Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

He paused, then added, "Although Daokou later developed better and didn't continue down the path of labor export, not every county party secretary has the abilities of Vice Governor Qi. Yi Xuexi's labor export approach was inherited by the neighboring Shannan County. Now Shannan County is a well-known construction town in the province and the first advanced demonstration county in Lüzhou region to achieve a moderately prosperous society through labor transfer. This also proves that Comrade Yi Xuexi's approach and methods were correct."

That's a very clever way of putting it.

The discussion was supposed to be about easy learning, but the topic ended up being brought up to Qi Tongwei.

After all, Qi Tongwei is an unavoidable figure when discussing the development of Daokou County. Daokou County is a model for the development of the tertiary industry at the county level nationwide and has been commended by the State Council. Even now, Daokou County continues to benefit from the legacy of Qi Tongwei's policies.

Therefore, Qian Wenzhao could only use the example of the neighboring Shannan County to corroborate Yi Xuexi's achievements.

Sha Ruijin looked at Qi Tongwei: "Comrade Tongwei, why don't you say something too?"

Like Qian Wenzhao, Qi Tongwei remained seated calmly in his chair, unlike Li Dakang who got up and went to the map.

His tone was calm: "The situation in Daokou County is similar to what Secretary-General Qian described. I served as the assistant county head in Daokou County for half a year, but I was mainly there on assignment from the Provincial Economic Commission to conduct research, and I didn't have much contact with the then county head, Yi Xuexi. Later, when Yi Xuexi became the county party secretary, I had already returned to the Economic Commission. By the time I returned to Daokou as the county party secretary, Yi Xuexi had already been transferred."

He didn't elaborate on his achievements at the crossing.

Although his resume at the railway crossing is impressive, which of us here doesn't have an impressive resume? And at his current position, he doesn't need a resume with the experience of a division-level position to enhance his image.

More importantly, today is clearly a stage set up by Sha Ruijin for Easy Learning, and he doesn't want to steal the spotlight.

If it weren't for the fact that Daokou's resume is widely known, he wouldn't have even bothered to raise his hand.

Sha Ruijin nodded: "So, when you were on temporary assignment, what did you think of Yi Xuexi, the county magistrate at the time?"

Qi Tongwei thought for a moment: "We haven't had much contact, but I feel that he's principled in his work and not afraid to offend people."

"Okay," Sha Ruijin said without pressing further.

Bai Jingwen then switched to a third map—the Luzhou City Transportation Planning Map.

This time, Gao Yuliang stood up.

"I know this map well," Gao Yuliang said, walking up to it with a nostalgic smile. "When I was the Party Secretary of Lüzhou City, Yi Xuexi was the Director of the Transportation Bureau."

He began to recount: Three consecutive directors of the Luzhou Transportation Bureau were imprisoned for corruption. Yi Xuexi was appointed to the post in a time of crisis. After taking office, he vigorously fought corruption, established rules and regulations, and promoted transportation construction.

"Yi Xuexi is a very individualistic cadre who dares to speak the truth," Gao Yuliang summarized. "I'm the first to applaud him. After he arrived, some effective rules and regulations were gradually established."

Sha Ruijin asked, "Comrade Yuliang, did anyone else in Yi Xuexi's team get into trouble later?"

Gao Yuliang shook his head: "No, not a single one. His team has nothing to say on the issue of promoting integrity."

Logically, this question should have been asked of Wu Chunlin, the Organization Minister. However, Sha Ruijin naturally asked Gao Yuliang, who gave a firm answer. No one, including Wu Chunlin, saw anything wrong with it.

Only one person is unhappy.

Li Dakang's face darkened.

His team has repeatedly run into trouble regarding the issue of promoting integrity... and now this comparison is like rubbing salt into his wounds.

But he didn't say anything, he just picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Next, the remaining seven maps were hung up one by one.

Each picture records Yi Xuexi's journey of hard work in different positions.

The members of the Standing Committee present, all of whom had interacted with these places, took turns claiming responsibility and recounting their experiences working with Yi Xuexi.

After explaining all the maps, Sha Ruijin spoke, his tone becoming serious:

"These ten planning maps encapsulate the 28 years of hard work of an outstanding district and county cadre. They represent a remarkable life, and also encapsulate a poignant chapter in the history of reform and opening up in our province."

