Chapter 161: Let

Du Chengfeng returned to his office after the meeting.

Tang Ye had been waiting for a long time.

"Just now, the Standing Committee defined the nature of the Chu Dongfa incident, and the Discipline Inspection Commission has established an investigation team to collect evidence. Not a single person suspected of violating regulations or discipline will be spared; all will be held accountable."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ye breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly offered some flattery.

"You have always been intolerant of any wrongdoing. For a black sheep like Chu Dongfa, his punishment was only a matter of time. Under your governance, such people are not allowed to hide filth or act recklessly."

Du Chengfeng gave Tang Ye an annoyed glance and said with a hint of exhaustion: "It's easy to say. Since last night, my phone hasn't stopped ringing. I really didn't expect that a middle school principal and a businessman would have such intertwined relationships and such extensive connections."

Following Du Chengfeng's lead, Tang Ye replied with a serious expression: "Those interest groups are insatiably greedy. Not only do they reach for visible wealth, but they also attempt to manipulate educational resources to serve their own interests. It is truly abominable."

Du Chengfeng looked grave. "This matter is far from over. Next, the other side will likely launch a counterattack. We cannot let our guard down."

Tang Ye wore a serious expression and nodded firmly.

The next morning.

As soon as Tang Ye entered the office, he received a call from Director Zhang of the County Letters and Calls Bureau.

"Town Mayor Tang, hurry and arrange for someone to come to the County Government. There are more people from Pinghu Town here to lodge complaints." The voice of Director Zhang of the Letters and Calls Bureau was filled with anxiety and helplessness.

On ordinary days, if he encountered petitioners from other townships, he would make a phone call and inevitably give them a stern dressing-down.

But Pinghu Town was different; Town Mayor Tang Ye was a Seconded Official from the Municipal Party Committee, and rumors in the streets even claimed he was the prospective son-in-law of Secretary Du.

"Director Zhang, I will be there in half an hour."

Tang Ye notified Xu Qiao to go to the General Office to pick up the car.

Xu Qiao drove for a while.

Tang Ye thought it was too slow.

"Pull over at the side of the road, I'll drive!"

Tang Ye and she adjusted their positions, he sat in the driver's seat, adjusted the seat, set the rearview mirror, and started the car.

The speed of the car increased rapidly.

Xu Qiao looked at Tang Ye secretly with a sense of shame.

Inside the office, Zhang Lingzhi sat quietly; she was neither crying nor making a scene, yet her gaze was so cold it made one's heart shudder as she stared straight at the staff members.

The staff members were more or less aware of Zhang Lingzhi's situation; they felt sympathy, but having seen so much, they had also grown somewhat numb.

It is unknown how much time passed before Director Zhang's laughter came from outside the door.

"Zhang Lingzhi, Town Mayor Tang has come to pick you up."

Tang Ye stood beside Director Zhang and said gently to Zhang Lingzhi: "Sister Zhang, I've brought you good news."

Zhang Lingzhi looked up in surprise, her eyes full of doubt, her gaze landing on Tang Ye with a hint of wariness.

She had heard Tang Ye's name from the villagers, and everyone spoke highly of him.

But Zhang Lingzhi had been through so many hardships and had seen so much of the world's darkness that she knew well the principle that it is better to rely on oneself than on others.

Her first reaction was whether Tang Ye was trying to trick her into going back.

"I won't go with you, I'm waiting for someone!" Zhang Lingzhi said with a firm look in her eyes.

As she spoke, a capable-looking figure rushed in from outside and squatted directly beside Zhang Lingzhi. "I'm sorry, I'm late."

Seeing the woman appear, Zhang Lingzhi's eyes instantly turned red.

"Lawyer Lin, you must save Old Chen!"

Lawyer Lin gently patted the back of Zhang Lingzhi's hand. "I am a student taught by Teacher Chen; I will do my utmost."

Having said that, she stood up, stood in front of Zhang Lingzhi, and with a serious expression, her gaze swept over everyone present as she said loudly: "You group of government officials, abusing your power to bully ordinary people—don't you feel ashamed?

