"What, Secretary Liang, you don't even dare to voice your support for the two cadres you support?"
Qin Mu said calmly, "This is your best chance to unite them. If you don't dare to express your support in front of the entire county committee compound, how can you unite them? Aren't you afraid they'll harbor resentment?"
This…
Liang Guan's face darkened!
Qin Mu had laid bare some unspoken words. If he didn't express his support, it would indeed be a huge loss of face for Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu.
How could they continue to support him afterward?
Could they still stand on the same side?
Wouldn't he be divided by Qin Mu?
Looking up, Liang Guan saw the eager eyes of Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu; clearly, they were waiting for him to speak.
Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu were just the surface; what was more terrifying was what the other comrades in the compound would think if Liang Guan didn't express his support.
He, the county party secretary, had actually chickened out in front of the second-in-command.
This was a major blow to his prestige!
Prestige isn't built overnight; it's accumulated through countless actions. Liang Guan knew he couldn't back down!
But thinking it over carefully, what did he, as the top leader, have to fear?
What harm could expressing his stance do?
Was he being too sensitive? Supporting Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu—what could Qin Mu possibly do to him?
"Comrade Qin Mu, I'm not like you, ununited with comrades, too eccentric."
Liang Guan said in a deep voice, "Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu are both my comrades, and I will definitely support them. That's my stance!"
"I'd also like to take this opportunity to tell the other comrades that anyone willing to contribute to the development and construction of Huaining County is welcome to come to me. I'm very interested in exchanging ideas and discussing development plans with you all."
Development plans?
Qin Mu almost burst out laughing. This Secretary Liang was a master of grandstanding; he was simply conveying to everyone that they should actively align themselves with him and join his camp.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with the top leader making such a demand.
Aligning with the top leader is progress.
But Liang Guan chose the wrong time today and overestimated the abilities of Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu.
Having such people on his side would only discourage some genuinely motivated comrades.
Anyone who's been in this compound for a year or two knows perfectly well who among the county party committee and government leaders is truly capable and who got there through flattery.
After all, ability can't be faked.
Therefore, Qin Mu was going to use this opportunity to bring Liang Guan's prestige back to rock bottom.
"Secretary Liang, I've written down what you said."
Qin Mu raised his phone and said seriously, "I'll hand it over to the disciplinary committee when they arrive. You might need to cooperate with them on some investigations!"
These words stunned everyone in the county committee compound.
What did that mean?
Hand it over to the disciplinary committee?
Secretary Liang only said a few words, is the situation that serious?
"Qin Mu, what do you mean by this?"
Liang Guan was equally bewildered, coldly saying, "What's wrong with what I said that I need you to submit it to the disciplinary committee?"
"Are you out of your mind? What nonsense are you spouting?"
He was truly confused by Qin Mu's words, completely unaware of what Qin Mu was trying to say.
In fact, not only him, but everyone in the compound was equally bewildered, not understanding what Qin Mu was trying to convey.
"What you said is fine, but your public support for two corrupt officials who are about to be dismissed from their posts and handed over to the judicial authorities is problematic. Who knows if there's some kind of quid pro quo between you and them?"
After speaking, Qin Mu looked at Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu.
Clearly, the two corrupt officials were them.
"County Chief Qin, your aggressive and blatant insults are going too far."
Chen Xin gritted his teeth and said, "If you don't apologize to us today and restore our reputation, we'll complain to the Municipal Party Committee. If the Municipal Party Committee doesn't care, we'll go to the Provincial Party Committee. I refuse to believe that you can insult your own comrades without being punished!"
"I'll go too! What kind of jerk is this? He insults us all day long, and he thinks he's right!"
Niu Feiyu, who was usually mild-mannered, was now completely enraged by Qin Mu's words and prepared to go with Chen Xin to complain to higher authorities.
After all, Qin Mu's words had hurt them deeply.
"Don't rush, wait a little longer. The comrades from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection will be here soon. You two should think about how to talk to them!"
Qin Mu glanced at the time and said with a smile.
What?
The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection is coming?
Qin Mu's words sent a chill down Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu's spine.
They had always thought Qin Mu was bluffing, but his actions and expressions didn't seem like acting…
Could it be… that Qin Mu knew in advance?
They're doomed!
Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu knew perfectly well how they had risen to their positions and what they had done. With something to hide, hearing that the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection was coming naturally made them panic.
"You're creating panic."
Liang Guan said irritably, "Do you think the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection would consult you before sending anyone?"
"Who do you think you are? You think too highly of yourself!"
Liang Guan had indeed noticed Qin Mu's calm demeanor and confident air, but at this crucial moment, he couldn't afford to panic. He could only retort sternly.
"Then we'll wait and see!"
Qin Mu said casually, preparing to return to his office. It would be over an hour before the Commission for Discipline Inspection officials arrived, so there was no need to rush. Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu were definitely going to arrive anyway.
"Wait!"
"Stop right there!"
Unexpectedly, Liang Guan stopped him, saying sharply, "You've used the name of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection without cause to intimidate your comrades. You must apologize for this. Otherwise, as the Secretary of the Huaining County Party Committee, I absolutely cannot tolerate it!"
This time, Liang Guan was truly angry and demanded an explanation!
Otherwise, where would he, as the County Party Secretary, put his face? Qin Mu hadn't expected Liang Guan to be so determined to fight him to the end this time.
The other party was, after all, the top leader, and Qin Mu, as the second-in-command, had been constantly provoking him; it was only natural for him to be angry.
"You can ignore me, but don't blame me for using extreme measures. Challenging me is challenging the Municipal Party Committee!"
Liang Guan earnestly reminded him.
Qin Mu knew that Liang Guan was warning him not to challenge the authority of the top leader, and to know when to back down.
The other party was the top leader appointed by both the Provincial and Municipal Party Committees. If he was pushed too far and the matter escalated to the Municipal Party Committee, Qin Mu would definitely be criticized.
Because the other party's appointment was a joint decision made by the Provincial and Municipal Party Committees, provoking him was, in a sense, challenging both the Provincial and Municipal Party Committees.
"Then I'll challenge you today."
Qin Mu sneered, saying, "Secretary Liang, what can you do to me?"