Chapter 411: Personally Taking the Field

The situation at Qilin Villa was no small matter. Although this was the business of the Public Security Bureau, I couldn't stand by and watch.

Eight-Fingered Lao Can had eyes and ears everywhere, and with Liang Tianxing, the biggest boss in Chunshan County, covering for him, he was almost unscrupulous. I could vaguely sense who stood behind Liang Tianxing, but I didn't want it to be true.

Liang Tianxing was not a rootless plant; I had only met him a few times until now. I felt he hoped to get on my line, which could be seen from his funding of my inauguration banquet. But I had never given him the chance; for someone I wasn't familiar with, I tried to keep a respectful distance, let alone the fact that he had an unclear relationship with Guan Peishan.

Liang Tianxing was not like Qian Youyu, nor was he Sun Demao. Those two were local entrepreneurs who knew the rules of Hengyue City; no matter how well they could dance, they could only sing and dance on the stage of Hengyue City.

Liang Tianxing was different; he was a dragon crossing the river, and no one knew what his background was. Although he acted low-key and didn't show off, in the past few years, he had been doing real estate in Chunshan County, making the small Chunshan County flourish. From this point of view, this person could not be underestimated.

I had Yu Wei move Guan Peishan away from Qilin Villa, using the strategy of "luring the tiger away from the mountain." With Guan Peishan not at the scene, everything was easier to talk about. Even if any problems were discovered in the future, it couldn't be blamed on me. After all, I had done my utmost!

Hao Qiang's report truly gave me a big shock. Looking at it this way, Chunshan County was hiding a huge counterfeit money factory. If it wasn't taken down, when the matter came to light, who would be the scapegoat if not me?

I understood that things wouldn't be that simple. Eight-Fingered Lao Can dared to act in Chunshan County, so he must have been confident. After all, this was a matter of losing one's head; not a single step could be wrong, not a single trace could be left. But to do such a big thing, how could there be no movement?

The only explanation was that there was someone inside the Public Security Bureau. This person was either directly involved or acting as an informant, protecting Qilin Villa either openly or secretly.

I suddenly realized that Qilin Villa had a constant stream of guests every night, and they were all high-ranking officials and noble people; it turned out there was such a trick to it.

I heard that at Qilin Villa, eating, singing, foot washing, and massages were all free. And there were a few gambling tables where you could play a hand when you were happy. Even if you didn't have money, it didn't matter; the villa could lend it to you. I heard that Qilin Villa never pursued the money lent out. It was as if that matter didn't exist at all.

Everyone who had been there knew it without saying. You could have a carefree time at Qilin Villa without bringing a single cent. Of course, not just any simple person could go. As far as I knew, apart from the police, regardless of rank, the others who went were all of high rank.

Moving Guan Peishan away was my first move. Even if something happened at the villa and Guan Peishan was implicated, I would still maintain a reputation for being honest and loyal.

To move against Qilin Villa, the Chunshan County Public Security Bureau definitely couldn't be the one to do it. I didn't know who his informant was; if I was slightly careless and alerted the enemy, all previous efforts would be wasted.

One thought was in my mind: go to the city to seek help.

Just as I sat in the car, I received a call from the Public Security Bureau Director, who asked me anxiously: "County Magistrate Chen, where are you?"

I said nonchalantly: "Something up?"

The Director said nervously: "There's a major matter I need to report to you."

I still said nonchalantly: "If you have a major matter, you should report it to the Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, why come to me?"

The Director was speechless, and after a long while, sighed: "This matter, only you can handle it."

I laughed: "Don't flatter me. If it's not my business, even if I can handle it, I can't do it for you."

The Director got anxious and cursed: "Damn it, my life is bitter, no one cares."

I hung up his phone, not because he cursed, but because I knew he didn't have the guts to curse me yet. I didn't want to tangle with him now, because I didn't trust anyone in their Public Security Bureau except Hao Qiang and Lao Mo.

The Director didn't dare call me again. When I hung up, it was decisive; I didn't give him any chance to explain. The Director was a smart man; he knew the weight of things.

But the facts didn't go in the direction I thought. Less than a minute after I hung up, his call came in again, shouting with a crying voice: "County Magistrate Chen, you have to save my life."

I said noncommittally: "What's the matter? Making it sound like the sky is falling. Save what life?"

The Director shouted: "I need to report in person."

I looked at my watch and refused his request: "No time. Talk tomorrow."

"Tomorrow you can just wait to collect my corpse."

"Is that so? Then I'll just wait to collect your corpse." I hung up the phone again.

The Public Security Bureau Director and I had a good relationship. Chen Meng's report on the model had made the Chunshan County Public Security Bureau proud, and it had been established as a model for Hengyue City.

Hao Qiang had won the title of National Outstanding Police Officer, and he, as the Director, had face. Therefore, in the eyes of the people in the Public Security Bureau, I was not only one of their own, but I also had the grace of recognizing their talent.

I flatly refused the Director's meeting because I had considerations. In this matter of Qilin Villa, as the Public Security Bureau Director, could he really be uninvolved? Even if he was kept in the dark, it was still his failure in work; could he have a good outcome?

