Chapter 317: The Investigation (Part 2)

Ji Daolin worked with remarkable efficiency. Within two days, he had thoroughly investigated the contents of the whistleblowing letter and determined that the substantive issues were entirely fabricated.

Before leaving Yiyang, he reported the findings of the Municipal Party Committee’s investigation team to Yang Senlin, who was presiding over the work of the Yiyang County Party Committee.

Although the whistleblowing letter had no connection to Yang Senlin, the situation was unusual because Yiyang was in a transitional period with a vacant County Party Secretary position.

When Ji Daolin showed him the instructions from Comrade Chang Quan, Yang Senlin felt a tightening in his chest. He thought to himself, “Logically speaking, this letter must have been written by Ma Youcai’s political rivals. I wonder how Ji Daolin views this matter.”

The most frustrating aspect for Yang Senlin was that he could not proactively explain himself. If he did, it would appear as though he were guilty and trying to cover his tracks; if he remained silent, this unfounded accusation would inexplicably be pinned on him.

Yang Senlin gritted his teeth, thinking, “This is definitely a self-directed performance by Ma Youcai. To become the County Party Secretary, these people will stop at nothing.”

Despite his inner rage, he kept his expression neutral. “These five charges are absurd,” Yang Senlin said. “Accusing him of having a corrupt lifestyle and maintaining relationships with six young, beautiful women is a complete joke. Although Mayor Ma’s wife is in Shazhou, their marriage is harmonious and respectful.”

“Accusing him of running a one-man show and undermining democratic centralism is even more baseless. Yiyang County has specific documents promoting democratic centralism. All major matters within the prescribed scope have been discussed at the Standing Committee meetings. If anyone has been running a one-man show, it might be me, as the Deputy Secretary presiding over the work.”

“And so on…”

As the acting County Party Secretary, Yang Senlin had to actively defend Ma Youcai. This feeling of being led by the nose, or even mocked, made his anger burn within.

Ji Daolin’s demeanor remained calm, his expression revealing no emotion. “The investigation team has concluded that the issues listed in the letter are untrue. The Municipal Party Committee can rest assured.” He raised his voice slightly. “Overall, the situation in Yiyang is good. Party building, economic development, and urban construction are all leading in Shazhou. The Municipal Party Committee affirms your work. Currently, the Southeast Asian financial crisis is intensifying, and the domestic economy faces many difficulties. Your party and government team must strengthen unity, focus on development, and maintain Yiyang’s momentum. This is Secretary Chang Quan’s instruction.”

After seeing off Ma Youcai, Yang Senlin felt a wave of frustration. He returned directly to a small guesthouse with a separate backyard, which served as his temporary home in Yiyang.

In the garage at the side gate of the small courtyard sat a Santana 2000 sedan. An entrepreneur friend had lent it to him for transportation, and it bore a Shazhou license plate. It was usually locked inside the storefront. Although the province strictly prohibited leaders from driving their own cars, Yang Senlin had a habit of driving around to clear his mind when troubled, so he secretly violated the provincial regulations.

Driving the car, Yang Senlin habitually took the old highway toward Shazhou. Since the expressway opened, traffic on the old road had decreased significantly. He kept his speed around thirty kilometers per hour, driving slowly while pondering his problems. When he reached Shawanzi, he stopped the car, turned off the engine, and smoked a few cigarettes alone in the dilapidated area before continuing his journey.

“Since Ma Youcai is willing to use such dirty tactics, courtesy demands reciprocity. I won’t be foolish enough to sit and wait for disaster.”

As the car entered Shazhou, Yang Senlin made up his mind.

Just as Yang Senlin was driving to Shazhou in a foul mood, Hou Weidong encountered a minor but significant trouble.

This incident traced back to when Yang Senlin first arrived in Yiyang. On one occasion, he led a group to inspect the New Management Committee and the Development Zone. Upon entering the development zone area, they encountered four amino acid production factories. The pollution from these factories was severe, reaching a shocking level. Yang Senlin immediately ordered the factories to halt production.

The four factories had significant pollution but good profitability, contributing considerable taxes and fees annually. After the shutdown, they collectively moved out of Yiyang, leaving behind a mess and owing villagers various fees. Unable to receive the planned payments, the villagers caused a disturbance.

The county government organized funds to pay the relevant fees promptly and eventually repurchased the factories’ buildings and land, turning them into state-owned assets. On the other hand, Yang Senlin took a hard line, detaining several key agitators.

Only after applying both soft and hard measures was the incident quelled.

However, after the four polluting enterprises moved away, the development zone failed to attract suitable new businesses. Exposed to wind and rain, the factory buildings gradually deteriorated. Seeing this, surrounding villagers began to encroach on the land.

After the New Management Committee merged with the Development Zone, these buildings were largely illegally occupied by villagers, who converted them into various small workshops, with some even living inside. After taking over, the New Management Committee notified the occupying villagers to move out, but they ignored the notice.

