Chapter 135

Shan Guozhi looked at Tao Yan, "You didn't know? That’s impossible, right? Didn't you manage the internal affairs of the Public Security Bureau quite strictly?"

Tao Yan said, "Sigh, maybe I’ve been a bit loose in my management recently. Haven't I been running to the higher-ups quite a lot recently?"

Shan Guozhi thought with a dark face, "Think about it, who else will this matter implicate?"

Tao Yan said, "Public Security Brigade Captain Zhu Dewu will definitely be implicated; he has a close relationship with Gong Jianjun. But he wasn't in the bureau today either."

Shan Guozhi said, "Then do you have any economic dealings with them?"

Tao Yan nodded. Could there be no economic dealings? The Public Security Bureau now had layers of tribute, establishing a perfect tribute system. Come to think of it, this was also learned from Shan Guozhi and the others. Without the tribute from Tao Yan, Xu Liangxi, and others, could Shan Guozhi live so comfortably?

Shan Guozhi also knew this, so he didn't say anything more. He thought for a while and said to Tao Yan, "Now you must solve this matter within your Public Security Bureau. Don't let Gong Jianjun and the others talk nonsense. Do you understand?"

Tao Yan didn't quite understand, "Then what about Gong Jianjun? He won't have an easy time getting through this. How can we help him?"

Shan Guozhi said, "Still care if he lives or dies? This person is too greedy and stupid. If he doesn't go in this time, he will go in sooner or later. Besides, isn't his evidence solid? If you help him, don't help yourself in too."

Tao Yan said, "But if we don't help him, we have to guard against him biting everyone. Xu Shixie has been waiting for this opportunity."

Shan Guozhi said angrily, "Does this still need me to teach you? Can't you seal his mouth? Xu Shixie is a person who has been pushed aside; can he fight you in the Public Security Bureau?"

Tao Yan nodded repeatedly, but he hesitated to speak. Shan Guozhi saw his appearance and asked angrily, "What else do you have?"

Tao Yan said, "Then Gong Jianjun is usually quite respectful to us. Should we just give him up? Magistrate Shan, have we made too many concessions during this period? Are we that afraid of Zhang Kaishan and the others?"

Shan Guozhi stared fixedly at Tao Yan’s eyes, staring until Tao Yan felt a bit uneasy. After a long time, Shan Guozhi said, "Tao Yan, get it straight: our days are not easy now. Can you be quiet for a while? What does a Gong Jianjun count for? Give him up if you should."

Tao Yan nodded in agreement. Shan Guozhi softened his tone, "Too many things have happened during this period. Our concessions now are also helpless. The concessions now are for the sake of great strides forward in the future. By the way, let that Gong Jianjun rest assured in prison, and give his family a sum of compensation when the time comes."

Tao Yan nodded and left. These things couldn't wait; he had to arrange them overnight.

As soon as Tao Yan left, Shan Guozhi leaned weakly against the back of his chair. He rubbed his temples. Too many things had happened during this period that gave him a headache. His head hurt whenever he thought about it. It seemed this year would not be easy to pass either.

The case of the Public Security Brigade privately releasing thieves came to an end in the following two days. Gong Jianjun, Wang Qinghe, and Li Fangwen took all the blame and didn't implicate anyone else, which made Xu Shixie very dissatisfied, but he was also helpless.

He had been marginalized in the Public Security Bureau for a year or two. Now he was like a deaf and blind person in the bureau, and he couldn't use people very smoothly. The interrogation of Gong Jianjun and his gang went very unsmoothly, especially after Tao Yan returned, Gong Jianjun and the others immediately seemed to have a backbone.

After getting the results, Xu Shixie went to report to Zhang Kaishan. He was a bit apprehensive; he himself felt that this result was not presentable. He said to Zhang Kaishan, "Magistrate Zhang, they are quite stubborn and took all the blame themselves. Or, I’ll have someone interrogate them more."

Unexpectedly, Zhang Kaishan smiled, "Forget it, let it be. Aren't these three going to receive the punishment they deserve now? That’s enough."

