Chapter 252: Peace (Part 1)

Ma Youcai knew that Ji Daolin, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, had arrived in Yiyang. A strange tension gripped him. When Zhu Yan hurried into the room, Ma Youcai instinctively adjusted his tie, said nothing, and simply watched him.

In contrast, Zhu Yan remained calm. He took out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to Ma Youcai, and waited until both had lit up before speaking slowly and deliberately. "Old Ma, it’s been over a year since we last sat down to chat."

Ma Youcai had no idea what game Zhu Yan was playing. You’ve replaced almost everyone I had working for me, he thought. What is there left for us to talk about? Outwardly, however, he smiled. "The County Government has to implement the decisions of the County Party Committee. We work day and night. Where would we find the time for leisure?"

They exchanged a few pleasantries, but the conversation felt disjointed. Seeing that beating around the bush was futile, Zhu Yan got straight to the point. "County Mayor Ma, there is a matter I need to discuss with you."

"Please, speak your mind."

"You Hong confessed at the Procuratorate. He stated that last year, he gave you a Swiss gold watch."

The smile vanished from Ma Youcai’s face instantly. He shot Zhu Yan a cold glance. If you want to frame someone, you never lack excuses, he thought. But it won’t be that easy. He shook his wrist, displaying his watch. "This is a Shanghai watch. I’ve worn it for seven years. I never received any Swiss gold watch. What use would such a thing be to me?"

Seeing Ma Youcai’s rising anger, Zhu Yan remained unhurried. "That is what You Hong confessed. He provided the time, location, and witnesses with perfect clarity. I am speaking to you as a friend and an elder brother. There is absolutely no malice here. I urge you to recall the events of last Mid-Autumn Festival carefully."

Ma Youcai’s chest heaved with rapid breaths. He strained to remember the previous Mid-Autumn Festival. Suddenly, it came back to him. There had indeed been such an occasion. You Hong, then the Director of the Public Security Bureau, had treated him to a meal and presented him with a watch. At the time, You Hong had joked, "County Mayor Ma, you are the head of a county. Time is money. Every minute of yours is crucial to Yiyang County. You must use a watch of better quality."

The Shanghai watch on Ma Youcai’s wrist was a gift from his mentor. Though not expensive, its quality was excellent. "I have used this watch for years," Ma Youcai said. "Its error is less than fifteen seconds. I have no need to change watches."

Although he spoke thus, Ma Youcai had ultimately given face to the Public Security Bureau Director and accepted the gift. He had paid it little mind, tossing it into his office drawer where it had sat untouched, forgotten in the back of his mind.

Recalling this scene, Ma Youcai was startled. Seeing that Zhu Yan’s evidence was solid, he admitted, "I remember now. Last Mid-Autumn Festival, the leadership team of the Public Security Bureau treated me to dinner. They did indeed give me a watch at the table. Was it a Swiss watch?"

Seeing Ma Youcai admit the matter so readily, Zhu Yan felt half-relieved. "According to You Hong, it is a Swiss gold watch, valued at over twenty thousand yuan."

Twenty thousand yuan constituted a crime. A cold sweat broke out on Ma Youcai’s back. Hidden in his residence were nearly two million yuan in cash, along with several bankbooks. Most of this money had been given by Yi Zhongling from the Yiyang Local Products Company. Although hidden discreetly, a thorough search would undoubtedly uncover it.

Could I be brought down by this single watch? Ma Youcai thought. If so, then the net of heaven is indeed wide and inescapable.

Noticing the shifting expressions on Ma Youcai’s face, Zhu Yan added a reminder. "Did you know the value of the watch at the time?"

This question brought Ma Youcai back to his senses. His tone softened unconsciously. "At the time, I thought it was just a small gift between comrades. I didn’t think much of it and accepted it. I truly did not know it was worth twenty thousand yuan. The watch is still in my office drawer." He emphasized his words. "I haven’t even opened the packaging."

Ma Youcai was telling the truth. First, his mentor, who had given him the Shanghai watch, still held an important position; he could not possibly replace it. Second, although he knew You Hong had given him a high-end watch, he had never imagined it was a Swiss gold watch of such high value.

Hearing this, Zhu Yan was completely reassured. "It really is in the office, and the packaging is unopened?"

"We can go to the office to check right now."

Zhu Yan smiled. "If that is the case, things will be easier to handle. This was an unintentional mistake. Let us go see Secretary Ji Daolin together."

Seeing the pleased expression on Zhu Yan’s face, Ma Youcai felt confused. If I were in trouble, Zhu Yan should be happy. What does he mean by this?

After hearing Zhu Yan’s report, Ji Daolin also felt relieved, though his face remained cold. "Seeing is believing, hearing is suspecting. The three of us shall go to the office to inspect."

Three cars arrived at the compound of the County Party Committee and County Government. Staff members saw the three leaders step out of the vehicles, chatting and smiling. They entered Ma Youcai’s office, where staff hurried to pour tea. The three men sat on the sofa smoking. Once the staff left, Ji Daolin stood up first, followed closely by Zhu Yan and Ma Youcai.

Ma Youcai opened the bottom drawer on the right side of his desk and took out a golden box, still tied with a ribbon. The packaging was intact.

He took out a small pair of scissors and gave Ji Daolin a wry smile. "Secretary Ji, here is the item. I will open the packaging now."

