Right path to power

Lin Xiao nodded: "Besides that, the Public Security Bureau should try to dig deeper into Zhou Huayu's case. Since he dared to hire someone to beat up a public official, he probably has other things going on. At the same time, we also need to prevent him from fleeing."

On the court side, I will communicate with Secretary Fan and ask the Discipline Inspection Commission to keep an eye on it. Such blatant protection probably didn't happen overnight.

Furthermore, the municipal government leadership attaches great importance to this matter. Although I have clearly conveyed the district committee's stance to Mayor Cai, we still need to withstand the pressure and expedite our actions.

Judging from his tone, Qu Ningbo guessed that Lin Xiao and Cai Zili's talks had not gone smoothly: "Secretary, rest assured, I will definitely implement your instructions and strive to overcome all difficulties."

He knew in his heart that this was a breakthrough in rectifying the unhealthy practices in the political and legal system of Zhenxing District, and also a crucial opportunity for him to closely follow Lin Xiao and stand firm on his position. He would definitely go all out.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Afterwards, Lin Xiao invited Fan Shixin, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, to his office.

After informing him of the relevant situation, Lin Xiao said, "Comrade Shixin, the Discipline Inspection Commission should keep up and conduct a special supervision and verification of the court, focusing on this case, to verify whether the relevant case-handling personnel have any integrity issues."

Fan Shixin nodded solemnly: "Understood, I'll arrange it right away."

In fact, the disciplinary committee had previously obtained some clues about the court, but had not yet discovered any substantive problems.

This special investigation is a good opportunity to see if we can find any clues.

After arranging these two tasks, Lin Xiao also exchanged views with several members of the Standing Committee.

He then invited Jiang Yanming, the organization minister, to his office.

"Comrade Yanming, the leadership team of the Environmental Protection Bureau has been vacant for some time, and Xu Wenbo has been temporarily in charge of the daily work. I have seen that he has performed well during this period, not only stabilizing the situation but also achieving some results. However, the long-term lack of a complete leadership team will inevitably affect the progress of subsequent environmental protection work. The Organization Department should fill the vacancies as soon as possible to ensure the smooth implementation of related work."

Jiang Yanming nodded: "Understood, Secretary. I will expedite the selection of candidates and draft a plan for adjusting the leadership team as soon as possible."

Previously, on the third day after Lin Xiao took office, Jiang Yanming came to report on the district's personnel situation and suggested that a meeting be held as soon as possible to implement the plan, as there was a group of cadres who had been prepared for use.

Lin Xiao, citing "not yet fully understanding the situation," postponed all personnel matters and subtly warned Jiang Yanming not to rush things. After that, Jiang Yanming never again proactively reported on his work.

Following this, Lin Xiao further clarified the personnel selection criteria: "This adjustment will prioritize cadres with a clean work style, a pragmatic and responsible attitude, and the ability to handle tasks, who are suitable for the overall environmental remediation efforts in the district. After a preliminary plan is finalized, we can solicit opinions from Comrade Song Feng and the relevant leaders, and then summarize and report to me."

"Yes, Secretary."

Jiang Yanming accepted the order and left.

But as soon as he left the office, he turned around and went into District Chief Yang Songfeng's office, where he explained Lin Xiao's arrangements.

The two talked for quite a while before Jiang Yanming returned to his office.

After some time, Jiang Yanming, carrying a list, walked into the offices of Yang Songfeng and Wang Kangzhou one after the other.

He stayed with Yang Songfeng for less than five minutes, and with Wang Kangzhou for no more than ten minutes.

The next morning, Jiang Yanming gave Lin Xiao a special report on the compiled candidate proposals.

"Secretary Lin, the Organization Department, in light of the current state of the cadre team, has solicited opinions from various parties and formulated a preliminary plan: it is proposed that Luo Weida, the mayor of Luodian Township, serve as the Party Secretary and Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau, Xu Wenbo serve as the Deputy Secretary and Deputy Director, and Lu Yingxiong, the Deputy Director of the District Government Office, serve as a member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Bureau."

Luo Weida previously served as the deputy director of the Environmental Protection Bureau and is familiar with the business; Lu Yingxiong also worked in the Environmental Protection Bureau for several years and was the captain of the Environmental Protection Bureau's enforcement team before being transferred to the District Government Office.

Regarding the vacant position of mayor of Luodian Township, the Organization Department does not currently have a suitable candidate. Please provide further instructions, Secretary Lin.

It turns out that Yang Songfeng, Wang Kangzhou, and Jiang Yanming had privately agreed on their story and finalized this list of candidates.

They have only one goal: to regain control of the Environmental Protection Bureau.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes as he instantly saw through the scheme.

These individuals, while seemingly acting in accordance with regulations and procedures, were actually secretly colluding to seize control of the Environmental Protection Bureau and thus hinder environmental remediation efforts.

Once these people are put in positions of power, the previously vigorously promoted environmental protection and new social norms initiatives will sooner or later be gradually undermined, or even revert to their original state.

