chsdbacks Page 87
Page 87
Chen Zhigang, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor.
Zhao Tianyu, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department.
Li Mingyuan, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary-General of the Municipal Government.
Ji Xiaolei, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Military Sub-district.
This is the power structure of Jingzhou City, Handong Province. The Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee consists of 11 members.
Lin Yunfei took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes: "To break this deadlock, we must dismantle Li Dakang's power from within."
Lin Yunfei turned around and walked up to Zhao Lan: "Lanlan, I've found out that Ji Xiaolei, the director of the Political Department, is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and the political commissar of the military sub-district."
"His vote is crucial."
“I spoke with Mayor Wu Xiongfei, and he can get three votes. One vote for himself, one vote for the Minister of the United Front Work Department, one vote for Zhao Tianyu, one vote for the Executive Vice Mayor, and one vote for Chen Zhigang.”
“Sun Liancheng himself also has one vote, so that makes four votes.”
"With Ji Xiaolei's support, we can achieve a five-to-six vote situation. If we can win just one more vote, we can break Li Dakang's monopoly on the Standing Committee."
Lin Yunfei spoke slowly, offering a calm analysis.
"There's also Sun Haiping, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. He's about to retire, and his dissatisfaction with Li Dakang has been going on for a long time."
"In the officialdom of Beijing, Li Dakang was extremely domineering and almost ruled by his own hand."
Lin Yunfei reached out and took Zhao Lan's soft hand: "I've thought about it. I'll promote Sun Haiping. Ideally, he should be the deputy secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Handong Province."
"Only in this way can we possibly win over Sun Haiping."
Zhao Lan snapped out of her daze, her eyes wide with surprise: "Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission? The Political and Legal Affairs Commission is Gao Yuliang's territory."
"We are still preparing for both possibilities."
“Last night, Li Zheng called me. Two years ago, Zhao Ruilong bribed Zhang Shuli, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jingzhou City, with 6.8 million RMB.” Lin Yunfei’s words were astonishing.
"Zhang Shuli? I vaguely remember him. He's a cowardly cadre."
"I can't believe it, I received 6.8 million from Zhao Ruilong." Zhao Lan's expression was one of astonishment and surprise.
This is not something the author made up; it is clearly written in the original novel.
"Lanlan, I'm going to find Sun Liancheng. You call Ji Xiaolei."
Lin Yunfei stood up and drew back the curtains of the master bedroom.
Zhao Lan nodded, acted swiftly, picked up her phone from the bedside table, and dialed Ji Xiaolei, the political commissar of the military sub-district.
"Hello. Director Ji, I'm Zhao Lan."
Ji Xiaolei was taken aback for a moment, then quickly adopted a respectful attitude: "Political Commissar Zhao, hello. What can I do for you? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"It's like this, I need your help. The Standing Committee of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee..."
Zhao Lan slowly spoke, stating her request.
Political Commissar Ji Xiaolei of the military sub-district suddenly realized what was going on. He readily agreed, "Oh, no problem. It's nothing."
Zhao Lan: "Thank you, Director Ji. Consider it a favor I owe you."
. . . . .
The office building of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee.
The office of Sun Liancheng, deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, was closed.
Lin Yunfei sat on the luxurious sofa, took out a pack of special-supply cigarettes, pulled one out with his hand, and handed it to Sun Liancheng.
Sun Liancheng reluctantly refused: "Yunfei, I'm so sorry. I don't smoke, and I don't drink or smoke."
"Okay, I'll smoke it myself."
Lin Yunfei, with a special-supply cigarette dangling from his mouth, took out a metal lighter and lit the cigarette.
"Lian Cheng. Our investigation revealed that Zhang Shuli, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jingzhou City, accepted a huge bribe of 6.8 million yuan..."
Lin Yunfei recounted the events in general terms, but omitted the fact that it was Zhao Ruilong who gave him the money.
Upon hearing this, Sun Liancheng hesitated for a moment: "Yunfei, what do you mean?"
“Bring Zhang Shuli to our side.”
"Ji Xiaolei, a member of the Standing Committee of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Military Sub-district, will support you."
"In other words, there are five Standing Committee members, and we will have five votes," Lin Yunfei said slowly and in a deep voice.
Sun Liancheng was very surprised: "Five votes?"
“Yes, five votes are enough to influence the decision.” Lin Yunfei’s gaze was firm. “We must seize this opportunity. Jingzhou is a democratic Jingzhou. It’s not Li Dakang’s one-man show.”
“But… Zhang Shuli is Li Dakang’s man.” Sun Liancheng frowned and pondered.
"Lian Cheng, I am now the Second Deputy Secretary of the State Security Department of Handong Province, at the level of a full-fledged department head."
Lin Yunfei's expression was serious. He held a special-supply cigarette between his right index and middle fingers. Amidst the swirling smoke, he said firmly, "I have enough evidence to prove that Zhang Shuli accepted bribes. If he doesn't listen to us, then we'll put him in jail."
"The National Security Bureau of Handong Province is responsible for national security."
"However, we also have a responsibility to protect local stability."
Sun Liancheng's eyes sharpened, and he took a deep breath: "Understood, Yunfei. I'll call Zhang Shuli now."
