Wang Guozhong, Li Guanghui, and Huang Jinping all paled at once and instinctively moved to defend themselves. But then they noticed the Director watching them with an expectant look, as though he desperately wanted them to object.
The camera stood beside the conference table. Lu Yao and Du Juan faithfully carried out the Director's instructions, focusing the lens on whichever deputy director or office head spoke.
"Of course, this is only my personal opinion. Everyone is free to express a different view, especially Deputy Director Wang, Director Li, and Director Huang. If you think anything I said was wrong, or that you haven't neglected your duties, speak up boldly. Our leadership team practices democracy. This isn't a one-man show."
Director Zhou added those words in an encouraging tone.
Then let's show him that the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau is a place that practices democracy, not anyone's one-man show. Those were Wang Guozhong's exact words to Qiu Weiping, Li Pingwu, and the others that morning, declaring that they were still the ones who called the shots at the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau.
Now, whether by coincidence or not, the Director had said something similar, but with an unmistakably opposite meaning.
Yes, they practiced democracy. Yes, everyone could "speak freely." But if they stopped and thought calmly, what could they actually say?
What had happened in the Public Security Management Brigade was there for everyone to see.
Wasn't it a fact that management, supervision, and ideological and political work had all fallen short?
Wang Guozhong would bet that the moment they started babbling excuses, this new Director would take the video straight to the city government after the meeting. Then he would let certain city leaders see for themselves how they refused to admit their mistakes, showing neither initiative nor accountability.
At