Chapter 378: Scapegoats Can Bite Back Too!

In the Dongwan Township conference room, the quarterly work meeting was underway.

Everyone sat in a circle, the atmosphere slightly heavy.

Secretary of the Township Party Committee Liao Guosheng flipped through the documents in his hands, his gaze sweeping over the attendees as he said in a deep voice, "First, let us report on the work of the previous phase. The current primary task is to implement the clearing and rectification of polluting enterprises in the Industrial Park; this is a key task assigned by the county."

He paused, his fingertips tapping the report on the table: "Since the Industrial Park was established in Dongwan Township all these years, it has indeed boosted the economy, but the environmental problems left behind cannot be ignored. Currently, there are still more than ten enterprises with pollutant emissions exceeding standards; they must be rectified one by one."

Changing the subject, his tone suddenly became serious, "I hope all departments will perform their duties, actively respond to the county's call, and must accelerate the progress of the clearing. Now, please speak freely and discuss your ideas."

The meeting room fell into a brief silence; everyone looked at each other, brows slightly furrowed.

Clearing out enterprises meant cutting off people's livelihoods; no one wanted to bear the infamy of "killing the donkey once it has finished grinding the mill."

"Secretary Liao, I would like to express a different opinion." Deputy Township Head Cao Lei, who was in charge of environmental protection, suddenly spoke up, his eyes sharp, "I have never approved of using the 'clearing' approach to deal with enterprises across the board. Do you know how the outside world is discussing us? They say we are burning bridges! Once the enterprises are closed and workers become unemployed, who will bear the risk to social stability?"

He suddenly gave a cold laugh, "Besides, if we want to rectify pollution, why do we always pick the soft persimmons to squeeze? Guangtai Storage Battery is the major polluter, yet why do we avoid talking about it?"

Liao Guosheng's face darkened, recalling his previous warning to Cao Lei; it seemed this kid still hadn't learned his lesson: "Comrade Cao Lei, watch your attitude. Pollution control must be prioritized by urgency; we have been communicating with Guangtai, and they have clearly expressed their willingness to cooperate with the rectification..."

"Cooperate?" Cao Lei interrupted, "Is that the kind of 'cooperation' where they stop paying for the treatment of victimized villagers while simultaneously sending a Lawyer to sue the common people?"

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly solidified; everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at Liao Guosheng's livid face.

Everyone knew that Cao Lei was the "confidant" Liao Guosheng had promoted out of turn three months ago.

Previously, he had been obedient to the Secretary, but now he was openly singing a different tune.

Only Cao Lei himself knew that ever since the Fugu Village poisoning incident was exposed, he had finally come to his senses.

The so-called "heavy responsibility of environmental protection" was nothing but a hot potato, and he had been pushed to the forefront as Liao Guosheng's "shield."

Although the document had not been officially issued yet, he had already sensed the crisis: his position as Deputy Township Head was likely unsalvageable, and he might even end up with a "stain" that would affect his official career.

Liao Guosheng suppressed his anger, his fingertips clenching into a fist under the table: "Comrade Cao Lei, today is a work meeting; I hope you will stick to the facts and not mix in personal emotions..."

Before he finished speaking, rapid footsteps suddenly came from the entrance of the conference room.

Several men in white shirts and black trousers filed in, their expressions cold and stern.

Liao Guosheng looked up; they were all unfamiliar faces, but he had a vague guess in his heart.

The cadres from the Discipline Inspection system had finally come after all.

"Sorry to disturb everyone's meeting." The leader's tone was calm, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "May I ask which one is Comrade Cao Lei?"

"I am." Cao Lei stood up, his voice filled with relief and determination.

He had long been mentally prepared; the cover-up of the data regarding the thirty poisoned children would eventually require someone to take responsibility.

And he was the "scapegoat" who had been chosen.

The meeting room was in an instant uproar.

Many people turned pale.

Most of them had had dealings with the Guangtai Group and were now terrified of being implicated.

Liao Guosheng stared at Cao Lei, a playful, cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: It was just in time; it happened to solve this thorn in his side who had openly defied him at the meeting.

