Chapter 86

Chapter 24, The Follow-Up (Part 1)

When Yang Zixuan returned to the hospital ward, Luer was staring at him with a worried expression.

"What's the matter?" Yang Zixuan asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Why are you running around when your hand isn't even healed?" Luer bit her lower lip.

"My hand is injured, not my legs," Yang Zixuan replied, his mood turning sour. There was no news from An Zai Shan, and since Xu Yin had told him that Tang Lu had entered Lin Pei's office, there had been no further updates.

This feeling of everything hanging in the balance was something Yang Zixuan detested. Since his rebirth, he had always meticulously planned every step, but today, he found that things were slightly off track.

He was still too young and had underestimated the situation. He hadn't expected that in such a small county, someone would want to engage in a life-or-death struggle with him. It seemed that to reach a larger stage, he still had much to learn.

Fang Ling, this time, I will make sure you have no chance to fight back!

"I just wanted to ask you something. I asked President Mu, and he said only you can help me; he can't!" Luer looked down at her toes, which she kept fidgeting with. Seeing that Yang Zixuan didn't respond, she looked up and saw him on the phone, feeling both aggrieved and distressed.

The call was from An Zai Shan.

"County Chief, Hei San has confessed!"

Yang Zixuan's heart tightened, but he suppressed his inner joy, maintaining a calm tone: "Who is it?"

"It's not He Longbin, but your old rival!"

"Fang Ling!"

An Zai Shan couldn't hide his excitement either; the heavy burden on his heart had finally been lifted.

Yang Zixuan's face showed a moment of shock. Although he had suspected Fang Ling was the mastermind, because if Zeng Jingzi died in Hongshui County, she would be the one to benefit the most!

If Zeng Jingzi died in Hongshui County, Yang Zixuan would definitely bear the responsibility for security failures and other leadership issues, making his position as county chief unstable.

After Yang Zixuan stepped down, Fang Ling could compete for the county chief position with Lin Ruoshui. Fang Ling had Tang Lu's support, while Lin Ruoshui had Lin Pei's backing. However, for the stability of the leadership team, Lin Pei was unlikely to openly conflict with Tang Lu over the county chief position. More importantly, Lin Pei was about to be promoted to deputy provincial level, and he wouldn't want to give the impression of favoritism to provincial leaders. Moreover, Lin Ruoshui was still young and didn't need to be promoted to county chief so early!

Thus, after Yang Zixuan stepped down, the most likely successor would be Fang Ling!

So, Yang Zixuan's misfortune was what Fang Ling most wanted to see.

However, Yang Zixuan had never dared to believe that Fang Ling was behind it.

He had never dared to believe it because he couldn't connect Hei San with Fang Ling.

"County Chief, what should we do now? What's the next move?" An Zai Shan, who had developed a sense of trust in Yang Zixuan, asked.

Yang Zixuan paused for a moment and said, "First, bring back Hei San and the key figures. Leave the minor players in Panjiang, under Old Liu's watch. Bringing too many people back would easily alert He Longbin!"

"County Chief, the mastermind is Fang Ling, not Old He, so why do we still need to be cautious?" An Zai Shan was puzzled.

"It's not that simple. I suspect Fang Ling and He Longbin have a cooperative relationship, perhaps even some hidden ties," Yang Zixuan said calmly.

"Ah? How so?"

"Only this can explain why Fang Ling could connect with Hei San and command him. Moreover, it's clear that there's an informant in your criminal investigation team who deliberately let the masked thugs Hei San sent to Tianma Mountain escape!"

"So, the biggest mystery now is the true relationship between He Longbin and Fang Ling. In the past, many in the county committee and government overlooked this relationship, assuming that He Longbin was in the legal system and Fang Ling in the administrative system, with no overlap. Most of the county committee members were also misled by this!" Yang Zixuan sighed.

"I think many people overlooked that He Longbin and Fang Ling have been the most loyal local officials in Hongshui County since they started working. They have worked together in the county for over a decade. It's hard to believe they have no relationship at all."

"Moreover, the age difference between them isn't significant. Fang Ling is younger, and her husband has always worked in Panjiang, while He Longbin's wife died long ago. They've worked together for over a decade without any rumors, which is quite unusual!"

Yang Zixuan continued, "I believe they have some hidden relationship, and some of the old comrades in the government compound must know about it."

"Because in the government, such romantic affairs are often spread as if they were true, but if they are true, few dare to spread them!"

