The Official Ladder: I ascend to the pinnacle of power, wielding the power of life and death.

"Personnel issues?"

Ma Qiyun asked in confusion, "Secretary Wei didn't mention this to our organization department beforehand, did he?"

Normally, the appointment of a county party secretary must follow procedures, and as the head of the organization department, he would naturally be involved.

Strangely, Wei Shanghua did not speak with him or instruct him on what procedures to follow.

This is somewhat illogical.

"I don't know about that."

Li Xinhou was only responsible for issuing the notification; he didn't know much about the specifics.

"okay, I get it."

Ma Qiyun didn't press further; he would find out at the meeting later.

At 10 o'clock, all the members of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee had arrived.

"Recently, a lot has happened in Xinping County. The main reason is that the top official, Jiang Xuangui, did not keep the people in mind. He only cared about his superiors and not his subordinates, and only talked about political achievements without considering the actual situation. This led to many internal conflicts in Xinping County, which eventually resulted in the large-scale petitioning incident on May 526, causing serious negative impact on Yiyang City. Not only were many media outlets reported on this, but provincial leaders also learned about it and issued instructions, severely criticizing Yiyang City."

Wei Shanghua said, "What's even more outrageous is that when intercepting petitioners, a member of the Party Committee of Xinping County Public Security Bureau actually ran over and killed a petitioning teacher. In order to cover up the truth, he took a series of illegal and undisciplined actions in an attempt to deceive the public. However, the long arm of the law eventually caught up with him and the matter was exposed."

"This fully demonstrates that some Party members and cadres lack a sense of awe, do not take Party discipline and national laws seriously, and place their willpower above the law."

"In order to serve as a warning and to give the higher authorities a satisfactory explanation, the relevant officials involved must be severely punished."

Does anyone have any comments?

"I have no opinion."

"I agree with the secretary's opinion. They must be severely punished to serve as a warning."

"I agree with the secretary's opinion."

All members of the Standing Committee expressed their opinions.

Mayor Zhang Wen, what's your opinion?

Wei Shanghua looked at Luo Zhangwen.

"I agree with Secretary Shang Hua's opinion."

Luo Zhangwen was surprised that Wei Shanghua singled him out, but he still made his stance clear.

"Alright, since everyone agrees that the relevant personnel need to be punished, Secretary Yang Zhen will now announce the proposed handling measures."

After Wei Shanghua finished speaking, Yang Zhen, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, said: "In accordance with the instructions of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, our Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection quickly established a special working group to investigate the May 526 petition incident in Xinping County and clarified the responsibilities of the relevant personnel."

"According to the investigation, Jiang Xuangui, the Party Secretary of Xinping County, bears primary responsibility for this incident. It was also found that during his tenure as Party Secretary, County Head, and Executive Deputy County Head, he violated regulations by engaging in lavish meals, accepting gifts and cash totaling 13,000 yuan. Given that Jiang Xuangui was able to truthfully confess his violations of discipline and law in a relatively short time, admit his mistakes and repent, and fully return the ill-gotten gains, in accordance with the principles of 'learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones' and 'curing the disease to save the patient,' he can be treated leniently. It is recommended that he be expelled from the Party, removed from his administrative post, and demoted to the rank of Deputy Chief Clerk."

Upon hearing this approach, the Standing Committee members exchanged glances but remained silent.

It was obvious that the punishment was too lenient, but no one said it out loud.

Since this disciplinary decision was able to reach the Standing Committee, it must have been approved by Wei Shanghua.

The reasons behind it are beyond their comprehension.

Secretary Yang Zhen continued reading: "As the county head, Zhang Yuntao failed to promptly stop the construction of the Cultural Square project, which was clearly started without approval and had numerous problems, and even expressed his support at the Standing Committee meeting of the County Party Committee. He misappropriated special fiscal funds for project construction, resulting in the inability to pay teachers' salaries and triggering conflict. In the early stages of the incident, he failed to propose effective solutions, further escalating the conflict, and is one of the persons responsible for the May 526th petition incident. According to relevant regulations, Zhang Yuntao is hereby given a Party warning."

"Other relevant Party members and cadres involved will be investigated and dealt with by the Xinping County Discipline Inspection Commission."

After Yang Zhen finished reading the announcement, everyone present was somewhat taken aback.

Everyone knew that Jiang Xuangui would be punished, but no one expected that Zhang Yuntao would also be punished.

In particular, those who receive a Party warning are, according to Party regulations, prohibited from being promoted within the Party or recommended to hold a higher position outside the Party for one year from the date of receiving the warning.

In other words, Zhang Yuntao is not eligible for promotion within a year.

Most of those present assumed that the city would appoint Zhang Yuntao as the Party Secretary of Xinping County.

With this disciplinary decision, Zhang Yuntao completely lost his chance.

"Does anyone have any objections? Please feel free to voice them."

Wei Shanghua spoke up.

"I have no objection to the disciplinary decision."

Long Shaolin was the first to speak.

He already had a bad impression of Zhang Yuntao, and he also knew that his good brother Jiang Yiming did not want Zhang Yuntao to become the county party secretary.

Therefore, I was the first to stand up and support them.

"I have no objection either."

Ma Qiyun followed up with his statement.

"I have no other opinion."

People subsequently expressed their opinions.

Seeing that no one had any objections, Luo Zhangwen knew that if he didn't speak up, he would really have no chance.

"Secretary Shanghua, I have a different opinion."

Luo Zhangwen said, "In the May 526th petition incident, Zhang Yuntao, as the county head, bears undeniable responsibility and should be punished. But isn't a party warning a bit too harsh?"

"In the Cultural Square project, everything Zhang Yuntao did was in accordance with the instructions of Secretary Jiang Xuangui; he was merely an executor. As for the petitioning incident, I heard that he had tried to persuade the faculty and staff who were petitioning the day before the petition, although it did not have a substantial effect, he did take some action after all."

"Therefore, I do not agree with giving him a party warning. I think it would be more appropriate to give him a reprimand."

“I think Mayor Zhang Wen’s words make some sense. Our Party adheres to the principle of learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones and curing the disease to save the patient when dealing with cadres’ violations of discipline and law. Zhang Yuntao should be given a chance to reform himself.”

"Yes, County Chief Zhang Yuntao does bear some responsibility, but responsibility should be divided into primary and secondary, major and minor. We can't let capable cadres sweat and shed tears; if that happens, which cadre will dare to do anything in the future?"

Two members of the Standing Committee supported Luo Zhangwen's opinion.

"Furthermore, I think it is very important to maintain the stability of the political environment in Xinping County. If Zhang Yuntao is given a party warning, he cannot be appointed as the county party secretary. Once he loses this opportunity, a county party secretary will have to be parachuted in from outside, which will inevitably cause instability in the political situation of Xinping County."

Luo Zhangwen continued, "Please, all members of the Standing Committee, carefully consider my opinion."