Chapter 154

Lin Dongfan grabbed Wang Minjuan, which was equivalent to detonating a nuclear bomb in Nanzhou.

The key was that this nuclear bomb happened to be placed under Secretary Gao's buttocks, and with a booming blast it directly launched Secretary Gao into the severely oxygen-deprived outer space.

Then, dazed, he posed three philosophical questions:

Who am I?

Where am I?

Who's moving my cheese?!

Secretary Gao, furious and jumping like thunder, summoned Lin Dongfan's father-in-law Chu Jinsong and Lin Dongfan's direct superior Leng Chuan to his office overnight.

He said it was an urgent meeting, but in fact he couldn't hold back—he needed to scold to feel satisfied.

In Gao Peng's view:

The authority of the Municipal Party Committee's top leader was openly challenged by a mere section-level official! In Nanzhou's history there is no second such precedent—whoever endures this is a coward!

Am I, Gao Peng, a coward?

When I was mayor, Nanzhou was run by the mayor's word; when I was secretary, Nanzhou was run by the secretary's word!

You've blinded your dog eyes!

If I don't open your eyes, you won't know how sharp my scalpel is!

"Boom!"

Gao Peng slammed his fist on the table, setting the tone for accountability.

Chu Jinsong and Leng Chuan, one sitting on the left silent, the other on the right silent, their faces somewhat solemn, because they also hadn't expected Lin Dongfan to arrest Wang Minjuan.

But Gao Peng didn't care about these.

In Gao Peng's view, this was Chu Jinsong and Leng Chuan backing Lin Dongfan from behind; otherwise, even if Lin Dongfan had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to arrest someone on his own.

"I personally called him, but he didn't answer!"

Gao Peng angrily glared at Leng Chuan on the right, then angrily glared at Chu Jinsong on the left.

With a cold face he snapped at Chu Jinsong: "Secretary Chu, your Chu family's son-in-law is awesome! You don't even put this Municipal Party Committee Secretary in your eyes!"

This fury blast left Chu Jinsong's scalp tingling.

Thinking that since the person was already arrested, those who shouldn't be offended have been offended, I, Chu Jinsong, cannot, out of fear of your power, Gao Peng, turn around and deal with Dongfan.

Chu Jinsong collected himself and replied evenly: "Lin Dongfan's arrest of Wang Minjuan is exercising the law enforcement power granted by the people. This has nothing to do with whether he is my Chu family's son-in-law..."

"Boom!"

Gao Peng slammed his fist on the table, cutting off Chu Jinsong's reply.

He roared uncontrollably: "Don't give me that high talk here! Whether Wang Minjuan committed a crime, I know better than you! You think I don't want to arrest her?!"

"Since we all know the truth, let's speak properly." Chu Jinsong forced a strained smile, making sure his emotions stayed in check.

"How to speak properly? You don't manage the household, you don't know where the firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar come from!"

Gao Peng's anger could not be quelled.

He ticked off points on his fingers: "The city must develop, the economy must rise! Nanzhou's over nine million people need food and jobs! Everything falls on my head as the Municipal Party Committee Secretary; no matter which link falters, I am the primary responsible! You keep targeting entrepreneurs—how am I supposed to work?"

Chu Jinsong stayed silent, glancing at Leng Chuan sitting opposite.

Leng Chuan said flatly: "Secretary Gao, we fully understand your difficulties. But Wang Minjuan indeed touched the legal bottom line; not dealing with it would not appease public anger."

Obviously, Leng Chuan's thinking matched Chu Jinsong's: since Lin Dongfan had already taken the person, as a leader we could only grit our teeth and withstand this rolling heavenly thunder.

If we flinch at the critical moment, how could we stand firm in the anti-corruption bureau later?

Before Gao Peng could continue his barrage,

Leng Chuan added: "I hope you can view this matter objectively—could Nanzhou's GDP collapse just because it lacks one Wang Minjuan? I doubt it."

Chu Jinsong responded with a smile: "You overstate it—Wang Minjuan of Hengsha Group hasn't yet become strong enough to single-handedly lift Nanzhou's GDP by a notch."

Seeing Chu Jinsong and Leng Chuan sing in unison, they were determined not to compromise.

Gao Peng's anger was about to burst through his heavenly spirit.

But Gao Peng did not continue speaking.

At this moment he deeply felt: ultimately, this matter is being pressed down by the Provincial Party Committee's top leader; as long as Liang Jingzhi remains in power in Jianglan, the Chu and Leng factions can act without fear.

Today, you want me, Gao Peng, to spit out my broken teeth after swallowing them.

I doubt you have the ability!

The soon-to-depart Liang Jingzhi, in Jianglan can barely muster any residual vigor! Even if I confront him directly and cut into you lot who have eyes but no pearls, he can only sigh helplessly.

Having thought this through in anger,

Gao Peng half-smiled and threw out: "Since you all have your righteous arguments, I'm all ears. Tell me, how should Lin Dongfan's issue be handled?"

"What problem does he have?"

Chu Jinsong's expression showed slight surprise, and Leng Chuan also wore a look of astonishment.

"Forgotten? Let me help you recall." Gao Peng said solemnly: "Back when we pursued Yin Qiuhong, Lin Dongfan entered the inn alone and talked with Yin Qiuhong for several hours. After Lin Dongfan emerged safely, the inn exploded, and Yin Qiuhong used a golden cicada shell trick to deceive all of us!"

Having said that, Gao Peng glanced at Chu Jinsong and Leng Chuan's expressions.

Seeing both of their faces solemn.

Gao Peng then asked: "What did Lin Dongfan and Yin Qiuhong talk about during those hours? Could it be that Lin Dongfan was secretly helping Yin Qiuhong escape?"

"That's unlikely." Chu Jinsong said.

Gao Peng chuckled lightly: "Unlikely? Then if Lin Dongfan knew the inn would explode, why didn't he stop Yin Qiuhong?"

"At that time Yin Qiuhong had a gun, and Lin Dongfan was in a threatened state." Leng Chuan defended.

Gao Peng laughed: "Director Leng, although Lin Dongfan is your subordinate, you can't openly whitewash him. Explain to me why Yin Qiuhong would let Lin Dongfan go."

Upon hearing this, Leng Chuan was speechless, and Chu Jinsong likewise broke out in a cold sweat.

Gao Peng slapped the table with his palm, indignant, and concluded: "If Lin Dongfan and Yin Qiuhong were enemies, in that setting Yin Qiuhong should have shot Lin Dongfan dead! Conversely, Yin Qiuhong letting Lin Dongfan go precisely shows they have a shady collusion!"

"Secretary Gao, you can't just randomly guess about things without any evidence." Chu Jinsong clenched his teeth silently.

Gao Peng smiled: "If there are doubts, we should investigate, so that the truth comes to light." Seeing that Chu and Leng were left speechless.

Gao Peng didn't mince words either, picking up the red desk phone on the table.

He dialed the phone number of Xu Liangyuan at the City Bureau.

In front of Chu Jinsong and Leng Chuan, he gave Xu Liangyuan an order: "Bureau Chief Xu, in the homestay explosion case, Lin Dongfan is suspected of secretly colluding with Yin Qiurong and helping her secretly escape! Immediately put Lin Dongfan under my control and investigate thoroughly!"

This harsh order left Xu Liangyuan on the other end of the phone stunned, his face blank.

It also put Chu Jinsong and Leng Chuan under pressure, breaking out in a cold sweat; although they had already expected Gao Peng not to let it go, they didn't expect his countermeasure to be so ruthless.

Seizing the opportunity, he struck with a single sword, intending to kill Lin Dongfan with one blow.