"Given the grave challenges currently facing our campaign against organized crime, particularly in places like Linhai, where criminal gangs remain rampant despite repeated crackdowns, we urgently need exceptionally capable comrades with extensive experience in this field to shoulder the responsibility. That was why I decided to transfer Zhou Yi, director of the Changning Municipal Public Security Bureau in Southwest Province, to the Linhai Provincial Public Security Department as deputy department director, overseeing criminal investigation and public order management."
That was the explanation Executive Deputy Minister Shen Jinchao gave when Minister Xiao Xiangqian demanded an answer.
"Although Comrade Zhou Yi received his exceptional promotion to full division rank only a year ago, I believe we should spare no effort in cultivating outstanding young leaders like him. We must dare to break with convention and make bold exceptions in promoting them."
Shen Jinchao's voice brimmed with appreciation and favoritism toward this talented junior. Anyone unaware of the circumstances might have thought Zhou Yi was his own nephew.
Xiao Xiangqian almost laughed in anger.
While he had been away inspecting work in Jibei, Shen had sent a transfer order straight to Changning City in Southwest Province.
Ordinarily, promoting and transferring a division-level police official was hardly a major matter. As the man overseeing day-to-day operations, Shen Jinchao certainly had that authority, and Xiao would not have quibbled over it.
But Shen knew perfectly well that Zhou Yi was his nephew, yet had dared to decide, without his consent, to push that nephew into a fire pit. Shen Jinchao, you've crossed my red line!
Did you think acting first and reporting afterward, presenting me with a fait accompli, would settle everything?
Shen had neither sought his approval nor consulted Southwest and Linhai Provinces in advance before rushing to initiate the transfer and promotion procedures.