Chapter 873: It Can't End Like This!

Qiao Lin looked at Zhang Tongshan's punchable expression, his teeth itching with hatred.

But the text message Zhang Tongshan had just sent made him feel quite apprehensive deep down.

If the things mentioned in that message were truly exposed!

He would certainly be ruined!

Qiao Lin regretted it immensely at this moment.

He had never expected Zhang Tongshan to be so cunning, holding his fatal weakness in a death grip.

Qiao Lin picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp, preparing to speak.

Zhang Tongshan, however, shook his head: "Not enough, Director Qiao. You must drink exactly as much as I just did."

A flash of anger crossed Qiao Lin's eyes, and he thought to himself: This kid Zhang Tongshan, is he trying to push his luck?

But once he remembered the text message Zhang Tongshan had sent, his reason ultimately overcame his rage!

Qiao Lin picked up the wine pot, filled his glass, tilted his head back, and downed the wine in the pot in one go.

Zhang Tongshan stood up with a smile, reached out to hook his arm around Qiao Lin's neck, and draped his shoulder over him.

"Director Qiao, let's speak plainly; don't play those fake, bureaucratic games with me.

I'm a rough man; I don't understand them.

My rule for making friends is: whoever tries to act arrogant in front of me, I'll slap them;

whoever shows me loyalty, I will surely treat them with sincerity and share in their fortunes."

Qiao Lin hurriedly offered a fawning smile: "That was my fault just now. As for what was mentioned in the text message..."

Zhang Tongshan suddenly burst into laughter: "Don't worry, as long as we two brothers are in the same boat, absolutely no one will ever know about those things. Tell me, what important matter did you have for coming to see me today!"

"Manager Zhang, you should have received the news too, right? When the City Leader was inspecting the Anthracite Project today, some commoners suddenly came to block the gate. The scene was a mess, and the consequences were severe. Now the county has issued an order to strictly investigate this matter."

Zhang Tongshan frowned: "Director Qiao, our company has always done things by the rules and followed procedures. It's inevitable to encounter uncooperative masses during land requisition and demolition, so we certainly have to use some techniques and methods. I communicated these situations to you at the time."

Seeing that Zhang Tongshan did not realize the severity of the problem, Qiao Lin's tone grew heavier: "Manager Zhang, I am not arguing with you about the rights and wrongs of this matter now; I am conveying the meaning of the higher-level leaders to you. The contract we signed previously is void from this moment on, and you must hand over the people involved in the case."

Zhang Tongshan understood in an instant—this motherfucker Qiao Lin wanted to burn his bridges!

"Director Qiao, we had an agreement at the dinner table! To ensure the smooth progress of the Anthracite Project, you tacitly allowed us to use special means. How can you turn your back on us now?"

Qiao Lin suppressed the anger in his heart and said helplessly: "I didn't expect this matter to cause such a huge stir either. The City Leader already knows. Furthermore, there was no holding back when the hands were thrown; a veteran who fought in the War to Resist America and Aid Korea was beaten into critical condition and couldn't be saved in the end—if this blows up completely, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Zhang Tongshan naturally understood what Qiao Lin meant: "You mean we must withdraw from this project?"

Seeing that Zhang Tongshan had relented, Qiao Lin hurriedly followed up: "Yes, you must hand over the people quickly so we have a way to report back to the superiors. Only then can we turn a major issue into a minor one and make the minor one disappear!"

Zhang Tongshan took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a puff, his tone carrying unwillingness: "I understand. But Director Qiao, I haven't earned a single cent from this project yet!"

Qiao Lin hurriedly placated him: "As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood. You know the situation in Dayu County; there will definitely be great development ahead. As long as we handle this matter well this time, are you afraid there won't be opportunities for cooperation in the future?"

Zhang Tongshan saw it clearly—Qiao Lin was saying this because he was afraid of getting into trouble himself.

If he couldn't contain it, the leverage he held in his hands would be spilled out!

"Fine, I'll settle this. But Director Qiao, next time there's a chance to get rich, don't you dare forget about me."

Only then did Qiao Lin heave a sigh of relief: "Don't worry, just as you said, we are people in the same boat."

Zhang Tongshan patted Qiao Lin's shoulder, gave a strange laugh, and turned to leave.

Qiao Lin sat dejectedly in his seat. After a long while, because he had drunk the strong liquor, the uncomfortable feeling finally subsided slightly.

He slowly dialed Chen Qing's number. "County Magistrate Chen, I just checked with the demolition company. Someone in their company had been drinking and was too impulsive that day, which is why they raised their hands against people. That person has already gone to the police station to turn themselves in."

Chen Qing naturally heard the suspicious nature of these words but did not press further: "Fine, then let's handle it this way for now. The county still needs to establish a demolition office to avoid similar situations from happening again."

Qiao Lin hurriedly replied: "I will give strict instructions. Grassroots work is never easy, and various situations often pop up; I'll have to trouble you to worry about it."

After hanging up on Chen Qing, Qiao Lin let out another long sigh of relief.

On the surface, this matter was considered handled.

But in reality, Qiao Lin had dug a huge pit for himself.

After Xing Zhijun received the news from the Public Security Bureau that "someone had turned themselves in," he immediately dialed Tang Ye's number.

"There's progress on the Anthracite Project case. Someone voluntarily went to turn themselves in, claiming it was an individual act—they were insulted by villagers while working during the day, and after drinking at night, they lost control of their emotions and ran over to retaliate. Now the other party is proposing to settle privately with the victim's family."

Tang Ye asked: "What's the plan?"

Xing Zhijun replied: "Compensate the deceased's family two hundred thousand, and compensate the other injured people fifty thousand each."

Tang Ye's voice sank: "What is the attitude of the family?"

Xing Zhijun said: "The family's emotions are relatively stable; their demands aren't high, they just want an explanation."

Tang Ye understood Xing Zhijun's meaning instantly: "I'll report the handling results to Secretary Ou first and see what his opinion is."

Afterward, Tang Ye went to the County Party Secretary Office and told Ou Xiye the investigation situation of the case in full detail.

In front of Tang Ye, Ou Xiye made a phone call to Executive Vice Mayor Xie Zhan.

After hanging up, Ou Xiye said to Tang Ye: "Mayor Xie's meaning is to resolve the case this way. Recently, there have been land requisition conflicts in many places throughout the city; we must try our best to control public opinion and not let the matter blow up."

Tang Ye understood Ou Xiye's meaning and nodded in response: "Understood, I will handle the follow-up matters."

Knowing Tang Ye's character, Ou Xiye softly advised: "I know you must be unhappy about this, but in government work, we must prioritize stability."

Tang Ye replied: "Secretary Ou, I understand."

Remembering that Ou Xiye had the habit of taking a nap, he added: "Secretary Ou, please rest for a while. If there are any other situations, I will communicate with you in time."

Returning to his office, Tang Ye immediately dialed Xing Zhijun's phone.

"Secretary Ou has already reported to Mayor Xie, and the case is temporarily settled according to this result. However, the investigation into the demolition company cannot end just like this; we must continue to dig deeper."

Xing Zhijun was stunned for a moment, then immediately replied: "Understood!"

A helpless smile curled at the corners of Xing Zhijun's mouth.

He understood Tang Ye too well.

If the case were to end like this, then he would not be Tang Ye.

Secretary Tang appears gentle on the surface, but he cannot tolerate any sand in his eyes.

When he encounters injustice, he will see it through to the end!

Xing Zhijun did not hang up the phone, "Secretary Tang, I would like to ask for your help..."