Urban Crisis [Complete] - 14

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Model Worker Who Stole Chickens Commits Suicide; Mayor Surrounded in Demands Justice;

Fang Hao, facing Jiao Pengyuan's imposing manner as a Russian collaborator, adopted a strategy of avoiding direct confrontation.

"Secretary Jiao's criticism of me is very pertinent and timely. Seeking development within stability and seeking stability within development
are dialectically interdependent. Maintaining social order is essential to creating a favorable environment for reform and opening up;
similarly, only when reform and opening up achieve greater results, allowing the people to reap tangible benefits from reform, can
society be stable."

Jiao Pengyuan impatiently inquired, "Old Fang, time is of the essence. This meeting isn't
a theoretical seminar on whether to prioritize stability or development—empty talk harms the country! There are some people who talk big, empty words, and platitudes,
but never get anything done. " "Not only do they not do practical things, but they also scheme to persecute those who do. Tell
us directly, what exactly happened at the refrigeration equipment factory? Be concise and to the point, okay?"

Tian Xing said sarcastically, "Secretary Jiao, you should also leave some room for those who don't do practical things to survive.
Besides being good with words and persecuting people, they don't know anything else, and they won't learn it anytime soon.
It's tough on them."

Lin Guanghan remained silent. Before the meeting, Fang Hao had already told him about the situation. He felt heavy-hearted,
thinking about how to resolve this thorny issue.

Qian Zhong saw hope in Jiao Pengyuan's unyielding attitude towards Fang Hao. Secretary Jiao finally rallied.
But he remained silent, maintaining necessary caution.

Fang Hao felt his throat dry, and his voice became hoarse. "Here's the thing, the workers at the refrigeration equipment factory are going to cause trouble
because an old model worker named Wang Shuangxi and his daughter-in-law and son committed suicide. The son, Wang Jingeng, was also
a model worker. When the factory's security department learned that the workers were going to take to the streets, they immediately reported it to the Public Security Bureau. The details of the suicide are still
unclear , and Director Jiang has already begun an investigation."

"I remember now, I remember now," Jiao Pengyuan tapped his temples with his fingers, "
I felt like I recognized the names Wang Shuangxi and Wang Jingeng when you mentioned them. I
met ; they were very good workers, famous for collecting scrap parts. Why would they all commit suicide?"

"I called the factory's standing committee, and they just said the factory was doing poorly and the workers were having a hard time."

Jiao Pengyuan sighed deeply. "Alas! We say every day that we rely wholeheartedly on the working class, but the reforms have led to
the point where even model workers can't survive. How can this be? Who should take responsibility? Tian Xing, you were in charge of the refrigeration equipment factory and you got
a joint venture going. It was quite successful. How come it's suddenly doing poorly?"

Tian Xing snorted and said, "The leadership team is not united, there
's infighting. Wherever the leadership is not united, problems will arise. I was there to oversee the joint venture project. Actually, the refrigeration equipment factory was just
a branch of the heavy machinery factory. The heavy machinery factory had 20,000..." Many people were involved, the products were outdated, and the equipment was obsolete; foreign investors weren't willing to take on such a heavy burden.
I oversaw organizational restructuring, using some of the heavy machinery factory's manpower, resources, and capital to establish a refrigeration equipment
factory in a joint venture with foreign investors. The workers were then divided into two groups: most stayed at the heavy machinery factory, and a smaller number went into the refrigeration division. Externally, it operated under two names, but
the management team was essentially the same. The refrigeration equipment factory is doing quite well; it's one of the top ten enterprises, and Secretary Jiao commended it.
I don't know that Wang Xi (someone's name). If he had been assigned to the refrigeration division, he would probably be doing quite well. However,
I'm not familiar with the actual situation. After returning to the Municipal People's Congress, I haven't inquired about the heavy machinery factory's affairs since.”

“Let’s set up an investigation team,” Jiao Pengyuan yawned. “Who should lead it?”

“I’ll lead it,” Lin Xianhan said, his brow furrowed. “It’s my fault for not doing my job well; we haven’t been caring
enough .”

Jiao Pengyuan sighed, “Old Lin, your spirit of going to hell is something we should all learn from. Okay, you can
lead it. I’ll send Xin Mao and Su Nanqi with you, let them do some practical work and broaden their horizons.”

Two Audis drove from the municipal government towards the refrigeration plant.

In the first Audi, Su Nanqi sat next to the driver. He turned to Lin Guanghan in the back seat and said
, “Let’s go through the back gate of the factory. We might get surrounded by workers if we go through the front gate.”

Sitting next to Lin Xianhan was Xin Mao, who reminded himself to make the most of this opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation of the factory.
He felt a great responsibility on this trip.

“Director Su is very thoughtful. Mayor Lin, shall we go through the back gate?” Lin Xianhan habitually pressed his left fingernail against his brow. Because he did this every day, a dent

remained on his brow .
He said, "We're not going to the refrigeration plant anymore. Let's go to Wang Jingeng's house first."

Su Nanqi was secretly shocked. According to the arrangements of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, Mayor Lin was to lead a suicide investigation team to
the refrigeration plant. The plan did not include going to Wang Jingeng's house, which was the scene of the incident and where
an accident . He quickly said, "Isn't that inappropriate, Mayor Lin? The guards and advance personnel have already gone to the refrigeration plant and taken
security measures for the leader. But Wang Jinggen's family hasn't sent anyone. If you go suddenly, it's inconvenient to provide security. What if the
workers lose their temper? Your safety might be in danger."

Lin Xianhan rolled down the car window, and a gust of sand blew in, but he still felt hot and impatient.
He said, "What security? It's unnecessary. Since when have our cadres become afraid of the masses?
Just listening to the factory party committee's side of the story isn't enough. We must go to the scene and see for ourselves."

Su Nanqi opened his phone and said, "Then I'll immediately notify the Public Security Bureau to send people to Wang Jinggen's house for security."

Lin Guanghan glared and said, "Is your life worth anything?"

Su Nanqi sighed and said to the driver, "Okay, go to Wang Jinggen's house. I have the address here."

Silence fell in the Audi.

The Heavy Machinery Group was Lin Guanghan's nightmare. An ominous premonition enveloped him. He leaned against the soft back of the Audi,
still feeling unable to escape the nightmare's invasion, as if countless steel needles were piercing his muscles and bones.

This large state-owned factory, founded on October 1, 1949—the same day as the founding of the People's Republic of China—has a glorious
history . A portion of the gross national product figures mentioned in the government work reports delivered by the Premier of the State Council
are attributed to this factory. Its name appears in the *People's Daily* every few months, sometimes even on
the front page. It is eloquent proof of the Republic's rise from the ruins left by Japanese imperialism and the Kuomintang reactionaries to
prosperity . Here, socialist triumphs have always resounded, and red flags have always waved.
Leaders of the Party and the state from different historical periods have personally inspected the factory and left their best wishes. Foreign heads of state, whenever making
state visits to China, mostly visit the Heavy Machinery Plant to personally experience the achievements of socialist construction in China. The
factory embodies the spirit of resisting U.S. aggression and aiding Korea, the Three-Anti and Five-Anti campaigns, increasing production and practicing thrift, and striving for excellence in socialist construction—a general line for high-quality, high-efficiency, and cost-effective development.
The Heavy Machinery Plant was at the forefront of all political movements, including the "Three Red Banners," the "Four Cleanups," the "Opposition to Right Opportunism," the Socialist Education Movement, the "Down with the
Capitalist the Party," the "Cleansing of the Class Ranks," the "Learn from Daqing in Industry," the "Workers' Propaganda Team," and the "Workers Lead Everything
. "

Model workers, learning pacesetters, advanced workers, and
activists who actively studied and applied Chairman Mao's works emerged one after another . Statements from Heavy Machinery Plant workers such
as "We, the working class, will resolutely not allow the capitalist roaders to restore capitalism" and "We, the working class, resolutely support the Party Central Committee in smashing the 'Gang of Four' in one fell swoop" were always the strongest voices of the era and made the headlines of newspapers.
This place was also a crucible for cultivating revolutionary cadres.
From here emerged representatives to the National People's Congress, bureau chiefs, mayors, members of the Central Committee, government ministers, heads of ministries, provincial party
secretaries, and state councilors. The heavy machinery factory workers proudly proclaimed that the working class led everything… Lin Xianhan's fingernails dug deeply into
his palms. He understood perfectly well that the heavy machinery factory was an insurmountable steel Great Wall standing before him. Although the factory
had long been paralyzed after the transition from a planned economy to a socialist market economy—its products were unsaleable, bank loans
were unpayable , and workers hadn't received their full wages for three years—it remained the best testament to the socialist system.
The superiority of socialist systems, such as labor insurance and public medical care, was no longer apparent due to lack of funds, but its existence
proved to the world that China was still a socialist country with state-owned enterprises as its mainstay.
The political symbolic value bestowed upon the heavy machinery factory by the ownership of the whole people did not disappear because it had no economic benefits; on the contrary, it became increasingly important. Numerous research groups, such as the "Research Group on the Reform of Large and Medium-Sized State-
Owned Enterprises" and the "National Conditions Research Group," frequently
visited the heavy machinery factory, and Lin Xianhan often accompanied them and answered their questions. The investigation teams, arriving with different motives
, reached differing conclusions. Some reports described the heavy machinery factory as a stark reminder of the ills of the traditional planned economy, while others portrayed
it as an unyielding bastion of socialism. Lin Xianhan refrained from commenting on the conflicting reports
, not entirely because the investigators were all sent by the central government and he was unsure of their backgrounds, but primarily because he
understood that everyone there was merely seeking evidence to support their arguments, lacking both the capability and
the inability to resolve the factory's specific problems.
The stark conflict between the factory's unshakeable political symbolic value and its undeniable economic reality of survival without reform made it a minefield. Now, a model worker had committed suicide; the detonator
had been lit—it was crucial to prevent a chain reaction of explosions!

Lin Guanghan let out a deep breath, then asked softly, "Wang Jingeng's name was
changed during the Cultural Revolution, right?"

Su Nanqi turned around. "That's right. Wang Jingeng's original name was Wang Fugen. His father, Wang Shuangxi, was
a model worker at the Heavy Machinery Plant in the 1950s and 60s. During the Cultural Revolution, he became the Party branch secretary of the workers' propaganda team stationed at colleges and universities.
Both father and son were heroes who appeared in the newspapers. In 1967, thanks to his father, Wang Fugen didn't have to go to the countryside
to work. He became a worker at the Heavy Machinery Plant and later joined the refrigeration plant of the Heavy Machinery Group."

Xin Mao looked at Lin Guanghan with concern. "Mayor Lin, do you think my thinking is correct? Model workers are
the wealth of the Party and the people. They have worked diligently for the Republic their whole lives. If reforms reach
the point where even they can't survive, then what's the point of such reforms? Isn't it time for us to reflect?"

Lin Guanghan felt that Xin Mao's question was too broad and didn't answer.

The bustling streets remained teeming with people, the entrances of upscale restaurants and luxury buildings bustling with activity,
luxury cars parked along the roadside making the streets seem narrower.

People's normal lives hadn't changed much despite the suicide of the model worker's family.

Lin Xianhan's gaze was somewhat bewildered. He didn't know how to understand the city he managed. On one hand,
almost all large, medium, and small state-owned enterprises were losing money or suffering severe losses, with large numbers of workers laid off; on the
other

hand, there was a glittering nightlife, lavish dining and drinking, as if everyone was rolling in money. Which side was the truth?

He recalled a basketball game he'd witnessed played by wheelchair-bound disabled people; the players all
had well-developed chest muscles and powerful arms, but their legs were thin and withered. Perhaps this was his city—a
city competing while in wheelchairs, a city half developed and half paralyzed.

Three armed police officers appeared on the sidewalk, this unusual patrol an
emergency measure to prevent worker unrest.

Lin Xianhan felt like he was sitting on a powder keg.

Two Audis cautiously drove into a courtyard composed of rows of simple buildings constructed in the 1960s. The devastating earthquake of the 1970s
left cracks in the walls.

Lin Guanghan pointed to the cracks and complained, “What is Qian Zhong busy with all day? The municipal government decided
to demolish all the makeshift buildings long ago and allocated funds, how come there's still such a large area left?
People will be crushed if the houses collapse!”

Xin Mao sneered, “No need to ask around, cadres above the section level certainly don't live in this godforsaken place. I heard the
cadre dormitories of the Heavy Machinery Group are very nice.” Wang Jinggen’s family lived on the ground floor of the 18th row. Although it was Su Nanqi’s first time there, he found

the address quickly without asking anyone . Two policemen stood guard at the door, preventing onlookers from entering. Seeing several cadres arrive, the retired workers, women with children, and children blocking the door quietly left . The festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival hadn't completely faded; every window had a “福” (good fortune) character pasted on it, and the doors were so worn they were wide open. The Wang family was no exception; red paper with black characters printed on it was pasted on both sides of the door, bearing the words: " Yesterday was good, today is good, tomorrow will be even better . You laugh, I laugh, everyone is happy. " The policeman guarding the door didn't recognize Lin Guanghan and stopped them. "What are you doing here?" Su Nanqi said in a low, mysterious voice, "This is Mayor Lin. You're responsible for protecting the leader's safety." The policeman nodded and said, "You can come in if you want, but please protect the scene. No one from the bureau has come to investigate. If there's any disturbance, things will get complicated." Su Nanqi stood at the door, looked inside, and turned back to ask the policeman, "Why hasn't anyone from the Public Security Bureau come yet?" "They said they don't have enough manpower. They're all busy patrolling and can't spare anyone. Please come in." Su Nanqi and Xin Mao went in first. Lin Guanghan followed, stepping across the threshold that had been worn smooth to the ground. The red brick floor was dirty, and the sand blown in from outside followed his footsteps. Lin Guanghan hadn't expected the family of two generations of model workers to be so shabby. In the outer room, besides a broken table and two...

There were no benches, only an aluminum pot and three rough bowls on the tattered table. Only a row of
certificates of merit on the wall conspicuously identified the homeowner.

