The day after Zhao Qigong returned from Xiushan, the democratic life meeting was held in Building 4, Guest House, No. 44, Liuyin Road.

At the beginning, the atmosphere was good, Zhong Mingren was the last to arrive as usual, and as soon as he entered the door, he greeted the six Standing Committee members who had arrived at the meeting first, and also made a joke with Zhao Qigong, saying that Zhao Qigong's handwriting was getting better and better, and asked Zhao Qigong when he could give him a letter. Zhao Qigong also joked, as long as your big boss doesn't dislike it, I am here to serve you at any time. Wang Peisong, deputy secretary of the provincial party committee and secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission, asked, do you serve me here? Zhao Qigong said with a smile, all will be served, one word and one bottle of wine, and I will come when you prepare the wine.

At this time, it was almost nine o'clock, and Zhong Mingren got up seriously: "Okay, comrades, don't joke, hurry up." This meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee was convened at the suggestion of Comrade Qi Gong. Comrade Qigong has something to say to you, and I have long wanted to exchange views with Comrade Qigong -- shall we start now? ”

Governor Bai Zhiwen put down a document he was looking at and said: "Yes, yes, let's start quickly, I still have a mess - big boss, let's talk about it first: I can't finish this meeting, Director Liu's plane of the State Economic and Trade Commission will arrive at 12 o'clock at noon, I have to go to pick up the plane to accompany me, in addition, there are two foreign affairs reception tasks in the afternoon, so I will ask for leave first!" ”

Zhong Mingren was not very happy in his heart, and it was difficult to say anything on his lips. Not only Zhong Mingren, but also several comrades of the Standing Committee present knew in their hearts that Bai Zhiwen did not want to get involved in the contradiction of the Xichuan cadre ranks. This comrade, who is not yet 50 years old this year, has served as executive vice governor of a neighboring province for three years, and has also served as a deputy ministerial-level deputy director of a state organ; he is a middle-aged and young cadre who is very concerned by the central authorities, and his political future is promising, and he will leave sooner or later.

Seeing that Governor Bai Zhiwen had set a precedent for asking for leave, Minister Lin of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee also said tentatively: "Secretary Zhong, several leading comrades of the Central Organization Department's 'Three Stresses and Looking Back' have not left yet, and they are going to go to Qinghu City in the afternoon to ......."

Zhong Mingren unceremoniously interrupted Minister Lin's words: "Let the two of you vice ministers go and accompany you, you have a good meeting!" Let me declare: Except for Governor Bai, no one should ask me about taking leave. If you want to say that there is something, who doesn't have a mess at hand? But no matter how busy you are, democratic life will have to be carried out well, and the good style of criticism and self-criticism cannot be lost! If we do not seriously carry out criticism and self-criticism, some of our comrades may lose their principles and have serious problems! ”

Zhao Qigong smiled coldly in his heart, okay, very good, that's it. You Zhong Mingren is really powerful, as soon as you open your mouth, you lose your principles, and there is a big problem, haven't you thought about your own problems? Comrade Zhong Mingren, it's too early for you to get complacent! But he said with a smile: "Secretary Zhong said it very well, this meeting has to be opened well, since I proposed to open it, should I talk about it first?" Secretary Zhong, what do you see? ”

Zhong Mingren nodded: "Comrade Qigong, you can talk about it, the old rules, full democracy, and speak freely." ”

Zhao Qigong opened the notebook quietly: "Okay, comrades, then I will first make a thought report to Secretary Zhong and everyone." Everyone knows that a lot of things have happened in Xiajiang City in the past few days, and there have been many discussions in society, and rumors have also spread in the two compounds of the provincial and municipal party committees. Although the problems in Xiajiang City have recently been exposed after I have been transferred out of Xiajiang, the root cause is still in me, and it cannot but arouse my vigilance and thinking. ”

Zhong Mingren looked at Zhao Qigong and thought, I'm afraid it was the vigilance of the Xichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and Comrade Pei Song that caused your panic, right?! Comrade Zhao Qigong, what is your relationship with Chen Zhongcheng and Tian Zhuangda, these corrupt elements? Can you tell me clearly? Where are you going, comrade? There was a smile on his face: "Comrade Qigong, tell me, when did your vigilance and thinking begin?" ”

