Chapter 54: Encircling Wei to Save Zhao

Wang Jian and Jie Lianbing went to the police station to give their statements. By the time they finished, it was already 11 PM. During the statement, Chen Hailong accompanied Wang Jian, chatting to make him feel at ease. He suggested that Wang Jian go home to rest and let Jie Lianbing complete the statement alone, but Wang Jian insisted on staying with her. Seeing this, Chen Hailong realized that Wang Jian and Jie Lianbing had an unusual relationship.

"Director Wang, when you have time, please come to our police station for an official visit. I would be honored to properly entertain you!" Chen Hailong said with a smile.

Since Wang Jian became the township chief, most of the middle-level cadres from other townships had invited him to dinner, but Chen Hailong had not. Clearly, he was now trying to get closer to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian smiled slightly and said, "Chief Chen, there's no need for formalities. The police station is responsible for maintaining local peace. As long as the security is good, I, Wang Jian, will certainly come to reward Chief Chen and the officers. The people are not very satisfied with our security situation. I hope Chief Chen will continue to work hard and not let the people criticize us for being idle!"

"Hehe, Director Wang, you're right. Although our police station is under vertical leadership, we are still on your territory. If there's anything, please feel free to instruct us!" Wang Jian's words carried a subtle criticism, and Chen Hailong laughed dryly, showing his deference to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian, however, did not fully buy into Chen Hailong's act. He said, "Chief Chen, this territory belongs to the local people, not to you or me. We are here to serve the people and bring them benefits. Ultimately, we must follow the people's wishes. No matter how much we may feel wronged, the people are always right. This is the consistent principle of our party's mass line!"

"Right, right, Director Wang, your political ideology is high, I, Old Chen, can't compare!" Chen Hailong nodded repeatedly, clearly feeling suppressed by Wang Jian but unable to express dissatisfaction because Wang Jian's words were politically correct.

As they talked, Wang Jian effectively gained control over Chen Hailong, making him willing to submit. This was more important than having the heads of other stations and offices submit to him.

After Jie Lianbing finished her statement, Wang Jian offered to drive her back to Xinhe Village. Chen Hailong offered to use the police car, but Wang Jian politely declined, insisting on accompanying her. Seeing this, Chen Hailong did not argue further.

By the time they returned to Xinhe Village, it was already midnight. Wang Jian hurried to bed, but Jie Lianbing's image lingered in his mind, and he fell asleep only after a long while.

The next day, Wang Jian felt he hadn't rested well but had to get up. Zheng Shiguang was still recuperating at home, so Wang Jian had to take charge. After eating breakfast, he went to the meeting room to attend the daily 8 AM roll call and assign tasks for the day.

After the meeting, Yang Juncai came to Wang Jian's office. Yesterday, Wang Jian had left to find Jie Lianbing before finishing his report, so he followed Wang Jian upstairs.

"Director Wang, the county finance bureau now says they know about the funds from the county Youth League, but they say they need the deputy director and director's signatures to release the money. I talked to the deputy director, who said the county finances are tight and they will consider it later!" Yang Juncai said as soon as he entered Wang Jian's office.

The county finance bureau was clearly stalling. Wang Jian understood the implications; it seemed someone was interfering. The county finances were not short of that amount of money.

"Director Wang, should we let Director Fang talk to them?" Seeing Wang Jian's worried and silent expression, Yang Juncai suggested. Usually, in such situations, they would ask Fang Zhidan to mediate.

However, Wang Jian was not convinced. Fang Zhidan's high status in the township was entirely due to Dai Changyong's support, intentionally giving him face to make the leaders of Xianhe Township grateful. If Wang Jian now asked Fang Zhidan to help get the funds from the county finance bureau, it would be like asking a tiger for its skin. Even if Fang Zhidan was willing, Wang Jian did not want him to be arrogant in front of him. Moreover, it was uncertain whether this obstacle was related to Fang Zhidan.

"Alright, Director Yang, I know about this. You can go now!" Wang Jian dismissed Yang Juncai.

Yang Juncai knew Wang Jian had other plans and left without saying more.

Wang Jian then called Han Yuting. She quickly came to his office after receiving the call.

Han Yuting and Wang Jian's collaboration had achieved great results, and she felt very excited and accomplished. She smiled and asked, "Wang Jian, what's so urgent that you need me?"

"It's still about the youth poverty alleviation funds you mentioned. You said the procedures were given to the county finance bureau, but they are not releasing the money." Wang Jian glanced at Han Yuting and smiled.

Han Yuting was dressed beautifully, with heavy makeup and a strong fragrance. She hadn't been with Wang Jian for several days and wanted to attract him, hoping he would take the initiative. It seemed to be working.

She gave him a flirtatious look and said, "The procedures were given to them long ago. Why isn't the county finance bureau releasing the money to the township? Are they asking for a kickback?"

"If they were asking for a kickback, it would be easier. Director Yang went to ask, and they said the county finances are tight and they have no money to give!" Wang Jian, understanding Han Yuting's intentions, lowered his head and avoided her gaze, speaking calmly.

