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

Chapter 128 Meeting (Part Two)

Tian Guofu smiled, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, yet everyone present could hear him clearly:

"Xiao Gangyu, the director of the Public Security Bureau of our province, is an excellent thrifty and hardworking man. He always sells the gifts he receives during holidays to supplement his household income."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became subtle.

Li Dakang raised his eyebrows slightly.

He had just had a dispute with Gao Yuliang over Cai Chenggong's authority to handle cases, and Cai Chenggong was currently being held by people from the Public Security Bureau.

It is common knowledge that Xiao Gangyu was Gao Yuliang's student.

With an opportunity to kick someone when they're down presented to him, how could he let it pass?

Li Dakang then picked up the conversation, his tone slightly teasing: "I know that too. Director Xiao had a case of Zhonghua cigarettes, which he once tried to sell to someone. The person offered 60,000 yuan but didn't take the cigarettes. Half a year later, Director Xiao probably thought the person had forgotten about it, so he went back to that person and said he had another case of cigarettes to sell. The person had no choice but to give him another 60,000 yuan."

He paused deliberately, glanced around, and seeing that everyone was listening, continued, "That man was afraid that our Director Xiao would come back to sell cigarettes in a while, so he had the cigarettes taken back. Guess what happened?"

He spread his hands, exclaiming dramatically, "The cigarettes are all moldy!"

Li Dakang's humorous remarks made many people in the audience laugh.

Gao Yuliang laughed along, but his smile held a deeper meaning: "Secretary Dakang, your investigation is quite thorough. But I'd like to ask—who is this person who offered money but refused cigarettes? Doesn't his behavior suggest bribery?"

Li Dakang's expression remained unchanged: "It's Liu Xinjian from Handong Oil and Gas Group, he—"

"Oh, Liu Xinjian," Gao Yuliang interrupted him, his smile now more sincere. "Secretary Dakang, to be clear—it's Liu Xinjian, who, like you, served as Secretary Zhao Lichun's secretary."

This is the classification of components.

Just like in the previous life, Gao Yuliang reminded Li Dakang, "You were also Zhao Lichun's secretary back then."

The subtext is clear: You're jumping around now, eager to curry favor with the new provincial party secretary, but don't forget that your roots are with the Zhao family.

Li Dakang remained expressionless and said calmly, "There's nothing to hide; everyone knows."

Gao Yuliang nodded and continued to press, "I don't know what Secretary Dakang is trying to say with this? Is he saying that Xiao Gangyu is a bad person and should be shot?"

He laughed first, then waved his hand, "It can't be that bad, can it?"

This is Gao Yuliang's usual sophistry—attaching a solution to a matter that far exceeds its consequences, and then negating the matter itself by denying this overly severe solution.

However, it is extremely undignified and immature to call for the execution of a public security chief who has not yet been convicted at a provincial standing committee meeting.

Sha Ruijin spoke up at the opportune moment, his tone light: "It's not that bad. Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty did say that anyone who embezzled sixty taels would be skinned alive. But even by his strict standards, that's still not enough."

It appears to be an attempt to exonerate Xiao Gangyu, but in reality, it has cemented the label of "embezzlement" on him.

Everyone present was a shrewd person, and they could naturally hear the unspoken meaning.

Tian Guofu immediately chimed in, trying to lighten the mood: "So, our Director Xiao isn't in any danger."

Everyone laughed again.

Gao Yuliang smiled obsequiously, but his heart was in turmoil.

This can already be described as a group attacking from all sides.

Normally, he could have let it go easily and didn't need to stand up for himself in this situation. But things are different now—if he can't even protect his key generals, morale will crumble even faster.

He then composed himself and said, "Today is a Standing Committee meeting, and the agenda is to discuss personnel matters. At this time, I feel that making such a comment about our Public Security Bureau Chief is biased."

He paused, his tone becoming steady: "Secretary Dakang just mentioned that Xiao Gangyu sold cigarettes, which is possible, I don't deny. But is there another possibility—that he simply collected some loose cigarettes from social interactions to supplement his household income? As for selling them twice, is it possible he just forgot? Secretary Dakang, have you looked into that?"

Li Dakang smiled and said, "I've actually looked into it. The police system is stressful, and many officers are heavy smokers. But our Director Xiao is an exception—he's known for his love of drinking and doesn't smoke. If it were a social obligation, he should at least give alcohol as a gift."

Sha Ruijin laughed loudly, and everyone else laughed along with him.

