Chapter 64

Chapter 57-58: Stirring the Grass to Startle the Snake

Hydrogen and oxygen combined to create the water of life, but power and authority combined to change the color of Qingzhou!

That night, Qingzhou remained calm on the surface, but in the unknown shadows, the underground telephone network mobilized half of Qingzhou's forces, with many people staying up all night.

The next morning, the city's procuratorate received a notice from the Qingzhou Discipline Inspection Commission. According to the relevant provisions of the 1993 "Notice on Strengthening Cooperation between Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Organs and Procuratorial Organs in the Anti-Corruption Struggle" issued by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the National Supervisory Commission, the case of Ji Zheng, deputy factory manager of Qinghua Factory, after multiple investigations by the Public Security Bureau and the Economic Crime Investigation Team, was preliminarily determined to lack sufficient evidence, with a significant discrepancy in the amount involved compared to the original case file. Given that this case involves the intersection of party discipline, administrative discipline, and legal discipline, and has a significant impact, after research by the municipal party committee and the discipline inspection commission, it has been decided that the case will temporarily be taken over by the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Room One for further investigation. If there is indeed a criminal fact that requires criminal responsibility, it will be transferred to the procuratorial organs. Please, after receiving this letter, promptly transfer the relevant evidence materials (or copies) and the attached letter to the municipal discipline inspection commission.

Procurator Wang Hongchen slammed his hand on the table in anger: "What a mess! Is this how procedures are supposed to be followed? This is simply an outrageous act of bullying!"

In China, whenever state officials are involved in a case, the functions of the procuratorate and the discipline inspection commission often overlap, a unique feature. More subtly, under the principle of the Party leading everything, these two institutions, which should be relatively independent, do not have equal status. There is a joke that goes like this: The organization minister says, "Whoever cares about me, I care about them." The discipline inspection commission secretary says, "Whoever doesn't care about me, I care about them." The propaganda minister says, "Whoever cares about me, I care about their positive side; whoever doesn't care about me, I care about their negative side." No one wants to be "cared for" by the discipline inspection commission, so even though Wang Hongchen slammed the table and glared, and even scolded the deputy procurator in charge of the Ji Zheng case, Zhao Dongpeng, the result was still that all the case files were obediently transferred. This is the power of authority.

After leaving the office, Zhao Dongpeng became increasingly angry and directly called Yuan Dazhu, scolding him: "Factory Manager Yuan, how are you handling things? You asked me to take care of someone, and I did. Then you said to release them, and I was preparing to do so. All the procedures were completed, but you quietly transferred the person to the discipline inspection commission? I'm telling you, if you don't trust my ability to handle things, don't come to me!"

Yuan Dazhu, dazed by the scolding, quickly rolled off his mistress and tried to call back, but it was busy. After a moment's thought, he called Mu Zechen: "Mr. Mu, did you take action? What, not you? ... Then what's going on?"

Mu Zechen sat in his chair, frowning. As he had expected, things were starting to change. After meeting Ji Zheng that night, he originally planned to arrange a meeting between Ji Su and Ji Zheng in a few days, and once he convinced his daughter, he would take action to get him out. But the next day, he received a call from Lin Zhen, saying that Liu Tianlai had taken the person to the Economic Crime Investigation Team, with Zhao Xinchuan personally making the call, and Lian Zizhong of the Nan Gong District couldn't hold out. However, Lin Zhen also said that Liu Tianlai was likely trying to make some extra money, and negotiations should be no problem. He asked Mu Zechen to wait a couple of days.

Mu Zechen, of course, knew the tricks of the Public Security Bureau, but his years of caution made him immediately retract all his extended tentacles and retreat to his original position, waiting to see how things would develop.

In fact, Mu Zechen didn't really consider it a big deal. The possibility Lin Zhen mentioned was very likely. Liu Tianlai was probably approached by Ji Zheng's relatives or friends and was just putting on a show. To say that Liu Tianlai could get Ji Zheng out was a huge joke, only fooling the families of the accused and other laymen. But since he had taken the money, he had to do something. Snatching the person from Nan Gong was already a significant effort, and if he couldn't get him out, he could at least give an account to his client.

So, Mu Zechen confidently left the matter to Lin Zhen to negotiate. He had so many things to deal with every day; if it weren't for Gu Wenyuan's request, he wouldn't even bother with such a trivial matter.

After the conflict with Wen Liang on the playground, Gu Wenyuan had called Mu Zechen. Knowing the details from Mu Shan, Mu Zechen couldn't say anything discouraging and asked Gu Wenyuan to wait two days. As long as Lin Zhen brought back the exact news, everything would go as he wished!

Perhaps at this moment, Master Gu was still dreaming of humiliating Ji Su and Wen Liang.

But in less than a day, things had changed so much!

Mu Zechen pondered for a moment, then called Qi Shu's phone, first informing her of the matter, and then said, "Go and investigate. I want to know the reason by nightfall!"

In martial arts novels, there's always a line: "The world's martial arts, nothing can withstand, only speed can break."