Han Yuting moved closer to Wang Jian and looked directly at him. "The county finances can't be that tight! Let's go to the county finance bureau together today. I don't believe they won't give us the money!"

Feeling the intense gaze from Han Yuting, Wang Jian knew she had another motive for going to the county finance bureau with him. Although he did not oppose that motive, he did not want to beg the stubborn finance bureau.

"Sister Han, this money is from the county Youth League, approved by higher authorities. The county finance bureau has no right to withhold it. If we always have to mediate and beg to get things done, the county finance bureau's arrogant attitude will only get worse. I suspect this is related to Fang Zhidan. How about we use the strategy of 'Encircling Wei to Save Zhao'?" Wang Jian glanced at Han Yuting and said.

"Wang Jian, what do you mean?" Han Yuting leaned on Wang Jian's desk and asked softly.

Wang Jian leaned close to her ear and whispered. Han Yuting smiled. "Good, this will not only damage his political reputation but also get us the money. Two birds with one stone."

"Let's do it then!" Wang Jian said.

"Are you not going back to the county tonight?" Han Yuting nodded, her eyes dreamy.

Wang Jian quickly avoided her gaze and said, "Let's wait until the weekend."

"No, it has to be tonight!" Han Yuting insisted.

"Or, how about you come to my office tonight?" Wang Jian thought for a moment and said with a mischievous smile.

"Sure, I've never tried that before!" Han Yuting immediately said happily.

"Ha ha!" Wang Jian was impressed by Han Yuting.

The next day, Wang Jian had Cao Guoqing lead the county discipline inspection commission to investigate Ma Zenggong. Initially, they planned to handle the matter internally after his dismissal, but now they needed the county discipline inspection commission to get involved. Under the strong pressure from the commission, Ma Zenggong quickly confessed to embezzling 20,000 yuan and admitted to spending 3,000 yuan to buy a phone for Fang Zhidan. However, when Fang Zhidan was questioned, he firmly denied it, and Ma Zenggong had no evidence to prove it, so the money was still counted against him.

This investigation alarmed Fang Zhidan. Although he denied the phone incident, he feared that if he angered the county discipline inspection commission, they might intensify their investigation, which would be troublesome. After leaving the investigation site in Xianhe Township, Fang Zhidan urgently called Dai Changyong to inform him of the situation and ask if he should contact the leaders of the county discipline inspection commission to prevent the investigation from targeting him.

After calling Dai Changyong, Fang Zhidan wondered why this matter had suddenly come up. Originally, it was decided that after Ma Zenggong's dismissal, no further investigation would be needed. Why had it resurfaced? After some inquiries, Fang Zhidan finally understood Wang Jian's role in the matter and realized that Wang Jian was behind it!

"Director Fang, where are you? I need to ask you a favor!" While thinking in his office, Fang Zhidan received a call from Yang Juncai.

Fang Zhidan asked with a low mood, "Brother Yang, what's up? I'm in my office."

"I'll come over!"

Yang Juncai came directly to Fang Zhidan's office, closed the door, and said, "Director Fang, there's a fund from the county Youth League that is being held up by the county finance bureau. Can you help get it released?"

Although Wang Jian did not agree to seek Fang Zhidan's help, Yang Juncai thought that if he could persuade Fang Zhidan to get the money, it would show his capability. That's why he came to Fang Zhidan.

Fang Zhidan looked at Yang Juncai with a flicker in his eyes, sensing that his attitude toward Wang Jian was improving, and he was even helping Wang Jian to get the money from the county finance bureau.

"What fund are you talking about?" Fang Zhidan suddenly asked.

"The youth poverty alleviation fund from the county Youth League," Yang Juncai answered.

Fang Zhidan immediately remembered. A few days ago, he had gone to the county finance bureau and accidentally saw that the county Youth League had allocated a fund to Xianhe Township. Seeing that Wang Jian had applied for it, he had a bad idea and told the section chief to deliberately delay it. The section chief, who was known for his difficult attitude and was related to the director, readily agreed. Fang Zhidan then chatted with Dai Changyong about the situation in Xianhe Township, mentioning Wang Jian's name. Dai Changyong thought it was necessary to support Fang Zhidan's work in Xianhe Township and instructed the section chief to inform him of any requests for funds from Xianhe Township, allowing him to decide whether to release the funds, thus earning him favor.

After so much time had passed, Fang Zhidan had almost forgotten about it. He was surprised that Yang Juncai had brought it up. Usually, if they needed to ask the finance bureau for help, the township party secretary would do it personally. This time, it was Yang Juncai. Fang Zhidan asked, "Old Yang, did Wang Jian send you?"

The change from "Brother Yang" to "Old Yang" reflected Fang Zhidan's changing attitude. Yang Juncai smiled bitterly and said, "I came on my own. We've known each other for a long time, and you should support my work!"

Fang Zhidan looked at Yang Juncai with wide eyes and suddenly understood why Wang Jian did not come to him personally. Wang Jian had caught him in a vulnerable spot and had the county discipline inspection commission come after him!