Chapter 60

Chapter 53: Counterattack

Ding Mei, due to Wei Gang's actions, took a half-month sick leave to rest at home. The morale at the agricultural machinery factory was low, and if you dared to ask for leave, they would approve it. However, when it came to discussing the layoff list, a pile of leave slips would be placed on the table, and even if someone wanted to speak up for you, they couldn't find the words. Ding Mei had a low level of education and had learned accounting halfway through her career. She cherished this job from the bottom of her heart, but she was a proud person who couldn't tolerate any humiliation. Wei Gang constantly caused her trouble, and in a fit of anger, she took a long leave.

Wen Liang, seeing her at home and bored, suggested she help out at the soy milk shop. Initially, it was just a way to pass the time, but unexpectedly, Ding Mei became addicted and spent most of her time there. Wen Liang had heard his father complain several times, and he could only smile bitterly. Even Li Shengli had quietly asked what to do about her salary—whether to pay it or not.

Today, after Wen Liang first comforted his girlfriend and then got into a fight, he finally returned home late. Ding Mei was nowhere to be seen, and Wen Huaiming hadn't come back either. The poor Uncle Wen had to make himself a bowl of instant noodles to fill his stomach. It wasn't until eight o'clock that Ding Mei returned, beaming with joy. As soon as she entered, she praised Li Shengli's abilities, saying that the shop's daily revenue was almost equal to her monthly salary. Wen Liang smiled and said, "Why don't we open a shop? I'll invest for you, and you can be the boss?"

Ding Mei slapped the back of his head, "You're always dreaming. I have no skills or experience; any shop I open would just lose money. Everyone has their own way of living. Working for the state is steady and reliable."

Mentioning this, she started cursing Wei Gang again. Wen Liang felt a headache. It seemed he needed to resolve the Qinghua Factory issue quickly and get rid of Wei Gang, or he wouldn't be able to stay in this house.

After dinner, it was almost ten o'clock, and Wen Huaiming still hadn't returned. Ding Mei was used to the unstable overtime hours at the municipal committee and went to sleep after giving Wen Liang a few instructions. Wen Liang sat on the sofa, flipping through channels. Jiangdong TV was rebroadcasting local news. The provincial party secretary, Yu Peidong, had returned to Jiangdong after his trip to Beijing. Many important figures from the provincial and municipal governments went to the Dongjiang Airport to welcome him. The two-minute clip flashed by, and Wen Liang frowned, lost in thought. The 14th Central Committee's Fifth Plenary Session had concluded on the 28th. As a high-ranking official, Yu Peidong had many urgent matters to handle daily. Why had he stayed in Beijing for over ten days?

Of course, this wasn't without reason. Wen Liang vaguely guessed something but, with his current capabilities, he didn't even have the qualifications to watch from the sidelines, let alone benefit from the chaos. Sometimes, the struggles at the top were as subtle as a spring breeze, and sometimes they were as fierce as a thunderstorm, capable of shattering one's life. To use a popular phrase from the future, even a glance would blind one's eyes!

A skyscraper rises from the ground, step by step. He would have to endure and work slowly!

Wen Huaiming returned at two in the morning. Wen Liang was wide awake, his eyes gleaming. He poured a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table, asking, "What happened?"

Wen Huaiming looked exhausted, massaging his temples. "There was a bit of chaos, and everyone was busy until now... At the beginning of the year, the city introduced a new power company from another province, mainly operating in power system automation, electrical equipment, and new electronic components, with a registered capital of over thirty million. Yang Yihang offered significant incentives, and with the support of the then-mayor, Zuo Jing, the project was finally located in Huashan District. After more than half a year of planning, land acquisition, demolition, and infrastructure construction were almost complete, and the new power company was about to move in. However, starting from September, some displaced residents began to petition and cause trouble. The city sent people to mediate multiple times, and Yang Yihang promised to resolve the issue within a month and control the situation. But this afternoon, a major incident occurred. A group of people stormed the temporary office of the new power company, and a violent conflict broke out. Many staff members of the new power company were injured, including a vice president with minor injuries, and on our side..."

Wen Liang's heart sank. "What happened?"

"Seven people were injured, and one died from severe injuries..."

Wen Liang pondered for a moment and said, "This is suspicious!"

"You're right!" Wen Huaiming took a sip of water and slumped onto the sofa. "Preliminary investigations suggest that someone was stirring up trouble and creating public opinion, but such matters are hard to trace. Frankly, who did it isn't important; what matters is the result. Yang Yihang was dismissed on the spot by Zhou Yuanting, and Hou Chuanhai temporarily took over as party secretary. Everyone knows that the word 'temporary' will soon be removed..."

Indeed, as his father said, investigating the cause was useless. In the current situation in Qingzhou, such a murky case couldn't be clarified. On one side was a powerful company, and on the other, a citizen who had died. The city would try to cover it up and wouldn't investigate deeply. They just needed someone to take the blame and give both sides an explanation. Thus, in one night, a prominent figure in Qingzhou, Yang Yihang, was ruined.