Qi Shu, using the fastest speed, mobilized various forces, both overt and covert, to trace the truth of the Ji Zheng case. She could proudly say that if the same task were given to Xu Fuyan or Zhou Yuanting, they couldn't do it faster or better. However, the final feedback was: Ji Zheng was nowhere to be found.

It seemed that in one night, this person had vanished from everyone's sight, even the deputy secretary of the discipline inspection commission didn't know where he was detained. Along with him, the director of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Room One, Jiang Wei, and two staff members also disappeared.

What did this mean?

Ironically, it meant nothing. Qi Shu, looking at the report in her hand, was rarely at a loss. Ji Zheng was a minor figure; even if he was detained, it was the result of Yuan Dazhu's retaliation. The charges of collusion were at least half fabricated, and everyone knew this.

But in this world, where is there such a clear distinction between right and wrong, good and evil? Yuan Dazhu had connections in the procuratorate and the Public Security Bureau, while Ji Zheng had none. So, he had to wait to serve his time. That's how the world works!

Mu Zechen's involvement in this matter was purely because of Gu Wenyuan's request, not because Ji Zheng had any value. But today's events seemed to have a strange flavor. If someone had saved Ji Zheng, wouldn't it be enough to just go through the motions with the discipline inspection commission? There was no need for such a grand show. If someone was trying to frame Ji Zheng, as a mere deputy factory manager, there were countless ways to get rid of him, and there was no need for such a grand show. This was the first time Qi Shu couldn't understand the other party's strategy, let alone their basic intentions.

Qi Shu suddenly smiled, like a hundred flowers blooming, filling the room with fragrance.

How long had it been since she encountered such an interesting matter?

After hanging up with Mu Zechen, Yuan Dazhu was somewhat puzzled. After that night, he had almost forgotten about Ji Zheng. After all, once he was out, he would have to leave Qinghua Factory, and using such a useless person to curry favor with Mu Zechen was a smart move. Even though he knew Ji Zheng had been transferred to the discipline inspection commission, he didn't take it to heart. The bankruptcy of Qinghua Factory was a foregone conclusion, and Fan Hengan would clean up the mess. Zhou Yuanting had also promised him a position as the director of the upcoming development zone. Even if Ji Zheng came out, crushing him would be easy.

Wen Liang's confidence in getting Ji Zheng out in broad daylight stemmed from his trust in Xu Fuyan and Zuo Yuxi, and the fact that no one else considered Ji Zheng important. So, once there was a conflict, both Yuan Dazhu and Mu Zechen would let go.

But this unexpected turn of events made Yuan Dazhu feel a bit anxious. As long as the Qinghua Factory matter wasn't resolved, his heart wouldn't be at ease. Sitting on the bed, he heavily pinched the chest of the beautiful woman beside him, ignoring her moans, his small eyes narrowing.

One month, he must get out of Qinghua Factory within one month.

In the city of Qingzhou, with a population of over 6 million, countless dramatic scenes play out every moment. Regardless of Mu Zechen's doubts or Yuan Dazhu's indifference, Ji Zheng, as a minor figure, only caused a ripple in their lives before disappearing. Their attention and energy were focused on the intense struggle about to unfold in the city. Whether they were in the game or outside, they all knew that the game in Qingzhou had reached a critical point.

After a complete break with Xu Fuyan, Zhou Yuanting, in early August, bypassed the municipal party committee and forcibly initiated the bankruptcy liquidation process of Qinghua Factory. After obtaining the approval of the city's industrial bureau, Qinghua Factory officially filed for bankruptcy with the Qingzhou People's Court and held the first creditors' meeting in mid-August. According to the plan, the court would rule on the bankruptcy of Qinghua Factory in September, and then the municipal government would designate the finance, supervision, audit, and tax departments to form a bankruptcy liquidation team to lead and carry out the next steps. However, the Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Committee on September 25th completely disrupted the established rhythm. Xu Fuyan, riding the wave of the plenary session, created a stir, dragging Zhou Yuanting's steps, and the Qinghua Factory matter temporarily stalled.

But to everyone's surprise, after a silent wait of over ten days, Zhou Yuanting suddenly made a move, using Yang Yixing's official hat to intimidate the Qingzhou political scene, and once again smoothly initiated the bankruptcy plan of Qinghua Factory. The liquidation team officially entered Qinghua Factory the day after Ji Zheng's disappearance.

The situation was tense, and a conflict was imminent!

Despite the severe situation, Wen Liang acted as if nothing was wrong, arriving at school early. As soon as he sat down, he immediately started rummaging through Ren Yi's desk.

Ren Yi angrily said, "Brother Wen, breaking into someone's home is called theft. How can you treat me, the host, like this?"

"Brother Ren, can we speak Mandarin?" Wen Liang casually replied, finally finding the chemistry homework in a corner and sighing in relief.

"Please call me Yang Xiaoya, Brother Yang!"

Wen Liang was taken aback. With his experience of living two lives and his extensive knowledge of the internet, he was familiar with phrases like "默猴" (monkey), "豺狼" (wolf), "小手" (small hand), and "怜花" (pity the flower), but he had never heard of "Yang Xiaoya."

"This... Brother Yang, where does this name come from, and what is its origin? Also, didn't you say last time that you wanted to leave the entertainment industry, stop role-playing, and focus on being a poet?"