He paused, looked around, and said, "As an outsider, I have many feelings about this. I think none of you here would be unmoved, would you?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Li Dakang's face was heavy, and his voice was low: "Ten planning maps, a flood of bitter tears."

Sha Ruijin looked at him: "Comrade Dakang is deeply moved; please share your thoughts."

But in his heart he thought: This Li Dakang is truly a comfort to use. It was worth the great cost I paid to protect you.

"Alright, then I'll speak," Li Dakang put down his teacup, "Comrade Yi Xuexi was my first squad leader, and a good comrade who took responsibility for me. I have many feelings about him."

He then changed the subject: "But Secretary Ruijin just raised a seemingly commonplace yet actually very pointed question—where exactly does the problem lie in our cadre personnel system? Why haven't cadres like Yi Xuexi, who have worked diligently for decades, been promoted?"

Sha Ruijin nodded secretly: "Yes, where does the problem lie? Let's all speak freely and discuss it."

Li Dakang immediately chimed in, "Then let me start by sharing my thoughts. What job has been the most difficult to do these past few years?"

He pointed in the direction of Organization Minister Wu Chunlin: "I think Minister Wu's job is the most difficult."

Wu Chunlin smiled awkwardly and remained silent. He knew this was a difficult topic to discuss.

Before he could speak, Li Dakang continued, "Personnel arrangements for cadres are a delicate matter. If you arrange one, you'll be neglecting another, but there are limited spots. Our cadre system is pyramidal; the higher you go, the fewer positions there are. We can't even manage to arrange the cadres right in front of us, so who would think of Comrade Yi Xuexi?"

He paused, then emphasized, "Moreover, Comrade Yi Xuexi doesn't run errands or offer bribes; he just buries himself in his work."

Sha Ruijin continued, "Yes, Comrade Yi Xuexi only knows how to work, and always thinks the organization sees his efforts. But an organization is made up of individual people—"

His voice gained weight: "It's led by the top leader of a department or region. If you don't align yourself with the top leader, don't frequently appear in their sights, and don't treat them as a political resource, then it's very difficult to be considered by the organization."

The repeated use of "the top leader" here is clearly a veiled reference to Zhao Lichun, the former "top leader" of Handong.

Li Dakang had no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end: "Secretary Ruijin is right. If our political environment deteriorates further, it will be extremely dangerous. For example, some cadres form cliques and don't use people who aren't their own. What can you do then?"

At this point in the meeting, it seemed to have turned into a two-person comedy act between Sha Ruijin and Li Dakang.

Qian Wenzhao retorted, not to be outdone, "This kind of political environment, in the final analysis, is a corrupt environment."

Of everyone present, he held the lowest position. A retired department-level cadre who usually had to make appointments even to meet with these Standing Committee members. Now that he was allowed to attend the meeting, he had no choice but to be bold and assertive in order to gain political capital for himself.

Li Dakang chimed in, "Without a healthy political environment, there's nothing to consider."

Tian Guofu chimed in, "Does this kind of political environment really encourage our cadres to run around and offer bribes?"

As the organization minister, Wu Chunlin could no longer remain silent at this point: "So, they gave whatever they could. The Party's conduct, the government's conduct, and the social atmosphere were gradually corrupted until it became unmanageable."

Qian Wenzhao maintained his outspoken personality: "Haven't there been sayings in official circles these past few years? 'If you don't bribe or give gifts, you'll be demoted; if you only bribe but don't give gifts, you'll stay in the same place; if you both bribe and give gifts, you'll be promoted and given important positions.' For an official like Yi Xuexi, not bribeing or giving gifts, it's already good enough that he wasn't demoted. This shows that the official atmosphere in Handong is still pretty good!"

After saying that, he laughed mockingly.

That's a rather harsh statement.

But Sha Ruijin started laughing.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat awkward.

Gao Yuliang knew he could no longer remain silent.

He maintained his usual refined smile: "Alright, I'll say a few words too."

"What everyone said earlier makes sense," Gao Yuliang said calmly, "but we can't generalize. After all, cases like Yi Xuexi's are still a minority."

