Right path to power

In the afternoon, the county party committee held a standing committee meeting.

At the meeting, Yang Xueting, secretary of the county discipline inspection commission, reported on the facts and conclusions of the investigation into the relevant personnel involved in the case.

The Standing Committee reviewed and discussed the matter one by one, and the meeting voted to approve the disciplinary action: five people were dismissed from their posts, and one person was reassigned.

The person whose position was changed was Yan Zhiwei, the director of the Administrative Service Center, who was transferred to the position of Party Secretary and Director of the County Archives.

Those in the know are well aware that being transferred from a powerful unit to a less prestigious, less important position means that while the official rank remains, the political career is essentially over.

Zhu Lishu even gave Han Chengdong a special explanation for this.

Subsequently, relevant personnel proposals were discussed.

He Zhiqiang, the Organization Minister of the County Party Committee, introduced the adjustment plan: Jiang Shishui, the current mayor of Qionglin Town, will take over as the Party Secretary of Qionglin Town; Nie Haixing, the Director of the County Government Office, will be transferred to Pengning Township as the Party Secretary; and Xie Chenglin will serve as the Director of the County Land and Resources Bureau.

Feng Xiaojie, secretary of the county's Communist Youth League committee, was nominated as mayor of Qionglin Town, and Tian Changting, deputy minister of the county's organization department, was nominated as a candidate for mayor of Pengning Township. In addition, several deputy section-level cadres were promoted.

The positions of Director of the County Government Office, Director of the Finance Bureau, Director of the Development and Reform Bureau, and Director of the Administrative Service Center are still vacant and will be adjusted when suitable candidates are found.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of Zhu and Lin, even if Jia Anpeng, Shu Xiaobing, and others were unhappy or secretly opposed, they could not stir up a ripple.

After the meeting, the personnel plan immediately sparked heated discussions in the county party committee building.

Xie Chenglin, a bookworm who couldn't handle official duties, was promoted to bureau chief; Jiang Shishui, a second-in-command with little presence, was promoted to top position; and Nie Haixing, a former high-ranking official, was transferred to a local leadership post.

Every appointment sends a strong signal: the new leadership team in Bucheon has changed its personnel selection principles, with pragmatism and diligence being the primary criteria.

The following day, a county-wide warning education conference for leading cadres was held.

The main venue was the county auditorium, with leaders from the four leading bodies, the heads of the public security, procuratorate and court, the heads of various county-level departments, the secretaries and mayors of various townships, and members of the county discipline inspection commission in attendance.

Branch venues were set up in each township, and township leaders and village committee members participated simultaneously.

The meeting was chaired by Zhu Lishu, the county party secretary.

The program began with a cautionary educational video, which included clips of cases involving fallen officials and Cao Changjie.

Subsequently, Yang Xueting, the county discipline inspection commission secretary, reported on the results of the handling of recent disciplinary cases in the county, reiterated the county party committee's determination and strength in fighting corruption, and reminded everyone to adhere to the bottom line, not to cross the red line, and not to take chances.

Next, Lin Xiao delivered a speech, in which he urged all cadres in the county to take this as a warning, to focus their minds on their work, to follow the right path and not the wrong path, to promote righteousness and spread positive energy, and to concentrate on development.

Finally, Zhu Lishu delivered a concluding speech, pointing out that the county party committee will further strengthen the management of the cadre team, continue to deepen the work of combating organized crime, strengthen the supervision of anti-corruption and integrity, and require all cadres in the county to set an example, manage themselves and those around them.

Many officials have been dealt with recently, but when the Discipline Inspection Commission listed the names one by one at the meeting, it was still shocking.

The conference concluded in a solemn atmosphere.

As people left the venue, their expressions varied; some were alert and introspective, while others had mixed feelings.

As it was nearing the end of the workday, Lin Xiao sent Hu Qingqing a text message, telling her that they would be having dinner that night, and included the address.

Hu Qingqing was overjoyed and quickly took out a small mirror to touch up her makeup.

The thought that Lin Xiao had finally treated her to a meal made her heart pound and her cheeks flush.

She imagined what it would be like that night and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

After getting off work, she checked her makeup one last time before excitedly going downstairs.

Upon arriving at the private room, she heard voices inside and smiled, surprised that Lin Xiao had arrived so early.

With a shy and nervous feeling, Hu Qingqing pushed open the door and was instantly stunned when she saw the person talking to the waiter.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

Hu Qingqing felt as if she had been doused with cold water, and her mood instantly plummeted to freezing point.

"County Chief Lin said he'd treat us to dinner to thank you for last time..."

"But that's none of your business!" Hu Qingqing sat down angrily, pouting as she spoke.

"Why wouldn't I come? You're my daughter, and besides, County Magistrate Lin invited me. How could I not come?"

Ever since their first meeting, Hu Changheng had been determined to follow in Lin Xiao's footsteps.

"snort......"

Hu Qingqing was both disappointed and depressed, and all the joy she had just felt was gone.

