At the Pinnacle of Power: My Insider Report Alarms Bigwigs in Beijing's Elite Circle

Ji Ming has strong execution skills; he investigated the problems in the engineering field in just one week.

A week later, Ji Ming came to Lin Yi's office one morning and reported, "Secretary Lin, I've found out what you asked me to investigate. The winning bidders for the Longzhou New Area land reclamation project, the Longzhou section of the Ninglong Expressway, and the reservoir projects in the three counties are all Southeast Jinding Construction Group. Meng Fei, the deputy general manager of the Municipal Investment Company, contacted the bidding company and insisted that Southeast Jinding Construction Group must win the bid."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi raised an eyebrow, but did not rush to express his opinion. Instead, he waited for Ji Ming to continue his report.

"After discovering this information, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection interviewed Lin Hui, the chairman of the Municipal Investment Company. Lin Hui confessed that Xu Bin, Liu Guoquan's secretary, had approached him and hinted that he should award these projects to Southeast Jinding Construction Group Company," Ji Ming added.

Lin Yi frowned even more: "Lin Hui gave the project to Jinding Construction Group just because of a hint from Liu Guoquan's secretary?"

"According to Lin Hui's confession, after receiving a hint from Xu Bin, he took the initiative to report the project to Liu Guoquan, mentioning Jinding Construction Group. Liu Guoquan said that Jinding Construction Group has strong construction capabilities and is a key construction company in the province, so it is worth giving priority to having Jinding Construction Group complete these projects," Ji Ming said.

Lin Yi fell silent.

Liu Guoquan's move was practically a clear designation of the construction company. Normally, Lin Hui, the chairman of the municipal investment company, would certainly not dare to refuse. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a question of who would do the project, but rather who would be the chairman of the municipal investment company.

Seeing that Lin Yi remained silent, Ji Ming added, "Lin Hui said that he believed that you, Secretary, were very supportive of Liu Guoquan and the municipal government's work, so he dared not go against Liu Guoquan's opinion, but he did not participate in it either. Instead, he demanded that all procedures be legal and compliant. The specific matters were handled by Meng Fei, the deputy general manager of the Municipal Investment Company."

"Compile the materials, provide evidence, and hold a meeting this afternoon to review and investigate the illegal and irregular bidding issues related to the Longzhou New Area land reclamation project, the Longzhou section of the Ninglong Expressway, and the reservoir projects in the three counties!" Lin Yi instructed.

"Yes, Secretary Lin!"

Ji Ming immediately accepted the order, knowing in his heart that Lin Yi was very angry and the consequences would be severe. The harmonious atmosphere in Longzhou City would be gone forever!

2:55 PM.

Wei Jun, deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, Zhou Qinghui, head of the organization department, and Ji Ming, secretary of the discipline inspection commission, arrived at the small conference room in the standing committee building.

At 2:59, Mayor Liu Guoquan arrived at the conference room with a teacup in his hand.

At three o'clock, Lin Yi, accompanied by Ma Zhiguo, the secretary-general of the municipal party committee, entered the conference room.

Ma Zhiguo attended the meeting today, but was only responsible for taking notes and did not participate in the discussion or voting.

"Comrades, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation has revealed irregularities and illegalities in the bidding process for the Longzhou New Area land reclamation project, the Longzhou section of the Ninglong Expressway, and the reservoir projects in the three counties. Comrade Ji Ming reported this to me, and I believe this is no small matter. Therefore, I would like to ask you all to discuss how to handle it." Lin Yi chaired the meeting and explained the agenda.

Swish!

Upon hearing Lin Yi's words, Liu Guoquan's expression immediately changed!

Because when Ma Zhiguo, the secretary-general of the municipal party committee, notified the meeting, he only said that the meeting would review a proposal from the municipal discipline inspection commission, Liu Guoquan was unaware of the agenda for this afternoon's meeting.

However, after hearing the topic, he realized that Lin Yi had found out about his involvement in the engineering and construction field, and that Lin Yi would use this as a pretext to take action against him!

Not only the parties involved, but even Zhou Qinghui, the head of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, realized this.

Before the meeting, Deputy Secretary Wei Jun had heard about this from Lin Yi and firmly supported Lin Yi's decision!

"Next, let's hear from Comrade Ji Ming about the specific situation."

Lin Yi took in Liu Guoquan's expression, then turned his gaze to Ji Ming.

"Secretary Lin, comrades, the specific situation is as follows..."

Ji Ming reported the details and then stated, "Secretary Lin was absolutely right at the beginning of the meeting; this is no small matter. The total investment in these three major projects exceeds 5 billion yuan, and the illegal designation of construction companies is a very serious issue. The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection recommends an investigation and review of the relevant personnel and that officials who violate discipline and the law be resolutely punished!"

"Comrades, these three major projects are all key projects of the city. The municipal government arranged for the city's investment company to be the construction unit for these projects. I, the mayor, only just found out about this problem. I apologize to my comrades and the municipal party committee."

As Ji Ming finished speaking, Liu Guoquan was startled and quickly spoke up.

He first claimed ignorance of the matter, disclaiming any involvement, and then said, "My personal suggestion is that this matter should be handled with caution. On the one hand, a few months ago, the corruption case led by Chen Yang severely damaged the city's political environment and destabilized the cadre team. In the past six months, under the strong leadership of the Municipal Party Committee with Comrade Lin Yi at its core, our city's cadre team has stabilized, and various tasks have been carried out in an orderly manner. This situation has not come easily and should not be disrupted."

