Chapter 101

That day, Lei Ming did not release the people, nor did he return the money. The next morning, Jin Taihe summoned Lei Ming to his office again to ask what was going on.

Lei Ming said, "Vice Township Head Jin, I'm sorry, but this case involves caught-in-the-act evidence, and I wasn't the only one present at the scene. I cannot cover this up. Now that other township leaders know about this case, I cannot take the responsibility if I release them."

Other township leaders? Jin Taihe knew that since the case had caused such a stir yesterday and was being discussed everywhere in the township, how could the leaders not hear about it? This was a township, not a county, let alone a region or province; such matters couldn't be hidden from the leaders.

Yesterday, Jin Taihe had wanted to pressure Lei Ming before other leaders knew, to get the people released first. Of course, he had called the county leaders beforehand. That Boss Duan who broke his leg was indeed close to Qian Hongye. He had called Xu Shixie, and Xu Shixie said Boss Duan was planning to invest in the county, so such a person couldn't be arrested and had to be released immediately.

Having received Xu Shixie's instructions, Jin Taihe ordered Lei Ming to release the people. He didn't expect Lei Ming to dare disobey him. He couldn't help but harden his face and say, "So, what I say doesn't count, then?"

Lei Ming said, "Vice Township Head Jin, aren't you making things difficult for me? How about this: you township leaders discuss it, and then issue a formal document to the police station ordering us to release them, and I will release them immediately."

Jin Taihe was furious. If this matter could be discussed with others, would he need to find Lei Ming alone? If he asked the township to issue a document, who would be willing to take such responsibility?

Furthermore, Lei Ming's tone today made him very uncomfortable. Usually, Lei Ming called him "Township Head Jin" without the "Vice" prefix. Today, he called him "Vice Township Head Jin." In China, deputy officials are clearly deputy officials, but they hate being called that, especially by their subordinates.

Of course, this was all unspoken, and Jin Taihe absolutely couldn't get angry over this, or he would become a laughingstock in official circles.

Therefore, Jin Taihe had a headache. It wasn't just this time; he had always had a headache regarding Lei Ming. In his eyes, Lei Ming was too rigid and difficult to communicate with. Some things were clearly trivial, yet he would have to talk to him for a long time before he agreed.

In Jin Taihe's eyes, wasn't this matter also a trivial thing? It was just a gambling crackdown. Just release the people and be done with it. But Lei Ming was just so unreasonable.

Jin Taihe tried his best to control his emotions. He knew he couldn't get angry; Lei Ming was a stubborn mule—the harder you pushed him, the less likely he was to comply.

After thinking for a moment, Jin Taihe smiled and said, "Lei Ming, look, it's just young people being ignorant, playing for some money—it's not a big deal. I admit I have some selfish motives and wanted you to release Ming'an. But the child Ming'an is too pitiful; he lost his father at a young age and lacked discipline. He is indeed a bit mischievous, but this isn't his first offense, right? We can't just beat him to death with one stick."

Lei Ming could tell that Jin Taihe had failed with the hard approach and was now trying the soft one, playing the sympathy card. However, he didn't take the bait. Luo Ming'an was more than just "a bit mischievous"—he had already broken the law.

Seeing Lei Ming remain silent, Jin Taihe stood up and poured him a glass of water. For him, this was an unprecedented act; he had never poured water for a subordinate before. Although he was only a vice township head, he carried himself with great airs.

Jin Taihe handed the water to Lei Ming and smiled, "Lei Ming, I was just too busy before. In the future, no matter how busy I am, I will definitely discipline Ming'an more so he won't be so mischievous again. Let's just give him a chance this time. By the way, you don't need to write that self-criticism. I told the county leaders that you were right to crack down on gambling."

Lei Ming said, "Vice Township Head Jin, this matter with Luo Ming'an is not as simple as being mischievous. He is suspected of running a gambling den and gathering crowds for gambling, and the stakes are huge. This is already a crime. Forgive me for being blunt, but if he continues like this, something big will happen later. I believe letting him receive some legal education might be a good thing."

Jin Taihe's face darkened, "Lei Ming, are you really refusing to give me any face?"

Lei Ming shook his head firmly, "Vice Township Head Jin, I'm sorry, I really can't help you with this. If the township issues a document to the police station, I will release them immediately."

Jin Taihe suppressed his anger and waved his hand, and Lei Ming left his office.

In mid-December, a major event occurred in Menghuling Township—an event that brought great satisfaction to the people. The gang led by Luo Ming'an, who had been running rampant in the township, was detained by the local police station on suspicion of running a gambling den and engaging in gambling, and was subsequently transferred to the county's procuratorial organs to enter the judicial process.

Other individuals involved in gambling whose offenses were not serious were each given detention ranging from three to five days, along with fines.

This news was like a large stone thrown into a pond; the first thing the common folk would say when they met was, "Did you know? Crazy Luo has been caught."