Zhao Qigong glanced at Zhong Mingren and said sincerely: "Big boss, you may not think that it started after reading the draft of Comrade Li Dongfang's speech at the enlarged meeting of the Xiajiang City Party Committee. Comrade Dongfang's speech was very thoughtful and level, and although it was a little difficult to accept when he first saw it, he not only accepted it later, but also benefited a lot. "Comrades, Comrade Dongfang touched on several major issues of principle in this speech, and I have summarized them as follows: First, the problem of the phenomenon of the number one leader; 2. Democratic decision-making; Third, the issue of a correct view of political performance. It boils down to the question of how to be responsible for our reform cause and the fundamental interests of the people......"

Zhong Mingren could no longer have imagined that Zhao Qigong would lead the conversation to Li Dongfang, and he would be so arrogant! Now I can see more clearly that this comrade has not faced up to his own problems at all. It's not just not facing it squarely, but also having the intention of attacking the east and the west, and defending as the offense. Power can really change people, eleven years ago, he never imagined that Zhao Qigong would become like this. I didn't expect it even a year ago. A year ago, he also wanted to train Zhao Qigong as the successor of the governor. When he reported to a central leading comrade of Xichuan nationality, he said: It is better not to change the governor of a remote and poor province like Xichuan too frequently, and it is better to use local cadres who understand the actual situation. Zhao Qigong has a lot of problems, but he has a flexible mind and courage to do his work. In the past 10 years, the three provincial governors have all been sent from abroad, and the comrades have talked a lot in private. But what happened next? Zhao Qigong couldn't wait, so he ran away from Beijing and went to the house of the leading comrade from Xichuan, which caused a very bad impact, and he didn't even get an executive vice governor, and he even suffered a severe criticism from the leading comrade.

When thinking so crankily, Zhao Qigong talked about his problem: "...... All you think about all day is about political achievements, and if you don't have a correct view of political achievements, sooner or later there will always be problems. As soon as Tian Zhuangda's case came out, the first thing I thought of was nothing else but my political achievements, and I thought that it was not my political achievements to arrest more corrupt elements, and I objectively deviated from the party's principles. What is particularly serious is that when Chen Zhongcheng, secretary of the Xiajiang Municipal Legal Committee, violated the regulations on handling the case and met with Tian Zhuangda in private and reported to the other two criminals involved in the case, I also thought that Chen Zhongcheng was thinking about me and dared to take responsibility......

Zhong Mingren was another unexpected: Chen Zhongcheng reported to criminals, the most important issue, and Zhao Qigong took the initiative to say it without anyone reminding him, what was his intention? In addition, did Chen Zhongcheng do this on his own initiative, or was it instructed by Zhao Qigong? Without Zhao Qigong's instructions, would Chen Zhongcheng have such courage?

Wang Peisong, secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, raised this question in a timely manner: "Comrade Qigong, interrupt: Chen Zhongcheng's performance? Did you know it beforehand, or did you know it after the fact? ”

Zhao Qigong said: "I only found out after the fact, and it was Chen Zhongcheng who personally came to report to me. I criticized Chen Zhongcheng at the time, blaming him for not reporting major matters and reporting small matters every day. However, I do not yet have a clear understanding of the seriousness of the problem. I brought Comrade Li Dongfang to my home that night and discussed it with Comrade Dongfang. Comrade Dongfang pointed out: Chen Zhongcheng is suspected of committing a crime, and if we shelter Chen Zhongcheng, we will betray the party, the country, and the people. ”

Based on his understanding of Li Dongfang, Zhong Mingren believes that Li Dongfang can say such things, Li Dongfang is timid and does not dare to act like Zhao Qigong, the crux of the problem is: Is this Li Dongfang who Zhao Qigong took the initiative to find, or Li Dongfang discovered the facts of Chen Zhongcheng's crime and chased him to Zhao Qigong's house? So, he said: "Comrade Qigong, since you have taken the initiative to talk about this matter, then Comrade Pei Song and I can also tell you the truth: As for Chen Zhongcheng, we have been observing for a period of time, and we have basically grasped the situation of this person's crime, and my question is: How much does Comrade Li Dongfang know about the facts of Chen Zhongcheng's crime? ”

Zhao Qigong smiled: "Big boss, do you mean that I was forced to confess to Comrade Dongfang when Comrade Dongfang grasped the facts of Chen Zhongcheng's crime?" Truth be told, that's not the case. If you and your comrades have any questions, you can go to the comrades in the east to investigate. Moreover, I want to make one more point clear: I did not say that I would not arrest those two economic criminals, but I only discussed with the comrades in the East whether to wait for the limelight to pass before arresting them, and talk about political ......."

