199: Chapter 199 I haven't seen you for a few days, I can't control myself.

The news of Wang Shoucheng and Lu Bingkun being taken away spread through Cangyun County faster than the wind.

Early the next morning, as Zhao Yang walked into the Municipal Committee compound, he felt that the atmosphere was off.

People in the corridors nodded and smiled when they saw him, but their smiles carried an indescribable meaning.

There was testing, there was ingratiation, and there was also a faint trace of guardedness.

He had just sat down in his office when Zhao Liqun pushed the door open and entered.

His expression was clearly tinged with excitement. "County Magistrate Zhao, it had to be you! With one move, you brought down two major parasites."

Zhao Yang gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Secretary Zhao, this was mainly due to your solid work. But..."

Zhao Liqun's expression turned stern. "But what?"

"But I didn't want to see it happen this way. Now that this has occurred, project construction will definitely be affected, and the lost funds might not be fully recovered."

Zhao Yang paused before continuing.

"I actually wished that they were all good cadres who wholeheartedly served the people."

Zhao Liqun nodded deeply, then smiled.

"If the black sheep aren't cleared out, how can the cadres who actually want to get things done have a stage to display their talents?"

Zhao Yang poured a cup of water for Zhao Liqun and sat down.

"From the sound of it, Secretary Zhao already knows the plan for this cadre adjustment?"

With the 'squad leader' of the Standing Committee and the powerful Executive Vice Colleague both fallen, the Standing Committee of Cangyun County had to be reshuffled.

Zhao Liqun sat opposite him and leaned forward.

"County Magistrate Zhao is young and promising, and you have a background with the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Why not take this opportunity to..."

He didn't finish, but his meaning was already very clear.

Zhao Yang set down his teacup, his attitude becoming serious.

"Secretary Zhao, after this incident, I already consider you a trustworthy comrade-in-arms. If you say such things, you are underestimating me."

Zhao Liqun was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, reaching out to lightly slap his own mouth.

"My fault. This mouth of mine has been in the Commission for Discipline Inspection for too long; I'm used to testing people. Don't take it to heart, County Magistrate Zhao."

He pulled back his smile, his expression turning earnest.

"I, Zhao Liqun, have worked in Cangyun for half my life. We may be poor, but my spine isn't soft. Those parasites who harm the common people—I'll investigate every single one I find, no matter who they are."

He paused and looked at Zhao Yang with a candid gaze.

"County Magistrate Zhao, I have to say one thing upfront—if you ever reach a higher position, even with your background in the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, I will still investigate you if needed."

"Cangyun County cannot afford another Wang Shoucheng!"

Zhao Yang was stunned for a second, then smiled.

He stood up and extended his right hand.

"Secretary Zhao, the fact that you can say that makes you an elder brother worthy of my respect."

Zhao Liqun also stood up, and their hands gripped together tightly.

Outside the window, the winter sun pierced through the clouds, shining into the small office.

The two looked at each other and smiled; everything was understood without words.

Throughout the day, undercurrents surged in Cangyun County, yet the surface remained strangely calm.

By evening, the County Committee Office received a notice from the Municipal Committee:

Tomorrow morning, a General Assembly of Leading Cadres of Cangyun County would be held. Municipal Party Committee Secretary Shen Nianqiu would attend in person, along with Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection Lu Zheng and Organization Department Head Chen Deming.

At nine o'clock the next morning, Shen Nianqiu, Chen Deming, and their entourage arrived in Cangyun County, looking travel-worn.

Zhou Jianwei led the Cangyun County leadership team to welcome them downstairs at the county government building.

At 9:30 AM, the General Assembly of Leading Cadres began on time.

Meeting documents were distributed to all participants.

In the top left corner of the cover of the meeting materials, a line of small text was printed:

Secret. To be collected after the meeting.

Shen Nianqiu sat in the center of the rostrum, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

The first item on the agenda was Lu Zheng reading the decision of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection regarding the corruption and bribery case of the former Secretary of the Cangyun County Committee, Wang Shoucheng.

