Right path to power

Yang Songfeng's chest heaved, his face turning ashen: "Secretary Lin, I reserve my opinion. If this matter affects the implementation of major projects in the district, none of us can explain it to the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government."

Not only are there projects in the district, but several key projects in the city are also underway. Therefore, I urge Secretary Lin to think carefully. We cannot act recklessly and haphazardly; we must have a broad perspective and consider long-term interests.

At this moment, he was determined to compete with Lin Xiao in the matter of rectifying the industrial park.

He would win as long as he could thwart Lin Xiao's forceful crackdown.

Only if the new official extinguishes the first fire of his term can he gain more initiative in the future.

To this end, he did not hesitate to use large projects to exert pressure.

Lin Xiao stood firm: "Since the district head has mentioned projects, could you elaborate on what they are? And how many of them have reached a cooperation agreement? If they are truly sincere in investing, why would they back down because of our fair, just, and transparent law enforcement?"

In the case of Huanyu Plastics, the district should proactively disclose the entire process to the public, explain the ins and outs of the matter, and accept supervision from the entire society.

I believe that once a mature entrepreneur understands the truth, he will never abandon the project he originally intended to invest in because of this case, unless he was never sincere in the first place, or he is afraid of our attitude of strictly enforcing the law and punishing violations.

Only the rule of law and fairness can truly promote the development of the revitalization zone and effectively protect the legitimate interests of investors. This is the true big picture and long-term interest. Comrade Songfeng, don't try to confuse the issue or put the cart before the horse.

Faced with Yang Songfeng's deliberate pressure, Lin Xiao directly and incisively retorted.

Having been outmaneuvered in several exchanges, Yang Songfeng's face darkened. He stood up and said coldly, "I'm not targeting anyone, but I reserve my opinion on this matter. I will also truthfully report the situation to the city leaders."

Lin Xiao smiled faintly: "I'm also objective, not personal, and I believe that time and results will prove everything."

After a brief standoff, Yang Songfeng forcibly suppressed his anger and softened his tone: "Secretary Lin, our initial intention is the same: to revitalize the district's development. We just have different working methods. Since neither of us can convince the other, I suggest that we convene a meeting of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee to collectively study the matter, pool our wisdom, and avoid subjective biases."

Lin Xiao shook his head without hesitation: "There's no need! This is a specific judicial case, falling within the scope of the judicial organs' independent duties. According to regulations, the Party Committee cannot interfere, nor can it be discussed and assessed at the Standing Committee meeting. This is a strict disciplinary requirement, and we must strictly adhere to this bottom line."

Yang Songfeng's face instantly darkened. He never expected that Lin Xiao would directly block his plan to exert pressure by "banding together".

After hesitating for a few seconds, Yang Songfeng, seething with anger, turned and left.

Subsequently, Lin Xiao dialed the phone number of Qu Ningbo, Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

"Comrade Ningbo, the Huanyu Plastics case has attracted high public attention, and city leaders are also very concerned. Some comrades hold different opinions. My attitude remains unchanged: it must be handled in accordance with the law and regulations, fairly, and no one should be exempt."

The case is about to enter the trial stage. You personally oversee the entire process, closely monitoring every step to resolutely prevent any favoritism, leniency, or compromises, ensuring the case becomes an ironclad case that can withstand scrutiny.

"Please rest assured, Secretary Lin," Qu Ningbo said firmly, "I will oversee the entire process to ensure it is legal and compliant."

Qu Ningbo knew that Lin Xiao's focus on the park's rectification was not only to solve the pollution problem, but also to completely reverse the long-standing problems in the Zhenxing District.

During this period, he specifically asked people in Fengshan and Fuchuan to inquire about Lin Xiao's situation. In addition to the well-known fact that "a group of people fell because of Lin Xiao", there were also many people who were promoted because of Lin Xiao.

Therefore, Qu Ningbo harbored a hidden expectation.

Furthermore, through this period of cooperation with the Public Security Bureau, he felt that given enough time, his influence within the public security system would definitely increase.

It's beneficial in the short term and offers hope for the future, so he's naturally willing to cooperate.

Previously, Zhao Lixun only listened to Huang Jingneng, and his influence as the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was negligible.

Later, he chose to form an "alliance" with Deputy Secretary Wang Kangzhou, but the effect was mediocre, barely making a sound.

This time, his choice to follow in the footsteps of the top leader should yield twice the results with half the effort.

Soon after, the Public Security Bureau held a briefing on the case, where Bureau Chief Zhong Haibo personally announced the relevant information.

At the same time, the district procuratorate also formally filed a public prosecution with the court.

In addition, the district environmental protection bureau has also launched a special issue on pollution control in industrial parks on the government website's public information section.

