Chapter 728: A Good Man Dares to Draw His Sword!

Tang Ye earnestly began to provide ideological guidance to Ma Ran.

"There are many people in this world who will mock you; even if you keep your troubles hidden and say nothing, do you think you can stop the wagging tongues of the world?

It is only human nature to have a falling out with your girlfriend.

To be honest, I actually bear some responsibility for this matter.

You have been working overtime this whole time and simply haven't had the energy to properly nurture your relationship."

Ma Ran gritted his teeth, his tone carrying a hint of agitation: "I got off work very early yesterday and went over specifically to find my girlfriend, wanting to give her a surprise.

It turned out that when I arrived, I discovered she was attending a dinner party, and she was there with Chen Dongan, Jiang Zhongwen, and the others. Halfway through the drinking, she actually started drinking cross-cupped wine with someone!

I couldn't hold back at the time and rushed in on the spot. In the end, Jiang Zhongwen called over a few thugs and beat me into the state I'm in now."

Tang Ye instantly understood what Ma Ran meant and asked quickly: "I can understand your feelings; if it were me, I probably wouldn't have been able to hold back either. What about those thugs? Were they arrested by the police?"

Ma Ran's face was full of grievance as he said in a low voice: "The Police Station didn't give me a hard time, but they didn't arrest the people who did the hitting either. Because the other side insisted that I was the one causing trouble in someone else's restaurant, and I had indeed been drinking at the time..."

Tang Ye's expression suddenly became grave.

Ma Ran had been serving as his Liaison Officer for over a month now, and everyone in the County Government Compound knew about it.

Now that Ma Ran had been beaten black and blue, to speak frankly, it was no different than hitting him in the face; there was no telling how the outside world would discuss this matter!

He then asked: "Did Chen Dongan not recognize you at the time?"

"He didn't recognize me!" Ma Ran shook his head.

"He really is blind enough." Tang Ye's tone carried a hint of mockery.

Ma Ran took the opportunity to add: "Chen Dongan relies on the fact that the college entrance exam results under his supervision have been good these past few years, so he is usually quite arrogant and doesn't even buy the face of the Deputy County Magistrate in charge. During meetings, he is even more unscrupulous, often slamming the table and cursing at people; he even dares to directly defy the superiors who manage him!"

"The nature of this is so egregious, are there no corresponding disciplinary measures?" Tang Ye pressed.

"Chen Dongan's position has always been very stable; I've heard his backer is particularly strong." Ma Ran lowered his voice.

Tang Ye understood what Ma Ran meant immediately.

The so-called "backer" was, for the most part, County Magistrate Jiang Anbang.

He continued to ask calmly: "Then how do you intend to handle this matter?"

Ma Ran sighed helplessly: "Director Qiao called me over just now and told me not to dwell on this matter anymore, and even dangled a carrot in front of me, saying he would find an opportunity to promote me in the future.

County Magistrate Tang, actually, I had already prepared myself mentally to swallow this, to break my teeth and swallow them into my stomach.

After all, if the matter blows up, it will affect you.

But since you asked, after thinking it over, I still feel aggrieved."

Ma Ran's emotional intelligence was indeed on point.

He could have completely demanded that the people who hit him last night be detained and pay him some economic compensation.

But he knew in his heart that once he did that, it would definitely cause negative public opinion in the county.

It might very well bring many troubles to Tang Ye.

Tang Ye nodded slightly and encouraged him: "A man, when encountering such things, finds it hard to control his temper; that is only natural.

Although I don't know what your relationship with your girlfriend is really like, nor do I know what specific difficulties you have encountered between you, there is one thing you must remember.

If a man wants to gain the respect of others, he must first make himself strong."

Ma Ran was silent for a long while before he raised his head and said earnestly: "County Magistrate Tang, my grievance is not just because of the breakup, but also because of another matter. Chen Dongan is using the guise of selecting a 'Model Standard Bearer' to frantically amass wealth within the education system..."

Speaking to this point, he suddenly paused and added with a slight stutter, "I am absolutely not using this opportunity to settle a private grudge!"

Tang Ye smiled and reached out to pat Ma Ran on the shoulder: "Xiao Ma, I am already very gratified that you are willing to speak your heart to me. As for this matter of Chen Dongan frantically amassing wealth, empty words are no proof; we must have evidence."

A look of astonishment appeared in Ma Ran's eyes: "County Magistrate Tang, I'm afraid you don't know much about Chen Dongan, do you? His reputation in the education system is actually quite foul..."

Tang Ye said no more and turned to walk back to his seat.

He opened his laptop, unlocked it, and beckoned to Ma Ran.

After Ma Ran leaned over and saw the file on the screen clearly, his eyes were instantly filled with shock.

He had originally thought that the activity Tang Ye proposed to select a "Model Moral Standard Bearer" was purely to select people like Jin Chunping and Wu Chunming who were steady, diligent, and had made huge contributions to the cause of education.

He had not expected that Tang Ye had intended to play a big game from the very beginning.

Through preliminary probing, Tang Ye had grasped the evidence of the illegal activities of Chen Dongan, Jiang Zhongwen, and others.

It was just that those previous illegal acts had long since been settled.

Now, suddenly digging up these old accounts for discussion would inevitably make people feel that Tang Ye was looking for trouble where there was none.

But now, Tang Ye had just happened to use this activity to cast bait, bringing those hidden problems to the surface one after another.

Ma Ran's eyes were full of admiration as he said quickly: "County Magistrate Tang, this move is truly too brilliant!"

Tang Ye patted Ma Ran's shoulder again and exhorted: "I am giving you a task; you must keep it a secret and cannot mention it to anyone."

"Please rest assured, County Magistrate Tang, I will definitely get the job done!" Ma Ran replied softly, his tone full of determination.

"Do you have any understanding of the situation of the teachers at County No. 1 Middle School?" Tang Ye said.

Ma Ran frowned, "I've heard some rumors."

Tang Ye said, "Your girlfriend is a teacher at County No. 1 Middle School; she shouldn't be unfamiliar with the situation inside. I hope you can grasp more information. It would be best if you could infiltrate the other side's camp!"

Ma Ran's eyes lit up; he understood what Tang Ye meant.

Was this asking him to be an undercover agent?

Ma Ran was stunned for a moment and said with difficulty, "County Magistrate Tang, we have already broken up."

A look of gravity appeared in Tang Ye's eyes as he walked to Ma Ran's side and pressed on his shoulder, "You two have known each other since university; you must have a foundation of affection. Don't talk about breaking up so easily. You can try to repair the relationship again; if it really doesn't work, then make a decision—that would be more prudent. Of course, if you are unwilling to accept this task, that is also fine!"

Ma Ran began to struggle internally.

He remembered everything Chen Dongan had done to him that day.

The humiliation, the verbal abuse, the condescending scrutiny!

A raging fire ignited in his heart!

A good man must dare to unsheathe his sword!

Ma Ran took a deep breath, "County Magistrate Tang, I understand what you mean. Please rest assured, I will definitely complete the mission."

A look of satisfaction appeared on Tang Ye's face, "Adjust your mindset, and make sure not to put too much pressure on yourself."