Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

The news of Sun Decai's detention was like a thunderclap, shaking the officialdom of Pingjiang.

The news spread the following morning. Those working in the municipal government building were the first to know.

Some people saw the provincial discipline inspection commission's car parked downstairs, and others saw Sun Decai being helped out of the car by two people, his head down, his hair disheveled, and his clothes covered in mud.

When Liu Zhi received the news, he was in a meeting in his office. His secretary pushed open the door, whispered a few words in his ear, and his expression instantly changed. But he quickly returned to normal and continued the meeting as if nothing had happened.

Huang Zhiqiang was in a meeting at the Public Security Bureau when he received the news. After listening to the call, he was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Understood," and continued the meeting. But his voice was a few decibels lower than before.

When Li Jianping received the news, he was reviewing documents in his office. He looked up at the messenger, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "What was bound to happen has finally happened."

When Zhao Liangyu received the news, he was in a meeting at the Discipline Inspection Commission. He put down the documents in his hand, looked at the Discipline Inspection Commission officials present, and said calmly, "The comrades from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission are already investigating. We must also take action."

When Lei Ming received the news, he was waiting for Lin Feng's call in his office.

The phone rang, and Lin Feng only said one sentence: "You know about Sun Decai's matter, right?"

Lei Ming said, "Understood."

Lin Feng said, "It's time to move your people."

Lei Ming said, "Understood."

The next morning, Liu Zhi summoned Han Ligang to his office. Han Ligang's expression was not good when he arrived.

The two closed the door, and the curtains were half-drawn, making the office dimly lit.

"Old Han, what do you think about Sun Decai's case?" Liu Zhi sat behind his desk, twirling a pen in his hand, his expression unreadable. Han Ligang sat opposite him, leaning forward, his voice low: "Sun Decai is a spineless man. Fang Jizhong personally interrogated him..."

He can't hold on for long.

Liu Zhi nodded, and stopped writing. "If he can't handle it, he'll bite randomly."

Han Ligang looked at him without saying a word.

Liu Zhi stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to him. "We must sever all ties with him. Sun Decai's matter is his personal matter. Embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of power were all done by him alone. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

Han Li hesitated for a moment: "But, what does he have in his hands..."

Liu Zhi turned around, his gaze heavy: "What does he have? What can those things prove? Who can they prove? Old Han, you must remember, evidence is dead, people are alive. The living can speak or remain silent. The dead, only we can explain."

Han Ligang was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."

That afternoon, Liu Zhi summoned Huang Zhiqiang and Wei Guoan again.

The location wasn't the municipal party committee office, but a private club on the outskirts of the city, Zhou Tianming's territory. When Liu Zhi arrived, Huang Zhiqiang and Wei Guoan were already there. The two were sitting on the sofa, with tea on the coffee table in front of them, untouched.

Liu Zhi sat down and got straight to the point: "You all know about Sun Decai's matter. I called you here to discuss what to do next."

Huang Zhiqiang said, "Sun Decai is a coward and can't handle it. If he reveals all those things, none of us will escape."

Wei Guoan didn't speak, but his face was grim. He had worked in the public security system for over twenty years, climbing up the ranks from the bottom and witnessing many trials and tribulations.

But this time, he wasn't sure. The inspection team wasn't there just for show; Fang Jizhong wasn't someone easily fooled, and Lin Feng was even less so.

Liu Zhi looked at the two of them, his gaze cold. "Therefore, we must act first. First, we must characterize Sun Decai's actions as individual corruption. The money he took, the notes he approved, the things he did—all were his own actions. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Second, we must shut him up. No matter what method we use, we cannot let him speak recklessly."

Huang Zhiqiang glanced at Wei Guoan. Wei Guoan was silent for a moment, then said, "We have people at the detention center. But Sun Decai is in the hands of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, not in Pingjiang."

Liu Zhiyuan said, "Then let's wait. Before he speaks, let's get things done."

Wei Guoan nodded. Liu Zhi added, "Also, about He Laoliu, have Zhong Zhihao arrange for him to go into hiding for a while. He's done so much in Longnan Town; if he gets caught, it'll be troublesome."

Huang Zhiqiang said, "I will inform Zhong Zhihao."

At the same time, Zhou Tianming was also taking action.

When news of Sun Decai's arrest reached the headquarters of Tiansheng Group, Zhou Tianming was in his office discussing business with several clients.

After finishing the call, his expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled as he told the client, "Sorry, something came up at home. That's all for today's meeting; we'll talk again another day."

After the customer left, Zhou Tianming closed the door and dialed a number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

There was no response. Zhou Tianming said, "You know about Sun Decai's matter?"

There was a soft "hmm" from the other end.

Zhou Tianming said, "What if he implicates us?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then someone said, "That depends on what you do. Sun Decai knows only so much. The things he has can only prove so much as well. The key is that you must hide what needs to be hidden and send away those who need to leave."

Zhou Tianming said, "It's already being arranged."

The voice on the other end said, "Also, you need to be careful with Lin Feng. This guy isn't here in Pingjiang to gain experience. He's here to poach people like you."

Zhou Tianming's grip on the phone tightened slightly. "I know."

The person on the other end said, "I'll find a way to put pressure on him from the provincial level. You need to stay calm too."

The call ended. Zhou Tianming sat in his chair, eyes closed, and only opened them after a long while. He picked up the internal phone on the table and dialed Zhong Zhihao's number. "Zhihao, come over here."

Zhong Zhihao arrived quickly. He was in his early thirties, lean and wiry, with bright eyes, and was one of Zhou Tianming's most trusted men.

Zhou Tianming looked at him and said, "Make arrangements for He Laoliu. Let him go into hiding for a while. Money is not a problem. Just tell him not to contact anyone."

Zhong Zhihao nodded: "I'll take care of it right away."

He turned to leave, but Zhou Tianming called him back: "Also, tell He Laoliu that if he dares to say anything out of line, none of his wife and children will live."

Zhong Zhihao didn't say anything, and went out.

Lin Feng received a phone call from a provincial leader on the afternoon of the day after Sun Decai was arrested.

The call was made to his office landline, and Chen Yue answered, saying it was a leader surnamed Zhao.

Lin Feng picked up the microphone, and a gentle voice came from the other end, with a measured pace: "Comrade Lin Feng, this is Zhao Zhiguo. I've heard there's been some activity in Pingjiang lately?"