Chapter 604: Tang Ye

The office.

Shen Mingcheng waited for the alluring Chen Xuening.

Chen Xuening took a sip of tea, brushed back her bangs, and asked, "Sun Hai has been arrested, and Tang Ye came to find you. What did he say to you?"

Shen Mingcheng sneered with disdain, "The kid finally knows what's good for him. He pleaded with me, but his approach was uncomfortable; he put on a righteous act that was extremely grating."

Chen Xuening analyzed, "Master Wang once said that clever officials will craft a persona for themselves. That makes it easier to win over the public and gain media attention. The labels Tang Ye has set for himself are 'top student,' 'young and promising,' 'focused on political achievements,' and 'incorruptible.' Every action he takes is for the sake of that persona."

Shen Mingcheng looked at Chen Xuening with a complex expression and said unhappily, "In the end, he's just a guy fishing for fame and compliments. He's a gentleman on the surface, but a villain underneath. My work in Tianling has been so passive—isn't that all thanks to him?"

In Shen Mingcheng's view, Tang Ye had siphoned off Du Chengfeng's resources, indirectly making it impossible for him to gain Du Chengfeng's full support.

Chen Xuening noticed that Shen Mingcheng's mindset toward Tang Ye was very twisted, and she lamented that a man with such a narrow mind could never achieve great things.

Of course, as per Master Wang's assessment of Shen Mingcheng, such people are easier to control.

"Has there been any progress in the investigation into Sun Hai?" Chen Xuening shifted the focus back to Sun Hai.

"Sun Hai hired a large number of social drifters, many of whom are ex-convicts. The evidence of his involvement with organized crime is ironclad. Next, as long as we uncover his illegal business dealings, the case can be closed," Shen Mingcheng said with confidence.

Chen Xuening reminded him, "Tang Ye is extremely cunning; he definitely has counter-measures."

Shen Mingcheng said confidently, "As long as we confirm Sun Hai's involvement in organized crime and illegal activities, and then dig up the relationship of collusion between him and Tang Ye, the persona Tang Ye has built will collapse in an instant. Public opinion is fickle; they don't care if Sun Hai is truly involved in organized crime or if he and Tang Ye are colluding. Subconsciously, people will believe that this is the truth of the world."

A flash of cunning crossed Chen Xuening's eyes, "I will arrange some promotional resources, and when the timing is right, I will spread this matter further."

A look of triumph appeared in Shen Mingcheng's eyes, "By then, Tang Ye will become a rat crossing the street, and as for his father-in-law, he will also pay the price for this."

In Shen Mingcheng's view, his plan was meticulous and foolproof.

Whether Sun Hai is guilty or not is unimportant; it is enough to make the outside world believe he is guilty.

Internet users are particularly interested in such sensational stories.

Chen Xuening slowly stood up and smiled brightly, "Then I'll prepare for the celebration."

Shen Mingcheng smiled, "Is President Chen free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Chen Xuening sensed the probing intent in Shen Mingcheng's eyes, and she gave a charming, seductive smile.

"I still have some important matters to handle tonight. Once this busy period is over, I'll play host and treat you to dinner. I won't disturb your work any longer; I'll take my leave now!"

Shen Mingcheng stood up and walked Chen Xuening to the hallway. Only after her silhouette disappeared did he withdraw the look of admiration from his eyes.

Chen Xuening had a tall figure and looked very slender, but she had curves in all the right places, her skin was fair and glowing, and she used only high-end cosmetics.

More importantly, the elegant and intellectual charm she exuded in every gesture was a rarity.

Of course!

Shen Mingcheng had his own little ulterior motives in pursuing Chen Xuening.

She was an agent for a major family; if he could advance his relationship with her, perhaps he could unlock more hidden permissions.

The trap set for Sun Hai was merely a little game Shen Mingcheng had designed.

Shen Mingcheng's attitude toward Tang Ye had always been one of contempt.

He had always believed that Tang Ye's rapid rise was entirely due to the support provided by Du Chengfeng behind the scenes.

