265: Chapter 265 Political and Legal Affairs Committee

Zhu Wenhao picked up his phone and answered.

"Zhu Wenhao."

Director Qi Shan's voice came through the receiver.

"Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo of the Jingjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau just surrendered to the special investigation team a moment ago."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe sat opposite him, his hand holding the teacup suspended in mid-air.

"What does his statement say?" Zhu Wenhao asked.

"That old fox is slippery." Director Qi Shan gave a cold laugh. "He pushed all the responsibility away. He said that the case of Lin Wan back then, as well as the suppression of various underworld-related files, were all done under the instigation of Lei Dong. He said that Lei Dong, in order to curry favor with Secretary Lei Zhen, handled everything behind the scenes. He claimed he was merely a helpless executor."

"A trick to sacrifice the pawn to save the knight," Zhu Wenhao judged.

"On the surface, this confession is a surrender, but in reality, it is a damage-control move by Secretary Lei Zhen's side."

"Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo couldn't withstand the dual pressure from Deputy Secretary Cao Hang and Feng Zhiyuan, and the internal defense line of the Municipal Public Security Bureau has been broken. Knowing he can't save himself, he might as well jump out voluntarily and pin all the crimes on Lei Dong. Lei Dong is an idler without an official position; he's like a dead pig that isn't afraid of boiling water. As long as Lei Dong takes the blame, Secretary Lei Zhen himself can be extracted from this muddy water."

Director Qi Shan did not refute this on the other end of the line; it was obvious logic.

"However, while Secretary Lei Zhen wants to wash his hands clean, someone is determined to drag him into the water." Director Qi Shan lowered his voice. "Secretary Lao is furious. He has already officially spoken, ordering Secretary Lei Zhen to go to his office in person tomorrow morning to explain the situation."

A clear light gathered in Zhu Wenhao's eyes.

"Secretary Lao cannot hold back any longer; he is ready to make a move."

"This top leader, who parachuted into Jiangnan Province with a special mission, has been waiting for just this excuse."

Zhu Wenhao continued his analysis.

"Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo says Lei Dong instigated it, but this fig leaf is too thin. Why would a common civilian be able to command the Public Security Bureau Chief of a dignified provincial capital city? The logic behind this simply doesn't hold up. Secretary Lao knows it as clearly as a mirror, but he won't expose it."

"What he wants is to use this as an excuse to make a bigger move."

"Taking advantage of Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo's surrender and Lei Dong taking the blame, he will stir this water until it becomes even murkier. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Secretary Lao will definitely use this to strike forcefully and consolidate his absolute authority within the high levels of the Provincial Party Committee. Neither Governor Zhou Zhiwen's side nor Secretary Lei Zhen's side will be able to stay out of this."

"By then, a major purge will be inevitable."

Zhu Wenhao delivered his final judgment: "This Spring Festival, from the Provincial Party Committee of Jiangnan Province to Jingjiang City, then to our Linjiang City, and all the way down to Qingjiang County—everyone on this line will likely have a rough time."

Director Qi Shan understood the weight of this: "On the side of the Provincial Public Security Department, I will make the case files watertight and will absolutely not give them any opening to overturn the verdict. You, on your end, should leave yourself some room for maneuver in your actions."

"Don't worry, Uncle Qi."

The call ended.

Only the father and son remained in the study.

Zhu Wenhao looked at Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

"Father, you are currently on the edge of this storm; the slightest carelessness could pull you into the center," Zhu Wenhao warned.

"Secretary Lei Zhen's faction has suffered a heavy blow, and Mayor Su Changming will surely try every means to recoup his losses in Linjiang City. Your situation in the Municipal Party Committee requires extreme caution."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe poured the cold tea onto the tea tray and replaced it with hot tea.

"I understand," Secretary Zhu Tianhe said in a calm tone. "During this period, apart from the necessary official receptions and meetings, I will minimize unnecessary public appearances. I will carefully consider all important documents and instructions that reach my desk, and I will never overstep my boundaries or give anyone a handle against me."

