Chapter 3 Careful Planning

  In order to take down Zhou Qiball, Jiang Feng must first complete the most crucial step, which is to grasp the ironclad evidence and make it real for Zhou Qiball, so that he will never be able to turn over. However, as the newly appointed municipal party secretary, it's not easy to collect some materials, after all, many important materials have become songs of praise when they reach him. So, in order to take down Zhou Qiball, there must be someone who can handle things, but who is that person?

  Jiang Feng repeatedly searched the talent pool of Changning City in his mind. Ah, yes, Vice Secretary Zhou Zheng of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection is very suitable. This Zhou Zheng used to work in the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department and had a relatively close relationship with himself. Moreover, this man was from a military background, hated evil, was upright and unyielding, but not good at fawning on others. However, he was absolutely loyal to the party's cause. Jiang Feng felt that such a comrade could accomplish great things. Why not use him for now and see the effect? If it doesn't work out, they can always replace him later.

  Thinking of this, Jiang Feng called Secretary Fan Qiang to summon Zhou Zheng. In a short while, Zhou Zheng arrived. Under his two sword-like eyebrows, a pair of sharp eyes, nose and mouth were just right, and the heavenly court was full, with an aura like a rainbow. He was indeed from a martial arts background. As soon as he saw Zhou Zheng, Jiang Feng immediately smiled, knowing that he hadn't misjudged him. After meeting, the two exchanged pleasantries.

  "Zhou brother, long time no see. I didn't expect that I would be working with you in Changning. It's been over three years since we last parted ways?"

  "It's been over three years now, Secretary Jiang, I'm very happy to work under your leadership."

  "So, Brother Zhou, we are old acquaintances now, so I'll get straight to the point. I haven't been in Changning for long and don't know much about the team of cadres here. Recently, some cadres have reflected that Yongsheng County Party Secretary Zhou Qiball has problems with violating laws and disciplines. What's your opinion and understanding of Zhou Qiball?"

  "I had also heard about Zhou Qibiao's case earlier, but I didn't find any strong evidence, so I dare not comment arbitrarily." Zhou Zheng appeared very cautious.

  "You and I are old familiar people, some things don't need to be covered up, I'll tell you the truth, if Zhou Qibiao really did something illegal or disciplinary, I'll deal with him first, of course, on the premise that sufficient evidence is collected."

  "Does this matter need to go through normal procedures and report the progress of the case to the Party Committee?"

  "No, you should understand this first, don't rush to report it. Wait until the time is ripe and then announce it. The water in Changning is very deep, you need to pay attention to the impact and personal safety. You must do a good job of keeping secrets. Of course, our conversation this time is also confidential, not a word can be revealed to anyone. From now on, we will contact each other directly." As he spoke, Jiang Feng handed Zhou Zheng a business card.

  Zhou Zheng respectfully accepted the note with both hands and replied in a military manner: "Alright, mission guaranteed to be completed."

  In fact, Zhou Zheng was not only aware of Zhou Qibao's case, but also knew it like the back of his hand. However, due to the tyranny of the original municipal party secretary Liao Chunsheng, he did not dare to stand up. Zhou Zheng's hometown is Yongsheng County, and many fellow townspeople had approached him to report Zhou Qibao, but every time his letters were sent to the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Chang Yunlai, they would be suppressed and never seen again.

  Zhou Zheng knew that this matter was not so simple, and there must be more powerful people behind it. Otherwise, a county party secretary would not be able to suppress the city's disciplinary committee's petition. So who is the black hand behind Zhou Qiu? After inquiring from many sides, Zhou Zheng finally understood that the big shot behind Zhou Qiu was Liao Chunsheng.

  Zhou Zheng was shocked by his own past thoughts, because Zhou Zheng had once thought of skipping levels to report to Municipal Party Secretary Liao Chunsheng about the problem of Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Chang Yun suppressing letters and visits, but he did not expect that the person who actually suppressed these letters and visits was Liao Chunsheng.

  Zhou Zheng understood the profound meaning of Jiang Feng's words, "The water in Changning City is very deep", but at that time, Zhou Zheng did not understand whether Jiang Feng's intention to overthrow Zhou Qiball was out of public interest or private interest, or if it was a test. All he knew was that he couldn't sleep all night, knowing that he was touching an invisible and enormous web.

  Liao Chunsheng's first term, how many cadres fell. Those who are still in power and have unlimited glory now may be the people he needs to face directly in his next step of work.

  Zhou Zheng is an old discipline inspector, and he has also been in the provincial party committee's organization department. In his own words, he was a "temporary worker" in the organization department for two years. Due to his straightforward nature, at over 50 years old, he is still a deputy department-level cadre. His rank is the same as when he left the army. Many retired comrades from the discipline committee privately call him "Old Zhou" or "Old Vinegar", but Zhou Zheng doesn't get angry and instead enjoys mixing with these old comrades, playing chess one day and bridge the next.

  Old comrades get together, always recalling the past and thinking about the present. Many old comrades are very satisfied with their current lives, but they often criticize the corruption problem in Changning City in front of Zhou Zheng, sometimes criticizing so severely that Zhou Zheng's face turns red. They say that the current Discipline Inspection Commission is not doing its job properly, and some comrades "occupy the toilet without taking a dump".

  Zhou Zheng knew that the old comrades' criticism was not directed at him, but rather at the inaction of the Changning Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection. He also wanted to take action, but under the current system "ten deputy positions are not equal to one chief position". Zhou Zheng had previously seen the discipline inspection commission's crooked ways and not following procedures, which made him furious, slamming his fist on the table of the then secretary of the municipal party committee, Chang Yunlai. However, afterwards he was put in a cold seat for half a year, removed from the standing committee of the discipline inspection commission by Chang Yunlai, and only returned to the position after intervention from the provincial discipline inspection commission. From then on, Zhou Zheng, an honest old discipline inspector, learned how to deal with such people. His "three no's" guiding ideology - "do not speak lightly, do not express opinions lightly, do not handle cases lightly" - allowed him to survive under Chang Yunlai's leadership without being completely overthrown.

  Zhōu Zhèng said in his own words that as long as there is soil, he must fight for the people's justice and eradicate corrupt officials, or else he would not be able to die with a clear conscience.

  Today, Jiang Feng's conversation with him rekindled the raging fire in his heart. He wanted to use Jiang Feng's strength to bring these lawless elements to justice and make a loud and resounding achievement in the year before his retirement, to purify the Party's undertaking and make his own due contribution.

  Zhou Zheng knew that Jiang Feng wanted to deal with Zhou Qiball, which was not unreasonable. However, Jiang Feng had not given enough attention to the deep and unpredictable waters of Changning City in his thinking. Over the years, Liao Chunsheng has promoted many cadres in Changning, and how many people are his own, and how many cadres have shown him their intentions, actually, except for his current wife, even he himself does not know.

  But facing this big net, Zhou Zheng had to find a crack and then tore it apart with all his might.

  Where is this crack? Is it Zhou Qibiao, or...

  Zhou Zheng fell into deep thought, he had to find a clue and come up with the best plan. Without the organization's authorization, how could he handle the case well, make it ironclad, and nail down this group of corrupt officials? Relying solely on Zhou Zheng alone was not enough, nor was relying on Jiang Fan alone. So who should they turn to next to expand the anti-corruption team? Facing thousands of disciplinary inspection cadres in the city, Zhou Zheng fell into a state of having no one to use, and he was perplexed.