In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

"Alright, alright, Secretary Li, I'm scared of you. It's just a warning talk. If Huo Chunhua and Comrade Lu Yun really take it to heart, I'll be the first to slap them across the face."

"The King of Handong's teasing... Secretary Li, you can't just make jokes like that."

"Haha, we were just saying you're not afraid of anything. It's getting late, so let's leave it at that. The authorization letter will be delivered to Handong tomorrow morning. The list of people to be interviewed is blank; you can fill it in yourself. You can have a disciplinary talk with whomever you want."

With that, Secretary Li hung up the phone.

Chen Luo was speechless. Choosing the interviewee himself was clearly against procedure, but Secretary Li's word was law, so Chen Luo could only grit his teeth and accept it.

If Chen Luo was simply annoyed by the trouble, Huo Chunhua and Lu Yun were filled with dread when they saw the notice.

Instead of immediately resorting to force, the authorities adopted a diplomatic approach first, leaving it to the two individuals to see if they could seize the opportunity.

In the No. 1 courtyard of the Provincial Party Committee compound in Handong, Huo Chunhua smoked an entire pack of cigarettes, filling the study with smoke. He was somewhat confused about the current situation.

Just as Huo Chunhua was deep in thought, the phone on the table rang. He picked it up and saw it was his father calling.

"Hey, Dad, have you found out anything?"

There was some silence on the other end of the phone, but Old Master Huo still intended to tell the truth.

"Chunhua, something's not right. But your brother Ma and I have analyzed it, and there are three main points."

One reason is that the higher-ups are dissatisfied with your work in Handong; otherwise, they wouldn't have entrusted Chen Luo to conduct a reprimand talk with the main leaders and cadres of Handong.

Another point we analyzed—that Chen Luo was not valued—can also be refuted. To have a ministerial-level cadre, and one who is not even from the discipline inspection and supervision system, give a disciplinary talk to your Handong—that's unprecedented!

Finally, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection entrusted him with this power. With such power concentrated in one person, it's safe to say that if Chen Luo doesn't have a high opinion of you, you could very well be dismissed on the spot!

Hearing this, Huo Chunhua broke out in a cold sweat.

"Dad, is the problem really that serious?"

What do you think? When have I ever lied to you?

"Ugh!"

Huo Chunhua sighed heavily, his body trembling slightly. All his pride had truly shattered at this moment.

"Dad, what should I do?"

"I'm not entirely sure about Chen Luo's personality, but one thing is for sure: don't argue with anything he says. You understand the principle of standing at attention when you're about to be hit, right?"

"Understood, Dad. Don't worry, even if Chen Luo asks me to bark like a dog, I'll do it without hesitation!"

"That's not necessarily true..."

Huo Chunhua was worried, and so was Lu Yun of the provincial government. Originally, he thought the inspection team's arrival in Handong was just a passing fad, but it turned out that this fad had actually reached him.

One wrong move and his official career could come to an end, and even Lu Yun was afraid.

Lu Yun pinched his palm hard, trying to calm himself down. He needed to prepare in advance and rehearse all the questions Chen Luo might ask.

The high-ranking officials of Handong were in a state of panic. Only Qin Siyuan and his three companions were slightly better off. However, the four of them did not dare to be careless, as Chen Luo's personality had never been one to only favor his own people.

If they really have work-related problems, they probably won't escape a reprimand.

And so, the night ended in fear.

In Chen Luo's room at the Shanshui Grand Hotel, after waking up, Chen Luo was no different from usual, eating a simple breakfast and preparing for his work.

However, just as Chen Luo walked out of the restaurant and into the work hall, he saw two familiar figures chatting with Tian Guofu. The people who came were Gao Yuliang and Li Dakang.

Upon seeing Chen Luo, the two stood up and greeted him.

"Secretary Chen, it's been a long time!"

Chen Luo smiled and nodded, then walked towards the three of them.

Chen Luo sat down next to Tian Guofu, with Li Dakang and Gao Yuliang opposite him. After looking the two of them up and down, Chen Luo sighed softly.

“It’s only been two or three years, and Secretary Yuliang has aged even more. Secretary Dakang, you’ve aged too.”

Chapter 499 The whip, dipped in cold water, becomes more powerful with each strike.

Upon hearing this, Li Dakang and Gao Yuliang exchanged a self-deprecating smile.

“Secretary Chen, power is the elixir of youth. I’ve been getting older every day since I was transferred to the CPPCC two years ago.”

After Li Dakang finished speaking, Gao Yuliang joked, "Secretary Dakang, you're doing quite well. I retired directly, but you were able to transition to the CPPCC."

Seeing that the two could still joke around, Chen Luo's originally melancholy mood gradually disappeared.

Afterwards, the four continued chatting, mostly about everyday things, and no one brought up work-related matters.

About half an hour later, several people walked into the hall, all dressed neatly and with serious expressions.

Is Minister Chen here?

Upon hearing that someone was looking for him, Chen Luo ended his casual conversation with Li Dakang and Gao Yuliang, got up, and walked towards them.

