Chapter 228: The Unpredictable Tide (Part 4)
Hou Weidong had assumed the conversation between Zhu Yan and Zhao Lin would be brief. However, Deputy Secretary Zhao Lin remained inside for an extended period. Chief Prosecutor Li Du kept checking his watch, growing increasingly anxious. Finally, unable to contain his impatience, he stepped outside and called Zhu Yan’s office.
By this time, the formal discussion between Zhu Yan and Zhao Lin had concluded. As key leaders of the County Party Committee, both men were perpetually busy. Their days were filled with meetings, inspections, and symposiums, leaving no room for idle chatter. The intentions of the County Party Committee were gradually implemented through their repeated discussions, seeping into the grassroots like spring rain.
On the other hand, governing a large county with a population of hundreds of thousands and an area of over two thousand square kilometers meant that troubles invariably emerged from unexpected places. Taking even half a day off to enjoy a moment of peace was a luxury they could rarely afford.
"Every time I return home and see my father fishing while my mother busies herself in the yard, I feel a deep sense of envy," Zhu Yan mused. "Sometimes, I truly wish I could resign from public service and return to the fields, living a peaceful life free from worldly strife."
Zhao Lin chuckled softly. "Secretary Zhu, you bear the heavy responsibility of lifting hundreds of thousands of people in Yiyang out of poverty. Only when this task is accomplished can your dream of a pastoral life become a reality. If you were to retreat to the mountains now, your mind would never find peace. Your parents retired only after achieving great success and recognition."
Zhu Yan pressed a stack of documents down with his notebook, as if trying to suppress the troublesome thoughts. "In martial arts novels, the phrase 'once in the Jianghu, one is no longer master of one’s own fate' has become a cliché. But in officialdom, the lack of autonomy is even more profound. The entire bureaucratic system is a massive machine; we are merely small cogs within it. Even if we stand still, we are carried forward by its immense inertia."
Zhao Lin sighed. "My desires are modest. Fulfilling my duties conscientiously is enough for me."
Zhu Yan replied, "If everyone could truly fulfill their duties conscientiously, our country would have long been the most prosperous in the world. This standard may seem low, but it is practical and far more valuable than empty grand theories."
Shifting the topic to morality, Zhu Yan added, "We hold elementary school students to very high standards. We teach them to love their country, their people, and society, to have a global perspective, and to be diligent and brave. Yet, the moral standard for government officials is noticeably lower. As long as an official gets things done and avoids corruption, they are considered a good official."
Their conversation was interrupted by a phone call from Chief Prosecutor Li Du.
"Here we go again. Back to work," Zhu Yan said, extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray with a sense of lingering regret. "When we have some free time, let’s take Xiao Hou and Xiao Ren to a farmhouse and play a solid half-day of Shuang Kou. We two old guys can teach those young men a lesson."
After Zhao Lin left, Li Du entered the room.
"I just received a call from the Shazhou Procuratorate," Li Du reported. "Relatives of Yang Weige have brought petition materials to the Shazhou Procuratorate, alleging that the Yiyang Procuratorate is making arbitrary arrests and using torture to extract confessions. They claim they intend to escalate the matter to the Provincial Procuratorate."
Zhu Yan’s casual demeanor vanished instantly. His eyes sharpened, and his eyebrows lifted slightly. "Chief Prosecutor Li, you must handle this with precision. Without violating the principles of the Criminal Procedure Law, organize the interrogation of Yang Weige meticulously. Do not give anyone a handle to criticize us. We must make this case ironclad. Do you have the confidence to do this?"
"The County Party Committee supports the work of the Procuratorate. You must overcome any interference."
Seeing Zhu Yan’s firm attitude, Li Du’s confidence surged. "With Secretary Zhu’s support, I am willing to be the vanguard. I will clean up this entire nest of corrupt elements."
While Li Du was speaking, Jia Dagang, Director of the Petition Office, came up from the ground floor. Holding a fax, he went to the General Affairs Section. Section Chief Liu Tao glanced at the content and immediately called Hou Weidong.
This was Jia Dagang’s first interaction with Hou Weidong. He explained, "The Shazhou Petition Office called. They said more than thirty people from Yiyang County have blocked the entrance to the Municipal Party Committee building. They are holding banners accusing the Procuratorate of arbitrary arrests and torture. They are demanding that we immediately retrieve this group, soothe their emotions, and provide a reply to the Shazhou Petition Office within one month."
Jia Dagang was a veteran of the bureaucratic system. Working in sensitive departments like the Government Office and the Petition Office, he was highly attuned to information. Upon receiving the fax and call from the Shazhou Petition Office, he immediately connected the dots to the audit team’s entry into the Native Produce Company and the arson case involving the Procuratorate. Knowing the waters were deep, he first reported the fax to Gui Gang, then came to the County Party Committee Office.
As Hou Weidong reviewed the materials, Jia Dagang explained, "This group causing trouble at the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee and Government has attracted the high attention of municipal leaders. Therefore, upon receiving the notice, I reported the matter to the leaders of both the County Party Committee Office and the County Government Office."
The petition document was straightforward. Hou Weidong finished reading it in moments. He waved the paper slightly and said, "This is the villain accusing the victim first. The Procuratorate should exercise its duties according to the law. We cannot allow petitions to disrupt the normal working order of the Procuratorate."