"Damn, I never thought the waters in a small county's committee would be so deep, with so many twists and turns. Someone as simple and pure as me really isn't suited for the political arena!" An Zai Shan sighed deeply on the other end of the phone.

"Get lost, you're not simple or pure. Don't think your tall stature can hide your ambition and sleaziness!" Yang Zixuan laughed and scolded, feeling more relaxed now that he had evidence, and decided to be a bit humorous.

"So, County Chief, should I bring back Hei San and the others who were involved in the assassination attempt now?" An Zai Shan, aware of the urgency, didn't dare to joke further.

"Yes! That's one part, but I think it will be hard to completely hide your return from He Longbin. After all, he has been the deputy police chief in charge of criminal investigations for years, and his confidants are spread throughout the criminal investigation team. If you, the deputy police chief, suddenly leave during a critical moment of the county-wide manhunt, someone will definitely report to He Longbin," Yang Zixuan felt a bit uneasy and gave instructions.

In such a life-or-death situation, Yang Zixuan couldn't afford to let his guard down.

"Indeed, every move I make in the police department is reported to He Longbin. So, in name and in reality, Old He is the undisputed leader, while I, the top deputy, am somewhat nominal," An Zai Shan sighed.

Yang Zixuan, though younger, had taken control of the county government in just a few months, making most of the department heads submit. In the county committee, he could stand up to Su Nan without being at a disadvantage. In contrast, An Zai Shan was still constrained by the soon-to-retire He Longbin in the police department.

An Zai Shan sighed again, realizing that in terms of leadership skills, he was still far behind Yang Zixuan. Even if he were given the county chief position, he might not be able to hold it.

"County Chief, do you have any good suggestions?" An Zai Shan asked.

"This can be handled appropriately. Bring the people back in two batches. You return first, bringing one or two of the thugs involved in the assassination attempt back to the police station, and continue the interrogation there! Send your most trusted officers with Hei San and the confession materials to the outskirts, and I'll drive to meet them and take them directly to Daming City!"

"Brilliant!" An Zai Shan couldn't help but clap his hands on the other end of the phone.

"This way, He Longbin will focus all his attention on the people you bring back. By the time he figures out what's going on, you'll already be presenting the evidence to the Daming City Party Committee!"

They discussed the details further before hanging up.

Yang Zixuan turned around and saw Luer with a pained expression, her eyes red and almost in tears, which made his heart ache.

"Luer, what's wrong? Is there anything I can help with?" Yang Zixuan asked urgently.

"My brother might be arrested by the county police. Can you help me?" Luer, though rarely asking for help, had to lower her proud head for her brother, whom she relied on.

"What did your brother do?"

"He used to be part of a fighting organization, but he left long ago. Now the police are arresting people, and they are targeting those from his old organization!"

"Can you help me?" Luer looked at him with a pitiful, delicate expression.

Even if Yang Zixuan didn't intend to get involved with her, he couldn't resist her beauty and subconsciously nodded.

...

"Discussing Yang Zixuan's personal issues at a municipal party committee meeting?" Lin Pei was surprised by Tang Lu's urgency.

"Secretary, I believe Yang Zixuan has made a significant mistake in his work, and it needs to be discussed at the committee meeting," Tang Lu said, knowing he couldn't get a clear decision at the secretary's meeting and needed the committee meeting to ensure Yang Zixuan's downfall.

"Mayor, isn't this a bit rushed? Although Comrade Yang Zixuan has made mistakes in his work, they haven't caused any significant damage. Is it necessary to discuss this at a committee meeting?" Lin Pei, now calm, played it safe, trying to understand Tang Lu's true intentions.

"Although there was no significant damage this time, Yang Zixuan's attitude towards work is frivolous, and we can't guarantee there won't be more serious issues next time!" Tang Lu continued to try to persuade Lin Pei.

"Mayor, let's not rush. Let's schedule the committee meeting for tomorrow. I need some time to understand the situation better," Lin Pei knew he couldn't anger Tang Lu and thus proposed postponing the meeting to the next day.

With this buffer time, Lin Pei was confident he could steer the committee meeting in his favor.

Tang Lu, knowing that Lin Pei was still the leader of the municipal party committee, accepted the delay, though he knew it would add more variables to the situation.

As soon as Tang Lu left the secretary's office, Lin Pei picked up the phone and called Lin Ruoshui.

...

Page Break AD Start

Page Break AD End