Chapter 2111

Pang Xingjie never expected to find himself in such a predicament in this small economic development zone—these people had the audacity to be so disrespectful to him, the secretary of the Provincial Party Committee.

Precisely because he hadn't anticipated it, he was now at a loss; surrounded by so many people, he didn't know what to do. In the past, wherever he went, he relied on his power, and no one dared to provoke him—but now he'd met a few who weren't afraid of his authority, and he was thrown into panic.

He glared at Li Zhongwen with a murderous look, but Li Zhongwen met his gaze without fear. Li Zhongwen came from an ordinary background, was young and impetuous, and had long resented the Provincial Party Committee's investigation into Su Xinghui. Now that Jiang Zhiqing had stepped forward to confront Pang Xingjie and accused him of assault, Li Zhongwen naturally seized the opportunity to escalate the matter.

Although the others said nothing, they deliberately and subtly blocked the path of Pang Xingjie and his companion, preventing them from leaving.

Tang Chaoxin asked: "Comrade, did you hit someone?"

Director Zhang said: "Comrade, don't speak recklessly—he didn't hit anyone. He was just emotionally agitated a moment ago. He's Deputy Director Pang from the Provincial Party Committee Office—how could he possibly hit someone?"

Jiang Zhiqing said: "Director Zhang, please don't speak against your conscience. If you hadn't blocked him just now, wouldn't Pang Xingjie have hit me? Tell the truth!"

Director Zhang said: "He was merely emotionally agitated; he never intended to hit anyone. Don't misunderstand him, Comrade Jiang Zhiqing."

Jiang Zhiqing said: "You just told him to calm down and not hit anyone—that's what you said. Have you already forgotten?"

Li Zhongwen said: "Yes, we all heard their conversation outside—he clearly wanted to hit someone. Director Tang, aren't you going to take action?"

Tang Chaoxin cleared his throat and said: "I think he was just momentarily agitated—he may have made a motion to strike, but was stopped before he could actually hit Director Jiang. Why not have them apologize to you, Director Jiang, and let this matter drop?"

Tang Chaoxin's position was awkward—he dared not offend Pang Xingjie, yet he also didn't want to offend Jiang Zhiqing. After all, Jiang Zhiqing was the leader of the economic development zone and directly oversaw him, and above Jiang Zhiqing stood Su Xinghui. So he simply wanted to quell the incident.

Unexpectedly, when Pang Xingjie heard Tang Chaoxin wanted him to apologize, he flew into a rage again, pointing his finger at Tang Chaoxin's nose: "Who the hell are you? How dare you make me apologize to him? Do you even have eyes? Do you think I can't fire you, this insignificant little chief, with a single word?"

Today, Pang Xingjie was practically driven mad with rage—when had he ever endured such humiliation? He'd held his tongue before Jiang Fangping; now, outside, he refused to hold it any longer.

Tang Chaoxin's expression changed instantly. Though he was slippery, that didn't mean he had no backbone—he'd served in the military, and for someone to point at his nose and curse him, in front of so many people, and remain silent? That would mean total loss of face.

Tang Chaoxin said: "Director Pang, can you speak more politely? You wanted to hit someone—why is asking you to apologize such a problem?"

Pang Xingjie suddenly wrenched his arm free from Director Zhang's grip, pointing at Tang Chaoxin: "F*** your mother, how dare you talk to me like that? I'll call Yuan Yifu right now and have him fire you!"

This enraged Tang Chaoxin. Pang Xingjie could insult him all he wanted—but now he'd insulted his elders. Tang Chaoxin could no longer remain passive. With a smooth grappling move, he twisted Pang Xingjie's arm behind his back and snapped handcuffs onto his wrists: "Come with me to the station."

This sudden incident stunned everyone. Jiang Zhiqing was the first to react: "Director Tang, you don't need to go this far—quickly unlock his handcuffs."

Pang Xingjie screamed wildly: "You son of a b***h, you dare cuff me? Do you think I won't make your whole family suffer?"

Tang Chaoxin's eyes reddened: "You dare insult my mother? My mother's been dead for years! Everyone, bear witness! Today he provoked trouble, tried to assault someone, then insulted a police officer—I'm arresting him lawfully and properly!"

Li Zhongwen nodded: "We all bear witness for you."

Several staff members and officers also shouted: "Chief Tang, we bear witness for you!"

Tang Chaoxin tightened his grip on Pang Xingjie's wrist—Pang's body twisted in agony, screaming out in pain, too hurt to keep cursing. Tang kicked him in the buttocks, and Pang involuntarily followed him toward the police station office.

After his shock, Director Zhang recovered and hurried after them: "Officer, this isn't right! He's Deputy Director of the Provincial Party Committee Office—you can't use force against him, or you'll pay dearly!"

Tang Chaoxin wasn't foolish. His earlier move had been impulsive, but after the impulse passed, he'd clearly weighed the consequences.

Pang Xingjie had been sent by the Provincial Party Secretary to investigate Su Xinghui, while Su Xinghui was aligned with the Provincial Governor. The outcome of this power struggle between the two giants remains uncertain.

As for whether Su Xinghui was innocent, Tang Chaoxin believed he had some confidence—he was certain Su Xinghui wouldn't engage in bribery.

Over the past few days, he'd read many newspapers—the public opinion was shifting in Su Xinghui's favor. Tang Chaoxin felt Su Xinghui would come out of this unscathed.

If so, then in this struggle, the Provincial Party Secretary had already lost ground.

Now that things had gone this far, if he released Pang Xingjie now and begged for forgiveness, it might still be useless. Better to go all the way and offend him completely—then he might earn Su Xinghui's favor. Perhaps he'd bet right, and this could launch him to great heights.

So Tang Chaoxin declared with righteous indignation: "Director Zhang, you saw it yourself—he ignored your warnings, insulted a police officer, and obstructed official duties. His actions fully justify my use of force. Please step aside and don't interfere with my official duties!"

Tang Chaoxin's words drew cheers from everyone. He Wenjin was moved to tears—this scene left a deep impression on her.

The upright, righteous images of Jiang Zhiqing, Li Zhongwen, and Tang Chaoxin deeply affected He Wenjin.

Director Zhang was furious and desperate—he'd come out with Pang Xingjie today. If Pang was locked up, how could he return alone? If Jiang Fangping found out, he'd be dragged down too.

But he was powerless now. The situation had escalated this far—what could he possibly do alone?

Director Zhang stamped his foot, pushed through the crowd, got into the car they'd arrived in, and headed back to the County Party Committee.

Jiang Zhiqing watched as Tang Chaoxin locked Pang Xingjie in a detention room, stunned—he never imagined today's events would spiral this far.

He stepped forward and patted Tang Chaoxin's shoulder: "Old Tang, why did you go to such lengths?"

Tang Chaoxin said: "I've hated this guy for a long time. He dared to dig up dirt on County Chief Su, tried to hit you today, and insulted my mother—my mother's been dead for years! If I don't arrest him, who will?"

Now that Tang Chaoxin had gone this far, he might as well go even further—pose as a loyal minister devoted to Su Xinghui, so he could earn even greater favor from Su Xinghui.