"They're in the inner room. The three of them hanged themselves. We took them down and put them on the plank bed in the inner room,"
the policeman said, lifting the worn blue cotton curtain and crouching low to enter.

Three bodies lay side-by-side on the plank bed: a thin, white-haired old man—the mayor knew without asking that he was
Wang Jingeng's father. Wang Jingeng and his wife lay near the window. All three had their feet dangling off the plank bed.

Lin Xianhan noticed that Wang Shuangxi's feet weren't even wearing socks. He touched the bed; it was ice-cold, devoid of warmth.

Suddenly, Lin Xianhan's gaze was pierced with pain. He was horrified to discover that each of the three bodies wore
a Chairman Mao badge pinned to their chest, gleaming in the slanting sunlight.

“Mayor Lin,” the policeman pointed to the filthy wall, “that might be Wang Jingeng’s
will .”

Lin Guanghan’s gaze fell on a line of words written in a primary school student’s red crayon on the wall. Each character was half a foot long,
looking like a slogan:

We’re going to Chairman Mao to get some answers!

A huge exclamation mark pierced the mayor’s heart like a sharp dagger. He thought to himself that the political significance of this
family suicide to “go to Chairman Mao to get some answers” would have a stronger social
impact than the three lives lost.

Su Nanqi reacted quickly. He said to the policeman, “Find a newspaper and cover the words up.”

The policeman smiled bitterly and said, “There’s no glue.”

“Make a makeshift shelter.”

“Where are we going to find flour? If Wang Jingeng’s family had a few ounces of flour, maybe they wouldn’t have gone to Chairman Mao. Alas, it’s
truly tragic.”

Su Nanqi reached into his pocket, pulled out a roll of transparent tape, and handed it to the policeman, saying, “Perfect, I got some tape
but haven’t used it yet, use this.”

The policeman took off his shoes, used two sheets on the upper bunk, and covered the words on the wall with a newspaper.

Lin Guanghan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Whether this is a last will or just something written randomly, it's
forbidden to see, circulate, or spread except among relevant comrades. Cover them with a blanket."

The policeman took a Japanese army green cotton blanket from the kang (heated brick bed), the one issued to Wang Shuangxi when he joined the workers' propaganda team.

As he covered them, the policeman said, "We didn't cover them because we were afraid the body would decompose."

Lin Guanghan pulled the corner of the blanket to cover Wang Shuangxi's bare feet and asked, "Who discovered them?"

Su Nanqi said softly, "Mayor, let's talk in the outer room."

The group returned to the outer room. From the moment they entered until they came out, Lin Guanghan never dared to look at the deceased's face; he feared that if
he saw it even once, he would never forget it.

There was no one in the outer room; another policeman stood guard outside the door.

No one sat down, as if touching a table or bench would bring bad luck.

"Tell us what happened," Su Nanqi said, taking out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes and offering one to each person.

The policeman humbly accepted the cigarette, saying, "I need to smoke it slowly; one costs almost two yuan."

He took a deep drag, slowly exhaled, and said, "The incident happened around midnight last night. There's a chicken
farm , and they've been losing chicken feed lately, so our police station has been paying close attention to this area. Plus, with the large influx of migrant workers,
security has become even more stringent. Last night at 11:40, I was patrolling outside the chicken farm when I saw a dark figure
climb over the fence. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, about half full. I was sure he was the chicken feed thief. I quietly followed him all the way to this compound, to this gate. I know exactly where
everyone's chamber pots are in this compound. "
"Qing, that's my jurisdiction." It turned out to be Wang Jinggeng.
A sense of unease . This family, as the old saying goes, were deeply troubled and resentful; two generations of model workers, no one could be more honest than them. I didn't
go in, and walked back a bit, but then something felt off. Wang Jinggeng's family didn't raise chickens, so why would they steal chicken feed?
No , if I didn't figure this out, it would be my dereliction of duty. These days are different. After wandering around for about twenty minutes, I
came back, pushed open Wang Jinggeng's door, and what I saw made my heart sink. It turned out that Wang Jinggeng... He, his wife,
and his father were eating porridge made from chicken feed. When they saw me suddenly burst in,
dressed in a police uniform, they all froze, completely stunned. It was too late for me to back away. Wang and his father put down
half a bowl of chicken feed and began slapping themselves repeatedly in the face, cursing, "I
'm a Chairman Mao down! I'm a bastard! I've let Chairman Mao down!" I was so frightened I didn't know what to say. It was partly my fault; I
shouldn't have come. If I had said a few words of advice to them, things would have been different. Perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way. At that moment, I only had one
thought in my mind: to go home and carry grain for them. I didn't say a word, not a single sentence, and I left. As soon as I left the compound,
I took off running. When I got home, I found a rice bag, asked my wife for help, filled a bag with rice, put it on the back rack of
my bicycle , and pedaled off to Wang Jinggen's house. I pushed open the door with the rice bag in my hand, and I was immediately stunned. The
entire family of three had hanged themselves, hanging from the rafters.

The policeman wiped tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and continued, "This is too tragic. " "They
hadn't properly, so I quickly untied them. Human lives were at stake, so I immediately reported it to the branch office. Sigh, they probably
thought I went back to report it and brought people to arrest them. Or maybe they were just too ashamed to face anyone. This family was extremely
concerned with their reputation they wouldn't ask for help even when they were in trouble. Sigh, if I had told them then that it was nothing, that I was just going to get some food,
the three of them wouldn't have hanged themselves."

Lin Guanghan silently picked up a bowl; the chicken feed porridge inside had hardened due to the long time it had been sitting. His
hands trembled slightly. The municipal government's annual expenses for banquets and farewell parties amounted to over 30 million yuan, with each table costing anywhere from
3,000 to tens of thousands of yuan. And before him lay three corpses who had committed suicide by stealing chicken feed. A wave of nausea washed over him, and he
murmured, "Let's...go."

The policeman, somewhat anxious, stammered, "Just a quick look and you're leaving? You need to give instructions! The body can't
just stay on the bed...what am I supposed to do?"

Su Nanqi said, "We're all deeply saddened by what happened. You've all worked hard.
After , the municipal committee will discuss a unified plan. Let's leave it at that."

He only wanted to escort the mayor away from this dangerous place as quickly as possible.

Su Nanqi opened the door and instinctively took a step back. Outside, hundreds of pairs of hateful eyes were fixed on
him.

Blocking the doorway, the passage between the two rows of houses was filled mostly with elderly workers and women. They didn't
shout, but Lin Xianhan could see the anger in their eyes. He quietly instructed Su Nanqi and Xin Mao, "
Whatever you do, don't provoke the crowd."

The two sides stood in silent confrontation for five or six minutes. Suddenly, the people in the back row pushed forward,
shoving the workers in the front row into the room. The dilapidated wooden door slammed down from the cabinet with a loud thud. Su Nanqi, Xin Mao, and others protected
Lin Xianhan as they retreated into the inner room.

Two policemen raised their arms and shouted, "Don't push! Don't push! What kind of day is this? Anyone who causes trouble will be
arrested!"

Lin Guanghan was pushed to the edge of the bunk, with nowhere to retreat. Five older workers and a young worker linked arms to
form a human wall to protect the mayor.

A thin old man named Shi Sanbao jumped onto the bunk and shouted, "Anyone who makes a fuss is deliberately trying to harm us
workers and is sincerely trying to leave a message for the government so we can be punished!"

The workers inside and outside the room immediately fell silent.

Shi Sanbao bent down and said to Lin Xianhan on the bunk, "Mayor Lin, come up to the bunk too, so
everyone ."

Lin Xianhan grabbed Shi Sanbao's outstretched hand and was pulled onto the bunk to stand. At their feet were three corpses.

Shi Sanbao began to speak casually, as if chatting about everyday matters: "Mayor Lin, you don't know me, so let me introduce myself. My
name is Shi Sanbao, I'm seventy-two years old, and I'm a fellow apprentice with Wang Shuangxi, who's lying on the bed. I've watched this kid
grow up. So, I have to come forward and demand an explanation for this matter. If you want to arrest the ringleaders, arrest
me; it has nothing to do with the others..."

At this moment, Lin Guanghan couldn't adopt the mayor's demeanor, as that would only anger the already furious workers;
nor could he agree without principle, as that would inevitably damage the government's dignity.

Unable to find the right role, he could only remain silent, maintaining a solemn silence.

He knew that a wrong statement would either anger the workers or the municipal party committee
,
and he would be labeled as inciting workers to riot or escalating the conflict. He had to avoid a situation where he was caught in the middle, unable to be on either side; silence was the best stance, allowing him to maneuver in the future,
using silence to express either support or opposition to the workers' opinions.

Shi Sanbao glanced at the corpse on the bed, then at the dozen or so pairs of eyes below, and said with a mocking
tone , "First of all, I don't understand our relationship. Logically speaking, you are the mayor, and I am a citizen; you lead
me. But according to the great principles of our Party, I am the master, and you are the public servant; I should be leading you..."

Lin Xianhan knew he had met a formidable opponent and remained silent.

"The actual relationship is another matter entirely. You are an official, a benevolent magistrate, and I am a commoner with nothing to my name
. Regardless of the relationship, you must give an explanation today regarding the suicide of this family of three.
Everyone knows Brother Shuangxi; he was a model worker who was featured in the newspapers. He produced more scrap metal in his entire life than a hundred Liberation trucks could haul away,
and in the end he ended up stealing chicken feed. He was too honest and too thin-skinned. If it were me, I would have gone
to your banquets every three days and every five days to eat and drink..."

Su Nanqi quietly slipped outside and made a phone call for help.

As the work was being laid out, a worker suddenly noticed the newspaper that had just been taped to the wall and shouted, "Uncle Shi,
they've covered up the words with newspaper!"

Those unaware of the situation began to murmur, "What words? What words?"

"They're feeling guilty again!"

"Don't waste your breath on him, let him have a taste of the chicken feed too!"

Shi Sanbao turned around, tore the newspaper down, revealing the words: "

We're going to find Chairman Mao and get some answers!"

People outside pushed in, and those in the outer room pushed in; the crowd became chaotic again.

Shi Sanbao waved his hand. "Quiet! Nobody speak. Today's matter is mine alone; it has nothing to do with
you . If the sky falls, I'll bear it all. If I get ten or twenty years, I, Old Man Shi, will go to jail."

Lin Xianhan's heart trembled violently. Wang Jinggen's dying words were too sensitive; they touched upon
many theoretical and practical issues of reform that he couldn't answer. What to do? He anxiously pondered a solution.

Shi Sanbao waved his hand again, "Everyone be quiet, don't push in! The words written on the wall were covered up with newspaper
. I saw them as soon as I cleaned it today, I didn't expect them to cover them up with newspaper!"

"Explain to us clearly, what does it say?" The crowd who couldn't see the words shouted.

"Quiet! I recognize this handwriting. It's Wang Jinggen's. It says, 'We will go find Chairman Mao
and ask him to clarify everything.'

" The crowd erupted. "If Chairman Mao were alive, they wouldn't dare treat the workers like this!"

"Down with the capitalist roaders! Parade them through the streets! Hold a struggle session!"

An old worker wailed, "Chairman Mao, Chairman Mao, you've abandoned us! If
you had opened your eyes, wouldn't you be furious? You were too soft-hearted. If you had killed them, we wouldn't
be in this situation today!"

Shi Sanbao's composure vanished under the incitement of the crowd's anger. He grabbed Lin Xianhan's collar
and shouted, "Why did you cover it up? Are you afraid of Maoist ideology? Speak! Speak! Are you mute
?..."

Lin Guanghan did not lose his composure. He understood that as long as he spoke, no matter what he said,
he would be opposed by either side. Remaining silent would only incite greater anger from the crowd. He steeled himself,
bit his tongue, and leaned back, falling onto the bunk.

Su Nanqi struggled to push through the crowd and rushed to the bunk. He saw the mayor with his eyes closed, foaming at the mouth, and
blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Shi Sanbao was terrified; he had grabbed the mayor's collar first, causing this injury, and he
was sure .

Su Nanqi jumped onto the bunk and shouted, "Get out of the way! Can you take responsibility for this?!"

Lin Guanghan deliberately tensed his limbs, creating the impression of an acute stroke. He warned himself that in the future, not only to the workers,
but also to Su Nanqi, Xin Mao, and the municipal government, he must never say that he had cleverly faked a stroke to
alleviate this crisis.

Su Nanqi, Xin Mao, Shi Sanbao, and several others lifted Lin Guanghan and carried him outside. Lin Guanghan let out a weak
groan, inwardly admiring his own cleverness; this time, he had truly managed to remain neither left nor right. Yet,
a pang of bitterness also welled up within him; he had never imagined that being mayor would require the ability to bite his tongue and foam at the mouth.

Five police cars arrived and stopped at the gate of the compound. More than twenty policemen ran to Wang Jinggen's doorstep, and the
workers automatically made way, carrying the mayor to a Mitsubishi SUV police car that barely managed to pull into the driveway.

Shi Sanbao, as if afraid they would forget him, walked up to the policemen, stretched out his hands, and said, "I did it all by myself."
"It has nothing to do with anyone else, do whatever you want with him."

A policeman handcuffed him and pushed him into the police car.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Taking a Risk, Getting Caught in His Own Trap, Obtaining Corroborating Evidence .

In the ward of the high-ranking official's hospital, Party Secretary Jiao Pengyuan and Mayor Lin Xianhan, who was lying on the bed, discussed their most
pressing . Jiao Pengyuan peeled an imported banana and handed it to Lin Xianhan.

"Old Lin, don't worry, I just asked the hospital director, your heart and blood pressure are fine.
I know you don't have a history of epilepsy, and your nerves aren't weak." Jiao Pengyuan smiled slyly, "I
admire your cleverness, coming up with the idea of suddenly having a seizure in a moment of inspiration to get rid of the workers' siege, how did you
even think of that, hahaha!"

Xin Mao reported to Secretary Jiao after returning that Mayor Lin might be faking illness.

