Chapter 979: The matter itself has no right or wrong; it all depends on who is on stage

Su Yang stared at Yao Daya, saying nothing for a long time.

Yao Daya said, "Are you disappointed or angry? Or perhaps both."

I admit your courage, methods, and background are stronger than any young cadre I've seen, and they're not even on the same level as you.

These I am far inferior to you in, but there is one point where I am stronger than you: I have seen and heard more than you. Take this matter, for example—you can't understand it at once, because you truly love the Party, the country, and the common people, so you think such a thing is an infringement on collective interests, a betrayal of the organization.

"Actually, you can ask me: where is there no such huge interest chain? Otherwise, you think those cadres in underdeveloped areas live on what? Their big houses, their food and clothing—where does that come from?"

"That little salary is enough for the family to get by. Isn't there a saying within the system? Power shouldn't expire and go to waste."

"Not to mention the county leaders, even township-level cadres have their ways of making money, because there's no clear definition—it's basically skirting the edge. Sometimes these people even regard it as a regular side job."

"Why say that? Take sand mining, for example—if you want it legal, you just need a permit. What kind of permit can't such a group obtain? Why not get one? Because in this area, if that group says it's legal, then it is legal."

"Now it suddenly becomes illegal, called an unlawful act—that's another group stepping up to defend public interest, to uphold the righteous path. In reality, it's just a huge makeshift troupe; whoever takes the stage calls the shots."

"If you didn't have such a strong background, with no one above looking out for you, you might never know about these things—and even if you did, it would still be legal."

"If you dare to investigate, you'll surely be slapped with the charge of destroying the local political ecology, then they'll find any excuse—you'll either be forced out or end up like me."

"Of course, only meeting you would make me lay this all out; as for anyone else trying to meddle in this, that's foolish behavior—ultimately either they'll be locked up or driven far away."

"I'll tell you in the plainest terms: anywhere, on any matter, aside from crimes clearly defined by law, it's whoever has authority who decides. It's just sand mining—what's really wrong with it?"

"This Sha He is our town's Sha He; when our common people can't get by, they gather a little sand to exchange for living expenses—is that wrong? If they privately mine it themselves, it's 100% illegal, but if the town government participates, if county leaders participate, then it's reasonable and compliant."

"The character 'official' has two mouths; forever it's the upper one that decides. You are a genuine official who serves the people, values collective interests above all, and wants to lead everyone to develop and get rich."

"With someone like you in Lieshan Xian, the common people can indeed live well—but if this matter delays your prospects, delays the common people's lives of eating well, dressing well, escaping poverty and becoming wealthy, is it worth it for you?"

Su Yang let out a long sigh, then spoke firmly: "You're quite right; perhaps every place has such things, or perhaps this is a secret infringement on collective property that isn't made public."

"As long as nothing happens, you're fine, I'm fine, everyone's fine—but here something did happen, and some people shouldn't use it as a tool or means of political struggle. I can't tolerate sand in my eyes; otherwise I wouldn't have earned the infamous title of 'officialdom killer'."

Yao Daya said, "Good, I hope you can hold to your original aspiration, I hope you can overcome all difficulties and rise to a higher leadership post—people like you are what the organization needs, and what the common people need."

Su Yang tossed the few cigarettes he carried to Yao Daya: "I'll do my best to keep my promise to you; today I have other matters, so I won't chat further."

Saying that, Su Yang turned and walked outside, breathed a mouthful of fresh air, then looked up at the blue sky and white clouds and thought for a long time.

Perhaps some things originally had no right or wrong; it's only after vested interests intervene that this legal definition arises. The world is just a huge makeshift troupe, and he agrees with that.

But some things, once done, are done; wrong is wrong, responsibility must be taken, consequences must be borne—there's no free lunch in this world. For Su Yang, this matter cannot be ignored; he's merely waiting for a reasonable time.

At the same time, Qi Guohui, in the hospital, received the news of his punishment and that it would be announced citywide; he was completely dumbfounded on the spot.

This time, in the high-stakes wrangling of the County Party Standing Committee, his sense of participation was low—it was originally just a matter between Zhang Jiangbo and Su Yang; he wanted to watch Su Yang get crushed, but he didn't expect that not only would he be dragged in, he'd ultimately become the one punished.

He immediately slapped the TV in the fancy ward and roared, "This is damn unfair—I, as the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, can't even control the Public Security Bureau, yet the punishment landed on my head—isn't it because of the Public Security Bureau's problem?"

The one who came to the hospital to see him today was Bao Shuang; of course, the handling documents from above were also brought by Bao Shuang.

Bao Shuang said, "Old Qi, don't be so angry—don't even mention yourself; even Secretary Zhang this time in the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee was rebuked, his proposal to punish Su Yang and Public Security Bureau Director Sun Chengjun didn't pass."

"Moreover, Sun Chengjun was wildly liked by the Organization Department Head Lu Zhi Xin, and Su Yang was even said to be the model image of a people's public servant with responsibility, dedication, and ambition—he almost got a commendation."

"As for Sun Chengjun, he was also praised by the leaders. Moreover, Secretary Zhang originally wanted to replace the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Hou Junlai; that way, Su Yang would be stripped of his left and right arms in our county, lacking the Discipline Inspection Commission's support, and Su Yang would be nothing more than a toothless tiger."

"But what was the result? Not only did they not kick Hou Junlai out, they even had Department Head Lu rebuke Secretary Zhang to his face using the organization's personnel principles and several clauses."

Qi Guohui said, "That shouldn't be—even if there's an Organization Department Head in the city, plus a Mayor Wang, they're backing Su Yang; didn't Secretary Zhao show any support?"

"Would Secretary Zhao just watch the mayor and the Organization Department Head get together? At this point, if Secretary Zhang even slightly showed a tendency to lean toward Secretary Zhao, wouldn't Secretary Zhao give him face?"

Bao Shuang said, "You're still blaming Secretary Zhang—I'll tell you many things aren't what we imagined; for this matter, for some unknown reason, Secretary Zhao gave strong support to Su Yang."

"So now, in the short term, we must not only prevent Su Yang from having any problems at all, but also fully cooperate with Su Yang to investigate the truth of those people on the construction site related to the case. Initially we wanted to toss this hot potato to Su Yang, like a shackle around his neck; now it's fine—the initiative is in their hands."