Chapter 88: Wei Jian's Arm!

The red desk phone rang with a jingle, and Tang Ye prepared to take his leave.

"Secretary, if there is nothing else, I will head out first."

Du Chengfeng waved a hand at him, signaling him not to be in such a rush to leave.

Right in front of Tang Ye.

Du Chengfeng answered the phone.

"County Magistrate Wei, is your work in Yanjing going smoothly?"

Tang Ye pricked up his ears.

To see how the Party Secretary and the second-in-command maneuvered...

It was just like in a fantasy novel, where top experts sparred; one could not only watch the spectacle but also learn the techniques.

To study how both sides launched and parried attacks, and to learn the art of language.

On the other end of the line, Wei Jian was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Before the Spring Festival, he had traveled to Yanjing as usual to visit leaders of important departments, preparing for the work of the coming year.

He never expected that Du Chengfeng would draw his sword against him at this moment.

"Comrade Chengfeng, I heard that Zhu Ming has been arrested. Is there some misunderstanding? I have worked with Zhu Ming for many years, and I know him very well; he is conscientious and responsible, and he would not commit any principled errors. If it is just a minor issue, wait until I return to understand the situation before we study how to handle it. The New Year is almost here; everyone should be harmonious."

"County Magistrate Wei, the issues regarding Zhu Ming are more serious than you imagine; he is not only suspected of economic problems but also suspected of criminal offenses."

"Criminal offenses?"

It was unclear whether Wei Jian knew the truth or was deliberately putting on an act.

"Secretary, the Rectification Movement was just completed a while ago, and the frequent and intensive personnel transfers have caused chaos in some departments. If problems continue to erupt, it will make the higher-ups think that the two of us have conflicts and that the leadership team is unstable. You are the Class Monitor, and I am the deputy; neither of us will be able to escape the blame!"

Du Chengfeng tapped his fingers on the desk, his tone grave, "The Rectification Movement is not just a passing breeze; cadre conduct issues must be grasped constantly and unremittingly. Comrade Wei Jian, I know what you are worried about; if the higher-ups hold someone accountable, you can push it directly onto me."

Wei Jian was trembling with rage and dropped a harsh threat, "I will report the truth to Mayor Jingyu..."

Du Chengfeng said calmly, "I believe Mayor Jingyu will not tolerate those who use the guise of investment promotion to commit evil. Some government officials are in cahoots with merchants, acting as accomplices to tigers, making Tianling County a foul mess. If there is nothing else, I am hanging up."

Hearing the busy signal from the other end, Wei Jian slumped helplessly on the sofa.

If it had been anyone else who got into trouble, it would not have had much impact on Wei Jian.

Zhu Ming was the Director of the County Government Office, one of Wei Jian's arms.

From the small things like the tissues on his desk to the big things like who he ate or played cards with, Zhu Ming knew everything clearly.

Wei Jian adjusted himself, cleared his thoughts, and dialed Guo Chuan.

"I heard Zhu Ming was arrested. You must use every possible means to meet with Zhu Ming and tell him not to talk nonsense. As long as he holds firm, everything will be fine."

Guo Chuan's expression was uncertain, and after a long while, he said helplessly, "County Magistrate Wei, the one surnamed Wan has made thorough arrangements and used all his own people. Without his permission, no one is allowed to visit. I was blocked by him; I have no chance to see Zhu Ming at all."

Wei Jian slapped the coffee table in anger, "Guo Chuan, are you a pig? You have to find a way. No matter how you do it, you must pass on my words. At worst, just have a fight with the one surnamed Wan; how big of a deal can it be? Don't play tricks with me; the problem has blown up. No one will end up well!"

Although Zhu Ming was only a Section-level Cadre, when the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected; quite a few people were involved.

Some leaders in the city called Du Chengfeng, putting invisible pressure on him through side-handed remarks.

Tang Ye clearly realized how much backlash one had to endure for violating the rules in the game of power.

But, the arrow was on the string and had to be fired.

Tang Ye arrived at the County Public Security Bureau again.

Wan Ming said with a smile, "Zhu Ming's wife, Wu Yun, has come. From her, we have learned quite a bit."

"Let's hear it!"

A few minutes later, Tang Ye learned from Wan Ming about the relationship between Wu Yun and Wei Jian.