Xu Shixie said, "That’s enough?"

Zhang Kaishan nodded, "Yes, I also reported this matter to Secretary Ji. Secretary Ji knows about you; he thinks you handled this matter well and hopes you will work hard."

Xu Shixie was overjoyed, "Thank you, Magistrate Zhang! I will definitely work hard and will never let you down!"

Zhang Kaishan said, "We also understand the situation in your Public Security Bureau; some things are not what you can control. Now we don't need to clash with them. We are already very satisfied with this result. The New Year is coming soon; have a good New Year."

Xu Shixie nodded repeatedly and then took his leave of Zhang Kaishan.

These two days, Su Xinghui had been quite comfortable. He met with some old classmates and old friends every day to reminisce and gather, taking the opportunity of the New Year to pick up those old feelings.

Of course, he also helped his family buy the New Year goods needed for the holiday—melon seeds, peanuts, candy, etc., all bought. There were also some New Year vegetables, mainly radishes, cabbage, etc., that were easy to store. Otherwise, during those two days of the New Year, the vegetable vendors wouldn't have stalls, and these vegetables would really have nowhere to be bought.

On the morning of the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, Su Xinghui was at home helping his mother with some housework when he heard someone knocking on the door. He went to open the door and called out in surprise, "Secretary Fang, Director Zhao, Sister Xialan, Xiazhu, why are you here? Come in, come in quickly."

It turned out that standing outside were several village cadres from Yezhugou Village, as well as Xiazhu. Fang Youcai saw Su Xinghui and let out a long sigh of relief, "Finally found Director Su’s house; it was really not easy."

Su Xinghui ushered them in and let them sit on the sofa. Fang Youcai and Zhao Zhongfu each carried two small cages, inside which were two wild pheasants and two bamboo rats. They asked where the Su family’s kitchen was so they could put them down.

Su Xinghui said, "Secretary Fang, Director Zhao, what are you doing? It’s enough that you came; why bring anything?"

Fang Youcai said, "Director Su, you must accept it. This is the heartfelt wish of all the villagers in our village. Our village doesn't have any other good things, but these wild animals are still presentable. Consider it adding two dishes to your family’s New Year’s table."

At this time, Su Wenjun came out of the room, and Guo Suhua came out of the kitchen. They said together, "Xinghui, are there guests at home?"

Su Xinghui introduced them, "These are several village cadres from our township’s Yezhugou Village."

Su Wenjun and his wife said hurriedly, "Welcome, welcome."

Guo Suhua hurriedly went to pour a few cups of tea. Su Wenjun shook hands with Fang Youcai and the others one by one. When Fang Youcai shook hands with Su Wenjun, he wiped his hands on his clothes several times before shaking hands with Su Wenjun.

Su Wenjun laughed, "Secretary Fang, there’s no need for that."

Fang Youcai said, "Doctor Su, we have long heard that you are the best expert in medical skills at the county hospital. Seeing you today, you are indeed worthy of your reputation!"

Su Wenjun found it a bit funny. Could he tell his medical skills just by meeting him? But he also knew that the other party had to say a few polite words, so he nodded in thanks and sat down beside Su Xinghui.

Zhao Zhongfu asked Guo Suhua where the kitchen was, as he wanted to take the four cages in. Guo Suhua saw this and said hurriedly, "How can this be? It’s enough that you came; why bring anything?"

Zhao Zhongfu laughed, "You don't know, but Director Su has helped our village a lot. If it weren't for Director Su, our village probably wouldn't have been able to get through this year. These things are the heartfelt wishes of all the people in our village; they are really too few and not presentable. Please don't mind."

Xiazhu also brought her hands, which had been behind her back, to the front. She took out a bamboo weaving painting and said to Su Xinghui, "Brother Xinghui, this is a little bit of my heart. It’s festive to hang it at home for the New Year."

Su Xinghui took it and looked at it. It turned out to be "The Country is So Beautiful." This painting was magnificent, and the main color was red, which was indeed quite festive to hang at home for the New Year.