Chapter 254

Clear Lake Reception Hall

Lin Dongfan

These people had several physical clashes with Zhang Yong and the others who were stubbornly guarding the gate.

Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary Luo Xiang

Are they merely defending their personal interests?

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Someone was secretly stirring up trouble, saying that trash like Lin Dongfan, who doesn't care about the lives of ordinary people, is utterly unfit to be a leader! Today we must blow this up and make the Lin surname regret it.

Under the influence of this rhythm, the crowd inexplicably found a sense of justice.

Now it's not just about personal interests.

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Luo Xiang stood at the guesthouse entrance and shouted to everyone: "Folks, please calm down; the chemical pollution issue really has nothing to do with Section Chief Lin..."

Before he could finish speaking, indignant rebuttals rose from the crowd.

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"I think you're no good either, you're of the same ilk as Lin Dongfan, eating people without spitting out their bones."

Lin Dongfan and Zhao Lianyue in the city

"Officials have always covered for each other since ancient times; don't listen to his nonsense."

"Now the area within several kilometers of our homes is polluted—soil toxic, water toxic, even plants toxic; you're disregarding human life!"

Mr. Lin

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The crowd was furious, spit flying onto Luo Xiang's face, impossible to suppress.

Zhang Yong kept observing the individuals' reactions.

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He leaned close to Luo Xiang's ear and whispered: "The guy who just said 'eating people without spitting out bones' is the one paid to stir things up; he's been leading the rhythm, and others' unrest is being provoked by him."

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Only then did they notice that the instigator who was stirring up trouble was hiding behind the crowd.

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Around his neck hung a gold-plated chain thicker than a chopstick, on his wrist he wore a fake green-water-demon (a Rolex subsidiary brand), and under his arm he clutched a small leather bag.

At a glance you could tell he was the sort of old-timer who walks with a swaying head, hunched back, and twitching hips.

Luo Xiang quietly asked Zhang Yong: "Who is he?"

Shi Xiongjie, Shi Baojie, and Gao Lu

Luo Xiang made a quick decision: "First take down this troublemaker."

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After such Along standoff, Zhang Yong had long wanted to move in and make arrests—as the saying goes, to catch the bandits, catch their leader first!

He feared that arresting the troublemaker would provoke public anger, causing the chaotic situation to spiral out of control, so he had endured until now.

Secretary Luo Xiang

Zhang Yong brought a criminal detective, quietly circled behind the crowd, and with an unexpected move swiftly threw Shi Xiongje to the ground and handcuffed him behind his back.

This sudden change startled Shi Xiongje, making him jump.

Shi Xiongje, pressed to the ground, yelled loudly: "What are you doing?! We're lawfully defending our rights—on what grounds do you arrest me?! You've arrested someone! Police are arresting people!!"

That loud shout instantly drew the attention of others.

On the scene, forty or fifty people; immediately someone rushed forward to surround Zhang Yong, an old woman shouting: "If you've got the guts, arrest us all—I don't believe there's no place for reason!"

The old woman is just an old woman; she believes in the strength of numbers and holds the traditional notion that the law does not punish the many.

Luo Xiang, who comes from a law professor background, had anticipated this scene.

Luo Xiang calmly urged: "Everyone, don't get agitated; this matter has nothing to do with rights defense. That person is suspected of fraud, specifically cheating elderly uncles and aunts, and the police have been pursuing him."

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiongje flew into a rage: "Who have I cheated?! That Luo secretary, you must take responsibility for your words!"

"I responsibly tell you, the eyes of the surrounding masses are clear; everyone can tell at a glance whether you're a fraudster!" Saying this, Luo Xiang swept his gaze over the crowd.

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Anyway, Zhang Yong deferred to Secretary Luo; with just a few words he led the emotionally charged crowd astray, vying to be the "clear-eyed" people with "snow-bright eyes."

The scene erupted with rising and falling responses:

"Heh heh, this guy looks shifty-eyed; at first glance he's no good."

"Such bad people should have been arrested long ago!"

"Last month my in-laws were swindled out of over ten thousand by them; luckily I didn't fall for it, their little tricks can't fool me—I never take free eggs, nor do I accept free beauty treatments."

"Swindlers are truly hateful; hurry up and arrest them, sentence them to death!"

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The faces at the scene, like unpredictable weather, kept changing from moment to moment.

Those who had just been surrounding Zhang Yong now voluntarily made way for him, and no one was left cheering for Shi Xiongje.

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Uncle, Luo Xiang, and Municipal Party Committee Secretary Gao

Those words instantly revived the shared resolve of the others present.

Luo Xiang replied calmly: "Don't rush, everyone. The Municipal Party Committee Secretary Gao will be here shortly. You can tell Secretary Gao directly about any demands you have later, and Secretary Gao will certainly give you a satisfactory explanation."

If Shi Xiongjie isn't caught, saying this will definitely be useless.

Shi Xiongjie will surely stir things up and incite everyone, telling them not to believe whatever Secretary Luo, Secretary Gao says, just make a big fuss and let society judge Lin Dongfan!

Now that the troublemaker who stirs things up is gone, the crowd on site is no longer so radical.

Everyone felt that Luo Xiang made sense.

One thought that after Secretary Gao arrived, this matter would surely get an explanation; Secretary Gao is the biggest official in Nanzhou, would he dare to deceive the public openly? Unless he doesn't want his official hat.

Luo Xiang saw that the noisy scene had already calmed down, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In this battle, we've already won the first half hands down.

Without the troublemaker stirring things up, let's see how Gao Peng cleans up this mess; the crowd's anger was ignited by you, Old Gao, yourself, and now it's only fitting for you to put out the fire.

Luo Xiang turned and asked Jian Sining: "Section Chief Lin, are you still cutting your toenails up there?"

"Um..." Jian Sining emphasized with a solemn face: "Secretary Luo, this is a misunderstanding; our Section Chief Lin has never had a habit of neglecting duties. He isn't clipping his toenails; he's cleaning the protective cover. He wants to be in the best condition to face all kinds of work challenges, to devote himself wholeheartedly to the anti-corruption cause, even to the point of death..."

"Enough."

Luo Xiang gave a half-smiling, half-sneering look of contempt: "You really are his good junior sister; don't forget, he used to be my student, how could I not know his character? Secretary Gao will be here any moment—hurry up and call him down."