Chapter 225: The Unpredictable Tide (Part 2)

Chapter 225: The Unpredictable Tide (Part 2)

The Committee Office bustled with activity as usual. Just after Chief Prosecutor Li Du had departed, Shang Guanghua called Hou Weidong’s mobile phone.

Shang Guanghua was quite polite. “Brother Hou, is Secretary Zhu in his office? Is he free? I’d like to report the details of the arson case at the Procuratorate.”

Hou Weidong replied, “Secretary Zhu’s office is currently empty. If you want to report, come quickly, or you’ll have to wait your turn.”

As the Public Security Bureau Chief, Shang Guanghua was a prominent figure in the county, entitled to speak directly with the County Party Secretary. Upon learning that Zhu Yan was in his office, Shang called the Secretary’s office, obtained permission, and hurried over.

After listening to Chief Prosecutor Li Du’s report, Zhu Yan’s mood improved slightly. By the time Public Security Bureau Chief Shang Guanghua entered, his expression had softened. He put down his pen and said, “Get straight to the results.”

Shang Guanghua took a breath to steady himself. “Secretary Zhu, the Criminal Investigation Detachment has conducted meticulous reconnaissance, and we now have a preliminary grasp of the case. First, the ignition point has been identified: it was at the cabinet storing the ‘828 Special Case’ files. We detected traces of gasoline and candle wax inside, confirming this was an arson attack.”

“Second, the inspection revealed that the door to the evidence room was kicked open by firefighters. The hidden lock showed no signs of being picked, and the padlock on the evidence cabinet remained intact. This indicates an inside job. Our targets are narrowed down to the members of the special task force and the twelve individuals who hold keys to the evidence room.”

Zhu Yan asked bluntly, “Narrowing the scope isn’t enough. Does the Public Security Bureau have confidence in solving the case?”

Shang Guanghua hesitated. “The perpetrator has strong counter-reconnaissance skills and left no clues. It is difficult to pinpoint the suspect.”

Zhu Yan smiled with a hint of sarcasm. “The personnel assigned to the ‘828 Special Case’ were the elite of the Procuratorate. Their counter-reconnaissance abilities are naturally not weak. You came from the Procuratorate yourself; you should understand these comrades.”

Shang Guanghua felt awkward. “The Public Security Bureau will certainly go all out to solve the case.”

“The case clearance rate of the Public Security Bureau is problematic. Since you are new to the Bureau, use the clearance rate as a lever to rectify the team. Effectively increase the clearance rate, curb the arrogance of local hooligans in Yiyang, and enhance the people’s sense of security. This is my first task for you, and it reflects the expectations of the County Party Committee and the County Government.”

Having joined the Public Security Bureau, Shang Guanghua was well aware of the systemic issues within the force. He knew that ice three feet thick does not form in a single day. “Please give the County Party Committee one year. I guarantee to achieve the goal of lowering the crime rate and raising the clearance rate.”

Zhu Yan wrote on the calendar on his desk: “Public Security Goal: One Down, One Up.”

“I have noted this goal. Director Shang, do not be overly optimistic. Learn from the Procuratorate’s lessons. Focus strictly on team building. For those who harm the collective, you must dare to take real action.” As he spoke, he slammed his hand heavily on the desk.

After Shang Guanghua left, several other department heads came to report to Secretary Zhu.

Hou Weidong was reviewing materials in his office when the phone rang. It was Ji Haiyang’s voice. “Come to my office.”

Ji Haiyang held a consultation form for the Standing Committee meeting. He instructed, “According to the plan at the beginning of the month, the Standing Committee meeting was scheduled for August 30. Now it has been postponed to early September, with the date to be determined. Inform the Comprehensive Section to send notifications to all Standing Committee members.”

Having received the task, Hou Weidong notified the Comprehensive Section of the Committee Office. Shortly after he hung up, Ren Lindu returned to the office.

“The meeting is postponed. Has the agenda changed?”

Hou Weidong said, “I only received the notice of postponement. As of now, the agenda has not changed.”

Ren Lindu propped his head with his hand, his expression animated. “Secretary Hou, you really can keep a straight face. With such a major arson case, haven’t you released any news?” He clicked his tongue twice. “This is no ordinary arson case. There is much more to it. The postponement of the Standing Committee meeting is definitely related.”

Hou Weidong chuckled. “Secretary Ren, don’t try to fish for information from me. Hehe, I know everything you know.”

Rejected, Ren Lindu showed no embarrassment. He smiled. “You’re not a good friend. You won’t even satisfy my curiosity.”

In the past, the two often discussed grand strategies and wrote passionately together. But now, one was the secretary to the County Party Secretary, and the other was the secretary to the Deputy County Party Secretary. Both held key positions, so their conversations had become guarded, lacking the passion of old times.

After a while, another call came in. It was Ling Jun, a secretary from the Government Office.

“Secretary Hou, this is Ling Jun. Director Gui just said that an item will be added to the Standing Committee agenda—regarding the joint venture issues of the Yiyang Native Produce Company.”

Hou Weidong replied seriously, “Hello, Secretary Ling. I will immediately relay this to the Comprehensive Section. We will send the formal consultation form for the Standing Committee agenda to the Government Office.”

