Right path to power

Back at the county committee office, Huang Zaichuan saw Gong Lei and Lin Xiao already sitting on the sofa in the secretary's office. He walked straight in and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly is going on?"

Gong Lei took a drag of his cigarette, glanced at Lin Xiao, and said, "Xiao Lin, you tell us."

Lin Xiao had just gotten up from the sofa to offer Huang Zaichuan his seat. "Okay, County Chief Gong. Secretary Huang, the situation is like this..."

Lin Xiao then recounted the whole story, and finally added, "Secretary Huang, County Chief Gong, although there is no direct evidence to prove that Cai Qingqi is involved in this matter, based on the information currently available to the Public Security Bureau, Cai Qingqi is a prime suspect. Therefore, we still need to make some preparations."

"Cai Qingqi is a representative of the municipal and county people's congresses. Taking action against him requires following procedures, especially since there is no substantial evidence right now. I heard from County Chief Gong that you have already instructed Xu Jingnan. Let's wait for news from him."

"Okay, Secretary Huang."

At this moment, Lin Xiao poured Huang Zaichuan a cup of tea.

And so, the three of them waited quietly in the secretary's office. Huang Zaichuan and Gong Lei smoked cigarettes, while Lin Xiao pondered some things on her own.

About half an hour later, Xu Jingnan called, and Huang Zaichuan and Gong Lei immediately turned their attention to Lin Xiao.

"Director Xu, Secretary Huang and County Head Gong are both at the County Party Committee now. Please report the details to them."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Less than five minutes later, a series of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

"Comrade Jingnan, how is the situation?"

As soon as Xu Jingnan walked in, Huang Zaichuan immediately asked.

"Secretary Huang, according to Liu Han's confession, the incident started in March of this year when a mine tunnel at Beifeng Coal Mine collapsed, burying a total of nine miners. However, in order to avoid being held accountable, the news was kept secret. But later, County Chief Gao somehow got wind of the incident and vowed to investigate it thoroughly, which is why he took the risk."

After listening to Xu Jingnan's explanation, Huang Zaichuan asked with a grim expression, "Beifeng Coal Mine? Is that the Beifeng that Cai Qingqi owns?"

"Yes, Secretary Huang."

"Secretary Huang, County Chief Gong, the situation is quite special and urgent. Should we have Director Xu take some people to detain the relevant personnel and immediately seal off the Beifeng Coal Mine?" Lin Xiao cautiously probed.

After a moment's thought, Huang Zaichuan finally spoke up, saying, "County Chief Gong, I think we should report to the city leaders now. Then, Comrade Jingnan, you should also take some people there first to prevent relevant personnel from escaping or destroying evidence. If necessary, we can take appropriate measures."

"Yes, Secretary Huang."

Just as Xu Jingnan was about to leave the secretary's office, his phone rang, and he went outside to answer it.

A short while later, he returned to report: "Secretary Huang, County Chief Gong, Liu Han has given us some new information. He said that Qingqi Group caused the death of a family of five during a demolition, but the matter was covered up as an accident and ultimately the matter was left unresolved."

"Okay, you can go ahead and get busy."

Huang Zaichuan said in a deep voice, then walked back to his office, while Gong Lei also went into the inner room.

Lin Xiao's eyes were filled with determination in the secretary's office. Not only was the truth about Gao Dayong's death about to surface, but the unknown or covered-up dark secrets of Qingqi Group were also about to be exposed. And could Hong Feng, who had been drinking and laughing with Cai Qingqi that night, escape unscathed?

About fifteen minutes later, Gong Lei came out from the inner room and called out, "Xiao Lin, you come too," before heading straight for the door.

Lin Xiao was lost in thought when he paused for a moment, looked up, and saw that Gong Lei had already reached the door. He quickly replied, "Yes, County Chief," and then followed.

The door to the secretary's office was open. Gong Lei knocked twice and went straight in. He saw Huang Zaichuan sitting on the sofa and went over to him.

"I have already reported to Secretary Wang," Huang Zaichuan said in a deep voice before Gong Lei could even sit down completely. His face was gloomy. "Secretary Wang instructed that this matter must be thoroughly investigated. No matter who is involved, the investigation must be carried out to the end without any leniency. The city will also soon arrange a working group to go to the county to guide the work."

At this moment, Gong Lei's expression was solemn, and he said in a heavy tone, "Mayor Li has demanded that the matter be handled strictly and swiftly, while also maintaining confidentiality, paying close attention to public opinion, and avoiding any negative repercussions from the public."

Lin Xiao listened attentively. The requests from the two main city leaders sounded reasonable, and even their core meanings were not entirely the same, but their emphases were still significantly different.