"I... I really wasn't feeling well at the time, I don't know how I fell."

"Of course, no one feels comfortable when they're surrounded. Well, whatever the method, as long as it solves the problem." " However
, I must criticize you. If something had really happened to you back then, how would I explain it to my superiors? A mayor
being beaten to death or injured—that's unacceptable!"

Lin Guanghan sighed deeply, then leaned back against the bed and said, "The workers' grievances are not without
reason . How to reform large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises needs serious consideration."

"The workers causing trouble is nothing serious. The real problem is that someone above might use this to their advantage and retaliate against us. Old Lin,
the stability of the municipal party committee is paramount. If I step down, will you be better off? Fang Hao's ambition has swelled;
he's seizing on the economic problems of a few cadres to make a big fuss. He's using this as a pretext to attack me! And you? You were
attacked by workers on the spot, seriously ill and hospitalized. The workers' disturbance has already been escalated and defined. If Fang Hao knew you were faking your madness,
what would he do to you?"

Lin Guanghan felt a surge of tension. He hadn't anticipated such serious consequences and anxiously asked,
"How do you plan to handle this?" “

Pass the buck to Fang Hao. Don’t be afraid to make a scene. Severely punish Shi Sanbao
. If you insist that Shi Sanbao beat you, Fang Hao’s hands and feet will be tied up by the workers.”

Lin Xianhan lifted the white quilt, sat up, and waved his hand, saying, “Shi Sanbao is an old worker. He was just
seeking justice for his brother Wang Shuangxi. He didn’t break the law. At most, it’s a matter of persuasion and education…”

Jiao Pengyuan stood up from his chair, walked to the window facing the street, and lifted the purple-red velvet curtains, letting a
beam in. He slowly turned around and said, “Shi Sanbao beat the mayor, causing the mayor to be seriously ill and hospitalized.
Is that a light crime?”

“You just said that the hospital said I have no problems.”

“That was our private conversation. The hospital issued a diagnosis certificate stating that your
heart condition . There are more than five people who testified that Shi Sanbao beat you, including my secretary Xin Mao, the director of the office
Su Nanqi, a police officer on duty, and several workers present. That’s enough to convict him.” “

No, no, that’s not how it is…” Lin Xianhan felt his throat tighten and couldn’t speak.

Jiao Pengyuan snorted and sneered.

“If that’s not how it is, then what is it? Is it that our mayor is afraid to publicize the Party’s policies in front of the masses
, and is pretending to be sick in public to frame someone? If that’s the case, can you still be mayor?”

Lin Guanghan slumped into his chair.

“Old Lin, you and I are both high-ranking Party cadres. Political struggles are cruel. For the mayor to pretend to be a victim
is a huge political scandal. Protecting you is for the dignity of the government and the dignity of the rule of law. Shi Sanbao may
just be a good person with simple class sentiments, but since he has clashed with you, how do you expect me to choose? To
say that you pretended to be sick to deceive him, instead of that he hit you? Old Lin, it
’s in our common interest to divert the fire from you and let it burn Fang Hao. Just do as I say. Alright, your heart disease is not cured yet; you’re just
out of danger thanks to the doctor’s efforts. Get some rest. I’ll personally pick you up when you’re discharged.” Jiao

Pengyuan didn't even shake hands with Lin Guanghan before turning around and leaving the ward. He felt a surge of excitement; the beating of
Lin Guanghan might be a turning point.

Lin Xianhan clutched his chest, returned to bed, and lay down. He felt his heart was truly malfunctioning this time, a dull ache throbbing.

Shi Sanbao seemed to be standing in front of his bed, pointing at him and saying, "You sent me to prison, and it's all because you
faked illness!"

In the detention center's visiting room, Tao Tieliang invited Shi Sanbao to sit on the sofa and handed him a towel.

"At your age, crying can cause problems. Wipe your tears, have a cup of tea, and tell me slowly."

The old man was still sobbing. Tao Tieliang handed him a lit cigarette.

"We won't let a bad person go unpunished, but we also won't wrong an innocent person. Explain your situation clearly; you must
believe in the Party's policies. You just said you killed Wang Shuangxi, what happened?"

Shi Sanbao wiped away his tears, looking ashamed, and said, "Don't think that just because Shuangxi and I joined the Party in the same year, my
awareness has never been as high as his." Shuangxi and his son were both representatives to the workers' congress; they were honest and well-liked. "I
feel bad for Shuangxi and his son because of two letters."

"What letters?"

"Two complaint letters, two complaint letters to the municipal party committee. It's about this: about four years ago,
part of partnered with the Americans to form a refrigeration equipment factory. Shuangxi and I had already retired and were assigned to the refrigeration
factory. We both thought that with the joint venture, the profits would increase. Unexpectedly, the refrigeration factory made a big show of it, but it could
n't produce any good products. The compressors simply wouldn't sell, and the refrigerators wouldn't sell either. Later we found out that the Americans had brought over
an outdated production line, something they had discarded, but we treated it like a treasure. A dormitory building
for cadres was built; when it was first built, it was said to be an office building, the refrigeration factory's office building, but after it was finished, we found out
it was for cadres. Twenty-four-hour hot water, as luxurious as a hotel." I heard the Americans were also angry, accusing us
of misappropriating funds. They stomped their feet in anger and left, admitting their mistake! They've made a perfectly good factory poorer
and poorer, while the officials are getting richer and richer, and the workers can't even afford to eat. Any good person would be angry! An accountant named Liu Cui from the heavy machinery
finance department found Wang Shuangxi and his son, willing to provide materials to report Wang Shuangxi to the factory leaders.
Wang Shuangxi and his son are both model workers with significant social influence; their words carry weight. Liu Cui's husband works in the factory's infrastructure department, and he
also provided considerable information. The letter of complaint was written. Five people signed it: Wang Shuangxi and his son, Liu Cui and her husband,
and five Communist Party members. It was decided that I would bear the responsibility for the letter.
I didn't dare send it at the time, thinking I'd wait and see what happened. But I told Shuangxi and his son that the letter had already been sent.
Although the letter wasn't sent, word got out that a small group of people had materials against the factory leaders,
making false accusations, and that an investigation was needed. This made everyone in the factory tremble with fear, afraid of being laid off. Laying off someone was just a matter of a word, but
now it was called being laid off, which was even worse than layoffs. The factory leaders also declared that they weren't afraid of being reported to the municipal party committee or
even the central government, because they had powerful backers, and opposing them was considered anti-Party and creating unrest. Shuangxi and I drank alone, saying
we didn't believe there was no place to seek justice. If Chairman Mao were alive, would he tolerate corrupt officials? He would have killed them all long ago
! Ten months ago, Liu Cui and her husband were suddenly laid off. The factory leaders pressured them to admit to writing the accusation letter.
The couple had guts; they refused to admit it or reveal the powerful backers who wrote it. But
there were plenty there. Don't be fooled by the factory leaders' incompetence in production; they're all ruthless when it comes to dealing with people. They somehow sensed something was amiss and
confronted Wang Jingeng, demanding he confess to the whistleblower letter. Wang Jingeng denied it. Without a word, he was laid off
without a penny, told they'd deal with it after the investigation. Wang Shuangxi's retirement pension was also stopped, his medical expenses weren't reimbursed,
and they were constantly called out by name at meetings, insisting his model worker title was fraudulent. This family was inherently stubborn
and unwilling to admit defeat, making a living by selling their wares. They were already penniless, and after more than six months of selling, all they had left were broken
tables and benches. They were also incredibly proud, refusing to ask anyone for anything, even the flour I offered them. They almost turned on me
over a bag of flour, so I had no choice but to carry it back. Who would have thought this
family lived by stealing chicken feed? It's unbearable! A week before Shuangxi died, he asked me why he hadn't received a reply
to the whistleblower letter. I thought to myself, if you haven't even sent it, your family is already in such dire straits; if you had actually
sent it and it had been forwarded to the factory's Party committee, you'd be long gone. I said let's wait and see, maybe they're still considering
it. Unexpectedly, he pulled out another letter, saying he wrote it himself, this time without implicating anyone else, just
his and his son's signatures. Tears streaming down his face, he said to me, "We don't have money for stamps, so please spend the money this time.
Even if we can't bring them down while they're alive, we'll still sue them when we're dead and see Chairman Mao." What could I say? He'd followed
Chairman Mao all along; could I say the world is different now? "I agreed, but
I still didn't send the letter. I was afraid of adding insult to injury for them, afraid of harming them..."

Shi Sanbao couldn't continue, burying his face in his hands and wailing.

Tao Tieliang's composure had vanished with Shi Sanbao's "confession." His eyes were filled with tears, his fists clenched, and
his chest heaved, unable to breathe. He tried to strike a match to light his cigarette, his hand trembling, failing three times. Suddenly, he understood
why Shi Sanbao had grabbed Lin Xianhan by the collar. Perhaps it wasn't Shi Sanbao grabbing Lin Xianhan by the collar,
but the vengeful spirit of Wang Shuangxi attached to Shi Sanbao?

Tao Tieliang took a can of Coca-Cola from the refrigerator in the corner of the reception room, opened it, and handed it to Shi Sanbao.

"Old man, drink this."

"I was confused!" "Shi Sanbao smacked his head. "I
should I had run into an honest official who investigated and dismissed the corrupt official, Shuangxi and his son, and their whole family,
wouldn't have taken their own lives! I'm the one who ruined them, ruined their whole family... Shuangxi, Shuangxi, I'm so sorry to
your family! You left with such anger, naked and heartbroken..."

"Old man, are those two letters of denunciation still there?"

"Yes, yes, they're hidden at my house."

Tao Tieliang smoked one cigarette after another. He remembered the case of He Qizhang's suicide
, where the investigation uncovered a series of corruption cases; coincidentally, the case of an ordinary worker and his family committing suicide also involved
corruption. Another struggle seemed inevitable, and he had to be careful!

"Master Shi, I haven't recorded the letters of denunciation yet. This matter may be of great importance,
so don't mention it to anyone except me for now. Tell me the exact location of the letters, and I'll go get them immediately. "

Shi Sanbao stopped crying, wiped away his tears, and said, "Comrade, please don't betray your conscience, stand
up ! "

"Don't worry, old man. The world still belongs to the Communist Party."

"That's true, and that's the logic, but there's no place for good people."

"Master Shi, who can prove you only grabbed Mayor Lin by the collar?"

"Many people, there are over a dozen standing on the floor inside the room, they can all testify. Hey, Su Santang can testify, he
was standing right next to the bed. After Mayor Lin lay down, he even helped him up."

"Such a strange name, what does he do?" "

Actually, his name is Su Wenxin, he used to work in the gatehouse, and he's retired. This guy knows a bit about traditional Chinese medicine, and he's quite the expert on supernatural things,
curing many minor ailments. He loves to boast, saying that no matter how serious the illness, it'll be cured in three visits to his clinic,
hence the nickname 'Su Santang' (meaning 'Three-Times Su'). He's Shuangxi's neighbor, and they used to be drinking buddies." " I just remembered something. Su
Santang told me that one night, he heard Jin Geng cursing in the house, cursing really fiercely. If you go
and find Su Santang, you might learn something."

The IV drip slowly entered the veins on Fang Hao's hand. Three days ago, he
had been receiving IV drips in the hospital's intensive care unit every evening from six to ten.

Zhou Senlin sat by the bedside, carefully reading the two letters Fang Hao had given him. These were
the two letters of denunciation that Tao Tieliang had retrieved from Shi Sanbao's house. Tao Tieliang felt the matter was serious, involving corruption among leading cadres, exceeding
the authority of the Criminal Investigation Department, so he made a copy and quietly reported it to Fang Hao.

After reading the letters, Zhou Senlin fell into deep thought.

Fang Hao shifted his position on the bed, his expression somber, and said, "Old Zhou, these aren't ordinary letters of denunciation.
The people who wrote them—I'm referring to Comrade Wang Shuangxi and Comrade Wang Jin Geng—have left us forever. The evils of corruption
have directly deprived workers of their interests, created antagonism between workers and the government, and exacerbated
the difficulties of reforming large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises." Why was an outdated foreign production line introduced, costing 45 million? Why was foreign investment
misappropriated to build oversized cadre dormitories? Why is the refrigeration plant facing even greater difficulties after the joint venture?
Why are products sluggish? Why is the factory's Party Committee going to such lengths to attack and persecute the comrade who wrote the whistleblower letter? Old Zhou, you
immediately organize manpower to investigate the issues listed in the whistleblower letter.”

“Alas, Secretary Fang, it's difficult. He Qizhang, Li Haoyi, Shen Shi, Jiao Dongfang, Hao Xiangshou, Ge Mengmeng,
Sun Qi, and others are clearly involved in a case of collusion and conspiracy. Since the interrogation of the perpetrators has just begun, especially Hao Xiangshou…
Sun Qi and Ge Mengmeng haven't been arrested yet, and we still have a lot of work to do in our investigation and evidence collection. Chen Hu
went to Latin America again, and I don't expect things to go smoothly there either. We don't have
enough manpower. I'm afraid that if we stretch the battle lines too far, we won't get much results. We're already under enough pressure. Should we put the refrigeration plant issue aside for now?"

Fang Hao said sternly,
" If we
don't have enough manpower, we can rearrange it. People have already died; is this a small matter? The workers at the heavy machinery plant and the refrigeration plant are going to cause trouble; we need to give them an explanation. We can't suppress them. Of course, it's reasonable not to stretch the battle lines too far, but I have a feeling that the problems at the heavy machinery group aren't isolated
. Aren't some people saying they have powerful backers? Well then, let's see who this backer is."
Tao Tieliang provided a clue: Wang Jin's neighbor, Su Santang, might know something. Send someone to find
this old worker surnamed Su. "I've seen those simple buildings; you can hear everything clearly from one room to the other."

Zhou Senlin thought for a moment: "How about sending Jiao Xiaoyu? She doesn't have any specific work right now." "

Alright, send Xiaoyu. Tell her the investigation must be conducted discreetly, without alerting the enemy, and subtly
. Learn from Mayor Lin's experience of being besieged."

