Chapter 403: Entanglements (Part 2)

Hou Weidong’s first encounter with Huang Zidi had been at the Finance and Taxation Hotel, where he had accompanied Zhu Yan to play mahjong. Before the game began, Zhu Yan had handed Huang Zidi ten thousand yuan as a "table fee." It was the first time Hou Weidong had seen a county party secretary paying respects in such a manner, so the impression had been profound. Consequently, he had retained a lasting memory of Huang Zidi’s expectation of such payments.

Given Huang Zidi’s status, only individuals of comparable rank could easily approach him. Zhu Yan, Old Fang, Old Kong, and Ji Haiyang were all regional powers in their own right, naturally granting them access to Huang Zidi’s inner circle. Yi Zhongling, however, was merely a former leader of a state-owned factory in Yiyang. In terms of rank and influence, he was hardly worthy of Huang Zidi’s attention. Yet, if Yi Zhongda from the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department personally facilitated the connection, the situation changed entirely.

Hou Weidong thought to himself, Yi Zhongling, having emerged from the state-owned sector, is accustomed to leveraging government officials for his affairs. It seems he has now latched onto Huang Zidi as his patron.

Luo Jinhao noticed Hou Weidong’s distracted expression and joked, "Junior brother, you must have seen a beauty and lost your composure."

Hou Weidong shook his head. "Beauty? Hardly. I just saw Yi Zhongling from the Yiyang Native Produce Company waiting at the entrance." He still harbored deep resentment regarding the incidents involving the Yiyang Native Produce Company. "The arson and murder case at the Yiyang Procuratorate is undoubtedly linked to Yi Zhongling. However, the man is cunning, and we lack concrete evidence. Any future breakthrough will depend entirely on chance."

Luo Jinhao sighed. "Compared to ten or twenty years ago, the investigative techniques of the Shazhou Public Security Bureau have seen little improvement. Meanwhile, criminals are increasingly employing high-tech methods and high intelligence. The recent criminal clearance rate is so low that we dare not publish it to the public. It is truly a source of shame for us in law enforcement." Recalling his own experiences, he added, "Weidong, being close to Zhou Changquan and coming from a family of police officers, you should advocate more for our public security forces."

When the Yiyang Native Produce Company incident occurred, Hou Weiguo was still with the Shazhou Criminal Investigation Brigade. He had assisted Hou Weidong with advice, understood the case details, and had his own assessment of Yi Zhongling. "Yi Zhongling is indeed a character. After resigning from the Yiyang Native Produce Company, he became a private entrepreneur. Recently, I reviewed case materials submitted by the Chengjin County Economic Crime Investigation Brigade involving him."

Hou Weidong asked with interest, "What kind of case involves Yi Zhongling?"

"Yi Zhongling operates a mine in Linshan Town, Chengjin County. Several fraud cases recently occurred in Chengjin County, but they are not significantly related to Yi Zhongling. He is considered a 'bona fide third party.'"

Hou Weidong scoffed. "Bona fide third party? That mostly just means he keeps his hands clean. Yi Zhongling is absolutely a menace."

Hou Weiguo smiled. "You hold a deep prejudice against him."

"One bite from a snake makes one wary of well ropes for ten years. I remain on high alert for anything or anyone associated with Yi Zhongling."

That evening, after returning home, Hou Weidong called Zeng Wengang. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked, "I heard Qin Gan and Xian Yong were going to Chengjin County to open a phosphate mine. Which town are they specifically in?"

Zeng Wengang had just finished showering and was wearing pajamas, enjoying a tender moment with Song Zhicheng in the air-conditioned room. He answered the phone, glanced at Song Zhicheng, and walked to the window to speak in a low voice. "Qin Gan and Zeng Xian Yong are both in Linshan Town. It has the largest ore reserves."

"I heard Yi Zhongling is also in Linshan Town?"

Zeng Wengang was surprised by Hou Weidong’s well-informed status. "I know about this. Yi Zhongling certainly has some connections. He arrived in Linshan Town around the same time as Qin Gan and Zeng Xian Yong. Through county-level connections, he purchased a lucrative mine that is very profitable. Qin Gan and Zeng Xian Yong jointly bought a remote, low-yield mine that barely breaks even."

