Chapter 337: Controversy

I and He Zuming have been waiting for Zhu Sheng in the shop.

It was very late before Zhu Sheng finally came back from outside.

Zhu Sheng's complexion looked terrible.

He Zuming asked, "Old Zhu, how is it."

Zhu Sheng let out a sigh,

"Don't bring it up. Mei Ge sent me news that there will be no personnel changes this year. Damn it, what are they doing? Everything's been managed into this state, and they won't move anything."

Seeing Zhu Sheng's indignant expression,

I remembered that Shangguan Zhuren had told me that there would be personnel changes in March; it looks like it's fallen through.

At that moment He Zuming pulled out a cigarette,

"Calm down, Old Zhu, I've said it before. They've reached an agreement; if you don't touch my interests, I won't touch yours.

In a situation like this, how could there be any major personnel changes?"

"If there are no personnel changes, I want to take Jianqiang directly to the higher-ups to report; we can't let Zhou Renfeng run amok.

Jianqiang, your evidence is all hidden in Zaocheng, right?" Zhu Sheng asked me.

I replied, "Yes. Zhou Fuhai's phone and computer are at Shanghu, Shen Honghong's are at Qi He Kuang, Zhu Sheng, whenever you need them, I'll have Ding Li bring them over."

"Old Zhu, hold off for now. May I say a couple of things?" He Zuming stood up and said.

"Speak, speak." Zhu Sheng picked up his cigarette and started smoking.

"Don't touch that evidence for now; don't act rashly, because rash actions will only create an unfavorable situation for us.

Old Zhu, don't over‑trust the Mei guy; he's eager to avenge his son and doesn't care about us at all." He Zuming said.

"If we don't trust Mei Ge, who can we trust? The connections you mentioned don't directly conflict with the Zhou Family, yet it still requires Jianqiang to take a risk.

This Mei Ge has already found a channel to see the higher-ups.

I want to go with Jianqiang to the higher-ups to file a complaint.

Present all the evidence to the higher-ups,

that's the fastest and most direct method,

otherwise we can only endure indefinitely.

There's always the risk that Zhou Renfeng could catch us at any moment." Zhu Sheng insisted.

"That Mei guy, back then he told Jianqiang to impersonate Zhou Fuhai, saying it would definitely work, but in the end it fell apart.

He's only a deputy office director in Sijiucheng; someone of that rank couldn't get the higher‑ups to act directly for us.

Old Zhu, we must be careful,

lest anything go wrong, we must not expose all our cards.

Hand over the evidence, and if the higher-ups don't deal with Zhou Renfeng,

they'll just suppress the matter. What do we do?

We'll still be living in fear." He Zuming said.

"How do you know it will be suppressed and not dealt with?" Zhu Sheng asked.

"Of course I know. In all these years in Sijiucheng I've met everyone; some people's grievances are far greater than Jianqiang's, yet no one ever pays attention,

even if you see the higher‑ups, even if what you say is true. Still, it won't move them.

What kind of people are they,

your personal little matter is nothing,

compared to the stability of the larger picture,

it counts for nothing.

So don't blindly expect the higher‑ups to handle it correctly."

"Then there would be no sense of justice," Zhu Sheng argued.

"What is justice? Justice is like the wind outside—no one can see it.

The wind blows not only in winter but also in summer,

it blows toward the good and also toward the bad,

that wind is justice; it knows neither people nor seasons.

All we can do is find a way to guide the wind to blow toward us. Then we can claim justice." He Zuming said loudly.

"It's not that easy; what kind of people are the Wen Family? Would they willingly stir this murky water."

"If they won't, we'll find a way. Otherwise, what do we do? Should we have Jianqiang go with you to the higher‑ups to hand over the evidence,

and then lure Zhou Renfeng in,

Hmph, then we'd be in a bind we can't get out of." He Zuming said bluntly.

Zhu Sheng smoked in silence.

I said, "Mr. He, Zhu Sheng, stop arguing.

Let's analyze the situation again.

Zhu Sheng, I think it's like this: Mr. He makes a valid point.

It's that Mei Ge, Director Mei, who introduced us to the higher‑ups,

and if the higher‑ups suppress it and don't act, what do we do?

If there's no conflict of interest, no one wants to offend anyone,

and offending this person would mean crossing a very powerful figure.

Then they would consider it carefully.

We might end up as a sacrifice in their power struggle.

Zhu Sheng, Mr. He specifically had me temper my temper.

After thinking calmly, I realized that's exactly the situation; we must put this matter on ice,

That is, for now, don't act rashly.

I'll first lie low in Sijiucheng, wait for a suitable opportunity, then act; anyway, the evidence is in our hands, they can't escape.

After I finished speaking, I looked at Zhu Sheng.

Zhu Sheng just smoked and didn't speak,

After a moment he said: "Jianqiang, I'm anxious inside. I've figured it out, and you've become a fugitive again."

If we keep going like this, how can we turn things around?

Sigh, we don't have much time left. I'm really worried."

"Zhu Sheng, I understand your feelings. The more this happens, the less we can be anxious. Tell that Mei Ge,

"that I can't come to Sijiucheng for now. Let's hold off on the evidence matter." I said.

"That Mei, letting him pass a message is fine, but we can't temporarily rely on him as a backer.

"Old Zhu, you've experienced so much in the officialdom; do we really need to say more about this?

"What rank does that Mei hold, what can he accomplish,

"you know that in your heart.

Sigh, we're too weak now.

We must find a powerful backer.

"Without the support of a powerful backer, we can't act recklessly." He Zuming said firmly.

I said: "Mr. He, what's our next step? We've already bought the jar."

He Zuming said: "This is just a sounding out. We still need money, a large sum of money,

"Old Zhu, Jianqiang has over ten million there to use as a base; you also need to figure out how to raise funds."

"Today we must have a unified understanding: that is, how to proceed, and everyone must be in agreement."

Zhu Sheng pondered briefly and said: "Old He, I was also just impulsive. These matters weigh on me, making me feel awful."

"So whenever there's a bit of hope, I want to strive to do it."

"I feel what you and Jianqiang said is right; if the higher-ups don't handle it, what then?"

"If we go petitioning every day, it's impossible,"

"When I first came to Sijiucheng and made an inquiry, Zhou Renfeng's people seized me."

"Constantly inquiring makes me want to die quickly."

"I'll reply to Mei Ge tomorrow, putting that matter on hold."

"Just follow what Old He said,"

"have Jianqiang lie low in Sijiucheng and wait for the right moment to act."

"As for the money, Jianqiang will raise a portion from his side,"

"I'll then go consult Mei Ge to see what he can do."

"Right, if Mei truly wants to help us and avenge his deceased son, he must put up real money."

"We need to use money to open the way,"

"Jianqiang, when will Ding Li come over?" He Zuming asked.

"He should be able to come tomorrow morning." I said.

"Good, tomorrow morning we'll go buy insects. You continue to pose as a wealthy local, wanting to befriend influential people, with spare money you have nowhere to spend."

"When they see you have money in hand, they'll set up a scheme."

"They'll try to drain all your money."

"Then we'll go with the flow, using money to befriend them."

"Gradually infiltrate their circle. Only then can we connect with Wen Han and Second Master Wen. Then we can slowly use Wen Han to seek benefits for us." He Zuming said.