Following Zhou Senlin's instructions, at 11 PM one night, Jiao Xiaoyu, carrying two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), knocked on Su
Santang's door.

"Who is it?" A few dry coughs came from inside. "

It's for a medical consultation, Uncle Su, please open the door."

The door opened, and Jiao Xiaoyu entered.

"Uncle Su, you're still awake?"

"I'm just an old man, I sleep whenever I want, I don't have a set time. What's wrong?"

"I feel a bit stifled. This liquor is for you."

Jiao Xiaoyu looked at Su Santang's sickly face and withered body, relieved that she wasn't really there for a medical consultation;
even if she wasn't sick, she'd make him feel like he was.

"I see your forehead is shiny, your eyes are bright, you walk with a brisk pace, your voice is loud, your lips are red and your teeth are white, and your breathing is even
. You're not sick. You've come to inquire about something, haven't you?" "You're really amazing! "

Jiao Xiaoyu exclaimed, finding the old man extraordinary.

Su Santang pulled over a wooden stool.

"Please sit for a while, it's an old custom of mine, Su Santang, to serve guests with stools." "You want to inquire about that house? Is it open to
outsiders

" "You're getting more and more amazing!" "

I've mastered the art of divination, so I don't need to ask guests. You come here to inquire about what I know, of course. I
know quite a lot; I've seen all sorts of people, even the gatekeeper. Right now, the two biggest things are national affairs and the Wang
family's suicide. If you wouldn't come to me about national affairs, you must be here for Wang's sake."

"Hey! You even know psychology? Impressive, I say, you're quite something. How old are you, sir?"

"Just kidding, sixty-six. If I don't die, I'll lose a piece of flesh. I just turned sixty-six this year, and it's been a bad year."

Jiao Xiaoyu saw a dozen or so
old books .

"You can tell fortunes?"

"So-so. Girl, remember this: man's calculations are no match for Heaven's. Man's calculations are a thousand times more, but Heaven only calculates once,
and then it all takes back."

Su Santang took a deep drag on his pipe.

"It's better to live a wretched life than to die a good death. But this father and son are different. They don't just care about face; they practically
live for it. No wonder, their family has so much prestige; their walls are covered with certificates of merit. They have
so many .' This father and son treat their reputation like a god, never daring to take an extra or missing step,
living their entire lives in this way. Chairman Mao once said, 'It's not difficult for a person to do a few good deeds, but it's difficult to do good deeds all one
's life and never do bad deeds.' This father and son are people who have only done good deeds all their lives and never done bad deeds. Who would have thought…"
"They've already lived their whole lives
what's so bad about stealing chicken feed? They just see themselves as chickens!
And believe it to the cadres who eat delicacies every day and live bloated lives
, they've lived a life of injustice. Compared to the laid-off workers who steal a copper pipe from the factory today and a piece of sheet metal to sell for a few bucks tomorrow, they've lived a life of injustice too!"

Jiao Xiaoyu sighed, "It's truly injustice. Sir, were you
there ?"

"How could I miss this spectacle? I was there, I saw it all."

"Shi Sanbao hit Mayor Lin, did you see it?"

"Old Shi didn't even touch him, he just grabbed him by the collar."

"That grab was no small matter, it triggered Mayor Lin's heart condition, he almost died."

Su Santang tapped his pipe and said, "You can fool others, but you can't fool me. I saw Mayor Lin faking illness, putting on a show like '
Jingde Feigning Madness.' If a person is truly insane, their eyes are only slightly closed. Mayor Lin's eyelids were tightly shut
, anyone who can close their eyelids tightly knows what's going on. His eyes were strained, it was obviously an act.
Besides , what he spat out was forced saliva, not foam from his stomach."

Jiao Xiaoyu wrote a few words in her notebook.

"You put this notebook away, or you'll be in trouble."

"I didn't write anything."

"Didn't write anything? You drew a voodoo doll? Have you ever seen a heart attack where someone foams at the mouth? I knew then that it was
Mayor 's way of getting away. I was saving him face by not saying anything. But now you're using this feigned madness as an excuse to
arrest Old Shi. That's a bit too unethical." "

What about the others present? What do they think?"

Su Santang took three sheets of paper from the book "Liu Zai Xiang Fa" and handed them to Jiao Xiaoyu.

"Eighteen signatures, all proving that Shi Sanbao didn't hit Mayor Lin, he just grabbed him by the collar. I originally
planned send them to the police station tomorrow as corroborating evidence."

"Grandpa, did Wang Jinge have any arguments with anyone before he died?"

"He was like his father, never getting into arguments with anyone. But he did cry,
he cried more heartbrokenly than if his parents had died."

"Sigh, when was that?"

"You really want to know?"

"I don't lie, that's why I came here."

“Alright, I’ll tell you everything I know,” Su Santang squinted at Jiao Xiaoyu, “but
we can’t say it here, we have to go somewhere else.”

“Where to in the middle of the night?

” “It’s very close. It just depends on whether you’re sincere.”

“If I’m not sincere, I won’t come.”

“Okay, let’s go. Wait, I need to find a reason.”

Su Santang picked a key from a nail on the grimy wall and found a knot.

"Let's go."

Jiao Xiaoyu followed Su Santang out of the house and closed the door tightly.

"Grandpa, aren't you going to lock it?"

"Even thieves won't come to my house. Besides, it's close by."

Su Santang stopped after five steps, standing in front of a tightly closed door.

Jiao Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine. Could this be the suicide scene—Wang Jingen's house?

Su Santang used the key to unlock the door.

"Grandpa, what's this?" Jiao Xiaoyu's voice trembled.

"If you're not sincere, it's not too late to turn back now. Once you step over the threshold, it's not up to you."

"You think you can eat me?"

"Then get over here!"
Chapter Thirty-Six: Turning the Wronged Souls into the Hearts of Two Generations of Heroes Dividing the Loot A Group of Petty Scoundrels As

soon as Jiao Xiaoyu followed Su Santang into the dark house, she felt a chilling aura and felt
another .

"Grandpa, where's the light cord?"

“The souls of the dead are afraid of light; you can’t turn on the lights.” Su

Santang lit a candle with a lighter. The weak candlelight flickered, making Jiao Xiaoyu even more frightened.

“Come here.”

Su Santang held up the candle, its light illuminating a broken square table.

“Come here, didn’t you hear me?”

Jiao Xiaoyu’s legs stiffened; she wanted to run away, but couldn’t move.

“This broken table is where their family eats. Look at this pot; it’s just chicken feed
porridge.”

It was dark; nothing could be seen in the pot.

Su Santang held the candle up to the wall. In the dim candlelight, the certificates covering the wall looked to Jiao Xiaoyu like
scraps yellow paper used for cutting paper money.

“See? All certificates, worthless, no one would even want them to wipe their butts.”

The two faced each other silently for a few minutes. Jiao Xiaoyu had a feeling there were other people in the room.

“Let’s go inside.”

Seeing Jiao Xiaoyu standing still, Su Santang held up the candle in his left hand and took Jiao Xiaoyu's hand with his right, leading her into the inner room. "

Three corpses, lying on this bed. Mayor Lin, feigning madness, also collapsed on this bed."

Jiao Xiaoyu dared not look at the kang (heated brick bed), shivering as she said, "It's... a bit cold in here."

"Dead men aren't afraid of the cold."

Su Santang put on his shoes and climbed onto the bed, holding the candle up to the wall; the words were almost invisible.

"Read these words."

"I can't see them."

"Then I'll read them to you, 'We'll go find Chairman Mao and ask him for clarification.'"

"Sir... this isn't a crime scene investigation... can't I just tell you what happened?"

Su Santang simply sat cross-legged on the bed, tilting the candle until it was full, then stood it upright on the bed.

"That's pure nonsense. Even if Chairman Mao just rolled over and stood up from the crystal cabinet, could he explain it clearly?
Shuangxi and his son are bewitched. No wonder, decades of hard work, all gone in one night." "The workers'
iron rice bowl was smashed just like that. They say there's been reform, but why only the workers are reformed, not the officials? The officials are more
powerful than capitalists, constantly using policies to pressure people. If you dare utter a sound, you're immediately replaced, laid off, and kicked
out ! And the officials, if something goes wrong here, they can just move to another place and still be officials. They sold off the factories,
they sold off the machinery, and where did the money go? It all went into their pockets. This is called 'officials forcing the people to rebel'..."

In the eerie and terrifying suicide scene, under the dim candlelight, listening to an old man's rambling nonsense,
Jiao Xiaoyu couldn't bear it any longer, but dared not lash out. She said tactfully, "Grandpa, this room is too cold,
so damp and cold. You're so frail; it'll be troublesome if you catch a cold. Let's go back to your room and talk."

Su San patted the door frame and said, "Sit."

"I'll stand; it's warmer standing up."

"I haven't even asked your name yet."

"Jiao Xiaoyu." " Is your name special?"

"Then you share the same surname as Secretary Jiao of the Municipal Party Committee. From the TV, I saw that Secretary Jiao's eyebrows are like needles pointing upwards;
I'm afraid he's facing imprisonment. Don't say this out loud, or I'll really lose a piece of my flesh."

Jiao Xiaoyu's heart sank. Could her uncle really be in such a serious situation? She deliberately asked, "Really? Even a
high-ranking official like Secretary Jiao can get into trouble?"

"An official's hat is worn on the head, not grown on it. A strong wind will blow it away,
hehe , this kind of thing has happened many times throughout history!"

"Uncle Su, please get back to the point. You and Wang Shuangxi and his son are neighbors. A close neighbor is better than a distant relative.
Tell me about their situation."

Su Santang tapped his pipe and said, "Wang Jin and his family are dead, but their souls remain in this house. They
didn't leave until forty-nine days later. We can't see them, but they can see us and hear our conversations.
Actually, I can see them. Xiaoyu, look at the left corner of the ceiling."

Jiao Xiaoyu's teeth chattered, her eyes fixed on the flickering flames, seeing nothing else. "

The spirit that's been following you is floating there, looking down, looking at us. Don't be afraid, you're here to seek
justice , he won't harm you. Xiaoyu, do you think you came here on your own? No, it's Wang Jingeng
's spirit that lured you here. He wants to use your voice to speak. Deceiving the living is understandable; this world is all about you deceiving
me, me deceiving you. But deceiving the dead will bring retribution, you must remember that. Jingeng
is using my voice now, I dare not say a word falsely. What I know, I know; what I don't know, I don't know.
From now on, Jingeng will use your voice. What you know, you must report; what you don't know, you must investigate
, so that Wang Jingeng's soul can go to Fengdu City in peace."

Su Santang paused, picked up the candle from the kang (a heated brick bed), and held it up to Jiao Xiaoyu's face.

Jiao Xiaoyu felt the vengeful spirit of Wang Jingeng flickering in the flame. "

Child, you don't look well." Su Santang waved his hand towards the ceiling. "Gen, you two stay away from this child
, don't pounce on her."

Su Santang placed the extinguished pipe into Jiao Xiaoyu's cold hand.

"Hold it, it'll be a little warm, and the ghost won't dare touch you."

Jiao Xiaoyu gripped the pipe tightly, feeling waves of nausea.

"That was around 10 p.m. three nights before Jingeng's suicide. I heard a loud shout from next door, 'Get out! Get out!
Don't ever come looking for me again!' I recognized Jingeng's voice. Who was he yelling at? There was a knock on the door next door,
like someone was coming out. I quietly pushed the door open to see who it was. A man came out of Jingeng's room.
By the moonlight, I saw that it was Yu Dajin, the head of the factory's infrastructure department." I felt a pang of unease; the senior director was looking for me.
"A young worker, and it's the middle of the night... something's not right." Before Yu Dajin's figure had even disappeared,
a sob followed closely from inside the house. In the dead of night, he dared not cry out loud, so he swallowed it, making it all the more heartbreaking to hear. I knocked on the door and
said , "Hey, come to my room, let's have a drink.

" "He's here, he told me all his heartache. Hey, I'll tell her about you.
If you agree, make a sound. If you don't, don't make a sound. I naturally
won't ."

Jiao Xiaoyu was enveloped in terror. Could the living really talk to the dead? Looking at Su Santang's earnest
listening, it all seemed real.

Suddenly, the candle exploded, flames leaping up, sparks flying everywhere.

Jiao Xiaoyu's heart pounded. A ghost had appeared?

“Hey, I know you agreed. Dead, dead, death is the end, what use is face now? You
're alright, step back a little, don't pounce on her. It's not easy to find a good person to speak up for you.”

The pale blue flame on the candle calmed down.

“I knew it the first time he stole chicken feed…”

Around midnight, Wang Jingen went next door, clutching his stomach.

“Uncle Su, I don't feel well, my stomach hurts.”

“Geng, why is your face so pale? Cover it with a tissue, you've been crying too much.”

Su Santang helped Wang Jingen sit on a stool and took his pulse.

“Geng, you have stomach fire rising, kidney water depleted, liver overpowering spleen! Did you eat something you didn't like?”

Wang Jingen stared blankly, not speaking for a long time.

“You're afraid to seek medical help, how can I treat you? Tell me.”

Suddenly, Wang Jingen slumped onto the table and started crying.

"Grandpa, I'm not human, I did something bad, I did something bad... I've never done anything bad in my life, but
I still did something bad... I... I became a thief..."

"You? A thief? You wouldn't even take what was offered to you, and you've got the skills to be a thief
? You're something else! Don't make me laugh."

"I... stole chicken feed from the chicken farm to make porridge... I'm a thief!"

Su Santang picked up a bottle of Erguotou liquor and took a swig. He slammed the bottle down on the table and
yelled, "You little coward! Stealing chicken feed? Why don't you steal a wallet! Steal from a department store! Steal
the vast fortune of an official! That would make you a man! But you had to steal chicken feed, is that something for humans to eat? Even if we're poor,
we're still human, can we eat that stuff! You're not just disgracing your father, you're disgracing people, people of humanity!"