At that point, all our previous efforts will have been in vain.

Lin Xiao remained expressionless and directly presented his choice:

"Xu Wenbo performed well during his acting tenure, demonstrated outstanding professional skills, and maintained a firm and upright stance. He is fully capable of serving as the director."

Furthermore, this reshuffle must break with old thinking; it's better to have fewer but better candidates, and those with past ties to the Environmental Protection Bureau should be avoided. In my opinion, Comrade Huang Limei from the District Party Committee Office and Comrade Chen Hongxuan from the District Political and Legal Affairs Commission Office are very suitable. These were recommended to me by Guangyan, Ningbo, and several other comrades.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yanming paused slightly, then tentatively said, "Secretary, then I will add these two comrades to the candidate list. The specific candidates will be finalized after a collective discussion at the five-person group meeting."

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Okay, let's have the meeting in an hour."

"Okay, I'll hurry back and work out the plan."

Jiang Yanming acknowledged his leave and a cold smile appeared on his lips as he walked out of the office.

In the five-person group meeting, he, Yang Songfeng, and Wang Kangzhou had reached a consensus and firmly held the majority opinion.

Even if Lin Xiao proposes a new candidate, what's the point?

An hour later, all five members of the group arrived, and Xie Guangyan, director of the district party committee office, attended the meeting and took notes.

Lin Xiao got straight to the point: "The main reason for convening this impromptu group meeting today is to discuss the candidates for the Environmental Protection Bureau's leadership team, clarify the list of candidates, and then convene the Standing Committee as soon as possible to finalize it. Comrade Yanming, please introduce the plan first."

Jiang Yanming gave a detailed introduction to the five candidates, and then clearly stated that after much deliberation, the Organization Department would give priority to recommending Luo Weida, Lu Yingxiong, and others.

The moment the words were spoken, their stance became clear.

Yang Songfeng and Wang Kangzhou expressed their support for the Organization Department's plan one after another, as if they had known each other all along.

"I think the Organization Department's plan is more mature and reliable, which is in line with the current work needs of the Environmental Protection Bureau and also conforms to the conventions of cadre appointment in the whole region," Wang Kangzhou said first.

Yang Songfeng immediately chimed in: "I agree as well. This plan fully considers job suitability and work continuity, and takes into account both grassroots experience and professional skills."

In fact, Luo Weida was recommended by Wang Kangzhou, while Lu Yingxiong was recommended by Deng Guanglin, the executive deputy district head.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Fan Shixin directly sided with Lin Xiao: "I believe that the current environmental remediation work is in a critical stage, and priority should be given to selecting pragmatic cadres who are firm in their stance, have a strong work style, and are willing to take responsibility. The Environmental Protection Bureau has achieved remarkable results at this stage, so I support the candidate selection proposed by the Secretary."

In an instant, the score was three to two.

Yang Songfeng's expression was calm, but his eyes held a smile.

In a five-person group discussion, the majority opinion prevails.

He's finally going to win this round!

In fact, Lin Xiao had been quietly observing the expressions of the others, and already knew what was going on.

These three deliberately banded together to form a majority opinion at the five-person group meeting, in order to preemptively control the personnel policy, finalize the list that was favorable to them, and then send it to the Standing Committee for processing, thereby taking the opportunity to control the discourse on personnel matters.

However, Lin Xiao never fights a battle unprepared.

This is his first personnel adjustment since taking office, and it is also the first step in rectifying old practices and taking control of key positions. He must not let the other party lead him by the nose.

Lin Xiao remained calm and slowly spoke: "I've just listened to the opinions of my comrades, and it's clear that quite a few of them meet the criteria. It's normal for there to be disagreements about the specific candidates due to different perspectives."

He then changed the subject, his tone becoming firm: "Since the five-person group cannot reach a consensus, as the head of the Party Committee, I will not express any opinion. The Organization Department will submit all five candidates together for the District Standing Committee to collectively study and vote on tomorrow."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Kangzhou frowned and immediately said, "Secretary, the five-person group meeting requires a legally mandated preliminary nomination plan before it is submitted to the Standing Committee for review. It is not appropriate to directly submit multiple candidate lists. This... this is not in accordance with convention."

Lin Xiao's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at the other party: "Comrade Connecticut, the list of five candidates is clear and complete, and the conditions are well-defined. How is such a complete preliminary plan not in accordance with convention?"

Furthermore, the five-person group meeting is only for deliberation and soliciting opinions; it has no authority to replace the Standing Committee in making personnel nomination decisions. Major personnel appointments and removals must be decided collectively and democratically by the District Standing Committee, as clearly stipulated in the Party Constitution and organizational principles.

Excuse me, what's wrong with this?

Wang Kangzhou did not expect Lin Xiaocun to take it so seriously on the spot, refusing to back down an inch, and even raising the issue to the level of organizational principles.

His face flushed instantly, filled with anger and frustration.