Chapter 3: The Fool's Scheme

Leaning against the wall of the train station, many of the walls in the countryside had yet to be painted with the advertisements for the Sun God and Sanzhu. Yang Zixuan quietly pondered his next move.

Time was running out. He estimated that the county disciplinary committee had already searched his home and office.

Yang Zixuan knew that even with all the arrangements Su Ming was making, it wouldn't be enough to clear his name or to negotiate with the old foxes Xu Fuguo and Li Sicheng.

He still needed a powerful ally and solid evidence!

Who should he turn to?

The Propaganda Minister, Liu Xiao?

Yang Zixuan shook his head.

Among the few key figures in the county committee, Liu Xiao was the only one who had a good impression of him, the "fool" vice-county magistrate. However, her good impression was mostly out of sympathy and curiosity. Moreover, as a female colleague, she might not dare to take the risk!

The Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau, He Longbin?

Yang Zixuan still shook his head.

Although he wasn't He Longbin's direct superior, they had met a few times, and he hadn't noticed any issues. He Longbin was in charge of criminal investigations and held significant power within the Public Security Bureau. Having such a deputy director as an ally could make things much easier, but Yang Zixuan didn't dare take the risk. Who knew if he was on Xu Fuguo's or Li Sicheng's side?

After ruling out a few candidates, Yang Zixuan suddenly thought of someone: An Zai Shan, the Deputy President of the Hongshui People's Court!

An Zai Shan graduated from a prestigious law school in the province and was then assigned to the Daming Intermediate People's Court. Recently, he was transferred to the Hongshui People's Court as deputy president. In the county committee compound, it was rumored that he had close ties with a certain leader in the Daming Municipal Committee. However, his transfer to the Hongshui County Court had not been smooth. He was overshadowed by the county court president, Chen Ming, who had risen through the ranks locally. Even the other local deputy presidents could sideline him completely.

Moreover, everyone in Hongshui County knew that Chen Ming and Xu Fuguo were old comrades-in-arms, closer than brothers. With Xu Fuguo's backing, Chen Ming didn't take An Zai Shan, the young man with connections from the city, seriously. If they really caught Xu Fuguo, Chen Ming would likely be implicated as well.

Yang Zixuan smiled. With such a big carrot, he was sure the young and ambitious An Zai Shan wouldn't resist the bait!

After a while, in the waiting hall of the Hongshui train station, Su Ming, who had disguised himself, cautiously ran in. Yang Zixuan, after confirming that no suspicious characters were following him, carefully covered half his face with a hat and met him.

"Did you bring the things?"

"I have them all," Su Ming replied cautiously. "County Magistrate, the situation in the city is very tense, especially at your residence and office, where the disciplinary committee people are."

Yang Zixuan took a black bag from Su Ming and said, "I expected as much. They haven't caught up with you yet, but it won't be long before they start watching you, since you are my secretary! So you need to be prepared."

"What should I do to prepare?"

"Go to a clothing store near the train station, change your clothes, buy a hat, and put on some makeup." Yang Zixuan took out 500 yuan from his pocket and handed it to Su Ming. "Take this first. You'll need money to get things done. If it's not enough, come to me for more."

He knew that Su Ming's salary as a secretary wasn't high, and he had to support his family, so he probably didn't have much savings. He would definitely need money now.

Su Ming took the money and said, "It should be enough."

"Also, for the third task I assigned you, it's best not to do it yourself to avoid drawing the attention of the disciplinary committee or some people in the county committee office. Find someone you trust to do it!" Yang Zixuan instructed.

"Alright, I'll have my sister do it. She works at the Hongshui Textile Factory, and she can be trusted."

"That's good." Yang Zixuan nodded. "Now, go change your clothes and tell your sister to take care of it. I'll handle the rest."

Su Ming, sensing that Yang Zixuan was making a significant move, said excitedly, "Alright, I'll go now."

"Go. If anything unexpected happens, come back here and wait for me."

After Su Ming left, Yang Zixuan found An Zai Shan's phone number in the phone memo Su Ming had given him.

"Beep, beep, hello, this is An Zai Shan. Who is this?" The voice on the phone was a bit hoarse, and there was a faint female voice in the background.

In Yang Zixuan's mind, he had some memories of An Zai Shan, knowing that the female voice was likely An Zai Shan's girlfriend, Pan Jie, who was rumored to be the daughter of a leader in the Daming Municipal Finance Bureau.

"President An, this is Yang Zixuan from the county government. I have some urgent matters to discuss with you." Yang Zixuan spoke quickly and urgently, not giving An Zai Shan a chance to speak. "This is very important and concerns both our futures. Please come to the Wu Yi Alley Restaurant. It's a serious matter, so please don't tell anyone else beforehand."

Yang Zixuan hung up immediately, left the Hongshui train station, and took a small tricycle to Wu Yi Alley.

Wu Yi Alley was an old street in Hongshui County, mainly selling antiques and old furniture. It was rarely visited. The Wu Yi Alley Restaurant, located at the entrance of the alley, wasn't particularly busy, but it had a quiet and peaceful environment, making it a good place for a private conversation.

The key was that it was far from the county government, separated by the Hongshui River. Few people from the county government came here to entertain guests, so Yang Zixuan didn't have to worry about being recognized.

On the second floor of the Wu Yi Alley Restaurant, Yang Zixuan found a window seat to keep an eye on the street and ordered a few small dishes and tea.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon! Here is a brief news update. The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, announced his resignation the day before yesterday, marking the end of the 69-year-old Soviet Union. Today, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Zhang Jiangshan sent a telegram to the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, recognizing the Russian Federation government..."

The pleasant female voice from the restaurant's radio caught the attention of the few patrons drinking and eating.

This year, the once powerful Soviet Union, which had dominated for half a century, no longer existed.

The capital must be solemn and tense right now. The sudden collapse of the Soviet Union, a long-standing giant, was a shock to everyone!

However, Yang Zixuan knew that none of this mattered to him. What was crucial was to dismantle the Xu-Li alliance and shake off the relentless pursuit of the county disciplinary committee.

Fifteen minutes, half an hour, one hour, an hour and a half passed, but An Zai Shan still hadn't shown up. The trip from the People's Court dormitory to Wu Yi Alley should take no more than twenty minutes, and Yang Zixuan was starting to get anxious.