter 369: Fan Changsheng’s Counterattack_1
Liangxi Municipal Committee Office Building

In February, the weather in Liangxi was gradually warming up. However, at this moment, Liangxi was filled with an unusual atmosphere.

The municipal disciplinary committee was frequently taking action, and Huang Jiangbao, the secretary of the municipal legal work committee, remained silent. The deputy director of the municipal public security bureau was being targeted. Fan Changsheng and Li Guohua both stayed silent. This situation was very unusual, as the standing committee members were all very shrewd individuals.

Inside the small conference room of the municipal committee.

The air-conditioning was on, and all the standing committee members had taken off their coats. They were wearing white shirts, dark ties, and national emblem-shaped tie pins. It seemed that this uniform was the most common attire for government officials in this era. Nie Zhenbang was no exception – he was dressed in a white pinpoint striped shirt. However, Zhenbang didn’t wear a tie and left his collar unbuttoned. Sitting in his seat, he occasionally scrawled something in his notebook with his pen.

Fan Changsheng, sitting in the middle seat, looked around at everyone with a calm face and slowly began, “At this regular standing committee meeting, first, I would like to ask Comrade Dingguo, Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, to brief us on the case involving the Public Security Bureau.”

Upon hearing Fan Changsheng’s words, the other standing committee members realized that it appeared Secretary Fan had already given up on Guo Zhenbao. Everyone’s eyes turned to Li Guohua because everyone knew that Guo Zhenbao was Li Guohua’s trusted subordinate.

However, to their disappointment, Li Guohua’s expression remained unchanged. He kept looking at the notebook on his desk and showed no signs of consternation, frustration, or excitement. It was as if the whole matter had nothing to do with him.

At this moment, Lei Dingguo responded promptly to Fan Changsheng’s remark. He adjusted his glasses, opened the notebook in front of him, and slowly said, “Comrade Secretary Fan, Mayor Nie, and all comrades, ten days ago, our municipal commission for discipline inspection received a public report that Comrade Guo Zhenbao is suspected of serious violations of discipline. Consequently, our commission immediately held a meeting and decided to investigate Comrade Guo Zhenbao and implement double regulations on him. Now, I will report the results of the case to you all.”

Turning over a page, Lei Dingguo continued, “Based on Guo Zhenbao’s confession and the search of his residence, we have obtained sufficient evidence. His actions caused a negative influence and seriously undermined the image of the party and government in the eyes of the public. Currently, Guo Zhenbao has been handed over to the prosecuting authorities for charges of bribery, dereliction of duty, and engaging in favoritism. I suggest that the Municipal Committee immediately expel Guo Zhenbao from the Party and dismiss him from public office.”

Dismissal from the Party and public office, or ‘double expulsion’, occurs when the facts are clear and the guilt is confirmed. There is nothing left to say at this point. If he is not expelled, that would be strange.

Fan Changsheng was completely calm at this moment. Since he had already given up, he wasn’t bothered about adding one more expulsion to the tally. He nodded and said, “Comrade Secretary Dingguo’s suggestion is good and timely. The work of the disciplinary inspection committee is commendable. It should indeed be rigorous and perceptive, and create deterrent effects on all cadres in the city. Moreover, I suggest that we take this as a lesson. We need to strengthen ideological and political learning among all Party members and cadres. We must conduct a profound self-examination, strictly discipline ourselves, and maintain personal integrity. We need to be upright and honest cadres.”

The subsequent vote was no surprise, as everyone unanimously approved the ‘double expulsion’ of Guo Zhenbao.

“Good, it is unanimously approved.” Fan Changsheng’s righteous and vehement posture made him appear quite imposing. He then turned to Huang Junshan, the Minister of the Organization Department, and said, “Minister Huang, since we have reached a decision, the Organization Department should immediately prepare the official document and notify every district in the city. Now that we’ve settled this, we can adjourn the meeting.”

With that, Fan Changsheng was the first to stand up, and with his hands behind his back, he started walking out of the room.

…

February 20th

Five days had passed since the regular standing committee meeting of the Liangxi City Committee, and the entrance of the Liangxi City Public Security Bureau was bustling with activity. The transparent wall of the Bureau had been cleaned, giving it a renewed appearance. Dozens of uniformed police officers in a row were standing at the entrance of the bureau building.

At the very front, several of the most beautiful policewomen in the bureau were holding flowers, standing straight and waiting. Next to these welcoming policewomen were all the members of the party committee of the Public Security Bureau.

As the Secretary of the Party Group and Director of the Public Security Bureau, Chen Le naturally stood in the forefront. Next to Chen Le was the Deputy Secretary of the Bureau Party Group, Political Commissar Ouyang Changqing, followed by the four Deputy Directors: Chen Xiongfei, Wang Yaowu, Li Shan, and Luo Jiahua.

