Right path to power

Huang Chunning said with a smile, "Please wait a moment. Since you've come to Quanning, I should at least say hello to your President Zhang."

Although the words were spoken in a high-sounding manner, everyone could see the intention—to use Zhuang Jingshu's superior to pressure her.

Zhuang Jingshu said calmly, "Okay, Director Huang, you're too kind."

Huang Chunning took the phone from his secretary, dialed a number, and laughed heartily, "President Zhang, hello there... If you have time to come to Beicheng, I'll treat you to drinks again... Um, your unit arranged for three reporters to come and do an interview, and I just happened to run into them, so I wanted to say hello... Yes, hahaha, as you know, things are quite complicated in the local area, and we're the ones who handle all sorts of conflicts... Um, okay, okay... Please wait a moment."

At this point, a hint of authority flashed in his eyes as he handed the phone to Zhuang Jingshu: "Here, your President Zhang has something to say to you."

Zhuang Jingshu accepted the phone with a confident smile and said, "Vice President Zhang, this is Zhuang Jingshu..."

Huang Chunning listened from the side, his brows furrowing slightly.

He didn't expect Zhuang Jingshu to be so calm and composed in front of a room full of leaders and cadres, addressing them as "Vice President Zhang".

Although Zhang Hongyu is indeed the vice president, the usual way to address him within the system is "President Zhang," while Zhuang Jingshu directly calls him "Vice President Zhang," which is clearly a bit of a "taboo."

However, after exchanging a few words with Zhang Hongyu, she returned the phone to Huang Chunning's secretary.

The secretary glanced at the phone and saw that it had already been disconnected. She gestured to Huang Chunning and then put it away.

Then, Huang Chunning smiled and said, "Xiao Zhuang, if there's still time after the symposium, I can represent the Provincial People's Congress to accept your interview. I'm in charge of the rule of law, so we can exchange ideas more."

Zhuang Jingshu nodded and said, "Okay, thank you, Director Huang. We've been following up on Zhou Huayu's case, which is very representative. We'd like to hear the leaders' opinions, especially since the final verdict has reference value for grassroots judicial departments across the country. We will continue to investigate and delve deeper."

Huang Chunning's heart sank.

Why doesn't this girl buy into it? Doesn't she realize that whether her report gets published ultimately depends on her boss's word?

Han Chengfeng, the vice president of the provincial high court, whose expression was not good, said, "Xiao Zhuang, right? This case hasn't been heard in the second instance by the municipal intermediate court yet, and the case hasn't been finalized. It's not appropriate to report on it too much. Right now, all regions are focusing on attracting investment and promoting economic development, and the judiciary must also serve the overall situation of local development. When hearing economic cases, the court needs to comprehensively consider all aspects of social impact."

These words were spoken not only to Zhuang Jingshu, but also to everyone present.

Deng Shixiang, deputy director of the Municipal People's Congress, echoed, "Dean Han is right. Since Director Huang has already spoken to your newspaper's leadership, it's best not to follow up on this case anymore, so as not to affect the city's investment promotion efforts. You can report on other cases instead."

Zhuang Jingshu smiled faintly: "I'm sorry, leaders. You may not know this, but I am specifically responsible for reporting on social hot topics and matters of general significance in the company. Moreover, the company fully respects freedom of interviewing, and as long as the manuscript meets the publication standards, it will be released to the public."

Therefore, I won't disturb the leaders' meeting any longer. Goodbye.

After speaking, Zhuang Jingshu led Guan Yongmei and Dai Liying out of the conference room.

"These reporters are so arrogant!" Deng Shixiang said angrily.

Executive Vice Mayor Cai Zili also made a double entendre: "Some people have always been habitually domineering, but I don't believe that a newspaper would casually publish a report that might impact local investment attraction and economic development."

Han Chengfeng nodded in agreement: "That's right, there will always be people who consider the overall political situation. In my opinion, we can contact the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department to coordinate and explain that there is indeed no need to publicly follow up and report on cases that have not yet been concluded."

At this moment, Zhang Jingsong, deputy director of the Municipal People's Congress, said firmly: "Haven't we been emphasizing the protection of press independence and freedom in accordance with the law? I believe that as long as we act in accordance with the law and regulations, let people report if they want to. Besides, this is not the topic of today's meeting. Let's get to the meeting."

Huang Chunning frowned and glanced at Zhang Jingsong.

But Zhang Jingsong clearly didn't care.

He is the father-in-law of Gong Lei, the Party Secretary of Fengshan County, and is about to retire, so he doesn't have many concerns.

