"You say it's for treatment, but didn't you take advantage of me?"

Hua Ru said somewhat coyly.

Chen Fang replied, "Please don't say that. You have no idea how hard this process was for me. I almost died of exhaustion."

"Died happily, you mean?"

Hua Ru said disdainfully.

...

The next morning at nine-thirty.

A standing committee meeting initiated by Xu Jianfeng was convened.

Except for the deceased Meng Zheqing, all twelve members of the committee were present.

Unlike every previous meeting, today Xu Jianfeng sat in the main seat, clearly more upright, and his face bore a confident smile.

Conversely,

Xue Bo, who was to be disciplined, remained silent, his face clouded with gloom.

The state of the two men made it clear who was in a better position.

Such a scene was not surprising at all.

Previously, the Guyang City standing committee was divided into three factions, like loose sand. Though Xu Jianfeng was the top leader, he lacked the authority to make decisions.

Now, things were different.

Meng Zheqing had died, and Xue Bo was caught in the scandal of fabricating a heroic act.

Both of them had become his defeated subordinates.

"Cough cough…"

Xu Jianfeng cleared his throat.

Glancing around at everyone, he said, "Today's meeting will mainly discuss two personnel matters. The first issue, Director Lv, please discuss it."

Lv Zixi?

Wasn't Lv Zixi one of Meng Zheqing's people?

Just as Jiang Mingqing had said, Xu Jianfeng had quickly taken control of Meng Zheqing's "remnants."

Lv Zixi nodded, his eyes glancing briefly at Xue Bo, and said, "Secretary Xu, I recently did some research at the Civil Service Bureau. The staff there have reported several issues to me. The bureau is overwhelmed with internal matters as Director Guo Wensheng's main efforts are focused on the Organization Department, leading to lax management. Therefore, I believe it's necessary to strengthen the management of the Civil Service Bureau."

"Oh? Elaborate, please."

Xu Jianfeng said.

Lv Zixi continued, "The Civil Service Bureau controls the management, examination, hiring, assessment, rewards, training, and supervision of civil servants across the city, covering every aspect of civil service management and is the first gateway for civil servant recruitment in Guyang City. It's not an exaggeration to say it's of utmost importance. However, Comrade Guo Wensheng has been focusing primarily on the work of the Organization Department. So, my suggestion is to relieve Comrade Guo Wensheng of his position as the Deputy Director-General of the Organization Department and have him focus solely on managing the Civil Service Bureau."

As soon as these words were spoken,

some people were visibly stunned,

and instinctively looked toward Xue Bo,

since everyone knew that Guo Wensheng had always been Xue Bo's close confidant, practically his right-hand man.

It's important to note that the Deputy Director-General of the Organization Department is a main department level position, whereas the Civil Service Bureau affiliated with the Organization Department is only a sub-department level.

This means that the position of director only requires sub-department level rank.

If Guo Wensheng's position as Deputy Director-General of the Organization Department were removed, it would essentially mean a demotion for him.

Xue Bo shuddered.

He looked at Lv Zixi and angrily said, "Lv, what are you up to? A main department level officer serving as head of the Civil Service Bureau, only you could think of such a thing."

"I'm just being realistic, for the good of Guyang City."

Lv Zixi retorted.

Xue Bo slammed the table.

He shouted, "Good for nothing. What are you really up to? Does anyone not see it?"

Seeing that Lv Zixi was about to respond,

Xu Jianfeng waved his hand, interrupting him, and turned to Xue Bo, saying, "Mayor Xue, I also think Director Lv makes a lot of sense. Let's remove Guo Wensheng from the Deputy Director-General of the Organization Department. It has to be done sooner or later, better sooner than later, don't you agree?"

The so-called sooner or later also carried a hint.

After all, the result of dealing with the fabricated act of bravery hadn't come down yet, and Guo Wensheng was involved as well, so it was only a matter of time before he faced discipline.

This statement left Xue Bo speechless instantly.

"It's normal to have different opinions, no worries, let's proceed with the voting process,"

With a relaxed tone, Xu Jianfeng raised his hand immediately after speaking and said, "I vote to relieve Comrade Guo Wensheng of his duties as the Executive Deputy Director of the Organization Department."

As he raised his hand,

It was as if he was sending a certain signal.

The Head of the Propaganda Department, Lin Danmei, the Head of the Armed Forces Department, Zou Leng, and the Office Director, Lv Zixi, almost simultaneously raised their hands and said, "I also agree."

They hesitated for just a second.

The Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Cui Weiguo, also raised his hand and said, "Seconded."

In the blink of an eye,

Xu Jianfeng had secured five votes.

He was very pleased with the situation.

He turned his eyes to the United Front Work Department Head, Xia Bin, and asked, "Minister Xia, what do you think?"

It wasn't surprising to secure Meng Zheqing's people.

Xia Bin had always been Xue Bo's man, naturally inclined to protect Xue Bo's interests, and everyone assumed he would unhesitatingly refuse, but that was not the case.

Xia Bin's eyes flickered for a moment.

After hesitating briefly, he raised his hand and said, "I also agree with Director Lv's proposal."

"Xia Bin, what are you doing?"

Xue Bo was shocked by this turn of events.

He couldn't help himself and yelled at Xia Bin.

Xu Jianfeng gave a slight smile and said, "Mayor Xue, what's gotten into you today? You've been yelling all through the meeting, what? Can't Minister Xia express his true thoughts?"

"Xu Jianfeng... you..."

Xue Bo suddenly realized.

No wonder Xu Jianfeng dared to brazenly strip him of his right-hand man; he had calculated this all along, Xia Bin had switched sides under Xue Bo's unfavorable circumstances.

"Mayor Xue, you're not getting any younger; should you not learn to be calm? Relieving Guo Wensheng of his duty as the Executive Deputy Director of the Organization Department is the will of the people. As a standing committee that values democratic centralism, you can't keep violating the system, can you?"

Another insinuating remark.

Xue Bo was so angry that smoke seemed to be coming out of his nostrils.

But he had no solution whatsoever.

"I also agree."

In the midst of the silent assembly.

Another bombshell dropped as Li Zhuo, the Secretary of the Taigu Street Party Working Committee, also spoke up.

Li Zhuo had previously been one of Xue Bo's people, and now he had turned his coat as well.

Xue Bo's momentum was gone, while Xu Jianfeng, holding seven votes already, made opposing voices inconsequential.

This was an overwhelming advantage.

Xu Jianfeng looked at Xue Bo with contempt, the triumph in his eyes nearly drowning Xue Bo.

"Alright, we've got seven votes now, and the rest, regardless of their opinions, are of no significant consequence. We can move on to the next item on the agenda,"

Xu Jianfeng said.

This decision-making process was a prelude to the next agenda item.

Xu Jianfeng was signaling to everyone present that from now on, what he, Xu Jianfeng, said was final. Meng Zheqing and Xue Bo were already history.

Even if there was still the faction of Chen Fang.

He didn't regard them at all now.

Not even giving them the chance to vote.

"According to the decision of the provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Economic Development Zone will officially be established after the New Year. Meng Zheqing's trouble came quite unexpectedly, and the day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve. My proposal is that we finalize the position of the Secretary of the Economic Development Zone Committee today. I suppose there are no objections?"

Xu Jianfeng said.

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