"Zhou Yuanting has started his attack; he can't wait any longer!" Wen Liang's mind raced. Based on the principle of who benefits the most, the most likely culprit was Zhou Yuanting.

"It's not that simple," Wen Huaiming shook his head. "The death at the scene was purely accidental. The person fell and hit their head on a pile of triangular iron, which wasn't intentional. The most likely scenario is that someone in Huashan District wanted to get rid of Yang Yihang. During Zuo Jing's term, Yang Yihang offended many people, and many were waiting to settle scores. I suspect Zhou Yuanting took advantage of the situation to launch an attack. I understand your point, but as the mayor, he wouldn't do something that clearly harms the city's investment environment and image. It's a lose-lose situation, and smart people wouldn't do it."

Wen Liang disagreed. The reason Wen Huaiming thought this way was that he hadn't fully grasped the severity of the Qinghua Factory issue. The amount of state assets transferred and embezzled by Yuan Dazhu was enormous, and Fang Mingtang and Zhou Yuanting were likely involved. Therefore, Zhou Yuanting was willing to go to war with Xu Fuyan to force the bankruptcy of the Qinghua Factory. This would, on one hand, give Fan Hengan a last chance to save himself, and on the other, clean up everyone's mess and get them out of trouble.

Thus, the struggle over the Qinghua Factory was just an important chip for Xu Fuyan to control Qingzhou, but for Zhou Yuanting, it was a matter of life and death.

Once this was understood, it didn't matter if it cost him a lot. He would do whatever it took. Especially after Wen Huaiming wrote that article, what seemed like a farce had, through a series of maneuvers, given Xu Fuyan a chance to stabilize his position. In politics, if you don't advance, you retreat. If Xu Fuyan stabilized, Zhou Yuanting would wobble, and if he wobbled, he might fall.

So, he counterattacked fiercely, targeting the hardest bone in Qingzhou's political scene—Yang Yihang in Huashan District—and swallowed him whole.

This was both a demonstration of his absolute control over Qingzhou and an offensive to isolate Xu Fuyan from the outside.

Wen Liang suddenly asked, "Dad, what did Xu Fuyan say about Ji Zheng's matter?" Last night, Wen Liang had briefly mentioned Ji Zheng's situation and asked Wen Huaiming to sound out Xu Fuyan.

"Xu Fuyan is a bit hesitant. He doesn't fully trust Zuo Yuxi. By the way, you were so vague last night that I forgot to ask—how do you know this 'Flower of Qingzhou'?"

Wen Liang, trying to lighten the mood, smiled and said, "Dad, you know the 'Flower of Qingzhou'? Be careful, I might tell Mom." "Hmm, I think as a father, sometimes using a fist to communicate with my son is better," Wen Huaiming rarely joked with Wen Liang, and they both froze for a moment.

After a moment of eye contact, they burst into laughter. The deep bond between father and son filled their hearts, and with such a support in life, there was nothing to fear!

Wen Liang stood up and said solemnly, "Dad, arrange it. I must see Xu Fuyan tomorrow."

Wen Huaiming was surprised, "You?"

"And Zuo Yuxi!"

Wen Huaiming frowned, looking up at his son. "Is Ji Zheng really that important?" He understood that his son wanted to build a bridge between Zuo Yuxi and Xu Fuyan, but could one person create trust between them?

"Dad, there are some things I haven't explained clearly, but it doesn't matter. After seeing Xu Fuyan tomorrow, you'll understand the importance of this person. Everyone's future depends on this!"

"Let's not get into details. If you didn't leave on purpose just now, I'll let it go..."

Mingge's forehead was covered in cold sweat. Without a word, he walked over and stepped on Guage's wrist, then picked up a brick and smashed it down on his right hand. The joints cracked, and the skin split, leaving a bloody mess. Guage let out a painful groan and fainted.

Liu Zhihe nodded and led the way out. Zhang Song was terrified by the scene and followed obediently, not daring to breathe loudly. Wen Liang sighed. He wasn't sympathetic to Guage; such a scoundrel had probably done many bad things, and it wouldn't be too much to cut him down. He was just worried that Liu Tianlai, with his fiery temper, might do something for his son. Normally, it wouldn't matter, but now was a critical time, and they couldn't afford to lose focus!

Interestingly, Mingge definitely recognized him but seemed to have some reservations, not even looking his way. These were all smart people!

As they left the alley, they could still hear Mingge's polite words, "Feel free to come back anytime, everything is free!" Liu Zhihe suddenly stopped and smiled, "Thanks a lot today. I owe you a big favor! I can't help with big things, but if you need anything small, just let me know."

Wen Liang waved his hand and said, "No need to mention it. This trouble was ultimately my fault. What are you going to do, considering Bai Huan's father is the deputy mayor..."

"Hmph, a deputy mayor is nothing. Don't worry, I'll make that kid cry and beg me!"

Liu Zhihe's expression was sinister, and his tone was calm, as if he could easily deal with the son of a deputy mayor. Wen Liang admired his confidence and couldn't guess his methods, so he could only say, "Be careful and know your limits..."