Chapter 433

Guo Lichun finally understood:

Lin Dongfan outwardly smiled and said he was willing to stop work and cooperate with the investigation, but actually he was advancing by retreating, digging a bigger pit for Guo Lichun!

This pit!

Whoever ordered the stop work shall bear responsibility for the delay of the project!

What's even more heartbreaking for Guo Lichun is that he has already jumped into this pit and cannot avoid responsibility; if he refuses to bear this responsibility, he will be suspected of lacking responsibility, which will destroy his political image.

Guo Lichun also clearly sees that all the leading cadres present are gauging the situation, waiting to see how things develop.

Everyone is watching his performance with wide eyes!

If he cannot this time put up a strong fight to turn things around and regain control of the project he lost, many people will side with Yu Huacheng.

By then, Guo Lichun will be gradually marginalized!

"I cannot lose!"

"Yu Huacheng is an outsider transferred here, with no local base! This Fan Donglin, although he is an inscrutable, extraordinary businessman, is also an outsider!"

"I, Guo Lichun, have operated in Haishan for decades before climbing to this position today."

"Deeply rooted!"

"What reason do I have to be pressed to the ground and rubbed by two outsiders?"

……

Guo Lichun secretly pondered for a while and finally made a decision—to catch a blade barehanded!

No matter how clever the pit Lin Dongfan dug, no matter how tricky the angle of his bayonet, since there's no way to avoid it, there's no need to dodge; let strength speak!

Thus Guo Lichun again adopted a solemn and stern posture.

He said to Lin Dongfan without showing weakness: "Fine, since you doubt my responsibility and resolve as mayor, I will take on this responsibility! After the investigation results come out, if Zhengtong Capital's project qualifications are indeed problem-free, and my forced stoppage caused the schedule delay, I am willing to bear responsibility for that."

"Mayor Guo, you have great resolve, admirable!"

Lin Dongfan smiled and applauded; each clap felt like a heavy hammer hammering hard on Guo Lichun's chest, making him feel suppressed like a grandson, his face gloomy.

After the meeting dispersed.

Yu Huacheng invited Lin Dongfan to the Municipal Party Committee Office and personally brewed him a cup of tea. Lin Dongfan's poised and composed demeanor in responding to the situation indeed made Yu Huacheng look at him anew.

Yu Huacheng excitedly said: "Mr. Fan, you've been investing in our Haishan for several months already. I originally wanted to meet you earlier, but I held back due to some gossip, fearing it would affect your company's bidding; I didn't dare to invite you. I never expected that our first meeting today would allow us to tacitly form a united front."

"Thanks to Zhang Yinlan." Lin Dongfan chuckled: "If it weren't for Director Zhang frequently running errands, I wouldn't have been able to accurately grasp the Municipal Party Committee's instructions."

"Comrade Zhang Yinlan has indeed made considerable contributions."

Yu Huacheng has always had a good impression of Zhang Yinlan; after all, Zhang Yinlan was the first person in the city to step forward and fight alongside him, helping him break out of the awkward situation of being a "bare poles commander."

But, relying solely on Zhang Yinlan's support.

is still insufficient to break the deadlock!

Having witnessed Lin Dongfan's resolve and demeanor today, Yu Huacheng's reassurance grew stronger, feeling that their chances of winning this battle are still quite good.

Yu Huacheng sighed emotionally to Lin Dongfan: "I've been in office in Haishan for half a year; don't laugh at me, but previously almost all the city's leading cadres would follow Guo Lichun's lead. I am a bare poles commander with lofty ambitions but no room to act; I'm essentially in a state of being sidelined, and any big or small project in the city needs Guo Lichun's nod to move forward. Without his nod, nothing gets done."

"I've heard that behind his back everyone calls him the local emperor; as an outsider monk, you can imagine how hard it would be for you to chant scriptures here." Lin Dongfan laughed.

Yu Huacheng laughed sighingly: "Fortunately, heaven leaves a way out; seeing your poised and composed demeanor today, I know we won't lose this battle."

"Secretary Yu, don't praise me; I'm prone to getting carried away." Lin Dongfan chatted and laughed: "To be honest, today I was also forced into a corner, so I could only grit my teeth and brandish the bayonet."