On the other hand, these three major projects are key projects for our city this year, and their commencement and construction are crucial to achieving this year's investment targets. If the Discipline Inspection Commission intervenes in the investigation, it will inevitably affect the commencement of the projects. If the bidding process has to be restarted, construction may not even be able to start before the end of the year, which would prevent our city from completing its annual investment target.

It must be said that Liu Guoquan is quite capable. In order to prevent the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection from investigating the incident and avoid being implicated, he opposed it on the grounds of maintaining the stability of the cadre team and completing the annual investment target.

"I believe that while completing the annual investment target is important, the fight against corruption is even more important. Only a few months have passed since the case of Chen Yang and others, and yet someone dares to break the law. We must investigate this thoroughly and stop this unhealthy trend!" Deputy Secretary Wei Jun also spoke up, his attitude clear: a thorough investigation is necessary.

Zhou Qinghui, the head of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, remained silent, only turning his gaze to Lin Yi.

Firstly, the construction project has little to do with him, the head of the municipal party committee's organization department.

Secondly, he knew very well that Wei Jun and Ji Ming both followed Lin Yi's lead. As long as Lin Yi was determined to investigate this case, he would definitely investigate it to the end!

Therefore, how this matter is handled depends entirely on Lin Yi's attitude.

Zhou Qinghui wanted to know whether Lin Yi wanted to remind Liu Guoquan, or to formally reprimand Liu Guoquan, or even to take action against him!

"Ensuring the stability of the cadre team is not about condoning cadres who violate discipline and the law; these are two different concepts. Furthermore, we cannot allow corrupt officials to act with impunity just to meet the annual investment targets! I support the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's opinion to investigate this matter thoroughly and severely punish cadres who have neglected their duties and violated discipline and the law!"

Just then, Lin Yi spoke up, his attitude clear, and then added: "The three major projects will be reorganized for bidding, with a focus on outstanding central and state-owned enterprises. After the bidding process is completed, the winning bidders will be allowed to start construction without waiting for the contracts to be signed. We will do everything we can to catch up with the construction schedule."

Upon hearing Lin Yi's words, Liu Guoquan's brows furrowed instantly. He hadn't expected that just as he was about to jump up, Lin Yi would reach out and hold him down!

Just then, Lin Yi said again, "Since comrades have differing opinions, let's vote by raising our hands. Those who agree with the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's opinion to investigate the irregularities in the bidding for the three major projects, to strictly investigate cadres who violate discipline and the law, and to reorganize the bidding for the three major projects, please raise your hands."

"agree."

Ji Ming and Wei Jun responded immediately, raising their hands in agreement.

Zhou Qinghui, the head of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, hesitated for a moment before raising his hand as well.

Although he was a man of Zhang Dongfeng, the provincial party secretary, Zhang Dongfeng did not instruct him to support the struggle between Liu Guoquan and Lin Yi.

Moreover, even if he supported Liu Guoquan in this matter, it would be of no use; on the contrary, it would leave a stain on his reputation and cause him trouble!

With Wei Jun and the other two agreeing, plus Lin Yi himself, they had four votes, and the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's proposal was approved.

Liu Guoquan's face looked extremely grim.

When Lin Yi demonstrated his strength through his actions, Liu Guoquan truly felt the terrifying pressure and realized he was completely powerless to fight back!

After the meeting, Liu Guoquan returned to his office.

Secretary Xu Bin immediately brewed Liu Guoquan another cup of tea, then asked somewhat uneasily, "Mayor, if the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection investigates thoroughly, I estimate that Xiao Hongqing of Jinding Construction Group may not be able to withstand it. What if he says something he shouldn't?"

“If Xiao Hongqing isn’t out of his mind, he wouldn’t talk nonsense. Even if he were to lie, catching a thief red-handed requires evidence, and since nothing has been promised, what’s there to be afraid of?”

Liu Guoquan's face was gloomy, but he was not afraid at all. "Besides, the purge in Longzhou was only a few months ago. The provincial party committee's first requirement for Longzhou is stability. I don't believe that Lin Yi would dare to disregard the overall situation and fight me to the death!"

"The mayor is right."

Xu Bin felt relieved. As Liu Guoquan's chief secretary who had followed him for several years, he was Liu Guoquan's absolute confidant and had been involved in almost all of Liu Guoquan's affairs. As long as Liu Guoquan did not fall, it was impossible for him to have any problems.

On the other side, Ji Ming, the secretary of the municipal discipline inspection commission, followed Lin Yi to the office.

“Secretary, judging from Liu Guoquan’s reaction, although he has interfered in the three major projects, he probably hasn’t received any benefits yet because the projects haven’t started construction, so he’s acting with impunity,” Ji Ming said, offering his assessment.

Lin Yi said calmly, "Now is not the time to investigate him, otherwise I would not have asked you to take action at this time. I just want to make my stance clear."

"Secretary, what do you mean?" Ji Ming was taken aback.

“Liu Guoquan worked with me and dared to do this in less than three months since he took office in Longzhou. Did he have no problems before?”

After Lin Yi finished speaking, without waiting for Ji Ming's reply, he said, "Someone has delivered Liu Guoquan, this time bomb, into my hands, wanting me to detonate it."

“I understand. Your early intervention and intervention are intended to both prevent Liu Guoquan’s problems from escalating now and to prevent him from acting recklessly, all as a warning to others.” Ji Ming’s mind stirred.

"Ji Ming, during the investigation, preserve evidence related to Liu Guoquan's issues as a basis for future retribution!"

Lin Yi gave instructions that not only should Liu Guoquan be detonated at the right time, but the bomb should also be thrown back at Zhang Dongfeng and Hua Canghai!