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

I can never forget it!

Later, when I became an official, I accepted banquets from others, with tables costing thousands of dollars, but I could never find the same delicious taste and feeling as the eight-cent sandwiches...

I am guilty. I have failed my parents' education, failed the organization's training, and failed the people's expectations.

I confess my guilt and repent!

Chen Luo was stunned. This guy's eyes were firm, as if he were interrogating him and Tian Guofu.

Soon, with Bai Xiangqun's cooperation, the record was completed. What awaited him next was the notification from the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Supervisory Commission that he would be expelled from the Party and removed from his post, and that he would be transferred to the judicial authorities.

As Chen Luo walked out of the interrogation room, he was still reflecting on the experience.

"Secretary Chen, don't you think this Bai Xiangqun is ridiculous? A banquet costing thousands of dollars can't compare to a cheap Chifeng sandwich that costs only eight cents? Anyone who didn't know better would think he was a breath of fresh air."

What flavor could these clips possibly have?

"How would I know? Why don't you go to the Mongolian region, Comrade Guofu, and see the same path Bai Xiangqun took?"

Tian Guofu rolled his eyes.

"Forget it then. It's not worth getting locked up for a few roujiamo (Chinese hamburger). It's safer to just eat roujiamo."

Chapter 504 Great Power Rivalry and Foreign Relations

Chen Luo smiled and nodded, then raised an eyebrow, having come up with a good idea.

"Secretary Guofu, it's not enough to just focus on fighting corruption; we also need to prevent it, so that people don't dare to be corrupt and don't want to be corrupt, especially high-ranking officials."

Some high-ranking officials feel that because of their high rank, their superiors will be more mindful of the consequences if they are targeted.

They will become even more unscrupulous!

That won't do. This Bai Xiangqun gave me an idea: our Central Propaganda Department could collaborate with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to produce a true documentary.

The fight against corruption is ongoing, and the Discipline Inspection Commission uses corrupt officials at the vice-provincial level and above as negative examples, broadcasting them publicly in society.

This will both deter some restless individuals and let the people know our determination in the fight against corruption!

After thinking about Chen Luo's suggestion, Tian Guofu felt that it was actually quite feasible.

"Secretary Chen, this sounds very feasible!"

However, Tian Guofu quickly changed the subject, saying, "But there's a problem now. This kind of thing needs to be reported to Director Xiao or Secretary Li before it can be carried out."

Telling me is useless…

"Haha, I know. I'll bring it up when I have lunch with Director Xiao. Let's go, Secretary Guofu, show me around some more."

Three hours passed in a flash. At 11:40 a.m., Secretary Li returned to the Discipline Inspection Commission. After receiving a call from Director Xiao, Chen Luo went straight to Secretary Li's office.

Standing at the office door, Chen Luo didn't rush in. Instead, he straightened his collar, took a deep breath, glanced at the documents in his hand, and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

After receiving permission, Chen Luo pushed open the door and entered.

Secretary Li's office was spacious and simple in style. At this moment, Secretary Li was sitting on a single sofa. When he saw Chen Luo arrive, Secretary Li took off his glasses and waved to him.

"Come and sit down, Comrade Chen Luo."

Nodding, Chen Luo respectfully stepped forward and sat on the sofa that Secretary Li pointed to, with his legs together and his back straight.

"Secretary Li, I've come to report to you on my work!"

Upon hearing this, Secretary Li smiled.

"Don't rush to report on your work. The organization asked you to have a disciplinary talk with the comrades in Handong. You, on the other hand, rushed back to Jinglai overnight after the talk ended. Are you so afraid that the organization will put you in Handong as secretary?"

A high-ranking official in charge of a region—a position others would fight tooth and nail for—is treated like dirt by the world, like rotten cabbage leaves on the street.

Chen Luo felt embarrassed by these words; he had indeed run away too quickly.

"Secretary Li, may I offer some excuse?"

"Haha, you're quite straightforward. Go ahead and try to make excuses. Let's hear what kind of reasons you can come up with."

Chen Luo let out a soft breath, then explained, "Minister He and I only recently took up our posts at the Central Propaganda Department, and we are not very familiar with propaganda work."

Minister He mainly focuses on the overall direction, while I am responsible for the specific daily work.

During the few days I was away, Minister He was quite busy managing both the direction and daily tasks.

"Rushing back to Whale overnight was also to relieve Minister He's workload."

After listening, Secretary Li raised his index finger.

"That's a reasonable reason. Are there any others?"

"Yes, we just finished playing the bad cop in Handong during the day and are staying here. When it's time to go back to Jing, we can't ask the comrades in Handong to send us off again, can we?"

As you know, I worked in Handong for six years. I'm not worried about your jokes about the King of Handong, but if the comrades I promoted in Hanzhong come to see me off, should I see them or not?

"Not seeing them would be inhumane, but seeing them would be discriminatory; neither way would end well. We might as well return to Jing before the people of Handong realize what's happening."

