Chapter 433: Implications (Part 1)

At the Standing Committee meeting, Hou Weidong, who was attending as a non-voting member, once again experienced what it meant to have foresight. The preparatory work Zhou Changquan had done before the meeting was specifically designed to guard against potential disputes. And indeed, that dispute arrived right on schedule.

When Zhao Dong, the Organization Department Minister, proposed the plan for Ji Haiyang to serve as the Director of the Finance Bureau, Mayor Liu Bing interrupted the standard speaking order. He voiced his opposition with unmistakable clarity.

Liu Bing’s attitude was unusually firm. He stated, “According to the rules of procedure for the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee established by our district, any agenda item involving the appointment or removal of cadres requires thorough communication before the meeting. If there are major disagreements, the matter should not be submitted to the Standing Committee for discussion. As the Deputy Secretary of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee and the Mayor of the government, I have the right to offer my opinion on the candidate for Finance Bureau Director. However, since my views were not sought on such an important issue beforehand, it is inappropriate to discuss this at the Standing Committee.”

In Shazhou, Zhou Changquan held a tight grip on personnel power. As the Party Secretary, control over appointments was the most critical tool for realizing his political ambitions. Mayor Liu Bing found it difficult to intervene in this area. Today, he seized the opportunity to launch an attack. He held copies of evidence provided by Liang Chao. If the allegations were true, Zhou Changquan would likely find it hard to escape blame.

Liu Bing knew he could not gain the upper hand during the Standing Committee meeting, yet he felt compelled to demonstrate a stance distinct from Zhou Changquan’s.

His gaze was steady, and his tone even firmer. “I have objections to Comrade Ji Haiyang serving as the Finance Bureau Director. Comrade Ji has not long served as a county head and is unfamiliar with financial work. The conditions for him to take this post are not yet mature. It would be better to promote a deputy director from within the Finance Bureau, or have a deputy director preside over the work.”

Deputy Secretary Huang Zidi strongly recommended Ji Haiyang for the position, driven by his own considerations. As soon as Mayor Liu Bing paused slightly, Huang pressed the button to activate the microphone on his desk. “The Finance Bureau is a key department under the municipal government. The emergence of corrupt elements has tarnished the image of the municipal government and hindered Shazhou’s reform and development. This is truly heartbreaking.”

With these words, Huang Zidi firmly categorized Kong Zhengyi’s corrupt behavior as an issue belonging to the municipal government’s side.

“Given that Kong Zhengyi is currently under shuanggui (suspension from duty and confinement for investigation), the issues within the Finance Bureau have not yet been fully clarified. It is inappropriate to promote a comrade from the Finance Bureau or have a deputy preside over the work. Comrade Ji Haiyang possesses rich experience in grassroots work and has a track record of leading a region. He is suitable for the role of Finance Bureau Director.”

Mayor Liu Bing countered sharply, “Kong Zhengyi’s issues are personal matters, not problems of the Finance Bureau itself. This distinction must be made clear. The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has only placed Kong Zhengyi under shuanggui, which already defines the situation clearly. Apart from a few corrupt individuals, the Finance Bureau as a whole remains good. We cannot baseless suspect everyone, generalize from isolated cases, or view our comrades through colored glasses.”

Huang Zidi replied, “This is not about suspicion, but about better protecting our comrades and safeguarding the hard-won results of Shazhou’s reforms. Moreover, according to common sense, since the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has not reached a definitive conclusion on Kong Zhengyi, it is inappropriate to promote anyone from the Finance Bureau. The fact that we have not adjusted the roles of the other members of the Finance Bureau leadership team is the greatest sign of trust we can offer them.”

“Since there is serious disagreement regarding Comrade Ji Haiyang’s appointment, I suggest we temporarily shelve this proposal and revisit it when conditions are more mature.”

Huang Zidi responded, “The Finance Bureau is a place where pulling one hair moves the whole body. Someone must take specific responsibility. How can we shelve it? We need to produce a plan as soon as possible to minimize negative impacts.”

Zhou Changquan kept his eyes lowered, observing his nose, then his heart, sitting as still as an old monk. He waited until the argument between Mayor Liu Bing and Deputy Secretary Huang Zidi reached a fever pitch. Then, he coughed lightly twice and said, “Does any other comrade have any opinions?”

With the Deputy Secretary in charge of organization and the Mayor having both stated their positions clearly, the conference room fell into an unusual silence. One Standing Committee member shifted his weight, and the chair beneath him emitted a harsh, grating squeak. It was painfully loud.

“If there are no further opinions, I will share two points. First, since Kong Zhengyi is under shuanggui, it is not suitable for a comrade from the Finance Bureau to preside over the bureau’s work. Second, following the principles of collective leadership, democratic centralism, individual deliberation, and meeting decisions, we will conduct a secret ballot vote on Comrade Ji Haiyang’s appointment.”

Zhou Changquan’s words were the final verdict. Staff members immediately prepared for the voting process. Hou Weidong thought to himself, “Liu Bing is isolated in the Standing Committee. This vote is merely a formality.”

The voting results were exactly as expected: two votes against, and the rest in favor. Ji Haiyang’s lateral transfer to become the Finance Bureau Director was now a settled matter.

With the Finance Bureau appointment resolved, there was little dispute over other specific matters. The Standing Committee completed its tasks for the session smoothly.

Because the meeting involved several agenda items related to the municipal government, Yang Senlin, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, attended the Standing Committee meeting as a non-voting member.

The former Secretary-General, Meng Houshi, had moved to a secondary role in June, a transition he had long awaited. Zhu Jianguo, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, had specifically instructed Director Zhu of the Provincial Party Committee General Office to call both Liu Bing and Zhou Changquan. Consequently, Yang Senlin smoothly assumed the position of Secretary-General of the Municipal Government.