Gao Yuliang smiled ingratiatingly, then his smile faded, and his tone became serious: "Secretary Dakang, you really did investigate. Okay, even so, as the saying goes, you need to catch a thief red-handed. When and where did Secretary Dakang witness this incident? Or did Liu Xinjian personally report it to you? Or is there any solid evidence?"

He stared intently at Li Dakang: "If so, I will apply to the provincial party committee right now to have him removed from his post."

This incident caused quite a stir back then, and many people knew about it. But Gao Yuliang protected Xiao Gangyu at the time and made Xiao Gangyu return the 120,000 yuan. Now that so much time has passed, Gao Yuliang's demand for evidence is clearly a bit of sophistry.

Tian Guofu immediately chimed in, his tone laced with sarcasm: "That's a good question, it has a touch of dark humor to it."

Li Dakang retorted, "This isn't dark humor. If what Secretary Yu Liang says is true, and Xiao Gangyu hasn't violated anything, shouldn't we follow the normal procedures and promote him to vice governor?"

Gao Yuliang raised his hand to interrupt him: "Secretary Dakang, don't rush to question me. I haven't finished speaking."

Li Dakang gestured for him to continue.

Sha Ruijin nodded: "Yes, Comrade Yuliang, please continue."

Gao Yuliang looked around, his tone becoming heavy: "The phenomena that Secretary Sha and Secretary Dakang just mentioned are widespread in certain regions and departments. This phenomenon didn't develop overnight, nor is it unique to our Handong province. Therefore, can we really solve it simply by having a dozen or so Standing Committee members hold a few meetings and issue a few documents?"

This is Gao Yuliang's second sophistry tactic—to exaggerate the problem.

Sha Ruijin raised an eyebrow slightly: "So, Comrade Yuliang, is there no way to solve this?"

Gao Yuliang shook his head: "It can be solved, it definitely can be solved. But it will take time. The situation we are facing now is very complex, even extremely serious."

He then changed the subject: "The Organization Minister of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee, who is also the director of the Science and Technology Bureau I just mentioned, is only involved in eating and drinking with female cadres."

He emphasized the words "Jingzhou" with particular emphasis.

"But the year before last, when the mayor of Yantai City celebrated his birthday, things were different. His 368 subordinates simply gave him money directly. How much? A full 2.89 million."

He sighed. "The mayor was sentenced to fifteen years, nothing more to say. But what about the 368 officials? What should be done with them? How should they be dealt with? Should they all be dismissed?"

He looked at Sha Ruijin, his tone sincere: "Secretary Sha, if we remove them all, the entire cadre system in Yantai will collapse. Who will do the work? Comrade Ruijin, it's a difficult situation!"

When a problem cannot be solved, a bigger, more attention-grabbing problem is thrown out to cover it up.

Often, celebrity scandals serve this purpose.

Gao Yuliang's strategy at this time was obviously successful—Sha Ruijin's attention was no longer on Xiao Gangyu.

Or rather, this is exactly what Sha Ruijin wanted to see. Was his first Standing Committee meeting really just about criticizing a police chief's cigarettes? He was actually trying to set the tone for personnel matters.

Since Gao Yuliang had steered the conversation toward the atmosphere among cadres in Handong, he naturally had to take the opportunity to put forward his own proposal.

Sha Ruijin leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping across the room, his tone steady and forceful: "It seems the problems within the cadre ranks of Handong have reached a point where they must be addressed. How should they be addressed?"

He paused briefly, then spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice ringing out: "Proceed according to Party discipline and national law."

Tian Guofu chimed in at the opportune moment: "I've said this many times in disciplinary committee meetings, but it just can't be done."

Sha Ruijin continued, "What can't be done? It's really just a matter of whether you want to do it, dare to do it, and have a sense of responsibility."

His voice suddenly rose several decibels: "Some female cadres can get promoted from section chief to division chief just by sleeping with the organization minister. Is that fair to those cadres who have worked diligently for ten or twenty years without making any progress? If this continues, what will become of the Party's and the government's work style?"

Tian Guofu initiated the conversation, and Sha Ruijin set the tone. They spoke in high-sounding terms, so naturally no one objected.

If you oppose it now, wouldn't that make you the culprit and their protector?

Sha Ruijin looked around and continued, "It seems there aren't too many disagreements. Therefore, I propose—"

His gaze sharpened: "The appointments of the 125 cadres that should have been discussed at this personnel meeting are to be frozen for now. Whether they are vice-ministerial level officials we recommended to higher authorities or bureau-level officials slated for promotion, all must undergo thorough re-evaluation according to the cadre appointment procedures. A decision will only be made after extensive consultation with the public."