"This is the truth. Okay, enough joking. I and several others have already watched the recording of the admonitory talk, and we basically agree with your suggestion."

However, I still want to ask, Comrade Chen Luo, do you still hold the same opinion as before?

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo's expression turned serious.

"Secretary Li, tell the truth!"

Whether it's Huo Chunhua, Lu Yun, or other comrades in Handong, according to my standards, they are not qualified to remain in their original positions.

But my standards cannot conflict with the interests of the people. If Huo Chunhua and Lu Yun are replaced now, the people of Handong will only be in a state of panic. Even if the successor can stabilize the situation, it will take at least a few months.

Handong couldn't wait, especially since the problems Huo Chunhua and Lu Yun had weren't capital offenses.

If possible, I still hope the organization can give the two of them a few months to observe them.

I've made the problem very clear to the two of them. If things continue like this and they still show no remorse..."

"If you still don't repent, then you'll be dismissed, right?"

"Yes! We can give them a chance, but we can't be too soft-hearted. Everyone needs to be responsible for their own actions!"

Hearing this, Secretary Li nodded and continued, "What about Wu Daoping, the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City? Aren't you going to give this comrade a chance?"

Chen Luo shook his head.

"If the issues with Comrade Huo Chunhua and Comrade Lu Yun are matters of attitude and direction, then the issue with Wu Daoping is matters of ability. He is not capable of leading the millions of people in Jingzhou to develop, so there is no point in him continuing to serve."

Furthermore, a combination of carrot and stick is needed; Handong needs to establish a role model! He is not innocent.

As Secretary Li listened, he tapped his fingertips lightly on the table without saying a word, but instead stared intently at Chen Luo.

The two stared at each other, neither looking away before finally looking up at Secretary Li.

"Ah! It's so good to be young, so decisive and efficient, without any hesitation. Comrade Chen Luo, you're very good!"

Chen Luo shook his head.

"Secretary Li, please don't praise me like that, I'm afraid I'll get cocky..."

"Alright, don't be so modest. You don't seem like a 46-year-old at all. Throughout your career, whether you were at the peak or in a trough, you always handled problems and work very calmly."

It's like...having lived two lives and seen through the illusions of life, death, glory, and wealth.

Chen Luo's heart skipped a beat; Secretary Li had indeed guessed correctly.

"I have already discussed the adjustments in Handong with several other people, and we will proceed according to your plan, Comrade Chen Luo. There is one more thing I want to talk to you about, which concerns yourself."

"Secretary Li, please speak!"

"The organization's training of you has now reached a critical juncture. We believe you are capable of handling domestic issues and planning with ease, but you are also aware of the challenges ahead."

This world is not just about one nation or one country; the world is a whole, and a change in one part affects the whole.

Whether you can shoulder the responsibility in major power competition in foreign relations is an unknown.

Our intention is for you to participate more over the next few years and gain experience.

Chapter 505 Want to create a golden statue? Then take back Taiwan!

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo scratched his head.

"Um... Secretary Li, but with my current position, I don't really have the opportunity to get involved in international affairs, do I?"

"That's the problem. Right now, there aren't any vacant positions that allow us to interact with the outside world."

Our point is that you should do more research and learn more in advance during this period, so that you won't miss the opportunity when it comes.

"Ahem, I understand, Secretary Li. Thank you for the organization's guidance!"

"Okay, you can go back now if there's nothing else."

"Secretary Li, there is indeed something I need to report to you."

"You said."

"Here's the thing, Secretary Li. I think that anti-corruption work can't just focus on prevention. Fortunately, our Central Propaganda Department has the resources to collaborate with the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Supervisory Commission to produce a documentary."

The fight against corruption is a never-ending journey, and we should bring out some typical corruption cases at the vice-provincial level and above.

Let those officials who are tempted to cross the line see the consequences, and let the people know our determination to fight corruption!

Upon hearing this, Secretary Li's eyes lit up.

"That sounds good. I agree to this plan. You can coordinate with Director Xiao. However, only ministerial-level officials and above can appear on camera..."

"Secretary Li, the documentary is planned to be produced in several episodes. You and the other leaders can take a look at the effects and social response before making a decision."

To be honest, broadcasting the deputy officials' reports did lose face, but it also conveyed a stronger sense of determination to the people!

The fight against corruption is not just for show, nor is it just empty talk. We will fight both flies and tigers, and the fight against corruption and the promotion of integrity is a never-ending journey!

"Let's talk about it later. Let's see how the first few episodes go. The main problem is that only a limited number of deputy-level officials have been brought down... We can't fill several episodes with that."

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo said no more, nodded, got up to say goodbye, and left Secretary Li's office.

Back in the Central Propaganda Department, Chen Luo's life returned to normal.

In Handong, both Huo Chunhua and Lu Yun received a demerit from the Party, while Wu Daoping, the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, was directly removed from his post and transferred to the CPPCC.