Chapter 88 of 100

Chapter 88

15 min read3,731 words

Chapter 44: The Mastermind

Shi Guozhu was a member of the county party committee, the secretary of the county political and legal affairs commission, and the director of the county public security bureau. Since Xue Xue took office more than a month ago, he hadn't even shown up, let alone come to pledge his loyalty.

Xue Xue had long been annoyed with this Shi Guozhu. She took this opportunity to scold him and curb his overbearing attitude, to make him understand that he shouldn't underestimate a woman as the county magistrate.

Xiao Han actually didn't have any serious injuries. Ouyang Jinxuan helped her button up her clothes and called a nearby farmer to bring some boiled water to clean her up. After a few washes, she felt much better. Although there were still a few long cuts, they no longer stung. When she heard that Xue Xue was in a bad temper, she immediately went to get the phone but found no signal, so she had to report the situation truthfully.

Because the county was poor, only the party secretary and the county magistrate were equipped with mobile phones. The various bureau directors only had Chinese display pagers. At this moment, they could only stare helplessly, unable to do anything.

This place was several miles away from the Fenglin Town government. The nearest phone was there.

Li Yi took out his phone from his bag, saw that it had a signal, and smiled. "Lucky for you, my phone works better. Use mine." He handed it to Xiao Han.

Xiao Han looked at him with gratitude and took it.

She had only been with Xue Xue for a short time and this was her first time accompanying a leader on a field trip. For a government secretary, this was a rare opportunity to get closer to the leader. She didn't want today's mistake to leave an impression of incompetence on Xue Xue, which could affect her future advancement.

After making the call, Xiao Han reported to Xue Xue, "County Magistrate Xue, Secretary Shi is at a city meeting. Deputy Director Lü Zhixin said he will lead the team himself. I called the Fenglin Town government, and they will arrive shortly."

Xue Xue nodded, her expression softening. She asked with concern, "How does your face feel? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Although it was just a simple greeting, Xiao Han felt a warmth in her heart, moved to tears. She wiped her eyes and said, "I'm fine. Thank you, County Magistrate Xue, for your concern."

Xue Xue nodded and walked up to the two women, asking, "Who are you two? Why did you block the car? Why did you injure my people?"

The women, seeing this noble and beautiful woman, stammered, unable to speak. They finally realized that this was the county magistrate, and the one earlier was just her secretary.

Xue Xue said, "You don't have to answer now. When the police arrive, they will have ways to make you talk." She then asked Li Yi, "Director Li, what crime have they committed?"

Li Yi understood her intention and cooperated, saying, "Assaulting government officials is no small crime! If judged severely, they could face ten to twenty years in prison."

The woman in the floral blouse immediately wilted, crying, "I hit the wrong person, I hit the wrong person! Please let me go!"

Li Yi, with his hands behind his back, chuckled coldly, "How did you know County Magistrate Xue's car would pass here?"

The woman in the floral blouse panicked, refusing to speak no matter how much she was questioned.

Xue Xue had only decided to conduct a survey yesterday afternoon, and this morning, she was blocked and almost injured. The nature of this incident was very serious.

It was impossible for two rural women to know the county magistrate's itinerary, recognize her car, or dare to block it, let alone assault the county magistrate.

Clearly, someone was behind the scenes, orchestrating this farce, targeting Xue Xue! To embarrass her, to make her lose face, to mock her!

Who could be so malicious and cunning?

The party secretary of Fenglin Town, Liu Fuqiang, the town mayor, Fang Jiaxing, and the police station chief, Qiu Feng, arrived first in a sidecar motorcycle. The other police officers and town committee members followed on bicycles a bit later.

Liu Fuqiang, looking terrified, jumped out of the car and extended his hands to shake Xue Xue's, but seeing her white palm, he awkwardly withdrew his hands, his face showing a mix of fear and embarrassment. "County Magistrate Xue, hello, hello. I'm truly sorry for what happened to you in our Fenglin Town. Rest assured, we will severely punish the criminals."

Xue Xue had no intention of shaking his hand. She felt very poorly about Fenglin Town, and seeing Liu Fuqiang and Fang Jiaxing with their farmer-like appearances, she became even more angry. She thought, how could such backward officials lead the town's people to prosperity?

Qiu Feng, on the other hand, looked young and competent. He didn't crowd around the leaders but went straight to the two women, hands on his belt buckle, and said to the woman in the floral blouse, "Oh, isn't this Aunt Fang? And who is this? I don't recognize you! Aunt Fang, where is your son, Fang Dahong? Does he know what foolish thing you did today?"

Aunt Fang avoided his gaze, not daring to look at Qiu Feng. Under his pressure, she replied, "He knows nothing! It was my own decision."

Qiu Feng chuckled, "I didn't know that Aunt Fang, who didn't even finish second grade, could take the blame for others. Unfortunately, this time, the blame is too heavy for you to bear! Assaulting the county magistrate is a capital offense! You might face the firing squad."

Li Yi secretly laughed, thinking that this police officer was indeed good at intimidating people.

Liu Fuqiang, with a look of anger, said, "Fang Dahong, that scoundrel! It must have been his doing!"

Xue Xue asked, "Who is Fang Dahong?"

Liu Fuqiang said resentfully, "He used to be the director of the town's party and government office. He was caught playing mahjong during work hours by Deputy County Magistrate Qu, who reported it to Party Secretary Wu, leading to his dismissal. Now he sits on the cold bench in the town's People's Congress. He must be harboring a grudge and wants to take revenge on County Magistrate Xue."

Xue Xue asked coldly, "His dismissal was due to Deputy County Magistrate Qu. What does it have to do with me? Why would he want to harm me?"

Liu Fuqiang stammered, unable to give a clear answer, and could only laugh awkwardly, "I don't understand this case either. I'll leave it to Chief Qiu!"

Xue Xue looked at Qiu Feng, who hesitated to answer. He asked, "County Magistrate Xue, I'll take them back to the police station for interrogation. I believe we will get results soon. If they don't confess, we'll send them to the county detention center for a few years."

Liu Fuqiang, with a quick turn of his eyes, said, "Regardless of whether Fang Dahong is involved, he is no longer suitable for any position. I suggest we revoke all his positions!"

Although it seemed like he was using someone else's knife to kill, Liu Fuqiang's timing was indeed perfect! He hit right at Xue Xue's sore spot!

Sure enough, Xue Xue thought for a few seconds and nodded resolutely, "I completely agree! I will report this to Party Secretary Wu." Thinking that she should strike while the iron is hot, she took the opportunity to establish her authority in front of so many officials. She immediately took Li Yi's phone and called Party Secretary Wu Qingsheng.

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