Chapter 170

April 1, Nanzhou People's Congress convened as scheduled.

Xiao Yunce, who was just one step away from the mayoral position, fell from power; many thought Chu Jinsong could take over, after all, Old Chu was the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Unexpectedly, the province parachuted in Dong Chenggong.

Even more unexpectedly, Chu Jinsong leapt over the hurdle of mayor and was directly appointed Party Secretary of the provincial capital Wuzhou, entering the Provincial Party Standing Committee.

This matter made Gao Peng's face look very unpleasant.

Regarding Chu Jinsong's transfer away from Nanzhou, Gao Peng had no opinion at all, but he had strong objections to Liang Jingzhong's series of promotions before his departure.

Chu Jinsong has entered the Provincial Party Standing Committee!

Professor Luo Xiang, a senior professor at Jianglan Zhengfa University and Lin Dongfan's teacher, has taken over as Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Nanzhou, succeeding Chu Jinsong.

In Gao Peng's view:

Liang Jingzhong has placed his people at both provincial and municipal levels, continuing to hold real power over Nanzhou's political and legal affairs; it's clear he wants to shield the anti-corruption pioneer Lin Dongfan, and even after leaving he doesn't want to sheathe his sword.

April 7.

Liang Jingzhong officially transferred out of Jianglan Province and took up a post in the impoverished Xirong Province; in ancient times this would be called exile, and now it means the Lin family has lost a city.

Outsiders don't know about this, but Liang Jingzhong himself is fully aware.

The same day.

Liu Yishou, Prosecutor General of the Jianglan Province Procuratorate, also issued a case-closure instruction to the 9·28 Task Force, ordering it to withdraw from Nanzhou City.

Gao Peng directly found the head of the task force, Lin Dongfan's immediate superior, Leng Chuan.

With deep meaning, he gave Leng Chuan his blessings: "Our Nanzhou is your blessed land, letting you nab one bureau-level official and two deputy bureau-level officials! This time, returning to the province, you can be promoted to director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau—congratulations."

"Secretary Gao, this succeeded thanks to your cooperation; I should thank you."

Hearing that tone, Leng Chuan sensed that Gao Peng's intentions were not friendly.

As expected.

Gao Peng's expression instantly turned solemn and grim, his tone taking a sharp 180-degree turn: "Considering that Nanzhou has already helped you step up a level, I hope you know when to stop! After you leave this time, don't ever come back."

"Secretary Gao, are you trying to drive me away?" Leng Chuan feigned ignorance while understanding perfectly.

Gao Peng, with a stern face, bluntly said: "Exactly, I don't welcome you to Nanzhou!"

"Why?"

His eternally unfrozen ice-block face showed a faint smile.

Gao Peng spoke frankly: "You don't manage a household, so you don't know where firewood, rice, oil, and salt come from! After you moved against Wang Minjuan, thirteen major entrepreneurs in Nanzhou were terrified; now I'm rushing around in a carriage trying to lure them back, but I can't bring them back! Do you know the butterfly effect? Your brief burst of satisfaction from firing off a cannon has destroyed Nanzhou's business environment!"

"Sorry, my duty is to fight corruption."

Leng Chuan put on a helpless, unable-to-help expression.

Gao Peng launched into a full-throttle tirade: "You enjoy yourself, then pat your butt and leave, getting promoted and a raise back in the province! You leave a mess for me to clean up—this is no job for a human being!"

"Understood, I'll try not to cause you trouble from now on."

Faced with Gao Peng's hard-line attitude, Leng Chuan truly felt that the anti-corruption journey is arduous and long! Now that Secretary Liang has been transferred out of Jianglan Province, Gao Peng also has far fewer scruples.

In some people's eyes, Gao Peng might be a good official who seeks development for the city and solutions for the people's livelihood.

But in Leng Chuan's eyes, Gao Peng is a hindrance!

Their talk ended unhappily and they parted ways.

4 p. m.

The dedicated minibus to the provincial capital was already parked at the entrance of the Qinghu Guesthouse.

Before boarding.

Leng Chuan asked Lin Dongfan: "Secretary Chu has already gone to Wuzhou to take up his new post; your mother-in-law and wife have also moved to Wuzhou. Now you're the only one left in Nanzhou—won't you come back with us to Wuzhou?"

"I'll return to the province tomorrow; Professor Luo has just taken up his post in Nanzhou, so I need to keep him company," Lin Dongfan said.