See the picture poorly.

The appointment of these 125 cadres had been decided beforehand. The list was compiled before Sha Ruijin's arrival, and like the recommendation of Gao Yuliang as provincial party secretary, it was Zhao Lichun's doing.

If Sha Ruijin passes this appointment, it's impossible for him to be sidelined—if the top leader could be so easily sidelined, where would there be room for parachuted-in officials?

But if he accepts this appointment, he will have to spend more time sorting out the various factions. This is something he is unwilling to accept.

Both his personality and his ambition make him unwilling to compromise. Therefore, he needs a faster and more decisive approach.

Freezing appointments is meant to make everyone pledge their loyalty to him. Whether they do it themselves or through their faction leaders, he needs to see your actions.

As for re-examining and soliciting opinions? Just listen and let it go.

Some people might think that by freezing appointments, he directly offended these 125 cadres, but that would be a big mistake.

First, he is freezing, not rejecting. Everyone still has hope, and with hope, there will be no direct confrontational emotions.

Secondly, the top leader has far more control over these provincial-level officials who haven't reached the vice-ministerial level than a county party secretary can control section-level officials. Crucially, these officials are also divided into factions and plagued by internal conflicts, making it impossible for them to form a united front.

Thirdly, many people have overlooked the role that Sha Ruijin mentioned Xiao Gangyu before this.

Just like a school teacher, if he directly makes all students stand as punishment, it will definitely arouse resentment among the students. But if he first picks out an example—such as Xiao Gangyu sleeping in class—and then expands it to the whole class, making everyone stand as punishment, then a large number of students will turn their resentment towards Xiao Gangyu, the student who "made everyone stand as punishment."

Whether it's high school students or even college students, the punishment of standing as punishment will be replaced by other forms such as homework or participation points.

Because many people are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. Subconsciously, they dare not resent authority. And the authority of a top leader over bureau-level officials is far greater than that of a teacher over a student.

In this life, Xiao Gangyu, and in the previous life, Qi Tongwei, were both targets that Sha Ruijin used to attract hatred.

This was Sha Ruijin's first meeting of the Standing Committee. Under normal circumstances, no one would oppose him at this time—that would be tantamount to showing that they were completely on his opposite side.

Moreover, Sha Ruijin had laid the groundwork for this for so long, allowing Li Dakang and Tian Guofu to besiege Gao Yuliang to establish his authority, so naturally no one had any objections at this point.

Therefore, there is no need to proceed with the voting process.

Arriving in a new place and making a hasty vote could severely damage one's credibility if it fails. Even if there are objections, he will use "reconsideration" to stall for time and avoid bringing such a sensitive issue to a vote.

This tacit acceptance of the situation is exactly what he expected and what he is happy to see.

He was about to smoothly move past the topic and was about to speak—

"Secretary Sha, I have a suggestion."

A voice suddenly rang out.

Throughout the meeting, apart from Sha Ruijin naming Zhao Dehan at the beginning, Qi Tongwei, who had remained silent and did not speak, finally spoke up.

He sat up slightly, his expression calm.

Sha Ruijin's smile remained unchanged, but his entire body tensed up instantly.

He had always been wary of the executive vice governor who was set to work with him in a year. The governor was exceptionally capable, had a powerful background, and controlled some local influence.

Now that this involves his first key strategic move since taking charge of Handong, Qi Tongwei's words are certainly not just simple agreement.

But since Qi Tongwei had spoken, there was no reason not to let him speak.

Sha Ruijin, with a stiff face and a forced smile, said, "Comrade Tongwei, please feel free to offer any suggestions."

Qi Tongwei nodded, his tone calm: "I've been in Handong for a while now, and I've had quite a bit of contact with Comrade Dong Dingfang of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee. He has worked diligently and conscientiously as the Secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee for many years, achieving remarkable results and fully meeting the criteria for 'cadres who should be promoted' that Secretary Sha just mentioned."

He paused, then continued, "I looked at the list of 125 cadres whose names were frozen this time, and his name wasn't on it. So I support Secretary Sha's proposal to freeze the list. Besides the fear that there might be some charlatans mixed in, we also need to consider whether there might be some hidden talents."

He looked at Sha Ruijin and said sincerely, "So I would like to suggest to Secretary Sha and Minister Wu of the Organization Department that Comrade Dong Dingfang be added to the list of candidates recommended for the position of Vice Governor, and re-evaluated along with the other 125 cadres?"