Chapter 79: Reception and Cleansing

Wang Jian was peeling garlic in the detention center, a task assigned by the facility. Some detainees would take breaks after peeling for a while, but he found it enjoyable and continued without rest. He had never done physical labor before, and this was a good opportunity to try it out.

After a while, Wang Jian became a model worker in the detention center, and even the guards began to look at him differently. Although the higher-ups had instructed them to make things difficult for him, the guards still treated Wang Jian well. Sometimes, the orders from above were just nonsense, and following them blindly could lead to trouble. Being flexible was the smartest approach.

It was the fourth day, and Wang Jian was still peeling garlic in the detention center when a guard came over nervously and said, "Wang, it's not good. The Minister of Public Security is coming to interrogate you!"

"Which minister?" Wang Jian asked in surprise.

"The Minister of Public Security!" the guard replied.

Wang Jian was puzzled. Why would a minister need to interrogate him over such a minor issue? It seemed like overkill!

While he was thinking, the director of the detention center called out, "Number 14, come over here!"

Number 14 was Wang Jian's identification number in the detention center. Hearing the call, he hurried over.

The director didn't know why the minister wanted to see Wang Jian but led him away.

When they reached the office, Wang Jian was stunned. How did Zhao Bingzhi get here? He shouldn't know about this, right?

"Little Wang, it's been a long time!" Zhao Bingzhi greeted him warmly, his attitude much friendlier than before. As a friend of Zhai Ming, Zhao Bingzhi wanted to show respect to Wang Jian.

"Minister Zhao, what are you doing here?" Wang Jian asked, moving forward to shake Zhao Bingzhi's hand, feeling a bit excited.

"Haha, that's a long story!" Zhao Bingzhi laughed.

Fang Pengfei also stepped forward and said with a smile, "Wang, you've been wronged!"

Wang Jian didn't recognize Fang Pengfei and looked puzzled. Zhao Bingzhi explained, "This is Minister Fang from the Public Security Department."

Recalling what the guard had said, Wang Jian realized that a minister was indeed here to talk to him, but it didn't seem like an interrogation.

"Minister Fang, hello!" Wang Jian shook Fang Pengfei's hand firmly.

The director of the detention center, standing to the side, was dumbfounded. Who was this guy? The Minister of Public Security was smiling at him, and the person next to him seemed to be the Minister of Organization of the Provincial Party Committee. Could the police have made a mistake?

"Let's go, Little Wang. We'll give you a reception and a cleansing!" Zhao Bingzhi said with a smile, and the three of them started to walk out.

Wang Jian was even more excited. For Zhao Bingzhi to give him a reception and a cleansing was an incredible honor. How could this be happening? It was unbelievable that the Minister of Public Security and the Minister of Organization would come to pick him up and give him such a reception. This kind of treatment was rare!

Although he felt this way, he couldn't express it openly. He just followed them into a luxury car and left the detention center.

"Little Wang, Secretary Guo asked me to convey his greetings and offer you any assistance you might need," Zhao Bingzhi said in the car.

Another Secretary Guo? Wang Jian didn't know who this person was. After some thought, he realized that anyone Zhao Bingzhi would convey a message for must be someone of higher rank. Could it be Guo Yongchen?

Guo Yongchen was the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Could he be paying attention to this matter? Did Ye Fengling really report it to the higher-ups, and did they take it seriously? But it didn't seem necessary for the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee to personally intervene and offer greetings. The Minister of Organization and the Minister of Public Security didn't need to come to pick him up personally. A phone call to release him would have been enough.

This whole situation seemed surreal!

"Minister Zhao, Secretary Guo knows about my case?" Wang Jian asked, turning to Zhao Bingzhi.

Zhao Bingzhi smiled and said, "Not only does he know, but he arranged the whole thing. It's also General Zhai's wish. You're very fortunate, Little Wang, to know someone as important as General Zhai."

"Ha ha!" Wang Jian laughed, but his mind was in a fog. When did a General Zhai come into the picture? He had never heard of him, but it seemed that General Zhai held a very high position. Zhao Bingzhi showed great respect for him, and it seemed that Guo Yongchen was also involved. This was all very confusing.

Seeing that Wang Jian only laughed and didn't explain further, Zhao Bingzhi didn't press the issue. He was convinced that Wang Jian's relationship with Zhai Ming was genuine. Otherwise, why would Guo Yongchen personally arrange for his release? Initially, the care for Wang Jian was just following Guo Yongchen's instructions to promote young officials, without much personal favor. Wang Jian was just a township chief, so the attention wasn't significant. But now, with the connection to Zhai Ming, Wang Jian's future prospects would be much better, and Zhao Bingzhi would need to pay more attention to him.