He turned to look at Wu Chunlin, the organization minister: "We can't negate our organizational work because of this, can we, Comrade Chunlin?"

Gao Yuliang's move was very skillful; he subtly changed the subject.

The criticism of the officialdom's ecology was transformed into a denial of the organizational work in Handong.

Faced with Gao Yuliang's question, Wu Chunlin could only nod reluctantly.

Tian Guofu immediately retorted, "So, according to that logic, we don't need to dissect Yi Xuexi, this sparrow, today?"

Gao Yuliang: "That's not what I meant, Comrade Guofu." He paused, "Furthermore, I'd like to add something. We have rules and regulations regarding cadre personnel, selection standards, and assessment methods, and these are constantly being improved. Comrade Chunlin, as the Organization Minister, you are aware of this."

Gao Yuliang had always wanted to elevate Wu Chunlin.

After all, Wu Chunlin was the head of the organization department and had a lot of say in cadre personnel matters. Moreover, the questions he asked were ones that Wu Chunlin couldn't refuse.

Wu Chunlin could only continue nodding.

Tian Guofu pressed on: "The key question is, have these rules and regulations been implemented? And how well have they been implemented?"

Qian Wenzhao chimed in, "Exactly! If it were implemented seriously, why couldn't good comrades like Yi Xuexi be promoted? While corrupt officials got promoted with no obstacles in their path. This speaks volumes!"

Wu Chunlin also realized Sha Ruijin's attitude at this moment.

He raised his head, his tone firm: "Yes, some of our cadres are promoted despite being reported all the way. Why? Because they have powerful connections! The phenomenon of Yi Xuexi isn't isolated; it exists on a large scale."

This is a slap in the face to Gao Yuliang.

Gao Yuliang previously said it was an isolated incident, but now Wu Chunlin has directly denied it.

Having been lifted up twice by Gao Yuliang and having clearly seen Sha Ruijin's attitude, Wu Chunlin now has to make his stance clear.

Moreover, as the head of the organization department, he should naturally be on the secretary's side. This is not something that Gao Yuliang can change with just a few words.

Wu Chunlin added, "This time, it was precisely because we strictly implemented the organizational and personnel system that we discovered Yi Xuexi, such a good comrade."

This is blaming Sha Ruijin.

Where did Yi Xuexi discover the organizational and personnel system? It was clearly discovered by Sha Ruijin himself during his research trip to Lüzhou.

Sha Ruijin nodded in satisfaction: "Your organization department did a good job this time. In the future, you must strictly adhere to organizational regulations and not be influenced by those above, below, or to the sides."

It's easy to be free from interference from below and to the left or right, but to be free from interference from "above" is a joke.

Sha Ruijin looked at Gao Yuliang: "Alright, Comrade Yuliang, do you have anything else to say?"

Gao Yuliang, who had been under constant attack, had eyes as cold as a deep pool, but his smile remained unchanged: "I have nothing more to say. Let's hear what everyone has to say."

Sha Ruijin laughed: "You're a professor, how can you have nothing to say?"

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze.

Chapter 155 Another Standing Committee Meeting (Part Two)

Gao Yuliang is the direct successor of Zhao Lichun's faction.

Li Dakang has already surrendered, and although Liu Changsheng has some shady dealings, he cannot be easily touched. Therefore, Gao Yuliang naturally becomes the best target for concentrated attacks.

This point remains unchanged despite Qi Tongwei's existence.

Although Qi Tongwei had always maintained a restrained teacher-student relationship with Gao Yuliang, he could not stand on the opposite side at this moment.

More importantly, Sha Ruijin came down with a mission from the Central Committee: to rectify the political environment of Handong and purge the remaining influence of the Zhao family. Even if Qi Tongwei had conflicts with Sha Ruijin, he couldn't contradict him on this issue.

At this point, Gao Yuliang should have just kept silent. He didn't need to be as flexible and proactive as Li Dakang in admitting his mistakes.

However, he was once Yi Xuexi's direct supervisor, and he was just implicated by Xiao Gangyu's promotion despite his illness. In addition, the meeting had already formed a siege-like situation—so when his scholarly spirit flared up, he naturally had to refute it.

Gao Yuliang picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, then put it down and adjusted his glasses.

This is his signature move, signifying that he's about to start reasoning.