Chapter 34: The Dog Enters a Poor Alley

Du Long was not at all surprised. He said, "Since you already know it was Shen Yujie who did it, I believe you have already found out why Zhang Xing acted this way. If that's the case, if Zhang Xing had something in his hands, he would have immediately confronted you. In fact, Zhang Xing never saw the item. Shen Yujie, thinking he was being clever, sent the photos by regular mail, and I happened to intercept them. The photos are now in this bag. As for Shen Yujie, I can guarantee he no longer has them. If Uncle Zhang doesn't believe me, you can go and check with Shen Yujie yourself."

Ma Guangming said, "I trust you. It seems this matter can really be put to rest. Du Long, Shen Yujie must have agreed to help Zhang Xing in order to get his brother into the Xishan District Criminal Investigation Team, right? His brother seems to have taken your opportunity. Do you want me to help you get even by kicking both of them out?"

Du Long smiled and said, "Uncle Ma, I helped you not for any reward, nor to use it to threaten you. I just want you to remember that there is someone who can be absolutely trusted. As for revenge or getting even, I haven't even considered it. I am a young man with ideals and ambitions. Short-term benefits and personal grudges are not important to me. I only want to do more practical things for the people. Unfortunately, the situation at Lihua Police Station is very complex and not conducive to my development. If Uncle Ma sees a place suitable for my development, please recommend it to me..."

Du Long spoke with great enthusiasm and a selfless demeanor, but he still revealed his true intentions at the end. A smile appeared at the corner of Ma Guangming's mouth. He was genuinely afraid that Du Long had no desires or demands. Since Du Long wanted to advance, it would be much easier to handle.

Ma Guangming said, "I am relieved to hear that. I investigated Shen Bingqing's situation. Although he used improper connections to join the Criminal Investigation Team, he does have some capabilities. I heard that after graduation, he originally wanted to develop in places like Hong Kong and Shanghai, but without connections, it's not easy to join the police force. After working as a volunteer police officer for half a month without doing much, he offended the leadership of the police station and was fired. He then returned to Yuming City in disgrace. His brother then found a way to get him into the Criminal Investigation Team. This matter is already settled, and the procedures are complete. Shen Bingqing is a high-achieving graduate from Southwest University of Political Science and Law, so it's a bit of a waste to assign him to the Criminal Investigation Team. It's best not to touch them. Don't worry, I will help you find a better position than the Criminal Investigation Team."

Du Long smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle Ma. Oh, it's getting late. I have a date with my girlfriend to watch a movie. Is there anything else you need to tell me, Uncle Ma?"

Ma Guangming smiled and said, "No, work hard and live well. Capable people will always have opportunities!"

Du Long hurriedly left. Ma Guangming watched his back and smiled slightly. This kid really has character. He even scheduled a movie date with his girlfriend while chatting with the mayor. Others would be eager to chat longer with the mayor, but this guy even hung up on me twice this morning... Mayor Ma made several calls, including to Du Long's mobile phone, and no one hung up on him again. The wise Mayor Ma naturally saw through the truth.

When Ma Guangming left, he noticed that Du Long had already paid for the tea. Although it was a small matter, Ma Guangming nodded in approval.

While Du Long and Ma Guangming were meeting at Cuihu Lake, Yuming City's Party Secretary Wang Shuwei was receiving an uninvited guest at home.

"Xiao Zhang? What brings you here?" Wang Shuwei asked in surprise when he saw Zhang Xing standing in front of the sofa in the living room.

Zhang Xing walked around the coffee table, came to Wang Shuwei, and immediately knelt down. He looked up and pleaded, "Secretary Wang, please save me! I am guilty, I deserve to die! I embezzled and accepted bribes, and I used my power for personal gain. I shouldn't have asked someone to take photos of Mayor Ma's private life. Secretary Wang, I know I was wrong. You must save me, or I am doomed!"

Wang Shuwei's face darkened, and he said, "What is this about? You not only embezzled and accepted bribes but also took photos of Mayor Ma's private life? Zhang Xing, do you know what you are doing?"