"Brandishing the bayonet like that is good." Yu Huacheng said: "Although this blade cannot instantly kill Guo Lichun on the spot, it sounded an alarm for the cadres present, making them realize that supporting the local emperor carries risk."

Lin Dongfan nodded deeply in agreement; he had that intention at the time.

Yu Huacheng lifted the clear tea to moisten his throat, and again lamented: "The only regret is that an innocent worker died for no reason."

"I never imagined they would kill a person as easily as killing a fish."

Speaking of this, Lin Dongfan's face grew much heavier, after all, it was a human life.

Lin Dongfan sincerely stated: "Secretary Yu, regarding the appeasement of the families, if there is anywhere I need to cooperate, I will fully cooperate."

"Hmm, I plan to hand this matter over to Zhang Yinlan to handle; at that time she will consult with you."

He paused briefly.

Yu Huacheng again asked Lin Dongfan with worry: "I'm not worried about your company's qualifications; what I fear is that they will align with the suspect excavator driver in a murder case and turn the tables on you. Then even if it's not your company's problem, it will become your company's problem, leaving you with no recourse."

"The deputy mayor in charge of the Faction, doesn't he follow the Municipal Party Committee's orders?"

Lin Dongfan looked at Yu Huacheng doubtfully.

Yu Huacheng bitterly smiled and shook his head, saying nothing, but the meaning was already clear: some things need no further explanation.

The Longhai Gang's ability to stand firm in Haishan City is inseparable from the protection of Li Yongyuan.

After all, whether it's Guo Lichun or Li Yongyuan, both have deep ties with the Haidong Gang; they are a community of interests.

Yu Huacheng worried: "I estimate they are now discussing how to strike a dark hand."

This time Yu Huacheng's guess was indeed correct.

Guo Lichun went straight to the Haishan Guesthouse after the meeting dispersed.

When he entered the private room, Li Yongyuan, seated at the head, was criticizing Zheng Canghai and Cai Yang, saying they shouldn't be infighting at this critical juncture.

Upon seeing Guo Lichun enter, Li Yongyuan's butt seemed to be pricked by a needle; he jumped up instantly, and his formerly arrogant posture vanished completely.

Zheng Canghai and Cai Yang also rose, daring not to show the slightest disrespect to Guo Lichun.

Guo Lichun gave everyone a cold glance, then walked straight to the head seat.

Li Yongyuan quickly made way, respectfully inviting Guo Lichun to sit: "Mayor Guo, you weren't supposed to be in a meeting today? Why are you here?"

"The sky has fallen; if I don't come, can you handle it?"

Saying that, Guo Lichun sat down.

But Li Yongyuan, Zheng Canghai, and Cai Yang still stood trembling, afraid to sit, all awed by Guo Chunli's cold tone.

"Sit."

Guo Lichun spoke, and only then did everyone timidly sit down, each sitting as if on pins and needles.

Li Yongyuan probed: "Is it about the construction site death? Rest assured, we will handle the excavator driver without a trace."

"What does 'handled without a trace' mean? That's ridiculous!" Guo Lichun coldly stared at Li Yongyuan: "Fan Donglin and Yu Huacheng had long anticipated you would do this. They forced me to take responsibility for protecting the driver at fault; if the driver dies mysteriously or suddenly disappears, I bear the primary responsibility!"

!!!

Li Yongyuan nervously wiped a cold sweat, thinking it was fortunate that he hadn't acted yet.

Guo Lichun then turned his gaze to Zheng Canghai and Cai Yang, who were sitting upright with solemn respect: "You both want to be the Dragon King; I'll give you a fair chance to compete."

"How will we compete?" Cai Yang exclaimed, eager to try.

Zheng Canghai, however, remained glum and silent, feeling that his rights and standing in the jianghu had been severely provoked! Yet he dared not confront Guo Lichun to his face; in front of Guo Lichun, he would always have to tuck his tail and keep his head low.

Guo Lichun said: "That Fan Dongfan of Zhengtong Capital has an obscure background; I sense he is no ordinary businessman—such a person cannot be allowed to remain. Whoever can eliminate him will become the Dragon King."

Zheng Canghai: "......!!!"

Cai Yang: "......!!!"

Neither of them had expected that the provocation would be so difficult, because the Sea Dragon Society had previously attempted multiple times to take action against Fan Donglin, all to no avail.