Chapter 224: The Unpredictable Current (Part 1)

Hou Weidong had worked in the township, and he knew how to grow vegetables. However, his skills were not learned from the local farmers; they were passed down from his family.

In the late 1970s, the 1980s, and the early 1990s, due to material scarcity and low wages, many families grew vegetables in the narrow spaces of their front and back courtyards, or even on their rooftops. When Hou Weidong was seven or eight years old, his father, Hou Yonggui, was still working at the police station in the township. Behind their home lay a large vegetable patch. Helping his mother carry water to irrigate the crops became Hou Weidong’s daily chore. Through this constant exposure, he naturally became familiar with gardening.

Although it was already late August, the sun remained scorching. Hou Weidong accepted the task of watering the vegetables without hesitation. He noticed that the pumpkin leaves on the left were already wilting. He knew that if he didn’t act quickly, once the sun rose higher, it would be too hot to water the crops. So, he picked up the bucket and began watering the vegetables with full concentration.

Inside the house, Zhu Yan and Li Yongguo sat in the inner room, chatting casually. They spoke of deceased senior leaders, policies in Shazhou, the development of Yiyang, and the establishment of the Qingda Cement Plant. Eventually, the conversation turned to the Yiyang Native Produce Company.

The Yiyang Native Produce Company was the main topic Zhu Yan had come to discuss. "In the first half of this year, the Native Produce Company suffered a loss of over one million yuan. Last year, we invested over four million yuan in technological upgrades, but it was like throwing a clay ox into the sea—completely useless. The company is now insolvent."

The copper rod project had been initiated when Li Yongguo was the County Party Secretary. Since its launch, it had been quite famous, recouping the investment for Yiyang County in its first year. As County Party Secretary, Li Yongguo had smoothly advanced to become the Prefect of Shazhou Prefecture, and the Yiyang Native Produce Company was one of his key achievements.

Seeing his life’s work about to be ruined by his successors, Li Yongguo’s expression turned pained. "Secretary Zhu, Yi Zhongling is a man of poor character. Although he has some skill in management, he should not be trusted with major responsibilities. I have said this before."

Zhu Yan tried to recall if Li Yongguo had ever said this, but he couldn’t remember. He responded humbly, "Initially, I thought Yi Zhongling’s management level was acceptable, so I decided to let him continue for two more years on a trial basis. Plus, some comrades insisted on keeping Yi Zhongling, so we never adjusted his position."

Li Yongguo knew that "some comrades" referred to Ma Youcai, but he did not point it out.

Zhu Yan continued, "After the half-year reports came out, the County Party Committee and the County Government realized the severity of the problem. In mid-August, we sent an audit team to the Native Produce Company. Upon entering, they found a lead. The Procuratorate seized many vouchers and account books at No. 115 Zhongshan East Road. From these documents, it appears that the Native Produce Company provided fake accounts to the audit team."

Li Yongguo’s expression grew grave. "Failure to adapt to the market economy and poor management leading to losses can be forgiven. After all, everyone has been operating under a planned economy for so long and is unfamiliar with the market economy. However, corruption is a different matter; the nature of the issue changes. We will absolutely not allow corruption to take root."

Zhu Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, "These pieces of evidence were burned at the Procuratorate last night."

Li Yongguo was stunned for a moment, then his veins bulged. "Hesitation leads to disaster. Secretary Zhu, I’ll speak frankly as an elder. As County Party Secretary, you must be decisive. When it’s time to act, you must cut through the tangled mess with a swift blade. For such troublemakers, you must use thunderous measures."

Zhu Yan replied sincerely, "Old Li, your criticism is correct. We are doing our utmost to solve this case. However, with these pieces of evidence destroyed, clearing up the Native Produce Company affair will become much more difficult."

Although Li Yongguo was an old man who spent his days gardening, his special status meant he had a clear understanding of the political situation in Yiyang. He looked at the struggle between the two tigers in Yiyang with the eyes of a veteran. "There are many things I don’t know, and some things I know a little about. You are a seasoned divisional leader with a bright future. I will not judge the specific affairs of the Yiyang County Party Committee and Government. I only ask that you have no regrets before the country, the people, and the elders of Yiyang."

Zhu Yan’s face was solemn. "Every time I talk with Old Li, I gain much. Please rest assured, Old Li. No matter what, I am a cadre educated by the Party for many years. The Party’s cause and the people’s cause will always come first."

Shazhou City had only four counties. If the County Party Secretary and the County Mayor had a fierce conflict, Comrade Zhou Changquan would definitely intervene. Zhou Changquan met with Li Yongguo several times a year. Zhu Yan’s visit was a preemptive move, aiming to ensure Li Yongguo would speak correctly on his behalf in front of Zhou Changquan.

After finishing the serious matters, Zhu Yan’s demeanor relaxed. "Old Li, it’s been a while since we played a game. Shall we set up the board and play a few rounds?"

Li Yongguo chuckled. "We’ll play chess, and wait for my wife to come back to cook."

Zhu Yan asked, "Why let the auntie cook? You can leave these chores to Xiao Lin."

