Chapter 396: Development Environment (Part 2)

A short while later, Hou Weidong received another call from an unfamiliar number. It was Luo Jinhao, the chief of the Chengguan police station.

Luo Jinhao poured out his grievances: "Junior brother, I’ve had the worst luck in my life today. My subordinates received a tip-off and raided the massage center at the Shazhou Hotel for prostitution. They ended up arresting the general manager of the Maodong Tobacco Factory. Director Du is furious. If things go badly, I might face disciplinary action."

This kind of incident fell squarely within the jurisdiction of the Chengguan police station. Upon hearing Luo Jinhao’s call, Hou Weidong wasn’t particularly surprised. He said, "Theoretically, you were exercising your duties as a people’s police officer correctly. However, in reality, Secretary Changquan went to great lengths to invite these guests. If this incident causes the Maodong Tobacco Factory to shift its investment direction, Shazhou will suffer huge losses. You’ll have a hard time explaining that away."

"When you’re unlucky, even drinking cold water can choke you. I knew nothing about this. It was a hot-headed rookie, fresh out of police academy, who led the raid. Damn it, I’m going to teach him a lesson." Luo Jinhao ground his teeth and added, "Junior brother, I have a good relationship with Director Fang. If he were still the director, I’d be fine. Unfortunately, he’s moved on to become the Chief Procurator. Director Du is new and has no ties with me. Could you find an opportunity to put in a good word for me?"

Although the position of police station chief wasn’t high in rank, it was a post with real power. Luo Jinhao had just taken office; if he were dismissed over this incident, it would be a massive injustice.

Hou Weidong didn’t dare to make a rash promise. He said, "I’ll do my best. The key is Secretary Zhou’s attitude. You should also proactively speak with Director Du."

The next morning, Zhou Changquan received a call from Hong Ang. After hanging up, Zhou Changquan’s thick eyebrows twitched sharply. After going downstairs, he saw Hou Weidong and ordered, "Tell Du Zhengdong to come to my office."

Hou Weidong immediately called Du Zhengdong on his mobile phone. Knowing that Zhou Changquan was already aware of the situation, he proactively said, "Secretary Zhou, I need to report an incident to you."

"Go ahead."

"Yesterday, I received a call from Xiao Zhou in the Maodong President’s Office. She said that General Manager Zheng was taken away by the police from the massage center. She had accompanied General Manager Zheng to Shazhou and, since she only knew me, she called me first. It was already past nine-thirty, and I didn’t want to disturb your rest, so I reported it to the Secretary-General first."

Zhou Changquan nodded and said, "In the future, if something like this happens, call me no matter how late it is." He added, "Fortunately, the Secretary-General was clear-headed and handled it promptly, preventing irreversible consequences."

Hou Weidong remembered Luo Jinhao’s request. He tentatively said, "This matter is tricky. Although the police station caused trouble, they were executing their duties according to the Public Security Administration Regulations. Moreover, the people from the Maodong Tobacco Factory were indeed engaging in prostitution. If we punish the officers involved and they refuse to accept it, it could become a bigger problem."

Zhou Changquan criticized, "Xiao Hou, we can’t apply rules rigidly here. Comrade Deng said that development is the absolute principle. Only when Shazhou develops will people’s lives improve and society progress. For Shazhou to progress, we must attract external capital, technology, and management teams. This is the only path for regional development. Therefore, incidents like this must not happen again. Shazhou must have the most relaxed development environment."

Just as the two men entered the room, Du Zhengdong followed closely behind. Upon entering, he immediately began his self-criticism to Zhou Changquan: "Secretary Zhou, I handled the matter last night. Deputy Director Li personally apologized to General Manager Zheng." Zhou Changquan spoke slowly, "Old Du, you are the newly appointed Public Security Bureau Director and also a member of the Municipal Standing Committee. You are not unfamiliar with Shazhou’s situation. You must not only manage your department’s work but also keep the city’s overall strategy in mind."

The words were gentle, but Du Zhengdong felt uneasy. He said, "After I return, I will seriously handle this matter and ensure that similar incidents do not occur again. The responsible parties will be suspended for inspection."

Hou Weidong was brewing tea for the two leaders. Hearing Du Zhengdong’s report, his heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, "Du Zhengdong is sacrificing a pawn to save the rook. Luo Jinhao is in trouble this time. He just became police station chief, and now he faces disciplinary action."

Zhou Changquan unexpectedly said, "Punishing people is not the goal. The police station comrades were enforcing the law, and they were not at fault. If we handle them too harshly, it might cause lingering negative effects." He paused and emphasized, "However, we cannot simply let it go without any action."

Du Zhengdong understood clearly. He said, "My idea is not to give the police officers a formal disciplinary record, but to transfer the involved personnel to a township police station."

Zhou Changquan waved his hand and said, "That is your business, and I won’t interfere. What I care about is Shazhou’s development environment. To make investors feel comfortable staying in Shazhou, we need a relaxed environment. Places like small guesthouses, the Shazhou Hotel, and the under-construction Hongsha Hotel are important venues for receiving foreign guests. The public security department cannot conduct random inspections there. If inspections are truly necessary, they must be approved by the deputy director in charge."

"I will arrange this as soon as I return."

