The First Division of Interests

With the tacit cooperation of the principal leaders of the municipal Party committee and city government, the municipal commission for discipline inspection's investigation proceeded efficiently and soon achieved a breakthrough. A wealth of conclusive evidence formed a complete chain, all pointing to Liu Fengming, the deputy mayor overseeing environmental protection and urban development. The investigation found that Liu Fengming was suspected of serious disciplinary and legal violations, including accepting enormous bribes during project approvals and abusing his authority.

During the review of the case, although Liu Fengming did not directly implicate anyone else, certain operational details and flows of funds in his confession vaguely implicated a higher-ranking official-Ding Yizhen, a member of the municipal Party standing committee and Party secretary of Guangming District. The investigators faithfully recorded these leads in the case file and included them in their briefing materials.

Holding this report containing sensitive information, Zhang Shuli once again briefed Li Dakang in private. He focused on the verified findings in Liu Fengming's case, and regarding the leads involving Ding Yizhen, he merely added cautiously, "There are some other matters that may require further verification."

After hearing the briefing, Li Dakang remained silent for a long time. Ding Yizhen was an official he had made a particular effort to cultivate. Investigating him at such a sensitive time would not only concern personal reputation but also affect the stability of the leadership team, especially at this crucial juncture when the new provincial Party secretary was about to take office.

Breaking his usual rule, he lit a cigarette, took several deep drags, then slowly stubbed it out. "In Liu Fengming's case, the facts are clear and the evidence is conclusive. It must be dealt with severely and swiftly to provide a powerful deterrent!" He raised his eyes and gave Zhang Shuli a meaningful look. "As for other matters that have yet to be verified and lack sufficient evidence, leave them out of the formal report, lest they disrupt the overall handling of the case and affect the stability of our ranks of officials. Comrade Shuli, you're a veteran of discipline inspection. You must strike the right balance."

Zhang Shuli immediately grasped the deeper meaning. "Rest assured, Secretary. The commission's work will be carried out under the firm leadership of the municipal Party committee, and we will resolutely serve the overall interests."

After dealing with the matter of Ding Yizhen, Li Dakang knew full well that he needed to reach a consensus with Lin Yanzhou as soon as possible to quell the storm. He made a point of inviting Lin Yanzhou to his office.

"Mayor Yanzhou," Li Dakang said, personally pouring him tea, "it's heartbreaking to see a problem like Liu Fengming arise within the city government's leadership team! This also reflects shortcomings in our selection and appointment of officials. To further strengthen the government leadership team, particularly our personnel working in project development and environmental oversight, I believe we need to make timely adjustments to the relevant posts."

He extended an olive branch at the right moment. "We should recommend a comrade with outstanding professional ability to join the leadership team. At the same time, we need to select more reliable and capable officials to head key departments such as the municipal environmental protection bureau and water affairs bureau."

Li Dakang looked at Lin Yanzhou. "You're the mayor. What suggestions do you have for candidates? Be bold in recommending officials who are politically steadfast, highly capable, and aligned with the city government's approach to its work."

Lin Yanzhou understood at once: this was a negotiation over personnel arrangements. "Secretary Dakang, I'm not very familiar with water affairs, and you know Jingzhou's officials better in that regard. I suggest placing these departments under Deputy Mayor Wen Zhiyuan's oversight. I recommend Comrade Zhao Fujiang, the finance bureau director, to take over Wen Zhiyuan's duties. I gained a deep appreciation of this comrade's abilities at the last welcoming banquet."

"For the position of municipal environmental protection bureau director, I recommend promoting Deputy Director Luo Yong. He received formal training at a school of environmental studies, so his qualifications fit the job. As for the post of executive deputy district head of Guangming District, I think..."

Li Dakang had initially felt that Lin Yanzhou knew when to advance and when to retreat: he had yielded one position and maintained a balance while recommending his own people. He had deliberately avoided mentioning the arrangements for the two districts discussed earlier, precisely to hint that the municipal Party committee already had plans for those two positions. "Mayor Yanzhou, the organization department already has a preliminary plan for the candidates for Guangming District and Qinghua District."

Lin Yanzhou understood that Guangming District was the core area of the Guangming Peak project and also Li Dakang's bottom line. In principle, it was not yet advisable to clash with him head-on, but he could never feel at ease without placing someone there. One-third of the city's CDP came from Guangming District. "Secretary Dakang, I respect the municipal Party committee's opinion, but for Guangming District, I recommend my secretary, Comrade Chen Mo. He came with me from Menxia and holds a master's degree in economics from Jinghua University. He has a solid grounding in theory and participated in several major economic projects during his time in Menxia."

Lin Yanzhou had only just arrived and had very few people he could use. He had to seize this opportunity. "Comrade Cheng Du performed outstandingly in this case and has excellent professional competence. He has also worked at the Guangming Branch Bureau for a full four years, meeting the service-length requirement for appointment. In keeping with customary practice for appointing officials, I suggest entrusting him with greater responsibilities and recommend him as deputy head of Guangming District, concurrently serving as director of the Guangming Branch Bureau."

Li Dakang pondered for a moment. Arranging a post for a secretary was routine; he himself had started out as a secretary and would also face the question of arranging a position for his own secretary, but the right balance still had to be maintained. The other party was asking only for the post of executive deputy district head, which would not even mean a promotion in rank. In principle, even appointing him district head would not be excessive, and the position was not particularly sensitive. As for Cheng Du's promotion, since it followed customary practice, there was no harm in agreeing now. It could also leave room for customary practice to be applied to Zhao Donglai in the future.

"Personally, I believe Mayor Yanzhou's suggestions deserve consideration. I'll instruct the organization department to assess the candidates according to the prescribed procedures," Li Dakang stated. "Have them prepare a preliminary slate of candidates as soon as possible and submit it to the five-member group meeting for deliberation in accordance with procedure."

The storm subsided for the time being with the downfall of a deputy mayor and adjustments to several key posts. On the surface, the municipal Party committee and city government had regained their former calm, but beneath the water, the contest had only just begun.