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

As soon as Wu Chunlin finished speaking, the air on the conference table seemed to be sucked out.

Zhao Lichun stared at the organization minister.

His gaze was very direct.

He made no attempt to hide his shock and anger at being stabbed in the back.

Wu Chunlin lowered his head, looking at the teacup in front of him, as if trying to count the patterns on the cup.

He didn't dare to look up.

But he knew he had won his gamble.

The soft click of Shen Zhong closing the pen cap just now gave him his last and only choice.

To be inextricably linked with Zhao Lichun is to be buried with those two unfortunate souls already on the disciplinary committee's list.

Jumping off the ship might save your life.

Liu Changchun put down his pencil, leaned back in his chair, and stared at Zhao Lichun without saying a word.

There was a hint of mockery, but also a sense of anticipation in his eyes.

He was waiting to see how this "squad leader" who had controlled Handong for many years would step down.

Tian Guofu calmly closed the red book and even tightened the pen cap.

The movements are very slow.

Every second felt like a saw being cut into Zhao Lichun's already taut nerves.

It looks terrible.

A standing committee meeting originally intended to establish authority was turned into a trial.

The one being judged is not Shen Zhong, but Zhao's own troupe.

The deadlock must be broken.

If this stalemate continues, Zhao Lichun's remaining prestige will crumble.

"cough."

A soft cough broke the thick silence.

Gao Yuliang, who hadn't said much until now, sat up straight.

He reached up and adjusted his glasses, a signature gentle yet enigmatic smile on his face.

"I think today's meeting was very effective."

Gao Yuliang's voice was calm and unhurried, with a unique magnetism that easily calmed people down.

Everyone looked at the deputy secretary, who was usually most skilled at Tai Chi.

"We need to look at the issue dialectically."

Gao Yuliang smiled and surveyed the entire room, his gaze lingering briefly on Shen Zhong and Zhao Lichun.

"A democratic life meeting is all about blushing and sweating it out."

"If we don't put problems on the table and always hide them, what kind of democratic life meeting is that?"

"Comrade Shen Zhong has just arrived, and his perspective on issues is very sharp and unique."

"The issues he pointed out regarding national defense and security, and the conduct of cadres, may sound harsh, and even make people feel embarrassed."

Gao Yuliang paused, then raised his voice.

"But good medicine tastes bitter, but it is good for the disease."

"This shows that there are indeed blind spots and dead ends in our work."

This attempt to smooth things over is quite skillful.

They turned a life-or-death political campaign into a bitter internal correction.

This acknowledged Shen Zhong's achievements without making Zhao Lichun appear too incompetent.

Zhao Lichun's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

He knew that Gao Yuliang was giving him a way out.

Although the steps weren't very smooth, it was still better than falling straight down.

"certainly."

Gao Yuliang then changed the subject.

"Identifying problems is a good thing; solving them is the key."

"Whether it's the safety hazards mentioned by Comrade Shen Zhong, the personnel selection criteria mentioned by Minister Chunlin, or even the clues that Secretary Guo Fu wants to investigate."

"We must implement these measures, rectify the problems, and give the Party and the people an explanation."

At this point, Gao Yuliang looked at Zhao Lichun with a meaningful look in his eyes.

"However, I also want to remind everyone of something."

"Unity within the team is the prerequisite for carrying out all work."

"We cannot allow disagreements and arguments to lead to confrontation and internal strife."

"That's not advisable."

After Gao Yuliang finished speaking, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing more.

These words were perfectly watertight.

All parties have been taken care of, so no one can afford to cause trouble again.

Zhao Lichun took a deep breath and pulled his hand out from under the table.

My palms were sweaty.

"Comrade Yuliang's words are very pertinent."

Zhao Lichun's voice was somewhat hoarse, revealing a suppressed exhaustion.

"Today's meeting has indeed exposed quite a few problems."

"Since it's been exposed, let's change it."

"After returning, the relevant departments should check the list proposed by Comrade Shen Zhong, implement it item by item, and rectify it within a specified time limit."

Zhao Lichun didn't look at Shen Zhong again, not even glancing at him out of the corner of his eye.

He was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself.

We lost terribly today.

Their underwear was completely stripped off.

Staying any longer will only make things more embarrassing.

"Alright."

Zhao Lichun waved his hand, as if to shoo away some annoying fly.

That concludes today's meeting. Meeting adjourned.

After saying those two words, Zhao Lichun did not wait for everyone to leave first, as he usually did.

He stood up abruptly, grabbed the documents on the table, and walked towards the side door without looking back.

They walked very fast.

They fled in a somewhat disheveled and embarrassed manner.

Chen Huai didn't even have time to help him with the teacup; he could only hurriedly pick up the stack of materials and jog after him.

The sound of tables and chairs being moved echoed in the conference room.

The Standing Committee members stood up one after another.

Everyone packed up their things very quickly, as if there was something unclean in the meeting room.

No one spoke.

No one exchanged pleasantries.

However, when passing by Shen Zhong, everyone would subconsciously slow down their pace.

His eyes were complicated.

There was apprehension, scrutiny, and fear.

Zhu Jichang and Zhou Guichun have long since disappeared.

These two unlucky guys are probably thinking about how to explain themselves to Tian Guofu right now; they have no face to stay here.

Shen Zhong didn't move.

He remained seated, slowly and methodically adjusting his military uniform.

Put the black notebook into the briefcase and fasten the clasp.

Then put the pen back in his pocket.

Every movement was so precise it was like a textbook example.

He stood up only after most of the people had left.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree.

He put on his military cap and straightened the brim.

Shen Zhong turned and walked towards the door.

He stopped as he passed the seat where Zhao Lichun had just been sitting.

There's still a teacup left in that spot.

The lid was tilted, and the tea inside was still steaming.

Shen Zhong looked at the empty seat and smiled.

It's very light.

He reached out and patted the back of the chair twice.

It's like brushing off dust.

It's as if they're confirming how much longer they can stay in this position.

"Oh."

Shen Zhong let out a soft chuckle and strode out of the conference room.

The leather shoes made a crisp, powerful sound as they stepped on the marble floor.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The rhythm is very steady.

It's unsettling to hear.

In the corridor.

Gao Yuliang walked at the back, holding a teacup in his hand, taking very slow steps.

Li Dakang walked side by side with him.

This usually energetic and decisive top official of Jingzhou was unusually silent at this moment.

The two watched Shen Zhong's figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

That's the green of pine branches.

In a provincial party committee building filled with white shirts and black suits, he stood out from the crowd, yet he was also particularly conspicuous.

"Dakang."

Gao Yuliang suddenly spoke up.

The voice was very soft, and only Li Dakang, who was next to him, could hear it.

Li Dakang turned his head: "Secretary Yuliang?"

Gao Yuliang stopped and looked back at the conference room door that had just been closed.

The air conditioner was still running inside.

But the immense popularity of Zhao Benshan's troupe, which dominated the scene, seems to have completely cooled down as that door closed.

Gao Yuliang shook his head and sighed.

"It seems that the situation in Handong is truly about to change."