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

Handong Province.

Jinghai City.

At the exit of Jinghai International Airport, Zhao Lidong stood at the front, followed by Meng Dehai, An Changlin, and the main leaders of various commissions and bureaus of Jinghai City. The line was neat and orderly, and passengers dragging their suitcases couldn't help but glance over at them.

Seeing that more and more people had stopped to watch, Meng Dehai frowned and said in a low voice, "Mayor Zhao, the crowd around here is getting denser. Should we ask the airport to temporarily manage the flow of people so as not to affect the passage of the working group?"

Zhao Lidong was looking in the direction of the exit when he heard this, and the flesh on his face twitched.

He turned his head, his tone impatient: "Old Meng, have you forgotten what happened at the provincial airport?"

Meng Dehai did not respond.

Zhao Lidong rolled up the reception plan in his hand, tapped his palms, and said, "The provincial government cleared the area to welcome the inspection team, and Su Zhe reprimanded them on the spot. Secretary Sha was put on the spot and couldn't back down. Do you think Jinghai dares to clear the area? Are you afraid Su Zhe won't find a reason to criticize us?"

Meng Dehai said with a wry smile, "I'm just worried that there will be too many people and the situation will be difficult to control."

Zhao Lidong glanced at him and said, "The more normal the scene is today, the better. Let the people walk around and watch as they please. Let's not make them special."

An Changlin stood to the side and said in a low voice, "Mayor Zhao's arrangement is sound. The working group is keeping a close eye on formalism now, so the more low-key the airport reception is, the safer it will be."

Zhao Lidong felt no relief whatsoever upon hearing An Changlin's words.

Qi Tongwei had already given him a message.

Su Zhe's trip to Jinghai was definitely not just a formality.

Zhao Lidong knew very well that Jinghai had buried too many things over the years: Jiuchang Street, Mangcun, Bai Jinhan, Jian Gong Group, and those suppressed whistleblower letters. Each one alone could make local officials suffer. If they were linked together by the central working group, no one would have an easy time.

Secretary Wang stood behind him and whispered, "Mayor, the hotel arrangements are all set. It's the Jinghai Zhixin International Hotel, and all the rooms are furnished to standard for ordinary government use. The welcome banquet will also be held to the specifications you requested."

Zhao Lidong nodded, but then asked with concern, "Check the menu again, and make sure there aren't any expensive seafood dishes."

Secretary Wang quickly replied, "Understood. It's mainly local home-style dishes; only a few seafood specialties were left."

Meng Dehai listened to their conversation and felt a chill in his heart.

He said in a low voice, "Mayor Zhao, I still think that a welcome banquet might not be appropriate."

Zhao Lidong turned to look at him: "Old Meng, why are you always contradicting me today?"

Meng Dehai said, "Su Zhe doesn't follow local hospitality rules. The more enthusiastic we are, the more irritated he might become."

Zhao Lidong smiled and said, "If the working group comes, and we don't receive them, make arrangements, or report to them, do you think they'll be satisfied? Old Meng, local work isn't like your police station handling cases; you can't just focus on one line of investigation."

Meng Dehai didn't say anything more, but only turned his gaze toward the exit.

An Changlin said softly, "They're out."

At the exit, Su Zhe walked at the front, followed by Li Wei, Yang Hong, Zhou Bingguo, Cheng Du, Changshan, Li Chengyang, and others.

He is tall and walks slowly. He doesn't have a large entourage of staff, but you can tell at a glance who the key person is.

Meng Dehai looked at the incredibly young cadre and said in a low voice, "The rumors are true; this Team Leader Su is indeed young."

An Changlin said, "He may be young, but he has been singled out by the provincial authorities several times. Nobody dares to treat him as a young cadre."

Zhao Lidong's face immediately lit up with enthusiasm. He quickly stepped forward, extended both hands, and said, "Team Leader Su, welcome, welcome to the Central Working Group for guidance in Jinghai."

Su Zhe shook hands with him briefly, then withdrew his hand.

Zhao Lidong added, "On behalf of the Jinghai Municipal Party Committee and Government, I welcome the leaders of the working group. Our accommodation has been arranged at the Jinghai Zhixin International Hotel, which is conveniently located and has suitable security. We have prepared a simple working dinner tonight so that you can try some local Jinghai specialties."

Su Zhe looked at Zhao Lidong and asked, "Comrade Zhao Lidong, do you know why our work group came to Jinghai?"

Zhao Lidong's smile froze halfway through.

Secretary Wang was holding the reception list and was about to hand it over when he heard this. He stopped and quietly put it back.

Meng Dehai and An Changlin remained silent.

The local officials around looked at each other, and those who were about to applaud put their hands back to their sides.

Zhao Lidong smiled and said, "Team Leader Su, the working group came to Jinghai to help us identify and solve problems, and to push the Jinghai political and legal system and grassroots governance to a new level."

Su Zhe said, "The public in Jinghai has been reporting these cases for years, old cases have been piling up for years, and criminal gangs have been entrenched for years. Are you, the officials in charge, still only talking about reaching new heights?"

The heat on Zhao Lidong's face gradually subsided.

Meng Dehai lowered his head and did not explain for him.

Looking at Su Zhe, An Changlin felt a sense of relief.

This young team leader from the central government clearly didn't intend to give the local cadres in Jinghai much face.

Zhao Lidong said, "Team Leader Su's criticism is correct. There are indeed shortcomings in the work of Jinghai. The municipal party committee and government bear responsibility, and I myself also bear responsibility."

Su Zhe said, "Whether it's a shortcoming, a dereliction of duty, a breach of duty, or whether there's corruption and protection behind it, the working group will investigate thoroughly."

Zhao Lidong's lips moved, but he didn't dare to answer.

Su Zhe continued, "The welcome banquet is canceled, and there's no need to arrange a working meal. We came to Jinghai not to eat, nor to listen to a welcome speech."

Secretary Wang quickly said, "Team Leader Su, the meal at the hotel was just a regular official meal and did not exceed the budget."

Su Zhe glanced at him: "I said cancel, didn't you understand?"

Secretary Wang's face turned pale, and he immediately lowered his head and said, "Understood, cancel it immediately."

Su Zhe turned to Zhao Lidong: "Mayor Zhao, these officials in Jinghai may not actually welcome the work group. Some of them are standing here to greet us, but who knows, they might end up sitting in our meeting room explaining their problems someday. In that case, there's no need to make a big scene."

After those words were spoken, the airport exit became uncomfortably quiet.

Zhao Lidong wanted to laugh, but couldn't.

Meng Dehai said in a low voice, "Team Leader Su, the Jinghai Public Security Bureau will fully cooperate with the working group."

Su Zhe looked at Meng Dehai: "Secretary Meng, you used to work in the public security system. You are also responsible for the rise of organized crime in Jinghai. Cooperating with the working group is your duty, not a statement."

Meng Dehai's expression also changed.

An Changlin proactively stated, "Team Leader Su, I accept the supervision of the working group. The Jinghai Municipal Public Security Bureau has indeed not done enough to resolve the historical issues."