Chapter 1819:

Chapter 1819: Chapter 1819:

Zhu Shixian was the first to arrive, and Sun Jiajun was the last. He hasn’t been at the City Government much these days, and no one knows what he’s been doing outside.

Though he is the Deputy Mayor, he truly doesn’t stand out in the City Government, hence nobody cares much about his outings.

When everyone was present, Wu Qiangwei said, "There’s half a month left before the New Year, let’s distribute the work, prepare in advance what’s necessary, and have a plan ready for coordination."

For the first hour, they mainly discussed the work plan for the Spring Festival period.

Their discussion focused on the major framework, such as when to increase police patrols, which places need additional police forces, and coordinating tickets during the return home period, etc...

But the execution on the ground will depend on the front-line cadres.

As the discussion went on, everyone became a bit tired.

Wu Qiangwei picked up the cold teacup and said, "I received a call from Mayor Gao today; some things have happened in the county recently."

Upon hearing this, the group’s first thought was — how is it Gaoshui County again?

Hasn’t Cao Xiaolou already been removed? What else could happen?

Zhu Shixian cooperatively asked, "What happened in Gaoshui County?"

Wu Qiangwei said, "Cao Xiaolou threatened Mayor Gao."

A brief sentence, but extremely rich in information, stunned everyone.

It was not until Wu Qiangwei explained the specifics that they understood what was going on.

Sun Jiajun felt an inexplicable familiarity, reminding him of when Wu Qiangwei sought him out to dismiss Cao Xiaolou previously.

"Does Mayor Wu have any suggestions?" Chang Youcai asked with a forced smile.

Ignoring his somewhat sarcastic smile, Wu Qiangwei replied, "My suggestion is to act according to the law. If you have any ideas, feel free to share them for discussion."

Chang Youcai asked, "Does Secretary Zhou know?"

Only then did Wu Qiangwei look at him directly, "Does Secretary Zhou know—is it important? Or do you think that knowing or not knowing can change Cao Xiaolou’s criminal actions?"

Chang Youcai did not expect her to directly snap at him in front of others, yet she responded with reason and evidence.

"I’m just thinking the matter is of serious nature, given Cao Xiaolou previously served as county mayor, it’s better for the major city leaders to be informed."

"He’s not the county mayor now." Wu Qiangwei set the tone with one sentence: "My view is, once evidence is fully collected, arrest him immediately. Do you have any objections?"

Zhu Shixian was the first to express his stance: "Cao Xiaolou’s behavior is absolutely unacceptable. If left unchecked, Gaoshui County could be secretly eroded by him later."

Xue Mingde also had a solemn face: "The process of collecting evidence needs to be covert."

Chang Hai naturally had no objections, and listening to others’ opinions, Sun Jiajun realized his words were insignificant, so he nodded and didn’t say much.

Liang Jianfeng said, "The Disciplinary Committee has already arranged someone to go down and gather evidence. Currently, only those present and the Disciplinary Committee know of this matter."

His sharp gaze slowly swept across the group, not speaking but conveying a particularly clear meaning.

It was no more than a warning to certain people not to leak the matter; if Cao Xiaolou senses something wrong, preventing the Disciplinary Committee from gathering effective evidence, the City Government would have to initiate an investigation.

By then, the situation would be quite ugly.

"Meeting adjourned," Wu Qiangwei said.

...

Days passed one by one, and the weekend quickly arrived.

Cao Xiaolou didn’t receive a call from Gao Qi, which frustrated him.

On Monday morning, at nine o’clock, Cao Xiaolou called Secretary Luo and Secretary Shi, ordering them not to vote for Gao Qi in today’s committee meeting.

After struggling for a while, they eventually compromised under his semi-threatening tone.

However, the situation did not unfold according to Cao Xiaolou’s plan.

...

This was the last committee meeting before New Year’s in Gaoshui County, as well as the year’s end summary, plus the recommendation for a new county mayor.