Governor Bai Zhiwen couldn't help but interject: "Lao Zhao, what kind of politics are you talking about!" ”

Zhong Mingren said meaningfully: "Governor Bai, this is called practical politics, which is synonymous with personal political interests!" ”

Zhao Qigong didn't seem to hear these two harsh words, and continued to make self-criticism, and there were words in his words: "If you are wrong, you have to admit it, you can't get drunk and don't recognize this pot of wine money, if you don't admit it, one day the people will press your head to let you admit it!" During the period when I was presiding over the work in Xiajiang, I used some cadres by mistake, including Chen Zhongcheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, and I left a lot of sequelae on the new leadership of Comrade Dongfang, and my heart was very heavy. I am willing to make a thorough examination of this to the provincial party committee, and I welcome your criticism without mercy. Here, I have a suggestion: In view of the fact that Chen Zhongcheng is already suspected of committing a crime, it is inappropriate to put him in the position of a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, and this person should be resolutely removed. ”

Wang Peisong looked at Zhong Mingren, and Bai Zhiwen, the governor who was sitting opposite, also looked at Zhong Mingren.

Zhong Mingren decisively said: "Today is a democratic life meeting, and personnel issues are not discussed. Let's criticize and self-criticize these issues raised by Comrade Qigong! He looked at several members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, and said, "I am the squad leader, take the lead first, I can't be harmonious today, a group of harmony can't solve the problem, and strong medicine must be used to treat serious diseases!" Comrade Qigong, what can I say about you? You, comrade, have come to the precipice today, and the situation can be said to be quite dangerous! Is it just a matter of awareness? That's an understatement, right? Don't stress the correctness of the view of political performance, no matter how incorrect the view of political performance is, it will not come to this point! Our comrades in the discipline inspection department already think you are suspicious! ”

Wang Peisong then said: "Comrade Qigong, have you thought about it? If you don't take the initiative to talk about Chen Zhongcheng's problem today, and don't talk about it all the time, what will everyone think? What will I, the secretary in charge of discipline inspection and political and legal work, think? I can't help but doubt you! After Tian Zhuangda was extradited back, Chen Zhongcheng ran to your house twice in three days, sometimes two or three times a day -- Comrade Qigong, this should be explained: We are not monitoring you, but Chen Zhongcheng. I've always wondered, what's going on with you, a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee? What is the relationship with this Chen Zhongcheng? ”

Zhao Qigong smiled bitterly: "Comrade Pei Song, I can assure you and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection with the party spirit and personality that I have no personal interests with Chen Zhongcheng and any of the cadres I raised during the period when I was in charge of the Xiajiang work. I'm just afraid that it will make a big deal and affect the overall situation of our work in Xichuan Province, and I will never have any personal purpose......"

Zhong Mingren pressed up: "You can't say that there is no personal purpose, right?" I see that you, a comrade, still have a personal purpose! You're afraid that there will be some conspiracy and nest cases, which will affect your political future, right? I don't know what you're thinking? It's just that I want to go one step further and become a governor after Governor Bai is transferred! This is a bit mean, but I can't help but say it today, and moreover, I want to convey to you the words of the central leading comrade with whom you are very familiar, and I will say them word for word: 'Tell Comrade Qigong not to run away to Beijing all the time, it would be good if he could do a good job in his current post, and I will thank God for kowtowing to the west! ’”

These words are really mean, especially in front of all the Standing Committee members of the Provincial Party Committee. This kind of thing can only be done by a domineering leader like Zhong Mingren. As soon as Zhong Mingren's words fell, the blood around Zhao Qigong's body suddenly rushed to his face, hot and hot, and he could feel the blood in his temples pounding for a while.