"Grandpa, how am I supposed to face people now... I've become a thief... I'm a model worker, my dad is a model worker, we
're a family of model workers... I've let down the certificates on the wall, I've let down the title of model worker..."

Su Santang slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "Stop it! Still clinging to the idea that you're a model worker! Model worker,
model worker, you have to work first to be a model worker. You, Wang Jin-jun, have been laid off and don't even have the right to work anymore , what kind of model worker are you? Damn it! I'm not saying this to criticize your Wang family, but you've ruined
the certificates hanging on the wall..."
"You take paper too seriously! A piece of paper has fooled you two your whole lives, and you've ended up stealing chicken feed!
Look at those officials, they have tons of medals, they never care about them, they don't wear those things. They wear
scratch-resistant Rado watches and Rolexes! Wearing medals and then reaching out to take money, they feel awkward.
But two, you treat your certificates like gods! Fine, fine, if you want to be thieves, let's do it together. I'll
take down those fake gods first."

Su San took a few steps out of the room, then rushed into Wang Jingen's outer room. He saw several bowls of mushy
chicken feed on the table, and instantly flew into a rage. He lunged at the wall, ripped off a large framed certificate, and
smashed it to the ground. With a crash, shards of glass splattered everywhere.

Wang Shuangxi, his thin frame wrapped around Su Santang's waist, cried out in alarm, "Santang! What are you doing? Why are you
taking those certificates out on us?"

Su Santang reached out to pull, tug, and tear at the rows of certificates on the wall, but Wang Jinggen ran over, shielding them with
his body , and cried, "Uncle Su, I beg you, please keep them. They are
a testament to our lives!"

Wang Jinggen's wife wiped away her tears and went into the inner room.

Su Santang was then tightly embraced by the father and son. He sighed deeply, tears streaming down his face. "You! You!
You 'll never understand anything in your lives, you've lived such a miserable life!"

"The next day, I bought them half a bag of steamed buns. The father and son refused to accept them no matter what I said. I got impatient
and threatened them that if they didn't accept them, I would tell the whole world that they stole chicken feed. Only then did they accept them. Sigh!
Girl, have you ever eaten chicken feed?"

Jiao Xiaoyu's heart was deeply pierced by the Wang family's plight. She remembered
the 300-yuan cocktail she had ordered at the Rich Club, her uncle Jiao Pengyuan's 600,000-yuan
gamble , her cousin Jiao Dongfang's 100 million yuan and tens of millions of US dollars transferred abroad with He Qizhang,
and the billions of yuan in bad debts discovered during a bank audit, which could be wiped clean with a simple circle drawn by a leader... Yet,
in the same city, on the same night, a model worker of the Republic was stealing chicken feed!

She lowered her head, staring blankly at her toes. Suddenly, she remembered that the Italian imported
leather shoes cost over a thousand yuan, enough for Wang Jin's family's living expenses for two or three months.

She was no longer so afraid of the gloomy house, but was instead gripped by guilt, as if she owed this family something
. What was it?

"Grandpa, tell me in detail about Wang Jin's argument."

"The thing you asked about, I overheard it from inside the house. This makeshift building isn't fit for human habitation; if someone
farts , the west room hears it clearly. Otherwise, how could they say that if a couple is in bed in the east room, the bachelor in the west room can't handle it?
The argument was about this...

" "Is everything alright in that room?"

"You mean Grandpa Su? He only eats three meals a day and goes to bed early."

"I originally wanted to invite you to a restaurant to talk, but I was afraid you wouldn't go, so I came here. Little Wang, I've come to deliver your back pay as instructed by the factory's Party Committee
. Your wages for the ten months you were laid off will be paid in full, not a penny less, at your original salary."
"And your father's retirement pension, the reimbursed medical expenses, along with the subsidy for your family, total
10,000 yuan . It was withdrawn from the bank; the seal is still on, count it carefully."

"Director Yu, please keep this money for now. Is every laid-off worker receiving their original salary as a supplement?"

"Is this some kind of windfall? Not working, just sleeping at home every day, living a comfortable life, and getting a full salary every month—is that
considered being laid off? That's just retired veterans! This compensation is only for you, so don't tell anyone else. The factory's Party Committee values you and
is grooming you, that's why they arranged for you to be the electrician team leader in the refrigeration plant. As long as you're obedient, you can
go back to work at the refrigeration plant after a while."

'Money is for the workers' congress representative; you have to be fair to the workers…'

"Don't mention what kind of representative you are. The workers' congress is a dead letter
;
what kind of representative are you? It's nonsense. Now everyone only represents themselves; it's good enough if you can represent yourself well. Look at you, you didn't even represent yourself well. Young and skilled, yet you were still laid off. Look at the kind of life you're living. I've brought you the money, and all I want is your
word . You know perfectly well that there are a few people in the factory who write incriminating reports and slander. No secrets stay hidden forever
; I heard you and your father were involved too. You and your father were used as pawns by people with ulterior motives." " You
're model workers, your words carry weight, and your superiors trust you. That's what they're taking advantage of. It's okay if
you're on this sinking ship; you can get off. Hand over your report, expose this small group's conspiracy, and I guarantee you
'll be back at work immediately."

"I've never heard of any conspiracy. It's a party member's
right ; it's perfectly normal."

"Don't be naive. I only came here specifically to show you a bright future because you and your father are honest people the Party has nurtured for years
. If you don't leave, I can't help you anymore. But I must warn you, with your few
lackeys, trying to file a false accusation will only bring you trouble. The refrigeration plant is a model case that Sister Tian, representing the municipal party committee
, has very powerful backers. Do you think you can win? Trying to shake a big tree is laughable and overestimating yourselves. This ten thousand yuan—
you've never seen so much money in your life, have you? Be quick about it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity . Poverty makes people lose their ambition, and a thin horse has a long mane." "If you keep going this poor, Jin Geng, I'm not saying this to be mean,
but I'm afraid your wife might have to sell her pants..."

"Get out! Get out! Take your stinking money and get out of here! "

The candles on the porch were almost out, the candle wax piling up into a soft heap.

"My ears are sharper than a tape recorder; only a doorman has that ability. I remember Jin Geng's
conversation pretty well."

Jiao Xiaoyu pinched the candle wax together, and the flame grew stronger.

"Grandpa, what's this Director Yu's name?"

"Yu Dajin. I watched him climb up the ranks. He started as a plumber, then became a purchasing agent, and
in less than two years, he became the head of the general affairs department, then the deputy director, and then the director. I don't know
how that guy managed to get so high up; he must have bribed the leaders."

"Who is this Sister Tian that Yu Dajin mentioned?"

Su Santang lit his pipe again, pondered for a while, and said, "I wouldn't dare say unless I'm absolutely sure. I often hear the factory
leaders talking about Sister Tian. During the joint venture period, a high-ranking official named Tian Xing came a few times,
surrounded by a retinue, very important. I'm not sure if the Sister Tian Yu Dajin mentioned is Tian Xing."

The candle finally went out, leaving only darkness, with only the flickering light of the pipe.

The room was deathly silent, and Jiao Xiaoyu shivered.

At ten o'clock at night, Fang Hao finished his IV drip but didn't leave, listening to Zhou Senlin and Jiao Xiaoyu's report. The ward became his
second office.

After listening to Jiao Xiaoyu's report, Fang Hao frowned.

"Sigh, some people say I specialize in targeting high-ranking officials. Actually, I'm most afraid of getting involved with high-ranking officials. Just hearing the name of
a certain official makes my heart clench. It's not that I'm afraid of their power, it's that I feel heartbroken. Comrade Tian Xing was
temporarily assigned to the Heavy Machinery Plant and oversaw the joint venture at the Refrigeration Plant. If Comrade Tian Xing's issues with the Heavy Machinery Group are
deeply , our pressure will be even greater. Old Zhou, any news about Chen Hu?"

Zhou Senlin took three computer images from his briefcase and handed them to Fang Hao.

"Chen Hu's work has made progress. Although the local police weren't very cooperative, they still searched Hao Xiangshou's
belongings left behind in the sugarcane plantation shed. When Chen Hu examined the scene, he found the bed was in disarray, and his daily necessities were
missing . All indications suggest that Hao Xiangshou may have disappeared suddenly due to a kidnapping. Chen Hu quickly returned
to China to report the details in person. These three photos were found in the lining of Hao Xiangshou's mattress during the search, and Chen Hu transmitted them back through
Interpol 's computer network."

Fang Hao put on his reading glasses and carefully examined the downloaded images.

The first photo was of Hao Xiangshou and a strikingly beautiful woman in her twenties on a lakeside bench,
Hao Xiangshou's arm draped over the woman's shoulder.

The second photo was of the same woman in a bikini with Hao Xiangshou on Palm Beach.

The third photo was a full-body shot of the woman leaning against a red BMW; because it
was taken , the license plate number was faintly visible. Fang

Hao handed the photos to Jiao Xiaoyu.

“Take a look too, and then share your thoughts.”

Jiao Xiaoyu examined the photos for a long time before saying, “Hao Xiangshou carried this woman’s photo with him when he fled, which shows that his
relationship with her is unusual. This woman should be around 1.75 meters tall, with a well-proportioned figure, comparable to
He Qizhang ’s mistress Cui Yan, and might even be a model; third, this woman frequently operates in our city,
and this BMW has our city’s license plate, but unfortunately the number is unclear; fourth, the photo of Palm Beach doesn’t look like it
was taken in Hainan. Judging from the English letters of the coffee shop in the background and the scenery, I guess it’s Hawaii, and Hao Xiangshou
and this woman went to Hawaii. These are all just my guesses, don’t laugh at me.”

Zhou Senlin smiled with satisfaction.

“Xiaoyu, you’re a natural-born investigator. These three photos have already been examined, and
the one of her in a swimsuit was indeed taken in Hawaii. With some technical processing, the car license plate number might be identifiable
. Secretary Fang, should we hold a meeting and bring in the relevant parties to discuss this together?”

Fang Hao spread his hands. “Look, my hands are all bruised and battered. I'm afraid there won't be time for the meeting
. Director Luo is coming to talk about the heavy machinery factory soon; the workers are planning a street protest. The municipal party committee is holding
a meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the heavy machinery group and the refrigeration plant. Old Zhou, you and Xiaogong find this woman, find out her surname
, name, where she lives, and get some basic information.”

“Oh dear,” Zhou Senlin slapped his forehead, “I forgot. The relevant departments want to interrogate Li Haoyi and
Jiao Dongfang ; I have to fly there with them tomorrow. I can't be absent. I'm so busy, even with such a big…”
"I've forgotten everything."

"Old Zhou, you need to take care of your health. Don't end up like me, going to the hospital for IV drips every day. Xiaoyu, you get to work
."

Police Chief Jiang Dabing knocked on the door, and Zhou Senlin and Jiao Xiaoyu stood up to offer him a seat.

"Old Jiang, you've come at just the right time. We've finished talking."

Zhou Senlin and Jiao Xiaoyu left. Jiang Dabing sat down and said, "Secretary Fang, we've been bombarding you with questions. I'm afraid your
health can't take it.

" "I have to take it even if I can't. Have you taken any measures to prevent the heavy machinery and refrigeration workers from taking to the streets?"

"The focus is on the workers' demands for the release of Shi Sanbao. The procuratorate is waiting to prosecute, but Tao Tieliang hasn't produced the final
investigation . We've already adopted a combination of persuasion and containment. The factory's Party Committee and trade union are cooperating well, not allowing
gatherings of more than three people, let alone taking to the streets. The city's riot police are on standby."

Fang Hao's face was clouded, and his breathing became rapid.

"Old Jiang, the principle of relying wholeheartedly on the working class cannot be shaken." " We must resolutely prevent
the situation the conflict intensifies, it will be difficult to manage.
The Municipal Party Committee will hold a meeting tomorrow morning specifically to discuss this issue. Will you attend?"

"Secretary Jiao informed me, I will attend."

"Actually, Wang Shuangxi's suicide is a symptom of the problem, not its essence. The essence is that
the reform of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises has encountered difficulties, and we cannot rule out the problems within the leadership of the Heavy Machinery Group itself..."

Fang Hao fell silent. Jiang Dabing thought Fang Hao was thinking about the problem, but after waiting a while without any sound, he realized Fang
Hao had fainted.

"Nurse! Nurse!"

Jiang Dabing rushed out of the ward to find the nurse and the doctor on duty.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Selling His Evil Words Shocks Everyone; Upholding Justice to Resolve the Crisis.

The corridor leading to the Municipal Party Committee meeting room was guarded, something not usually done. Each attendee had to present identification, and
the guards verified their identities before allowing them to pass, demonstrating the high level of confidentiality of the meeting.

Jiao Pengyuan, sitting at the head of the long conference table, scanned each face in turn, lightly tapping the table with his pencil.

"Meeting." Today's meeting is neither a meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee nor an expanded meeting of the Standing Committee. The city already has
an organization called the Emergency Response Team, but in peaceful times, no emergencies have occurred, so this
organization doesn't do much activity. Today's meeting is an expanded meeting of the Emergency Response Team. I am the head of the Emergency
Response Team, Comrade Fang Hao is the deputy head, and Comrade Jiang Dabing is the executive deputy head.
In addition to the public security, procuratorate, court, and judicial departments, those attending today's meeting are responsible comrades from the trade union, health, the Municipal Academy of Social Sciences, the armed police, the garrison, the fire department, and transportation
departments . Based on work needs, Comrades Su Nanqi and Xin Mao have been recruited as
staff members of the Emergency Response Team.”

Jiao Pengyuan noticed that Fang Hao, sitting to his left, was sweating profusely and asked with concern, “Old Fang, are you too nervous
? Why are you sweating so much?”

Jiang Dabing, sitting next to Fang Hao, said, “Secretary Fang was resuscitated last night and is coming today despite being unwell
.”