The people were overjoyed. This gang led by Crazy Luo was a complete blight on the township, having harmed countless people in the past. However, because his uncle was the deputy township head, he relied on this fact to act recklessly in the township, and no one could do anything about him.

Some time ago, after Su Xinghui gave Luo Ming'an a beating, he had been well-behaved for a while, but recently he had started acting up again, as if he had found a solid backer once more. He even opened a gambling den, harming many people, and many were gnashing their teeth in hatred toward him.

Originally, everyone had lost hope that the local police station could deal with Luo Ming'an. Who would have thought the police station would suddenly show some backbone, arrest him, and even transfer him to the procuratorial organs?

Since Luo Ming'an was caught red-handed running a gambling den, with solid evidence and clear facts, the procuratorial organs quickly approved his arrest. Luo Ming'an and his gang were transferred to the Shangjun County Detention Center, waiting for the public security organs to complete their investigation before entering the judicial process.

In short, he was doomed this time.

That Boss Duan, who had broken his leg, was also approved for arrest on charges of gambling, but because he was receiving treatment in the hospital for his injury, his criminal responsibility would only be pursued after he recovered.

During the process of transferring this case to the procuratorial organs, Tao Yan, the county political and legal committee secretary and public security bureau chief, had wanted to intervene and prevent the procuratorial organs from approving the arrest. However, County Party Secretary Ji Tao had also inquired about the case. The evidence for this case was too solid; it was impossible for the procuratorial organs not to approve the arrest.

Xu Liangxi had sought out Ji Tao, saying that Boss Duan was an investor planning to invest in the county, and asked if he could be released. He claimed it concerned the county's investment environment. However, Ji Tao replied that no matter who it was, they must first abide by the law; if they did not, then Shangjun County would not welcome such investors.

Ji Tao gave him absolutely no face, which made Xu Liangxi feel very embarrassed. He went to find Shan Guozhi in a rage, but how could Shan Guozhi step in for such a matter? Ji Tao clearly had the moral high ground.

For some time now, Shan Guozhi had been repeatedly thwarted by Zhang Kaishan and Ji Tao, and his foundation in the county was slowly being shaken. If he were to suffer another setback before Ji Tao over this trivial matter, his prestige in Shangjun County would be completely swept away.

Shan Guozhi said to Xu Liangxi, "Liangxi, it’s not that I want to lecture you, but why are you so concerned about this kind of trivial matter? What is wrong with others cracking down on gambling? One must always have a basic sense of right and wrong. In my opinion, letting those people suffer a little is a good thing."

Xu Liangxi thought to himself, "A sense of right and wrong? Do you have a basic sense of right and wrong in the things you do? Have you received fewer bribes or done fewer bad deeds? When you were having fun with Shu Rong, did you have a basic sense of right and wrong?"

However, he dared not say this to Shan Guozhi. He was so concerned only because that Boss Duan had previously cooperated with Qian Hongye, had been a contractor for Qian Hongye's projects, and had even sent him money. Now that someone had come to his door with money again, he found it difficult not to intervene.

His eyes darted around as he said, "County Head, this matter is not simple. Ji Tao never used to care about the county's affairs, but now he is repeatedly reaching out, which is unfavorable for us. If we don't put a stop to this crooked trend, how will we be able to get by in Shangjun County in the future?"

Hearing Xu Liangxi's words, Shan Guozhi frowned. What kind of talk was this? A dignified deputy county head, why did he speak like a street thug? Not only did he call Ji Tao by his name, but what was this about "crooked trends" and "getting by"? If others heard this, it would surely cause another huge uproar.

However, Xu Liangxi was originally his fellow townsman, having followed him since he was the deputy director of the commune revolutionary committee. Shan Guozhi was well aware that Xu Liangxi had little education and spoke without refinement; this was a habit that could not be changed overnight.

Shan Guozhi was, of course, also very unhappy about Ji Tao's meddling, but these were extraordinary times, and Ji Tao had the moral high ground in this matter. Speaking up would be of no use and would only give Ji Tao leverage.

Therefore, Shan Guozhi said, "Liangxi, watch your language in the future. You must show respect to the main leading comrades of the county. Let's do this: that Boss Duan has already been arrested, and the evidence is solid, so there is nothing I can do. When the trial comes, we'll see if we can get a lighter sentence, and perhaps we can arrange for medical parole later, wouldn't that be the same?"

Hearing this from Shan Guozhi, Xu Liangxi knew this was likely the best he could do, so he left while grumbling.

Seeing Xu Liangxi's lazy and shameless demeanor, Shan Guozhi could only shake his head helplessly.

However, Shan Guozhi was also quite dissatisfied with Ji Tao frequently intervening in the county's affairs. He was a very overbearing person who felt that the position of County Party Secretary should have been his in the first place. He had viewed Ji Tao's forbearance and low profile after taking office as something that was expected, and now that Ji Tao was merely exercising the powers of a County Party Secretary, he found it hard to bear.