Gong Lei was promoted by Wang Yuanze, the municipal party secretary, and Lin Xiao was a cadre that Wang Yuanze valued.

Besides, he knew that his son-in-law had a close relationship with Lin Xiao, so naturally he would speak up for Lin Xiao.

Cai Zili glanced at Lin Xiao with a gloomy face.

From the moment Lin Xiao introduced Zhuang Jingshu and the others, he was certain that these reporters from the Legal Daily were invited by Lin Xiao. He just didn't know how Lin Xiao had managed to get so close to Beicheng.

That being said, Lin Xiao and Song Wanqing have been married for some time now.

Initially, there were some rumors circulating about Song Wanqing's background, but gradually, these rumors disappeared without a trace. Most people only knew that she came from Beicheng and that her family background was not simple, but they had no way of finding out anything else.

This was obviously orchestrated by the Song family behind the scenes.

As for Lin Xiao, everyone knows that he has a close relationship with Wang Yuanze, the municipal party secretary, while some people know that he also has a good relationship with Liang Weiwang, the executive vice governor.

Only a few people know all his relationships.

To be precise, only those who attended his wedding last time knew, and a very few others who gleaned the inside story from the wedding guests.

In official circles, connections and family backgrounds are rarely publicized. Some relationships are even deliberately suppressed, remaining within a very small circle. Outsiders can only rely on hearsay and fragmented rumors.

This deliberate practice of concealing one's true intentions is not because there is anything shameful being hidden, but simply because it is the norm for maintaining a low profile within the system.

Therefore, what Cai Zili knew was not much different from what most people knew.

Of course, he also knew that if Zhuang Jingshu's report was successfully published, it would put enormous pressure on Zhou Huayu's second trial.

After all, the district court's first instance judgment has already been finalized. If the municipal intermediate court reverses the judgment in the second instance, it is easy to attract controversy, especially without more favorable evidence.

Therefore, the Intermediate People's Court will certainly be cautious.

While the face of Huang Chunning and other provincial leaders must be considered, with central media closely monitoring the situation, everyone will be held accountable if the retrial is too outrageous.

No one dares to take such a risk.

In other words, with the Legal Daily watching closely, even if the Intermediate People's Court wanted to exercise discretion and reduce the sentence, it could only make minor adjustments within the legally prescribed range, and could not significantly overturn the original verdict.

Therefore, Zhou Huayu ultimately cannot escape it.

At the symposium, Zhu Tianming, deputy director of the district people's congress, gave a work report, Yang Songfeng, the district mayor, added to it, and Lin Xiao, the district party secretary, concluded by talking about "four hearts"—

Our determination to combat crime will not waver.

Our unwavering commitment to acting in accordance with the law will not change.

Our confidence in upholding the bottom line will not waver;

Our commitment to addressing the issue, not the person, and to resolutely upholding the principle of equality before the law will never change.

Finally, please rest assured, leaders.

The more Lin Xiao said this, the uglier Huang Chunning's expression became.

This clearly shows they are determined to keep a close eye on Zhou Huayu's case.

Before coming, he had specifically learned about Lin Xiao's background and knew that this kid was Wang Yuanze's right-hand man, had connections with the executive vice governor Liang Weiwang, and was known for his tough style.

Lin Xiao had assumed that since he had personally led the team, he would at least give him some face.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xiao had made preparations in advance, bringing in a reporter from the Legal Daily to put pressure on him. In front of so many people, he remained firm and refused to budge an inch.

Huang Chunning then delivered a speech.

He affirmed the rule of law work in the city and district, and proposed that judicial practice should serve local economic development, take into account all aspects, assess the situation, and find a balance between emotion, reason, and law. He also stressed that political and legal departments should be politically aware, consider the overall situation, and strengthen their service awareness.

After the symposium, Huang Chunning and his delegation returned to their hotel to rest.

That evening, Party Secretary Wang Yuanze, Mayor Ma Guanghua, and Deputy Party Secretary Ran Zhaolan, among others, accompanied them to dinner.

During the meeting, Huang Chunning deliberately brought up the Zhou Huayu case again, pointing out that all parts of the province are currently optimizing the business environment and should be more tolerant of investors and business operators.

Beside him, Ma Guanghua kept nodding in agreement, as if afraid that Huang Chunning was unaware of his stance.

Wang Yuanze remained silent throughout, only smiling and raising his glass in a toast.

On the third day after Huang Chunning and his delegation arrived in Quanzhou, the Legal Daily published a special report on Zhuang Jingshu.

Upon reading the article, Huang Chunning, who had originally planned to stay another day, flew into a rage and immediately led his team back to Fengdu.