Chapter 968: The scene is fabricated

Half an hour later, Su Yang, Lao Mo, and Hou Junlai arrived at Hou Junlai's secret base one after another.

Lao Mo looked up and down, left and right, and said, "Secretary Hou, this place really is a good spot—there's food and drink, it's down-to-earth, low-key and substantive without being extravagant, and it also feels quiet; indeed it's a good place to talk things over."

Hou Junlai said, "Lao Mo, quit joking, and definitely don't look at me with a gentleman's eye; over these years I've only managed to scrape together this little bit of property, otherwise I'm afraid that after retirement I won't even have a place to drink tea and eat."

Lao Mo sighed, "You're saying that to sound distant; anyone with a bit of power, let alone your position, even a township mayor or secretary will have their own property, and each one is far more ostentatious and luxurious than you."

"That's already quite conscientious; of course you're a leader of the Discipline Inspection Commission, everything has its limits, I trust you completely. Besides, I'm just a retired public security officer living a low-key life; as long as I can get by, that's fine."

Everyone says that on the surface, but in private we all know what's really going on. After working Within the System for so many years, some have accumulated a bit of property; it's just that some have made more money through questionable means, while others are relatively clean.

But you say you want to lead a life completely untouched by power, living solely on a fixed salary and that little bonus—there's no absolute none, but it's one in a million.

Su Yang's case is just an accident—he overdrew on information, predicted the World Cup situation, and thus won 20 million at the Jingcheng Club; otherwise he'd have nothing.

If he really wanted to make money, he could only rely on his clever, good-looking, slender young aunt; otherwise he'd have to do what everyone else does—give others a little consideration in policies and projects, and get a little kickback in return. In short, it's just a power-money transaction.

After the three sat down, Hou Junlai took out a can of tea leaves and brewed tea for them, saying, "I don't have any presentable tea here, so you'll have to make do."

Su Yang said, "Your words clearly mean you don't want to bring out your good tea for us to drink, but that's fine—I anticipated this; I have this Da Hong Pao I brought back from Jingcheng this time. I'll leave this can here, so next time we come for tea you won't have to be so stingy."

Upon hearing it was Da Hong Pao brought back from Jingcheng, Hou Junlai's eyes lit up. Lao Mo might not fully understand, but he knows exactly what this tea signifies; even if Su Yang doesn't spell it out, he can figure it out—ordinary tea, Su Yang wouldn't have brought.

To Lao Mo, any tea Su Yang brings is top-notch in his mind, because the person is top-notch, so the tea should be too.

Hou Junlai laughed and said, "Look, look, all the good reputation I've built up over the years—you just ruined it with one sentence from your mouth. What do you mean by calling me stingy? Am I that kind of person? Come on, everyone, let's taste the Da Hong Pao—today we'll have plenty."

As they spoke, everyone burst into laughter again. Su Yang also rarely finds it so easy to completely relax in body and mind—only when he's with truly reliable people; otherwise his nerves remain tense.

After one round of tea, Lao Mo said, "I originally wanted to report work to County Magistrate Su, and it just so happens that some situations also need to be reported to Secretary Hou."

Hou Junlai laughed and said, "Old Mo, it's just the three of us here—don't put on official airs. Just report to County Magistrate Su; there's no need to drag me in unnecessarily. This isn't a meeting room where I'd have to be given face."

After saying that, everyone burst into laughter again.

Lao Mo said, "Really, this still involves some officials. I've been paying attention to this from the start; later Bureau Chief Sun specifically told me to conduct a covert investigation. Besides, I'm a local, so I do have some understanding of the local situation."

"Their incident wasn't accidental; before it happened, someone had seen Yao Daya. After the incident, a cousin of Yao Daya went to another city, claiming to visit relatives, but his movements are highly suspicious, and moreover the Yao family members involved this time were organized by him."

"It can be said that their actions this time were premeditated. Of course, I've already had the relevant comrades keep an eye on him behind the scenes; as soon as the situation is confirmed, we'll arrest him immediately."

"That's the gist of it; he gave a general rundown of the whole matter, which is actually similar to what Zhang Lei said earlier. The only difference is that Zhang Lei said the officials of Guantan Gou Zhen might be involved, but he didn't go deep into this issue—perhaps he himself doesn't know much about it."

Lao Mo's side investigated more clearly; he said, "Here, the Deputy Party Committee Secretary of Guantan Gou Zhen, Gao Yinxiang, and Yao Daya's cousin Yao Dahe have a very close relationship."

"After the incident, at first someone wanted to file a report, but Gao Yinxiang had people stop them, saying to handle it within the town first and not let it blow up."

"It's precisely because of his obstruction that the Yao family members were able to quickly go and beat the Miao family person to death. Besides Gao Yinxiang, their Deputy Town Mayor Yao Lichun also participated."

"Because at the time they were drinking together, Yao Lichun was also there; he already knew the woman at the center of this conflict, and moreover the place where they ate and drank this time was arranged by her."

"It's precisely because of his intervention, precisely because of his status, that the two went to shake hands and make peace. Moreover, a crucial point is that their first scene was not at the project construction site at all."

"The so-called scene of stealing things and such is merely their fabricated second scene. In fact, the two already had problems at the wine table, and while playing mahjong they were actually holding in their anger; plus, the loose liquor they drank while playing mahjong had serious issues."

"So when one person went out to use the toilet, the other also followed out on the pretext of using the toilet, which led to the person who went out first being struck on the head with an iron shovel by the one who followed out and killed."

"Then the Miao family individual ran off, but you know, the countryside is only so big—where could he go? The end result was that the Yao family blocked him outside their house and beat him to death. Only later did someone deliberately go to the scene, move things from the project, and frame the incident on the project—that is, try to push the blame onto you."

"As for that loose liquor, I've already had someone obtain a sample and sent it for testing; the result should come out as early as tomorrow."