Chapter 476: Shen Mingcheng Encounters a Difficult Problem!

The mobile phone rang.

Shen Mingcheng glanced at the caller ID.

"Gu Lanping" popped up on the screen.

"Secretary Shen, I followed your instructions and prepared to discuss the compensation matters, but I was kicked out before I could even say two sentences," Gu Lanping's voice sounded hurried. "The homeowner's son has rushed back from Yanjing. He is demanding that we release the person immediately; if we don't agree, he will contact more media outlets to expose this."

Shen Mingcheng felt his temples throbbing, his brows knitting into a knot: "The person absolutely cannot be released! The homeowner killed two people; the social impact is extremely severe. If we release the person now, what will others think of the Government?"

Gu Lanping sighed helplessly on the other end of the line: "The homeowner's son has brought up self-defense as a reason. He said that on the day of the demolition, the Demolition Team rushed into the house and beat and threatened the homeowner's mother, and the homeowner only acted in self-defense because he felt his life was threatened."

"That still doesn't justify killing, let alone killing two people!" Shen Mingcheng retorted with a cold laugh, his tone full of impatience. "If we release the person now, how will demolition work be done in the future? Does this mean that from now on, whenever demolition personnel go to discuss work, as long as they can't reach an agreement, the homeowner can just resort to violence?"

Gu Lanping naturally understood what Shen Mingcheng meant, but the current stalemate left her deeply worried: "The negotiations simply cannot proceed now. I am afraid that if this matter blows up, it will be difficult to resolve."

"Why didn't Chen Zhihua handle this matter?" Shen Mingcheng's tone suddenly dropped.

Gu Lanping's voice carried a hint of grievance: "Chen Zhihua said he knew nothing about this matter, and also said that whoever gave the order for the forced demolition should be responsible for handling it. But that day's order was one you asked me to convey..."

Before she could finish speaking.

Shen Mingcheng's face instantly turned a deep purple.

That night, Shen Mingcheng and Gu Lanping were enjoying a romantic candlelight dinner!

In order to show the decisiveness of a County Party Secretary, he had directly asked Gu Lanping to issue the order to the demolition personnel on the other end of the phone.

Saying something like, tonight we must complete the task at all costs, and I will take responsibility for any consequences!

But now that it was truly time to take responsibility, Gu Lanping realized how ridiculous that promise had been.

"I will call Chen Zhihua myself."

"I will wait for your news." Gu Lanping's voice was filled with dejection as she hung up the phone.

Shen Mingcheng took a deep breath and dialed Chen Zhihua's number.

The phone was answered after just two rings, and Chen Zhihua's slightly cautious greeting came through the receiver: "Secretary Shen, hello. May I ask if you have any instructions?"

"A homicide case has occurred during the Pinghu demolition. Why haven't you handled this matter yet?" Shen Mingcheng's tone was extremely stern.

Chen Zhihua frowned: "Secretary Shen, this matter has already been assigned to Comrade Gu Lanping to be in charge of, and I have been keeping an eye on it."

"You don't just need to keep an eye on it, you need to resolve the matter immediately!" Shen Mingcheng said in a deep voice.

Chen Zhihua gave a bitter laugh: "Secretary Shen, two human lives are no small matter; it's not something I can just handle whenever I want. Gu Lanping is a cadre sent down from the county and has a decisive way of working. Since she is in charge of this matter, she should be allowed to see it through to the end."

"Chen Zhihua! Stop playing games with me!" Shen Mingcheng slammed his hand on the table, his voice full of rage. "The incident happened in Pinghu, and you are the Pinghu Town Party Committee Secretary. Don't think about pushing the responsibility onto others! If you don't want to handle it, then don't be the Secretary anymore!"

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.

Then came Chen Zhihua's neither humble nor pushy response.

"Secretary Shen, I understand your urgency, but I truly have no way to deal with this. If you feel I am not suitable to be this Secretary, you can propose a motion for removal at the Standing Committee. As long as the Standing Committee feels I am not qualified, I am willing to accept whatever the proper procedure is."

These words made Shen Mingcheng tremble with anger.

"Chen Zhihua, you must handle this matter for me! Do you really think I can't take your hat off!"

"I was elected as Secretary by the people, and my staying or leaving should also be decided by the people." Chen Zhihua's voice carried a hint of imperceptible ease. "If you can represent the will of the people, of course you can remove me. However, I have always had a clear conscience in my work."

"Good, good, good!"

Shen Mingcheng gritted his teeth and hung up the phone.

He had not expected Chen Zhihua to be so tough.

On second thought, Chen Zhihua was getting old and had long since lost his ambition for a political career.

Yet Chen Zhihua would rather fall out with him than ruin his own reputation.

Chen Zhihua secretly envied Guo Liang.

Guo Liang knew how to latch onto Tang Ye and had decisively left Pinghu, this place of right and wrong.

But he himself could not make that decision.

For him, Pinghu held too many meanings that were hard to let go of.

Early the next morning, Shen Mingcheng received a call from Municipal Party Secretary Zhou Chengwu.

As soon as the call connected, the other party's stern reprimand came through: "How did you handle the land acquisition and demolition work for the Pinghu Resort Project? Your method of handling it is far too immature!"

"Secretary Zhou, I am currently handling it and have already disciplined the township officials involved," Shen Mingcheng hurriedly replied.

"Bang! Bang!"

Zhou Chengwu slammed the table twice, his voice full of disappointment:

"Entrusting Tianling County to you was because I had high hopes for you! Pinghu's development momentum was originally good; I don't ask you to add flowers to the brocade, but at least don't hold us back! Now that such a big incident has occurred, the provincial leaders are all paying attention, especially the leaders of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, who are very disappointed in your work ability! I am giving you a final order: you must resolve this matter within three days! Otherwise, you can stop being the County Party Secretary!"

Shen Mingcheng had never suffered such grievances before, and suppressing his anger, he replied: "Understood, Secretary Zhou. I will definitely handle it as soon as possible, please rest assured!"

After hanging up the phone, Shen Mingcheng felt physically and mentally exhausted.

After much thought.

He helplessly dialed Chen Lan's number.

Ever since their last argument, the two had been in a cold war.

He felt he couldn't be the one to lower his head to Chen Lan, but the situation was urgent, and he had to seek a reconciliation first.

"Wife, how have you been lately? You should be over your anger by now, right? I have reflected deeply, so please stop being angry." Shen Mingcheng's tone was ingratiating.

Chen Lan's voice, however, was icy: "If you have something to say, just say it. No need for these empty gestures."

Shen Mingcheng laughed awkwardly: "What husband and wife don't have overnight grudges? I have something I need your help with. Can you accompany me to visit your aunt's husband? There is something I need his help with."

"Sure enough, there's a reason you're looking for me." Chen Lan sneered.

"If you won't help me, I can only call Mom and ask her to persuade you." Shen Mingcheng brought up Xiao Fang.

This tactic was disgusting!

But Chen Lan was susceptible to it.

"Alright, stop bothering Mom, I agree. When are we going?"

"Let's make it tonight."

Shen Mingcheng sighed inwardly.

Although reluctant, he knew that in the end, he would still have to ask Du Chengfeng for help with the mess that was Pinghu.