Qingda Group’s Tongyun Machinery Factory had its eye on this land. The New Management Committee began to forcibly relocate the villagers, leading to continuous conflicts.

To clear the buildings as soon as possible, the divisional leader, Zhang Jin, assigned You Yong, the Deputy Section Chief of the Infrastructure Section, to persuade the locals to leave. You Yong, a newly promoted deputy section chief, was highly motivated. He led his team on several visits, but the results were insignificant. Qingda Group’s Tongyun Machinery Factory was pressing for progress, so Hou Weidong urged Zhang Jin to speed things up several times. Zhang Jin criticized Deputy Section Chief You Yong repeatedly.

Just as Ji Daolin was talking with Yang Senlin, You Yong, carrying his frustration, went again to work with the locals.

“The government has paid all the land acquisition fees in full. On what grounds are you staying here?” You Yong argued with Su Jialin, the former production team leader.

Su Jialin had served as production team leader for several terms and knew the policies well. He had many twisted arguments. He said confidently, “The New Management Committee expropriated all the land and gave us that little money, which I’ve long spent. Now I have no land. Are you telling my whole family to drink the northwest wind?” His language was foul. “You bastards. The factory was running fine, yet you forced the boss to close it. My wife and I used to work there, earning over a thousand yuan a month. Now that the factory is gone, the New Management Committee should compensate us for that income.”

You Yong was angry. “Su Jialin, you’ve been a cadre before. How can you be so unreasonable? We distributed all the subsidies last year. Your family received over forty thousand yuan. You should be satisfied. Today, you must give a definite answer: when will you move? Otherwise, I will take action.”

Su Jialin said, “I built a mushroom house in the factory, spending over two thousand yuan. If you pay me that amount, I’ll move out immediately.”

“This factory isn’t your home. On what grounds are you growing mushrooms here? I’m doing you a favor by not charging rent, and you want relocation compensation? You’re dreaming. There’s no such cheap deal in the world.”

The two argued fiercely, quickly attracting five or six other families occupying the factory. These families included elderly people, adults, and children, who all gathered around You Yong, shouting and cursing.

You Yong had been criticized by Zhang Jin earlier that morning and was already angry. “Even if you talk until the sky falls, you must move today.” He said this and tried to force his way into the house.

Su Jialin’s wife stood at the door, holding a basin of urine. Seeing You Yong and his men approaching, she splashed it forcefully at him. You Yong’s lower body was covered in excrement and urine, looking extremely狼狈 (disheveled). Su Jialin’s wife, still holding the basin, grinned and said, “Next time you try to enter, I’ll splash your face.”

You Yong raised his hand, cursing, “I’ll beat you to death, you foolish woman,” and slapped her.

Su Jialin’s wife, her hair disheveled, rushed forward. Su Jialin cursed loudly beside her, and other onlookers gathered around.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, You Yong’s subordinates pulled him away. The five or six families watching the scene laughed heartily.

You Yong was a technical school graduate from Shazhou Agricultural School, with only three or four years of work experience. He was young. After running out, he threw away his dirty pants, washed them in the field, and returned to the New Management Committee office building in his shorts. Hiding in his office, he cried tears of grievance.

The incident did not end there. At eleven o’clock, suddenly over a hundred villagers rushed into the New Management Committee office building. Su Jialin cried and made a scene in the courtyard: “State cadres beat people! They beat my wife’s ear deaf!”

Young villagers rushed into the New Management Committee offices, searching everywhere for You Yong. Fortunately, You Yong had been sent home to change clothes, narrowly escaping disaster.

Hou Weidong was attending a meeting at the County Government. Public Security Bureau Director Shang Guanghua was beside him. Upon receiving the news, Shang Guanghua reported the situation to Vice County Mayor Zeng Zhaoqiang, who was presiding over the meeting. After consulting briefly with Shang Guanghua, Hou Weidong hurried back to the New Management Committee office building.

In the courtyard of the office building, over a hundred people stood in disorder. Seeing Hou Weidong return, they swarmed around him like a beehive. The people approaching were all elderly men and women, women, and children.

Hou Weidong had not expected the scene to be so chaotic. When he came to his senses, his face had already been scratched, with several stinging blood marks. In this situation, Hou Weidong ignored the injuries on his face and shouted, “Li Yongfu, call your people! Everyone, please calm down. Any issue can be resolved. Having so many people here won’t solve the problem. Select a few representatives to come forward.” He turned to the New Management Committee cadres and said, “Don’t let them come closer. Guard your positions.”

Zhang Jin stomped his feet nearby and shouted, “Li Yongfu, select five representatives to come in.”

Li Yongfu was the village party branch secretary. Seeing Hou Weidong arrive, he and several village cadres came over to mediate. Through shouting and arguing, they managed to pull the crowd away from Hou Weidong.