Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

Zhao Lichun's face turned ashen as he watched this scene.

But he had to keep the meeting going and finish it at his own pace.

If things just fall apart like this, he, as the provincial party secretary, will truly lose all face.

"Comrade Guofu, investigating cases is the responsibility of the Discipline Inspection Commission. You will handle the specific work after the meeting."

Zhao Lichun slammed the document in his hand shut.

"It's still Standing Committee time, let's continue our discussion on Comrade Shen Zhong's issue."

Zhao Lichun took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger.

His gaze swept across the long conference table and landed on the fifth seat on the left.

Sitting there was Wu Chunlin, the Minister of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee.

This is a core member of Zhao Lichun's troupe, and also the sharpest soft knife in Zhao Lichun's hands.

The Minister of Organization is in charge of official hats.

If Wu Chunlin criticizes Shen Zhong's "individual heroism" and "lack of organization and discipline" from the perspective of organizational procedures and cadre appointment principles, he can steer the discussion away from specific cases and back to the ethereal yet undeniably correct level of "Party principles."

Zhao Lichun gave Wu Chunlin a look.

The look in his eyes was clear: Go, bite him!

Wu Chunlin received the signal.

He instinctively straightened his back and reached for the microphone in front of him.

According to the pre-arranged script, he should have pointed out at this point that Shen Zhong's practice of bypassing the provincial party committee and acting arbitrarily was a trampling on organizational principles and detrimental to the unity of the leadership team.

but.

Just as Wu Chunlin was about to speak, a soft sound came from the opposite side.

"Clatter".

Shen Zhong closed the cap on the pen in his hand.

The sound was very soft.

But in the conference room where only the air conditioner was running, the sound was like a snap of fingers right next to Wu Chunlin's ear.

Wu Chunlin's heart skipped a beat.

He turned his head and met Shen Zhong's gaze.

Shen Zhong didn't look at Zhao Lichun or Tian Guofu; he just quietly watched him.

A faint smile played on his young, handsome face as his right index finger gently traced the cover of the black notebook.

a bit.

Two times.

The movement was slow and casual.

But in Wu Chunlin's eyes, that finger was like marking the finish line of his career.

He remembered the phone call he received last night.

The call was from Chen Yanshi.

"Chunlin, someone called me last night and said that some of your files from when you were transferred from Lincheng to the provincial party committee were unclear, and they wanted to find an opportunity to verify them with you."

At that moment, Wu Chunlin only felt a chill down his back.

His path to promotion back then did involve some less-than-honorable maneuvering, and it was done in an extremely secretive manner that even Zhao Lichun was unaware of the details.

How could Shen Zhong know?

Now that Wu Chunlin saw the black notebook, he understood.

This isn't a notebook; it's a book of life and death.

Even the brokerage fees of Zhu Jichang's brother-in-law and the shares held on behalf of Zhou Guichun's sister-in-law could be found out clearly. His old debts were nothing but secrets in front of this king of soldiers.

Wu Chunlin's Adam's apple bobbed.

Zhao Lichun was still looking at him, her gaze urging him on.

Shen Zhong was also looking at him, his fingers still tapping absently on the notebook.

On one side is his old boss who nurtured him, and on the other side is a living devil who can send him to jail at any time.

How to choose?

Actually, there's no need to choose at all.

Zhao Lichun can give him a hat, but he can't save his life.

Just look at Zhu Jichang's current pathetic state and you'll know.

What Shen Zhong was holding was thunder.

Wu Chunlin closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his expression had changed.

He cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone.

"Since the Party Secretary has asked me to say a few words, then I will share my views."

Wu Chunlin's voice was a little hoarse, but he quickly recovered and became deep and powerful.

Zhao Lichun's expression softened slightly. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and waited to hear Wu Chunlin's counterattack.

"The discussion was very lively just now, and Comrade Shen Zhong provided a great deal of information."

Wu Chunlin paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"As the head of the organization department, I've been pondering a question: Has our approach to cadre selection gone astray?"

Zhao Lichun's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.

This is not a good start.

Wu Chunlin didn't look at Zhao Lichun; he spoke faster and raised his voice.

"For a long time, some of our comrades have only focused on GDP and investment attraction figures. They've been willing to sacrifice the environment and even national defense for these figures!"

"Was Comrade Zhu Jichang's problem an isolated case?"

I doubt it!

Wu Chunlin slammed his hand on the table, startling everyone.

"How did cadres who only care about political achievements, disregard politics, and ignore the overall situation get promoted to important positions?"

"This is a dereliction of duty on our part!"

Zhao Lichun's eyes widened.

He could hardly believe his ears.

Is this a criticism of Shen Zhong?

This is clearly digging up the roots of the Zhao family troupe!

It's a questioning of Zhao Lichun's judgment in personnel selection!

"Comrade Shen Zhong's words today may sound harsh, and some comrades may even find his methods radical."

Wu Chunlin turned to look at Shen Zhong, his face displaying an almost ingratiating "fair" expression.

"But I think this is precisely what the officialdom of Handong is currently lacking most!"

"We need this kind of courage to speak out, to confront difficulties, and to uncover the truth!"

"If even military preparedness and security become tools for some to amass wealth, then what are we talking about in terms of governing for the people? What are we talking about in terms of long-term stability and security?"

Wu Chunlin became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had transformed into a messenger of justice.

"I propose that the Organization Department take this incident as an opportunity to launch a province-wide campaign to rectify the work style of cadres!"

"Those who hold positions without performing their duties, or even those who harm national interests, must be resolutely removed from the cadre ranks, regardless of who is involved or whose side they belong to!"

That was a really bad stab.

It struck right into Zhao Lichun's heart.

Even the head of the organization department has turned against them. What does that say?

This indicates that the Zhao family troupe is losing its members.

This means everyone is looking for a way out.

The meeting room was completely silent.

Everyone kept their heads down, no one daring to look at Zhao Lichun's expression.

Only heaviness.

He released his hand from the notebook, leaned back, and a handsome smile curved his lips.

That smile carried a hint of sarcasm, yet also a touch of nonchalant control.

He did nothing but place a notebook on the table, and that dismantled Handong's most formidable power stronghold.

"Click."

A crisp sound broke the silence.

Zhao Lichun squeezed the lid of the teacup in his hand until it cracked.

A shard of purple clay pierced his fingertip, but he felt no pain.

All that remained was overwhelming anger and a profound sense of powerlessness.

After saying these words, Wu Chunlin seemed to have used up all his strength.

He dared not look into Zhao Lichun's murderous eyes, and lowered his head to look at the table in front of him, his voice becoming soft.

That concludes my remarks. I hope they have prompted some reflection.