Chapter 1098: with translation of chapter title

Su Yang said nothing, but stared coldly at Huang Beidou.

He heard Huang Beidou continue, "The incident last night involved some misunderstandings."

"First, I must state that our hotel is the only four‑star government guesthouse in the county, so such a mess could not have happened."

"As for the woman last night, she was a proper hostess; because you were staying in an executive suite, she assumed the boss of an executive suite must be rich, and slipped to the front desk at midnight to steal a spare key card and get in."

"Regarding the anti‑prostitution raid, we don't know whether it was a public report, and we don't concern ourselves with the petty matters of the Public Security Brigade. So, Secretary Su, please lift your hand graciously and give each other some dignity."

It truly surprised Su Yang; he had seen arrogance before, but never this level of arrogance. It was tantamount to a self‑incrimination, and the speech was riddled with holes.

Leaving other issues aside, the fact that a hostess could obtain a front‑desk key card is problematic; such a thing is absolutely impossible.

Moreover, this so‑called general manager showed up early in the morning, apparently hoping to also pin the Public Security Brigade staff from last night, with the aim of telling Su Yang that the matter ended here.

But Su Yang still said nothing, staring fixedly at the so‑called President Huang.

"I have already sent people from the Public Security Bureau to investigate this matter; whether it turns out that way is not up to you. My office isn't a place anyone can just walk into. Will you go out yourself, or shall I call security to escort you out?"

Huang Beidou's face suddenly turned angry: The Huang family's three‑point‑one‑acre plot in Liucheng—when did it become so fiery? As soon as anyone hears the big name Huang, everyone in this building has to lower their heads and smile apologetically; Su Yang seems to have swallowed a lion's daring.

But on second thought, the other party is the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee; he can't just be as hard‑headed as a hotheaded youth.

Thinking that, he said, "Fine, very well, we have plenty of time ahead."

He said that and hurried away. However, as he left, two bulging envelopes slipped from his jacket pocket and fell into the doorway the instant the door closed.

Su Yang naturally saw it, but he didn't chase after him; instead he picked up the envelopes and glanced inside. Inside were stacks of thick American dollars.

Sure enough, it was the coal boss—so generous. Many places give money, but handing over US dollars directly is rare. At this thickness, it's at least $20,000. Su Yang tossed them straight into a drawer.

It's not just that this group has many tricks—clumsy, clever, all sorts of variations—and one wonders what act they'll stage next. Su Yang felt a faint sense of anticipation.

As long as the other side keeps making moves, there's a chance to catch a flaw and strike a killing blow.

Huang Beidou didn't leave directly; he went upstairs into Pan Wenhai's office.

When Pan Wenhai saw Huang Beidou enter, he wore a broad smile and said, "President Huang, why did you come in person? Couldn't you just call about whatever it is?"

Huang Beidou said coldly, "Pan Wenhai, I think you, the County Party Secretary, have reached your limit. Last night my brother attended your banquet; you not only failed to arrange it properly but also left my brother fuming."

"You said you'd save face, so what happened? When you were doing the morning exercises, you were messing around there, and people ignored you, going straight upstairs."

Pan Wenhai's face flushed red and then turned pale, because he was still angry about the matter. He also hadn't expected Su Yang to be someone who wouldn't be swayed either way; the key was that Su Yang's boisterous style simply earned no response.

"President Huang, after all, he just arrived, and I have no suitable reason or pretext to target him directly."

"Moreover, he is also a Deputy Secretary and a transferred cadre; we don't yet know who's behind him. When the time comes, we'll sort all that out and then deal with him. As the old saying goes, those who obey can stay; those who don't, let them scram."

Huang Beidou looked at Pan Wenhai with utter contempt and said, "You only scare ordinary cadres; when you're actually asked to handle something, you start making all kinds of excuses."

"Regardless, you must sort out last night's matter and not let him cling to it. Oh, by the way, I just went to Su Yang's office and left $20,000 there when I left. No matter his attitude, even if he comes after me now to return it, I won't take it."

"Consider this leverage a gift from me; use it wisely later. Also, some troublesome locals have been causing trouble recently; I don't want them affecting our normal work. Do you understand?"

Pan Wenhai hurriedly replied, "I know, I know—it's those farmers whose land you seized without compensation. I'll have the Public Security Bureau handle that when the time comes."

Huang Beidou only then turned and left.

Pan Wenhai immediately dialed County Public Security Bureau Director Xu Jinxiu's mobile: "You must get to the bottom of last night's incident right away; later you must make it appear that the woman's actions were her own, leaving Su Yang with no foothold."

"Also, regarding the Common People of Deng Family Mountain, it's best to pacify them in advance so they don't cause any more trouble; otherwise the Great Prosperity Company won't be easy to deal with."

Su Yang wasn't idle either; he called Duan Xu over: "Over the next two days, investigate comrade Wang Ping and also go to the Hospital to find out whether his family is ill. Once you've learned it, keep it quiet; tonight the two of us will pay a visit."

At that point he thought of something: "Where did that woman go after she left my room last night? When she came up, did she talk to anyone or meet anyone?"

Duan Xu replied, "I stayed in the shadows of the hallway. When she arrived she went straight upstairs; I didn't see her interact with anyone, but after she left she wasn't taken directly back to the Public Security Bureau—instead she was released somewhere along the way."

Su Yang heard this and a smile tugged at his mouth; he had been thinking of finding an entry point, starting with the Public Security Bureau.

He needed to get the Public Security Bureau under his control as soon as possible; he hadn't expected last night's arrangement to work so well, and these people quickly handed him the leverage.

He then said outright, "Fine, fine, we'll go to the Public Security Bureau right now."

"You drive out first, circle around outside, then head to the Procuratorate."

Su Yang's arrangement was also to avoid being seen by anyone with ill intent; after Duan Xu left, he went downstairs, exited the County Party Committee compound through the back gate, hailed a car, and sped straight to the County Public Security Bureau.