Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

After Zhu Jichang finished speaking, no one in the conference room responded.

Everyone is looking at Shen Zhong.

The young Standing Committee member did not look up; he was marking names on his notebook with his pen, as if he were recording some important work instructions.

This dismissive attitude made Zhu Jichang feel somewhat embarrassed.

Just then, the table was slammed twice.

"Thump, thump".

The sound came from diagonally opposite.

Li Dakang slammed his teacup down on the table, his face long and drawn.

Zhao Lichun slightly raised his eyelids and looked at the Jingzhou Municipal Party Secretary, who had always only cared about GDP.

"Does Secretary Dakang have something to say?"

Li Dakang didn't stand on ceremony and started flipping through the notebook with a loud rustling sound.

"I'd like to say a few words."

He tugged at his shirt collar, his gaze sweeping over Shen Zhong before finally settling on Zhao Lichun's face.

"I think it is very important to pay attention to the investment environment issue that Comrade Ji Chang just mentioned."

"Jingzhou has been in talks about several foreign investment projects recently, and they were about to be signed, but then the other party suddenly said they wanted to wait and see."

Li Dakang raised a finger and tapped the table with his knuckles.

"Why are you hesitating? People are afraid!"

"People have heard that Handong has been frequently deploying troops and sealing off areas lately. In this kind of environment, who would dare to invest real money?"

The atmosphere in the meeting room became more subtle.

It is a generally accepted fact that Li Dakang is not part of Zhao Lichun's circle.

On many occasions, Li Dakang even clashed with the provincial authorities in his pursuit of political achievements.

But today, even he stood up and fired at Shen Zhong.

Although the starting points were different, this knife went deep enough.

"Some comrades, I won't name names."

Li Dakang turned to look at Shen Zhong, his brows furrowed.

"I, Li Dakang, wholeheartedly support cracking down on corruption and violations of discipline."

"But couldn't you be a little more considerate in your approach? Could you consider the overall situation of the local economy?"

"If you scare away investors and ruin Handong's economy, even if you arrest ten thousand corrupt officials, what will the common people eat?"

Li Dakang became more and more excited as he spoke, and spittle flew from his mouth.

"My stance is clear: I am not against anti-corruption efforts, but I firmly oppose campaign-style law enforcement and resolutely oppose undermining the hard-won stability!"

After saying that, Li Dakang picked up his teacup, took a big gulp, and leaned back heavily in his chair.

The meeting room fell silent again.

These words carry significant weight.

If Zhu Jichang's speech still carried the suspicion of factional struggle, then Li Dakang's statement was entirely from the perspective of the Chief Executive, occupying the moral high ground of development.

Liu Changchun lowered his head and drank his tea, concealing the worry in his eyes.

The tide is gone.

Now, more than half of the members of the Standing Committee have expressed their opinions, and their reasons are becoming more and more high-sounding.

This is not just an encirclement and suppression; it is an attempt to completely nail Shen Zhong to the pillar of shame for "not understanding politics and undermining development."

Chen Huai sat at the recording table, his pen flying across the paper.

He was already starting to plan how to write the press release after the meeting.

The Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee’s democratic life meeting emphasized: Adhere to the rule of law and safeguard the overall economic development.

A perfect title.

Zhao Lichun looked at Shen Zhong, a hint of barely perceptible pleasure appearing on his face.

This is Handong.

No matter how powerful you are, once you enter this territory, you have to coil up.

"Secretary Dakang's words, though rough, are not without merit."

Zhao Lichun took over the conversation, his tone calm and forceful.

"Development is the fundamental principle, and it is the cornerstone of our governance."

"Any action that deviates from this cornerstone is irresponsible and will be held accountable by history."

He placed the prayer beads in his hand on the table, making a slight clinking sound.

"Today's meeting was very successful. Everyone spoke freely, pointed out problems, and expressed their opinions."

"I think this is a rare learning opportunity for Comrade Shen Zhong."

Zhao Lichun leaned forward, crossed his hands on the table, and assumed the posture of giving a concluding speech.

"Since everyone is so in agreement, I think there's no need to discuss it any further."

"Comrade Shen Zhong, you've just arrived in Handong, so you may not be very familiar with local work and your actions may be a bit... rash."

"This word may not sound pleasant, but it reflects the sentiments of our comrades."

"I suggest that you make a thorough self-criticism and express your stance at the meeting."

"From now on, any major actions involving military-civilian relations must first be discussed by the Standing Committee and approved by the Provincial Party Committee."

Zhao Lichun's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

This is the ultimatum.

Either admit your mistake and relinquish command of the operation.

They either fight to the bitter end, or they are completely isolated on the fringes of the power structure in Handong.

All eyes were on the young man in the pine-green military uniform.

Gao Yuliang pushed up his glasses, wanting to see if this young man who had given the Zhong family a hard time could turn the tables.

Zhu Jichang stood with his arms crossed, looking on with amusement.

Zhou Guichun, meanwhile, was busy organizing the documents in front of him, looking confident of victory.

Just then.

"Smack."

A crisp sound broke the silence of the conference room.

The sound wasn't loud, but it sounded particularly jarring in a room where only the air conditioner was running.

Shen Zhong closed the black notebook.

He carefully put the pen back into his pocket, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he had just finished listening to a boring lecture.

Zhao Lichun frowned.

Shen Zhong raised his head.

There wasn't even a hint of embarrassment about being surrounded on that young and handsome face.

He even laughed.

The smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it carried a chilling undertone that sent shivers down one's spine.

He adjusted his posture, keeping his back straight, and casually rested his hands on the edge of the table.

It's such a simple action, yet it gives people a sense of overwhelming pressure.

That's the aura of someone who has crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

Sitting opposite him, Zhu Jichang subconsciously lowered his arms from his chest, feeling a tightness in his throat.

Shen Zhong did not look at Zhao Lichun, nor did he look at Li Dakang.

His gaze swept across the faces of each member of the Standing Committee.

Finally, the focus shifted to Zhu Jichang.

"Secretary Zhao just asked me to write a self-criticism."

Shen Zhong spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"What should I review? Should I review how many corrupt officials I caught trying to drain the country's coffers? Or should I review how I prevented certain individuals from infiltrating the war reserves?"

Zhao Lichun's face darkened: "Comrade Shen Zhong, watch your attitude!"

Shen Zhong completely ignored Zhao Lichun's reprimand.

He extended a finger and gently tapped the black notebook in front of him.

"Since this is a democratic life meeting, I would like to speak freely as well."

"I don't understand economics, and I can't calculate GDP."

"But I understand warfare, and I understand what national defense and security are."

Shen Zhong pushed the notebook forward an inch, his gaze fixed intently on Zhu Jichang.

Zhu Jichang, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, forced a smile and asked, "Standing Committee Member Shen, what do you mean by this? We're discussing your work style right now!"

"Secretary Zhu, don't worry."

Shen Zhong said calmly.

"You were just talking about the investment environment and local economic development."

"They said that the sand quarry was a key project and a model for attracting investment."

Zhu Jichang retorted, "Isn't that right? That project was registered with the provincial government!"

Shen nodded, his face showing an expression as if he were looking at an idiot.

"Okay, since Secretary Zhu is so knowledgeable about planning and development."

His deep voice suddenly turned cold.

"I have a question I'd like to ask Secretary Zhu."

Shen Zhong stared intently at Zhu Jichang's face and asked, word by word:

"Who approved the construction of the No. 3 Chemical Industrial Park in Luzhou, right next to my missile site?"