Fang Hao waved his hand and said, “It's not that serious. Secretary Jiao, let's continue the meeting.” "

Old Fang, your responsibilities as the deputy secretary in charge of political and legal affairs are even heavier now. Comrades, Mayor Lin couldn't
attend this meeting; he's receiving treatment. As you all know, Mayor Lin was besieged by workers in the heavy machinery factory dormitory. A
man named Shi Sanbao attacked Mayor Lin, causing him to suffer a heart attack. After timely rescue, he's out of
danger, but he's still very weak. Because of the suicides of Wang Shuangxi and Wang Jingeng's family, some
uninformed elements in the workers' ranks want to take the opportunity to cause trouble and hold street demonstrations. That's why we've invited everyone here today. Maintaining
social stability is the most important thing, above all else. Today, we're here to pool our wisdom, find the root causes of the destabilizing
factors , identify the current work priorities, and formulate a series of measures to solve the problems. We absolutely cannot be soft-hearted;
we must be tough on both sides!"

The more than twenty people attending the meeting all looked tense.

Jiao Pengyuan tapped the table with his pencil. "Director Jiang, how's the investigation into Shi Sanbao's case going?" “

This… let Comrade Tao Tieliang report it; he handled it.”

Jiang Dabing gave Tao Tieliang a wink, and Tao Tieliang stood up.

“The case is still under investigation. The evidence for Shi Sanbao's assault and beating of Mayor Lin is… insufficient…”

“Insufficient evidence?” Jiao Pengyuan glared at Tao Tieliang. “If evidence were as readily available as shopping at a supermarket
, what would be the point of your Public Security Bureau? Mayor Lin personally recounted the assault to me. Would
Mayor Lin lie? The hospital's diagnosis clearly states it, and Comrades Su Nanqi and Xin Mao were present
and provided their testimonies. What more evidence do you need? Director Jiang, you will be held responsible for missing this crucial opportunity!”

Tao Tieliang didn't dare utter a sound and silently sat down.

Jiao Pengyuan's tone softened somewhat. "
Of course, persuading and educating the masses who are unaware of the truth and have been deceived is also very important. That's why I've invited comrades who specialize in theory today. Clarifying the facts and getting to the bottom of things
is a great responsibility for those who specialize in theory. Do you have anything to say?"

The thin-faced Li Gongxian coughed and said, "Since Secretary Jiao has chosen me, I'll say a few words.
Please criticize and correct me if I'm wrong."

Jiao Pengyuan nodded slightly and said, "Let me introduce him. Li Gongxian is a famous theorist. You must have read his articles
, but you may not know him personally. Comrade Gongxian lives a secluded life, so he doesn't meet with you often."

"Secretary Jiao, you flatter me," Li Gongxian smiled. "As a Marxist-Leninist theorist attending this meeting of the
emergency response group, I truly feel a great responsibility. We theoretical workers, though we wield the pen
and not the gun, still bear the same mission of defending the socialist republic. Some ridicule us as a 'two-
pronged regime,' which precisely shows their fear of our two tools: the gun and the pen. Having both tools
at the same meeting is our advantage. The gun is still firmly in the hands of the proletariat. But
the pen has encountered serious problems. Some intellectuals and newspapers, under the guise of reform, are consciously or
unconsciously promoting bourgeois liberalization and peaceful evolution, confusing people's thinking. Factories are not a vacuum either; they
will inevitably be affected by liberalization. Therefore, some uninformed masses,
incited are causing trouble."

Xin Mao rested his chin on his hand, gazing intently at the eloquent Li Gongxian. It was he who recommended Li Gongxian to Jiao Pengyuan, suggesting that
he attend the meeting. But Xin Mao looked down on Li Gongxian because he was the one his father-in-law had said had followed the wrong person.
Conversely, those who were promoted, finding it difficult to find a theorist with completely identical views, had no choice but to recommend
Li Gongxian to avoid being outnumbered.

"We can't look at problems too simply. The sudden suicides of Wang Shuangxi and Wang Jingeng, two generations of model workers, serve as
a wake-up call. Hemingway wrote a book called 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' and today we must ask, does the alarm bell toll because of difficulties?"

Fang Hao immediately became alert, listening intently to Li Gongxian's words.

"The occurrence of any accidental event is caused by the inevitable factors of the objective environment.
The loss of the working class's leading position is a reality that cannot be ignored. The exploitation of workers by the emerging bourgeoisie, including those so-called
private enterprises, individual business owners, and wealthy individuals, is already evident. The working class cannot accept this,
which is why Wang Jingeng left behind a very profound statement—'Go find Chairman Mao and ask him for clarification!'"

Li Gongxian's eyes welled up with tears; he was moved.

"The reason we turn a blind eye to these phenomena and take them for granted is because all of this is being done under
the banner ; whatever problem we can't solve, whatever we can't understand, as long as we bring up the theory of the primary stage of socialism, and say '
primary stage,' even the most unreasonable, illegal, and absurd things become the truth.
I remember saying back then, 'The primary stage is a basket in which anything can be put.' Now we've brought out this basket again, what
kind of stuff are we going to put in it this time? Is it because we are still in the primary stage that we don't mention class struggle? We don't mention public ownership? We don't mention the dictatorship of the proletariat? We don't mention socialism? And because the historical period of this primary stage is particularly long, we can legally put private ownership, bourgeois liberalization, and capitalism into this basket?" Except for Su Nanqi, who was scribbling down Li Gongxian's words, everyone else remained silent, showing no expression of opposition or approval. "What does the Communist Manifesto say? The Communist Party aims to eliminate private ownership! We Communists came into this world precisely to eliminate private ownership! Comrades, the changes in the ownership structure since the reform and opening up are shocking! From 1980..." By June 1994, the proportion of had decreased from 76% to 48.3%. Conversely, the proportion of private, individual, and foreign-invested enterprises had increased from 0.7% to 13.5%. In total retail sales of consumer goods, state-owned enterprises decreased from 51.4% to 40.3%, while private, individual, and foreign-invested enterprises increased from 0.7% to over 30.8 % . Adding to this the proportion of hidden private enterprises operating under the guise of collective ownership, the non-state-owned sector had already overwhelmed the state-owned sector. Furthermore, due to the implementation of shareholding reforms and corporate property rights, the few remaining state-owned enterprises had become empty shells, making it difficult for the state to maintain control. Changes in ownership inevitably lead to changes in the superstructure, changes in our Party's line, and ultimately, the decline .” Jiang Dabing, growing impatient, said softly, “Secretary Jiao, shouldn't we focus on the main topic? There are many situations waiting to be addressed; I'm afraid…” "Are you worried about time constraints?" Jiao Pengyuan lit a cigarette. "Everyone should express their opinions and pool their wisdom. The goal is the same : to maintain stability and unity. Comrade Gongxian, are you finished speaking?" He shrugged. The suicide of the Wang family, father and son, model workers, and the resulting labor unrest, warns us that we must reflect. Handling emergencies and turning bad things into good things requires, as Secretary Jiao pointed out, a clear understanding of the situation and a heightened awareness. Our city has a large number of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises; the impact is significant! Large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises are the main battleground of socialism, and public ownership is the cornerstone. This is like Shangganling; not an inch of land can be lost. Holding this position protects the fundamental interests of the working class and fundamentally prevents similar heinous incidents like the Wang Shuangxi and Wang Jingen family suicides from happening again. Due to time constraints, I'll stop here for now. Please offer your criticisms, Secretary Jiao and comrades. Thank you all. There was no applause, no echo, and no opposition; it was as if the speech hadn't been heard at all. Fang Hao weighed the weight of Li Gongxian's words in his mind. If he didn't clarify things, besides the current confusion, it might also lead to theoretical difficulties, and he feared that the workers might have a theoretical antagonism towards the Party's policies. He suppressed his aversion to Li Gongxian, and his tone was calm and serious. "Today's meeting, according to the scheduled agenda, is not a theoretical seminar, and I am not a theorist. But since I have heard Comrade Gongxian's profound remarks, I cannot help but share some thoughts and seek guidance from Comrade Gongxian and the comrades. The suicides of Wang Shuangxi and Wang Jinggen's family have indeed given us a great shock and pain. The line Wang Jinggen wrote on the wall, 'We will go to Chairman Mao to ask for clarification,' I believe has deeply touched . What did Wang Jinggen want to clarify? Was the reform right or wrong? Was the layoff of workers right or wrong? Or was the anti-corruption campaign genuine or fake? If Comrade Jinggen heard Gongxian's answer , would he agree or disagree? I do not agree with Comrade Gongxian's basic viewpoints." How could large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises be considered the Shangganling Incident? This reminds me of another saying: "For every bit of foreign investment, there is an introduction of capitalism." Isn't there a striking similarity? At the Twelfth Party Congress, Comrade Deng Xiaoping proposed "combining the universal truths of Marxism with the specific realities of our country, taking our own path, and building socialism with Chinese characteristics." This is a fundamental conclusion drawn from our long historical experience, becoming the guiding theory for our progress in the new era . The Thirteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, based on Comrade Deng Xiaoping's thought, systematically expounded the theory of the primary stage of socialism and comprehensively summarized the Party 's basic line in the primary stage of socialism. Comrade Gong Xian's criticisms and accusations against the theory of the primary stage can only create ideological confusion. " When reform encounters difficulties, when reform enters a critical stage, it is also when some comrades waver, and when conservative ideas resurface..." Fang Hao suddenly coughed incessantly. At this moment, a commotion could be faintly heard outside the window. Two police officers entered and handed Jiang Dabing a slip of paper. Jiang Dabing read it all, immediately got up from his seat, walked to Jiao Pengyuan's side, and whispered, "The workers have gone out into the streets ; they're almost at the municipal party committee gate." Jiao Pengyuan's face darkened. "Weren't measures taken to prevent the workers from leaving the factory?" The police officer who entered said in a panic, "The workers on duty were persuaded to go back; they didn't leave the factory gate. The retired and laid-off workers gathered in groups at the municipal party committee gate from their homes. By the time we realized it, it was too late." Jiang Dabing said anxiously, "Secretary Jiao, shouldn't we implement the second plan immediately?"

Jiao Pengyuan said grimly, "Alright, let's act immediately."

Fang Hao stood up and said loudly, "Wait! We still have time. I'll go out and talk to the workers."

The entrance to the municipal party committee office building was heavily guarded, a hundred-meter-long cordon formed by riot police forming a dense
human wall, their fiberglass shields gleaming coldly.

Fang Hao, along with Public Security Bureau Chief Jiang Dabing and Criminal Investigation Department Chief Tao Tieliang, walked out of the municipal party committee hall. Fang Hao knew very well that
this meeting with the workers, fraught with peril, was crucial to the overall reform. They were the water that carried the boat, but also the water that capsized it
; the driving force of reform, but also its obstacle; the key lay in how to guide them.

Just as he was about to step out of the municipal party committee gate, dozens of steps lay below. Once he appeared on those steps and began to descend, the confrontation
would begin.

Fang Hao's palms were sweating, not from fear, but from a strange impulse surging within him.

He calmly watched the more than a thousand workers separated by the cordon below the steps. They were orderly,
the front row holding high red banners with yellow lettering—"We workers have power!" A dozen or so people in the procession
held wooden signs with photos of Mao Zedong affixed to them.

It didn't look like a demonstration at all; it resembled a National Day celebration parade from the 1950s or 60s.

Fang Hao quickly assessed the situation: this was a meticulously planned and organized petition with careful self-protection.
Aside from the lack of prior application, there were no signs of deliberate confrontation or a tendency towards violence. The workers'
self-discipline remained, leaving room for a peaceful resolution.

Seeing three cadres emerge from the municipal government building, a young worker leading the procession suddenly turned to face the workers and
shouted, "Sing!"

He clapped his hands powerfully, acting as the chorus conductor.

Thousands of voices simultaneously uttered one voice:

We workers have power! Hey! We workers have power!

Busy every day,

we've built skyscrapers,

repaired railways and coal mines,

transforming the world!

The machines roared,

the hammers clanged,

plows were made for efficient production, and

guns were sent to the front lines!

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

Our faces glow with pride!

"Our sweat drips down

! Hey!

For the complete liberation of all of China!"

Perhaps (we workers have the power) this song has been obscured by the dust of time for too long, or perhaps the singer's
state of mind has changed drastically since then. Fang Hao didn't hear fervor in the song; he heard only sorrow.
What remained unchanged was the boldness, generosity, and passion.

Tears welled up in Fang Hao's eyes involuntarily. He whispered to Police Chief Jiang Dabing, "Immediately
order the riot police to retreat. There's no need to act like we're facing a major enemy."

"What about the safety of the Municipal Party Committee? They stormed into the Municipal Party Committee building; the responsibility is too great."

Fang Hao ordered sternly, "I told you to retreat, so retreat! I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong."

"I... need to consult Secretary Jiao."

"No need. In this extraordinary moment, I have the authority to act on the spot. Retreat!"

"Alright then, you'll bear the responsibility if anything goes wrong."

Jiang Dabing quickly descended the steps, walked to the riot police, and gave the retreat order to the captain.

The captain shouted to the policemen wearing helmets and holding shields, "At ease! Attention! Left turn!
Forward march!"

The riot police withdrew in an orderly fashion. Just then, the back rows of the workers pushed forward, and the workers in the first,
second , and third rows suddenly linked arms, forming a human wall to block the people pushing forward.

Fang Hao left Tao Tieliang behind, went down the steps alone, and stood on the last step, only three meters away from the workers.
He waved his right hand forward and said, "Comrades, fellow villagers, brothers and sisters, first of all, I want to express my
gratitude to you all. You have sincerely come to the Municipal Party Committee to give us your opinions, which shows that you regard
the Municipal Party Committee the Municipal Government as your backbone and that you trust us. For this, I express my gratitude to you."
Fang

Hao took off his baseball cap and bowed to the workers.

In a large room on the second floor of the Municipal Party Committee building facing the street, Jiao Pengyuan, Su Nanqi, and Xin Mao lifted a corner of the curtain and
watched the situation at the entrance. Su Nanqi said with dissatisfaction, "What is Fang Hao going to do? What is he going to do?" " With
the cordon , the consequences would be unimaginable if they rushed in. He even took off his hat and bowed to them, completely abandoning his principles."