Zhu Wenhao nodded.

His father might lack the fire for aggressive expansion, but when it came to maintaining stability, his years of experience struggling at the grassroots level were enough to keep him steady.

As long as he didn't make mistakes, Mayor Su Changming wouldn't find an excuse to make trouble.

Once this tense period passed, the overall situation would naturally become clear.

The father and son drank a few more cups of tea and finalized the key points of the personnel layout in Linjiang City.

After the discussion, the two stood up, pushed open the wooden door, and walked out of the study.

First-floor living room.

The television was on, playing the lengthy Xinwen Lianbo.

Su Qinghan and Li Juan sat side by side on the sofa, with a gap of half a person between them. The atmosphere wasn't particularly warm, but the earlier estrangement was gone.

Hearing footsteps coming from the stairs, Su Qinghan immediately stood up and picked up the handbag placed to the side.

Li Juan stood up as well, her gaze lingering on her son.

"Father, Su Qinghan and I will head back now." Zhu Wenhao walked down the stairs and reached for his overcoat on the coat rack.

"I will come back during the New Year."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe nodded: "Drive slowly on the way back. There are many matters at the grassroots level, so take care of yourself."

Li Juan looked at Su Qinghan: "Su Qinghan, when you aren't too busy with work, come over and visit more often. It's just me and your uncle at home; it's lonely."

"Alright, Auntie. Please take care of yourself," Su Qinghan replied.

The two pushed the door open and went out.

The car drove steadily on the main road, and the heater in the car dispelled the cold.

Su Qinghan leaned in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the streetlights passing by outside the window.

Returning to the apartment on Changfeng Street, they pushed the door open and entered.

The main lights in the room were not on; only a warm yellow wall lamp in the entryway was lit.

Su Qinghan placed her handbag on the shoe cabinet and turned around.

Zhu Wenhao took off his overcoat and draped it over the back of a chair.

There were no unnecessary words, nor any hypocritical probing. Their gazes met in mid-air, and all the tension suppressed by power struggles and case files found an outlet at this moment.

She walked forward and reached out to wrap her arms around his waist.

The night deepened, and the temperature in the room gradually rose.

The next morning.

The winter sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting a long, slanted patch of light on the floor.

In the bedroom, Zhu Wenhao stood by the bed, buttoning the last button of his shirt.

Su Qinghan had already finished freshening up and, wearing a casual sweater, walked forward.

She reached out to straighten his slightly crooked tie, skillfully tying a neat Windsor knot.

"While you are in Heishi Town, take care of yourself," Su Qinghan said in a calm tone. "The water there is deep, and there are nails hidden in the mud."

"The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection will be stationed at the Municipal Finance Bureau next week to conduct an inspection, and this matter has fallen on me."

She raised her eyes.

"For the next period, I estimate I will have to be stationed at the case-handling site, and I might not have time to accompany you."

Zhu Wenhao looked at her.

What she was investigating was Mayor Su Changming's purse; it was a hand-to-hand fight without smoke.

Zhu Wenhao reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Calculating the days, there is less than a month left until the Spring Festival."

"Focus on your case."

"When the end of the year arrives, I will return to Linjiang to properly accompany you. The two of us will have a peaceful and steady Spring Festival."

Listening to this, Su Qinghan nodded heavily and leaned into his embrace.

Resting her chin on his shoulder, she listened to his steady heartbeat.

After a moment, Zhu Wenhao let go, picked up his briefcase, and pushed the door open to leave.

The security door closed.

Su Qinghan walked to the window and, through the glass, watched the black car downstairs drive out of the residential complex and disappear into the traffic at the street corner.

She withdrew her gaze, turned, and walked to the bathroom, tidying up her makeup and changing into that stiff professional attire.

The battle of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection was about to begin.