Once Cao Lei was taken away, the storm surrounding Guangtai could be temporarily quelled, and Dongwan Township would still be his domain.

"Continue the meeting; everyone focus on work." Liao Guosheng said a few more words, clearly somewhat distracted.

At this moment, the door of the conference room was pushed open again.

The crowd was astonished to see that Cao Lei, who had just been taken away, had actually returned with the Discipline Inspection comrades.

And the latter's gaze was currently fixed on Liao Guosheng.

"Comrade Liao Guosheng, please come out for a moment." The leader of the Discipline Inspection cadres said in a serious tone.

Liao Guosheng's smile froze on his face, and he slowly stood up: "I... do I need to cooperate with any investigation?"

Even now, he still harbored a glimmer of hope.

Three days ago, he was still socializing in the provincial capital with Nie Kai, feeling that with Nie Kai as his backer, no one in the entire Suiyuan dared to touch him.

"The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has received reports about you," the Discipline Inspection cadre said expressionlessly, "Verified by Comrade Cao Lei, we suspect you of being involved in disciplinary and legal violations; please come with us to the unit to accept an investigation."

"Cao Lei! You actually dared to report me?" Liao Guosheng turned his head abruptly, his eyes full of shock and resentment.

Cao Lei looked back coldly, sighing inwardly: Liao Guosheng, oh Liao Guosheng, did you think my confrontation with you at the meeting today was just a momentary impulse?

As early as the moment I submitted the materials, I had prepared myself for a mutual destruction.

He knew that his report was merely the fuse; what truly made the Discipline Inspection Commission take action was the higher-ups' long-standing distrust of Liao Guosheng.

He himself might have a certain degree of responsibility regarding the data.

But, he was not involved in any economic issues.

If he ran into trouble, at worst, he would just find it hard to advance further in this life.

But, if Liao Guosheng ran into trouble, he would likely end up wearing down a sewing machine.

Seeing several Discipline Inspection cadres closing in from all sides, Liao Guosheng finally panicked, his voice trembling: "This is a frame-up! I have no problems!"

However, the response he received was a pair of powerful hands pressing down on his shoulders.

The leading cadre frowned and took out his phone to make a call: "Please have the public security comrades come over to assist."

Two public security officers entered in response, and cold handcuffs "clicked" onto Liao Guosheng's wrists.

At this moment, he completely collapsed, his legs going weak as he was about to fall to the ground.

Thanks to the Discipline Inspection cadre beside him who supported him in time, he did not make a scene in public.

"Thank you for cooperating with our work." The Discipline Inspection cadre shook hands with Cao Lei before leaving, "If there is a need later, please continue to assist in the investigation."

"I will certainly cooperate; I am at your call." Cao Lei nodded heavily, watching the group leave.

The meeting room was deathly silent.

It is unknown how much time passed before Township Head Gu Chen coughed lightly, breaking the silence: "Regarding today's events, everyone should not spread them. Let us continue the meeting..."

Inside a small private room of the county government canteen.

Three dishes and one soup had been placed on the table, and wisps of tea fragrance drifted from the celadon teacup.

Xu Qiao stood up to pour tea for Tang Ye and Cheng Lin.

Cheng Lin rubbed the rim of her cup with her fingertips, her gaze turning toward Tang Ye opposite her: "You've heard the news about Liao Guosheng being taken away by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection this morning, haven't you?"

Tang Ye nodded, his knuckles tapping lightly on the tabletop: "Secretary Han just called."

The corners of Cheng Lin's lips curled slightly, a glimmer of light appearing in the depths of her eyes: "Shouldn't we celebrate?"

"We certainly should be happy," Tang Ye chuckled, "After all, a scourge has been removed for the people. I originally thought Secretary Han would be full of misgivings; I didn't expect him to be so decisive."

Cheng Lin set down her teacup, her eyes suddenly turning profound.

"Secretary Han is far more complex than we imagined; he possesses both thunderous methods and sentiment. From now on, we must re-evaluate this Class Monitor."