Right path to power

Back in his office, Yang Songfeng, with a dark expression, called over Deng Guanglin, the executive deputy district head, and recounted his conversation with Lin Xiao.

Then, he said in a deep voice, "I think his real intention is not what he seems; he's targeting us."

Deng Guanglin frowned as well: "But what good does it do him to make a fuss over this? Without a good business environment, how can we attract investment? If investment attraction is hindered and economic development is sluggish, who will ultimately be held responsible?"

Yang Songfeng chimed in, "Letting a squad leader be in charge, does he have any connections with the company CEOs? If he doesn't know the right methods and drives all the companies away, who will take responsibility? This year started off well, and I was quite confident about attracting investment this year. Now, I've lost all confidence."

Deng Guanglin's eyes suddenly lit up: "Guo Yuanzheng is in charge of attracting investment. It's time for him to take on the responsibility. He has nothing to do with what happened before, but he can't escape responsibility for what happened afterward."

Yang Songfeng sighed, "Sigh, looks like I'll have to clean up the mess again. What's the point of all this fuss?"

Later that day, the Environmental Protection Bureau announced that, with the approval of the District Committee, Xu Wenbo, together with the Environmental Protection Bureau's enforcement team and the Industrial Park Management Committee, had issued production suspension and rectification notices to nine companies in the park suspected of illegally discharging pollutants. The District Committee's Supervision Office was also monitoring and supervising the process.

That evening, the district news center completed filming and editing, and produced a news video overnight of Lin Xiao leading the standing committee members on a night visit to the industrial park.

The video, along with the text report, was uploaded to the video section of the district government's official website, and the secretary's email address and interactive message board were also officially launched.

Meanwhile, the District Party Committee's Supervision Office announced a hotline number to solicit clues about various issues from across the district.

Setting up a hotline was Xie Guangyan's suggestion to Lin Xiao, mainly to provide convenience for the elderly and those with low levels of education.

The news that Guo Zhen'an, director of the district environmental protection bureau, and two deputy directors had been placed under investigation was also released to the public along with news videos and press releases.

Many residents in the district saw the video immediately, and were both surprised and discussing it. Everyone felt that the new district party secretary was very different, and it was clear that he was going to tackle the pollution problem.

Meanwhile, the CEOs of the companies that were ordered to suspend production and rectify their operations did not sit idly by or panic; they secretly discussed countermeasures.

These people have been operating in Zhenxing District for many years and are naturally well-versed in the survival rules of grassroots officialdom.

Early in the morning, when the car drove into the district committee compound, Lin Xiao deliberately rolled down the window to take a look. Everything in the compound was normal and orderly.

But he knew perfectly well that he had just shut down and rectified nine companies last night, cutting off the livelihoods of many. How could those bosses possibly accept their fate so easily?

Therefore, the calmer things seem, the more likely something bad is brewing behind the scenes.

Sure enough, no sooner had Lin Xiao entered the office than Xie Guangyan hurriedly followed him in.

"Secretary, something's happened."

Xie Guangyan's expression was not good.

"What happened?"

"This morning, the inspection team went to the industrial park for a routine inspection and found that all nine companies that had been shut down yesterday had secretly torn off the seals and resumed production. The inspection team stopped them on the spot and took photos as evidence, but the factory security guards surrounded them, not only preventing them from taking photos, but also confiscating the equipment. The situation remained deadlocked."

Lin Xiao's face darkened, and a chill appeared in his eyes.

He guessed that these people were going to cause trouble.

Unexpectedly, instead of causing a scene at the district committee's gate, they resorted to such underhanded tactics. Secretly resuming production and defying the district committee's orders clearly demonstrates their united resistance against rectification.

Do they really think that the principle of "the law does not punish the masses" applies to this matter?

Little did they know, the more reckless they act, the faster they would die!

"Have you notified the park management committee and the public security bureau?" Lin Xiao asked in a deep voice.

Xie Guangyan nodded: "I immediately contacted the park management committee to handle the situation on-site, and also urgently called the police station to dispatch officers to assist in law enforcement and maintain order at the scene."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly: "These people are simply lawless, openly defying the rectification. Have the Public Security Bureau keep a close eye on the business owners behind this, and also investigate whether there's anything shady going on behind the scenes."

"Understood." Xie Guangyan understood immediately. "I suggest that the Supervision Office and the Management Committee take the lead in stabilizing the situation on-site, with the Public Security Bureau assisting in securing evidence. Those who instigate obstruction or cause trouble should be dealt with directly by the Public Security Bureau according to the law."

"Okay, let's do it that way," Lin Xiao instructed. "Also, starting tomorrow, I plan to conduct surveys on each unit one by one. You should get a survey plan as soon as possible."

"Okay, Secretary."

"Keep a close eye on things in the park and report any issues to me promptly."

"Yes, Secretary."

