Chapter 994: You

The phone rang once and was answered; the voice on the other end sounded very familiar.

He said, "Miao Wei, I knew you'd call me, and I've been waiting for your call. These past few years you've enjoyed what you should, eaten what you should, drunk what you should."

"What does a person strive for in a lifetime? It's either for oneself or for one's descendants."

"Ask around the whole county—no, the whole city, even the whole province—who among the town magistrates can compare with you?"

"You're just a town magistrate, yet your son can study abroad—that's over a hundred thousand dollars a year."

"Besides that, you own two properties in Modu; normally, not only someone of your rank, but even a county official would find it hard to have that much money."

"Over these years, from the dividends, you haven't missed a penny—and as the head of the Miao family, you haven't just taken your share, you've taken even more."

"You're different from Yao Daya—you're younger, educated, thoughtful, and we've given you full respect."

"Some people struggle on the poverty line their whole lives, even into their eighties or nineties, while others enjoy the pinnacle of life by their twenties or thirties; you've enjoyed half a lifetime, and your son can continue to enjoy it."

"Moreover, I can guarantee that after he finishes his studies abroad and returns, he can smoothly enter a position within the system; I believe other comrades will look favorably on your son and will do everything they can to help him advance."

"In that case, what regrets do you still have? Besides, everything I've said is factual, something we can actually do, and you can see it for yourself."

"To be frank, ever since—especially since Su Yang took office—I've had the thought that, if necessary, I'd step forward to take responsibility for many things. If it truly took one person going to jail to keep you all safe, I'd be willing to be that person."

This speech, reasoned and emotional, covering past to future, from former prosperity to future security, touched on almost everything—just shy of mentioning national righteousness. It completely blocked whatever Miao Wei wanted to say, and having gone this far, what could he possibly say?

The other side continued, "Your situation this time is indeed somewhat unexpected, but it can still be remedied. First, turn yourself in and show your attitude here."

"But you only admit that others told you about this matter; you know about it, but you didn't order it—they acted on their own. Moreover, the killing was done by Yao Changhe; I'll also tell the relevant people about it, and responsibility for a life must fall on Yao Changhe."

"For you, at most you'd lose this public post and stay inside for a year or two."

"To be honest, without Su Yang or Zhang Jiangbo, none of this would have happened; it's really their mutual maneuvering that drew these events out."

"Whether it's Su Yang or Zhang Jiangbo, neither will stay here long—especially Su Yang, who'll likely leave within a year."

"Even if Zhang Jiangbo stays a bit longer, it won't exceed two years. Once they're gone, Lieshan County will still be under our control; letting you come out early would just be a matter of going through a few extra procedures."

"Alright, I won't say more—you need to hurry and drive there yourself; don't wait for the police to come find you. Doing that would lose you both dignity and the chance for lenient handling, and even if the county Party Committee leaders wanted to speak for you, they'd find no grounds."

Miao Wei finally spoke those words with a heavy heart: "Okay, I understand. I also hope everyone will treat my family kindly. I promise that once I'm inside, I won't talk nonsense and will keep my lips sealed on this matter."

Obviously, his words carried a hint of threat, which makes sense. No matter how nicely the other side promises—thousands or tens of thousands of good things—it's still better to stay in the position of town magistrate oneself.

Of course, dividend sharing is indispensable—after all, everyone's connections in this circle are deep‑rooted. But as for the idea that he could get out in a year or two, he doesn't believe it at all; it's nowhere near that easy.

If it were in someone else's hands, perhaps he could believe it, because the influence in this circle is indeed great enough to turn big things small and small things nothing—so getting out on medical parole would be quite normal.

But now, the Public Security Bureau is under Sun Chengjun's control, the procuratorate and judiciary are wavering, and most importantly, what kind of person is Su Yang? He's seen his type before. Once Su Yang sets his sights on you, there's definitely no good outcome.

All this ultimately comes down to Yao Daya—if he hadn't openly defied Su Yang's alcohol ban, as well as the county's document spirit against extravagance and waste, and embarrassed Su Yang in front of so many people, none of these subsequent events would have happened.

Of course, some say it's all due to the rivalry between Zhang Jiangbo and Su Yang, but in his view it's entirely because Yao Daya's arrogance lit the fuse. If Yao Daya didn't get involved, none of this would happen; if he stayed out, his experience would let him control many things completely.

But now, whether he feels resentment, anger, or injustice, his only path is to rush to the Public Security Bureau as quickly as possible to explain the situation and seek lenient treatment.

He briefly told his wife, who was getting a beauty treatment in the provincial capital, then hurriedly drove toward the county.

His car had just left the Town Government compound when he saw a police car tailing him.

He couldn't help wiping his sweat, thinking that this Public Security Bureau is completely different from before—its swift, decisive style is entirely Su Yang's doing.

Back then, to move someone of his rank, you'd first make various phone calls to coordinate, then the leaders would deliberate, going back and forth—it would take at least a month. With a month's time, that would be a major affair, largely settled, and in the end it would amount to nothing more than going through the motions.

But the past is past, the present is present, and the sky over Lieshan County has indeed changed.

After Zhao Nanxing's meeting broke up, he felt fit to burst. This series of one‑after‑another incidents were all slaps to his face. Earlier Ma Su told him it wasn't like this—otherwise he'd still be fighting for something on the standing committee. Isn't this just slapping his left cheek then offering his right for another hit?

He's not the kind of person Qi Guohui is; his position demands dignity.

Thinking this through, he simply got up and headed for Zhang Jiangbo's office; he couldn't just let things continue, or else not only would he suffer, but Secretary Zhang's face would surely be embarrassed as well.

They must win back a city.