Chapter 1422: Town Mayor Ma Was Beaten!

Lianhua Town is about an hour's drive from the county seat.

It was already around ten in the morning when they arrived at Lianhua Town.

Tang Ye arrived in the vicinity of the factory that had been reported.

He bought three bottles of water at a small shop and asked the owner with a smile, "Boss, may I ask you a few things?"

Seeing that Tang Ye was refined and did not look like an idler, the owner asked, "What is it? Go ahead!"

Tang Ye said with a smile, "It's like this, we are here from the county to conduct research. We heard that there is a factory in your town causing pollution; is it this factory right next door?"

The owner looked at Tang Ye in surprise, "This factory has pollution? I only know that this factory does food processing. There is a smell of food processing coming out every day, but it's not unpleasant."

Tang Ye nodded, "So that's how it is, I understand. Thank you!"

After walking out of the small shop, Tang Ye walked into another hardware store.

Tang Ye used the same story again.

The shopkeeper was in his forties and did not like to talk much.

His wife heard that the factory had pollution and reacted very strongly, "What? This factory has pollution? Will it affect the water quality? Will our daily drinking water be affected?"

Tang Ye explained, "We received news. Someone sent a report letter to the county. But we haven't verified whether it's true or false yet."

The shopkeeper's wife said in surprise, "Oh my, this factory has been built for several months. We're done for. Should we go to the hospital for a detailed check-up!"

The shopkeeper said very calmly, "Don't believe everything you hear. I have a friend who works at this factory. This factory has strict rules; you have to have a physical examination to enter the factory. The production line equipment inside is very advanced. I suspect someone is jealous and is spreading rumors on purpose."

The shopkeeper's wife's eyes turned red, "No, I must go for a check-up, otherwise I will be worried and lose sleep every day."

Tang Ye quickly said, "Don't be anxious, ma'am. We are just visiting to verify; we have no evidence."

The shopkeeper's wife patted her chest and said, "Oh my, you really are scary. I really thought this factory had serious pollution. There used to be a chemical plant in the neighboring town, and that town had a lot of people with cancer. I suggest that since you are here, you should investigate clearly. If there really is pollution, you must take measures."

Tang Ye glanced at Qian Wenle.

Qian Wenle took out a report letter and asked, "Boss, take a look at this report letter. Is your name on it?"

The shopkeeper's wife leaned over to take a look, a look of surprise appearing on her face, "My name is indeed on it, but I never signed this document! Someone must have signed it on my behalf."

Tang Ye nodded, "Thank you for providing key information."

They left the hardware store.

Qian Wenle said in confusion, "County Magistrate Tang, it's a bit strange. The people in town don't know about this report material. Could it be that someone fabricated the data on purpose to throw mud at Ma Ran?"

Tang Ye said, "Keep asking people! Let's split up into two groups!"

Qian Wenle nodded, "Very well, County Magistrate Tang."

Subsequently, Tang Ye and Qian Wenle acted separately.

They separately inquired about the issues reflected in the complaint material.

However, almost everyone's reaction was the same; the common people did not know that the factory was causing pollution.

An hour passed, and Tang Ye and Qian Wenle had gained nothing.

Qian Wenle sighed, "County Magistrate Tang, it can almost be confirmed that the complaint material does not match the facts. I asked more than a dozen people, including old people and young people, and they all don't know. Should we continue asking?"

Tang Ye shook his head, "We cannot ask anymore. If we continue to ask, we will become the originators of spreading rumors and creating social panic."

Qian Wenle said softly, "What should we do next?"

Tang Ye said, "Go to the demolition site of Lianhua Town."

The vehicle arrived at the demolition site of the Lianhua Theme Cultural Town.

Apart from broken walls and ruins, it was a scene of desolation.

Half a year had passed, and the demolition progress of the Lianhua Theme Town had not been completed, which made Tang Ye very disappointed.

Of course, Ma Ran was a cadre sent down for a temporary post, so the poor progress of the demolition could not be blamed entirely on him.

Tang Ye needed to find Ma Ran to understand the situation.

"Let's go, let's go to the Town Government and see."

The car arrived at the Town Government.

It was immediately stopped by the security guard.

"Who are you?"

Tang Ye did not want too many people to know he was on an unannounced visit, so he explained, "We are here to find the Town Mayor! We want to talk about some work matters."

The security guard looked surprised, "Town Mayor? Are you talking about Ma Ran, Town Mayor Ma?"

"Yes!"

"Did you contact him in advance?"

Tang Ye said, "I have contacted him. I will call him again right now."

The security guard said angrily, "Nonsense. I can tell you are scammers trying to bluff your way through! Town Mayor Ma was beaten by someone the day before yesterday and is currently recuperating at the County Hospital. If you had contacted him in advance, you certainly wouldn't have come to the Town Government to find him."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ye's heart skipped a beat, "I indeed did not contact Town Mayor Ma in advance. We will go to the County Hospital to see him right now."

The security guard frowned and said, "No, you are acting suspiciously and telling lies; you don't look like good people at all. You must honestly confess who you are."

The security guard immediately rushed forward, walked to the front car window, and pulled out the driver's car key directly.

Qian Xiaobiao was furious, "Why did you pull out my car key?"

The security guard frowned, "I am calling the Police Station right now. You can only leave after we verify your identities."

Tang Ye knew that the security guard doing this was also a sign of dedication to his job.

He stopped the security guard, "Don't call the police. I am Tang Ye, the County Magistrate of Yechuan! I will call Xia Xiang right now."

The security guard looked at Tang Ye with suspicion, "One moment Town Mayor Ma, the next moment Secretary Xia, you really know how to brag!"

Tang Ye often fabricated an identity when making unannounced visits.

He didn't expect the fake identity to be useless today, so he had to reveal his true self.

As it turned out, even his true identity was hard to make people believe!

He dialed Xia Xiang's mobile number directly.

"Secretary Xia, this is Tang Ye."

When Xia Xiang received the call from Tang Ye, his first reaction was that it must be related to Ma Ran being injured and hospitalized.

He thought to himself that Ma Ran was truly Tang Ye's trusted confidant.

Even while Tang Ye was studying full-time at the Central Party School, he was still concerned about Ma Ran's injuries.

"County Magistrate Tang, may I ask what your instructions are?"

"I am at the entrance of the Lianhua Town Government. The security guards have confiscated my car keys. Come out and help me explain the situation to them."

"Ah? You are in Lianhua Town? I will come down immediately!"

Xia Xiang had not expected Tang Ye to suddenly appear in Lianhua Town!

He had previously heard news that Tang Ye would return to Yechuan County at the end of the year.

But Xia Xiang did not know the specific time of Tang Ye's return.

Tang Ye had not issued an inspection notice through the County Government Office, so it was highly likely he was here for a private, unannounced visit.

Xia Xiang still felt grateful toward Tang Ye.

Because Lianhua Town had received investment from the Zhao Group, which had played a significant role in the development of Lianhua Town.

Tang Ye had made major contributions to both Lianhua Town and his own future.