After ordering the food, seeing his daughter looking sullen, Hu Changheng asked, "Qingqing, what's wrong? It's a good thing that County Magistrate Lin invited you to dinner; it means your courage and determination last time worked."

"What are you talking about, Dad? You don't understand, just leave me alone."

"Alright, alright, you young people can handle your own affairs."

He suddenly remembered that during this period, when he urged his daughter to find a partner, she always made excuses, and once she even said that she already had someone she liked.

Looking at the situation before him, he quickly realized that the person his daughter was talking about was Lin Xiao.

Unfortunately, the falling flowers were willing, but the flowing water was indifferent.

Lin Xiao's excellence is undeniable, but it's said that his girlfriend works in the provincial propaganda department. Although his own daughter is also excellent, she's not his type.

Thinking of this, he sighed inwardly.

At that moment, the door to the private room opened, and Lin Xiao walked in.

"County Chief Lin is here." Hu Changheng stood up to greet him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Lin Xiao said with a smile.

Hu Changheng replied politely, "No, we just arrived too."

Seeing his daughter sitting still, he tried to signal her with his eyes, but Hu Qingqing remained unmoved.

After taking her seat, Lin Xiao glanced at Hu Qingqing and said with a smile, "Why do you look so unhappy? Who upset our Director Hu?"

"No!"

Hu Qingqing forced a smile.

Lin Xiao knew perfectly well what was going on. He turned to Hu Changheng and said, "Uncle Hu, tonight is just a private gathering. There's no county magistrate or secretary involved. I just promised to treat Qingqing to dinner a while ago, but I've been so busy that I kept putting it off. I finally had some free time today, so I'm making sure to get it done so Qingqing won't say I didn't keep my word."

Hu Changheng smiled and said, "County Magistrate Lin, you're too kind."

Although Lin Xiao said it was a private gathering, he always kept his limits in mind.

Lin Xiao poured a glass of wine: "Come on, let me toast you. First, thank you Qingqing, and second, thank you Comrade Changheng for raising such an outstanding daughter."

The three clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

As the dinner continued, Hu Qingqing gradually recovered.

This relieved Hu Changheng, who had been trying to find excuses to ease the tension.

However, seeing his daughter Hu Qingqing constantly putting wine into her mouth, he became a little worried and was about to speak up to stop her when Lin Xiao spoke first.

"Qingqing, you need to eat more vegetables and drink less alcohol."

Hu Qingqing glanced at him sideways and laughed, "What? Who was it that said there wouldn't be a county magistrate tonight? Why are you acting all high and mighty now? Besides, if you're hosting a dinner party and don't offer drinks, you're not being sincere enough. What's the point if you don't drink?"

Lin Xiao said helplessly, "I'm worried that you'll harm your health if you drink too much."

"That's better than being heartbroken," Hu Qingqing pouted.

Hu Changheng coughed suddenly, hoping to interrupt his daughter.

Lin Xiao was speechless—why wouldn't this girl give up?

Seeing this, Hu Changheng quickly offered a toast and changed the subject.

The dinner party ended not long after.

Downstairs, Hu Qingqing pouted and said, "Your hospitality wasn't very nice; they were in a hurry to leave before they'd even finished their drinks..."

At this moment, several people in the private room upstairs saw this scene and immediately began to whisper among themselves.

"Who is that woman? Why is she with County Magistrate Lin?"

"She looks like Hu Qingqing from the county party committee office."

"Oh, where's Secretary Zhu?"

"Could there be some kind of special relationship between them?"

"One is unmarried, the other is single, and they're about the same age, so it's understandable that they'd get really into a relationship, hehe..."

As they were talking, Hu Qingqing stumbled forward downstairs. Lin Xiao rushed forward to support her, and Hu Qingqing fell into his arms.

"I told you to drink less, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what happened, you almost fell over."

"I didn't drink too much, I'm just a little dizzy."

"You're not drunk yet?"

Lin Xiao felt helpless, sensing that Hu Qingqing was doing it on purpose.

Hu Changheng hailed a taxi, let Lin Xiao sit in the front passenger seat, and took his daughter to sit in the back. He then instructed the driver to head to the county guesthouse.

The discussion continued in the private room upstairs.

"That must be Hu Changheng, right? So, it's him and his daughter who invited County Magistrate Lin to dinner?"

"Has their relationship really come to this?"

"If this gets out, it will be big news."

"You'd better not gossip; this kind of thing can easily cause trouble if it gets out."

"I was just saying, but this Hu Changheng is probably going to make it big."

"What's the point of getting rich? If it really comes to that, they'll all have to avoid it."

"Avoid what? As long as it's not within Lin Xiao's purview, it's fine."

"What if Lin Xiao becomes the county party secretary someday?"

"Huh? So soon? How long has this acting county magistrate been in office?"

"Who knows? With connections and powerful backers, they might get promoted anytime soon."

The people on the second floor watched the car drive away, both surprised and delighted.