Chapter 4 of 100

Chapter 4: Seeking Help

17 min read4,243 words

"Vroom! Vroom vroom!"

In the damp, cold air, the sound of a motorcycle engine could be heard. Yang Zixuan looked out the window and saw An Zai Shan, riding a motorcycle and wearing a black windbreaker. After parking the motorcycle at the entrance, An Zai Shan hesitated for a moment at the door of the Wu Yi Lane Restaurant, clearly struggling internally before finally stepping in with large strides. All of this was observed by Yang Zixuan.

As soon as An Zai Shan reached the second floor of the restaurant and looked around, he saw Yang Zixuan waving to him from the window and walked over. In fact, he was puzzled. He had been in Hongshui County for more than half a year, and although he worked in the court, he had heard some bizarre rumors about this mysterious "foolish vice-county magistrate."

For example, this foolish vice-county magistrate used A4 paper from work reports to wipe his nose during the Standing Committee meetings. Another example was that he often attended important county committee meetings in the summer wearing a shirt, shorts, and wooden sandals.

Although he didn't want to come, the urgent voice of Yang Zixuan on the phone made him decide to come and see.

"Director An, I'm really sorry to trouble you to come here in such cold weather."

Yang Zixuan poured tea for An Zai Shan.

"Not at all, not at all. Vice-County Magistrate Yang is too polite."

An Zai Shan didn't dare to be presumptuous. Although Yang Zixuan wasn't his direct superior, his administrative rank was higher, so he quickly got up and poured tea for Yang Zixuan as well.

"Director An, I actually called you here to discuss something important," Yang Zixuan said, sitting down with a serious expression. "But this matter is very significant and cannot be leaked in advance, so I wanted to talk to you in person."

"I'm all ears!"

"I have already obtained some evidence of misconduct by Comrades Xu Fuguo and Li Sicheng, related to the Hongshui Textile Factory."

Yang Zixuan dropped a bombshell.

"Ah!"

An Zai Shan's face changed abruptly, and he exclaimed in surprise! He hadn't expected Yang Zixuan to say such a thing. His eyes darted around, trying to figure out Yang Zixuan's intentions.

"Why didn't you report this to the County Discipline Inspection Commission? Why come to me, who is part of the political and legal system?" An Zai Shan quickly calmed down and asked.

Yang Zixuan smiled faintly. "Director An, I'm not one to beat around the bush. Everyone in Hongshui County knows that the County Discipline Inspection Commission is like a floating cloud."

An Zai Shan's expression was uncertain, clearly weighing Yang Zixuan's words.

"So I want to report the situation to the Municipal Party Committee of Daming City. I believe Director An can help me!" Yang Zixuan didn't say more.

"Do you have solid evidence? This is no joke; it concerns the reputation of the two top leaders of Hongshui County!" An Zai Shan, with his background in the political and legal system, was very cautious and didn't act without certainty.

"Don't worry about that. I wouldn't joke about my own future," Yang Zixuan continued. "But I still need your help. I need you to find two trustworthy interrogators for me."

An Zai Shan hesitated for a moment, not answering, deep in thought.

"Beep! Beep beep!"

The sound of An Zai Shan's beeper, clipped to his belt, broke the silence between them.

"Excuse me, I need to return this call. Please wait a moment." An Zai Shan looked at the beeper and walked to a telephone at the restaurant counter.

Soon, An Zai Shan rushed back, his face pale, and whispered, "Vice-County Magistrate Yang, something big has happened."

"What happened?"

"Nearly a hundred employees of the Hongshui Textile Factory have gathered at the county government compound to protest. It's said that the factory hasn't paid wages for several months, and they are demanding that the government and factory leaders pay them for the New Year. Some employees even got into physical altercations with government personnel. Almost all the police in the county have been dispatched to maintain order at the scene!"

"Ah?" Yang Zixuan feigned surprise, then his face turned calm, his acting skills flawless. "I've been saying all along that the Hongshui Textile Factory would have big problems."

Hearing is not as good as seeing!

An Zai Shan looked at Yang Zixuan and thought to himself, rumors are truly unreliable. The so-called foolish county magistrate doesn't look foolish at all now.

"Vice-County Magistrate Yang, I may need to go to the scene to assist in maintaining order. Do you want to come with me now?"

"Hold on, I just made a proposal, and you haven't given me an answer yet," Yang Zixuan said urgently.

An Zai Shan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "It seems the Hongshui Textile Factory really has big problems. If you have indeed obtained some evidence, I will help. Once you have the evidence, I will go with you to find Director Liu Zhen of the Daming Municipal Party Committee's Publicity Department, and he will submit the evidence to the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee."

Yang Zixuan knew that this Director Liu Zhen was likely a close associate of An Zai Shan. Through him, he could reach the Daming Municipal Party Committee, which might turn the tide in his favor.

"It's a deal! Let's go to the county government compound together!" Yang Zixuan, relieved, spoke decisively without hesitation.

Fine drizzle enveloped Hongshui County, and the Hongshui River surged, resembling the scenery of the plum rain season.

The county government compound, located downstream of the Hongshui River, was built a few years ago when the county finances were more comfortable. It was grand and imposing!

But at this moment, it was crowded with people, the noise deafening, as Hongshui Textile Factory workers and police maintaining order pushed and shoved each other.

No county committee leaders were present to handle the situation.

Many workers wearing Hongshui Textile Factory uniforms held banners that read, "Down with Tian Li, Return Our Hongshui Textile Factory!"

Tian Li was the current factory manager of the Hongshui Textile Factory, a capable subordinate promoted by County Magistrate Li Sicheng. Under his management, the factory had declined from its peak, unable to pay wages, and had to rely on bank loans to survive each year.

Seeing this scene, Yang Zixuan was somewhat satisfied! This was exactly what he wanted!

He had instructed Su Ming to contact the leaders of the unrest at the Hongshui Textile Factory and incite the workers to protest early, to intensify the conflict between the workers and the leadership.

With such a mess to handle, the county committee leaders and the discipline inspection commission would be too busy to come after him for the time being!

Now, with ample time, Yang Zixuan was ready to take the next step—gathering evidence of misconduct by Li Sicheng and Xu Fuguo!

And this would start with the Hongshui Textile Factory!

"Director An, I'll leave this to you and the county committee leaders. I have urgent matters to attend to!" Yang Zixuan turned to look at An Zai Shan.

"Alright! Be careful! Call my beeper if you need help."

An Zai Shan shook hands with Yang Zixuan and walked toward the crowd.

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