Hou Weidong asked, "Is there really a triad presence in Linshan Town? Song Zhicheng described the situation as quite serious."

Song Zhicheng pulled a thin sheet over herself, watching Zeng Wengang intently. She cherished the happiness she had finally attained and did not wish to lose it easily. Consequently, she strongly disliked Zeng Wengang’s association with dubious characters. In her mind, Qin Gan and Zeng Xian Yong, with their groups of followers, were little different from triad members.

Zeng Wengang was well aware of the situation in Linshan Town. "It is complicated. Simply put, one cannot operate a mine in Linshan Town without some backing. Yi Zhongling has his own forces, and his numbers are considerable." Sensing Hou Weidong’s concern, he added gratefully, "Rest assured, I will not involve myself in these matters. I am focused on doing business in the provincial capital. As long as life is manageable, why provoke these desperadoes?"

In reality, Zeng Wengang was very familiar with Linshan Town. Qin Gan and Zeng Xian Yong had about ten men under them, all former subordinates who had followed Zeng Wengang in Shangqinglin. They now served under Qin Gan and Zeng Xian Yong, guarding the mines and premises.

Hou Weidong had not anticipated the situation to be so severe, though these matters and people were not directly his concern. He said, "Xiao Song is determined to live a peaceful life. Do not get entangled in Linshan Town affairs. The most dangerous thing in the world is taking things too seriously. If the Communist Party decides to act seriously, even the deepest triad networks will collapse instantly. The former gangsters like Heiwa and Qingpi were rampant, but crushing them would be as easy as squashing an ant."

Zeng Wengang had once chopped off Heiwa’s hand and personally avenged Qin’s death. These actions had ignited the wildness in his blood. He did not entirely agree with Hou Weidong’s assessment. "The bold ride dragons and tigers; the timid ride hens. This is a world where the strong survive." Reluctant to dismiss Hou Weidong’s good intentions, he reiterated, "Rest assured. I am now a wealthy man. I no longer participate in these underworld affairs."

After hanging up, Hou Weidong reflected on his days with Heiwa, the Yiyang gang leader. Although only a few years had passed, it felt like a distant past. He was now the full-time secretary to the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Secretary and Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office. He was an influential figure in Shazhou, with little opportunity for bare-knuckle confrontations with social elements. His youthful days of facing off against others seemed to have suddenly become history.

Growth demands a price.

As society develops, people will divide into different strata. This is an inevitable outcome of social development. The division between strata is like glass; each group can see the others, yet an invisible, hard barrier clearly separates them.

Zeng Wengang had money, but not enough to change his social stratum. Only when wealth accumulates to a certain degree, causing a qualitative change, could he become a People’s Congress representative or a CPPCC member, formally entering the modern elite class of Lingxi.

"Whose call was it?" Xiao Jia, lying in bed, noticed Hou Weidong’s somber expression after the phone call and asked with concern.

"Nothing serious. It was Zeng Wengang. He is planning to marry Song Zhicheng."

Xiao Jia asked curiously, "If Zeng Wengang is getting married, you should be happy. Why do you look so glum?"

"It’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered a good friend who died in Shangqinglin." Hou Weidong did not want Xiao Jia to know about the messy underworld connections, so he brushed it off.

At eleven o’clock, at the Municipal Party Committee’s small guesthouse, Zhou Changquan and Hong Ang were sitting together drinking tea. At eight o’clock, Liu Tiesong, Executive Vice Chairman of the Provincial CPPCC, had been passing through Shazhou on the highway when his car suddenly broke down. He temporarily diverted to a service area. As a senior provincial leader familiar with Zhou Changquan, he called Zhou from the service area.

Zhou Changquan tried calling Hou Weidong, but the line was busy. He then called Hong Ang, and they drove directly to the service area to pick up Liu Tiesong.

While accompanying Liu Tiesong for tea at the small guesthouse, Zhou Changquan and Liu Tiesong had a private conversation. At nine-thirty, Liu Tiesong insisted on returning to Lingxi. Hong Ang, waiting outside, arranged for a high-end unmarked police car from the Public Security Bureau to escort Liu Tiesong back to Lingxi.

Having received good news from Liu Tiesong, Zhou Changquan was somewhat excited and decided to stay at the small guesthouse. He said, "Secretary-General, let’s invite two people. We’ll play a round of poker."