He sighed, "I still underestimated the complexity of the matter."

Inside the Interrogation Room.

Seeing Tang Ye again, Zhu Ming cursed, "You bastard, you've pinned so many groundless charges on me. Don't think you can take me down. In a few days, you will still have to let me go. When County Magistrate Wei returns, your time as a shitty Deputy Town Mayor will be over. To think you dare to persecute a public official; you really think your reach is so long that no one can deal with you?"

Tang Ye remained calm and waved his hand at the two police officers.

After the officers left, he took out a Zhonghua cigarette, pulled one out, and pushed it over.

Then he pulled out a cigarette for himself, lit it, and pushed the lighter over as well.

"Director Zhu, you are a smart man. Wan Ming and I are both small fries; could we pull off a setup like this? Let me give you the bottom line: in this storm, you and I are both small fish and shrimp. It's just that we chose you as the breakthrough point. If you confess honestly now, you might still be saved. Otherwise, you are completely finished."

Zhu Ming looked at Tang Ye sideways, "I don't understand what you mean by small fish and shrimp."

Tang Ye frowned and took a few puffs of his cigarette, his expression becoming extremely serious, his gaze like a blade, "To tell you the truth, your wife is much more loyal than you are. To protect you, she came to us. She took everything upon herself. You've had it tough all these years; to satisfy Wei Jian's perverted needs, you were willing to be a cuckold."

Zhu Ming's expression shifted from anger to panic, and finally, he hung his head, staring at the desk with dull eyes, and said through gritted teeth, "She's crazy, don't believe her."

Tang Ye felt Zhu Ming's resolve wavering and pressed the attack.

"Wu Yun had relations with Wei Jian under duress. After you found out, you grabbed a knife and wanted to find Wei Jian to fight him to the death. But fearing the matter would blow up, Wu Yun knelt down and begged you. To appease you, Wei Jian transferred you up from the township and then gave you all sorts of resources.

After getting a taste of the benefits, you became greedy; you not only tacitly allowed Wei Jian to meet with Wu Yun in private but also secretly took photos. Once, after getting drunk, you mentioned this to Wu Yun and showed her the photos. Wei Jian probably doesn't know about this, right?

If Wei Jian knew you kept an ace up your sleeve, what would he think? You covered up everything for him; will he appreciate it? Old Zhu, think clearly, who wants you dead the most! You will spend at least five years in prison. Does it feel good knowing someone else is holding your wife and having a good time?"

"Shut your mouth!"

Zhu Ming clenched his fists and stood up.

Tang Ye organized his words, preparing to continue rubbing salt into his wounds.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Ming sat down dejectedly and slapped his own face hard.

A moment later, a self-deprecating look appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"That's right, I am indeed a big cuckold! I dream of him dying early, but I can't bear to let go of the satisfaction brought by fame and wealth. To outsiders, I am his loyal dog. But every time I made an excessive demand, even if he was in a difficult spot, he would satisfy me. I just liked watching him act tough while being weak, being blackmailed by me; it was so interesting. I can give you the stuff. But you have to agree to one request."

Tang Ye felt a surge of joy, but asked expressionlessly, "What request?"

"Although my marriage with Wu Yun is a sham, she is the mother of my child. Don't give her a hard time. I have a lot of dirt on that bastard, but it's hidden very well; no one knows about it except me. That evidence is enough to strip that bastard of everything and keep him in prison for life!"

After his breakdown, Zhu Ming was still able to think about shielding his wife from disaster.

Tang Ye was quite surprised.

He thought to himself, there is still a trace of humanity left in his twisted soul.

Tang Ye pondered for a moment, "I cannot make the decision on this matter; I must report it to my superiors."

"I will wait for you." Zhu Ming could not hide his look of apprehension.

A moment later, Tang Ye returned to the Interrogation Room.

"According to the evidence we have now, Wu Yun will have to serve three to five years in prison; if you cooperate with us, we can help her strive for a suspended sentence."

Zhu Ming no longer had any reservations, "I have waited for so many years, and finally found an opportunity. Heh, that bastard probably never imagined that I would choose to perish together with him! Hahahaha..."

Tang Ye thought to himself, this guy has been completely driven mad.

"You can speak now, where is the stuff!"

"The photos and other evidence of misconduct are hidden at my old home in the countryside, placed inside my grandfather's urn..."