Chapter 177: with translation of chapter title

Some matters, Gao Peng finds it inconvenient to handle himself, so Gao Lu relieves his worries and shares his burden.

Yet the men under his command are all a bunch of wine bags and rice sacks.

For example, Big Gold Chain Leopard Brother usually swaggers outside like a big shot, but when he actually runs into someone as tough as Lin Dongfan, he cowers like a grandson.

Now there really is nothing that can be done about Lin Dongfan.

Gao Lu recalled Lin Dongfan's arch-enemy—Li Hengbo, that little Li, who after having his leg broken in Jingcheng, went into hiding, to the point that even phone calls couldn't get through.

I don't even know where that bastard went, and he hasn't returned to work at the unit.

Even if he no longer wants to live off others.

Does he not even want a future?

Does he not want a promotion?

This left Gao Lu baffled, unable to figure out what little Li was up to, and she no longer counted on him to massage her shoulders, rub her legs, or offer advice.

At dinner that evening.

Gao Lu proposed a plan to Gao Peng: 'Brother, that female reporter has Lin Dongfan's protection, so we can't touch her; she's already taken her interview materials back to Jingcheng tonight. If you really want to suppress the matter of Qingzhu Village, I can go to Jingcheng and negotiate with the leaders of their program team. It hasn't aired yet, so there's still time.'

'Going to Jingcheng to negotiate with the program team—if they don't buy our story, isn't that just proving we really have problems in Nanzhou? It's like drawing attention to our own guilt.'

As for matters in Jingcheng, Gao Peng is unable to reach them, and he has no leverage there,

He doesn't want to take that risk.

While eating, he analyzed: 'The special task force has already withdrawn from Nanzhou; Lin Dongfan's refusal to leave is merely an attempt to force me to compromise.'

'This matter simply cannot be compromised.'

Gao Lu analyzed: 'Think about it—if Wang Minjuan releases Yang Tao, it would be tantamount to admitting she illegally detained him. She herself understands the stakes involved. I can be absolutely certain that unless the police find Yang Tao, she will never let him go. In the end, Yang Tao is almost certainly headed for a dead end.'

'That's the reason Lin Dongfan is staying in Nanzhou—he's forcing me to act to save people.' Gao Peng's smile mixed anger with helplessness: 'If those Qingzhu Village matters really get aired on the 'Key Interviews' segment, stirring up a big fuss, then as the top official I will inevitably have to take responsibility.'

'Brother, I advise you not to get involved with Wang Minjuan's affairs—she's basically a hot potato right now.'

'Things haven't gotten so bad that we need to resign ourselves to fate.'

In Gao Peng's eyes, Wang Minjuan is not only a real estate tycoon but also the president of the Nanzhou Entrepreneurs' Association, wielding considerable influence in the business world.

If Wang Minjuan falls at this hurdle, it will severely undermine others' investment confidence.

It would lead people to mistakenly think Nanzhou is a place that lacks credibility and tears down bridges after crossing the river, when there are many profitable places nationwide—no need to bury oneself in Nanzhou's mire.

In order to reshape the business environment.

And also to restore confidence among all entrepreneurs in Nanzhou.

That evening Gao Peng called Liu Yishou of the Jianglan Province Procuratorate: 'Prosecutor Liu, what stage has Wang Minjuan's case reached?'

Wang Minjuan's case mainly involves two areas:

First, bribery—she is a key figure in the Xia Yunce corruption case, which is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Second, the Qingzhu Ridge forest fire case—she is suspected of directing others to set fire to the mountain, resulting in 11 deaths, and also suspected of illegally detaining Yang Tao.

This criminal portion is currently being investigated by the Provincial Public Security Department.

Liu Yishou kept his lips sealed on the phone: 'Regarding the corruption case, Xiao Yunce and Wang Minjuan seem to have reached some kind of tacit understanding.'

Hearing this, Gao Peng secretly felt pleased.

The so-called tacit understanding means that neither Xiao Yunce nor Wang Minjuan has betrayed the other, which works in Wang Minjuan's favor for her to extricate herself.

Gao Peng then asked: 'And what about the criminal case?'

'Some crucial evidence is in the hands of Yin Qiuhong, who is now on the run.' Liu Yishou still didn't elaborate, just hinted at it.

The implication is that there is currently no evidence at all.

Gao Peng finally showed a relieved smile: 'Prosecutor Liu, the Qingzhu Ridge project is about to go rotten there; I can't stand by and watch it become a scar on our Nanzhou. I have some engineering issues I need to discuss face-to-face with Wang Minjuan—please arrange it, the sooner the better.'

'This…' Liu Yishou hesitated: 'Do you need to seek instructions from the newly arrived Secretary Zheng?'

'I just want to talk to her about the project handover, which concerns Nanzhou's development.' Gao Peng, holding the phone, exerted pressure from afar: 'Prosecutor Liu, you've dismantled Nanzhou's economic pillar, and now you want to obstruct my repairs? If the nine million people of Nanzhou end up without food and surround you, don't come looking for me.'

A gloomy voice came over the phone: 'Secretary Gao Peng, speak clearly—I haven't dismantled Nanzhou's economic pillar…'

'Whether you did or not, the nine million people of Nanzhou will vote with their feet.'

'I feel so wronged.'

'Enough with the nonsense—I want to see Wang Minjuan tomorrow; please arrange it quickly. Help me prop up the collapsed economic pillar, and I thank you on behalf of Nanzhou's nine million people.'

The forceful Gao Peng gave Liu Yishou no chance to shirk or make excuses.

What is Gao Peng's true purpose in wanting to meet Wang Minjuan?

Actually, everyone knows deep down that Wang Peng just wants to guide Wang Minjuan on her next steps, to pull her out of the mire.

But under pressure, Liu Yishou chose to feign ignorance despite knowing the truth.

The next day, a meeting between the two was still arranged.

What followed…

Before the 'Key Interviews' segment could even air the story of Qingzhu Village, a wave of shocking, worldview-shattering antics overturned countless people's perceptions and even made Lin Dongfan laugh.

April 11

An 89-year-old doddering old man suddenly ran to the Nanzhou Forest Faction to turn himself in, saying that the massive fire that occurred in Qingzhu Ridge on September 28 of last year was set by him.

The doddering old man stepped forward to take the blame—even if sentenced to life imprisonment, would a prison dare to take him?

Damn, he really knows how to play!

Even more speechless to Lin Dongfan, on the very day the doddering old man turned himself in, the missing Yang Tao, who had been gone for half a year, returned to the village alive.

After receiving a thank-you call from Liu Hong, Lin Dongfan deliberately went to Qingzhu Village to pay a visit.

Half a year ago, Yang Tao was a sturdy young man.

Now Yang Tao has been reduced to skin and bone, with bruises all over his body.

Lin Dongfan asked him: 'Where have you been these past six months? Who captured you?'

This question left Yang Tao feeling nervous.

He stammered: "I... no one caught me; I made a bet with a friend—if I can survive in the wilderness for half a year, he'll give me money, twenty thousand for each day I survive..."

"Look me in the eye when you speak—who seized you?" Lin Dongfan's expression was solemn.

Yang Tao flusteredly avoided Lin Dongfan's gaze: "I... I'm telling the truth, nobody seized me..."

"Yang Tao!"

Liu Hong suddenly flew into a rage.

With tears, she rebuked Yang Tao: "Do you have any idea how much Brother Lin has sacrificed for our family's affairs? He's been trying every possible way to save you! If you even deceive him, then get out of here and never come back!"