Almost half an hour later, Xie Guangyan came in again to report.

"Secretary, the situation is still at a standstill. The comrades from the Supervision Office and the Management Committee have been trying to persuade them for a long time, but the security guards are taking a hard line. Some of the workers who have been incited are also making a fuss on the side, shouting that we are cutting off their livelihoods and refusing to cooperate no matter what. The most outrageous thing is that we called the police twenty minutes ago, but the police have only just arrived."

Lin Xiao's face darkened completely.

After Zhao Lixun was investigated and punished, the Zhenxing Public Security Bureau was leaderless, morale was low, and the team's execution ability naturally declined.

But to his surprise, the Public Security Bureau dared to delay even when faced with the district committee's directives and the urgent situation on the ground.

"Call Qu Ningbo immediately and tell him to come to my office right away."

"Yes, Secretary."

Xie Guangyan then called Qu Ningbo, a member of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee and Secretary of the District Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Soon, Qu Ningbo knocked on the door and came in.

"Secretary Lin, you..."

"Secretary Qu," Lin Xiao interrupted directly, "what's going on with the Public Security Bureau? Companies in the industrial park are defying regulations and resuming work illegally, openly obstructing law enforcement. Why is the Public Security Bureau so slow to respond after receiving the report? With such poor execution, where does their fighting capacity come from?"

Qu Ningbo quickly explained, "Secretary Lin, the traffic was terrible during the morning rush hour this morning, and there happened to be a car accident on the section of road that the branch office was passing through, which blocked the patrol vehicles and caused the delay. As you know, after Zhao Lixun was dismissed, the branch office leadership lacked a backbone, and the internal staff were in disarray and their work was lax. There are indeed some problems in our work, and I will make great efforts to rectify them."

Lin Xiao said coldly, "A vacant leadership position is an excuse for dereliction of duty? You dare to be perfunctory and delay in dealing with mass incidents? I think the Zhenxing District police force really needs a thorough overhaul. Since we've brought up the leadership issue, what are your thoughts and suggestions?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Ningbo's heart stirred.

After Zhao Lixun was investigated and punished, the Municipal Bureau did not appoint a new director. The political commissar and several deputy directors were eyeing the position and secretly competing for it.

Previously, Zhao Lixun served concurrently as deputy district head and bureau chief. If he were to concurrently serve as secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, it would be in accordance with convention.

In this way, his real power will increase significantly.

After a moment's consideration, Qu Ningbo tentatively said, "Secretary Lin, the current situation is special. To stabilize the situation, the key is to fill the gaps in the leadership team and identify the core members. It would be best to select personnel from the district to strengthen the district committee's control over the public security force."

Lin Xiao saw through his thoughts at a glance and interrupted him calmly, saying, "There's no need for that."

After saying that, he took out his phone and dialed the number of Su Anji, Secretary of the Municipal Political and Legal Committee and Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Xiao got straight to the point: "Secretary Su, the Zhenxing Branch is currently leaderless, the team is disorganized, and its execution is severely lacking. Today, the District Committee encountered obstacles at the industrial park enforcement site, and the police were delaying and shirking their duties. I think we must adjust the Party Committee leadership of the Bureau as soon as possible."

Su Anji exclaimed in surprise, "Is that so?"

"Yes, Secretary Su, is this a way of putting me in a tough spot?" Lin Xiao smiled.

"Oh, I see," Su Anji said. "That's exactly what I was looking for. So, tell me, do you have any suitable candidates?"

Lin Xiao didn't mince words: "We can put Deputy Director Zhong Haibo in charge as the branch director; let Guan Dawei, the deputy director of Fengshan County Public Security Bureau, be in charge of criminal investigation, and let Jiao Dayong, the deputy director of Fuchuan County Public Security Bureau, be in charge of public security. Both of them should be in the bureau's party committee. In addition, the secretary of the bureau's discipline inspection commission also needs to be adjusted."

On the other end of the phone, Su Anji paused slightly and did not reply immediately.

Lin Xiao then explained, "Guan Dawei has solid criminal investigation skills and has handled many major cases. We can trust him with criminal investigation. Jiao Dayong rose through the ranks from police station chief and understands grassroots handling and maintaining stability. Both of them were transferred from other counties, so they have no local connections to rely on in Zhenxing and won't be swayed by personal relationships. They can work diligently and reliably."

When Qu Ningbo heard Lin Xiao casually communicating with the municipal party committee leaders in front of him, his heart sank.

He understood that his plans for power had failed.

Su Anji, of course, understood Lin Xiao's plan perfectly: to completely overhaul the Zhenxing branch.

"Okay, I understand. The Municipal Bureau will hold a meeting to discuss it soon," Su Anji said. Before Lin Xiao could respond, he changed the subject, "By the way, did you see the posts online?"

"Post? What post?" Lin Xiao asked, puzzled.