0125 134 Accepting the survey "Part 1"
The night was quiet, but the municipal party committee building was brightly lit. Several unlicensed cars drove into the compound one after another, and the automatic doors opened and closed.
The water gurgled in front of the building, flowing past the hurried footsteps on the stairs.
Upon entering the municipal party committee building, a few people were chatting by the stairwell on the first floor. When they saw Hu Rui and his group, they turned around to greet them. Hu Rui nodded and walked straight to the side. Inside the elevator was Xu Lin, the deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee. The two of them knew that Zhou Xiye must have sent them to a meeting.
"This is quite a big deal," Xu Lin said, his face seemingly clouded with worry. Hu Rui inwardly scoffed. Xu Lin was the kind of person who would rather sit than stand, and lie down than sit. Wasn't that expression just an act?
As soon as the elevator stopped, the two walked out one after the other. There were quite a few people at the conference room door. Ling Xingzhi and his secretary Li Qingshan were also there, and Qiao Senxi was standing at the door looking at a document. Only Zhou Xiye was not there. Hu Rui slowed his pace a few steps, composed himself, and then went up to greet them.
"Mayor Ling, Secretary Li, Secretary Qiao, why are you all standing here? Where is Secretary Zhou?"
Ling Xingzhi turned slightly and looked down at Hu Rui. "Secretary Zhou is on the phone right now. It should be Secretary Liangyou calling to check on the situation."
Hu Rui nodded. "Shall we go inside and wait?"
"Secretary Zhou said we can't go in without her permission," Qiao Senxi put down the documents in his hand and looked at Hu Rui. Hu Rui was surrounded by three or four men taller than him, feeling extremely intimidated. He turned his head to look for a chair, but couldn't find one.
At this moment, Ling Xingzhi's voice rang out from the side, "Secretary Hu, stand for a while. We sit every day, and our butts are going to turn black from sitting so long." His Beijing accent was thick with oil.
As soon as he finished speaking, the people around him burst into laughter. This was because Ling Xingzhi rarely said such things; although he usually wore a smile, he maintained a strong sense of distance. Everyone understood that he was from the capital and had come to Kunming simply for leisure, with no intention of integrating into the local gangs or circles; they preferred to keep to themselves.
What's more, he has Zhou Xiye, a stubborn municipal party secretary, backing him up. As long as he's not in his office, his demeanor is always aloof and superior. Now, his thick Beijing accent is teasing Hu Rui, making Hu Rui feel a bit embarrassed.
Ling Xingzhi bent down slightly, raised his hand and patted Hu Rui's shoulder twice. "Secretary Hu, you came in a hurry, but you're also late. You don't know the situation. We've been here for a while. Wait a little longer." After saying that, he patted Hu Rui heavily. Hu Rui was not tall to begin with, and after Ling Xingzhi patted him, he seemed to shrink even further.
Hu Rui sighed deeply. He wanted to show his anger, but he couldn't afford to offend Ling Xingzhi, especially with such a group of people around. Getting angry would have a bad influence if word got out. However, Ling Xingzhi's jokes were full of criticism—not only were they late, but even those who were usually busy with their work hadn't found seats. What was wrong with standing for a while, since you sit in the office all day?
It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. As soon as Zhou Xiye's office door opened, everyone's eyes shifted from Hu Rui to Zhou Xiye.
"Everyone's here? Let's start the meeting."
A group of people entered the conference room. The new secretary placed the documents in front of the attendees, and Qiao Senxi handed Zhou Xiye a cup of tea and placed it on the conference table. After everything was settled and the conference room quieted down, Zhou Xiye straightened his expression and said, "I think you all know about the human trafficking and prostitution case. The details of the case are in the documents I just sent you. Please take a look first, and then we will continue the meeting."
The sound of pages turning filled the air. This document was prepared by Zhou Xiye after returning from the Municipal Bureau. She typed it herself and had the new secretary proofread it.