In the suburbs of Linjiang City, Zhu Wenhao pulled the car over to the side of the road.

Director Xu Jie carried a briefcase, opened the passenger door, and sat in.

"Let's go." Director Xu Jie fastened her seatbelt.

The vehicle merged back into the main road.

The car interior was extremely quiet.

Director Xu Jie looked at the wilderness outside the window. Her mother had already figured out her attitude at Mingyue Pavilion yesterday, and Deputy Team Leader Liu Hao had suffered a major loss. This marriage had been completely severed by her using a stack of photos.

But the reproaches within the big family would never stop because of this.

Zhu Wenhao, meanwhile, was calculating in his mind the follow-up funding for the Heishui Village re-election and the emergency repairs on South Street.

Both of them carried their own schemes, and along the way, neither said a single extra word.

Qingjiang County.

Third floor of the County Party Committee building, County Party Committee Secretary's office.

The door was knocked on.

"Come in."

Secretary Lu Guoliang sat behind the desk, holding a summary report of the county's economic indicators.

Deputy Minister Li Ming of the County Organization Department pushed the door open and entered.

He walked to the desk and placed a file bag containing a resume flatly on Secretary Lu Guoliang's desk.

"Secretary Lu Guoliang." Deputy Minister Li Ming stood straight before the desk. "This is the list of candidates for the full-time Political and Legal Affairs Commissioner of Heishi Town selected by Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan. His detailed personal resume is attached."

Secretary Lu Guoliang put down the report, reached out to untie the string of the file bag, pulled out the list, and took a look.

Du Changhe.

Former captain of the Public Security detachment of the County Public Security Bureau.

Secretary Lu Guoliang recognized this person.

His style of acting was tough, and his methods were fierce; he was a trusted and fierce general promoted by Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan within the Public Security system.

Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan inserting this person into Heishi Town, the intention could not be more obvious.

Secretary Lu Guoliang made no comment and placed the resume back on the table.

"Has County Head Gu Mingchuan submitted the recommendation list for the Executive Vice Town Head of Heishi Town?" Secretary Lu Guoliang asked.

For the power restructuring of Heishi Town, he left the Political and Legal Affairs position to Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan and the Executive position to County Head Gu Mingchuan.

Deputy Minister Li Ming shook his head: "County Head Gu Mingchuan replied that the candidate is still being deliberated and needs further consideration."

Secretary Lu Guoliang tapped his knuckles on the desktop twice.

County Head Gu Mingchuan was hesitating.

He was waiting for Zhu Wenhao's signal.

The Executive Vice Town Head of a township manages the purse. Who sits in this position concerns the future flow of funds in Heishi Town.

County Head Gu Mingchuan not submitting the list easily meant that he and Zhu Wenhao had not reached a final consensus on the candidate.

But Secretary Lu Guoliang did not want to wait.

The longer the vacuum period of grassroots power, the greater the variables.

He needed Deputy Secretary Qin Yuanshan's people to get in first to stir up the water in Heishi Town that had just calmed down.

"Since County Head Gu Mingchuan hasn't reached a conclusion, we won't wait for him," Secretary Lu Guoliang finalized. "The work of the County Party Committee cannot be stalled because of one candidate."

"Process the documents for this Political and Legal Affairs Commissioner first."

Secretary Lu Guoliang picked up his teacup and looked at Deputy Minister Li Ming.

"Go and notify the County Party Committee Office to prepare for a Secretary's office meeting this afternoon. We will settle on this Du Changhe and discuss it at the meeting first."

Deputy Minister Li Ming understood clearly.

As long as the Secretary's office meeting decided it, the Standing Committee meeting would just be a formality, and this appointment could not be changed.

"Understood, I will go and arrange it now." Deputy Minister Li Ming agreed, turned, and retreated.

The wooden door closed.

Secretary Lu Guoliang picked up the resume and tossed it into the drawer.

Heishi Town was about to welcome another blade-wielding traveler from across the river.