Zhong Mingren said that this was kind-hearted: "Comrade Qigong, if it weren't for a good heart, if I didn't treat you as my comrade today, I wouldn't say such harsh words!" Did you know or not? For your question, Comrade Pei Song and I, oh yes, and Governor Bai, how many times have we studied it? We are cautious, we can't give up our principles, but we also want to protect you, that is, we hope that you can consciously talk about the problem clearly and explain it to the organization! We unanimously believe that it is not easy for our party and our people to train such a high-ranking cadre as you! But do you have the party and the people in your heart? How many are there? I am afraid that you will have to find out the reasons for your mistakes in this respect, and make a profound review and explanation to the provincial party committee, as well as to the party and the people......"

Zhao Qigong didn't say a word, and carefully recorded Zhong Mingren and everyone's criticisms, but he kept warning himself in his heart: Zhao Qigong, you have to endure it, you must endure it, if you don't bear it, you will make a big plan, the real show has not yet begun, as long as you survive this hurdle, the sea and sky will be wide below! You will also be able to use the powerful words "party and the people" to pay tribute to the invincible Comrade Zhong Mingren in front of you!

At this time, the time had reached eleven o'clock, and Governor Bai Zhiwen looked at his watch and interrupted the speech being made by Minister Lin of the Organization Department: "Minister Lin, I'm sorry, I'm going to the airport to pick up the leading comrades of the State Economic and Trade Commission. ”

Minister Lin didn't mind, and interrupted his speech and said, "Okay, okay, Governor Bai, you say, you say it first!" Bai Zhiwen said: "Secretary Zhong and the comrades have said a lot, I will not say anything about the repetition, and put forward three hopes for Comrade Qigong: First, at all times and under all circumstances, we must attach importance to the fundamental interests of the party and the people, and the interests of the party and the people are the supreme interests and cannot be compared with any personal political interests; 2. Don't make politics practical and vulgar, let alone turn politics into an excuse or excuse for some kind of irresponsible behavior; Third, we must have a correct understanding of the good-natured criticism and help of Secretary Zhong and the comrades, and further strengthen the unity of our provincial party committee team in the future, instead of the opposite, which will produce resistance and affect future work. After saying the three points, he stood up and said happily, "This democratic life is very open, and it is the most high-quality democratic life meeting I have ever attended. ”

After that, Governor Bai said hello to Zhong Mingren, Zhao Qigong and others and left first.

After Bai Zhiwen left, Minister Lin then talked about some principled words, and Zhong Mingren was ready to make a summary.

Without thinking about it, when Zhong Mingren finally asked everyone for their opinions and asked everyone if they had anything to say, Zhao Qigong silently raised his hand and said, "Secretary Zhong, I still have something to say." Today is a democratic life meeting, not a personal review meeting for me Zhao Qigong. If it were just a review of my personal problems, I wouldn't have to ask everyone to participate. ”

This situation was so unexpected that Zhong Mingren and the Standing Committee members present were all stunned.

Zhao Qigong continued: "Governor Bai commented that our democratic life will be of great quality, Secretary Zhong, I think we really have to make this public quality. In order to hold this meeting well, I have made some preparations, and I would like to spread out some issues that have a bearing on the fundamental interests of the party and the people and talk to you, and the time may be relatively long. I'm here to ask for my opinion: Is it possible to work hard at noon, with a boxed lunch per person, and continue the meeting? ”

Zhong Mingren had already reacted at this time, the corners of his mouth twitched, and his hand slashed in the air: "It's totally okay, Comrade Zhao Qigong!" As long as it is an issue that has a bearing on the fundamental interests of the party and the people, you can talk about it! One day is not enough, you can talk for two days and three days, and my comrades and I will definitely accompany you to the end! ”

Wang Peisong stopped: "Secretary Zhong, can you afford this body?" Then he said to Zhao Qigong, "Comrade Qigong, please don't be rash, Comrade Mingren has had a heart attack for fifteen years, and you don't know!" I was still recuperating a while ago, so I must take a break at noon, I think this will either be rescheduled or open after two o'clock in the afternoon! ”

Zhao Qigong smiled: "It's okay, just let Secretary Zhong take a break, and let's continue after two o'clock." ”

Zhong Mingren lowered his face: "Don't say it, I'm not so squeamish!" Everybody's busy, this will continue! ”

Zhao Qigong asked with concern: "Secretary Zhong, can you hold on?" ”

Zhong Mingren said coldly: "If I can't hold on, it's time to give way!" Please speak, Comrade Qigong! ”