Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

"Comrades, let's begin the meeting." Liu Yandong cleared her throat, her voice steady. "According to the agenda, there are six topics to discuss today. The first is about the economic performance of our province in the first half of the year..."

The discussions on the first few topics proceeded smoothly, with the standing committee members expressing their opinions and the staff quickly taking notes. The only sounds in the meeting room were the scratching of pens on paper and the occasional clinking of teacups.

An hour and a half later, Liu Yandong turned a page of the agenda, looked up and surveyed the room. "Now we will proceed to the fifth item on the agenda: Several Opinions on Further Strengthening the Discipline of the Political and Legal Team in Our Province. Comrade Yuliang, please give us a brief introduction."

Gao Yuliang nodded slightly, adjusted the microphone in front of him, and began calmly, "Governor Yan Dong, comrades. Regarding the discipline building of the political and legal team, I have a typical case that I need to submit to the Standing Committee for discussion."

Gao Yuliang paused for a moment, then took out a document from the folder. "The incident happened two days ago. Comrade Chen Hai, the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Provincial Procuratorate, took coercive measures against Ding Yizhen, the vice mayor of Jingzhou City, without the approval of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Political and Legal Committee, and without completing the legal procedures."

A slight commotion arose in the meeting room. Several members of the Standing Committee exchanged glances.

"From what I understand," Gao Yuliang continued, his tone calm but each word clear and forceful, "after Comrade Chen Hai received instructions by phone from a section chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, he immediately deployed the arrest operation. The formal cooperation documents were only sent to our provincial procuratorate the next day."

Li Dakang immediately chimed in, his voice rising a half-tone above his usual tone, "I fully understand what Secretary Yuliang is saying. Comrade Chen Hai's actions have seriously violated organizational procedures and work discipline! A vice mayor, a department-level cadre, arrested without any basic consultation or reporting! The Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government were completely unaware of this matter—what kind of system is this?"

Wu Chunlin, the head of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, frowned. "Comrade Dakang, Comrade Chen Hai did not report to the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department as required before taking action. According to the cadre management authority, taking coercive measures against bureau-level cadres must be reported to the Provincial Party Committee in advance."

"The problem isn't just about procedures." Gao Yuliang adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the light. "Comrade Chen Hai, as the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Provincial Procuratorate, should be a model of law-abiding behavior. But his actions this time have seriously violated the 'Rules of Criminal Procedure of the People's Procuratorate' and the 'Regulations on the Political and Legal Work of the Communist Party of China.' In particular, Article 17 of the regulations clearly stipulates that major cases and important situations must be promptly reported to the Party Committee."

Executive Vice Governor Fang Weidong reviewed the materials in front of him and said slowly, "If Ding Yizhen's problems do exist, of course they should be investigated. But procedural justice is the guarantee of substantive justice. If we ignore procedures in order to expedite the case, in the long run, it will damage the credibility of the rule of law."

"Comrade Wei Dong is right," Gao Yuliang immediately agreed. "We are not against investigating corruption; on the contrary, the Provincial Party Committee has always firmly supported the anti-corruption work. But all work must be carried out within the framework of law and discipline. Comrade Chen Hai's actions this time have set a very bad precedent. If every investigator can bypass organizational procedures under the pretext of urgency, then what is the point of Party leadership? What is the point of collective decision-making?"

Li Dakang leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. "I completely agree with Secretary Yuliang's opinion. What's more serious is that because this operation was too hasty, and because the procuratorate acted alone without requesting the public security department to set up surveillance when Secretary Yuliang instructed the Public Security Bureau to assist, and only had two people watching over the meeting, this led to Ding Yizhen's escape! Now he has fled abroad, causing great difficulties for our subsequent investigation. If we had followed the proper procedures and made thorough arrangements, it would have been entirely possible to avoid this situation."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room. Several standing committee members were taking notes.

Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Tian Guofu looked up and said, "The Discipline Inspection Commission is still investigating the specific details of Ding Yizhen's escape. Comrade Chen Hai did have obvious procedural problems, but I believe his ultimate goal was good, so I think he should be treated leniently or we should wait for Secretary Sha to return before making a decision."

Tian Guofu knew about the relationship between Chen Hai and Sha Ruijin, and he and the Han University gang were not on good terms. This was clearly an attempt to protect Chen Hai.

"Secretary Guofu, I disagree with what you said. Motives cannot cover up procedural errors. We often say that good intentions can lead to bad outcomes. Why? Because we neglect the importance of procedure. Especially in political and legal work, procedural justice is just as important as substantive justice, and sometimes even more important. Today we can forgive procedural violations because the motives are good, but tomorrow someone might use good motives as an excuse to trample on the law. We cannot open that door." Gao Yuliang spoke again, his tone even more serious.

"Moreover, according to preliminary understanding, the section chief of the Supreme People's Procuratorate who instructed Chen Hai to take action did not present any written documents at the time. He only made a phone call and ordered an anti-corruption bureau chief in our province to take coercive measures against a deputy director-level cadre. This way of working is extremely irregular. If cases are handled in this way, the order of the national political and legal system will be seriously impacted."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Tian Guofu coughed lightly. "Before Secretary Sha Ruijin went on his inspection tour, he gave instructions regarding recent work, emphasizing that personnel issues should wait until he returns. Shouldn't we postpone it for now?"

Governor Liu Yandong placed her hands on the table, her gaze sweeping across the room. "Comrades have all expressed their opinions. Judging from everyone's remarks, apart from Secretary Tian, ​​everyone else seems to agree on the matter of Comrade Chen Hai violating procedures in handling the case. So, what suggestions do you have regarding how to handle this issue?"

Gao Yuliang was the first to respond: "I suggest that, firstly, the Party Group of the Provincial Procuratorate be instructed to give Comrade Chen Hai a serious reprimand and education, and require him to make a profound self-examination; secondly, I suggest that Comrade Chen Hai be removed from his post as Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Provincial Procuratorate, and that the Executive Deputy Director temporarily take charge of the work; thirdly, that the situation and handling opinions be formally reported to the Supreme People's Procuratorate; and fourthly, that a special education session on procedural awareness and discipline be conducted throughout the province's political and legal system to prevent such incidents from happening again."

Li Dakang immediately expressed his support, saying, "I agree with Secretary Yuliang's opinion. The handling of Comrade Chen Hai must be forceful and serve as a warning. Otherwise, if other cadres follow suit, where will the authority of our Provincial Party Committee be? How can we uphold the principle of the Party's leadership over political and legal work?"

The room fell silent again. Only the low hum of the air conditioner and the typing of the recorder could be heard.

Liu Yandong glanced at her watch. "Any other opinions?"

Shen Jingyi, the head of the provincial publicity department, raised her hand and said, "I agree with Comrade Yuliang's opinion in principle. However, we need to be careful in our publicity and reporting. We need to show the provincial party committee's determination to enforce discipline, but we also need to avoid excessive hype that could damage the image of the political and legal system."

"Comrade Jingyi's reminder is very important." Gao Yuliang nodded. "This matter should be handled differently for internal and external matters. We must be serious internally and prudent externally."