Xiao Lin was a nanny specifically hired by the County Party Committee Office for Li Yongguo. She had a junior high school education, was from the suburbs, and was quick and efficient. She had been personally selected by Ji Haiyang.

Li Yongguo said, "Xiao Lin is good. She is diligent, polite, and her cooking is decent. But she can’t compare to my wife. Her ancestors ran a restaurant, so she has family-passed-down skills. Secretary Zhu’s wife would definitely insist on cooking herself."

Zhu Yan smiled. "I’ve tasted the auntie’s cooking. It’s truly excellent. Old Li, you really have good taste."

As they spoke, the two set up the chessboard in the main hall.

Li Yongguo suddenly pointed at Hou Weidong. "This secretary of yours is new."

"He has only been with me for about ten days."

Li Yongguo nodded. "This young man is good. I’ve been observing him. He waters the vegetables meticulously and with a smile. From this, I can tell he is an honest person. I have seen many people in my life and rarely make mistakes in judgment."

By this time, Hou Weidong had finished watering the entire vegetable patch, and sweat was pouring down his back.

Hearing Zhu Yan’s call, Hou Weidong quickly put down the bucket and walked over.

"We’ll have lunch at Old Li’s house today. You and Old Liu come in and be our audience while Old Li and I play."

After lunch, back in the office, Ren Lindu was sleeping on the长沙 sofa with the door closed. Seeing Hou Weidong return, he said, "Did I embarrass myself last night?"

Hou Weidong smiled. "You didn’t embarrass yourself. You just used the courage from the alcohol to say what you wanted to say."

Ren Lindu sat up. "A graceful maiden, the gentleman’s desire. My pursuit of Guo Lan is justified. There is no need to be shy or use alcohol for courage. However, Guo Lan appears friendly on the surface but is actually very independent. She always keeps people at arm’s length, leaving me with no way forward."

He added, "I heard the Procuratorate caught fire?"

"Yes. I went there in the middle of the night. Didn’t you know?"

"I was drunk last night. How would I know you left?" Ren Lindu’s eyes sparkled. "Last night’s events were quite a show. This incident will have a significant impact on the political landscape of Yiyang."

Seeing Ren Lindu’s expression, Hou Weidong suddenly realized, "Zhao Lin is the Deputy County Party Secretary. If Ma Youcai falls, he is the most likely to succeed as County Mayor."

The two chatted for a while. At two o’clock, Hou Weidong called the Procuratorate office and asked Chief Procurator Li Du to come to Zhu Yan’s office immediately.

The drive from the Procuratorate to the County Party Committee took only seven minutes. At 2:10, Hou Weidong left the office. Just as he reached the staircase, he saw Li Du coming up the stairs, panting.

Li Du and Hou Weidong walked toward Zhu Yan’s office together. Li Du whispered, "Secretary Hou, how is Secretary Zhu’s mood today?" Hou Weidong smiled slightly. "Secretary Zhu hasn’t mentioned this matter. He was working normally this morning."

Entering Zhu Yan’s office, Hou Weidong felt the temperature drop below zero. Zhu Yan’s face seemed covered with a layer of ice. He only flipped through documents, never looking up at Li Du. After Hou Weidong left the office, Zhu Yan finally looked up and said, "Sit."

Li Du sat down opposite the desk, took a document from his briefcase, and said, "Secretary Zhu, I first offer a self-criticism to the County Party Committee. Due to my negligence, the evidence room of the Procuratorate was set on fire, destroying all important evidence of the 828 Special Case. This has brought immeasurable difficulties to the investigation."

Zhu Yan looked up, his gaze like a Type 54 pistol, fixed firmly on Li Du’s forehead. He interrupted, "I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of confidentiality. Who leaked the information? How have you been leading your team?"

His voice grew louder, and Li Du’s head bowed lower.

When Zhu Yan finished speaking, Li Du raised his head, handed over the document, and said, "According to the inspection report from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Public Security Bureau, there was gasoline in the file cabinet, confirming it was an arson case. Since the doors and windows were intact, and the broken door was kicked in by firefighters, it is almost certainly the work of someone inside the Procuratorate. I have already suspended everyone who had keys to the evidence room and am investigating them one by one."

All of this was within Zhu Yan’s expectations. His voice remained cold. "The Special Case Group must also be investigated."

Li Du said, "The Special Case Group is small. I will personally organize the investigation."

Zhu Yan tapped his fingers on the desk. "I will not pursue responsibility for now. Tell me your thoughts."

Zhu Yan’s phrase "tell me your thoughts" was ambiguous. Li Du’s mind raced, trying to guess Zhu Yan’s true intent. He was known in the procuratorial system as having a "computer brain" for his quick reactions. He said, "We still have one small piece of evidence. When studying the case, we planned to break through from Yang Weige, so we collected Yang Weige’s IOUs and related materials first. This file is in Tang Xiaowei’s hands and was not burned. Although it cannot completely clear up the corruption case of the Native Produce Company, we can use Yang Weige to tear open a gap in the Native Produce Company’s defenses."

Hou Weidong, seeing that Li Du had not come out for a long time, thought to himself, "It seems Li Du has escaped danger."