His so-called brilliance was nothing more than a manufactured design.

All those political achievements were fed to Tang Ye by Du Chengfeng, hand-in-hand.

Shen Mingcheng was even extremely disappointed in his own father-in-law.

He had originally thought he could rely on the Xiao Family as a big tree, but he hadn't expected the Xiao Family to be completely unreliable, especially after his father fell seriously ill; Xiao Guangyi had become increasingly cold toward him.

There was another reason why Shen Mingcheng wanted to use Sun Hai to deal a devastating blow to Tang Ye: he had Master Wang and Chen Xuening behind him.

Shen Mingcheng had already witnessed Master Wang's network of resources.

He could silently help him resolve conflicts into nothingness.

He could also easily help him secure political achievements.

Tang Ye had actually dared to strike a fatal blow against Wang Guopeng, causing significant losses to their industries and even cutting off a source of wealth.

Shen Mingcheng's sudden strike against Tang Ye was also in coordination with the revenge they were carrying out against him.

The landline rang. Shen Mingcheng glanced at the number and answered impatiently.

"County Magistrate Guo, is there something?"

"Secretary Shen, are you free now? I'd like to talk to you about something in person." Guo Zhengting's tone carried a sense of gravity.

"Hmm, come over then! I'll wait for you in my office."

A moment later, Guo Zhengting knocked on the door.

Shen Mingcheng called out for him to enter.

"County Magistrate Guo, please sit, have some tea."

Guo Zhengting took the tea from the Liaison Officer, and after the Liaison Officer left, he said to Shen Mingcheng, "Secretary Shen, I heard the County Public Security Bureau has arrested Sun Hai?"

Shen Mingcheng showed a look of helplessness, "Yes, Sun Hai is considered a rather famous entrepreneur in our county. Who would have thought he was two-faced? He does charity on the surface, but acts as a gang boss in the shadows, gathering a group of thugs around him who are usually up to no good. Both the provincial and municipal levels are hoping for a typical case in the crackdown on organized crime. Since it's just in time for the Spring Festival, the County Public Security Bureau arresting him can be seen as making an example of him, serving to clear up the social atmosphere."

Guo Zhengting did not quite agree with Shen Mingcheng's words, "The investigation into Sun Hai by the Public Security side hasn't ended yet, so we can't just define his character so casually, right?"

Shen Mingcheng glanced at Guo Zhengting indifferently, "County Magistrate Guo, are you perhaps trying to plead for Sun Hai?"

Guo Zhengting felt extremely repulsed by Shen Mingcheng's attitude.

When Du Chengfeng served as County Party Secretary, he had never spoken to him like that; his tone was filled with arrogance at every turn.

However, Guo Zhengting analyzed that this was because Shen Mingcheng lacked confidence.

He knew that his current actions could not convince the public, which was why he deliberately tried to project the strength of a County Party Secretary everywhere.

"Secretary Shen, you've misunderstood. If Sun Hai has issues, I absolutely support handling him strictly. But if he has no issues, we cannot fabricate unjust cases. Sun Hai is a CPPCC Member; if he runs into trouble, it will bring about many negative effects." Guo Zhengting's way of speaking was quite mature.

Shen Mingcheng took a deep breath, "We cannot be hesitant just because Sun Hai has the status of a CPPCC Member. On the contrary, so what if he is a CPPCC Member? If he is suspected of violating discipline or the law, we must investigate him thoroughly to give the common people a satisfactory answer."

Guo Zhengting took out the ledger that Tang Ye had given him.

"Secretary Shen, this is an account book I received today. Inside, it records evidence of quite a few officials accepting bribes. Among them are several cadres you promoted this year. Based on what I understand, a Project Manager at Haichen Transportation Engineering Company did these things behind the company's back in order to secure a project."

A look of surprise appeared in Shen Mingcheng's eyes, and he immediately realized what was happening.

To view the current situation as a game of chess!

The other party is trying to force an exchange of pieces with him!