In the minds of many cadres, the attitude of a leader’s secretary often reflected the leader’s own stance. Jia Dagang held this view.
He sighed, "The common people today simply do not reason. They petition at the slightest provocation, and the government is forced to yield. The government has become softer than before. As long as there are enough people making noise, authorities settle matters to keep the peace. Over time, everyone learns that the crying child gets the milk. Consequently, more and more people resort to causing trouble."
Seeing Jia Dagang echoing his sentiments, Hou Weidong thought, Jia Dagang is at least a Deputy Director of the County Government Office. There is no need for him to flatter me. Realizing his previous tone had been somewhat harsh, he smiled and said, "Director Jia, I will report this matter to Secretary Zhu shortly."
Jia Dagang smiled warmly. "Then I will proceed according to normal procedures. If the County Party Committee leaders have any specific requirements regarding this matter, please, Secretary Hou and Section Chief Liu, convey them to us in a timely manner." Liu Tao politely replied, "Director Jia is a senior leader from the Government Office. Why are you being so polite with us? Let’s communicate more frequently about any developments."
After leaving the General Affairs Section, Hou Weidong saw Li Du on the stairs. Noticing Hou Weidong, Li Du walked over with a smile, extended his hand, and said, "Secretary Zhu has arranged for the Procuratorate to report on the Yang Weige case daily. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Bai Ning from the special task force will report the progress of the case to you every day."
Hou Weidong responded promptly, "Chief Prosecutor Li, please don’t be so polite. Feel free to give instructions."
"You are close to Secretary Zhu; how could we dare to give you orders?" Li Du said enthusiastically. "I heard that Secretary Hou graduated from the Law Department of Shazhou University. Having an insider like you by Secretary Zhu’s side is a boost for the entire political and legal system."
Seeing Li Du off at the stairs, Hou Weidong thought to himself, Tch. So now my level has risen to the point where I can promote the construction of the political and legal system. Are they trying to kill me with praise? He studied the petition document carefully before delivering it to Zhu Yan.
After reading the fax from the Shazhou Petition Office, Zhu Yan asked casually, "Xiao Hou, what is your take on this?"
Hou Weidong chose his words carefully. "I majored in law in university. From a legal perspective, the Procuratorate is acting according to the law and has committed no fault. The evidence they hold is sufficient to support their actions. The fact that Yang Weige’s relatives went to the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee and Government to cause a scene suggests they were incited and provoked by someone."
"What is the purpose behind this?"
Recalling his own experiences at the Procuratorate, Hou Weidong said, "Perhaps someone is afraid that Yang Weige will not withstand the Procuratorate’s interrogation. They are exposing the matter deliberately to force the Procuratorate to refrain from using strong measures."
Although Hou Weidong spoke subtly, Zhu Yan understood clearly. "According to your analysis, this corrupt element, Yang Weige, who leads the violation of laws and discipline, is trying to use legal means to protect himself and cover up his crimes."
Hou Weidong added, "If they do not use strong measures, Yang Weige will simply deny everything to the death. Perhaps many people hope for exactly this outcome."
Zhu Yan pondered for a moment before saying, "Your point has some merit. Otherwise, Yang Weige’s family would not have gone directly to Shazhou." He added with self-deprecation, "Corrupt officials use legal weapons to protect themselves, while law enforcement officers must resort to illegal means to execute the law. Isn’t that a bit of dark humor?"
Hou Weidong said seriously, "Perhaps this is a sign of progress in our times."
Zhu Yan did not wish to dwell on this topic. "Let historians evaluate the deeper implications. Our primary task now is to handle the matter properly. I have a task for you: maintain daily contact with Bai Ning from the Procuratorate and keep a close eye on the progress of the case."
He glanced at his watch. "Time flies. It’s already twelve o’clock without us noticing. What are the arrangements for lunch today?"
Hou Weidong replied, "Qian Ning, Deputy Director of the Municipal Commercial Commission, is coming to Yiyang for an inspection today. Lunch is arranged with Director Qian."
Hearing that there would be drinking involved, Zhu Yan said helplessly, "My stomach has been sacrificed to the Communist Party."
Hou Weidong understood Zhu Yan well. He had been worn down by the endless banquets. Ordinary people joked about "drinking revolutionary wine every day," but those not in the position could not know that drinking every day felt like torture—torture endured with a smile on one’s face.
"We have twenty minutes before lunch. Xiao Hou, bring me the renderings of the Central Business District. Also, call Zhang Yajun and ask if the renderings for the Central Business District in the new urban area are ready. If they are, have him send them over immediately. This task was assigned urgently, and I don’t know if Zhang Yajun has completed it."
Hou Weidong returned to his office and made the call. Zhang Yajun, Director of the Construction Commission, was in good spirits. He laughed heartily, "Several technicians from the Construction Commission worked all night last night to finish the renderings. They are very exquisite. I will send someone over immediately."
No sooner had he hung up the phone with Zhang Yajun than his mobile phone rang frantically again.
"Xiaojia, you’re coming to Yiyang? That’s great. When will you arrive?"
"In the afternoon. The head of the Garden Management Bureau is coming to Yiyang. He is very familiar with County Mayor Ma."