Chapter 173: An Unconventional Interview Method!

Tang Ye went through some trouble to find a private car.

He opened the car door and invited Jiang Jing to sit in the back row.

Tang Ye sat in the front passenger seat and directed the driver to head toward the location of the "Old City Renovation Project."

Along the way, his mind was flooded with thoughts.

Going on an unannounced inspection with a leader is by no means an easy task.

Since they were investigating with a clear purpose, they would inevitably touch upon the interests of certain people.

As such, ensuring the leader's personal safety became the top priority.

After arriving at the inspection site, Jiang Jing and Tang Ye got out of the car.

Jiang Jing looked at Tang Ye calmly.

Tang Ye knew that Jiang Jing was waiting for him to find a breakthrough.

He complained inwardly; this was not just an unannounced inspection, but also a comprehensive assessment of himself.

He had originally thought that sitting in the office and talking big would be enough.

This interview method of Jiang Jing's was truly too unconventional!

At this moment, Tang Ye spotted a group of elderly people gathered together playing Chinese chess under a tree not far away.

His eyes suddenly lit up, an idea formed in his mind, and he whispered to Jiang Jing, "I have a way to blend in with the masses."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jing nodded at Tang Ye, feeling a bit of curiosity and anticipation in her heart.

Tang Ye walked unhurriedly behind the crowd, staring intently at the chessboard, and began to study it carefully.

After a while, Tang Ye deliberately gave instructions in a loud voice, instantly causing the elderly man playing chess opposite him to fly into a rage.

"Young man, a true gentleman does not speak while watching a chess game; don't you understand this principle?"

Tang Ye hurriedly apologized with a smile and said, "Sir, I am truly sorry, my hands were itching and I couldn't help it. It's mainly because I see your chess skills are superb, and I was anxious in my heart; if I didn't remind you, this game looked like it was about to be lost!"

The elderly man who was reminded heard this, and his expression instantly turned ugly. He snorted coldly and said, "You kid have a big mouth; if you have the ability, you play against him. I want to see how much capability you have."

The onlookers nearby also joined in the commotion, and for a time, the atmosphere became lively.

Tang Ye sat down boldly opposite the elderly man and began to play against him.

Considering that Jiang Jing was right beside him, he no longer held back and moved his pieces like flying.

In just a few minutes, the elderly man could no longer hold his ground, and the game was a total defeat.

Seeing this, the others realized that Tang Ye's chess skills were not ordinary, and they all vied to invite Tang Ye to play.

While dealing with the challenges from the elderly men, Tang Ye calmly steered the conversation toward the Old City Renovation Project.

"Sir, I'm planning to rent a house in this neighborhood; are there any good listings?" he asked, appearing casual.

"Ah? Young man, then you really have to weigh it carefully. This residential area of ours was built twenty years ago; although the location is not bad, the houses are not very good." The elderly man sighed and replied.

"Isn't the Government doing renovations? There are workers fixing the ground and the exterior walls," Tang Ye continued to press.

"Sigh, don't mention it! This project is just for show. Every time the leaders come to inspect, they just go through the motions, working sporadically."

"What's worse is that the construction quality is too poor; the paint on the exterior walls falls off as soon as the wind blows; the roof has been repaired many times but still leaks; the road is finished, but the water accumulation is still as serious as ever."

"The young people have all moved away, leaving only us old folks to guard these dilapidated houses." The elderly man's face was full of helplessness.

Tang Ye glanced at Jiang Jing without leaving a trace, only to see that Jiang Jing's expression was becoming increasingly grave.

He continued to ask, "The residential area has been made like this; haven't you reported it to those above?"

"What's the use of reporting! Previously, when the TV station reporters came to interview, they were beaten directly," another elderly man interjected with a bitter smile.

"They are that bold? They even dare to beat reporters?" Tang Ye was secretly shocked in his heart.

"Government, businessmen, and gangsters—they are all colluding together; what is there that they dare not do?" The elderly man nearby shook his head helplessly. "My son went to find the developer before, and the next day his unit leader talked to him, threatening him not to take the lead in making trouble, or else he shouldn't think about keeping his job."

