Chapter 498: The Hideous Evil of Human Nature Can Reach Such Extremes

"Gao Haisheng, how's the situation? Not serious, right?"

"I've been trying to call you nonstop, can't get through, I'm dying of worry; I just contacted the Hospital and learned you were shot in the abdomen."

"I originally said I'd come to the Hospital to see you, but I was summoned to the city for something."

Gao Haisheng gritted his teeth and said, "Ah, it's fine, manageable; just a gunshot to the abdomen, the steel ball inside was removed. Any instructions?"

Bai Yutang said, "What instructions? When do brothers like us need to be so formal? I'm calling mainly to ask about your condition, see if you need any help from me. As for the other matter, the city leaders are also taking it seriously."

"I expect the Public Security Bureau will investigate, which makes things more troublesome, because you know Su Yang's background. As for Xiang Donglai, he is the Director of the Police Substation, and I've heard he has a good relationship with Bureau Chief Lan."

"So originally it was their shooting at you; if things go wrong they'll twist the facts, so you need to be mentally prepared and remember to say that Su Yang shot you with a hunting rifle."

"Remember, say it like that and we can turn the situation around; otherwise your gun will have been for nothing, understand?"

Those words left Su Yang, Bureau Chief Lan and several others stunned; what is this? How did it become Su Yang's gun? Su Yang never said that.

"Bai Yutang, you mean this was Su Yang's gun? That's not right; Su Yang used a pistol, not a hunting rifle."

Gao Haisheng voiced everyone's doubts.

"Look at you, Gao Haisheng, so simple‑minded, right? Su Yang doesn't have a hunting rifle, but Lao Wangtou does. Imagine: Lao Wangtou went up the mountain to look for animal traps, accidentally left the hunting rifle there; Su Yang and Xiang Donglai saw it, Su Yang picked up the rifle and went hunting."

"Then you heard the gunfire, ran up to stop them, saying it was dangerous and could hurt innocents. After you went up the mountain you told Su Yang about it, trying to get him to abandon the risky behavior."

"But he not only didn't listen, he shot you."

"Then, to cover up his crime, he even kicked the wounded you, trying to make it look like you accidentally fell off the mountain."

Su Yang heard this explanation and was completely stunned; even Bureau Chief Lan, who came from criminal investigation, was amazed. He has seen countless crime methods and many wrongful cases, but has never encountered such a reversal of truth.

Not to mention the two of them, even Gao Haisheng was baffled; after a long pause he said, "Can this work?"

"Even if I say that, this also involves Lao Wangtou, and in fact it was Lao Wangtou who shot me."

Bai Yutang chuckled and said, "I've already taken care of Lao Wangtou's side; just rest assured."

"Don't be fooled by his age; he's still afraid of prison and fines. We've got a firm grip on his leverage; just say it exactly as I tell you."

"I guess the Public Security Bureau and even the Discipline Inspection Commission will come looking for you tonight or tomorrow."

"Remember, if you bite the bullet, then you can clear the suspicion that you went up the mountain to throw stones at Su Yang."

Gao Haisheng widened his eyes and asked, "Can this work? If it's exposed and the truth uncovered, that's an extra charge!"

Bai Yutang retorted, "Then tell me, why were you on the mountain? What were you doing there? You can only say you heard the gunshots, ran up to stop Su Yang and Xiang Donglai from firing recklessly, which led to the subsequent events. That way it all makes sense, understand?"

Gao Haisheng said, "I get it, I get it."

"I didn't expect that you, Bai Yutang, had thought this through. I was just staying in the tent, hadn't planned to go up the mountain; it was your words that made me go up. After I slipped and fell, I thought my life was over, because these things couldn't stand investigation."

"Moreover, although I caused this, the idea came from you. I was thinking of asking you how to get through this, but after hearing your explanation I was enlightened."

"What kind of person is Bai Yutang? Hearing Gao Haisheng's intention to drag him into trouble, I mentally cursed Gao Haisheng's ancestors, then said, 'I tell you, Gao Haisheng, we must be decent; if Su Yang wants to restrain you, I'm the one giving you a chance for revenge.'"

"Think about it: you were just reassigned as a forest ranger after a penalty; if you get another penalty, can you still be a ranger? With Su Yang's connections in the county, you might end up dismissed from public office. We're doing this for your own good."

"Rest assured, as long as you can hold steady, my part is almost done. I expect the city will intervene in the next couple of days, appoint me as Township Party Committee Secretary, and once I'm in that role I'll recommend you for Township Head."

"Moreover, with your report exposing Su Yang this time, plus your brave act of stopping the illegal hunting, I'm sure the higher‑ups will agree."

Even at this point, Bai Yutang was still painting a rosy picture.

Gao Haisheng isn't a pushover; if it weren't for Bureau Chief Lan and Su Yang's questioning, he might have believed it, but now he knows he'll definitely face further punishment, so he can't let Bai Yutang get away with it.

It's time to drag Bai Yutang down completely; he bluntly said, "Then I thank Secretary Bai, but Secretary Bai, you have to keep your word; you know Su Yang is still in the public notice period—should we just say remove him?"

"Also, regarding our township's situation, I think even if the two of us go up, Xiushui Xiang will still be this Messy Situation, and the county leaders may not be satisfied."

Bai Yutang said, "Didn't I tell you before? Let that idiot Su Yang go handle the development project for Xiushui Mountain, preferably get that road built for us, and add two poverty‑alleviation projects."

"Once he finishes those tasks, we'll kick him out and harvest the fruits ourselves."

"Don't think he has backing; he's just a freeloader. I heard he often goes to County Chief Zhou and Secretary Fang, and someone like that dares to come to our Xiushui Xiang; I'd crush him like an ant."

"Oh, right, after all that I almost forgot the main point: the words I just said, don't tell the Public Security Bureau or the Discipline Inspection Commission."

"Anyway, now that you've had surgery and are weak, you can refuse to answer any questions."

"I need to use this chance; after Su Yang settles these matters, you should tell the people here and the Public Security Bureau what happened, and at that time demand that the city leaders be present."

"The reason is fear that Su Yang has connections in the county, and you might face retaliation later. Got it?"