Chapter 646: Taking Too Large a Step?

Gao Hong sat before his desk, smoking several cigarettes in a row, silently waiting for news from the conference room.

The Liaison Officer walked in and reported with a strange expression: "County Magistrate Tang has had the police arrest Zhang Shun and the employee representatives."

Gao Hong stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray and frowned: "Isn't this just reckless?"

Then his expression darkened, and he fell into deep thought.

Tang Ye was not the type of person to act rashly; if he dared to make arrests so easily, he must have had a backup plan.

Gao Hong frowned again; he had always held reservations regarding the issue of revitalizing state-owned assets.

As for Ren Zilong inciting the Water Pump Factory employees to frequently come to the Government to cause trouble, Gao Hong had always turned a blind eye; he simply wanted to create some trouble for Tang Ye.

Behind every piece of state-owned asset lay a complex web of tangled interests.

By doing this, Tang Ye was stoking the fires of public outrage.

Gao Hong actually agreed with Tang Ye's goal of injecting vitality into Suiyuan's development through reform.

But he felt that Tang Ye had taken too large a step in this matter.

Therefore, he simply wanted to let Tang Ye experience for himself what consequences would follow from cutting off someone's livelihood.

Gao Hong picked up the landline and dialed Ren Zilong's mobile number.

Seeing that it was a call from Gao Hong, Ren Zilong's tone immediately became exceptionally polite: "County Magistrate Gao, do you have any instructions?"

Gao Hong said in a deep tone: "I have some bad news for you: Zhang Shun and two negotiation representatives have been arrested."

Ren Zilong was startled: "County Magistrate Gao, there must be a reason for making arrests!"

Gao Hong said: "The order was given by Tang Ye. I don't know the specific reasons yet, but based on my understanding of him, he is prepared for everything he does. I suggest you prepare in advance."

"This Tang Ye is truly detestable. County Magistrate Gao, if he does this, don't blame me for blowing things out of proportion."

Gao Hong said displeasedly, "Old Ren, consider the consequences of your words and actions. If you really blow things out of proportion, you won't come out of it well either!"

"Understood. I will be careful!"

Ren Zilong took a deep breath; could it be that because he hadn't gone to see Tang Ye, Tang Ye was holding a grudge and had made this decision out of anger?

After hanging up on Ren Zilong, Gao Hong rubbed his temples.

When news previously broke that Tang Ye had been recommended to participate in the Cadre Exchange Program with Shaan Province, he had been eager for Tang Ye to leave quickly so that he could breathe a sigh of relief.

But later he heard that this recommendation had been vetoed by a leader in the province. This left Gao Hong feeling both a bit regretful and inexplicably happy—regretful that he still had to work with Tang Ye, and happy that Tang Ye had lost an excellent path for promotion.

Gao Hong thought for a moment and dialed Tang Ye's number.

"Executive Tang, I heard you had the Water Pump Factory's employee representatives arrested; isn't that too impulsive?"

Tang Ye received Gao Hong's call and frowned: "County Magistrate Gao, are you in your office?"

Gao Hong said: "I am."

Tang Ye said: "I am coming over now to report to you regarding the issue of the Water Pump Factory."

Gao Hong was stunned for a moment: "Come on over."

A moment later, the office door was knocked upon.

Gao Hong called out, "Come in."

Tang Ye pushed the door open and entered, holding a document in his hand.

Gao Hong asked calmly: "I heard you had Zhang Shun and the others arrested?"

Tang Ye nodded and said: "Yes, because Zhang Shun took the lead in inciting the crowd's emotions."

Gao Hong frowned: "Forcibly making arrests will likely cause negative effects."

Tang Ye placed the document by Gao Hong's hand and said softly: "County Magistrate Gao, this is the information I had collected; it all relates to the Water Pump Factory's office building. Currently, only one floor of the Water Pump Factory's office building is in use, and the original production equipment has been sold off one after another. As for the vacated factory buildings, they were all privately leased out by Zhang Shun. And the rental fees did not enter the Water Pump Factory's account, but instead flowed into private pockets. This is also why he frequently brought people to petition the Government as soon as he learned the Water Pump Factory's office building was to be sold."

Gao Hong picked up the document and studied it carefully, only then understanding why Tang Ye dared to make the arrests so decisively.

The evidence was conclusive; it contained photos, contracts, and detailed income records, with every item written out clearly.

Gao Hong stroked his chin and mused: "If the matter is true, Zhang Shun certainly deserves to be arrested."

Tang Ye continued: "The Water Pump Factory's Factory Director, Ren Zilong, also has major problems."

A flash of surprise crossed Gao Hong's eyes.

Just as expected!

Tang Ye was going to make a move against Ren Zilong.

The problems at the Water Pump Factory had dragged on for too long; Tang Ye hadn't dealt with them before because he was secretly collecting evidence.

Now that the evidence was sufficient, there was naturally no need to drag things out any longer, and he had begun his move directly.

Gao Hong had originally wanted to put in a good word for Ren Zilong, but in the end, he swallowed his words.

He suddenly realized with surprise that his own state of mind was now somewhat subtle.

Faced with Tang Ye's assertiveness, he seemed to have no countermeasures left.

As County Magistrate, facing an aggressive Executive Deputy County Magistrate, he was already at an absolute disadvantage.

This time, he still chose to endure and concede.

"Fine, then handle it according to your wishes," Gao Hong said expressionlessly.

Gao Hong's attitude had long been within Tang Ye's expectations.

This did not make Tang Ye feel the slightest bit excited; instead, it gave rise to an inexplicable sorrow.

Returning to his office, Tang Ye dialed Wan Ming's number.

"Did you find Ren Zilong?"

Wan Ming curled his lip, "I've been keeping an eye on Ren Zilong! He's at his own private factory."

A cold look appeared in Tang Ye's eyes, "Start closing the net!"

To be honest, although Ren Zilong was quite cunning, compared to a BOSS-level figure like Xiao Zi'an, he still lacked the necessary caliber.

Tang Ye had begun collecting evidence of Ren Zilong's illegal and disciplinary violations before the New Year, so handling it now was a matter of course.

He had originally hoped to see Gao Hong put up some resistance, so that he could once again weaken Gao Hong's prestige.

He had not expected that Gao Hong would not take the bait at all!

Tang Ye felt as if he had punched a ball of cotton.

……

Clink, clink, clink—the metal lid of the lighter struck repeatedly, emitting a harsh sound!

Ren Zilong held the lighter in one hand with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, but the cigarette remained unlit.

His mood was terrible!

He had to think of a way to rescue Zhang Shun!

Should he incite the employees of the Water Pump Factory to go to the Government to petition together?

For the Government, mass incidents were the most feared.

In order to smooth things over, the Government would certainly release the person!

Suddenly, an employee pushed the door open heavily and said, out of breath, "Factory Director Ren, several police cars have arrived outside!"

Ren Zilong frowned slightly and hurriedly stood up, wanting to leave through the back door of the factory area.

He had just opened that hidden iron door.

He suddenly discovered that a police car was already blocking the exit.

A Police officer lunged directly at Ren Zilong and pinned him hard to the ground.

"Ren Zilong, you better behave yourself. You are under arrest!"