Li Gongxian also craned his neck to look outside, saying without turning his head, "Go and replace Fang Hao; there's still
time ."

Su Nanqi stammered, "Me?"

Li Gongxian turned around, saying disdainfully, "You don't dare go, do you? I've noticed the workers' antagonism
has lessened. If this crisis can be resolved, you should thank Fang Hao. Fang Hao's political views and reform
theories have a serious tendency towards bourgeois liberalization, but his political courage and wisdom are first-rate.
Unfortunately , he's not one of us."

On the steps, Fang Hao took a step down, approaching a young man of about thirty, and said softly,
"Are you in charge of this activity?"

The young man instinctively shook his head, then nodded under Fang Hao's gaze.

"Alright, I demand that you, absolutely do not let the human wall be broken up by the people behind, do not let the group crowd onto the steps, and
do not escalate the situation. Once they rush up, you'll only get past by stepping over my dead body." " Don't make a bigger
mistake!"

Fang Hao emphasized.

"If the situation worsens, you'll be held legally responsible!"

"I don't want to go to the police station."

The young man turned to face the group and shouted, "Quiet! Everyone quiet! Anyone who rushes in is
a traitor to the working class!"

The crowd quieted down. Fang Hao walked up to several elderly workers.

"Grandpa, what year did you join the factory?"

"Fifty-year."

"And you, grandpa?"

"One year later, in 1951."

Fang Hao turned and went up the steps, waving his right hand and saying, "Among you are
veteran workers who joined the factory during the First Five-Year Plan. From the First Five-Year Plan to the Eighth Five-Year Plan, you and those workers who couldn't come today
have made significant contributions! You are the founders and builders of socialist China, and I salute you!"

Fang Hao took off his hat and bowed to the workers. Waving his hat, he said, “Comrades, elders, brothers and sisters
, I know you’ve come in droves not to deliver good news with gongs and drums. In the past, many of you have
certainly come here to deliver all sorts of good news. Today, you’ve come with a belly full of anger to voice your opinions
! You’ve come to seek justice for the Wang family tragedy! You’ve come to petition for social justice!
More importantly, you’ve come because you care about the reform of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises! Comrades, isn’t that right?”

More than a thousand voices responded in unison: “Yes—”

Fang Hao waved his hat.

"Just now, everyone sang a very good song, 'We Workers Have Strength,' one of the lyrics being, '
For the liberation of all of China!' We have already undergone eighteen years of reform, and it is still for the liberation of all of China!
This liberation is to liberate productive forces from backward production relations! To
liberate resource allocation from the shackles of the planned economy, allowing it to be reorganized and optimally allocated! In short, to liberate from poverty!
However , the reform has also exposed many problems; some contradictions, such as polarization and the gap between the rich and the poor
, are more acute than before. Factories have shut down, wages cannot be paid, and large numbers of workers have been laid off or are unemployed. A considerable number of people have not
benefited from the reform, or have benefited relatively little." Wang followed the family's... Tragedy is a prime example.
So what should we do? Should we solve the problems that arise from reform through reform itself, or through regression?
Comrade Xiaoping has already pointed out the broad road to building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Looking
around us, looking at our cities, looking at our country, no one can deny that reform has made China rich and
powerful! Due to the improvement of our comprehensive national strength, each of us has actually benefited from reform.
However, there are indeed many serious problems that require our concerted efforts to solve! Suddenly,

someone in the crowd shouted, "Do you know about the corruption of officials? They eat the state's food, they
embezzle the state's wealth, they are the ones who should be laid off! Do you dare to take real action?"

"Officials protect each other! Don't try to fool the people!"

Seeing the crowd becoming unruly, Fang Hao increased his intimidation.

"Anyone who wants to speak, stand up and say it! If anyone tries to create trouble or escalate the situation, let me tell you, the corrupt
officials would love for you to do so. In the end, you're the ones breaking the law, while they're secretly laughing behind the scenes!"

The crowd quieted down again.

"The fight against corruption is conducted within a strict legal framework. You have the right to expose and report corruption! But causing
trouble
won't solve anything! The rule of law applies to everyone, including you, me, and of course, corrupt officials!"

The crowd was captivated by Fang Hao's righteous spirit.

"Comrades, fellow countrymen, brothers and sisters, whether we can
continue on the path of building socialism with Chinese characteristics depends on all of us."

Fang Hao surprised the workers; they expected to hear the usual bureaucratic platitudes and empty rhetoric,
but instead, they heard heartfelt words. They also surprised Fang Hao: he expected a
chorus of angry slogans in response, but instead, applause erupted as soon as he finished speaking.

Tears blurred Fang Hao's vision as he raised his hands.

"Thank you! Thank you, comrades! Thank you, fellow villagers, brothers and sisters! The Municipal Party Committee truly needs to listen to
your criticisms, suggestions, and voices. Comrades, please go back now. Please send representatives to discuss
reform plans with us. On behalf of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, I guarantee that we will not find fault with you! We will not use force against you! We will humbly listen to and adopt your
reasonable opinions and demands! Now, please go back."

After a few minutes of discussion, the young leader stood on the steps and shouted loudly:

"I declare the peaceful petition a victorious end! Now, disperse, go home!"

Jiao Pengyuan stood at the window facing the street on the second floor of the Municipal Party Committee building, watching the crowd orderly leave the entrance. A mixture of joy
and worry welled up in his heart. He was happy that a crisis had finally been averted; if it had escalated, he, as the Municipal Party Secretary, would not have been able to escape
responsibility. He was worried because Fang Hao was a man of exceptional courage and ability; even using the Wang Jin-gen incident had failed to bring him down, making things even more difficult
in the future .

Just as Jiao Pengyuan was about to lower the curtain, he saw Fang Hao stagger up the steps, stumble, and fall on the steps
. Tao Tieliang helped Fang Hao up, holding him in his arms and shouting, "Ambulance! Ambulance!"

Chapter Thirty-Eight: On the Rule of Law - Worker Released from Prison Hides Evidence, Secretary Imprisoned,

Critical Illness Notice!

Chen Hu had just gotten off the plane when he saw the critical illness notice for Fang Hao handed to him by Zhou Senlin
. He was speechless, as if his soul had been ripped out.

After a long while, he murmured, "How could this be... how could this be?"

Zhou Senlin gently nudged Chen Hu and silently walked towards the car.

Inside the Audi, Zhou Senlin said worriedly, "Chen Hu, while you were away, something terrible almost happened.
Two model workers at the refrigeration plant committed suicide, triggering a labor strike. Thousands of workers petitioned the municipal party committee. Secretary Fang stepped forward and
persuaded the workers to leave. He's always been overworked, and this time he was further traumatized, and he suddenly fell ill. The corrupt officials
are clapping and cheering."

"Is he out of danger?"

"No, he's still unconscious. " He has too many illnesses; he probably won't come back.

"Can I go see him?"

"No. Only Secretary Jiao went once, but they didn't even get to talk; he just stood at the door for two minutes."

"Then what do we do? Who do we report to?"

"Just because the platoon leader is dead, does that mean the soldiers won't charge? Director Ding is waiting to hear your report."

The Audi drove through the somber atmosphere.

Fang Hao felt someone shaking his bed.

He groggily woke up to find Shi Sanbao standing by his bedside.

“Secretary Fang, you know I didn’t hit Mayor Lin. They’ve pinned this charge on me. Why won’t you help
me? If you don’t get me out of here, the workers will take to the streets again. They know I’m innocent. The situation will escalate. Have you
thought about that?”

“Master Shi, I know you didn’t hit Mayor Lin. The dozen or so workers present can attest to your innocence, but
there’s nothing I can do. Mayor Lin accuses you of assaulting him, and there’s a hospital diagnosis and several witnesses. This
case is difficult to overturn.”

“Hmph, what kind of upright official are you? You watch the people suffer injustice and dare not stand up for justice! For the sake of
Mayor Lin, you’re treating the workers’ interests like a joke! Mayor Lin clearly faked his illness and collapsed, so why is it being pinned
on me?”

Shi Sanbao grabbed Fang Hao by the collar and shook him violently…

Fang Hao finally woke up. The nurse who had been waiting by his bedside exclaimed with surprise, "Secretary Fang, you're awake!
I'll go get the doctor."

"...I...want some water..."

The nurse used a dropper to put a few drops of water on Fang Hao's dry, chapped lips.

"I...want to see Mayor Lin...to discuss..."

Six hours after Fang Hao regained consciousness, the doctor agreed to allow him to see a visitor, but the visit could not exceed five
minutes .

Lin Guanghan was in the same hospital as Fang Hao. He had been closely following Fang Hao's condition and
was overjoyed to learn that Fang Hao was out of danger. Wearing a long patient's bathrobe, he went to the door of Fang Hao's ward and asked
the nurse waiting at the door, "May I come in?"

"Yes, but the conversation shouldn't exceed five minutes. Also, don't agitate the patient."

"Okay, I understand."

The nurse pushed open the door, and Lin Guanghan suddenly felt ashamed and uneasy the moment he entered.

Fang Hao lay on the hospital bed, extending his withered hand.

Lin Guanghan grasped it tightly.

"Old Fang, take care."

Fang Hao smiled with difficulty. "I'm sorry... for disturbing your rest... I'm worried about the labor unrest
... The workers have made a demand... to release Shi Sanbao... If he's guilty, he can't be released... If he's innocent, releasing him
would be beneficial... for stability... Mayor Lin... do you... understand?"

Lin Guanghan nodded silently.

"I'm afraid... I can't... Old Lin... a word can make or break a nation... I just want to ask you
one question ..."

"Old Fang... don't get agitated." Lin Xianhan wiped the cold sweat from Fang Hao's forehead. "I know what you want to ask.
You want to know if Shi Sanbao hit me or not?"

Fang Hao nodded.

“I’ll tell you the whole story after you’re better. I can vouch for him; Shi
Sanbao didn’t hit me, he didn’t hit me. I collapsed then because I wanted to end the conflict as soon as possible; it was a last
resort . Later, Shi Sanbao was arrested, which triggered a labor strike. I never expected such serious consequences.”

“Then…can you testify?”

“Yes, I can. I can provide a written testimony proving that Shi Sanbao didn’t lay a hand on me. Old Fang, don’t worry.”

Tears streamed down Fang Hao’s face.

“Mayor Lin…I…thank you…”

“Old Fang, don’t say anymore. I feel ashamed in your presence.”

Their hands clasped tightly together.

Shi Sanbao walked out of the heavily guarded gates of the detention center, unable to believe he was free.

Tao Tieliang accompanied him out, laughing and saying, "Master Shi, I don't welcome you back!"

"I also feel this isn't a place for me. Before coming in, I thought only thieves,
hooligans , murderers, and arsonists were locked up. But here I am, a much higher class
! In my cell, there are company managers, chairmen, or financial directors. Compared to the rest of society, I'm poor; compared to the detention center, I'm still poor.
I can't find any sense of superiority among workers anywhere."

Tao Tieliang laughed heartily.

"Your strange words are quite unique. At your age, I advise you
to avoid crowded places in the future. Every temple has its unjustly killed ghosts. If it weren't for Secretary Fang, you would have been in deep trouble."

Shi Sanbao then noticed that his shirt button was misaligned and quickly unbuttoned it again.

"If God were to open his eyes and let me meet Secretary Fang, I would have witnessed an honest official in my life."

An Audi pulled up beside Tao Tieliang.

Tao Tieliang opened the car door and said, "Master Shi, please get in."

Shi Sanbao was at a loss. "Didn't you say everything was fine? Can I go home now? Where are you taking me this time?"

"Get in, you'll know when we get there."

Shi Sanbao got in the car, and Tao Tieliang sat next to him.

The Audi drove towards the hospital.

The Audi entered the hospital gate. Tao Tieliang got out first, then put his hand on the car cover to help Shi Sanbao out. This
gesture led those who saw the scene to misunderstand, thinking that this dirty old man was some high-ranking official.

After getting out of the car, Shi Sanbao was stunned and said, "This car is too stuffy, not as bright as a public bus. I feel dizzy." "

When you see Secretary Fang, don't be dizzy anymore."

"Secretary Fang?"

"Yes, you don't want to see him, but he wants to see you. He instructed me to bring you here for a chat."

Shi Sanbao turned to back, but Tao Tieliang grabbed him.

"Master Shi, the door is this way."

"I'd better go home. I'm afraid to see officials."

"Huh, that's strange. Where did the energy you had when you grabbed Mayor Lin by the collar go?"

"Don't mention it, don't mention it. A hero doesn't dwell on past glories. Back then, I relied on having many men. Now I'm all alone,
and I'm really trembling."

Tao Tieliang patted Shi Sanbao's shoulder with a smile. "I let you go, and now you're trembling. If you had been trembling earlier, you would
n't have had so much trouble. Come on, come on. Secretary Fang has just recovered. Keep your words simple.
We won't more than a few minutes."

Shi Sanbao hesitated and said, "Then can I just kowtow and come out after we meet? Thank you for saving my life, Secretary Fang
."

Tao Tieliang suppressed a laugh and said, "Don't make a fool of yourself. When leaders receive guests, there's no kowtowing
. Do you think this is like meeting a county magistrate in the Qing Dynasty? This way, please."

Fang Hao was waiting for Shi Sanbao in the small reception room. When he saw Tao Tieliang accompanying Shi Sanbao in, he stood up to greet him and
shook Shi Sanbao's hand.

Tao Tieliang introduced, "This is Secretary Fang."

"I'm Fang Hao, Master Shi, please sit down."

Tao Tieliang helped Shi Sanbao sit on the sofa.

Shi Sanbao stammered, "Secretary Fang... I... I will never forget your life-saving grace...
I... I thank you on behalf of my whole family."

"Don't mention it," Fang Hao smiled modestly. "If your problem were very serious, I couldn't have saved you.
Master Shi, how are you feeling?"

"Good, good, I'm not sick."

"That's good. Master Shi, you are one of the first generation of workers in New China,
a senior figure . You should set an example for the younger generation, and not act impulsively in the future. I have a favor to ask of you, okay?"

