Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

"The second fact concerns the 'frozen cadre position' policy." Qian Fuli's tone grew heavier. "This policy involves over a hundred key cadres at the deputy director-general level or above. The initial intention may have been in-depth investigation, but what are the consequences of leaving it unresolved for over two months?"

He counted on his fingers: "Many units have vacant top leadership positions, with deputies or even lower-ranking officials 'acting.' How can 'acting' personnel do their jobs? Are they willing to make decisions? Are they willing to take responsibility? The result is a severe drop in administrative efficiency, many projects that were progressing smoothly have stalled, and investor confidence has wavered! I heard that the recently released first-quarter economic data likely shows a significant decline in Handong! While the macroeconomic environment certainly plays a role, isn't such a large-scale and prolonged personnel freeze adding insult to injury? Isn't the work stagnation and widespread anxiety among cadres a fact resulting from this policy?"

Qian Fuli's gaze swept over the several middle-aged cadres present, whose expressions had clearly become agitated: "Among those present, there must be comrades whose future is uncertain and whose work has been severely affected by this policy, right? You are the most qualified to speak on this!"

The cadres nodded vigorously, their lips moving, clearly having endless things to say.

"The third fact," Qian Fuli took a deep breath and dropped the bombshell, "is about the specific candidates for exceptional promotion. As a veteran Party member, I am writing to you and the inspection team to report this—"

He stood straight, his voice crystal clear: "Yi Xuexi, the former Party Secretary of the Lüzhou Economic Development Zone, and his wife Mao Ya, have long abused Yi Xuexi's position to illegally contract large quantities of 'poverty alleviation tea plantations' in Jinshan County at extremely low prices. They also opened the so-called 'Ya Yun Tea House' in Lüzhou City, a deceptive practice where they used unpublished planning blueprints brought home by Yi Xuexi as 'commodities' to transfer benefits to specific developers! The amount involved is enormous, and the evidence is conclusive! I have an anonymous report and preliminary evidence here, which I submitted to Team Leader Zhou at the Party School last time. And yet, this cadre, whose family members behaved so disgracefully and whose own supervisory responsibilities were so severely lacking, was promoted by Comrade Sha Ruijin to the Standing Committee of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission!"

He paused, then said with deep regret, "Team Leader Zhou, tell me, is this kind of personnel selection approach normal? Is it reasonable? How exactly did this promotion process go through? Was the evaluation merely a formality? Isn't this 'promotion of unqualified individuals' the most typical manifestation of negligence in personnel selection? What a blow this is to those conscientious and truly honest cadres! What a terrible example it sets for the Party's work style and the government's conduct in Handong!"

After Qian Fuli finished speaking, his chest rose and fell slightly, but his eyes were clear and firm as he looked directly at Zhou Jin.

The entire conference room fell silent. Everyone was stunned by Qian Fuli's direct and systematic rebuke. This was not only an accusation against Yi Xuexi, but also a comprehensive questioning of Sha Ruijin's entire governing philosophy!

Zhou Jin listened quietly, his face expressionless, only his eyes growing increasingly profound. After Qian Fuli finished speaking, he slowly opened his mouth, his tone calm and solemn: "Mr. Qian, the situations you've reported are very important and specific. The inspection team has already grasped the issues concerning Yi Xuexi and his family and is conducting an in-depth investigation. What you've described aligns with our existing understanding. Please rest assured, any violation of discipline or law will not escape punishment under Party discipline and national law."

He did not directly comment on Sha Ruijin, but his statement on the issue of easy learning was already a veiled response to the questioning of Qian Fuli's "personnel orientation"—the person you suspect does indeed have a big problem.

Zhou Jin turned her gaze to the others: "Old Qian has made a good start, speaking very specifically and based entirely on facts. What about the rest of you? Does anyone have anything to say?"

Qian Fuli's leadership was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, breaking the original restraint and concerns.

A gaunt, white-haired retired cadre sitting next to Qian Fuli raised his hand tremblingly. He was the former director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, retired many years ago.

"Team Leader Zhou, I'd also like to say a few words." His voice was a little hoarse, but his enunciation was clear. "I don't care about personnel decisions; I just want to point out a real problem I've observed—**Handong's economic development is showing dangerous signs of 'decoupling from the real economy' and 'emphasizing slogans over implementation'!"

He coughed twice and continued, "Since Secretary Sha Ruijin arrived, he's emphasized 'breaking the shackles' and 'innovative development' in meetings large and small, which is correct. But what about specific industrial policies, project approvals, and business services? The feedback I've heard is that things are slower and more protracted than before! Why? It's because, as Secretary Qian just mentioned, personnel appointments are frozen, and many people are afraid to make decisions! Another reason is the excessive emphasis on 'political correctness' and 'procedural perfection,' which has led to the circumvention of normal, flexible measures that promote development, treating them as 'risks'!"

He cited examples: "In Jingzhou, there's a high-tech zone with a promising biomedical project. Because the person in charge was 'frozen,' coordination of related supporting policies dragged on for three months without resolution, and the investors almost withdrew their investment! In the end, the company had to find its own way to barely get it moving forward. In Lincheng, a traditional industry upgrading project was facing additional hurdles at each level for fear of 'getting involved' in environmental approvals, and the procedures took almost a year to complete! These are all real cases. Although I've retired, my former subordinates still often tell me about them; I'm tired of hearing it!"