Hong Ang asked for his opinion, "Besides Hou Weidong, who else should we call?"

Zhou Changquan said, "Secretary Huang calculates very precisely when playing cards. Let’s include him."

When Zhou Changquan summoned them, both Huang Zidi and Hou Weidong assumed it was an urgent matter. They hurried to the small guesthouse. Huang Zidi came from the Finance and Taxation Hotel, and Hou Weidong departed from Xinyue Tower. The distances were similar. As Hou Weidong parked his Bluebird car, a blinding beam of headlights shot toward him.

Huang Zidi was driving himself. He got out and asked Hou Weidong, who was waiting, "What’s the matter?" Hou Weidong shook his head. "I don’t know either."

Upon entering, they saw Zhou Changquan and Hong Ang looking relaxed. Zhou Changquan smiled at Huang Zidi. "Things have been too tense lately. Let’s all relax tonight." Huang Zidi, formerly the Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General, knew Zhou Changquan’s habits well. He switched to a relaxed smile. "It’s been a while since we played Shuangkou. Secretary Zhou and I will be on one side. Let’s have a good game tonight."

Hou Weidong had been chatting with Xiao Jia and felt slightly displeased at being called away to play Shuangkou. However, seeing Huang Zidi’s cheerful demeanor, he thought, In terms of political acumen, Huang Zidi is the true master. My cultivation is still far behind.

He quickly adjusted his mindset. "Secretary-General and I will team up. We’ll strive to defeat Secretary Zhou and Secretary Huang."

Zhou Changquan laughed heartily. "Secretary Huang and I have partnered for many years. If you want to defeat us two, you’ll have to work hard."

All four were skilled at Shuangkou. After dealing the cards, they focused intently on counting, and the game remained closely contested.

At the height of the game, Hou Weidong’s mobile phone rang. Assuming it was Xiao Jia, he ignored it. When Hong Ang shuffled the cards, Hou Weidong picked up his phone and was startled to see the caller ID.

It was Li Jing’s number.

Since he had given Li Jing a new backup phone, she had never called his old number. A call this late definitely meant something was wrong.

He forced himself to remain calm, picked up the phone with a feigned nonchalance, and said, "Hello, this is Hou Weidong. Who is this?"

Li Jing’s voice, sounding somewhat panicked, came through the receiver. "I’ve started bleeding. I think I’m going into labor soon."

Hou Weidong’s heart skipped a beat; he nearly dropped the cards in his hand. He tried to remain as composed as possible. "Where are you?"

"Provincial Hospital."

Since she was already at the hospital, everything was likely under control. Hou Weidong felt slightly relieved. Seeing that the leaders were waiting for him, he glanced at the cards in front of him, quickly played a card, and said briefly into the phone, "Take care. I’ll contact you again."

After hanging up, Li Jing’s tears flowed immediately.

With Li Jing’s situation on his mind, Hou Weidong inevitably lost focus during the game. As a result, in the three rounds played, Hou Weidong and Hong Ang’s team lost all three. Zhou Changquan was in high spirits. "Your skills are decent, but your coordination is lacking. Let’s play another round to test your level again."

Hou Weidong masked his emotions perfectly; none of the three leaders noticed anything amiss. Hong Ang said, "Weidong, pull yourself together. I don’t believe we can’t win a single round out of four."

Hou Weidong gritted his teeth. "Alright. Let’s strive for victory this time."

Since their skills were comparable, luck became the deciding factor. They concentrated on the fourth round, and the game became a stalemate. It was past one o’clock in the morning when Zhou Changquan held a good hand and finally ended the match. He laughed loudly. "That was satisfying. Your card skills are still good, but luck wasn’t on your side today. Let’s play again another day."

Hou Weidong stepped out. Huang Zidi drove away in his own car. Hong Ang rode in Ma Bo’s car, bidding farewell to the leaders. As he drove, he called Li Jing. Her phone was turned off. After a moment’s hesitation, he also turned off his own phone, turned the car around, and headed straight for the highway entrance.

Hou Weidong felt a deep sense of guilt at the thought of leaving Li Jing to give birth alone in the hospital. Driving fast, he entered Lingxi at two o’clock in the morning.