booktalesy Chapter 33: Passively Fires the First Shot in the Campaign Against Organized Crime
Chapter 33: Passively Fires the First Shot in the Campaign Against Organized Crime
The woman cried, "They say my Wu Qiang is spreading rumors, but everything he said is the truth! That's over a dozen lives at stake! Your Honor, you must do us justice!"
The older woman kept calling him "Upright and Just Magistrate," and Xu Youwei said with a wry smile, "Sister, please stop calling me 'Upright and Just Magistrate.' It makes me feel guilty!"
Xu Youwei said sincerely, "I am the Party Secretary of Longcheng City, and my identity is that of a public servant."
Our country has established a fair, just, and rule-of-law system, so that every citizen, when wronged, can seek justice through normal and legal channels, instead of waiting anxiously for a so-called "upright official" to intervene and make amends, as was the case in ancient times!
Xu Youwei then changed the subject: "But today, I saw the iron cage that locked Qingqing up and heard Wu Qiang's grievances."
What does this indicate? It indicates that there are problems with grassroots governance in some parts of Longcheng!
This indicates that our pre-established institutional channels have been blocked or have become ineffective at certain stages!
As a result, the voices of people like Qingqing's mother and Wuqiang's mother, who most deserve help, are ignored, their suffering goes unheard, and they can only ultimately pin their hopes on a chance encounter with a "righteous official" to discover and resolve their problems!
Xu Youwei raised his voice: "This is an abnormal phenomenon! It should not become the norm in a society governed by the rule of law!"
Today, I, Xu Youwei, have encountered this, and I'm determined to take care of it!
However, there are so many towns and villages in Longcheng, I can't possibly go to every corner!
If the system is flawed and poorly implemented, how many more 'Qingqing' and 'Wuqiang' will silently endure injustice?
Xu Youwei's gaze fell on Huang Ping, the town police station chief, and others: "Comrade Huang Ping, and all the cadres present, did you all hear that?"
The title "Upright and Just Magistrate" is not an honor for us, but an encouragement and even more so, a criticism!
It's like a mirror, reflecting the shortcomings in our work and the gap between us and the expectations of the people!
This illustrates that, at least in Haihe County, when ordinary people encounter injustices and find it difficult or impossible to get through normal channels, they only place their hopes on a chance encounter with a higher-level leader!
Then, Xu Youwei looked at Wu Qiang's mother and the villagers who had gathered around, and said earnestly, "Fellow villagers, the ultimate solution to problems lies in the system and the rule of law."
The reason I, Xu Youwei, am able to intervene in Qingqing and Wu Qiang's affairs today is because I am sitting in the position of the municipal party secretary, and I am using the power and responsibilities entrusted to me by the organization.
But what we aim for is to ensure that every ordinary citizen, regardless of whether they encounter a "righteous official," can rely on the existing system and laws to fairly and squarely protect their rights!
After a pause, Xu Youwei continued, "I have noted down all the issues raised by everyone today!"
Fellow villagers, please give me some time. I will definitely pursue this to the end and give you all a clear and transparent explanation!
On the way back to Longcheng city, Xu Youwei said, "Zhiyuan, you saw it all. Today in Longqiao Town, there was Qingqing's iron cage, Wu Qiang's injustice, and the mass incident caused by the expansion of the Jintang Hot Spring Resort."
These seemingly isolated incidents, upon closer examination, all point to the same person—Zhang Wanlin—and the intricate network of interests behind him. We're practically at each other's throats with Zhang Wanlin!
Wu Zhiyuan said, "Yes, Secretary Xu. Zhang Wanlin and his Jintang Group have been operating in Longcheng for many years, and their reach has become too far-reaching."
His influence can be seen in everything from coal mining and engineering construction to real estate and tourism development.
What's even more frightening is that he seems to have acquired the ability to interfere with the operation of local governments and even distort judicial fairness.
There's a saying that Zhang Wanlin is Longcheng's "underground organization minister," and anyone who wants to be promoted to section-level or division-level cadre can do so with just a word from him.
