<div> After a weekend break, the City Committee Building ushered in the first working day. As soon as one stepped into the building, for some reason, the heart began to sink, as if a boulder was pressing against the chest, making it difficult to breathe. Some people even started to habitually glance around upon entering the building, searching for the source of this unanticipated pressure.
 However, for some people, nothing had changed. They continued their usual work pace, perhaps because they were thick-skinned, or maybe they had gotten used to living a life of ignoring disturbances. Yet their expressions remained numb.
 At nine in the morning, the high-level meeting started on time in the first conference room. Leaders from various departments entered the room with notebooks in hand and took their seats according to the usual order. However, Hua Muyun, who would typically be seated at the head of the round table, was nowhere to be seen, causing a stir. Why was the City Secretary, who never missed or was late, absent today?
 "Do you think the rumors might be true?" asked Tang Li, the newly appointed Minister of the Propaganda Department, to the person from the Disciplinary Inspection Commission next to him.
 "Don't discuss such things here; the walls have ears," the person replied and then fell silent.
 Generally, those who could sit here for meetings had their own set of skills. However, what everyone used the most was silence—saying what should be said, hearing what should be heard, doing what should be done. Achieving these three points, coupled with a slightly remarkable performance, and behaving appropriately, ensured no major issues. Being in the City Committee was hundreds of times better than being outside.
 Secretary Luo took a deep breath and walked to where Secretary Hua would usually sit. He was just a secretary and still not on the same level as the high-ranking leaders present. Although he surpassed them in social skills, this was because he was Hua Muyun's personal secretary. His words represented the Hua family and Hua Muyun, so ordinarily, he was treated with courtesy. Yet, in formal scenarios, he was merely a secretary.
 "Ministers, I apologize," Secretary Luo began, "Today's meeting will be chaired by me since Secretary Hua is currently conducting inspections in other provinces and cities, so..." Before he could finish, murmurs erupted below.
 "Secretary Hua is absent, so the meeting time can be postponed. Isn't having a secretary like you chair the meeting a sign of disregarding us?"
 Secretary Luo glanced at the speaker, a freshly promoted Political Commissar, attending such a large meeting for the first time. By rights, such newcomers wouldn't speak up in this setting. Was this bold display of dissatisfaction a personal act, or was someone backing him up? Secretary Luo took note of this person, having been warned by Xiao Lin that today's meeting would be a difficult yet interesting battle. He hadn't expected that the guns would be drawn immediately, even before the beginning.
 "Secretary Luo, which province did Secretary Hua visit, and why didn't we receive prior notice of him going alone? Shouldn't you accompany him?" asked Liao Lijia, the Secretary of the Disciplinary Inspection Commission. Generally, her committee would formulate the necessary inspection content when it came to field visits. However, she hadn't received such a notice, indicating possible issues with Hua Muyun's visit.
 "This was a secret visit, and the itinerary wasn't announced locally," Secretary Luo fabricated an excuse. Standing in such a position made him realize that many things were truly challenging. Just dealing with these questions from people was giving him a headache, and maintaining a clear head was no easy feat.
 "Secretary Luo, what is today's agenda?" The Minister of Organization Department surveyed the conference room and asked in a loud voice. "Since Secretary Hua is away, let's begin!"
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 </div> "It's about the North District reconstruction issue."
 "Secretary Luo, wasn't the investigation of Yao Zheng a bit hasty?" asked Vice Mayor Chen Kai, who usually preferred listening over speaking but became quite lively in Hua Muyun's absence.
 "The Northern District's case took over two months from processing review to closing, and the collected information was enough to bring Yao Zheng to justice." Secretary Luo tried to respond to their questions with a mild tone. If Hua Muyun were here, he would have definitely countered Chen Kai rather than answering like this.
 "Though you say that, Yao Zheng was still a district mayor. Now that the North District is leaderless, who will address major issues like economic development management? Who will resolve arising problems? From what I understand, major departments like finance, tax, and land management planning also seem to be leaderless, don't they?"
 "Vice Mayor Chen raised a good point!" Secretary Luo took a deep breath and conveyed his stance through the table's microphone. "This is the very topic Secretary Hua wished to discuss today, hoping for practical and effective solutions."
 "What nonsense!" As soon as Luo's words ended, objections sprang up. "If it's such an important meeting, then may I ask why Secretary Hua chose this time to visit another city?"
 Secretary Luo arched a brow. "Minister Tang, do you have any good suggestions? Can the meeting not proceed without Secretary Hua present?"
 Apparently, the chief secretary was getting angry. Under his not-so-intimidating gaze, the once active voices quieted down. "If those present feel the meeting can't proceed without Secretary Hua, I don't mind delaying it, or if anyone thinks I am not qualified to chair the meeting, so be it. I'll connect with Secretary Hua now and request rescheduling. How about that?"
 "Secretary Luo, please don't mind. I think most of us here are sensible," Wang Zhanting coughed a few times. "It's just that we've heard some strange rumors recently, making everyone a bit uneasy!"
 "Minister Wang, what kinds of rumors are out there unsettling the leaders? What are they about?"
 "I'm afraid saying it now will cause widespread panic!"
 "Secretary Luo, being someone close to Secretary Hua, you must have the clearest understanding of Secretary Hua's current situation. With such an important meeting today and Secretary Hua absent, is it because he was attacked and is now critically ill?" It was Tang Li, the Minister of the Propaganda Department, speaking, causing a stir once his words were released.
 "Minister Tang, is this how you promote propaganda?" Secretary Luo abruptly stood from his chair, his hands pounding heavily on the table. "Being a minister of a department, spreading baseless statements without factual evidence can lead to severely adverse consequences." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)</div>
 

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Chapter 868 - 841: Commotion

After a weekend break, the City Committee Building ushered in the first working day. As soon as one stepped into the building, for some reason, the heart began to sink, as if a boulder was pressing against the chest, making it difficult to breathe. Some people even started to habitually glance around upon entering the building, searching for the source of this unanticipated pressure. However, for some people, nothing had changed. They continued their usual work pace, perhaps because they were...

Special Forces Medic

Chapter 868 - 841: Commotion

Special Forces Medic - Chapter 868 - 841: Commotion