Right path to power

"Xiao Lin, actually I support your approach. Environmental protection is not something to be bargained for; we must persevere in our efforts. However, at today's mayor's office meeting, Mayor Cai and Mayor Bi were quite dissatisfied with your approach."

Lin Xiao said helplessly, "Senior leaders, the pollution in the industrial park is severe, and the nearby residents are suffering terribly. The business owner involved has hired thugs to injure people. If we back down again, how can we carry out our work in the future? Please understand."

Huang Zaichuan said, "I understand your good intentions, but some people don't see it that way. They say that your lawsuit against the business owner has affected the city's investment attraction efforts. Mayor Ma has already arranged for Mayor Cai to take the lead in coordinating this matter, so you need to do a good job of communication."

"Thank you, former boss. I will communicate effectively."

After hanging up the phone, a hint of surprise flashed across Lin Xiao's face. He hadn't expected that the mayor's office meeting would specifically discuss matters concerning Zhenxing District.

It seems that Cai Zili and Bi Fupeng are preparing to join forces to target Zhenxing District.

However, Huang Zaichuan, who is in charge of environmental protection, had a rather intriguing attitude.

Could it be that Cai and Bi are targeting Lin Xiao, and his opportunity has actually come?

Without much thought, Lin Xiao quickly asked Xie Guangyan to contact the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Public Security Bureau to prepare a special report on the recent events in the industrial park.

Regardless, leaders need to hear reports, so they must take them seriously.

At 2:30 p.m., Lin Xiao arrived at the office of Executive Vice Mayor Cai Zili.

Tsai Tzu-li didn't mince words, immediately bringing up the rhetoric of the mayor's office meeting. He claimed it was to convey the relevant spirit, but between the lines, he crammed in all the criticisms he had made at his own meeting, as if these were the consensus reached at the meeting.

However, Lin Xiao understood perfectly.

Throughout the entire mayor's office meeting, no formal resolution criticizing Zhenxing District was ever reached; Ma Guanghua merely arranged for Cai Zili to come and offer reminders.

It is obvious that Tsai Tzu-li is using the meeting as a pretext to exert pressure based on his personal stance.

"Comrade Lin Xiao, I'm not here to discuss anything with you today, but to ask you to implement the requirements of the mayor's office meeting. The requirement is that your Zhenxing District take a holistic view, control negative public opinion, appease investors, and truly focus your energy on development."

Therefore, I hope you will raise your political awareness, earnestly understand and implement the spirit of the municipal government's meeting, promptly correct any erroneous ideas or practices, and truly put development work into practice.

Faced with Cai Zili's tough stance, Lin Xiao calmly handed over the report materials and smiled faintly:

"Mayor Cai, regarding the pollution control issue in the industrial park, the relevant work is progressing steadily according to the district's plan, and some results have been achieved, which has also been recognized by the public. We will continue to focus on this issue and ensure its effective implementation."

Zhou Huayu's hiring of thugs to commit assault is a legal case, and the procuratorate has already filed a public prosecution. The judgment should be left to the law; this is the fairest approach for all parties involved.

Regarding the guidance from the Mayor's Office meeting that you conveyed, upon returning, I will immediately organize the district government to conduct a self-examination and self-correction, and optimize our methods. If there are indeed any shortcomings, we will immediately rectify them.

However, I firmly believe that a truly good business environment relies on the rule of law and fairness, not on blindly tolerating violations. The municipal party committee entrusted Zhenxing District to me, so I must be responsible to all the people of the district and adhere to a sustainable development path.

Cai Zili's face darkened, feeling that all his earnest advice had been taken for granted.

Lin Xiao remained obstinate and had no intention of backing down; in fact, he was determined to defy the government's directives.

"Do you know that recently, several major projects in the city have been stalled because of your aggressive approach, with investors backing out and 2 billion yuan in investment projects hanging in the balance? If they ultimately fail, can you bear the responsibility?"

Moreover, this 2 billion yuan investment can be allocated to Yong'an District or to your Zhenxing District. Can't you tell which is more important?

The municipal government doesn't disregard environmental protection; rather, it prioritizes tasks and balances priorities. This year, the city's economy has finally achieved a breakthrough, and this is a crucial period to capitalize on this momentum, stabilize investment, and implement projects. Unless it's an urgent matter related to people's livelihoods, these efforts could be postponed and the pace slowed down.

The pollution problem in Hengsheng Industrial Park is not something that can be solved overnight, nor will it immediately endanger the lives of the people. It can be addressed systematically in the second half of the year, after the projects have been implemented and stabilized.