The special issue provides a detailed overview of the various long-standing pollution hazards in the industrial park, publicizes the investigation results, lists the rectification standards and timelines, and outlines the long-term plan for the subsequent ecological governance of the entire area.

Meanwhile, the special issue announced channels for reporting environmental issues, invited the public to participate in pollution monitoring, and offered corresponding rewards to individuals who provided effective clues.

The special issue also truthfully disclosed the environmental violations of several companies, including Huanyu Plastics, Hengshun Hardware Foundry, and Longtai Paper Chemicals, as well as the administrative results of their orders to suspend production for rectification.

The special issue quickly attracted widespread attention upon its release online.

The Quanzhou Daily and Quanzhou TV successively reprinted the report and highly praised Zhenxing District's strong measures to control pollution and crack down on related illegal activities.

Wednesday afternoon, Mayor's office meeting.

Bi Fupeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor in charge of investment promotion, pointed out when discussing pollution control in Zhenxing District that the heads of several key projects currently being promoted in the city expressed concerns about the overall business environment in the city. He hoped that the city would do a good job in publicity and guidance.

Executive Vice Mayor Cai Zili directly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the work of Zhenxing District, using harsh words.

He stated bluntly that some of Zhenxing District's recent practices completely disregard the overall development of the city, and are purely short-sighted and extreme.

He then directly named Lin Xiao: "Lin Xiao's work style is radical, ambitious, and stubborn; he won't listen to any dissenting opinions. This time, he disregarded the overall situation of the city's investment promotion efforts, adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to rectification. While seemingly acting in accordance with laws and regulations, it actually harasses investment companies and drags down the local economy."

"The current practices of Zhenxing District have seriously affected the city's reputation for business. The municipal government must not turn a blind eye or let this go unchecked; it must immediately correct and rectify these issues."

Then, he directly named Lin Xiao:

"Comrade Lin Xiao has a radical work style, but he is too ambitious, stubborn, and unwilling to listen to any dissenting opinions. This time, he disregarded the overall situation of attracting investment, mechanically enforced the law, and carried out a one-size-fits-all rectification. Although it seemed to be doing things according to regulations, it was actually causing trouble for enterprises and dragging down the local economy."

If this continues, it will not only completely shatter the confidence of businesses in Zhenxing District, but also cause a chain reaction of damage to the city's investment environment.

I suggest that the municipal government immediately summon the leadership of Zhenxing District and demand that they adjust their working methods, exercise restraint, and balance the bottom line of the rule of law with the overall economic development, resolutely preventing such one-sided actions that undermine the overall situation.

After speaking, Cai Zili looked at Acting Mayor Ma Guanghua, waiting for the other party to give his opinion and set the tone.

But Ma Guanghua simply said, "Comrade Zili's opinion is very clear."

He then asked others to continue giving their opinions.

Cai Zili's face immediately darkened; all his efforts to build momentum and exert pressure had instantly failed.

Following this, Huang Zaichuan, the vice mayor in charge of environmental protection, briefly mentioned that the Hengsheng Industrial Park did indeed have environmental pollution problems. The Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau had previously received multiple complaints, but all had been transferred to the Zhenxing District for handling.

That was the end of Huang Zaichuan's story.

Cai Zili glanced around the room and found that, apart from himself, none of the other participants had made a clear statement.

He turned his gaze back to Ma Guanghua. It didn't matter whether others expressed their opinions or not, as long as Ma Guanghua, the acting mayor, gave his stance.

Finally, Ma Guanghua delivered a concluding speech.

When the topic of pollution control in Zhenxing District was raised, he did not express his opinion, but instead suggested that Cai Zili coordinate and provide reminders to Zhenxing District.

Cai Zili was furious. He had originally wanted Ma Guanghua to express his opinion, but Ma Guanghua turned around and passed the ball back to him.

"Okay, I'll convey the requirements of the office meeting to Zhenxing District as soon as I get off work."

He said with a dark face, directly presenting his opinion as a collective resolution and requirement of the office meeting.

Ma Guanghua frowned, said nothing more, and directly adjourned the meeting.

Back in his office, Cai Zili asked his secretary to call Lin Xiao and tell him to come in at 2:30 p.m. to report on his work.

Lin Xiao knew what was going on as soon as she received the call.

However, he didn't take it too seriously.

Not long after, he received another call from Vice Mayor Huang Zaichuan.

"Xiao Lin, you've been making quite a splash in Zhenxing District lately," Huang Zaichuan said with a chuckle over the phone.

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Old leader, I'm doing this for the physical and mental health of the people, and also for the long-term development of Zhenxing District. You're in charge of environmental protection, so you have to support me."

Because of Yu Renhuai's incident, the two gradually drifted apart. Later, Lin Xiao got married but did not invite Huang Zaichuan to attend, and the two basically had no contact anymore.

At this moment, Huang Zaichuan's sudden call still puzzled him somewhat.