He cut open the package, revealing a gleaming gold watch inside.

The facts were clear. Ji Daolin’s demeanor relaxed considerably. He joked, "This watch has been gathering dust for a year. Today, it finally reveals its golden form."

Ma Youcai seized the opportunity quickly. "I will formally hand this watch over to the organization today. Although it is a year late, it was truly an unintentional mistake." This characterization of "unintentional mistake" had been suggested by Zhu Yan. Ma Youcai found the phrasing suitable and repeated it readily.

Ji Daolin smiled. "Since this is the case, it will be easier to explain to Secretary Changquan."

At dinner, Zhao Lin, Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, and Qian Zhiguo from the County Discipline Inspection Commission also attended. They were surprised to see Ma Youcai clinking glasses with Zhu Yan several times.

Finally, the gathering dispersed. Ma Youcai returned home. In his study, he took out the cash and bankbooks he had hidden so carefully. These items had become a source of constant anxiety, like hot potatoes that felt unsafe wherever he placed them. He tossed around in the study until midnight, still unable to find a reliable hiding spot. When he knelt on the floor, trying to place the money under the bookshelf, he found it unsuitable after several attempts. As he stood up, he felt dizzy and disoriented. Ma Youcai leaned against the bookshelf for a long while before the stars in his eyes slowly faded.

A cunning rabbit has three burrows, he thought. How careless I was. I never sought a reliable place for myself. If the Procuratorate had sent people to search today, my head would have been lost.

Thinking of this, Ma Youcai broke into a heavy sweat, his body feeling as if it had collapsed.

Hou Weidong did not know exactly what the leaders had discussed, but having witnessed the sequence of events, he vaguely guessed that the matter involved Ma Youcai. After dinner, he sensitively noticed Ma Youcai making a "please" gesture toward Zhu Yan—a behavior never seen before.

With a mix of doubt and emotion, Hou Weidong returned to Shazhou College. After getting out of the car, he waved to Xiao Zhu and walked toward the building entrance.

At the entrance, Hou Weidong paused subconsciously, feeling that something was missing. It was only when he reached the first floor that he realized he had not heard Guo Lan playing the piano for several days.

Why isn’t Guo Lan playing the piano? Is she sick, or on a business trip?

Although Hou Weidong and Guo Lan were neighbors, they had little contact. Hou Weidong knew of Guo Lan’s situation mostly through Ren Lindu. Now that Ren Lindu had moved to the Comprehensive Section, both were busy and rarely chatted. Hou Weidong was unaware of Guo Lan’s recent status. It was only the absence of piano music today that reminded him of the matter.

When he went upstairs, he saw a person standing at his door, leaning against it and smoking. Seeing Hou Weidong come up, the man said happily, "Township Mayor Hou is finally back."

Hou Weidong recognized the voice. After taking a few more steps, he identified the man as Su Yajun, Director of the Social Affairs Office of Qinglin Town. "Director Su, do you need something from me? Why didn’t you call my mobile phone?"

Su Yajun said, "I called Director Hou’s mobile phone, but you didn’t answer." He deliberately changed "Township Mayor Hou" to "Director Hou."

Hou Weidong took out his phone and saw four missed calls. He explained, "Leaders from the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee came to Yiyang today. I participated in the reception and set my phone to silent mode, so I missed your call, Director Su."

As he spoke, he invited Su Yajun into the house.

Su Yajun sat on the sofa, looking quite anxious. "Director Hou, I have encountered an urgent matter and would like to ask for your help."

Hou Weidong poured a cup of tea. "We are comrades who have worked together. Speak plainly. No need for formalities."

Su Yajun was a senior figure in the Qinglin Town Government. When Hou Weidong first oversaw the Social Affairs Office, Su Yajun had not fully respected him. It was only after the foundation audit and the funeral reform that Su Yajun had acknowledged Hou Weidong.

Now, sitting in Hou Weidong’s home, Su Yajun felt both anxious and somewhat awkward. "Director Hou, my second son studies at Yiyang Middle School. You have met him before. His grades are decent, but he values brotherhood loyalty too much. Yesterday, he was lured out by some classmates to join a gang fight. The school now wants to expel him. I went to see Principal Duan, but he insists on expulsion. If my second son is really expelled, his future will be ruined. Director Hou, you are a leader in the County Party Committee. You must have a way to help."

Seeing Su Yajun’s state, Hou Weidong took out his confidential phone book and flipped to Principal Duan’s number at Yiyang Middle School. The last time he had accompanied Zhu Yan to Yiyang Middle School, he had met Principal Duan, so they were acquainted. Hou Weidong dialed the number.

"Hello, Principal Duan. This is Hou Weidong from the County Party Committee Office."

Principal Duan did not immediately recall who Hou Weidong was. He responded perfunctorily, "Hou Weidong? Oh. What can I do for you?"

Hou Weidong added, "Last time, I accompanied Secretary Zhu Yan to Yiyang Middle School."

Principal Duan was a prominent figure in the education system and possessed considerable pride. After hearing Hou Weidong’s request, he said, "Gang fighting is a very bad thing. It must be punished severely. Otherwise, the school ethos will be corrupted, and the reputation of Yiyang Middle School will be destroyed in an instant."