Sun Liancheng picked up his phone and dialed Zhang Shuli's number. His tone was calm but carried an undeniable authority: "Secretary Zhang, there are some things we need to discuss in person. They are of great importance." On the other end of the line, Zhang Shuli was silent for a moment before finally agreeing to meet.
. . . . .
Twenty minutes later, Zhang Shuli, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jingzhou, arrived at Sun Liancheng's office.
Zhang Shuli's expression was solemn. As soon as he entered the room, he went straight to the sofa and sat down, his gaze shifting back and forth between Lin Yunfei and Sun Liancheng.
"Deputy Secretary Sun, Deputy Secretary Lin, may I ask what brings you two to see me?" Zhang Shuli's voice trembled slightly, as he knew this summons was no accident.
Lin Yunfei gently exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes sharp: "Secretary Zhang, we have obtained some information about you, and we hope you can answer truthfully."
Zhang Shuli felt a pang of anxiety, but forced himself to remain calm: "I, Zhang Shuli, act with integrity and have no regrets."
“Alright, let’s get straight to the point.” Lin Yunfei stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, his voice deep and powerful. “Our National Security Bureau has discovered irregularities in your bank statements and that you own a luxury villa in the Xishan Villa District of Dadu.”
"The name on the deed for this mansion is your son, Zhang Yun."
"In other words, you accepted a bribe from a businessman totaling 6.8 million RMB."
Zhang Shuli's face turned deathly pale instantly. He never expected his secret to be exposed so thoroughly. He tried to explain, "This...this is all a misunderstanding, that money belonged to my mother..."
“Secretary Zhang, there’s no need to say any more.” Sun Liancheng interrupted him, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
Zhang Shuli fell silent, knowing full well that any attempt to explain would be futile.
Seeing this, Lin Yunfei cut to the chase: "Secretary Zhang, you have two choices: one is to continue to resist, but the National Security comrades will arrest you, and I will personally sign the arrest warrant."
"Secondly, if you cooperate with us to fight against Li Dakang, you might be able to save your future at the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting."
A flicker of struggle crossed Zhang Shuli's eyes. He knew he was in dire straits, and only cooperation offered a glimmer of hope. Finally, he slowly spoke: "Deputy Secretary Lin, Deputy Secretary Sun, I am willing to cooperate."
"I only ask you, please give me one chance."
"I am willing to hand over all the money I received as bribes to the National Security Department." Zhang Shuli's face showed remorse.
Lin Yunfei and Sun Liancheng exchanged a glance, a hint of satisfaction flashing in their eyes.
They knew that Zhang Shuli's addition would give them a crucial vote in breaking Li Dakang's monopoly.
This has made the power struggle within the municipal standing committee even more unpredictable.
. . . . . .
The following day, in Jingzhou City, the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee officially convened.
Mayor Wu Xiongfei was the first to speak out: "Comrades, some comrades are used to being domineering, which is not good."
"According to relevant procedures and regulations, discussions and decisions on the appointment and removal of cadres must be made with at least two-thirds of the Standing Committee members present and a vote taken."
Li Dakang frowned, staring intently at Wu Xiongfei with a death stare: "Mayor Xiongfei, it seems you're... talking about me?"
Wu Xiongfei nodded, feeling more confident: "That's right, Secretary Dakang. I'm talking about you."
"What mistake did Lin Yunfei, the newly appointed vice mayor and director of the Public Security Bureau of Jingzhou City, make?"
"Secretary Dakang, you removed Comrade Yunfei from his post without a two-thirds majority vote from the Standing Committee?"
Sun Liancheng's expression was serious, and he slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Mayor Wu is right. Secretary Dakang, Jingzhou is the Jingzhou of democracy."
"What you're doing is against the rules."
Li Dakang sneered and looked at Sun Liancheng: "Well, Sun Liancheng. You've made something of yourself now."
"Lin Yunfei is lazy and inactive, so it is reasonable for me to dismiss him."
Sun Liancheng interjected, "However, it's not compliant with regulations."
Mayor Wu Xiongfei: "I propose that Comrade Lin Yunfei be reinstated to his positions as Vice Mayor of Jingzhou City and Director of the Jingzhou City Public Security Bureau."
"Everyone raises their hands to vote, and the minority submits to the majority."
Li Dakang confidently replied, "Okay, raise your hand."
The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense, and the Standing Committee members looked at each other nervously.
Zhao Tianyu, Minister of the United Front Work Department, was the first to raise his hand. Chen Zhigang, Executive Vice Mayor, was the second.
Ji Xiaolei, the political commissar of the military sub-district, raised his right hand expressionlessly.
Mayor Wu Xiongfei and Deputy Secretary Sun Liancheng both raised their hands.
That makes five votes.
Zhang Shuli slowly raised his hand, and Li Dakang's face turned ashen as he realized that the situation was out of control.
Six votes in favor, five votes against.
There are only 11 members on the Standing Committee, and now Li Dakang has been defeated.
The vote has sealed Lin Yunfei's reinstatement, and Li Dakang's authority has been seriously challenged for the first time.
90. Sha Ruijin's counterattack resulted in Lin Yunfei being promoted in name but demoted in reality.