It's common for leaders to conduct private investigations and visits, but it's unprecedented for someone like Qin Mu to investigate six townships in one go, and then dismiss several top officials afterward.
Frankly speaking, almost no one can withstand a surprise inspection by a leader without making mistakes.
If someone wants to find fault, they can.
Qin Mu's problem is that he was too hasty. Dismissing officials immediately after the investigation, without giving them any chance to repent?
Shouldn't he at least give them a warning first, and only consider dismissal if they repeat the offense?
Qin Mu's actions are offending all the township officials.
Too domineering!
Liang Guan's intention is naturally to use this opportunity to win over everyone and gain control of the various townships. Currently, Liang Guan's advantage in the county party committee and county government is not obvious, but if he can get the heads of the six townships on his side, his bargaining power will increase significantly.
The next morning, at the county party committee standing committee meeting, Qin Mu gave a detailed report on the problems of Qian Gang, the party secretary of Wanghe Town; Cheng Mingyuan, the party secretary of Yangshan Town; and Cao Yan, the mayor of Dafa Town. As leading cadres, they openly slept during work hours, played games, and gathered to play cards. Furthermore, there were reports from the public that they had improper conduct, including lavish banquets and spending public funds on food and drink in their townships.
"Secretary Liang, comrades, people like these do not deserve to remain in our organization. I hope these people will be dealt with strictly and swiftly to demonstrate the severity of the law and to serve as a warning to all cadres in the county, ensuring that similar incidents do not occur again," Qin Mu said solemnly.
After he finished speaking, everyone present fell silent.
Qin Mu's idea was good, and his suggestion was fine, but it was too strict.
According to the rules of the system, when problems are discovered, the first step is usually verbal education and criticism. At most, a public reprimand is issued. How can one immediately dismiss them from their posts?
Does this mean that no one is given a chance to make mistakes?
Others would think, what if they made a mistake themselves later?
Would they also be directly dismissed?
So, with this thought in mind, they were easily moved to pity.
After all, who could guarantee they wouldn't run into trouble later? If they didn't speak up for these people now, who would speak up for them later?
Precisely because of this mentality, it was difficult to take drastic measures; no one had the resolve.
"Comrade Qin Mu, please don't get too agitated. Sit down first. Let's discuss this slowly."
Liang Guan gestured and said, "We are comrades. At all times, we must adhere to principles and strategies, not act recklessly. It's good that you've discovered a problem, but discovering a problem doesn't mean we should condemn everything outright and solve it in a fatal way. Isn't that a bit too extreme?"
These words immediately garnered the agreement of some people.
For example, Zeng Su, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.
"Secretary Liang is right. There are many ways to solve problems. We don't need to resort to extremes. A few verbal criticisms of the issues in a few townships are enough. Let them correct their mistakes, and they'll definitely succeed!"
Zeng Su smiled kindly, like a benevolent person. "County Chief Qin, dismissing someone for discovering just one problem is too harsh a punishment."
Severe?
Qin Mu didn't think so. "If so many problems were discovered in one surprise inspection, it's easy to imagine that it's always like this, just undetected!"
"If we want to thoroughly improve the work style of the entire county, how can we solve problems quickly without taking decisive action? Comrades, in chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary. If Huaining County wants to continue developing, we really can't delay any longer. We must use swift and decisive measures to resolve this quickly."
After his speech, few people truly supported him.
Only Qi Zhenghao, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, stood by Qin Mu's side.
"I agree with County Chief Qin's opinion. This work style is the result of long-term development, not a one-off incident. To handle it quickly, we must use severe measures like dismissal to set an example and serve as a warning to other cadres."
Qi Zhenghao slowly added, "This will have a very positive effect on establishing a correct work style."
Liang Guan wasn't surprised by Qi Zhenghao's statement. Qi Zhenghao and Qin Mu were practically inseparable, so supporting Qin Mu was understandable.
However, the opinions of others were crucial.
"Comrade Lei Ming, what do you think?"
Liang Guan glanced around and directly called on Organization Minister Lei Ming.
Lei Ming had been keeping his head down and hadn't said much, most likely disagreeing with Qin Mu's opinion. Now was the time to hear these dissenting voices.
"I've worked in organizational work for many years and have experience with numerous surprise inspections. I've encountered all sorts of problems, but dismissing someone simply for every issue found is too harsh."
Lei Ming pondered for a moment and said, "Could we use a slightly more moderate approach, something less radical? Dismissing so many leading cadres at once might just create widespread anxiety among the county's officials!"
Personally, I think stability and unity are both very important. As the county's leading body, we must make decisions carefully!"
He said a lot, without explicitly supporting anyone, but the meaning was clear:
He didn't approve of dismissal as a method of handling the situation!
That's how it is when people within the system speak—ambiguous and vague, avoiding a clear stance.
But those within the system understand; they only need to grasp the key points.
A lack of explicit stance is also a form of expression.
"Secretary, I think a public reprimand will suffice. I believe the township leaders will correct their mistakes."
"A public reprimand is already quite severe. Comrades will be more mindful and work more diligently."
"I agree with the public reprimand!"
...
After Lei Ming finished speaking, others voiced their opinions. Clearly, Qin Mu's proposal hadn't been approved.
"Comrade Qin Mu, do you have anything else to say?"
Liang Guan, sitting calmly, looked at the somewhat silent Qin Mu beside him and asked with a smile, his words carrying the air of a victor.
"I have nothing to say."
Qin Mu slowly raised his head and said, "However, I still hope we can have a vote. Since it's been discussed in the Standing Committee meeting, I hope we can reach a final result. What do you say?"
A vote?
Liang Guan was surprised. He found Qin Mu's request strange, because it seemed completely unnecessary. Qin Mu only had one supporter, Qi Zhenghao, and perhaps Xu Lu, making it only three votes. Wouldn't a vote be humiliating?
"Sure, you're the deputy secretary of the county party committee, so a vote is no problem!"
Liang Guan didn't think much of it and immediately agreed. "Here's the plan: those who support Comrade Qin Mu's proposal to dismiss the top two leaders of the three townships, please raise your hands!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Mu, Qi Zhenghao, and Xu Lu raised their hands; the others remained motionless.
Xu Lu was attending a county party committee standing committee meeting for the first time, so she didn't speak much, but she knew she had to stand on County Head Qin's side.