Chapter 67 - 1#

Chapter 67: All Schemes Exhausted

For several days in a row, due to the third large-scale protest, the high-level officials in Beijing attached great importance to it. The news at 12 noon even followed up with reports, such as the suspension of all transportation facilities such as airplanes and railways in the Suilin area, the local armed police corps taking to the streets to quell the protest, and the police and relevant departments helping the wounded and comforting the people…

He Nanshan turned off the news broadcast.

In the past few days, Shen Youchang emphasized the border issue again and again. On the surface, he was talking about the protests that occurred in recent days, but in fact, anyone with a discerning eye understood that every word was pointing at him.

He had indeed been involved in the affairs of Suilin in recent years, but once a protest occurred, what was the use of him speaking when he couldn’t intervene in the military? It still depended on the one among the nine Standing Committee members who held military power…

He Nanshan lowered his eyes, rubbed the sandalwood cane in his hand, and tapped the floor rhythmically and gently.

“Premier, the speech is ready.” A gentle knock sounded, and a middle-aged man standing at the door said with a small stack of documents.

“It’s Xiao Xu, sit down.” He Nanshan pointed to the chair in front of him.

The middle-aged man hurriedly walked to the desk, respectfully placed the speech in front of He Nanshan, and then sat carefully on half of the chair with his body slightly tilted: “Premier, please take a look.”

He Nanshan flipped through the speech in front of him—of course, it was also about the border issue. Shen Youchang was just short of naming him. If he didn’t understand a bit more, he was afraid it would be someone else’s turn to make him understand—but he didn’t look very carefully. After finding that there were no major problems, he put it down: “Okay, that’s it. It’s well written.”

Xiao Xu smiled humbly: “It’s all thanks to the Premier’s good teaching! Without the Premier’s guidance, how could we write these?” This was actually true—if the secretariat couldn’t figure out the leader’s meaning and write articles that were standardized and in line with the leader’s wishes, then the secretary would be almost done!

“Premier.” Another voice sounded at the door, and then the person walked in. Xiao Xu was wondering at first, but when he looked back and saw the person, he understood. He quickly stood up and said, “Premier, I’ll go out first. Secretary Fang, hello.”

“Secretary Xu.” As the first secretary beside He Nanshan, Secretary Fang was obviously not as restrained as Xiao Xu. He nodded slightly to the other party and put the things in his hand on He Nanshan’s desk—it was a blue folder, obviously containing some documents.

Xiao Xu retreated tactfully, closing the door for the people inside. Finally, he saw Secretary Fang sit in the position he had just sat in, his voice low and somewhat serious:

“Premier, the things you entrusted to me…”

In the Vice Premier’s office, Secretary Fang said to He Nanshan: “Premier, I have done everything you entrusted to me. There is nothing else, but there is one very important thing.” Of course, no subordinate would keep his boss in suspense, so Secretary Fang quickly continued, “Zhang Rui was taken away by the discipline inspection people!”

Zhang Rui was the one competing with Lin Lide for the position of Mayor of Beijing.

He Nanshan didn’t speak, nor did he have any special expression. He just stood up and walked slowly to the cabinet against the wall, picked up fish food to feed the fish in the glass tank—these fish were not rare breeds, at best a little prettier; the placement was even less particular. In today’s officialdom, among middle and lower-level officials, the decoration of the office is very particular, and they are not willing to make a mistake in Feng Shui. But He Nanshan himself didn’t believe in these things. The layout of the office was only for pleasing the eye. According to his usual understanding, among people of his class who believed in these things, he was truly unique.

“Setting up a trap in Dechang County, using my name to coax Zhang Rui, apart from these two things, what else did that little brat do?” Although He Nanshan said ’little brat’, his tone was indifferent, as if he wasn’t really angry.

From taking over this matter to understanding the whole picture, Secretary Fang was also very surprised: on the one hand, he was surprised by He Hailou’s insidious means, and on the other hand, he was vigilant about the Gu and Wei families’ counterattack that hit the nail on the head. He thought to himself that these two things were enough. If something else happened, it would really be precarious.

“Premier, Young Master He said these are the only two things.” Secretary Fang answered He Nanshan.

“I’m afraid these are the only two important things.” He Nanshan replied.

Having been a secretary for many years, Secretary Fang’s style was never to intervene in the leader’s family affairs. He turned the topic back to Zhang Rui: “Premier, do we need to give an explanation to Zhang Rui’s side?”

He Nanshan shook his head slightly: “I’m afraid he has figured it out now.”

Speaking of Zhang Rui, he had to praise He Hailou in his heart for timing it really well.