"Are you from the General Office?"

"Yes, Minister Chen, this is the letter of authorization. They instructed us to deliver it to you personally!"

Upon receiving the sealed document, Chen Luo felt a heavy weight on his heart.

Back in his seat, Chen Luo didn't sit down. Instead, he said softly to Tian Guofu and the other two, "The work assigned by the higher-ups needs my immediate attention. Secretary Guofu, why don't you talk to Secretary Yuliang and Secretary Dakang first?"

Li Dakang and Gao Yuliang were both very understanding of this, while Tian Guofu couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark.

"Secretary Chen, the bag contains the Imperial Sword. You may execute the people of Handong, but you cannot execute us."

Chen Luo rolled his eyes at Tian Guofu, then returned to his room. Only after opening the sealed document bag did Chen Luo realize why it felt so heavy.

Besides the power of attorney, there was also a small leather whip and a handwritten letter from Secretary Li.

The letter said that if Huo Chunhua and Lu Yun disobeyed, they should be whipped with a small leather whip...

It took Chen Luo a long time to come to his senses.

"A bunch of old rascals..."

What was originally a serious matter has now become more relaxed for Chen Luo. It's just a reprimand, what's there to be afraid of?

In Whale City, Secretary Li couldn't stop smiling after learning that Chen Luo had personally signed the power of attorney.

Setting off the small leather whip wasn't his idea; it was someone else's.

The purpose was simply to make a little joke, worried that Chen Luo might be nervous during his first admonitory talk with a ministerial-level cadre.

The Provincial Party Committee Building in Handong.

When Chen Luo arrived, it was around noon. The sun was blazing, and Huo Chunhua, Lu Yun, and other members of the Handong team were waiting downstairs in the sun.

Large beads of sweat dripped from Huo Chunhua's forehead; only he himself knew the discomfort he was going through.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Chen Luo's car arrived.

As Huo Chunhua got out of the car, he was greeted by members of the Handong Provincial Party Committee. Gone was his former pride; now he was only cautious and uneasy.

"Minister Chen, thank you for your hard work!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo smiled.

"Comrade Chunhua, I'm not suffering from hardship, I'm just unlucky."

After speaking, Chen Luo glanced around and then returned his gaze to Huo Chunhua.

"It's 12:40 now, Comrade Chunhua. Please arrange an office for me. We'll have our admonitory talk at 1:10 sharp!"

"Minister Chen, the office has been arranged; it's the same one you had two years ago!"

Hearing this, Chen Luo nodded in satisfaction.

Half an hour later, in the deputy secretary's office, Huo Chunhua took a deep breath and pushed open the door to enter.

Besides Chen Luo, there were two other staff members inside who were setting up the equipment. The entire process required audio and video recording.

After the debugging was completed, the two staff members left the office, leaving only Chen Luo and Huo Chunhua.

"Comrade Chunhua, sit down. Even if it's a capital offense, you'll still get a meal before you die. Don't be too nervous."

A casual remark startled Huo Chunhua.

Slowly sitting down opposite Chen Luo, Huo Chunhua scratched her knees incessantly across the table, trying to calm herself down.

"Comrade Chunhua, I was asked by the higher-ups to organize this admonitory talk. To be honest, this is the first time I've done this kind of work. However, there is one thing: I am now fully aware of the situation in Handong, and I know most of the problems that exist in Handong. Comrade Chunhua, please tell me about your problems first."

I hope you can be truthful, honest, and not evasive, conceal, or shirk responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Huo Chunhua's brain started working frantically.

His problem? What's wrong with him?

After much thought, Huo Chunhua cautiously replied, "Minister Chen, is it because I haven't been strict enough in supervising the cadres across the province?"

Chen Luo didn't speak, but his expression turned cold, which made Huo Chunhua's heart jump into her throat.

Realizing that she had missed the point, Huo Chunhua quickly adjusted her approach.

"Minister Chen, have I been too arrogant and out of touch with the masses?"

Chen Luo couldn't hold back any longer. This guy didn't seem to be faking it; he genuinely didn't know what his problem was.

"Comrade Chunhua, your identity is the Secretary of the Handong Provincial Party Committee, the top leader, and the leader of the team. Your main task is to lead the 80 million people of Handong to live a good life."

But what have you done in the past two years? You are too narrow-minded and have not taken your job seriously.

Instead, he chose to compete for power and profit with Comrade Lu Yun of the provincial government, win over people's hearts, and form his own clique.

I haven't wronged you, have I?

Upon hearing this, Huo Chunhua's heart skipped a beat.

"Minister Chen, I have my reasons. It was Comrade Lu Yun who has been targeting me. He was the one who started the conflict!"

"I told you, don't shirk responsibility!"

You have your problems, and Lu Yun has his problems!

You're the Party Secretary, what are you so afraid of?

Are you worried about being defeated by Lu Yun?

Worried about losing your position as Party Secretary? Worried that you won't be able to advance further in two years?