Followed by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's decision regarding Lu Bingkun, former member of the Standing Committee of the Cangyun County Committee and executive vice county magistrate.

Both Wang Shoucheng and Lu Bingkun had been expelled from the Party and transferred to judicial authorities for processing.

After the two decisions were read, Tongan Municipal Party Committee Secretary Shen Nianqiu gave an extemporaneous speech.

His gaze swept across the audience, and his first sentence struck everyone's heart like a heavy blow.

"Wang Shoucheng and Lu Bingkun—from today on, these two names are the shame of Cangyun County."

The audience was pin-drop silent.

"The common people of Cangyun have an annual per capita income of less than three thousand yuan. Children struggle to scrape together tuition, and the elderly can't afford coal in the winter."

"Yet our County Committee Secretary took two million, and the executive vice county magistrate embezzled two hundred thousand in education funds. This is stealing food from the very mouths of the people!"

He paused, his tone deepening.

"If Cangyun wants to escape poverty, it must rely on clean hands, steady feet, and a heart that is worthy of the people."

"Whoever reaches out their hand again will end up like Wang Shoucheng. Whoever wants to work, the organization will build a stage for them!"

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze sweeping from the first row to the last.

"Whether Cangyun can shed its label of poverty depends on all of you. Hundreds of thousands of citizens are watching you."

Next, Chen Deming read the cadre appointments for the Cangyun County Committee.

Zhou Jianwei was appointed as the Secretary of the Cangyun County Committee, concurrently serving as the Magistrate of the Cangyun County People's Government.

This was an unexpected pleasant surprise for Zhou Jianwei. During the meeting, he expressed his commitment to devote every ounce of his energy and life to the development of Cangyun County.

After the meeting adjourned, Shen Nianqiu and Chen Deming held an organizational talk with Zhou Jianwei.

That afternoon, during the meeting for the adjustment of division of labor within the Cangyun County government leadership, Zhao Yang succeeded Lu Bingkun as the executive vice county magistrate.

As the Executive Vice, the most important task was overseeing finance.

Zhao Yang knew very well the state of Cangyun County's finances.

Being a competent executive vice county magistrate would not be easy.

Zhao Yang's position was more important than before, but he didn't feel a hint of pleasant surprise in his heart.

However, this was at least considered good news.

Back in his office, as soon as the door was closed, he couldn't help but call Jiang Nan.

"Nannan, I've been promoted. Guess what I've been promoted to."

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Nan's voice was clear as she giggled.

"How long has it been since you were promoted to Deputy Division level? How could you be promoted again? You're just teasing me to make me happy, right?"

Zhao Yang asked with a smile, "You're happy if I get promoted?"

Jiang Nan: "Of course. My husband is the most outstanding. When my husband gets recognition from the organization, of course I'm happy."

"Nannan, you're getting better and better at providing emotional value."

As Zhao Yang said this, he fell silent.

Jiang Nan couldn't help but ask, "Hubby, what's wrong?"

"Nannan, I miss you guys. I miss you and Niannian. How have you two been these past few days?"

Jiang Nan lowered her voice, sounding a bit embarrassed.

"I'm fine, it's just that I have a bit too much milk. Niannian can't finish it all, so it's a bit swollen and painful."

Zhao Yang's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this. "Nannan, I understand. I'll head back early this weekend."

After work on Friday, Zhao Yang had Deng Wei drive him back to Jiangzhou early.

He arrived at Guanlan International just at nine o'clock in the evening.

After entering and washing his hands, Zhao Yang immediately went to the bedroom and picked up Niannian.

Although Niannian wasn't even a month old yet, because there was plenty of breast milk, her face was rosy and her skin was glowing.

She no longer looked all wrinkled like she did when she was first born.

Watching Zhao Yang excitedly bounce the child, Jiang Nan couldn't help but complain.

"You can't bounce her like that. If she gets used to being bounced, what will I do after you leave?"

Zhao Yang smiled. "I haven't seen her in days, I can't control myself."

Just then, Lin Secen's voice came from the kitchen.

"Zhao Yang is back? Perfect, I have something to discuss with you."