Chapter Eleven: Loyal Guards

  Wang Da Ge walked out of the hospital room and went to the end of the corridor, where he secretly cried. He inserted his hands deep into his thick, slightly white hair, looking extremely exhausted in spirit, squatting and curling up in a corner.

  At this time, a pair of large hands gently patted his shoulders. Although they were separated by clothes, Wang Dagou could still feel the warmth and kindness conveyed by these big hands. Wang Dagou slightly raised his head, and a kind gaze met him eye to eye. This person was Jiang Feng, the "first-in-command" of Changning Municipal Committee, with Zhou Zheng standing behind him. Jiang Feng's arrival made Wang Dagou feel a little nervous, although he had been working in Changning for some time, but this was his first close encounter with the municipal committee's "first-in-command".

  Wang Daguo quickly got up, his body tense, and used both hands to rapidly wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes. He also smoothed out his hair. Wang Daguo was a leader who paid attention to his image.

  "Hello, Secretary Jiang!" Wang Dagui said to Hou Jiangfeng.

  "Hello, Comrade Ge, you've been wronged!" Wang Feng comforted.

  "Thank you, Secretary Jiang, for your concern. It's my fault that I'm not capable enough, which led to the poor governance in Yongsheng County and widespread complaints from the people. I take responsibility for this. My wife, Jiang Xiao Ying, was right to scold me earlier. I've been occupying an important position but haven't done a good job, contributing to the party or alleviating the people's difficulties. This is a serious dereliction of duty. Please, Secretary Jiang, deal with me severely!" Wang Da Ge said this with great emotion and sincerity.

  "Comrade Da Ge, don't be too hard on yourself. I've also heard a lot about the Yongsheng County issue. As for not managing party members and leading cadres well, I also bear some responsibility. This responsibility can be divided into subjective and objective aspects. As long as one's heart is pure and loyal to the Party's cause, personal ability and performance of duties are closely related to the larger environment and atmosphere. In a good environment, bad people and bad things cannot lift their heads, while in a poor environment, lawlessness and discipline can run amok, and even good people can become 'abnormal'!" Jiang Feng's words made Zhou Zheng nod repeatedly. Wang Da Ge seemed to have found a balance point for his mind.

  Jiang Feng looked at Zhou Zheng and then at Wang Da Ge, and continued to say: "At present, the Central Committee of the Party and the State Council's attitude towards corruption is 'zero tolerance'. Of course, as a grassroots frontline leading cadre, one must have a strong determination, conduct in-depth investigations into corruption problems for a long time, establish practical and feasible clauses from the system, and make it impossible for corruption to take root. At the same time, the procuratorial and judicial departments should increase their efforts, strictly control the source, and prevent corruption from happening." Jiang Feng was like hosting a vivid anti-corruption meeting.

  Jiang Feng paused, looking at Zhou Zheng and Wang Dagui with a trusting gaze, and continued: "Old Zhou, Big Gao, you are both party leaders who are worthy of trust, loyal guardians of the party, and frontline personnel who have been engaged in discipline inspection for a long time. You must firmly believe that the party has always stood with you. Believe that corrupt elements will ultimately be punished by law."

  "Secretary Jiang, your words have not only touched on the root of corruption but also dispelled my inner doubts about anti-corruption issues. At the same time, it has spurred us on." Zhou Zheng said with shame, thinking about Changning's anti-corruption work in recent years, Zhou Zheng was filled with self-reproach.

  "Don't be too hard on yourselves, anti-corruption is a long-term, arduous and complex systemic project. Discipline inspection officials must not only maintain political integrity but also have flexible means to combat corrupt elements." Jiang Feng put forward specific requirements for discipline inspection and supervision work.

  "Secretary Jiang, you've spoken so well. I suggest that we invite experts from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection to give lectures to our Changning discipline inspection officials, passing on their expertise." Wang Dajian suggested.

  "This is necessary, the discipline inspection and supervision work should be done to 'go out and invite in', forming an interactive and mutually supportive team, forming a strong joint force, and forming a siege against corrupt elements. Next step, I will contact the relevant leaders of the provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to see if we can hold a class in Changning first." Jiang Feng understands that the overall professional level of the discipline inspection and supervision team in Changning still needs to be improved.

  "This is too good." Wang Dagui's emotions suddenly became extremely excited.

  "Old Zhou, look at Comrade Wang Dagou, talking about work again and forgetting his wife." Jiang Feng suddenly made a joke about Wang Dagou.

  Wang Daguo realized his mistake and hastily said: "Secretary Jiang, I'm so sorry to have made a fool of myself!"

  "Comrade Wang Daguo, considering the principle of protecting cadres, I think it's best to transfer you to work at the municipal party committee office during this extraordinary period. You will temporarily leave Yongsheng County for now, what do you think?" Jiang Feng extended an olive branch to Wang Daguo.

  "Secretary Jiang, I resolutely serve the organization's arrangements." Wang Daguo has always resolutely served the organization's arrangements.

  "Another thing is about Lao Zhou's personnel appointment and removal. Lao Zhou needs to make preparations for taking over the work of Secretary Shi Yunlai of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection. I will probably make some personnel adjustments next week." Jiang Feng had already set up a large net, making preparations before deploying troops.

  "Secretary Jiang, at my age, is the promotion in violation of the Organization Department's regulations? Have you considered letting younger cadres take charge?" Zhou Zheng was worried that Jiang Feng's appointment and removal were too arbitrary.

  "On this point, you can rest assured that I have already reported to Provincial Discipline Inspection Secretary Tang Zheng, and he basically agrees with my views. Moreover, promoting young cadres is a direction, not all young cadres need to be promoted, nor do all senior cadres need to step down. We should dialectically view personnel appointments and removals." Jiang Feng naturally has his own standards for selecting personnel, but this does not violate the spirit of organizational personnel appointments and removals.

  "Since that's the case, I'll take on the responsibility and cultivate a young cadre as a backup candidate." Zhou Zheng felt he should obey his superiors, but he worried that Jiang Feng would be affected in balancing personnel matters. In fact, Zhou Zheng was overthinking it. For leaders like Zhou Zheng who have rich military and local work experience, with both virtue and talent, they are suitable for important tasks.

  "This is a good cadre, trusting the organization and resolutely implementing it! Let me tell you, the removal of Old Zhou was not my personal wish, but was agreed upon by the leaders of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission." Jiang Feng's words further dispelled Zhou Zheng's concerns.

  "Thank you for the organization's trust, I, Zhou Zheng, also want to express my attitude to Secretary Jiang, I will definitely put aside my lazy mood, work with all my might, dedicate myself wholeheartedly, and die without regret!" At this moment, Zhou Zheng deeply knew that the organization had never given up on him, but had always been tempering him, testing him. Thinking of these things, Zhou Zheng's body was filled with strength, and he felt that as long as he had a clear conscience, he would be at peace even in death, let alone with the unwavering support of these old leaders.

  "Lao Zhou, from now on, the disciplinary inspection work in Changning City can all rely on you. This responsibility is not light! You must prepare yourself mentally to gnaw at hard bones. At the same time, I'd like to offer a piece of advice: for major events, be careful not to emotionalize, always ask for instructions first and then make a statement. Also, remember the agreement we made when I came to Changning - 'single-line contact'." Jiang Feng's heartfelt warning.

  Zhou Zheng's eyes welled up with hot tears. This tough guy, who had never shed a tear in front of others before, now flowed down two lines of clear tears. His heart was surging with waves, and this kind of strong trust was one of the greatest happiness in life. It was just as the ancient saying goes: "A man has tears but does not easily shed them, only when he reaches the point of heartbreak."