Chapter 546: Reason Overcomes Emotion!

Under Lin Heng's guidance, Dong Tianbao walked into the office.

"Boss Dong, please sit!"

Tang Ye's enthusiasm caught Dong Tianbao somewhat by surprise!

Dong Tianbao sat down.

Tang Ye personally brewed a cup of tea for Dong Tianbao.

Dong Tianbao took the teacup, secretly thinking that Tang Ye was indeed shrewd in his dealings.

Even though they were secretly clashing, Tang Ye did not reveal the slightest abnormality, as if Dong Tianbao were an old friend he had known for many years.

Tang Ye possessed the emotional management skills of an excellent politician!

Dong Tianbao took a sip of tea and said softly, "County Magistrate Tang, I came to see you today because I hope you can show some leniency!"

Tang Ye remained calm: "Boss Dong, what do you mean by that?"

Seeing that Tang Ye was still playing dumb, Dong Tianbao sighed helplessly: "Recently, the County Public Security Bureau has been inspecting and rectifying major entertainment venues. Several shops I invested in have been sealed. So, I would like to ask County Magistrate Tang to open a side door; as for any requests you may have, feel free to bring them up."

A look of realization appeared on Tang Ye's face: "I have heard about this matter. The Provincial Public Security Department formulated the Clear and Bright Action last month, requiring the rectification of entertainment venues and the sweeping away of organized crime. That is why the County Public Security Bureau is responding to the call to conduct inspections of major entertainment venues within the county.

From the information currently gathered, many venues have become places that harbor filth and corruption. Quite a few minors have been consuming prohibited drugs in entertainment venues, and there are suspicions of prostitution, which has caused a negative impact. In fact, in the long run, standardizing and rectifying these venues to purify the environment is a good thing for investors."

Tang Ye gave this reason as a pretense.

Dong Tianbao was furious, but he could not vent his anger, so he had to suppress it.

"County Magistrate Tang, I understand the government's determination to rectify public order. However, if this continues, the entertainment venues in Suiyuan will suffer a huge blow, which will cause many unstable factors."

Tang Ye was lost in thought.

"Boss Dong's perspective is quite high, being able to consider issues for the government from the level of social stability." He changed the subject, "By the way, I have actually been wanting to have a good chat with Boss Dong about the demolition of the Dong Family Ancestral Hall."

Dong Tianbao was stunned for a moment, realizing that Tang Ye wanted to make a conditional exchange.

"County Magistrate Tang, these are two different things, aren't they?"

Tang Ye laughed in spite of himself!

"In the final analysis, it is the same thing. The Dong Family Ancestral Hall cannot be demolished, which makes the Old City renovation project impossible to move forward. If the plan cannot be implemented, the ability of government staff will be questioned, the interests of the common people will be affected, and contradictions and confrontations will frequently arise. How can there be stable development then?"

Dong Tianbao put down his teacup and rested his chin on his hands.

"County Magistrate Tang, is it that as long as I agree to the demolition of the Dong Family Ancestral Hall, you can help those entertainment venues return to their previous state and operate normally?"

Seeing Dong Tianbao lower his head and propose a bargaining chip, Tang Ye felt relieved and smiled faintly.

"If Boss Dong can make his own contribution to promoting the economic development of Suiyuan, then the government is willing to provide the following commitments!

The shops that were originally required to self-inspect for three months can have their time shortened to one month of self-inspection;

The persons in charge of those business venues, considering their good attitude in admitting mistakes, can also be punished more leniently;

As for the fines, they can also be halved."

Tang Ye did not say he would revoke all penalties, and Dong Tianbao was slightly disappointed.

But at this moment, he could only accept it.

Before coming to visit Tang Ye, Dong Tianbao had even prepared for the worst: that Tang Ye would refuse to communicate with him.

Being able to reduce losses was already considered quite good.

After the face-to-face exchange, Dong Tianbao had a brand-new understanding of Tang Ye.

His ease in conversation was built on the foundation of knowing himself and his opponent.

Furthermore, the County Public Security Bureau's focused "attention" on the entertainment venues in the county, especially those he invested in, was simply forcing him to bow his head!

Dong Tianbao felt incredibly stifled.

The Dong Family was deeply rooted in Suiyuan; when had they ever suffered such a silent loss?

But he was helpless.

Because Tang Ye now held the absolute advantage.

The cost of a falling-out was simply too great.

Dong Tianbao struggled internally, but in the end, reason overcame emotion. He stood up abruptly and reached out to Tang Ye: "County Magistrate Tang, after I go back, I will communicate with the elders of the Dong Family about moving the ancestral hall."

Tang Ye shook Dong Tianbao's hand with a look of gratitude on his face: "Boss Dong! If the Dong Family Ancestral Hall is willing to relocate, that would be truly wonderful. The government will actively assist you in the relocation and rebuild the ancestral hall as soon as possible. As for the Clear and Bright Action for entertainment venues across the county, please give me a list. I will suggest to the comrades at the County Public Security Bureau to provide care and precise guidance so that they can reach the operating standards sooner."

Dong Tianbao's mouth was full of bitterness: "Then thank you, County Magistrate Tang."

Seeing Dong Tianbao stand up to leave, Tang Ye called him back: "Boss Dong, don't be in such a hurry to leave. There is one more thing I think it is necessary to make clear to you."

Dong Tianbao said calmly: "Please speak."

Tang Ye said expressionlessly: "When Secretary Zhou of the Municipal Party Committee came to Suiyuan for research, Dong Weiqing's family members blocked the road to cry out for justice. Subsequently, a social figure named Yang Hu threatened Dong Weiqing's family under the guise of debt collection. As far as I know, Yang Hu has a very close relationship with you."

Dong Tianbao said with displeasure: "County Magistrate Tang, hasn't the death of Dong Weiqing already been determined? His parents and wife are pestering him endlessly and cannot accept the facts. What does this have to do with me?

As for Dong Weiqing owing money, that is a well-known fact. The reason Yang Hu went to collect the debt was because I promised that as long as Dong Weiqing's family stopped pestering, I could wipe out this debt. But since they broke their promise, I could only let them pay the debt for Dong Weiqing."

Tang Ye could see that Dong Tianbao's anger did not seem feigned.

"Boss Dong, Dong Weiqing's wife said when communicating with us that you once tried to assault her!"

Dong Tianbao's eyes widened in anger, and he was between laughter and tears: "County Magistrate Tang, although I am a romantic and lustful person, I also have my bottom line and principles. Although Dong Weiqing's wife is decent-looking, she has already given birth to two children. With my conditions, I could easily find someone younger and prettier; why would I ask for trouble and get myself into a mess?"

Tang Ye could see that Dong Tianbao did not seem to be lying.

Although Dong Tianbao was involved in some gray industries, he had certain principles in his speech and actions.

Tang Ye said: "Although I don't know you very well, I can tell that you are a person with courage and principles. I believe you did not commit any improper acts against Dong Weiqing's wife. But her accusation against you at the time really makes one feel that it is suspicious."

Dong Tianbao said coldly: "This woman is no good. Her reputation was already bad, and her relationship with Dong Weiqing had long since deteriorated, even reaching the point of divorce."

Tang Ye said softly: "Secretary Zhou's research itinerary was internally confidential. How could they have known the specific route? I am afraid there is some hidden story here!"

A look of surprise appeared in Dong Tianbao's eyes: "You mean, someone deliberately led me into a trap?"

Tang Ye finally sorted out the matter, his eyes lit up, and he added: "It's not just targeting you; it's also sowing discord to make us form a confrontation!"