Another middle-aged cadre, who looked to be under fifty, was probably one of the representatives affected by the "freeze" policy. He couldn't help but speak up, his voice filled with suppressed indignation: "Team Leader Zhou, my name is Wang Lin, and I am the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology. I am also on this 'freeze' list. I will briefly report two facts."

He glanced at Zhou Jin's encouraging gaze and mustered his courage: "First, from the end of December last year until now, more than four months, not a single director or deputy director has been appointed in the department I'm in charge of. All personnel matters have come to a standstill. The reason is the 'freeze' on our group, which has also caused the appointment of cadres below us to be blocked. Now the work of the department is basically maintained by the older comrades, and the young cadres see no hope and their enthusiasm has been severely dampened."

"Secondly," Wang Lin's voice was somewhat hoarse, "because of my 'acting' status, many matters that require collective decision-making by the department's Party Committee or the signature of the department head in charge have to be repeatedly reported and consulted at each level, resulting in extremely low efficiency. Not long ago, an important industrial support fund disbursement was delayed for almost two months due to procedural issues, and the company almost suffered a cash flow crisis! I was anxious, but I dared not make decisions on my own! What if... what if the future investigation finds me guilty of 'irregular operations,' who can I appeal to?"

His remarks immediately resonated with several cadres in similar situations, who nodded and whispered their agreement.

Next, another veteran cadre, a former inspector of the Provincial Environmental Protection Department, also expressed his shock at the Crescent Lake pollution incident and his concern about the "emphasis on slogans and neglect of practical results" in environmental governance. Others mentioned the practice of "using, but not trusting, and not addressing the treatment" of Public Security Bureau Chief Qi Tongwei, believing that this was detrimental to the stability of the political and legal system and sent a confusing signal to the outside world.

The discussion became increasingly lively, and the atmosphere gradually shifted from initial tension to enthusiasm, even bordering on indignation. Each person raised a different issue, perhaps from a different angle, but they all pointed to a similar core problem: **After Sha Ruijin took office, he focused excessively on personnel adjustments and establishing political authority, relatively neglecting the objective laws and practical difficulties of economic development. Administrative efficiency declined due to personnel instability, and morale among cadres was low due to policy uncertainty.**

Zhou Jin listened quietly throughout, occasionally jotting down notes in his notebook, his expression focused. He didn't interrupt or comment, but simply encouraged each speaker with his gaze.

The symposium lasted for nearly three hours. After the last cadre finished speaking, Zhou Jin closed her notebook.

Instead of giving a lengthy summary, he stood up and bowed slightly to everyone present.

"Fellow veterans and representatives of cadres," Zhou Jin's voice was steady and powerful, "thank you all very much for your frankness today! Many of the situations you mentioned are very specific and very important, providing our inspection team with extremely valuable first-hand information to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in Handong."

He surveyed the room with a sincere look in his eyes: "Our inspection team will carefully review and study every issue raised by everyone. Please believe that the Central Committee sent us down here to discover and solve problems. We will attach great importance to the issues raised by everyone regarding personnel selection, administrative efficiency, and economic development, and will reflect them truthfully in our subsequent inspection report."

He paused, then spoke with even greater seriousness: "At the same time, I also earnestly request everyone to continue to leverage your experience and prestige in your future work, and to remind those who need reminders and supervise those who need supervision, with an attitude of loyalty to the Party and responsibility to the people. The development of Handong cannot be separated from your wisdom and strength."

"That concludes today's discussion. Thank you again!" Zhou Jin nodded, ending the meeting.

The attendees gradually rose and left. Qian Fuli walked last, and as he passed Zhou Jin, their eyes met. Qian Fuli nodded slightly, his eyes showing a relieved composure, as well as a deeper expectation.

Zhou Jin watched them leave, then said to Chen Ming, "Immediately organize the meeting minutes, categorize and summarize them, and compile a special report. Highlight the following: 1. A concentrated reflection on Sha Ruijin's personnel selection orientation and administrative style; 2. Case studies of the actual impact of the 'cadre freeze' policy; 3. The generality of opinions on Yi Xuexi's issues; 4. Specific obstacles facing economic development. This report should serve as an important reference for our subsequent work."

"Yes!" Chen Ming replied.

Zhou Jin stood alone by the conference room window, gazing at the tranquil courtyard of the nursing home outside.

The remarks made at the symposium were in stark contrast to the "heard" and "supposedly" statements he had seen in the Standing Committee's minutes. What he heard today were the truths, with concrete examples and personal experiences.

The problems in Handong are indeed no longer just the personal corruption of a single official. Sha Ruijin's flawed governing approach has profoundly impacted Handong's economic operations, administrative efficiency, and the morale of its officials.

This requires more than just "investigating the case"; it also requires "diagnosis" and "correction" at a higher level.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window, but Zhou Jin knew that the real battle was just beginning. The provincial party committee's collective meeting the day after tomorrow would be the first direct confrontation with Sha Ruijin and his team.

He already possesses the most authentic "ammunition" from the grassroots, from veteran cadres, and from affected cadres.

The truth is often more powerful than any flowery language.