Yang Senlin had already taken office as Secretary-General in June. He observed the conflict at today’s Standing Committee meeting with crystal clarity. Seeing Mayor Liu Bing so isolated in the Shazhou Standing Committee was deeply painful to witness. It resembled Don Quixote fighting monsters alone on horseback—appearing like a comedy, but in reality, a tragedy.

He pondered silently, “Zhou Changquan’s proposal of Ji Haiyang was truly a brilliant move. The reasons for rejecting Liu Bing’s suggestion were righteous and open, making Liu Bing’s objections appear quite weak.”

“Although Kong Zhengyi was Zhou Changquan’s confidant and had always outwardly complied while inwardly resisting Liu Bing, the Finance Bureau is a crucial department under the government. Huang Zidi latched onto this point, muddying the waters. It was insidious.”

“One mountain cannot hold two tigers. It is truly a profound summary of human nature.”

Yang Senlin was unaware of the secret conspiracy between Liu Bing and Liang Chao. Observing the trajectory of the Standing Committee meeting, he admitted in his heart, “Zhou Changquan’s political tactics are indeed masterful. I cannot help but admire him.”

He sat at a table next to Hou Weidong. During their time in Yiyang County, they had been superior and subordinate. When Yang Senlin first arrived in Yiyang, he had sternly demanded the closure of polluting enterprises in the Yiyang Development Zone. This decision had impacted Yiyang’s fiscal revenue for several years and caused Hou Weidong considerable trouble. However, years later, as land prices in the new Yiyang management zone soared, it proved that his decision at the time had been correct.

Yang Senlin initiated conversation with Hou Weidong. “Once Ji Haiyang reports to the Finance Bureau, the three of us should get together.” Although he was now the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, and despite the discord between Liu Bing and Zhou Changquan, he had little interest in getting entangled in leadership struggles. Therefore, he intentionally sought to befriend Hou Weidong. Although Hou Weidong’s rank was not high, his position was quite significant, and he might prove useful someday.

Hou Weidong replied in a low voice, “I am at your disposal, Secretary-General.”

Yang Senlin no longer carried the arrogant demeanor of a county head from his early days in Yiyang. He spoke politely, “Director Hou, you are too polite. I will arrange to invite you and Haiyang when the time comes.”

Back in his office, Yang Senlin closed the door and called Ji Haiyang. “Congratulations, Director Ji. I will need your continued support from this God of Wealth in the future.”

Ji Haiyang had already learned of the outcome. He was currently on his way to Shazhou. With a bitter smile, he told Yang Senlin, “Secretary-General, I am being roasted over an open fire. You will need to speak well of me in the future. I’ve realized that having a Lin Meimei fall from the sky is not necessarily a good thing.” Yang Senlin replied, “Secure the position first, and wait patiently for a turning point.”

Ji Haiyang and Yang Senlin had an okay relationship—not too close, but not bad. Now, with one becoming the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government and the other the Finance Bureau Director, they needed each other. Yang Senlin’s call was an active gesture of goodwill.

Sitting in the back seat, Ji Haiyang said to the driver, “Play a song.” Ji Haiyang only listened to one song in the car: “Santarella.” He had listened to it for years and never tired of it. Even the driver knew it by heart. After the driver had a child, he would often hum the tune of “Santarella” while changing the baby’s diaper.

To the beautiful melody, Ji Haiyang closed his eyes, but his mind could not find peace.

Upon arriving at the Municipal Party Committee building, he encountered several acquaintances on the first floor. They were all enthusiastic, saying, “Congratulations, congratulations.” After shaking hands with Ji Haiyang, the Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department said, “Director Ji, let me treat you to a meal another day. We need to increase the budget this year. The city is planning several major events, and there’s no way around it. I’ll come to the Finance Bureau to visit you soon.”

In Shazhou, the Finance Bureau and various departments were naturally at odds. The Finance Bureau was tasked with keeping the municipal government’s purse strings tight, while every department tried every means to extract money from the fiscal pocket. For the Finance Bureau, tilting funds toward any particular unit always had its justification. This was the source of its power.

Ji Haiyang arrived at Zhou Changquan’s office. Hou Weidong was waiting for him. As he brewed tea, Hou said, “Director Ji, please wait a moment. Secretary Zhou is discussing matters in the small conference room. He will be back shortly.”

Ji Haiyang relaxed in front of Hou Weidong. “How did you get me into the mouth of a volcano?”

“It’s an opportunity. I don’t know how many people are eyeing this position.”

Ji Haiyang自嘲 (mocked himself), “Opportunity is a double-edged sword. It’s hard to say.”

Hou Weidong glanced at the door and said, “The general situation is settled. Secretary Zhou will give you policy instructions shortly.”

“I know a little about the city’s affairs, but it’s like looking at flowers through fog. I don’t quite understand. What instructions will Secretary Zhou give me?”

Hou Weidong said, “In one sentence: the Finance Bureau must ensure stability. It cannot descend into chaos. Kong Zhengyi’s case has alarmed the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. It is likely to be a major affair. We cannot allow this to implicate too many cadres.”

Ji Haiyang’s mood grew increasingly heavy.

When this news reached the Finance Bureau, it caused a minor stir. Deputy Director Liang Chao felt quite vexed. Kong Zhengyi had just left, and now Ji Haiyang had arrived. He, the deputy director, was fast becoming a deputy director for a thousand years.

Liang Chao paced around his office several times. Thinking of the voting results at the Standing Committee, he thought to himself, “As long as Zhou Changquan holds the fort in Shazhou, no matter how capable Liu Bing is, he cannot stir up big waves. Did I place my bet on the wrong horse?”

However, once he had submitted the incriminating materials to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, there was no turning back. He had to carry the struggle to the end.