After everyone finished reading, Zhou Xiye continued, "Kunming is a special place, and you all know that without me having to mention it. Since there is prostitution, there must also be gambling and drugs. So this matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. In addition to the cooperation of the public security organs, the procuratorate and the court must also work together. It is a coordinated effort."
Ling Xingzhi looked around. Meng Qinggong from the Public Security Bureau was not there, but Deputy Director Chang Chun was. Looking around, he realized that the public security, procuratorate, court, and judicial departments were all present.
"The fact that prostitution can be so rampant and the criminal gang so brazen must mean they have powerful backers," Zhou Xiye said with a smile. "Who are they? Of course, it's collusion between officials and criminals. I don't believe such a criminal gang hasn't caused trouble for the local people. The fact that reporting it to the police was useless, what does that say?"
Zhou Xiye suddenly slammed his fist on the table. "Don't fucking give me that historical issue nonsense. If there's any problem, it's you old guys who have it. What's your attitude towards work? You're just occupying positions without doing your job, and then you start complaining when there's no chair to sit on! Investigate this matter thoroughly. I want to see who's so arrogant and just how powerful their backers are. Putting aside everything else, do you think I didn't suspend enough comrades last time?"
To be honest, Zhou Xiye's outburst made everyone present a little scared. Xu Lin was sweating profusely, but he didn't dare to wipe it away.
"In addition to investigating the powerful figures behind the drugs, we must also eliminate the drug supply chain. No matter whose drugs they are, they must not be allowed to enter Kunming."
Upon hearing this, Hu Rui's eyelids twitched. So, Luo Yiming's benefits were used up, and now he had to offer tribute again? He couldn't tell if Zhou Xiye really wanted to arrest and restrict them, or if he was short of money and wanted Luo Yiming to bribe him.
It's hard to say. Hu Rui picked up his teacup and took a sip of water.
"I would like to entrust the task of tracking down drug traffickers and thoroughly investigating drug trafficking points in Kunming to Comrade Hu Rui and Deputy Director Chang. The city bureau's armed forces and armed police can be mobilized to assist your investigation. You must conduct a thorough investigation."
Hu Rui hesitated, his hand still holding the teacup. He hurriedly said, "Secretary Zhou, I was previously in charge of economic development. You want me to go into drug enforcement... this..."
“Isn’t it because we’re afraid that if people from the Municipal Bureau encounter important matters, they won’t have the special privileges to submit reports and will miss the best opportunity?” Zhou Xiye smiled at him. “Secretary Hu, who here doesn’t know your power? As for the drug supply chain, is there anyone more familiar with it than you?”
This was practically tantamount to putting Hu Rui and Luo Yiming's affair on the table. Ling Xingzhi looked at Hu Rui, and his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
Zhou Xiye didn't give Hu Rui a chance to reply, "I can only entrust this matter to you. Do a good job... However, everyone has their own expertise. I see that your garden of vegetables is growing quite well. I hope that Secretary Hu's achievements in your work will be even greater than what you grow in your vegetable garden."
Hu Rui put down his cup and nodded. "Secretary, rest assured, I will definitely investigate thoroughly and live up to your expectations."
That's exactly what Zhou Xiye wanted to hear.
"Furthermore, in guiding public opinion, we must leave enough room for the public to speak out; we cannot silence them. The public is like water; we must dredge it, not block it. Otherwise, sooner or later, the ship will sink and everyone will perish. Don't you agree, Mayor Ling?"
Ling Xingzhi, who had been watching with anticipation, was called upon and didn't react immediately. He hurriedly nodded, his mouth moving faster than his brain, "Yes, yes, yes..."
Zhou Xiye lowered his eyes and smiled, picked up his water glass and took a sip. "The Central Inspection Team is also here. I want to take advantage of this prostitution case to completely resolve the historical problems left by the previous leadership. I hope everyone can be in high spirits and deal with the problems that may arise later."