Rather than envying the fish at the edge of the water, it's better to go back and weave a net. I thought, if the Director really didn't know the inside story, I would put in a good word for him when the time came. After all, a man over fifty, it wasn't easy to have reached today.

My car left the gate of the County Committee compound, and I vaguely felt a car following behind me.

When a person has something on their mind, they always feel the surroundings are full of ghosts.

Through the rearview mirror, I confirmed that a silver-gray car was following me. I deliberately accelerated, and he accelerated; I slowed down, and he slowed down. Keeping a distance, just following from afar.

In Chunshan County, someone actually dared to follow me? I was furious, pulled out my phone, and called the Public Security Bureau Director.

The Public Security Bureau Director seemed to be waiting for my call; as soon as it rang, he picked it up and asked: "What are the leader's instructions?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I understood.

"You sent someone to follow me?"

"I wouldn't dare. What is the leader saying?"

"What's with the car following me?"

"Protecting the leader." The Director said with full grievances.

"Old thing, what are you trying to do?" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The Director laughed on the phone; everyone knew that I didn't curse people easily, and when I did, it meant I had no hard feelings toward the person being cursed.

"I'm not trying to do anything. If I lose my life, I can't let the County Magistrate lose his life, right? I have to protect you."

"Nonsense!" I laughed and cursed: "Protect what? Broad daylight, clear sky. Are you full and have nothing to do?"

"I have something to do, and it's a major matter." The Director said mysteriously: "As long as you listen to my report, I guarantee the leader will be satisfied."

"Is that so?" I slowed down my tone, pulled the car to the side, opened the door, and waved at the car parked far away.

The person in the car hesitated, drove forward a few steps, then suddenly turned around and sped away.

I laughed dumbly and said into the receiver: "Your man was scared away."

The Director also laughed and said: "Leader, you know we eat this bowl of rice. From now on, you won't see them again, but I guarantee they can see you."

I felt a layer of sweat break out on my back. Damn it! I'm being monitored by you!

I shouted angrily: "I order you to cancel the surveillance immediately. Don't make me smash your office."

The Director giggled: "I wish for nothing more."

I was at my wit's end. He had spent his whole life in the public security system and had seen big storms and waves. Since he dared to challenge me like this, it was a desperate gamble.

I had no choice but to say: "Forget it. You old guy, appear in front of me in three minutes, we're going to Hengyue City."

The Director hung up the phone happily. I stood by the side of the road, pulled out a cigarette, and before I could light it, I saw a police car roaring over, stopping in front of me with a screech. Then I saw the Director climbing out of the car, looking gray-faced, standing in front of me without a word.

"Any thoughts?" I asked with a cold laugh.

"I'll listen to you."

"Didn't bring a driver?" I glanced at the police car; there was no one inside.

"Didn't dare bring one. Afraid of leaking the news."

"What news?"

"County Magistrate, don't tease me. Since I dared to give you the people, could I know nothing? Although I can't do big things, I'm not just eating for nothing." The Director said with a cheeky face; it was hard for him at his age.

"You know everything?"

He nodded, his expression serious, and made a gesture of beheading: "Decisively kill."

I laughed and scolded: "What were you doing earlier?"

The Director wasn't nervous, accompanying with a smile: "I'm not a god either. In such a remote place as Chunshan County, who knew someone would dare to do things like this. Unthinkable."

I threw the cigarette butt to my feet and ground it, saying: "The more remote the place, the more it's a breeding ground for criminals."

The Director nodded in agreement and asked me: "How do we do it now?"

I cursed: "You only know how to act recklessly. Can we act recklessly now? If we don't do it well, wouldn't it be a bad thing?"

The Director bowed and scraped: "I'll listen to your arrangements. Whatever you say, I'll do."

I waved my hand and said: "Get in the car, we're going to Hengyue City."

The Director hesitated and asked me suspiciously: "Using police from another jurisdiction?"

"Could I use your people?"

My words made the Director feel awkward. My obvious lack of trust in his subordinates was like a whip, lashing out at him fiercely.

"Fine!" He pondered for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "After this matter is handled, I'm going to have a massacre internally and clear out a batch of black sheep."

I didn't express an opinion. I thought to myself, after this matter is over, who knows if you'll still be the Director, let alone having a massacre?

"Going straight?" He asked me: "Drive one car or two?"

"Each goes their own way." I said, my heart skipping a beat: "You go to the Municipal Bureau first, you know what to do, right?"

The Director was a smart man and immediately understood that I had given him a huge favor. His legs almost went soft, and he was so excited he was incoherent: "County Magistrate Chen, don't worry. I'll wait for you at the Municipal Bureau."

He drove away first, and I pulled out another cigarette, lit it, took a few puffs, crushed it, and got in the car to return to the County Committee compound.

Without my instructions, the Public Security Bureau Director wouldn't dare to act rashly. My heart was as clear as a mirror.

That I could hold his lifeline meant I wasn't an ordinary person either. What medicine I had in my gourd, he couldn't possibly know everything. I dared to let him go to the Hengyue City Public Security Bureau alone; could I not have a backup plan?

He was my puppet on a string now!

Returning to the County Committee compound, I looked up at Secretary Liu Qimeng's window and found his curtains were open, knowing he was in the office. So I organized my thoughts and headed toward his office. ===== CHAPTER 412 =====