Zhang Xing, who had been a secretary for many years, knew the temperaments of the city's leaders. He quickly said, "Secretary Wang, I know I was wrong. Recently, it seems the city's Discipline Inspection Commission has been targeting me. I was restless day and night and thought of using those photos to threaten Mayor Ma to help me clear my name. But I made one mistake after another. Secretary Wang, now only you can save me!"

Wang Shuwei's face remained stern as he said, "Zhang Xing, come to the study and we'll talk about it. Let's go."

The two went to the second-floor study. As soon as Zhang Xing closed the door, Wang Shuwei asked, "Zhang Xing, what photos did you take of Mayor Ma?"

Zhang Xing told Wang Shuwei about how he discovered Mayor Ma's secret affair and planned to use the photos to threaten him. Wang Shuwei's eyes lit up as he said, "Where are the photos? Where are they? Give me the photos quickly!"

Zhang Xing smiled bitterly and said, "They were taken from me by Mayor Ma's people before I could get them. I never expected that Mayor Ma would take all the evidence without showing any signs. I have only myself to blame, Secretary Wang. Now only you can save me."

Wang Shuwei's face changed when he heard that the photos were gone. He said, "Zhang Xing, you must pay the price for your mistakes. You have disappointed me greatly. You even tried to defame a leader to save yourself. I am very disappointed, really disappointed."

In his despair, Zhang Xing noticed a fleeting disappointment in Wang Shuwei's eyes. He quickly said, "Secretary Wang, I did not defame Mayor Ma, I really didn't. I have even investigated the identity and background of the woman Mayor Ma is involved with. Her name is Lin Yaxin. Her husband is a distant cousin of Mayor Ma, and he died shortly after they got married. I never expected that Mayor Ma would take advantage of the situation... It's clear!"

Wang Shuwei's eyebrows twitched, and he said, "Is what you say true?"

Zhang Xing nodded vigorously and said, "I swear on my life that every word I say is true!"

Wang Shuwei walked around the study with his hands behind his back. Zhang Xing looked at him hopefully, not daring to blink. Suddenly, Wang Shuwei stopped and turned to Zhang Xing, sighing, "Even if what you say is true, you have no evidence now, and you have already alerted Mayor Ma. He hasn't come after you yet because he is cleaning up all the evidence that could be used against him. Zhang Xing, what you did was extremely unwise. How can I help you now?"

Zhang Xing said urgently, "Secretary Wang, Mayor Ma can hide it for a while, but not forever. He treats Lin Yaxin much better than his wife. He always buys gifts before visiting her. Even if he can hold out for a few days, he will eventually go to Lin Yaxin. Secretary Wang, I know Mayor Ma better than anyone. If you give me a chance, I can guarantee I will find evidence of Mayor Ma's infidelity!"

Wang Shuwei shook his head and said, "Zhang Xing, do you think Mayor Ma will give you a chance? He might kick you to some remote mountain village tomorrow morning, and you will have no hope for the rest of your life."

Zhang Xing cried out, "Secretary Wang, please be merciful and save me! I will serve you for the rest of my life. If you point east, I will never go west. Secretary Wang, please give me a chance!"

Wang Shuwei shook his head and said, "Zhang Xing, you can't stay in the municipal government. Here's what you should do: Confess the amount and details of your embezzlement and bribery to the city's Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Liu Mingqing. Pay back as much as you can. If you can correct your mistakes, you are still a good comrade, and the Party and the government will not abandon you. I will arrange a place for you to hide for a while. Once the matter is over, I will try to find a way to reinstate you..."

Zhang Xing was overjoyed and said, "Secretary Wang, you are my savior..."

Wang Shuwei interrupted Zhang Xing and said, "Zhang Xing, a person must rely on themselves. Opportunities don't fall from the sky. If you want me to help you, you must help yourself first. Since you know Mayor Ma so well, you should know how formidable Mayor Ma's wife is. Find a way to tell her about Mayor Ma's secret. That will be your task. It's getting late, go now. Don't worry, I will be watching over you."

Zhang Xing, now only thinking of saving himself, said through gritted teeth, "Alright, I will do it right away. Please rest assured, Secretary Wang."

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