This shows that Zhang Wanlin had cultivated and corrupted a large number of cadres, some of whom held high positions of power.
Xu Youwei nodded and said, "Zhiyuan, you've hit the nail on the head. Zhang Wanlin's problem is not simply a matter of illegal business operations, but rather a systemic issue of corruption in grassroots governance and the destruction of the political environment."
The fact that he could be called an "underground organization minister" precisely illustrates that in certain areas, normal organizational procedures have been rendered ineffective, forming a "shadow power system" linked by the transfer of benefits.
Wu Zhiyuan added: "Secretary Xu, as far as I know, Zhang Wanlin's Jintang Group has obtained a large number of government projects and resources in recent years through improper means."
For example, in the expansion project of Jintang Hot Spring Resort, they forcibly seized farmers' land at extremely low prices.
In the field of engineering construction, they have repeatedly won bids for major projects, which may indicate collusion, bid-rigging, or other irregularities.
Xu Youwei said solemnly: "Therefore, in our next struggle, we must not treat the symptoms rather than the root cause."
A systematic campaign to combat organized crime is necessary, with the goal of severing the chains of criminal gangs, eliminating their breeding ground, and restoring the political ecosystem.
Next week, I will be going to the provincial capital to report in person to the main leaders of the provincial party committee, the provincial discipline inspection commission, and the provincial political and legal affairs commission. Please take some time these next few days to prepare a written report.
Wu Zhiyuan quickly replied, "Okay, I'll prepare tonight."
Xu Youwei smiled and said, "Zhiyuan, don't overwork yourself. Relax for the next two days and spend some time with your teacher's wife and Yunxi."
Wu Zhiyuan cautioned, "Secretary Xu, both Qingqing's and Wu Qiang's matters today have essentially alerted the enemy. Zhang Wanlin will know immediately, and he will inevitably take action."
Xu Youwei nodded and said, "Yes, today's actions were bound to alert the enemy, because we were forced to fire the first shot."
Just then, Xu Youwei's phone rang.
Upon closer inspection, it was a call from his former leader, Zhou Mingxuan, the current vice chairman of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference.
Xu Youwei frowned, having guessed about seven or eight parts of the story in his mind.
Xu Youwei pressed the answer button and said respectfully, "Hello, Mr. Zhou! I was just thinking of visiting you in the provincial capital in a few days when you called."
A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone: "Haha, Youwei! I know you just arrived in Longcheng and are very busy with a lot to do."
I won't beat around the bush with you. I heard you made quite a stir in Haihe County today?
Xu Youwei was somewhat surprised that the news had spread so quickly, so he calmly replied, "Old Zhou is well-informed. Yes, I went down to the grassroots level today and saw some practical problems, which have drawn strong reactions from the people."
"Yes, going deep into the grassroots is a good thing, to understand the people's sentiments." Zhou Mingxuan's tone was earnest. "However, Youwei, there's something this old guy has to remind you of."
The situation in Longcheng is quite complex and intertwined; a single move can have far-reaching consequences.
Especially in terms of economic development, the private sector is the main force and has made a significant contribution.
Zhou Mingxuan paused for a moment, then continued, "Take Zhang Wanlin of Jintang Group for example. He is a well-known private entrepreneur in the province, a major taxpayer, and has solved many jobs in Longcheng."
I heard they're planning to go public soon. This kind of company is one of the "engines" of Longcheng's economic development.
Xu Youwei listened quietly.
Zhou Mingxuan continued, "As the old saying goes, 'If the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if a person is too discerning, he will have no followers.'"
To revitalize the economy, sometimes a tolerant and prudent regulatory environment is needed.
Entrepreneurs inevitably encounter various problems during their entrepreneurial development. As long as these are not fundamental or directional errors, in my opinion, the focus should be on protection and support, giving them opportunities to correct their mistakes and develop in a standardized manner.
If the investigations are too strict and the regulations too rigid, it will scare away entrepreneurs, ruin the investment environment, and ultimately harm the local economy and people's livelihoods. Don't you agree, Youwei?