Leng Chuan patted Lin Dongfan on the shoulder and earnestly urged: "Today Secretary Gao confronted me openly; he doesn't want to see us again, so you should also warn your teacher."

"Mm, have a smooth journey."

After seeing Leng Chuan and the others off, Lin Dongfan headed straight for the Municipal Party Committee compound.

Professor Luo had only left teaching for politics a week ago, just moved into the Municipal Party Committee compound, and there wasn't much in the house. When Lin Dongfan entered, the couple was discussing buying new furniture.

"Professor Luo, Madam Luo."

"Dongfan has come, please sit."

Professor Luo now can be said to be energized by joyous events; not only has he shaken off the stain of academic misconduct, but he has also smoothly crossed from the academic world into the political arena.

This major turning point in life is largely thanks to Lin Dongfan lending a hand.

Luo Xiang called his wife Xiao Fengyi to bring over two cups of tea, then sat on the sofa and spoke candidly with Lin Dongfan: "The day I took office, I met your father-in-law in passing. I already have a rough understanding of Nanzhou's affairs. Now I just want to hear you add a couple of frank words: have all the melons on Xiao Yunce's vine been picked?"

"Ah... this tea is really good..."

Lin Dongfan clicked his tongue, deliberately avoiding that embarrassing question.

Luo Xiang laughed and scolded: "You little brat, trying to pull a fast one on me?"

Lin Dongfan thoughtfully summed up: "As for those involved in the 9·28 forest fire case, aside from Yin Qiuhong who is still at large, everyone else has been apprehended."

Luo Xiang pressed further: "What about Yang Tao from Qingzhu Village, who's been missing for so long—hasn't he come home yet? Are you just letting the task force drop the case?"

The matter of Yang Tao struck a chord deep in Lin Dongfan's heart.

How embarrassing!

Based on the information currently available, Yang Tao's disappearance is highly likely linked to Wang Minjuan; the task force had interrogated Wang Minjuan for several days, and she remained stubborn as ever.

The reason she dares to grit her teeth and resist interrogation is that she's betting Gao Peng won't abandon her to die.

In short.

The root of the problem lies with Gao Peng; it was his giving Wang Minjuan a sliver of hope that caused strong resistance during the interrogation.

"I think you should ask Secretary Gao about this," Lin Dongfan said. "However, Director Leng has instructed me to remind you that he has already received a verbal warning. As a newly appointed official who hasn't even warmed his seat yet, I advise you not to rush into these muddy waters—Nanzhou's waters are truly deep, and you could be drowned in an instant; there's no rushing it."

"If I were afraid of trouble, I might as well stay at school teaching—what's the point of politics?"

Luo Xiang's personality is a bit like Chu Jinsong's; both are upright old men.

He is even more steadfast than Chu Jinsong.

He possesses a disposition like lime—"not fearing to be crushed to bits, wishing to keep his purity in the world"—so when he is wronged and not vindicated, he will have thoughts of suicide.

Lin Dongfan laughed: "No wonder you're my Teacher Luo—so imposing!"

"Yang Tao mysteriously disappeared; this is a matter of utmost importance concerning human life. Since I now oversee the political and legal work, I cannot turn a blind eye." Luo Xiang was filled with righteous indignation.

Lin Dongfan laughed and asked: "Just arrived, you really want to give Secretary Gao a hard time?"

"He can't even eat me, can he? I'm not after promotion or wealth; he can't do anything to me." Luo Xiang replied with full confidence, utterly fearless.

Being fearless is good; just go for it, don't be timid.

Lin Dongfan smiled and drank the tea; this refreshing feeling is truly great; on the tumultuous official road, another capable heavyweight teammate has appeared.

Madam Xiao Fengyi suddenly called out: "Dongfan, let's have dinner here tonight; I just bought some seafood."

"No, Madam, I have an appointment with a friend." Lin Dongfan glanced at the time; it was about time, he set down his tea cup, stood to bid farewell: "Teacher Luo, I'm leaving."

"What friend could be more important than having a meal with me?" Luo Xiang felt a bit glum.

"They're all pig teammates who can't get onto the elegant seats; they're not worthy to be mentioned alongside you." When it comes to teasing friends, Lin Dongfan is always witty and jovial.

Yang Qing had already prepared the activity list; tonight's highlight is a full-service spa.