Chapter 70: The Police Station That Takes Sides

The police chief of Wuxi County, Ou Caiming, broke out in a sweat on his forehead. He stammered, "This... I wasn't there at the time, and the people below said... there were too many people, it was too chaotic, they couldn't see who was hitting whom. We are still conducting investigations... we did catch over a dozen thugs who injured people at the Tieling coal mine..."

Ma Guangming snorted heavily and said, "You really know how to take sides. Now, I announce! During the investigation team's stay in Wuxi County, Qin Junwei, the deputy secretary and deputy director of Yuming Municipal Public Security Bureau, will temporarily take over all your duties."

Ou Caiming slumped into his chair, knowing that his political career was likely over. He would certainly lose his position, and might even face imprisonment. Reflecting on his actions over the years, Ou Caiming's legs trembled. He remembered a saying: "Good deeds bring good rewards, evil deeds bring evil rewards; it's not that they won't be repaid, it's just that the time hasn't come yet!"

Ma Guangming continued, "During the investigation team's stay, I will temporarily take over the duties of the Wuxi County Party Secretary, and the city's Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Liu Mingqing will temporarily take over the duties of the Wuxi County Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary. The city's Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary He Guoqing will temporarily take over the duties of the Wuxi County Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary..."

Each word from Ma Guangming was weighty, leaving the Wuxi County leaders present in shock.

No one had expected that the usually refined Ma Guangming would act so ruthlessly, sidelining the few powerful figures in Wuxi County right from the start. The timing of his actions was impeccable, leaving no room for doubt, or else it would be self-defeating.

Seeing no opposition, Ma Guangming breathed a sigh of relief. The most difficult step had been surprisingly smooth after Du Long's outburst. He couldn't help but praise his decision to bring Du Long along!

Ma Guangming began assigning tasks: the thugs who injured people must be caught, all weapons and firearms must be confiscated, the families of the dead and injured must be properly accommodated and comforted, and the disputes between the coal mines must be resolved quickly. Ma Guangming intended to tackle all three issues simultaneously to resolve the mass brawl at the coal mines swiftly.

"Du Long," Ma Guangming suddenly called out Du Long's name while assigning tasks. Du Long was taken aback and quickly stood up, saying, "Uncle Ma, you called me? I accidentally fell asleep..."

Ma Guangming instantly forgot Du Long's earlier contribution and wanted to kick him into the coal mine. He snorted and said, "You're a disgrace, Du Long. You will follow Deputy Director Qin for the time being. Work hard and don't embarrass me."

Du Long loudly replied, "Yes!" He felt that everyone in the meeting room was looking at him differently, as if his plan had succeeded.

Ma Guangming said, "The meeting is over. If there are no objections or suggestions, we will adjourn. Everyone, go and act according to your assignments. Remember to keep communication lines open. If I can't find anyone at a critical moment, don't blame me for dismissing them on the spot! Dismissed!"

Ma Guangming's words made everyone present feel a chill. After the meeting, Ma Guangming immediately went to the hospital to comfort the injured and the families of the deceased. Qin Junwei led a team to the Wuxi County Public Security Bureau, where over a dozen workers from the Tieling coal mine were detained.

The police chief of Wuxi County, Ou Caiming, introduced the detained Tieling coal mine workers to Qin Junwei, saying, "They are all armed thugs, especially one named Xia Hongjun, a former military man. He alone shot and killed one person and injured over ten others."

Qin Junwei countered, "Weren't you not there? How do you know this so clearly?"

Ou Caiming replied, "It was reported by the people at the scene."

Ou Caiming added, "Yes, call the witnesses to identify them and ask them about the situation at the scene."

Ou Caiming inwardly groaned but could only nod in agreement. Fortunately, Xia Hongjun had indeed injured over ten people, which had deterred the Black Gold Company's people from attacking the Tieling coal mine workers. He wasn't afraid of an investigation.

At the Wuxi County Public Security Bureau, a simple detention room held over a dozen miners in Tieling coal mine uniforms. A police officer pointed at the iron bars with a baton and said, "All of you, stand up and line up neatly. The city leaders are here to see you!"

The miners were listless, with various injuries and bloodstains on their faces and hands. Even with the city leaders present, they only glanced at them indifferently, standing up silently and forming a line, silently protesting.

Qin Junwei shouted, "Who is Xia Hongjun? Step forward!"

No one in the cell responded. The police officer replied, "Xia Hongjun is a death row inmate. He has already been sent to the detention center."

Qin Junwei angrily said, "Who told you he was a death row inmate? Ou Caiming, find Xia Hongjun immediately! If I don't see him within an hour, you will be held responsible!"

Ou Caiming, feeling wronged, turned and made a phone call. After a while, he returned, puzzled, and said, "The detention center says he hasn't been delivered yet. Calls to Xiao Gong and the others are out of service, maybe due to poor signal. I'll call them again later."

Qin Junwei strode to the cell and shouted, "Open it!"

The police officer opened the cell door, and Qin Junwei walked in. He circled the miners standing in a line and then returned to face them. Qin Junwei said, "I am Qin Junwei, deputy director of the Yuming Municipal Public Security Bureau, and a member of the investigation team sent by Mayor Ma of Yuming City to Wuxi County. Our task is to thoroughly investigate the truth behind the two brawls and bring clarity to the people. Now, you have this opportunity. If you refuse to speak, I will assume you have something to hide and are speechless!"

As soon as Qin Junwei finished speaking, a younger miner raised his head and said, "Who said that! We are innocent! We were defending ourselves! Two of our people died, and over a hundred were injured. They only lost one person and had over ten injured, and that one died from excessive bleeding. The police and the Black Gold people are in cahoots. They arrested us without asking any questions and labeled us as murderers and thugs! You say you are a leader of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, so why don't you catch the people who killed and injured our Tieling coal mine workers? Aren't you in cahoots with them too!"

Hearing the young miner's challenge, Qin Junwei did not get angry but smiled. He said, "Very good, finally someone is willing to speak. Ou Caiming, go buy twenty fast food meals and twenty boxes of milk. They haven't eaten for almost a day, right?"

"They haven't eaten for almost a day and a night, and they've suffered a lot," the young miner emphasized.

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