The elderly man playing chess also said indignantly, "Before, the residential area organized a trip to the community to negotiate, and the leader was beaten by thugs, losing more than a dozen teeth, and in the end, they just paid a little money to settle it."

An old lady said with lingering fear on the side, "Her family is in Building 3; her granddaughter is in junior high school, and during that time she was bullied by bad teenagers every day, and even had her clothes stripped and photos taken to scare her, which frightened the child so much that she didn't dare to go to school, and she even developed psychological problems."

Hearing these things, Tang Ye only felt his mood was exceptionally heavy, as if a giant rock were pressing down on him.

At this time, the elderly man opposite suddenly shouted, "Hey, young man, you moved this piece wrong."

Tang Ye then came back to his senses and hurriedly said, "Ah? It seems I lost this game. Sir, your chess skills are truly formidable; I concede defeat."

Seeing that he had learned enough, Tang Ye deliberately made a few bad moves and left his seat, pretending to be ashamed.

There were still a few elderly men who were not satisfied and wanted to pull Tang Ye to sit down.

Tang Ye smiled and declined, "I am truly sorry, I still have things to do; next time there is an opportunity, I will accompany you all for a few more rounds."

Jiang Jing watched all of this from the side and couldn't help but secretly admire in her heart; this kid really has some tricks, no wonder the Old Secretary Hong Ruilin speaks so highly of him.

Although Jiang Jing and Hong Ruilin were not well acquainted, Jiang Jing's mentor and Hong Ruilin once had a relationship of being both enemies and friends.

This time, when Jiang Jing came to Hanzhou to take office, she went to visit Hong Ruilin the first chance she got.

Therefore, choosing Tang Ye to serve as the Secretary of the Second Section was, on one hand, because Tang Ye's political achievements were outstanding, and on the other hand, it was inseparable from the recommendation of the old leader.

Of course, Jiang Jing would not state these reasons to Tang Ye.

After all, a leader's appreciation is merely a boost on the road to success, not the deciding factor.

"Mayor Jiang, judging from the feedback from the common people, this project is riddled with problems. Not only is there suspicion of cutting corners in the construction, but it may even be colluding with underworld forces," Tang Ye reported to Jiang Jing in a low voice.

Jiang Jing's eyes instantly became as sharp as an eagle's, and she said decisively, "Go to Building 3 and see that family that suffered persecution."

Tang Ye understood, as unannounced inspections emphasize seeing is believing.

Relying solely on the empty words of this group of elderly men was not enough; he had to verify the truth in person.

The two came to the front of Building 3, walked up the stairs, and stopped in front of a household's door. Tang Ye raised his hand and knocked on the door lightly.

Before long, the door swayed slowly, and an old lady with silver hair appeared behind the crack in the door. Her eyes were full of vigilance, and she asked coldly, "Who are you looking for?"

Tang Ye just started to say, "We are from the Government..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the old lady seemed to have heard some terrible words; her complexion changed drastically, and she slammed the door shut with great force.

Tang Ye and Jiang Jing exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and gravity in the other's eyes; clearly, this family had completely lost trust in the Government.

Tang Ye did not give up and pressed the doorbell again.

This time, the door opened, and an old man appeared at the entrance, clutching a knife tightly in his hand, his face full of rage as he roared viciously: "Stop bothering us, get lost right now!"

Seeing this, Tang Ye hurriedly pressed his hands downward to signal the old man to calm down, saying in a sincere tone: "Grandpa, please don't get agitated; we were sent by the Municipal Government to understand the situation. I know you have suffered many grievances before, but please believe that we are here sincerely to help you solve the problem."

Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes were full of suspicion and doubt, his gaze scanning back and forth over Tang Ye.

Tang Ye was just about to further clarify his and Jiang Jing's identities.

Suddenly, a burst of messy and hurried footsteps came from the hallway.

Immediately following, a boorish and aggressive voice shouted loudly: "Who are you people? What are you doing here?"

In an instant!

The atmosphere became tense and ready to explode...