After the meeting, everyone was in high spirits, though some older people wanted to go home to rest. Before the meeting, Zhou Xiye received a call from Liu Liangyou; the province was holding a symposium on the Kunming matter, and she had to attend. It was obvious to anyone with their eyes closed that this meeting was for Zhou Xiye.
Ling Xingzhi knew there was a meeting, or rather, a symposium, and he didn't need to go. But seeing Zhou Xiye walking wearily out of the municipal party committee building was unlike her usual self. The case wasn't too big or too small; Zhou Xiye didn't need to make such a fuss, unless she had other motives.
Even before the provincial symposium, Zhou Xiye's promotion resume appeared before the public. Next to the resume was her attractive photo, prompting netizens to exclaim, "A femme fatale, did she sleep her way to the top?"
Soon, Zhou Xiye's personal abilities were questioned, and his resume was widely circulated among the public.
"How exactly did she get promoted?"
"I heard that her boyfriends are all rich and powerful, and she must have slept her way up to them step by step, right?"
"Wow, this woman is pretty amazing, she slept her way into becoming the mayor?"
"No wonder she keeps promoting her agritourism project. She's used to selling wholesale goods and thinks all women are justified in doing it?"
"Wow, this woman is amazing. She went to the front lines and then became the mayor of Kunming. I think she could have gotten promoted without even sleeping around..."
"..."
Zhou Xiye saw these reports while eating breakfast. The housekeeper didn't dare to say a word. The only sounds in the restaurant besides the news reports were the rustling of Zhou Xiye flipping through the newspaper. Soon, Zhou Xiye became a celebrity official, appearing on the trending topics lists of various platforms.
Of course, "celebrity official" is a derogatory term. After finishing her meal and putting on makeup, Zhou Xiye was about to leave for the provincial party committee meeting when Ling Xingzhi called, "You saw the information about you, right? Aren't you going to do anything about it?"
"I didn't do anything wrong, and my resume is all aboveboard. Is it wrong for me to get promoted?"
“It’s not that you did anything wrong,” Ling Xingzhi said, confused. “What move is Zhou Xiye making now? It will affect your political image, Zhou Xiye. You know this better than I do, right? How were these materials leaked? It’s obvious that these people are after you. They’re leaking your privacy and spreading rumors. Don’t you have any thoughts about this? If you don’t stop it, there will be more reports online to slander you.”
"What could I possibly think?" Zhou Xiye said as he stepped out the door. "First, there's nothing falsified on my resume; second, I deserve the position of mayor, and my abilities are beyond question; third, I've read all the online discussions. A person can't earn money outside their understanding, and by the same token, they won't appreciate people outside their cognitive framework. Their opinions are insignificant to me. You wouldn't get angry if an ant blocked your way, would you?"
"This is the ingrained mindset within the patriarchal system: a woman gets to a high position by sleeping her way there. If you ask me, these words must have come from those self-righteous 'phoenix men' who think they're made of gold. When Margaret Thatcher was in power in Britain, their brains weren't fully developed yet; they were already soaked in semen. These backward-thinking people will be abandoned by society sooner or later."
The sound of the car door closing came through Ling Xingzhi's phone. "Have you ever thought about what those people up there think of you?"
"Can't those above me see my abilities? If they knew how I got here, they wouldn't let me step down so easily. If they want to remove me because of media rumors and public opinion manipulation, that's political infighting. I'm suffering this today, but they'll pay an even greater price in the future."
Ling Xingzhi was speechless at Zhou Xiye's words. This man had a completely closed worldview. It was easier to talk to Zhou Xiye when he was drunk. After thinking it over, Ling Xingzhi could only say, "Cause and effect is one thing, but whether you can hold out until that day is another question."
"It's all up to human effort. What did Putin say? I'm not responsible for the trial, I'm only responsible for sending them to meet God."
However, Zhou Xiye was still affected by news media reports.
