Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

"Those sitting here today are all leaders of Handong Province, the people who decide the fate of tens of millions of people in Handong. I hope that everyone, including myself, will put their hands on their hearts and ask ourselves: Where does the power we hold come from? Where should it be used? What are we busy with every day for?"

After Chen Yanshi finished speaking, he didn't sit down but stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly. A long silence filled the conference room.

Sha Ruijin slowly stood up and led the applause. This time, the applause was louder and more profound than before. Each person who clapped wore a thoughtful expression.

Sha Ruijin walked over to Chen Yanshi and shook his hand again. "Mr. Chen, thank you! You have given us a vivid and thought-provoking lesson today."

Sha Ruijin turned to all the Standing Committee members, his tone solemn, "We have all heard what Elder Chen said. This is not just a history lesson, but also a mirror reflecting our original aspirations and present state. I hope that this Standing Committee meeting can be a new starting point. From today onwards, the Party's work style, government conduct, and cadre team building in Handong Province must undergo a fundamental transformation!"

After seeing Chen Yanshi off, the Standing Committee continued.

Sha Ruijin sat down again, his expression returning to its usual seriousness. "Just now, Elder Chen spoke about original aspirations and traditions. Now, I'll give a specific example."

Sha Ruijin paused, "I know of such a cadre, whose rank is already quite high, yet he wants to advance further. He was in charge of science and technology work, serving as the director of the Science and Technology Bureau for six years, and then as the head of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department for five years. But—"

Sha Ruijin's voice suddenly rose, "He doesn't even recognize our agricultural scientists, doesn't recognize our academicians! When someone offered to shake his hand, he actually asked which institution they belonged to!"

Several members of the Standing Committee frowned.

"But!" Sha Ruijin changed the subject, "he knows every single one of the female cadres who are even slightly attractive. He can even call out the childhood names of the female cadres working in remote mountainous areas!"

A few suppressed chuckles and helpless sighs echoed in the conference room.

"What kind of talk is this? Comrades!" Sha Ruijin slammed his fist on the table, heartbroken.

Gao Yuliang picked up his water glass and continued the conversation, "Secretary Sha, I've also heard of the cadre you mentioned. Every night he takes a group of female cadres out drinking, and every time they do, one or two of them inevitably get drunk. It's a very bad influence."

Sha Ruijin continued, "Can we recommend them to the central government for vice-ministerial level positions? Impossible. What do they take our provincial party committee for?"

"Secretary Ruijin is right. Some of our comrades are indeed outrageous. For example, the Director of our Provincial Public Security Bureau got his position through flattery and praise. Let me give you an example. Back then, I was in the Secretariat of the Municipal Party Committee," Li Dakang said at this moment.

"Secretary Da Kang, to put it more clearly, you were the secretary of Zhao Lichun, the municipal party secretary, back then," Gao Yuliang interrupted at the right moment, his tone both teasing and honest.

Li Dakang smiled and said, "There's nothing to hide. Everyone knows that at that time, Qi Tongwei was the director of the Political Security Department of the Public Security Bureau. When Comrade Zhao Lichun wanted to go home to pay respects at his ancestors' graves, Comrade Qi Tongwei and I accompanied him. Comrade Qi Tongwei really did it. When we arrived at Zhao's graves, he knelt down with a thud and cried. He was really crying, with snot and tears streaming down his face."

A few cryptic chuckles echoed in the conference room.

"I don't know what Secretary Dakang is trying to say by crying at the grave?" Gao Yuliang asked calmly. "Is he saying that Qi Tongwei is a bad guy and should be shot?"

An eerie silence fell over the scene.

"It can't be that bad, can it? Hahaha!" Gao Yuliang said with a laugh.

Gao Yuliang's smile didn't reach his eyes. Suddenly, his expression turned serious, his gaze fixed on Li Dakang. "Then do you know why Comrade Qi Tongwei cried back then?"

Before Li Dakang could answer, Gao Yuliang's voice suddenly rose, "That's because he heard that Secretary Zhao Lichun's father was a martyr who sacrificed his life for the country in the War of Resistance Against Japan! That kneeling, that weeping, wasn't kneeling before Zhao Lichun, nor was it weeping at the Zhao family's grave! He was thinking of his comrades who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield! He was thinking of the heroes who sacrificed their lives on the front lines of drug enforcement!"

Gao Yuliang looked around. "Have some of us forgotten? Our Public Security Bureau Chief is a drug enforcement hero who was shot three times! The bullet marks on his body are his medals! Moreover, since he took office as Public Security Bureau Chief, the province's public security situation, crime-solving rate, and public sense of security have all seen significant improvements—the data speaks for itself! Secretary Dakang, what makes you think he got to his position just by flattering and praising him?"

