248: Slander and rumors rely solely on words

Cao Mingxiu asked everyone to express their views and opinions; for a moment, the conference room was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, and for over ten seconds, no one spoke first.

Just as Cao Mingxiu was about to prompt the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Chang Hua, to express his views first, Qian Yushu and Yang Dongming quickly exchanged a glance, and Yang Dongming spoke up first.

"Secretary, Mayor, Comrades, before we discuss the nomination for the County Party Secretary of Yushu County, I have a question I would like to ask everyone.

Everyone here should have received the whistleblower letter and photos regarding Comrade Lin Zifeng, just like I did, right?

As members of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee of Chunhua City, it is understandable to handle this matter discreetly for the sake of the City Level's influence and reputation.

However, we cannot simply act as if this never happened!

Secretary Gao, the working principle of our Discipline Inspection Commission—that every report must have an investigation result—hasn't changed, has it?"

Hearing Yang Dongming's words, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, Gao Mingyuan, frowned slightly. Although he was displeased by Yang Dongming's almost accusatory tone, he still nodded slightly.

Just then, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Chang Hua, spoke up.

"Mayor Yang, we are all well aware of certain things. Why is it such a coincidence that the whistleblower letter and the photos appeared exactly one hour before the Standing Committee meeting? The person who wrote the letter certainly has excellent timing!

This speaks volumes.

In such a short time, how do you expect the Comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission to investigate and clarify the situation?

Even if we all know that Comrade Lin Zifeng has been wronged, are we just going to let him lose the opportunity to compete for a promotion simply because there wasn't enough time for an investigation?

Is this fair to Comrade Lin Zifeng?

If similar incidents occur in the future, all a competitor needs to do is find someone to write a questionable whistleblower letter to disqualify their opponent.

Are the hard-earned achievements of these reported Comrades to be completely negated by a thin piece of paper?

We must not encourage this trend; otherwise, who would still work earnestly and diligently? Wouldn't it be faster to just engage in speculation and scheming?"

Hearing Chang Hua's sharp remarks, several people, including Cao Mingxiu, cast admiring glances at him.

Yang Dongming did not expect Chang Hua's speech to be so sharp, pointing directly at the essence of the problem and almost attacking him directly to his face.

Therefore, the look of annoyance in his eyes flashed and vanished, and he quickly glanced at Qian Yushu, signaling that it was his turn to step in.

Qian Yushu did not disappoint him and spoke up directly: "Secretary-General Chang, as a Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, Mayor Yang has the right to express his opinions and raise his own questions. This is also a sign of Mayor Yang's rigorous work ethic.

Who among those present can guarantee with 100% certainty that Comrade Lin Zifeng has been wronged?

Could there possibly be anything wrong with Mayor Yang being concerned about promoting a Cadre who is under investigation?

During the last Standing Committee meeting, the old Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Comrade Jia Zhongqi, raised concerns, feeling that Comrade Lin Zifeng was too young; in fact, I share the same view.

Now with this whistleblower letter incident, I think even if Comrade Lin Zifeng loses this opportunity for advancement, it is a good thing. Staying in the position of County Magistrate to hone his skills for a few more years will be beneficial for his future development."

As soon as Qian Yushu finished speaking, Wan Guoliang, who had been holding back for quite a while, spoke up.

"I disagree with Mayor Qian's opinion. A distorted phenomenon has emerged in our society, more common on the internet, but there are also cases in real life.

That is, slander and rumors based on nothing but words, or just by tapping on a keyboard. The cost of slandering and spreading rumors is very low.

Yet, the victims are often forced to prove their own innocence. If they cannot prove that they didn't do something, they are left to take the blame.

But wanting to prove one's innocence requires a great deal of energy and time, and it may not even be possible.

Even if the victim tries every means to prove their innocence, time has already passed, and the damage is already done and irreversible.

If the victim cries out for justice, they are often labeled as petty or lacking in magnanimity.

How similar is the situation regarding Comrade Lin Zifeng today to what I have described?

I believe that this matter is a calculated and premeditated scheme by someone with ulterior motives to frame Comrade Lin Zifeng in order to achieve their own goals."

Wan Guoliang's words were passionate and well-reasoned; no one expected that Wan Guoliang, attending his first Municipal Standing Committee meeting, would be so bold.

He didn't give Qian Yushu any face at all, essentially going head-to-head with him, practically accusing Qian Yushu of being hypocritical.

Qian Yushu's face immediately turned liver-colored. He squeezed the word "You" through his teeth, and after suppressing his anger, he said again: "Comrade Wan Guoliang, you must take responsibility for what you have said."

Qian Yushu was so angry that he didn't even use Wan Guoliang's title, calling him just "Comrade," which was full of hostility.

Wan Guoliang stared back at Qian Yushu without showing any weakness, thinking to himself, I am ranked fifth among the Standing Committee members of the Municipal Party Committee, one spot ahead of you, Qian Yushu.

Although I have only recently been promoted to the Standing Committee, I have my own cards to play; why should I be afraid of you?

I might as well take this opportunity to establish my authority by using you, this ill-intentioned fellow.

Cao Mingxiu felt secretly pleased, but seeing this tense standoff, he had to intervene.

If the two of them started slamming tables at the Standing Committee meeting and word got out, others would start to doubt his control as the Municipal Party Secretary.

So he quickly said: "Secretary Wan Guoliang, Mayor Qian, we are all Comrades in the same team. It is very normal to have different opinions and disagreements for the sake of work.

Please calm down; there is plenty of time for you to express your views."

The boss had spoken, so the two nodded respectively and then broke their eye contact.

Wan Guoliang spoke up first: "Secretary, Mayor, Comrades, I was a bit impulsive, and I apologize to everyone.

But I must say that I am addressing the matter, not the person; Mayor Qian and I have no personal conflict.

The language I used just now was a bit excessive, all because I was angered by these things."

As he spoke, Wan Guoliang placed the whistleblower letter and photos on the conference table.

He then continued: "Everyone knows that I have worked with Comrade Lin Zifeng, and we worked together very happily.

I do not deny that I have a very good personal relationship with Comrade Lin Zifeng, but that is not the reason I am speaking up so strongly for him.

It is because I have worked with Comrade Lin Zifeng for such a long time that I understand him better than anyone else here.

The contents of this whistleblower letter are all baseless and nonsensical, and these photos prove nothing at all. It is all slander and framing, which is why I was so angry and why my emotions got a bit out of control.

I cannot just stand by and watch such an outstanding Comrade be slandered and framed in this way."