Fang Pengfei, sitting in the front passenger seat, listened to the conversation between Zhao Bingzhi and Wang Jian with a smile. He could have sat in another car, but he didn't want to miss the opportunity to interact with the Minister of Organization. He was now listening intently to Zhao Bingzhi's mention of General Zhai. Not many people knew about Zhai Ming, and Fang Pengfei didn't know him either, but it was clear that both Guo Yongchen and Zhao Bingzhi held him in high regard. He must be a very important person.

Fang Pengfei's mind was racing. Wang Jian was someone he needed to cultivate a relationship with!

"When can we meet General Zhai, Township Chief Wang?" Fang Pengfei asked, voicing what Zhao Bingzhi also wanted to say.

This was a difficult question to answer. Wang Jian didn't know how to respond without admitting that he didn't actually know General Zhai.

After some thought, Wang Jian smiled and said, "Ha ha, thank you, Minister Fang!"

He didn't agree or disagree but expressed gratitude. This showed that Wang Jian didn't want to promise to introduce him to General Zhai but also didn't want to refuse outright. Fang Pengfei was impressed by Wang Jian's diplomatic response. Without the influence of high society, it would be impossible to speak so tactfully. Satisfied, Fang Pengfei said, "Thank you, Township Chief Wang!"

Wang Jian smiled slightly and didn't say more. It was best to speak less until he understood the situation better.

The three of them drove to a five-star hotel in the provincial capital. Fang Pengfei arranged the dinner. When they arrived, the office director of the Public Security Department had already prepared the room.

After sitting down, Zhao Bingzhi called Guo Yongchen to ask if he would join them. Guo Yongchen told him he had an event but would come if he could. Wang Jian overheard some of the conversation. If Guo Yongchen joined them for a drink, the treatment would be unprecedented. No one would believe it!

Although he was very excited, Wang Jian remained calm, pouring wine for Zhao Bingzhi and Fang Pengfei without showing any signs of being overwhelmed. This impressed Zhao Bingzhi and Fang Pengfei, who admired Wang Jian's composure. It made sense that Zhai Ming, an old man, would befriend someone like Wang Jian!

"Township Chief Wang, I've heard that grassroots officials are good at drinking. Let's have a good time today!" Fang Pengfei, about fifty years old and in his prime, was known for his drinking ability and wanted to have a good time with Wang Jian.

Zhao Bingzhi, a bit older, had a good drinking capacity in his youth but had declined with age. However, he said, "Minister Fang is right. We're here to give Little Wang a reception and a cleansing. We should drink until we're happy."

Wang Jian responded, "Minister Zhao, Minister Fang, I will drink with you both!"

With that, Wang Jian stood up and toasted, finishing his drink in one gulp. Zhao Bingzhi and Fang Pengfei were impressed. Grassroots officials were not to be underestimated; their drinking skills were top-notch. Fang Pengfei forced himself to finish a glass of Maotai, while Zhao Bingzhi drank half and said, "Little Wang, my drinking capacity has declined. I can't match you young people. I'll drink half!"

Wang Jian had no objections, but Fang Pengfei, though displeased, couldn't say anything due to the difference in rank.

Wang Jian refilled his glass and toasted again, finishing it in one gulp. Fang Pengfei was stunned and said, "Township Chief Wang, you have a great capacity! I'll follow Minister Zhao's lead and drink half!"

Wang Jian smiled and said, "Leaders, please drink as you please. I'll toast two more times."

After the toast, Fang Pengfei quickly said, "Township Chief Wang, don't call us leaders. Only Minister Zhao is a leader here. If you don't mind, I'm much older than you, so you can call me Uncle Fang."

Fang Pengfei clearly wanted to get closer to Wang Jian. If Wang Jian called him Uncle Fang, he should also call Zhao Bingzhi Uncle. Zhao Bingzhi smiled and said, "Little Wang, you and Yixuan are classmates, right? Yixuan calls me Uncle Zhao, so you can call me Uncle Zhao."

"Thank you both for your concern. Uncle Zhao, Uncle Fang, I'll toast you two more times!" Wang Jian quickly refilled their glasses.

Hearing this, Fang Pengfei quickly raised his glass, waving his hands to decline, but Zhao Bingzhi, though not worried about drinking too much, also waved his hands, saying, "Little Wang, don't be too formal. Let's drink casually and not too much!"

Wang Jian stood up and filled his glass, saying, "Uncle Zhao, Uncle Fang, I'll finish mine. You drink as you please!"

The drinking was very generous, and Zhao Bingzhi and Fang Pengfei were amazed. They had truly met a drinking master today!

Wang Jian finished his drink, and Zhao Bingzhi and Fang Pengfei couldn't drink too little. They raised their glasses and drank, managing only a third of the glass. After drinking, they took several sips of water. This was not a good thing.

As they were about to finish, Guo Yongchen called to say he would come to toast and then leave. Zhao Bingzhi knew that if Guo Yongchen came, they would really drink too much!

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Note: The last part of the original text seems to be a mix of unrelated content, possibly from a different source or context. It has been omitted in the translation to maintain coherence.