Gao Yuliang's last question was a blunt interrogation: "What? Are you going to deny the contributions and character of a drug enforcement hero who shed blood for the country and the people?"

Li Dakang's face flushed red and then turned pale. He opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment. In the end, he lowered his head and avoided Gao Yuliang's gaze.

"Today is the Standing Committee meeting, and the agenda is to discuss personnel matters. Why are they discussing our Public Security Bureau Chief like this at this time? What are they trying to achieve?"

"Alright," Sha Ruijin spoke up at the right moment, bringing the situation under control. "Secretary Dakang's example might have been a bit extreme. Today is the Standing Committee meeting, and the main topic is cadre personnel. Let's get back to the main issue."

Sha Ruijin then changed the subject, saying, "Based on current considerations of strengthening the cadre team, I have a proposal: to freeze the planned adjustments to the appointments of 120 cadres. Whether it's the vice-ministerial level candidates we intend to recommend to the Central Committee or the bureau-level cadres we intend to promote, all appointments should be suspended and re-examined in a thorough and comprehensive manner in accordance with the cadre appointment regulations."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang's heart sank, and his expression changed slightly. Freeze all adjustments? Was Sha Ruijin going to... overturn their previous agreement?

"However," Sha Ruijin said, glancing at Gao Yuliang.

"We just mentioned our Public Security Bureau Chief, Comrade Qi Tongwei. Secretary Yuliang is right; we must not forget the contributions of heroes, but we must also look at the actual abilities and achievements of our cadres. Comrade Qi Tongwei's achievements during his tenure as Public Security Bureau Chief are evident to all. Therefore, I propose that we first hold a vote today on the personnel arrangements for three key positions."

Sha Ruijin stated clearly, "First, we recommend Comrade Qi Tongwei to the Central Committee to serve as Vice Governor of the Provincial Government, in charge of political and legal work. Second, we transfer Comrade Han Bin, former Director of the General Office of the Provincial Public Security Department, to serve as Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Provincial Procuratorate. Third, we transfer Comrade Chen Hai, the former Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Provincial Procuratorate, to serve as Executive Vice Director of the Provincial Public Security Department."

Gao Yuliang's tense expression finally relaxed, and he regained his composure, but his brows were still slightly furrowed.

Qi Tongwei's promotion to vice-provincial level and Han Bin's appointment to head the anti-corruption bureau were tacit agreements that Gao Yuliang had anticipated and reached with Sha Ruijin.

However, Chen Hai's transfer to the position of Executive Deputy Director of the Public Security Department was unexpected—Chen Hai had just been dismissed from his post at the last Standing Committee meeting due to the Ding Yizhen incident, and now he had not only been reinstated but also transferred to a key position within the Public Security Department. This was clearly an arrangement made after Sha Ruijin communicated with other Party committee members, as he had not received any prior notice.

"Now, let's proceed with the vote." Sha Ruijin presided over the meeting. "Those who agree to recommend Comrade Qi Tongwei to the Central Committee as Vice Governor, please raise your hands."

Gao Yuliang was the first to raise his hand, followed by Governor Liu Yandong, who, after a brief moment's hesitation, also raised his hand. Subsequently, the other Standing Committee members raised their hands one after another. Ultimately, eight out of eleven votes were in favor. The three who did not raise their hands were: Li Dakang, Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee; Tian Guofu, Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection; and the Commander of the Provincial Military Region.

"Alright, eight votes in favor, the proposal is approved." Sha Ruijin nodded. "Next, those who agree to appoint Comrade Han Bin as the Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate and Comrade Chen Hai as the Executive Deputy Director of the Public Security Department, please raise your hands."

This time, all the Standing Committee members, including Li Dakang, Tian Guofu, and the military region commander who hadn't raised their hands earlier, raised their hands. The motion passed unanimously.

Gao Yuliang was the last to raise his hand. He originally intended to vote against it, but after thinking about it for a while, he decided against it. He had a good relationship with Chen Yanshi, and even if Chen Hai was not on his side, there was no need to be the bad guy at this time, since the other standing committee members all voted in favor.

"Minister Wu, please arrange for pre-appointment interviews with these comrades, and then proceed with the relevant formalities according to procedure," Sha Ruijin instructed Wu Chunlin, the Organization Minister.

"Okay, Secretary Sha." Wu Chunlin nodded and took notes.