Chapter 789

The entire city of Qishi was like a brick kiln that had been burned through, making it hard to breathe. Under a willow tree by the roadside opposite the municipal government, an old dog lay there, listless, panting with its tongue out.

The hard asphalt road radiated heat. A Santana sped over, leaving clear tire marks on the asphalt, and then turned into the municipal government compound.

The car door was pushed open. Tan Zongwei got out, looked up at the sun in the sky, muttered something, and ran quickly up the steps into the office building.

Secretary Meng Huaizhi came out of the office carrying a thick stack of documents and bumped right into Tan Zongwei.

"Tan Ju!"

Tan Zongwei nodded: "Secretary Xu, is the leader in?"

"Yes!" Meng Huaizhi raised his hand and knocked on Meng Huaizhi's office door.

"Come in!" Meng Huaizhi's voice came from inside.

Secretary Xu pushed the door open and walked in, first placing the documents on the desk: "Leader, Tan Ju is here."

Meng Huaizhi looked up: "Let him in!"

Secretary Xu turned and walked out: "The leader says you can go in."

Tan Zongwei walked in, and Secretary Xu closed the door behind him.

Meng Huaizhi stood up, poured a cup of tea for Tan Zongwei himself, and then came to the sofa.

"Sit!"

Tan Zongwei sat down, took out a cigarette, and lit one for Meng Huaizhi.

"The operation is temporarily over. There are a few fish that slipped through the net; I estimate they ran before we took action. Everyone else has been arrested and brought to justice."

"Running away doesn't affect the big picture." Meng Huaizhi took a puff of his cigarette, "We must maintain high pressure. Anyone who dares to show their head, hit them hard for me.

Also, clear out all the backlog of cases involving organized crime. No matter who is involved, arrest them if they should be arrested; absolutely do not be soft-hearted. If there's anything you can't handle, report it to me, and I'll handle it."

Tan Zongwei's spirits lifted. He had long wanted to clear out those backlogged organized crime cases. But with his own strength alone, he didn't dare to act rashly.

Because behind every case was an intricate web of interests. For example, the Ma Huangshang gang—if it weren't for Meng Huaizhi's order and his request for the armed police detachment to cooperate, he might not have been able to catch a single one.

"Meng Xianggui, Liu Min, and Jiang Weichun have problems. I've already had people investigate them secretly, and we'll have evidence soon."

Meng Huaizhi nodded: "As long as you find evidence, send it to me. These black sheep must be cleared out of the law enforcement team to return a bright and clear sky to our Qishi."

After reporting the work, Tan Zongwei left.

Meng Huaizhi sat on the sofa and smoked a cigarette, then picked up the phone and called Secretary Zhao Jin.

"Old Zhao, the first phase of the crackdown is over. Tomorrow I'm going to Arhorqin to see Zhou Andong."

Zhao Jin said: "Perfect, I have nothing going on here either. Let's go together."

Meng Huaizhi was stunned: "Both of us?"

Zhao Jin smiled: "Only if we both go will it show sincerity."

Meng Huaizhi said: "Right, as long as our sincerity is sufficient, we will definitely be able to move Zhou Andong."

Zhao Jin said: "Let's leave early tomorrow, at seven o'clock."

"Alright!" Meng Huaizhi agreed, "I'll make arrangements here first."

The two chatted for a while longer before hanging up.

The sun slanted west, the evening glow reddened half the sky, and the temperature of the entire city gradually cooled down.

After finishing dinner, many people walked out of their homes, in groups of three or five, looking for a place to cool off.

In an old residential area, more than a dozen tube-shaped buildings were arranged neatly. Not far away, under an old locust tree, two old men were playing chess, surrounded by several other old men.

"Have you heard? Ma Huangshang is dead, and all his subordinates have been arrested."

An old man watching the fun, shirtless, waving a cattail fan, was chatting while offering advice.

"What happened?" Another old man asked with great interest, "I know Ma Huangshang had a mental breakdown, snatched a gun from the police to attack them, and was shot dead. His subordinates were all arrested?"

"Check!" One of the old men playing chess held a piece and slammed it heavily onto the board, "Let me tell you, I took my wife to the hospital for a check-up and happened to see them making arrests.

Police and armed police, fully armed, holding guns. It's said that the one arrested was Ma Huangshang's nephew, named Ma Sanlong."

"I lost!" The old man sitting opposite pondered for a long time before admitting defeat, "Old Wang, isn't your son in the criminal police team? Didn't he hear about this?"

Old Wang shook his head: "With such an important operation, how could he tell me?"

"That's true!"

This old man gave up his seat, and another old man sat down.

"Regardless, the city has done something good for us common people by eradicating these scourges."

At this moment, a young man walked over, clearly having heard their conversation.

"Grandpas, this crackdown isn't because those officials are really doing good for us, but because there's another reason."

Several old men looked up; it was Old Li's son, Dabaihua.

This kid did nothing all day, living off his father's pension. But it had to be said, he was indeed very well-informed about gossip.

"Why didn't your dad come out today?"

Dabaihua was chewing on an apple: "Taking a bath, said it was too hot, he'll be out in a while."

Old Wang asked: "You just said it's not because those officials are really doing good for us, but because there's another reason. What reason?"

Dabaihua casually threw the apple core on the ground: "It's said that a big boss arrived in Qishi, and the city wanted to attract investment. But that boss's woman was almost raped by Ma Huangshang's nephew, and fortunately, she was saved by a kind-hearted person.

But the city leaders asked for investment, so think about it, would they do it? And this big boss is very famous. As long as he goes back and publicizes it, think about it, who would dare to come here to invest?

The city leaders were furious. After going back, they gave the order to carry out a crackdown, and this investigation isn't just a passing breeze, but will last for a year."

An old man asked: "Who did you hear this from?"

Dabaihua smiled: "Don't worry about who I heard it from, the news is guaranteed to be accurate."

The same scene was playing out in many places, with everyone guessing who this big boss was.

………………

Hulunbuir, Mayor Zuo Xingqing had just arrived home when he heard the phone in the study ringing. He took off his shoes, walked quickly into the study, and picked up the phone.

"I am Zuo Xingqing!"

"Leader!" The voice of the Arhorqin Banner Chief came from the receiver, "I am Hong Xinmin. Zhou Andong of the Jiangzhou Yugong Group is currently in Naji Town, Zhenxing Village."

Zuo Xingqing was stunned, then asked excitedly: "Is the news reliable?"

Hong Xinmin's voice suddenly rose: "Reliable, he arrived yesterday. Zhou Andong's grandmother's home is in Zhenxing Village. He came here this time to accompany his mother back to her maiden home."

"Hong Xinmin, you've performed a great service this time." Zuo Xingqing couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I'll be there tomorrow, you prepare."