"Have you read Gu Cheng's poetry?" Ren Yi sighed deeply, not waiting for Wen Liang's response, and recited, "You, sometimes look at me, sometimes look at the clouds. I feel that when you look at me, you are far away, but when you look at the clouds, you are close."

Wen Liang, a mundane person, never found modern poetry particularly moving. But at that moment, listening to Ren Yi's low voice and looking at his youthful face, he suddenly felt that in this age of forced melancholy, being able to simply like someone could be a very happy thing.

Unfortunately, in his previous life, he didn't have that sentiment, and now, he no longer had that mindset.

"After reading this poem, I realized something. People shouldn't be too rigid. Since you feel close to the clouds, I'll just go to the clouds. So, I'm back to my old ways, and in the world of novels, I'm really close to her!"

Wen Liang was speechless. It seemed his flirtatious looks were wasted on a blind person. He ignored Ren Yi and started copying the homework. The third period was chemistry, and he had to catch up on the past two days before Teacher Si Yajing's inspection.

"Brother Wen, this isn't a good way to go. Copying my homework every day, you should at least treat me to a meal once."

"Ha! Do you have the nerve to say that? Last time I copied your math homework, out of twenty questions, thirteen were wrong. Brother Yang, are you sure you're using your head and not your ass to solve problems?"

Behind him, Ji Su's familiar laughter echoed. Wen Liang turned around helplessly and said, "Ji Su, you have the potential to act in 'Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio' these days." The 1995 version of 'Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio' was being broadcast on CCTV, and the classroom was filled with ghostly cries every day. He originally wanted to say, "Why do you always come in through the back door lately?" but he swallowed the words. After all that had happened, although he felt closer to Ji Su psychologically, seeing her captivating beauty, he involuntarily kept his distance.

If it were Xu Yao, Uncle Wen would have been flirting countless times already.

Ji Su didn't say anything, just smiled brightly and placed a bag of soy milk on Wen Liang's desk, then took out her homework from her bag and handed it over.

This was the second time since the day before that Ji Su had openly brought him breakfast, and it seemed she intended to continue doing so. After the initial shock, many people felt pressured, wondering why a student with poor grades, an ordinary appearance, and no other standout qualities would make Ji Su so concerned.

In this era, the first principle of pairing among classmates was that their grades should be proportional. And in the following ten years, the top choice for high school beauties was someone who could protect them, was good at playing, and was a bit bad.

With the experience from last time, Wen Liang, surrounded by various strange looks, remained unperturbed, took the bag, and said in a low voice, "You don't have to do this, really..."

Ji Su smiled but didn't respond, pointing to the homework and softly said, "Copy quickly, be careful, or Teacher Si might check your work."

Wen Liang knew better. He was well aware that Teacher Si Yajing wouldn't let him off today.

A male student in the front row turned around and said very seriously, "Ji Su, as the study committee member, it's wrong to lend your homework to classmates!"

This thin, bespectacled student named Gao Fan would become the most legendary figure in Qingzhou No. 1 High School over the next eight years. To get into Tsinghua University, he reviewed for five years, getting up at four in the morning to study, and studying until midnight with a candle after the classroom lights were turned off at nine. He then climbed through the water pipes to enter the second-floor dormitory to sleep. This process, with few interruptions, was more arduous than the ancient practice of hanging a rope from the ceiling to stay awake or pricking oneself with a needle to stay alert. However, in a certain year after Wen Liang graduated from university and returned to Qingzhou, he heard from former classmates that Gao Fan eventually got into an art college in the capital, perhaps bringing his Tsinghua dream a bit closer.

Although it's said that those who are pitiable must have something hateful about them, in this new life, Wen Liang still felt a great deal of sympathy for such a person.

Wen Liang smiled and said, "Ji Su is helping the underachievers, Gao Fan, you should understand."

Gao Fan adjusted his glasses and said, "You don't need to argue. If you really copy, I'll tell the teacher!"

Ren Yi slammed his hand on the table, angry, "How can you talk like that?"

Wen Liang held back Ren Yi, ignored him, threw Ren Yi's homework aside, and started copying Ji Su's. Gao Fan huffed and turned around, and Ji Su, wanting to say something, was stopped by Wen Liang's gaze. She knew that Gao Fan was not taken seriously by Wen Liang, so she didn't mind.

After Ji Su left, Ren Yi knocked on the desk and said fiercely, "Brother, do you have to be so realistic? You've been copying my homework for a month..."

"Sure, if you can tell me why your first equation is different from Ji Su's, I'll treat you to a meal!" Wen Liang pointed to the first question on the homework, teasing.

Ren Yi looked carefully and saw that his equation was indeed unbalanced, and he laughed awkwardly, "Occasionally, occasionally..."

In the third period chemistry class, Teacher Si Yajing was going to check yesterday's homework. As expected, the first name she called was Wen Liang. She glanced at the homework and praised, "Good, this time it's excellent, 100% correct. Wen Liang has made significant progress."

"Teacher, Wen Liang copied Ji Su's homework this morning, I saw it with my own eyes."

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