Chapter 1714

When the two got into the car and drove out of Mayang Village, Yao Ye said, "Oh no, I didn't take those papers with the notes I made earlier."

Jiang Zhongping said, "Forget the papers. It's good enough that we got out alive."

Yao Ye said with lingering fear, "That's right. We almost didn't make it out today."

Jiang Zhongping cursed loudly, "What a bunch of unruly people. Poor mountains and treacherous waters breed unruly people; the old saying is truly correct."

Yao Ye asked, "What do we do now?"

Jiang Zhongping said irritably, "What else can we do? Go back to the county first, tell Changshan County about what happened today, and then report it to the city."

Yao Ye said to Jiang Zhongping with some hesitation, "Director Jiang, I feel that this anonymous report letter is a bit suspicious. The issues mentioned above don't seem to be issues at all. It's quite possible it was written by someone who has a conflict with County Magistrate Su."

Jiang Zhongping said impatiently, "You don't know a damn thing. Often, these are the most suspicious people. Haven't you heard the saying? 'Great treachery looks like loyalty.' Look at how Cao Jingui stopped her daughter just as she was about to tell the truth. Cao Jingui protects Su Xinghui so much; the two of them must have something going on."

Yao Ye was somewhat unconvinced. *Director Jiang, aren't you being too arbitrary? * However, Jiang Zhongping was his superior, so since he said so, Yao Ye could only listen.

The two returned to the Changshan County Party Committee and immediately requested an audience with Xue Xingyuan. Xue Xingyuan met with them and asked, "Director Jiang, how did the investigation go today?"

Back here, Jiang Zhongping finally felt alive again. He said with a straight face, "Secretary Xue, your Changshan County is quite something!"

Xue Xingyuan asked, "What is that supposed to mean, Director Jiang?"

Jiang Zhongping said, "We almost didn't make it back today!"

Xue Xingyuan exclaimed in surprise, "No way! Is there really such a thing?"

Jiang Zhongping then told Xue Xingyuan about their encounter at the Zhenhua Leather Factory and Cao Jingui's home. Xue Xingyuan thought to himself, *This is what you deserve. Who told you not to bring anyone from the county when you went out today? You insisted on investigating by yourselves, and now you blame us when you run into trouble? *

Of course, Xue Xingyuan knew that Jiang Zhongping refused to bring people from Changshan County because he was afraid that Changshan County would set up obstacles for their investigation.

Xue Xingyuan said, "Director Jiang, it's not that I want to criticize you, but your tone of questioning must have been problematic. Comrade Su Xinghui has done a lot of practical work in Matou Town and has high prestige locally. If your tone is too direct, it's easy to incite public anger."

Xue Xingyuan's words made Jiang Zhongping furious. *So, I almost got beaten up in your jurisdiction, and in the end, I'm the one at fault? *

Before Jiang Zhongping could speak, Xue Xingyuan added, "Director Jiang, don't try to be a hero when you go out in the future. I'll send a county cadre to be your guide. With a county cadre leading, you shouldn't run into such things."

To be honest, Xue Xingyuan would have loved to see someone like Jiang Zhongping get a beating. However, he was a cadre from the City Commission for Discipline Inspection, after all. If he really got beaten up in Changshan County, that would be quite a bit of trouble. It would be better to bring a local next time.

Jiang Zhongping felt even more unhappy after hearing this. *Was I trying to be a hero? * However, Xue Xingyuan was higher in rank, older, and a notoriously overbearing person. Now that he was on his turf, what could Jiang Zhongping say to Xue Xingyuan?

Jiang Zhongping gave a muffled snort and said, "Secretary Xue, I think the mass education work in your county is a big problem. The quality of the masses is too low."

Xue Xingyuan smiled and said, "I have heard a story. When Yanzi was sent as an envoy to Chu, Yanzi said: 'The state of Qi sends envoys based on their suitability. The virtuous are sent to virtuous masters, and the unworthy are sent to unworthy masters. I am the most unworthy, so I am suited to be sent to Chu.' I think the common people in Mayang Village might have the same idea."

Jiang Zhongping didn't catch the meaning at first. When he carefully pondered it, he was filled with rage. Xue Xingyuan was insulting him in a roundabout way. Wasn't this saying that he, Jiang Zhongping, was of low quality? He immediately began to hate Xue Xingyuan.

However, one couldn't blame Xue Xingyuan for scolding him. Was that any way for Jiang Zhongping to speak? Xue Xingyuan was the County Party Secretary of Changshan County; for Jiang Zhongping to say that the mass education work in Changshan County wasn't done well was a slap in Xue Xingyuan's face. That Xue Xingyuan could insult him in a roundabout way was already a sign of a good temper.

Jiang Zhongping was so choked up he couldn't say a word. He snorted, said goodbye, and rose to leave, flicking his sleeves.

Xue Xingyuan watched Jiang Zhongping's back and sneered. Xue Xingyuan naturally saw through the face of this man who was so eager for fame and fortune. However, he didn't seem to see the situation clearly. City Party Secretary Shi Deyou had already been obstructing the investigation team in many ways; it would be a miracle if this investigation could yield the results he wanted.

It was laughable that he was blinded by greed and single-mindedly wanted to earn merit. He had hit walls everywhere since coming to Changshan and didn't even realize it, yet he still wanted to show off his authority in front of him, Xue Xingyuan. This time, he was destined to hit a major snag.

However, one couldn't blame him. Xue Xingyuan naturally knew that the City Commission for Discipline Inspection was going to have a vacancy for a Deputy Secretary. The Deputy Secretary of the City Commission for Discipline Inspection was at the department-level; taking this step was truly too difficult for Jiang Zhongping. This time, someone had clearly given him a promise. In the face of fame and fortune, how many people wouldn't be tempted?

Back in his room at the county guesthouse, Jiang Zhongping dialed the office of Mayor Ren Guisheng. Ren Guisheng had said that Jiang Zhongping could call his office at any time.

The call was answered by Ren Guisheng's secretary. Upon hearing that it was Jiang Zhongping looking for Ren Guisheng, he handed the phone to Ren Guisheng.

Ren Guisheng said very cordially, "Is that Comrade Zhongping? How are things going in Changshan?"

When Jiang Zhongping heard Ren Guisheng's voice, his nose felt a bit sore, just like a child hearing their mother's voice. He controlled his emotions and said, "Mayor, this time we came to Changshan County to investigate, but the resistance here is very great!"

Ren Guisheng said, "Tell me the specifics of the situation."

Jiang Zhongping then reported everything he had encountered in the two days since arriving in Changshan to Ren Guisheng. Finally, he said aggrievedly, "Mayor, today we almost didn't make it back to the county. Dozens of people rushed up wanting to beat us. This must have been instigated by someone!"

Ren Guisheng said, "Comrade Zhongping, you have been wronged. But don't be afraid. With the City Party Committee and the City Government as your strong backing, you must bravely fight against evil forces. From your report, I can see that you also feel there is definitely something going on. This is a clue. Don't give up. Continue to investigate. As long as you find evidence, that will be a great achievement!"

Ren Guisheng's encouragement gave Jiang Zhongping much more confidence. He didn't care that he was on the phone and nodded repeatedly, as if Ren Guisheng could see him nodding. He said, "Mayor, we will not be afraid. We will definitely continue to investigate. We will not withdraw until we find a result!" ===== CHAPTER 1716 =====