Organization minister He Yunbo recommended Gao Qi, receiving unanimous approval from all committee members.

The meeting commenced at ten in the morning; within half an hour of the end, Cao Xiaolou received the news.

Upon knowing Gao Qi was unanimously approved, Cao Xiaolou angrily smashed a teacup.

He wanted to immediately call Shi He and Secretary Luo, but hung up after dialing.

Since things had already happened, swearing would only vent anger without any positive effect, making their relationship more tense instead.

The most erroneous action with things like leverage is to constantly talk about it.

Doing so easily triggers negative effects.

Having dirt on someone doesn’t mean one can bind the person for life or force them into anything.

When realizing that a certain action will cause irreparable negative impact to oneself, most would ultimately refuse to do it.

Even knowing they’d offend the other party, they’d refuse.

Cao Xiaolou intended to let them show Gao Qi his skills in the county through their votes. Yet he overlooked the negative impacts of their voting against at the committee meeting.

Now calming down, he realized he shouldn’t have pressured them too much.

"Buzz buzz~"

The phone on the table vibrated non-stop - Gao Qi was calling.

He squinted slightly, rudely saying, "Any guidance from Mayor Gao?"

Gao Qi replied gently, "Coming to the County Government for a meeting."

Cao Xiaolou retorted, "In what capacity should I attend the meeting? I’m not the county mayor now."

Gao Qi said, "It’s regarding the discussion of your new position. We’d like to hear your opinion, come over, don’t keep everyone waiting."

Saying that, he hung up.

Cao Xiaolou cursed, but still had to attend due to being part of the system; the mayor’s notice necessitated attendance.

He didn’t want to leave Gao Qi any leverage to justify revoking his party membership.

Revoking party membership isn’t easy, but he believed that as long as Gao Qi had an opportunity, however troublesome it might be, he’d do it.

...

"Once Cao Xiaolou arrives at the venue, proceed immediately with the arrest."

In the County Government’s meeting room, Liang Jianfeng issued instructions.

So-called meetings were actually an operation for arresting Cao Xiaolou.

Former county bureau chief Huang Guangrong had already been personally ordered for arrest by Liang Jianfeng this morning.

Since deciding to act against Cao Xiaolou, Gaoshui County needed a complete overhaul.

Shi He and Secretary Luo could stay, given their few entanglements with Cao Xiaolou, they were willing to amend their ways, and Wu Qiangwei was happy to give them a chance.

Huang Guangrong was different; as the head of the police department in charge of the state’s violent apparatus, any decline in thoughts among leaders in such a position was highly dangerous.

Blame was on his close association with Cao Xiaolou.

With just three minutes to go, Cao Xiaolou arrived at the County Government.

Since his dismissal, he hadn’t returned to the County Government.

Although just a few days had passed, as he walked into the County Government again, Cao Xiaolou felt a sense of changing circumstances.

Seeing the civil servants passing by, either despising or gloating, none showed him the respectful demeanor from before.

Frowning, Cao Xiaolou walked to the third floor.

The double wooden doors of the meeting room were closed; he walked over and pushed them open.

The number of participants was greater than he imagined.

Gao Qi sat at the head of the long table, flanked by several deputy mayors, followed by the heads of various bureaus and committees in the county.

For what new position would they appoint me? To summon so many people?

Cao Xiaolou showed no sign of acknowledging his lack of a mayor’s role, confidently sauntering to Gao Qi’s right, pulling out a chair, and sitting down.

Immediately, he turned his head slowly to survey the attendees, noticing a peculiar expression in their eyes.

Before he could discern the meanings behind those glances, a string of footsteps sounded outside the door he had just pushed open, which hadn’t been closed.

A group of uniformed police officers entered the meeting room, and amidst his slowly shifting gaze from confusion to shock, they reached both sides of him, grabbed his arms, and pulled him up from the chair.