After handing over the task to the Comprehensive Section, Hou Weidong pondered.

Ma Youcai and Yi Zhongling had a good relationship. As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one must consider its master. It seemed the two were about to clash head-on. He wondered what kind of Standing Committee meeting this would turn into. He had never formally attended a Standing Committee meeting before, so he could only imagine it by comparing it to the model of a Township Party Committee meeting.

As he walked to the door, he saw Secretary Zhu Yan approaching. He hurried to greet him. “Secretary Zhu, are you going out?”

Zhu Yan stretched his arms. “Sitting here, I’m becoming like a Buddha in a temple, with waves of pilgrims coming one after another, presenting problem after problem. Tell Old Liu to prepare the car. I need to go out for a walk.”

Hou Weidong took out his mobile phone and sent a pager message to Old Liu, the driver. The message was “555,” a code between them meaning Secretary Zhu needed the car and to prepare immediately.

The two walked down the stairs. Along the way, they encountered several government officials. Like figures frozen by Sun Wukong’s spell, they turned their backs to the wall, respectfully making way for Secretary Zhu. The staircase was originally wide, but failing to make such an obvious gesture of yielding seemed disrespectful to the leader. Hou Weidong had experienced this himself when he worked in the Organization Department.

On the first floor, they met Section Chief Zhu from the Personnel Section. After graduating, Hou Weidong had reported to the Personnel Bureau, and even simple matters required several trips to get done. Thus, he had a deep impression of Section Chief Zhu. At this moment, Section Chief Zhu’s face was smiling like a rotten persimmon. He bent slightly and said, “Hello, Secretary Zhu.”

Zhu Yan seemed to nod, or perhaps he didn’t. He walked past Section Chief Zhu. As soon as Zhu Yan passed, Section Chief Zhu and the others immediately restored their serious expressions and returned to their offices at a leisurely pace.

Downstairs, Old Liu had already driven the car to the entrance. Hou Weidong quickly opened the car door for Secretary Zhu and then swiftly took his seat in the front passenger seat.

“Head towards the South Gate. Xiao Hou, notify Wang Dajun from the Construction Commission to meet us at the small stone steps near the South Gate. Tell him to bring the blueprints.”

Outside the South Gate lay a landscape of gently rolling shallow hills. Gray farmhouses were occasionally visible, hidden among the trees. It was approaching lunchtime; cooking smoke rose up, only to be scattered by the erratic wind. In the distance, the faint sound of barking dogs could be heard.

Zhu Yan placed one hand on his hip. “Xiao Hou, I read the briefing from Qinglin Town a few days ago. They are planning to break new ground and build a new town. You served as Deputy Town Mayor in Qinglin Town. What is your view on this?”

Building a new town was Su Ming’s new idea. At the time, Party Secretary Zhao Yongsheng had firmly opposed it. Now that Su Ming had become the Secretary, he had turned his ideas into action.

“The old Qinglin Town is blocked by Qinglin Mountain and the highway, making development difficult. Moreover, the demolition is complex and costly. Behind the Town Government is a large flat area. Su Ming wants to build a new town there. At that time, I was in charge of social affairs, and the new nursing home was built on the land of the new town.”

Zhu Yan pointed to the large area of shallow hills in the southern suburbs. “The old city of Yiyang cannot develop further either. The foundation is what it is; no matter how we try, it will not become a modern metropolis. The briefing from Qinglin Town has provided a new思路 (idea). Yiyang can fully utilize this land in the southern suburbs to build a new city. This new city must be built to high standards, referencing cities on the eastern coast. Once completed, Yiyang will become a first-class county-level city in Lingxi.”

Zhu Yan pointed to the southern suburbs, his passion soaring.

A small car drove over. Director Zhang Yajun of the Construction Commission, who was slightly balding, did not wait for the car to stop completely. He opened the door and hurried to Secretary Zhu.

Zhu Yan repeated his previous points.

Zhang Yajun placed his hand over his eyebrows and gazed into the distance. After a while, he excitedly said, “Leaders are indeed leaders. Broad thinking and unique vision. I was just worrying about the demolition of the old city, losing hair strand by strand. If we build a new city in the southern suburbs, we can avoid the difficulty of large-scale demolition.”

Zhu Yan waved his hand. “It is just an idea of mine. Whether it is feasible still requires expert demonstration. If we make decisions based solely on head-slapping brainstorming, we will suffer great losses sooner or later.”

Zhang Yajun said, “I will send a letter to the Provincial Design Institute immediately. No, I will go to the Provincial Design Institute tomorrow.”

Zhu Yan said, “I know the authorities at the Provincial Design Institute. I suggest not contacting them. Instead, go directly to Shenzhen to hire designers. Shenzhen transformed from a small fishing village into a large city; its planning must have unique merits.”

As they were speaking, Zhu Yan’s mobile phone rang suddenly. He looked at the number and then answered.

“He has been caught. Good. Interrogate him based on the evidence we have. We must break through.” Zhu Yan’s expression was serious. He added, “Protect the person. If anything happens again, you will be held responsible.”

Hou Weidong did not yet know that part of Yang Weige’s evidence had not been destroyed. Hearing this conversation, he thought to himself, “The evidence was destroyed. What use is it to catch the person?”