I will be responsible for Teacher Chen's case to the end. I want to sue Pinghu Middle School Principal Chu Dongfa for corruption, bribery, and malicious framing; I want to sue the Pinghu Town Government of Tianling County for inaction and acting as a protective umbrella for dark and evil forces..."

Lawyer Lin spoke eloquently and was filled with righteous indignation.

Tang Ye did not stop her, but stood quietly to the side, patiently waiting for her to vent the anger in her heart.

"Lawyer Lin, you've misunderstood. I came today specifically to resolve the matter." Tang Ye spoke only after Lawyer Lin had finished.

"How will you resolve it?" Lawyer Lin did not show any weakness, looking straight at Tang Ye with neither servility nor overbearingness.

"Let's go pick up Teacher Chen and take him home first!"

Hearing this, Lawyer Lin was instantly stunned.

Zhang Lingzhi also looked at Tang Ye in disbelief, unable to trust her own ears.

A trace of helplessness appeared at the corner of Tang Ye's mouth as he explained: "Chu Dongfa, the principal of Pinghu Middle School, plotted to frame Teacher Chen Chao, causing him to be unjustly imprisoned. Now, Chu Dongfa has been arrested and investigated according to the law, and he has confessed to framing Teacher Chen. Therefore, Teacher Chen Chao can be released from prison. I feel deep regret and sympathy for the grievances Teacher Chen Chao has suffered, and I will help you fight for the compensation you deserve later on."

Zhang Lingzhi rushed to Tang Ye in excitement, grabbing his arm tightly with both hands, her voice trembling slightly: "Town Mayor Tang, are you really not lying to me?"

Tang Ye remained apologetic. "Sister Zhang, both you and Teacher Chen can return to your original units to work. As for the losses you suffered due to being dismissed, the government will also do its best to help you fight for the corresponding compensation."

Chu Dongfa's embezzled funds amounted to eight million, and the whereabouts of this money had already been clarified.

One part would be used to compensate the victims for their losses, and the other part would be incorporated into the government accounts to be used for the school's subsequent development.

Tang Ye drove Zhang Lingzhi and Lawyer Lin directly toward the prison where Chen Chao was being held.

After waiting for a moment at the prison gate, a gaunt and haggard-looking man stepped through the iron gate. The prison guard pointed toward the car, and the man saw the familiar figure running wildly toward him.

Chen Chao held Zhang Lingzhi in his arms, and the two of them burst into loud sobs.

In the span of over a year, the two of them had experienced too much pain.

They had lost their stable jobs, turning from respected teachers into criminals thrown into prison.

Chen Chao had thought about committing suicide more than once.

It was all thanks to his wife, who had always trusted and encouraged him.

Xu Qiao and Lawyer Lin watched from the side with red eyes.

Tang Ye, however, sighed inwardly; there were too many people like Chen Chao who suffered such unjust grievances.

Chen Chao walked up to Tang Ye, grabbed Tang Ye's wrist, and thanked him with tears in his eyes, "Town Mayor Tang, it is thanks to you that I was able to clear my name."

Tang Ye smiled and patted Chen Chao on the shoulder, "Teacher Chen, you should thank your wife; she has always trusted you and ran around everywhere for your sake. I only did what I was supposed to do. Actually, I feel very ashamed inside; the Government has a responsibility."

Chen Chao said with complex emotions, "I was full of disappointment toward the Government before, but you let me know that there are still good cadres who act on behalf of the people."

Tang Ye held Chen Chao's hand, "Teacher Chen, you need to adjust your mindset next. Pinghu Middle School has a group of children who need a teacher like you, who has a sense of justice and knowledge, to impart knowledge to them."

Chen Chao lowered his head without confidence, "I haven't taught for many years, and I'm afraid I won't teach the children well and will mislead them."

Chen Chao's reaction made Tang Ye feel quite respectful.

He formed a sharp contrast with Chu Dongfa, as he held a sense of awe toward education.

Tang Ye encouraged him, "I have confidence in you. Whether Pinghu's educational cause can return to the right track and whether it can lead the whole county depends on having good teachers like you, who have faith and willpower."

Tang Ye is humble and gentle!

Lawyer Lin had a complete change of view regarding the image of the Pinghu Government.