The former mayor of Beijing stepped down because someone secretly leaked black materials. Although these black materials were released from the Wang faction, it was Zhang Rui who leaked them to the Wang faction.

But Zhang Rui had held these black materials for more than a day or two. Why was he in such a hurry to release them?

Because some time ago, there were rumors secretly that the Mayor of Beijing had lost the favor of the current administration—this meant making way for someone from the Wang faction.

This was a fact, but sitting in He Nanshan’s position, one could know that although it was a fact, neither the current administration nor the Wang faction had made up their minds to take down this position immediately.

He Hailou seized this time and leaked the information when interacting with Zhang Rui’s son.

When Zhang Rui heard it, combined with the news he got from his channels, he secretly transferred the black materials to the Wang faction—he was cautious enough. At this point, it wouldn’t be a big loss for him. If the Yu faction was really willing to support him, he would step forward to fight; if the news was not so true, he would continue to be a shrinking turtle and stay honestly.

As a result, as soon as the black materials were in hand, the Wang faction happily pried the former mayor away and pushed their own person.

The one from the Yu faction…

He Nanshan rubbed the head of the cane that had been smoothed by his palm for many years.

He didn’t attach much importance to this matter.

But at this time, if they didn’t make any move, it would be very strange. Therefore, that person instructed him to push Zhang Rui out to compete with Lin Lide. He also talked to Zhang Rui once and gave some hints.

Connecting the events, Zhang Rui had no more doubts. During this period, he fought with Lin Lide vigorously.

…As a result, at the critical moment, he was taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation because he was reported.

Next, I’m afraid materials about “Premier He’s nephew provoking officials and cadres, Premier He abusing power and playing politics behind the scenes” will appear on some people’s desks.

The matter of the Dechang County Police Station was not particularly important. Since they had already torn their faces with the Gu and Wei families, it didn’t matter whether this happened or not; even if he abused power there, no one in the same class as him would bother too much—it could even be said that abusing power there was a bit beneath him.

But the border issue was different from the competition for the Mayor of Beijing.

The border issue involves domestic stability, and the mayor of a municipality directly under the central government has always been a very important position—just look at Wang Boyuan. He is valued by the current administration and prepared to take over the next baton, but his current position is only the Party Secretary of Qingchun, a municipality directly under the central government.

It was planned long ago.

He Nanshan thought silently.

He Hailou timed it well, so well that Zhang Rui only realized it after being taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission, and he only realized something was wrong when the incident happened—but Gu Xinjun probably knew about it when He Hailou made his move, and pushed it along the way. Otherwise, how much energy could his nephew mobilize? The initial gossip might not have convinced Zhang Rui deeply.

There is just one more question.

This competition for the Mayor of Beijing took only a month from beginning to end.

In a month, Gu Xinjun had already grasped Zhang Rui’s handle…?

“Xiao Fang,” He Nanshan said suddenly, “arrange for me to inspect Suilin tomorrow.”

Secretary Fang was startled: “Premier, we are now at the forefront of the storm…” He felt it was best to keep a low profile at this moment.

He Nanshan rarely smiled at home or at work, but this time, he smiled slightly, pointing out:

“If not, how can some people see the hope of victory? By the way, are you preparing to get Hailou out?”

Secretary Fang thought the Premier thought it was too slow, and quickly said: “Things are almost done. Young Master He can come out tonight at the latest!”

But He Nanshan waved his hand: “How long should he have stayed inside?”

As soon as these words came out, Secretary Fang knew that he had misunderstood before. He said: “Although the police station has the confession and call recording from Dechang County, these actually don’t have strong legal effect. Even if we don’t intervene, Young Master He can come out in another 24 hours.” As for whether those evidences are enough to open a court session and find a defense lawyer? —How is it possible? Absolutely impossible! It is already unacceptable for the Premier’s nephew to enter the police station for tea. Going to court? It’s simply a big joke!

“Then leave him alone. Let him calm down inside, and cultivate his character for a while. Missing a day or two will just mean changing some dubious people around him.” He Nanshan said lightly.

Secretary Fang quickly agreed. After leaving He Nanshan’s office, he called to explain the other party’s attitude towards He Hailou, but at the same time, he still told the other party sternly not to neglect He Hailou who was staying in the police station in any way—there are some things He Nanshan can say and do, but as a secretary, if he wants to work for a long time, he must never say or do them.

The person who answered the call was actually Director Chen’s immediate superior—and coincidentally, Director Chen was in his immediate superior’s office.

This superior finished Secretary Fang’s call with a smile, then looked at Director Chen standing in front of him with a humble appearance and a slightly bowed body, and truly felt that a breath was stuck in his chest, unable to go up or down, just couldn’t spit it out.