Questioning the County Head

  County Party Secretary Huang Wenyun's eyebrows slightly furrowed, among the eleven county party committee members present, four have already agreed to expel Han Dong from the party and remove him from public office. Moreover, what he did not expect was that Jiang Deming, the deputy secretary of the county party committee and the secretary of the political and legal committee, who had always maintained a neutral stance, this time clearly supported the other side.

  "I think this disposal is not appropriate." The Minister of People's Armed Forces, Mao Chaoyang, raised his thick eyebrows and said: "Regarding Comrade Han Dong's issue, the county party committee has discussed it several times and also severely punished him. Although Comrade Han Dong's three articles published in Huaxia Daily caused a relatively big stir, we must recognize that up to now, the Central Committee has not issued any definitive documents on reform and stability issues. Now expelling Comrade Han Dong from the party and his official position seems somewhat inappropriate."

  Many members of the Standing Committee looked at Mao Chao in surprise. As the Minister of People's Armed Forces, he either didn't attend or abstained from voting when the Standing Committee meetings were held before. But for Han Dong's sake, he surprisingly spoke so much and strongly defended Han Dong. What was going on? No one had heard that they had any relationship!

  Han Dong looked at Mao Chao sitting upright and knew that he was supporting himself because of Li Dayong's relationship. He thought to himself, "I'll have to go visit Minister Mao another day and thank him in person."

  Fang Zhong glanced at Mao Chao, stroking his oily and smooth hair, saying: "Comrade Han Dong has violated the organizational principles, made some improper remarks, and had a very negative impact on our county and even our city. It has also attracted the attention and concern of provincial and municipal leaders, and the municipal party committee has given relevant instructions. Therefore, I agree with Secretary Wang's proposal to give Han Dong the punishment of expulsion from the party and removal from public office. This is also a manifestation of our Fu Yi County Party Committee being responsible to the Municipal Party Committee."

  Han Dong's face turned red with rage as he suddenly stood up, raised his right hand high and said loudly: "I have something to say..."

  Everyone was shocked and turned their heads to look at him, this is a Standing Committee meeting, has he gone mad?

  As everyone's gaze turned to him, the middle-aged man next to Han Dong hastily shifted his body to the side, but lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud. He stood up with a red face and ears, rearranged the chair and sat down, lowering his head in embarrassment.

  Dozens of eyes were staring at Han Dong, with some people's faces revealing a mocking smile.

  "Fang Zhong said calmly: 'When the Standing Committee members are discussing issues, unrelated personnel please keep quiet!'"

  Han Dong's bright and piercing eyes stared at Fang Zhong, saying: "County Magistrate Fang, I don't think I'm an irrelevant person! Since the meeting is discussing my issue, then I can express my opinion. This is a sacred right granted to me by the Party Constitution, and no one can deprive me of it."

  Fang Zhong's expression changed and he said coldly, "No one has deprived you of your rights, but this is the Standing Committee meeting. As a non-voting delegate, just listen."

  "Since Comrade Han Dong has brought it up, let him speak." Huang Wenyun said slowly, "Isn't democratic centralism an important magic weapon for our party?"

  "Thank you, Secretary Huang." Han Dong said loudly, without waiting for others to say anything else, and continued: "County Head Fang, earlier you said I broke the organizational principle. Then I'd like to ask you, does the organizational principle stipulate that party members cannot express their opinions? But I remember that the Party Constitution has this provision: Party members have the right to make suggestions and proposals for the Party's work. And my three articles were based on upholding the Party's interests, making plans and strategies for the Party's work. What's wrong with that?"

  "The three articles I wrote were expressing a view when there was a divergence of opinion within the Party on the relationship between reform and stability, it's just that my opinions differ slightly from those of some Party members."

  "But there are still many party members across the country who share my views. Their comments can also be seen on Hua Xia Ri Bao."

  "Is it just because my opinion is different from that of some party members that I should be disciplined, or even have my party membership revoked?"

  Han Dong stared at Fang Zhong and asked, "May I ask County Magistrate Fang, what is the reason and justification for meting out such severe punishment to comrades who hold different opinions? Shouldn't we still follow the provisions of the Party Constitution?"

  Han Dong did not sit down after finishing his questioning, but stood upright waiting for Fang Zhong's answer.

  The conference room was silent, with everyone staring blankly at Han Dong. No one expected his words to be so severe, and he dared to question Fang Zhong in public repeatedly. However, what he said made sense, making it difficult for others to refute. Although the crowd wasn't looking at Fang Zhong, they knew he must be feeling uncomfortable now, and no one knew how he would respond.

  Fang Zhong's eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed, he reached out to smooth his hair, saying lightly: "Have you finished speaking? Then let's continue listening to the discussion of the Standing Committee members." He actually avoided answering Han Dong's question.

  Han Dong muttered to himself, thinking this guy was shameless, and he was about to stand up again to interrogate him.

  At this time, Huang Wenyun coughed and said: "Comrades, I was deeply moved by Comrade Han Dong's speech just now. Everyone present is an old party member and should be familiar with the rights and obligations stipulated in the Party Constitution. However, why do we neglect some important issues in actual work? Yes, Comrade Han Dong did express some different views, but it was only one of many speeches supporting reform and opening up. We punished him with dismissal and a major demerit, which is very unfair to him. As the county party secretary, I must make a profound self-criticism...

  Everyone was somewhat surprised that Huang Wenyun's words actually meant to shift the direction of this meeting, and Han Dongping's rehabilitation would not be successful?

  Deputy Secretary Feng Zhenhua smiled and said: "This is not the responsibility of Secretary Huang alone, if there are mistakes, then we should correct them in time."

  Shen Congfei continued: "That's right, we should indeed review it. Secretary Huang, I suggest re-discussing the previous disciplinary decision against Comrade Han Dong."

  A few words later, the topic of the meeting has already been turned around by Han Dong's previous questioning of Fang Zhong, and they are going to re-discuss the previous decision about Han Dong.

  However, the atmosphere in the conference room did not relax because of this. Most of the people attending the meeting were seeing the open and secret struggles at the county party committee for the first time, and they truly felt the complexity and variability of political struggle, their hearts were both excited and tense.

  Fang Zhong's face was gloomy, and he was extremely annoyed in his heart. If it weren't for Han Dong's continuous questioning, which made him unable to answer directly, Huang Wenyun would not have taken the opportunity to change the subject. Moreover, the momentum that Wang Jingui and others had worked hard to create earlier was unknowingly destroyed, and if they wanted to continue, they couldn't avoid Han Dong's question.

  "Brothers, don't forget to collect and vote, thank you Xiaojiao."