Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

Everyone turned to look at the person in the main seat, awaiting their verdict.

Chu Shijun's gaze swept calmly across the entire room, his voice steady and powerful as he spoke:

"Let's end this argument here."

These six simple words directly ended all the arguing and debate.

The two who had been arguing just moments before fell silent instantly. Li Dakang found a comfortable sitting position and started twirling his pen.

Zhao Dagong put away his defense and straightened his back instinctively.

Chu Shijun's gaze fell on Zhao Dagong.

"Comrade Dagong's initiative to self-criticize and admit his mistakes is commendable. It is a basic political quality for Party members and cadres to face problems head-on and not evade contradictions."

He first gave the person ample face, then subtly changed the subject, causing a change in the person's expression.

"But attitude is attitude, and problem is problem; the two should not be confused."

"Your explanation was logically sound and seemed reasonable. But politically, it was completely untenable."

Chu Shijun spoke slowly, yet Zhao Dagong felt a chill run down his spine.

"You've only been in Baijiang for a year, and you voluntarily resigned as the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. To the outside world, this was to avoid suspicion, abide by regulations, and perform your duties in a low-key manner. I also agree with your approach of encouraging cadres to work cleanly and stay away from disputes."

"But what is the truth? Comrade Shenhe made it clear that I was avoiding suspicion, but my family members overstepped their bounds in public. I stayed away from the political and legal system, but my family members cultivated deep roots in related interest groups."

"You just said that you were unaware of it and never gave any instructions. I will not make any subjective assumptions about this, nor will I assume that you were behind the scenes or deliberately profiting from it."

This statement preserved Zhao Dagong's bottom line in his career, leaving him some room for maneuver.

But in the next sentence, Chu Shijun directly addressed his core issue:

"But I must point out seriously: the absence of deliberate intent does not mean there was no dereliction of duty, and the absence of behind-the-scenes instruction does not mean there were no political shortcomings."

"You are a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Executive Vice Governor, a role model for cadres throughout the province. Your family style is part of the Party's style and the government's style, and the people around you are, in a sense, the first line of defense against risks for you."

"For half a year, rumors were circulating and many people knew about it, but you were the only one who was 'completely unaware'? I think this is probably not because your family deliberately concealed it, but rather because you failed to manage your family properly and seriously lacked political acumen."

Chu Shijun then looked at Sima Shenhe.

"Before assuming the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Comrade Shenhe was the Director of the Public Security Department. His on-the-ground investigations were objective, the facts were clear, and the evidence was sufficient. He represented the political and legal system in making a true assessment and was able to provide factual evidence. These were real issues that could be verified."

"I hereby agree on three points, which everyone should follow and implement without further discussion."

"First, we will not slack off on the investigation. We will investigate thoroughly in accordance with regulations and discipline, and based on facts."

"Second, the division of responsibilities is absolutely clear. Family issues are attributed to personal conduct, while dereliction of duty and oversight are the responsibility of the leadership. Comrade Dagong's self-criticism will be archived for future reference, and the issues will be included in the special rectification list."

"Third, a comprehensive warning education campaign will be launched immediately. All members of the leadership team and heads of departments and bureaus will conduct self-examinations of their family conduct, clean up their personal relationships, and identify potential risks."

Finally, he looked at Zhao Dagong again.

"Comrade Dagong, your initial intention to secure your career and perform your duties cleanly is not wrong. But true security is not about putting on a mask, removing yourself completely, and avoiding all trouble, but about upholding the bottom line in all aspects and preventing risks in all areas."

"You will fully cooperate with the investigation and thoroughly rectify the family style issues. The organization values ​​actions, not words; it wants serious rectification, not just a few words of self-criticism."

After finishing his sentence, Chu Shijun ended the topic: "This matter is arranged as is. Do any of the other comrades have any objections?"

Everyone shook their heads, even Zhao Dagong, who was unwilling to accept it.

If you have any differing opinions, and you do, then that's great, very good.

"Okay, everyone is in agreement, and Comrade Dagong himself has no objections either."

Chu Shijun nodded slightly.

"That's settled then, Comrade Tonggu, Comrade Shenhe, your Discipline Inspection Commission and the political and legal system will jointly supervise this matter and record the entire process."

"clear!"

Liu Tonggu and Sima Shenhe nodded.

Meeting adjourned.

After signing the meeting minutes, Chu Shijun got up and left.

The others also left one after another.

Only Zhao Dagong remained seated, feeling slightly cold all over.

He preserved his innocence by claiming "no subjective manipulation," but completely lost the team's reputation for being "reliable, stable, and upright." Even more frightening was that the person who ultimately evaluated him was Chu Shijun, whose few words completely wiped out all his previous struggles.

Looking at the empty main seat, now only bearing the nameplate of Chu Shijun, Zhao Dagong suddenly recalled what Zhao Lichun had once told him:

"If you're determined to get involved in this mess, then you must take a stand the moment Chu Shijun arrives. The idea of ​​remaining impartial and waiting for the right moment is unacceptable..."

He didn't listen to that, and what he did was exactly the same as the second half of the sentence.

As it turned out, Zhao Lichun was right; if they had been a step too late, the door would have closed.

'Click'

Just then, a sound from the surroundings interrupted his thoughts; it was the staff starting to clean up the scene.

Zhao Dagong shook his head, gathered his belongings, and slowly walked away.

As soon as he stepped out of the gate, Ye Wentao, who seemed to have been waiting for a while, came up to him and said, "Executive Zhao, the secretary said that the matter has been explained clearly at the meeting. If there is anything else, you can go to Secretary Liu or Secretary Sima to explain."

"Okay, Director Ye, please tell Secretary Chu that I will definitely cooperate fully."

Zhao Dagong forced a smile and slowly walked away.

Ye Wentao watched his retreating figure from where he stood and shook his head.

"What are you thinking about?"

Just then, a voice came from behind him. He quickly turned around, saw who it was, and smiled, "Secretary-General."

Li Jiageng nodded, his gaze falling on Zhao Dagong in the distance. Only after Zhao's figure disappeared around the corner did he turn around and say, "Let's talk."

After saying that, he walked to the other side.

The two went to a designated smoking area, each lit a cigarette, and Li Jiageng said, "Comrade Wentao, you witnessed the entire meeting today. What are your thoughts?"

Ye Wentao paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I want to hear your guidance, Secretary-General."

"Heh, you rascal,"

Li Jiageng raised his hand and tapped him, then turned around, leaned on the railing, and gazed at the distant skyscrapers.

"In this arena of competition, it's said that it's not about winning with words or relentlessly pursuing someone with a weakness, but sometimes it's quite the opposite."

"Zhao Dagong's mistake was that he was taking chances and using two-faced tactics. He always thought he could enter the market opportunistically after seeing the situation clearly, but in the end he failed to grasp the timing and the appropriate measure and broke the taboo."

"And they didn't even find the right person."

Ye Wentao added silently to himself.

"I have seen your work under Secretary Chu's guidance during this period, and it has been very good. Secretary Chu has also praised you a lot. But precisely because of this, you must be even more careful in everything you do in the future."

"This position is different from your previous roles in the department or at the local level. Every word and action you take will be analyzed and interpreted by others, who can even fill in the blanks with their own imaginations, understand?"

"clear."

Ye Wentao nodded solemnly.