As for Zhou Huayu's case, the root cause lies in the numerous difficulties his company faced, including production shutdowns for rectification, huge compensation payments, and salary pressures. In desperation, he impulsively made a mistake. While we tell companies to seek help from the government when they encounter difficulties, isn't it too heartless to condemn a company in dire straits with nowhere to turn for relief for its impulsive mistake? Completely disregarding the company's survival will only make investors who are waiting on the sidelines even more fearful.

You keep claiming to be considering the development of the district, but when the municipal government is making every effort to attract investment and boost the regional economy, you are adding layers of pressure, creating conflicts, and even antagonism, indirectly hindering the city's work.

I want to make it clear to you that this mayor's office meeting expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Zhenxing District's one-sided and radical practices that have damaged the business environment, and demanded that you immediately correct your course and rectify the situation.

If this ultimately leads to the loss of key projects, the municipal government will hold those responsible accountable according to regulations and will also recommend to the municipal party committee that you be reassigned. You have only recently taken office, and your future is promising; I hope you will consider this carefully.

Tsai Tzu-li knew that regular talks were no longer enough to control Lin Hsiao, so he could only resort to the collective guidance of the mayor's office meeting to exert pressure.

A hint of coldness flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes, but a faint smile remained on her face.

He truly did not expect that the dignified executive vice mayor would so blatantly put the cart before the horse, supporting illegal enterprises and sacrificing the bottom line of the rule of law for economic development.

He was too lazy to offer any more pointless explanations and replied in a flat tone, "I understand Mayor Cai's meaning. Once the minutes of the mayor's office meeting are issued, we will immediately organize the team to study them in detail, implement them, and conduct self-examination and rectification."

Cai Zili could naturally tell that Lin Xiao's words were just a perfunctory gesture and a passive response, and that he had no real intention of admitting his mistakes or making concessions.

Moreover, he knew better than anyone that the meeting minutes would never contain such a direct and forceful demand.

He was just using this as an excuse to make a fuss.

Even after all that had been said, Lin Xiao remained unyielding.

Cai Zili instantly lost his temper: "Lin Xiao, I think you are disorganized and undisciplined! I will report your attitude and actions to Mayor Ma and the Municipal Party Committee truthfully."

Lin Xiao calmly stood up and said, "I believe the municipal leaders will evaluate Zhenxing District's work objectively, fairly, and based on facts. Mayor Cai, if there are no further instructions, I will take my leave."

Seeing that Cai Zili remained silent, Lin Xiao paused briefly before turning and leaving the office.

On the way back to the district, Lin Xiao received a message from Qu Ningbo: "Secretary, the verdict in Zhou Huayu's case is out. The four perpetrators were sentenced to four years in prison each for intentional injury causing serious bodily harm."

However, the court adopted the defense lawyer's opinion, determining that Zhou Huayu had only given the instruction casually and had not instigated serious injury. The harmful consequences exceeded his subjective foresight, and the instigation was relatively minor. Ultimately, he was exempted from punishment and only bore full civil liability for compensation.

Upon seeing this result, Lin Xiao couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

He never expected the district court to rule this way.

It is justifiable for the perpetrator to be severely punished, but the mastermind behind the crime and the person who hired the killer to retaliate against public officials was only given a small amount of money and that was the end of it.

What could possibly make the court so audacious?

Suddenly, Lin Xiao remembered what Su Anji had warned him before: "Ke Yongjie from the court is not very obedient, you'll have to deal with him yourself."

At that moment, he understood completely.

In that case, let's continue the fight!

Back in his office, Lin Xiao called Qu Ningbo over to inquire about the specifics of the trial.

Qu Ningbo was also filled with anger.

He kept a close eye on the whole matter, just to implement Lin Xiao's instructions: handle it strictly and quickly, and make it an ironclad case.

There were no problems with the preceding steps. The Public Security Bureau investigated and collected evidence and transferred materials; the Procuratorate verified the evidence and filed a public prosecution—each step was strictly followed according to procedure.

But when it came to the court, they gave this unexpected verdict.

"Secretary, the presiding judge in this case is named Zhang Zhengchang. It's said that he has a close relationship with the court president, Ke Yongjie. Do you think there's some connection? Otherwise, how could Zhang Zhengchang dare to make such a ruling? And where did Ke Yongjie get the audacity?"

"No need to rush. Often, the more the other party jumps around, the more likely we are to discover problems," Lin Xiao said calmly.

"Yes. Also, Zhou Huayu has been released in court. I've spoken with Prosecutor Liao, and the procuratorate will soon file an appeal. At the same time, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission has launched a special inspection of the discipline and conduct of the political and legal teams, focusing on whether there was any interference from personal relationships or issues of integrity behind this case."

Qu Ningbo said indignantly.

Deep down, he didn't want to miss this opportunity to express his stance to Lin Xiao.