At a province-wide symposium organized by Liu Liangyou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the Party Committee rigorously criticized the bad habits of some leading cadres. Shen Yuhe was also present. Sitting next to Liu Liangyou, he looked at Zhou Xiye's uneasy expression and really wanted to take a picture to show Ling Xingzhi.
Is this how he sees Zhou Xiye?
“I’m in charge of my own territory. The people here are local officials, not landlords. We must abide by the law and act in accordance with it. The law has the final say, not people.”
"Speak human language to human beings and ghost language to ghosts. Some cadres treat leaders from the central government with kindness and politeness, but are arrogant and haughty towards local officials and those of lower rank than themselves."
“Take a ride around in a car, look through the glass, and then have a meal. Not to mention anything else, I saw photos of this scene when I went to inspect Secretary Zhou's agritainment business a while ago,” Liu Liangyou said, looking at Zhou Xiye.
Zhou Xiye's face showed no emotion.
"A new broom sweeps clean. But once the fire is done, things are ruined. When doing things, they don't think about the consequences, they only look at the immediate benefits."
"Tackling everything at once. Chairman Mao said that when doing things, we must distinguish between primary and secondary issues, and clearly differentiate between the principal and secondary contradictions. Corruption, organized crime, and the drug trade should be tackled one by one. You can't get fat in one bite. I advise those comrades who are all talk and no action to ask themselves honestly, what have they done well?"
Everyone present could tell that this meeting could easily be renamed "Zhou Xiye Criticism Conference".
As soon as the symposium ended, many people gathered around Liu Liangyou, while Zhou Xiye sat alone in a chair, looking down at the materials in front of him, motionless.
The surrounding area was buzzing with chatter. Zhou Xiye looked over and saw a group of people beaming with joy, while she sat alone on the sidelines. The gazes directed at her were filled with all sorts of expressions. Zhou Xiye lowered her head, picked up her documents, and walked out of the meeting room.
"Xiao Zhou, are you leaving already?"
Liu Liangyou's voice cut through the winding crowd and struck Zhou Xiye's back. She sighed, turned to look at Liu Liangyou, and smiled gently and obediently, "Secretary Liangyou, the human trafficking and prostitution case is not over yet."
"Xiao Zhou, I know this is your first time being a local official, and you are indeed clumsy and inexperienced in some things. But I can't say anything. You have to watch your words and actions. When you're among a group of men, it's inevitable that there will be some gossip. Don't take it to heart."
Zhou Xiye smiled and nodded, "Secretary Liangyou, I made a mistake and I will definitely be punished. But I also want to correct the situation and not cause you any trouble. I will definitely investigate the human trafficking and prostitution case thoroughly. Whoever causes trouble for this society should be punished by law. I know that what I am about to say is not materialistic, but cause and effect, retribution, it's not that there is no retribution, it's just that the time has not come yet."
Liu Liangyou laughed out loud, his smugness barely concealed. "Xiao Zhou, that's enough. Don't hold a grudge against what Secretary Liangyou said today. As the provincial party secretary, this is all I can do to help you."
Zhou Xiye smiled and said, "Thank you for your care, Secretary. I will definitely repay you in the future."
Shen Yuhe looked at the smile on Zhou Xiye's face and shook his head. He was still young, and his maturity couldn't support such great ambition.
Back in his office, he found a lot of reports and documents, and many people waiting to report to Zhou Xiye.
Zhou Xiye wasn't in a hurry to see them. Instead, he had Qiao Senxi call the newly recruited secretaries into the conference room. Besides Qiao Senxi, there were two women and one man: Bai Jialing, Wang Xiaodong, and Pan Yun. Zhou Xiye had just sat down, looking at the four people in front of him, and was about to speak when the conference room door opened again.
Zhou Xiye frowned as he looked over and saw Chief Prosecutor Chen from the Procuratorate and Team Leader Shen from the Inspection Team.
"Secretary Zhou, someone has reported you for embezzlement and bribery. Please cooperate with our investigation."
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