Chapter 2113

Tang Chaoxin said, "It's fine. Even if he removes me from my post as station chief, so what? I'm not afraid!"

Jiang Zhiqing was even more moved. He patted Tang Chaoxin on the shoulder again, then went into his own office and called Su Xinghui.

He could not possibly keep such a major event from Su Xinghui; otherwise, he might end up putting Su Xinghui in an unjust position.

When Su Xinghui received Jiang Zhiqing's call, he was also greatly shocked. He had not expected that these few subordinates of his would actually arrest Pang Xingjie for his sake. Beyond his shock, he also felt a bit moved.

However, he was also somewhat puzzled. He knew Jiang Zhiqing's personality—he was indeed a person of principle who dared to speak his mind—but what was going on with Tang Chaoxin today? How had he become like a different person?

But he had no time to be puzzled. This matter had to be handled properly; otherwise, it would cause a huge mess and would also implicate Jiang Zhiqing, Tang Chaoxin, and the others.

He said, "I understand," then hung up the phone and immediately dialed Yu Ruizhi to inform him of the situation.

Just as he hung up, the phone rang shrilly. Su Xinghui picked it up, and the voice of Yuan Yifu, sounding somewhat effeminate, came through: "County Magistrate, are you aware of what just happened at the Economic Development Zone?"

Su Xinghui said, "I have just heard Comrade Jiang Zhiqing report it to me. How about this, Secretary, I will rush over there immediately to handle this matter."

Yuan Yifu said, "I will go with you. Wait for me downstairs."

Su Xinghui agreed and hung up, then went downstairs. Less than a minute later, Yuan Yifu came down as well. The two of them took a car together to the Economic Development Zone, and Division Chief Zhang also followed behind in their car.

Yuan Yifu was extremely shocked. The secretary to the Provincial Party Committee Secretary had actually been arrested within his jurisdiction—this was simply a heaven-shaking matter. No matter what, he bore an inescapable leadership responsibility. Therefore, he had to rush to the scene now to personally explain and apologize to Pang Xingjie; otherwise, he feared he would no longer be able to remain the County Party Committee Secretary.

Along the way, the two did not converse much. Yuan Yifu only urged the driver to drive faster. A few minutes later, their car screeched to a halt in the courtyard of the Economic Development Zone Management Committee.

Yuan Yifu got out of the car with an agility that belied his age, but Su Xinghui was faster than him. He got out and strode toward the police station office, shouting, "Old Tang!"

As soon as Tang Chaoxin heard Su Xinghui's voice, he popped out of the office. He gave Su Xinghui a standard police salute and said, "Good day, County Magistrate!"

Su Xinghui said with a dark face, "Old Tang, hurry up and release Director Pang!"

Although Su Xinghui's face was as calm as water, Tang Chaoxin could naturally tell that he wasn't angry at all. Moreover, his form of address for him had changed; previously he had called him Station Chief Tang, but today he called him Old Tang, the address laced with intimacy, which gave Tang Chaoxin a sudden boost of spirit.

Tang Chaoxin saluted again and said, "Yes!"

After saying this, Tang Chaoxin personally took out the keys and released Pang Xingjie from the detention room.

Pang Xingjie emerged from the detention room with a gloomy face. He flexed his wrists, which had poor circulation from being handcuffed for so long, and stared at Su Xinghui and Yuan Yifu.

Yuan Yifu rushed forward a step and tightly grasped Pang Xingjie's hand, saying, "Director Pang, you have suffered!"

Pang Xingjie said sinisterly, "Secretary Yuan, I see that your Chongjin County has a small temple but big evil winds, and shallow ponds with many turtles!"

Yuan Yifu felt miserable inside and said, "Director Pang, please listen to my explanation!"

Pang Xingjie said, "You don't need to explain to me. I will report today's events to Secretary Jiang. You had better go and explain to Secretary Jiang!"

After saying this, Pang Xingjie got into their car and drove off.

Yuan Yifu had a mind to give Jiang Zhiqing and Tang Chaoxin a sound scolding, but seeing Pang Xingjie leave, he dared not fail to follow him to explain; he asked Su Xinghui, "County Magistrate, are you going back?"

Su Xinghui said, "Secretary, you go back first. I need to ask about the details of this matter."

Yuan Yifu couldn't care about much else at this moment. He nodded and said, "Fine, then I'll go and explain properly to Director Pang first."

After Yuan Yifu left, Su Xinghui said to Tang Chaoxin, "Come with me."

Su Xinghui walked toward Jiang Zhiqing's office. Jiang Zhiqing had also emerged from his office by this time and was standing at the door. Seeing Su Xinghui walk over, he called out, "County Magistrate."

Su Xinghui nodded, entered the office, sat down, had Jiang Zhiqing and Tang Chaoxin sit down as well, and then said with a dark face, "You two have a lot of nerve!"

Jiang Zhiqing and Tang Chaoxin both lowered their heads. Su Xinghui asked again, "Tell me, why did you do this?"

Jiang Zhiqing said, "That Pang Xingjie was too arrogant. When he was questioning me, he tried to induce a confession, wanting me to say your name. I refused, and then he wanted to hit me."

Su Xinghui said, "So you just arrested him?"

Tang Chaoxin said, "He cursed me in public and even insulted my mother. How could I not arrest him?"

Su Xinghui's tone softened a little: "I know you did it for my sake, but this kind of thing will be disadvantageous to you. Offending the secretary of a Provincial Party Committee Secretary is not a good thing. Don't do this kind of thing in the future."

Jiang Zhiqing and Tang Chaoxin looked at each other and nodded together. Jiang Zhiqing said, "County Magistrate, this matter won't put you in a passive position, will it?"

Su Xinghui shook his head and said, "It won't go that far. Don't worry too much; I can always ensure your safety in this matter."

Jiang Zhiqing felt a warmth in his heart, and Tang Chaoxin also let out a long sigh of relief. This was the difference between Su Xinghui and Yuan Yifu. If Yuan Yifu had encountered such a situation, even if it were his trusted aide, he would have abandoned them without hesitation, but Su Xinghui was different.

The two nodded together. Jiang Zhiqing said, "County Magistrate, that Pang Xingjie is so arrogant, his character is too low. Can we perhaps..."

Su Xinghui interrupted him and said, "That is not something for you to consider. Alright, I still need to return to the County Government."

Su Xinghui stood up and went out the door. Jiang Zhiqing had the Economic Development Zone's car take him back to the County Government.

Just as Su Xinghui went upstairs, Wu Zhengjing ran over hurriedly and said, "County Magistrate, Secretary Yuan is calling an emergency Standing Committee meeting and requests your attendance."

Su Xinghui nodded. He went to his office to get a pen and notebook, then went to the meeting venue. By this time, the Standing Committee members had all arrived. With an investigation team in the county these days, they hadn't gone out, so now that a Standing Committee meeting was called, they arrived immediately.

After all the Standing Committee members were seated, Yuan Yifu scanned the venue. Today he was not his usual smiling self; his expression was very poor, looking murderous.