"If you tell me to go east, I will never go west again."

"It's not me, we are equals, how can I order you around? I hope you can use
the influence of the veteran workers to go back and persuade those who still want to take extreme actions to maintain stability and unity. If you have any objections ..."
"Speak up, report it! These are all citizens' rights. But it's not good to solve problems through confrontation;
it will only complicate matters and make reforms more difficult. Don't you agree?"

Shi Sanbao hadn't expected such a high-ranking official to speak so casually, and quickly said, "Yes,
yes, when I get back, I'll definitely go door-to-door to tell everyone not to cause trouble again. Secretary Fang, how can I thank
you enough?"

"I haven't thanked you yet! Your release has relieved a weight on my heart, and my health has improved instantly.
If you could go among the workers to explain the Party's policies, I'd have another weight on my heart, and my health would be even better."

Tao Tieliang nudged Shi Sanbao.

"Oh, Secretary Fang," Shi Sanbao stood up and bowed deeply, "Director Tao told me to only talk
for a few minutes , I forgot. Please take care of yourself, I'll be going now."

Fang Hao stood up to see him off.

"I won't take up any more of your time; your family is waiting for you to return home for a reunion! If you have any difficulties or opinions in the future, just
come to me directly. Tieliang, please see Master Shi off for me. " " I'm sorry, Master Shi, the nurses won't let me leave the hospital
. Look, I'm under house arrest too."

An unexpected guest entered with a smile; it was Tian Xing, the deputy director of the Municipal People's Congress.

"Oh, Secretary Fang, you really gave us a fright! There are so many rumors these days, saying you were critically ill, but you're perfectly
fine! I'm so happy!"

Tian Xing warmly shook Fang Hao's hand.

"Deputy Director Tian, how did you find your way here? Please, have a seat."

"I just returned from the south and heard you were sick, so I rushed over. The nurses in the ward said you were here.
Secretary Fang , are you fully recovered?"

Fang Hao smiled slightly. "You're so busy, why did you have to come in person? My health is fluctuating,
I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"Was it the refrigeration plant workers causing trouble that exhausted you? Refrigeration and heavy machinery are notoriously difficult problems; I tried to manage them
for a while, but I didn't see any results. " However, it's a model established by the central government, and its reputation is well-known. Whether it's good or bad, the city
can't interfere too much. Enterprises are autonomous, and government and enterprise are separate, after all. I haven't been there for a long time. If Secretary Fang
knows anything about the situation, perhaps I can help you sort it out.”

Fang Hao understood Tian Xing's implied meaning. “A model established by the central government” and “the city can't interfere” were both
hints that he shouldn't get involved; “sort it out” meant the relationship was very complicated, and once involved, it would be difficult to manage.

“I don't manage the economy, let alone enterprises, and I don't have the habit of meddling too much. Besides, my health isn't good, so I don't have
the energy to concern myself with the Heavy Machinery Group. Deputy Director Tian, thank you for your concern.”

Tian Xing smiled.

“Secretary Fang, if you keep being so polite, you're just keeping me at arm's length. I came today firstly
to visit an old friend, and secondly to report something to you, and I ask for your support.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“The new office building of the Municipal People's Congress is about to start construction, and the more than 1,500 households relocated have been initially
resettled .” The new residence is located quite far, in the suburbs more than 30 kilometers away, and the residents are very unhappy about it.
Moving from the city center to the suburbs, I wouldn't want to either. We should be understanding of the people.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"There are seven or eight holdouts who absolutely refuse to move. We're preparing to forcibly demolish them, which might require the support of the police. You
're in charge of the public security, procuratorate, and courts, so I'm reporting this to you. If there are any difficulties, please support us."

"These things can be handled by Director Jiang. He will arrange it accordingly. With the public, try to persuade them as much as possible,
unless they break the law, in which case police force cannot be used. Law enforcement officers must abide by the law first. Is there anything else?"

"No. Secretary Fang, we haven't had much contact before, but we're friends from now on. If I can help
, please let me know. Okay, goodbye, take care of yourself!" After Tian

Xing left, Fang Hao was filled with suspicion. Besides implying I shouldn't interfere with the Heavy Machinery Group, what other
purpose did she have? For the holdout case, contacting the local police station, or at most requesting assistance from the branch bureau, would have been sufficient. Why did she come directly
to me?

Fang Hao's discharge from the hospital after reporting his critical illness was a grand celebration for the anti-corruption bureau officers, but the "
cake was a mountain of trouble.

Fang Hao, weakened by his illness, listened to reports from Zhou Senlin, Chen Hu, and Jiao Xiaoyu.

Even Zhou Senlin's voice betrayed his fatigue.

"The central government is concerned about the slow progress in the investigation of He Qizhang's gang's related cases. This case, due to
partial exposure, has attracted attention from the entire society, the nation, and even the international community. We must come up with an explanation as soon as possible…
"

Fang Hao interrupted, "Let me add something. The reports from the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Court received sharp
criticism from the representatives, who felt our anti-corruption efforts were insufficient. This is undoubtedly influenced by the prolonged
delay . Old Zhou, please continue." “We can’t keep using the excuse that the main perpetrators and witnesses are at large. It’s our dereliction of duty that we

can’t apprehend the suspects . Chen Hu, tell us about Hao Xiangshou’s situation. ” “Based on our investigation into Hao Xiangshou’s disappearance and the information provided by Interpol, we have three preliminary conclusions. First, Hao Xiangshou did not escape voluntarily; it seems he was abducted or kidnapped. Second, Hao Xiangshou is no longer within the country. Third, the woman found among Hao Xiangshou’s belongings is highly suspicious.” Zhou Senlin’s gaze turned to Jiao Xiaoyu. “Xiaoyu, report on this woman’s basic information.” Jiao Xiaoyu took out a photograph of a woman from the file. “The photograph of this woman in the front of the red BMW that Director Chen sent back, after technical processing, revealed the BMW’s license plate number. This red BMW belongs to Lantian Investment Company in our city. The person in charge of Lantian Company admitted that the car is theirs, but at Hao Xiangshou’s request, they lent it to this woman for long-term use. This woman’s name is Shao Yuhua, she is twenty-six years old, from Harbin, and was a dancer. She came to our city in 1993 and often stayed at the Horizon Hotel.” I checked the guest list for the past six months at the Horizon Hotel, and Shao Yuhua's name wasn't on it. Currently, I don't know if Shao Yuhua is still living in our city. That's the situation.” Zhou Senlin looked at Fang Hao, worried that his health wouldn't hold up. Fang Hao smiled and pointed at Zhou Senlin, saying, “Just say what you want to say. I can handle it.” “Then let's investigate the situation first, and then analyze it. After Secretary Fang resolved the disturbance caused by the heavy machinery and refrigeration workers and released Shi Sanbao without charge, we achieved unexpected results. Not only did the workers stop causing trouble, but they also sent over a dozen signed and anonymous letters of complaint. I summarized three major clues. First, embezzlement…”

The cold storage plant used 80 million yuan of working capital to build high-standard dormitories for its cadres; secondly, the imported compressor production line was outdated
equipment, yet 45 million yuan was spent on it. During the import process, under the guise of going abroad, 69 people
in three batches went abroad at public expense, raising suspicions that someone received high kickbacks from the foreign company; thirdly, the factory's Party Committee used optimization,
layoffs, and downsizing as pretexts to persecute whistleblowers Wang Shuangxi, Wang Jingeng, Liu Cui, and others, leading workers to demand
an investigation into the factory's responsibility for the suicide of a model worker's family.

"Is it my turn?" Fang Hao rubbed his hands together to relieve the pain in his joints. "You all know Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding
emperor , right?"

Fang Hao abruptly shifted the topic to Zhu Yuanzhang, surprising everyone.

"To consolidate his power, Zhu Yuanzhang took drastic measures to suppress corrupt officials, which was also an anti-corruption campaign. He
peeled off the skin of corrupt officials, stuffed it with straw, and displayed it in front of the palace for all officials to see. He wanted to use this to deter high-ranking officials who tried to exploit the
people . Did it work?" It's not very effective; one batch of corrupt officials is executed, and another batch comes out.
Why do you think this is? I think there are three main reasons. First, it's a problem with the political system. That kind of official-centric political system
provides opportunities for corrupt officials to emerge. As long as the system doesn't change, there will be people who embezzle and commit corruption. The second reason is
wishful thinking. High-ranking officials think that only one or two out of ten corrupt officials will be detected by the
emperor
, and it won't happen to them. The third reason is the lack of public oversight. Although there are institutions like the Censorate, which are equivalent to today's Ministry of Supervision, the sources of information are too limited. The court doesn't know what corrupt officials are doing down below, so they run rampant.
Getting back to the main point, the focus of He Qizhang's case should be on apprehending Hao Xiangshou, Ge Mengmeng, Sun Qi, and others. If
Hao Xiangshou was kidnapped, then it must be a purposeful and planned contest against us.
In other words, the other side knows that controlling Hao Xiangshou means controlling our further actions. This is not surprising; corruption has long
transcended national borders. It involves cooperation between the top and bottom levels, domestic and foreign forces, and the legitimate and criminal worlds. If Hao Xiangshou cannot be brought
to justice, I will be the first to bear the blame and resign. Chen Hu's biggest gain from this trip abroad to gather evidence was the discovery of
Shao Yuhua's photo. Was the relationship between Shao Yuhua and Hao Xiangshou merely one of romance? Unlikely. In power-for-sex transactions, both parties
need to benefit; those who sell their bodies are mostly doing so to gain access to power and make money. We must find
Shao Yuhua ; she might be a breakthrough. The problems at the heavy machinery and refrigeration plants remind us of at least three points.
First, corruption disrupts the economic order and damages the national economy. The fact that a joint venture like the refrigeration plant is on
the verge of bankruptcy suggests it's not just a matter of mismanagement. Second, corruption alienates the masses from the Party and
directly damages the Party and government's prestige among the people. The heavy machinery workers' riot stemmed from their resentment.
Third, corruption is a serious factor leading to social instability. There's an old saying, "Officials force the people to rebel," and
the suicide of Wang Shuangxi's family is a stark warning. Therefore, we must investigate the corruption at the heavy machinery and refrigeration plants with great effort.
"The connection between He Qizhang's case and the refrigeration plant case is not yet apparent. But corruption is a web,
and we can't be too narrow-minded. That's all I wanted to say. How about this division of labor: Old Zhou will cooperate with me to handle
heavy machinery and refrigeration, while Chen Hu and Xiao Yu will cooperate to continue investigating Shao Yuhua and Hao Xiangshou, forming two working groups.
Overall, Comrade Senlin will be in charge, and I will be responsible to the Central Committee."

Zhou Senlin stood up.

"Secretary Fang, take a break. We'll continue the meeting, come up with two plans, and then report to Xu."

Hao Xiangshou was disoriented. All he could remember was being
hit hard on the head in the work shed; his memory ended there.

In this room with the curtains drawn, four men's cold gazes pressed in; three were Chinese, and the other
was a blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner.

Outside the window, the faint sound of gunfire could be heard.

"Where is this?" he asked timidly.

"A place you wouldn't expect. You often travel abroad from the mainland, but you may not have been here before." "You're awake,
we're so glad."

The speaker was a tall, thin man with a cigar.

"Who...who are you?"

"Your saviors. You were unconscious the whole way, we gave you medication, but we were very
worried . While you were in a daze, you traveled to many countries by plane. We
spent a lot of money preparing a fake passport for you. Now it's time for you to pay us back."

"I...I don't have any money, you know that."

"No money? We'll use something else. Hand over a photocopy of your black leather passport with the epaulets, and we'll be even.
We'll help you choose a country, provide a new identity, a new passport, and give you some more money. The exchange is
very simple, just a few pieces of paper." "

Who are they? How do they know about the black notebook?" Hao Xiangshou's mind raced.

Were they sent by Jiao Dongfang? He should already be arrested; he wouldn't have that kind of power. Were they sent by Uncle He?
Possibly, but what use would Uncle He have for the black notebook?

Perhaps someone more powerful, afraid of implicating him with it, hired overseas gangsters?

Hao Xiangshou couldn't figure it out, but one thing was very clear: this transoceanic kidnapping and abduction to
a third country was extremely costly and risky. Clearly, they highly valued the black notebook copy and possessed considerable
financial resources and power. If I revealed the copy's location, they would immediately kill me to silence me!

"I... I didn't make a copy at the time. I gave the black notebook to Jiao Pengyuan."

A hard slap landed on Hao Xiangshou's face, blood trickling down his lip.

"We don't have time to play games with you. You boasted to Ge Mengmeng that you had a copy of the black notebook;
have you forgotten now?"

Hao Xiangshou knew perfectly well that this group of people of unknown origin knew as much about the case as the Anti-Corruption Bureau. "

I...I really can't remember...even if I had a copy, I lost it somewhere when I left Hong Kong
."

Another slap landed, followed by all four of them attacking. Under the beating, the already weakened Hao
Xiangshou collapsed to the ground.

"Don't kill him, this guy's too weak." The foreigner spoke fluent Chinese. The

tall, thin man squatted down, grabbed Hao Xiangshou's hair, lifted his bloodied head, and mocked,
"You're getting more and more confused! You actually wrote to the mainland, requesting to go back for trial. No matter how much you do, do you think they'll
spare your life? Even if you do a good deed by exposing wrongdoing, a suspended death sentence is worse than a dog's life. What's the point?" Hao...
"Xiangshou, be clear. We know you've stored the photocopies in a safe deposit box at a bank in Hong Kong.
Tell us, and we'll handle the paperwork. That'll even things out, and we'll give you a way out—you can choose which country to go to, not back to the sugarcane plantation
. If you don't hand them over, you'll be trapped in a living hell."

A fat man kicked Hao Xiangshou and said, "He's passed out. Listen, we can't let him die until he
tells us which bank it is. Otherwise, we won't get our commission."

Hao Xiangshou was feigning unconsciousness; he heard these words very clearly.

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