Official excuse: I've put you on patrol in Handong, and the whole province is in a panic.

Gao Yuliang smiled and said, "I heard that you encountered a security case as soon as you arrived. Jinghai has accumulated a lot of problems over the years, so it's normal for the conflicts to be exposed in a concentrated manner."

Sha Ruijin stopped and looked at Gao Yuliang: "Why didn't the conflict surface earlier or later, but just as the inspection team arrived? What a coincidence!"

Gao Yuliang put his hands behind his back and said, "Secretary Sha, that's how local governance is; a small change can have far-reaching consequences. Comrade Su Zhe is young and has a tough style, so it's inevitable that there will be some ripples in the local area."

Sha Ruijin said, "I admire cadres with a tough style. In some places in Handong, they are too soft, too accommodating, and too good at appealing to personal relationships."

Gao Yuliang's smile faded slightly: "A tough stance is a good thing, but stability must also be considered. Jinghai is a major city; if things really get chaotic, the impact will be significant."

Looking at the road ahead, Sha Ruijin said, "Stability isn't about covering up problems. If someone really wants to use chaos to force the inspection team to back down, that's defying the organization."

Gao Yuliang didn't reply immediately, but just looked down at the stone path under his feet.

Sha Ruijin continued walking forward, his tone casual: "Comrade Yuliang, you have been in charge of political and legal affairs for many years. You should know more about the problems in the Jinghai political and legal system than I do."

Gao Yuliang followed and said, "I will urge the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission and the Provincial Public Security Department to fully cooperate with the inspection team."

Sha Ruijin said, "That's good."

The two walked on, neither of them mentioning Zhao Lidong again.

But Gao Yuliang knew in his heart that the fire in Jinghai had already spread to the provincial level.

After dinner, the streetlights on in the compound of the Hantong Provincial Party Committee were turned on. Sha Ruijin walked along the tree-lined path, with Gao Yuliang beside him. Their secretaries followed at a distance, able to see their leaders but not hear the conversation.

Looking ahead, Sha Ruijin asked, "Comrade Yuliang, since Su Zhe led the special task force into Jinghai, quite a few people have been arrested on the streets. How much do you know about this?"

Gao Yuliang put his hands behind his back and said with approval, "Comrade Su Zhe is efficient and decisive. On the day the inspection team arrived at the hotel, he personally arrested more than a dozen people who were vandalizing the place. That same night, he organized the provincial department to carry out an operation. His efficiency is indeed commendable."

Sha Ruijin turned his head and glanced at him: "There's probably more to what you said, isn't there?"

Gao Yuliang didn't rush to answer. He slowed his pace and waited until the two secretaries were further away before speaking: "Secretary Sha, we must be realistic in affirming achievements, and we cannot be vague in pointing out risks. I am worried that Comrade Su Zhe is too eager to make merits and his working methods are too hasty."

"How anxious are you?"

"The number of security incidents in Jinghai has increased significantly. Businesses around the hotel have closed down, and there have been incidents of vandalism in the building materials market and the old factory street. Some enterprises have suspended production, and the public's attitude towards the inspection team is not stable."

Sha Ruijin frowned: "The Jinghai Public Security Bureau hasn't taken any measures?"

Gao Yuliang shook his head: "An Changlin has already reported to the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission that there is a shortage of local police force in Jinghai and hopes that the province will coordinate with police forces from other places to provide support. What's more troublesome is that the inspection team lacks trust in the local public security team. All the arrested people are detained in other places, and Jinghai police are not allowed to participate in important operations."

"Did An Changlin report to you personally?"

"The information was compiled by the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Office, and An Changlin also signed the report, so these materials are genuine."

Sha Ruijin didn't reply, but just looked down at the stone path, his originally even steps slowing down.

Gao Yuliang continued, "The situation in Jinghai is unique. In the early years, underground forces were active. After years of governance, many people have been brought to justice, and a number of people have washed their hands of their professions and entered the normal business field."

Sha Ruijin asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"Gao Qiqiang of the Construction Engineering Group."

"I've heard of this name. He's a representative of Jinghai's entrepreneurs and was even elected as a member of the Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference."

Gao Yuliang smiled and said, "Over the years, he has donated to schools, built nursing homes, and created many jobs. He has a certain influence in the Jinghai business community. Some of his subordinates still retain the gangster habits from their early years, which does need to be educated and rectified. However, if we were to investigate the entire construction group as a criminal gang, too many companies and families would be involved."

Sha Ruijin stopped by the roadside, looked at Gao Yuliang, and asked, "You mean, Su Zhe has driven normal companies to the opposite side of the organization?"

I wouldn't dare draw that conclusion.

Gao Yuliang adjusted his glasses and then added, "But judging from the results, before the inspection team arrived, the streets of Jinghai were generally stable. After the inspection team arrived, the number of police incidents increased day by day, and many businesses closed down. This change needs to be taken seriously."

Sha Ruijin said, "It's also possible that someone deliberately created chaos to try and drive the inspection team away."

"That possibility certainly exists."

Gao Yuliang continued, "But governing a city cannot only consider handling cases; it also requires considering economic operation and the lives of the people. The inspection team is handling all cases, big and small, strictly. Conflicts that could have been resolved with criticism and education or administrative detention are now being investigated in depth as clues of organized crime. Naturally, the panic in the local area is getting worse."

"Jinghai is a major economic city in Handong and a major contributor to tax revenue. We cannot allow this chaos to continue."

Sha Ruijin resumed his steps, his tone now much more somber: "I support the inspection team investigating problems, and I also support cracking down on organized crime. But if anyone wants to jeopardize Jinghai's business environment and the lives of millions of people, the Provincial Party Committee cannot stand idly by."

Gao Yuliang said, "That's exactly what I'm worried about. Comrade Su Zhe is only 28 years old, yet he is already a deputy director-level cadre and holds an important position as the leader of the special governance team. Young people have an advantage in terms of drive, but it is also true that they lack experience."

"Didn't Xu Ming remind him?"

"Comrade Xu Ming trusted him very much. The specific actions of the inspection team were basically decided by Su Zhe. He might not listen to the opinions of local comrades."

Sha Ruijin's face darkened: "Treating the entire city as a testing ground for investigations is utter nonsense."

Gao Yuliang did not agree, but advised, "Secretary Sha, the inspection team represents the central government after all. Local authorities should also pay attention to their communication methods and not let normal work-related disagreements turn into conflicts between the central government and local authorities."

"The central government and local governments should be considerate of each other, but mutual consideration does not mean blindly giving in."

Sha Ruijin turned to look at him: "Comrade Yuliang, the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission will now monitor the changes in public security in Jinghai and prepare a daily report, clearly recording the number of police incidents, the status of business shutdowns, the proportion of shops closed, and public opinions."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on it myself."

"If it turns out that the inspection team has seriously affected the normal development of Jinghai, I will report the truth to the central government. No one can put personal political achievements above the overall situation of the local area."

Gao Yuliang nodded and said, "With Secretary Sha adhering to principles, the cadres in Handong have a backbone."