Wang Yuanze prioritizes thorough investigation, which is understandable upon closer examination. After all, he is new to the area and doesn't know whether those around him are human or ghosts. A major case at this time that eliminates some of the "ghosts" would be a good thing for him no matter what.

Li Cheng had been operating in Quanzhou for many years, with many connections at all levels. Often, even if the bones were broken, the tendons were still connected. He didn't want his subordinates to cause trouble, even if it wouldn't affect him. He still wanted to avoid giving Wang Yuanze more opportunities to "take action and rectify" the situation.

"Lin Xiao, contact Xu Jingnan again later and convey the instructions from Secretary Wang and Mayor Li to him, so that he can act in accordance with the leaders' instructions."

"Okay, Secretary Huang."

Just as Gong Lei and Lin Xiao were about to return to their offices, Xu Jingnan called again.

"Director Xu, is there another new discovery?"

Lin Xiao stopped and answered the phone, asking the question first.

"Director Lin, Cai Qingqi has fled."

"What? They ran away? How could this happen?"

Gong Lei, who was standing nearby, stopped when he heard that it was Xu Jingnan on the phone. But when he heard the words "ran away," his face darkened again. He turned to look at Huang Zaichuan, who also looked very serious.

Lin Xiao covered the phone and asked the two leaders, "Secretary Huang, County Head Gong, and Director Xu are waiting for further instructions."

"Then let's issue an arrest warrant. Cai Qingqi has been operating in Fengshan County for so many years; he must be hiding a lot of things. Have Xu Jingnan publicly solicit relevant clues from the public." After Gong Lei finished speaking, he took a few steps closer to Huang Zaichuan and asked, "Secretary Huang, what do you think?"

"That's settled then."

Then, Gong Lei gave Lin Xiao a wink, and Lin Xiao relayed Huang and Gong's instructions to Xu Jingnan before hanging up the phone.

He thought for a moment and then said, "Secretary Huang, County Chief Gong, although Cai Qingqi has fled, as the saying goes, 'The monk may run away, but the temple cannot.' I suggest that the county take this opportunity to launch a public security rectification campaign throughout the county, reverse the public security situation, effectively improve the business environment, and lay a more solid foundation for attracting investment and accelerating economic development in the next step."

Lin Xiao knew that Cai Qingqi's ability to "disappear" so conveniently at this juncture must be due to a leak of information. Since the mastermind couldn't be caught for the time being, they could cut off the economic resources that supported his various actions.

For a long time, Qingqi Group has monopolized many industries in Fengshan County, such as soil and gravel, taxis, cement and demolition. It has also almost monopolized mining and municipal engineering. Local small businesses have been swallowed up, and the business conditions of large enterprises have deteriorated. Apart from coming under Qingqi's control, outside companies cannot even enter the market.

Now that Tsai Ching-chi has fled, the possibility that he is connected to the death of County Magistrate Kao has increased. At this time, thoroughly cleaning up the Ching-chi Group is a comprehensive blow to this criminal gang that has been entrenched in Fengshan County for many years, and it is also related to the county's public security and ecological conditions.

However, this was bound to be a significant move, so Huang Zaichuan hesitated somewhat. For him, as the county party secretary, "stability" was often more important than anything else.

A few seconds later, he looked at Lin Xiao with a smile on his face and said gently, "Xiao Lin, your suggestion is very good. This time, your efforts to push the Public Security Bureau to find out the truth about County Chief Gao's car accident are a great achievement for our county party committee, county government, and County Chief Gao's family."

Next, the county will assign a working group to handle this matter, thoroughly investigate the truth, and provide an explanation to County Head Gao and the people of the county. Tomorrow, Monday, I plan to convene a meeting of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee to specifically discuss the concrete arrangements. I hope to use this opportunity to thoroughly rectify the county's public security environment and enhance the people's sense of security and trust in our county government.

Huang Zaichuan paused, took a sip of tea, and then changed the subject, saying, "So, Xiao Lin, your focus now will be on the pilot project in Songmao Village. This is something Secretary Wang personally instructed us to do. If Secretary Wang goes to inspect it one day and sees no changes, we'll all be in trouble."

The ideas and approaches you mentioned earlier are excellent, but the key is implementation. The county party committee and county government will establish a special working group for rural innovation and development pilot projects, with myself and County Head Gong serving as the group leaders, and you serving as the office director to take charge of the specifics. This way, County Head Gong and I can rest assured.

Gong Lei narrowed his eyes. He knew that Huang Zaichuan was trying to cover this up, so he used the pilot project in Songmao Village to divert Lin Xiao's attention and prevent him from causing any more trouble.

After Huang Zaichuan finished speaking, he smiled and stared at Lin Xiao, seemingly waiting for him to give his opinion.