"This matter should be understood implicitly, not explicitly stated, and certainly not exposed in the news media. It is an internal control measure. I’ve only given a general outline here. Optimizing the development environment is a major topic. Go back and organize the Political and Legal Affairs Committee members to study it, draft a proposal, and bring it to the Standing Committee for discussion."

After Du Zhengdong left, Zhou Changquan called Hou Weidong over and said, "You are familiar with Xiao Zhou from the President’s Office. You will act as the mediator. Tonight, you and the Secretary-General will treat Old Zheng to dinner."

That evening, Old Zheng was polite. He understood that Hou Weidong and Hong Ang represented Zhou Changquan. After all, Zhou Changquan was the Party Secretary, and there were matters he could not or need not handle personally. The other technician who had been arrested was at fault and, during the meal, was as limp as a frost-bitten eggplant, speaking little, eating quietly, and drinking in silence.

In contrast, another technician who had not participated in the prostitution incident was stiff in attitude and spoke with hidden barbs. When Secretary-General Hong Ang offered a toast, he smiled insincerely and said, "I’ll drink at most three cups. I don’t want to get drunk and end up at the police station again."

He was a technician who had been assigned to the Maodong Tobacco Factory right after graduating from university. He had always worked in technical roles within the factory, had little contact with society, and, with his good salary and benefits, had developed some arrogance. He spoke without measuring his words.

Hong Ang had served as a county Party Secretary and was now a member of the Shazhou Municipal Standing Committee, a full deputy department-level cadre. Being mocked by this technician made him feel quite embarrassed. He thought to himself, "It’s like a dog sitting in a sedan chair, not knowing how to appreciate the honor." Yet, he kept a smile on his face and said, "Come, come, let’s have a drink. Engineer Duan, this was an isolated incident, and we have handled it seriously." Gao Jian, the director of the Southern New District, who was sitting nearby and familiar with these technicians, said, "Xiao Duan, you must drink the Secretary-General’s toast. Don’t be so chatty here."

Only then did Xiao Duan clink glasses with Hong Ang.

Hou Weidong had always respected Hong Ang. Seeing this scene, he felt quite uncomfortable and decided to teach Xiao Duan a lesson. After several rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became lively.

Xiao Duan was already somewhat drunk. He smiled at Xiao Zhou and said, "Assistant Zhou, your President’s Office is full of beautiful women. Could you help me introduce a friend?" This was a normal request, but his next words offended most of the people present. With alcohol on his breath, he said, "I don’t prostitute or gamble. I keep myself clean, and my conditions are quite good. Assistant Zhou, you must introduce someone to me."

Hou Weidong saw Old Zheng’s smiling face and thought to himself, "Xiao Duan has low emotional intelligence. His words offend people." He happened to be sitting next to Xiao Zhou, so he smiled and said, "Matchmaking is a beautiful thing in the world. Xiao Zhou is certainly willing, but there are conditions."

Xiao Duan followed up, "What conditions?" Hou Weidong said, "Mr. Xiao Zhou is my brother. From this perspective, I can be considered Xiao Zhou’s family. As a family member, I make a serious request: the two of us will clink glasses. Otherwise, Engineer Duan lacks sincerity."

Regarding the prostitution incident, Xiao Zhou had contacted Hou Weidong immediately upon hearing the news, and the matter had been resolved smoothly. She felt grateful to Hou Weidong but was somewhat dissatisfied with Xiao Duan’s rude behavior. Some things and words could only be understood implicitly and not spoken aloud. She smiled and said, "Drinking a cup of wine is nothing. We are all men in the Maodong Tobacco Factory; there are no cowards."

Hou Weidong took the Wuliangye liquor and casually picked up two small tea bowls used for pouring tea, estimating they could hold about two taels of baijiu. He said, "Engineer Duan, we hit it off at first sight. Let’s finish this cup."

Xiao Duan’s face paled immediately. He had originally expected to drink from small cups holding two or three qian, never expecting such a barbaric way of drinking. He dared not accept the challenge.

Old Zheng deeply resented Xiao Duan’s earlier words. Putting on his boss airs, he said, "Xiao Duan, when have we Maodong Tobacco people ever backed down? Since you agreed with Director Hou just now, you cannot go back on your word."

Everyone at the table joined in the cheering. Hou Weidong had a good tolerance for alcohol; two taels were nothing to him. He generously raised his cup and said, "I’ll drink first to show my respect."

Xiao Duan was forced into a corner. After finishing the drink, he proudly raised his chin and said, "See, I finished it too."

After the banquet, Hong Ang held Old Zheng’s hand and led him to a quiet corner. He said, "We are truly sorry for this incident. Secretary Changquan attaches great importance to it. He called the head of the Public Security Bureau to his office for a reprimand early in the morning. Director Du is new and not very familiar with the situation."

Old Zheng felt somewhat embarrassed but kept his mouth firm. He said, "Massage is a legitimate activity, available in all major cities. The police are managing things too broadly and strictly." Hong Ang smiled inwardly and followed Old Zheng’s lead, saying, "We are currently drafting a plan to further optimize the development environment."

After returning home, Hou Weidong called Luo Jinhao and told him about the day’s events. He said, "You should proactively seek out Secretary Du to avoid being put on the defensive."