Chen Le was no stick-in-the-mud. He knew how to adapt, sing to the tune of the mountain he was climbing, a trait that won Nie Zhenbang’s respect in addition to Chen Le’s own work competencies and steadfast integrity. Being able to be flexible and methodical in his work was another essential quality that endeared him to Zhenbang.

Stubbornly upright officials, no matter how selfless, held no appeal for Nie Zhenbang. These kind of people tend to become alienated at work, unable to even look after their affairs, let alone think about the bigger picture.

This display was all part of preparations for Fan Changsheng’s inspection. Fan Changsheng had a pronounced liking for such ostentatious spectacle.

After glancing at his wristwatch, it was already nine in the morning. According to the City Committee Office’s notice yesterday, Fan Changsheng was definitely about to arrive.

Containing a brief silence, Chen Le turned to his board of Party members and firmly commanded, “Secretary Fan will be here soon. Let’s stay focused and show him the best side of our Public Security Bureau.”

Less than a minute after Chen Le’s words, a black Audi with flashing warning lights turned in from the street, carrying the license plate of the City Committee’s Number One car.

Following the Number One car was the City Committee’s Number 13 car. This belonged to Hu Youquan, the City Committee secretary-general. Behind it, a Toyota Coaster minivan pulled up to the side. TV reporters and newspaper journalists started to disembark, setting up their equipment and establishing their positions.

A beautiful young television host began broadcasting to the camera, “Secretary of the City Committee, Fan Changsheng, is here today for an inspection of the Public Security Bureau.”

After she finished, the cameras turned towards Fan Changsheng. Everything was arranged just in time for his arrival, wearing a friendly smile.

The bureau, led by Chen Le, went up to shake hands with Fan Changsheng. But when it was Luo Jiahua’s turn, Fan Changsheng’s disposition changed from the formal handshakes, appearing much warmer. After shaking Luo Jiahua’s hand, he intentionally slapped his shoulder and turned to Chen Le, “Director Chen, the Public Security Bureau is full of talent.”

His remark unavoidably left the other deputy directors wearing a thin smile. Fan Changsheng’s intention was clear: he was here to bolster Luo Jiahua’s status.

At this moment, a hint of joy showed on Luo Jiahua’s face. A personal compliment from the Secretary was a promising sign of promotion. Ever since Guo Zhenbao’s downfall, the position of Executive Deputy Director had been vacant. Now that Fan Changsheng made such a deliberate move, his intent was clear.

Chen Le was taken aback. Was this Fan Changsheng’s counterattack? Anyway, on the surface, Chen Le had to go along with it. He immediately responded with a modest smile, “Secretary, you flatter me. Our Public Security Bureau team still needs to learn more. All the deputy directors are competent and valuable assets. They’ve greatly lightened my workload.”

At Chen Le’s words, a brief flash of dissatisfaction crossed Fan Changsheng’s face. The slick Chen Le had defused the situation, diminishing the boost that Fan Changsheng had given to Luo Jiahua.

Immediately, Fan Changsheng spoke, “Director Chen, let’s not just stand at the entrance. Let’s go to the conference room together. I came here to hear the straight words from you. The Public Security Bureau concerns the peace and stability of the entire Liangxi. It has always been one of the city’s focal points. This time I came specifically to listen to your report.”

As the group entered the conference room, Chen Le got straight to the point. Once seated, he immediately started his report. Unquestionably, Chen Le’s work performance was exemplary, flawlessly covering every aspect without any oversight. Even Fan Changsheng, who was listening to the report, couldn’t find any faults. Any attempts to scrutinize Chen Le in this regard were futile. Even as the Secretary of the City Committee, rules had to be followed. Criticism ought not to be arbitrary.

When Chen Le’s report was concluded, Fan Changsheng put down his notebook. Looking around the room, he nodded and commented, “That’s good. I’m quite satisfied with the Public Security Bureau’s arrangement. It proves that our Bureau’s party team is competent. Public security work relates to the city’s overall situation, protecting the safety of life and property of our people, and ensuring the stable development of the whole city’s enterprises. All these are integral to public security work.”

At this point, Fan Changsheng shifted his tone, “This time, Guo Zhenbao’s corruption scandal has been a profound lesson. Some comrades should consider the overall situation and pay attention to uniting the team. They shouldn’t resort to petty tricks. The Public Security Bureau is under the leadership of the City Committee, not a tool for personal vendetta or group retaliation. I believe all members of the Public Security Bureau team should deeply recognize this, and strengthen ideological education and learning, and prioritize the overall situation and economic development.”

As he finished speaking, the room fell silent. Chen Le didn’t look so well. Fan Changsheng had indirectly targeted him. Was this Fan Changsheng’s counterattack? (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote and recommend it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)