59: Chapter 59 A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Despair

General Manager Xiang Wenqiang looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face instantly turning pale: "County Magistrate Xia, you can't..."

"Run," County Head Xiahou Yang said coldly. "Run while you still can. Remember, keep your mouth shut."

The call was abruptly disconnected, leaving only a dial tone.

General Manager Xiang Wenqiang stood frozen in place, the receiver in his hand dropping to the floor with a "clatter."

"General Manager?" The secretary poked his head in cautiously. "The people from the Bureau of Work Safety have arrived at the mine area and are putting up seal strips..."

General Manager Xiang Wenqiang suddenly snapped back to reality, a flash of madness in his eyes. "Get the car! Now!"

"But General Manager, there are police everywhere outside..." "Use the mine tunnel!"

General Manager Xiang Wenqiang grabbed the cash on the desk and stuffed it into his briefcase. "Go out through Shaft No. 4, hurry!"

Just as he rushed out of the office, a flurry of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the end of the corridor.

Bureau Chief Zheng Yufeng charged over with seven or eight fully armed SWAT officers, their dark gun barrels pointed directly at General Manager Xiang Wenqiang.

"General Manager Xiang Wenqiang!" Bureau Chief Zheng Yufeng shouted sternly. "Stop right there and don't move!"

General Manager Xiang Wenqiang turned to run, but was wrestled to the ground by two police officers lying in wait around the corner.

His gold-rimmed glasses flew off, the lenses shattering on the ground.

"What are you doing!" General Manager Xiang Wenqiang roared while struggling. "Do you know who I am? I want to see a lawyer!"

Bureau Chief Zheng Yufeng sneered and pulled out an arrest warrant, slapping it in front of him: "General Manager Xiang Wenqiang, you are suspected of intentional homicide, bribery, and causing a major liability accident. You are now being criminally detained in accordance with the law!"

"I didn't kill anyone!" General Manager Xiang Wenqiang shrieked hysterically. "That was just an accident!"

"An accident? Do you think anyone will believe that?"

With his arms pinned behind his back by two SWAT officers, General Manager Xiang Wenqiang was pressed to the ground, veins bulging on his forehead and his expensive suit covered in dust.

He struggled to lift his head, his gold-rimmed glasses crooked, the lenses shattered.

"Director Zheng!" He hissed. "Do you know who is backing me? If you arrest me, you can forget about wearing that police uniform!"

Bureau Chief Zheng Yufeng crouched down and grabbed him by the tie: "General Manager, I'm afraid you haven't grasped the situation yet."

He leaned close to General Manager Xiang Wenqiang's ear and lowered his voice: "Mayor Qin is personally supervising this case, and the arrest warrant was specially approved by the Municipal Bureau. All those 'connections' of yours are busy distancing themselves from you right now."

General Manager Xiang Wenqiang's face turned ashen instantly, his legs giving way until he almost collapsed to the ground.

As two SWAT officers hauled him out, he suddenly let out a beast-like howl: "Xiao Bei! It's all because of that man named Xiao! He won't have a good end!"

Bureau Chief Zheng Yufeng spun around abruptly and clamped a hand around his chin: "Say one more word, and I'll add a charge of witness intimidation to your sentence."

He stared into General Manager Xiang Wenqiang's bloodshot eyes and said, word by word: "By the way, Xiao Bei has woken up and is currently giving a statement. As for that truck you had dumped in the reservoir, the salvage team has already found it."

Sirens wailed throughout the Bishi Coal Mine. As General Manager Xiang Wenqiang was shoved into the police car, cheers erupted from the miners in the distance.

Bureau Chief Zheng Yufeng took one last look at the brightly lit office building of the Bishi Coal Mine and picked up his walkie-talkie: "Team, pack up. Escort him directly to the Municipal Detention Center."

After General Manager Xiang Wenqiang was taken away, investigations revealed that the Bishi Coal Mine had covered up multiple mining disasters in recent years.

Once the results of the accident investigation were made public, it caused a massive uproar in society and even alerted the Provincial Party Committee.

Because of his brave and fearless performance, Xiao Bei was commended and awarded by both the Provincial Party Committee and the Municipal Party Committee.

Half a month later, in the corridor of the County Party Committee building, Xiao Bei's leather shoes clicked crisply against the marble floor.

His right arm was still in a cast, and the new, short hair growing over the wound on his head stood up stubbornly like freshly cut wheat stubble.

"Xiao Bei, please come this way." Secretary Qi Zhengming's secretary hurried over, his face full of smiles. "Secretary Qi Zhengming has been waiting for you for a long time."

Xiao Bei nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the propaganda slogans hanging on both sides of the corridor.

"Is Xiao Bei here? Come in!" Secretary Qi Zhengming's booming voice came from inside the office.

Pushing open the door, Xiao Bei saw Secretary Qi Zhengming standing by the window, sunlight filtering through the blinds and casting dappled shadows on his face.

A set of exquisite tea sets was placed on the desk, steam rising from the teacup.

"Secretary Qi Zhengming." Xiao Bei stood still and bowed slightly.

"Oh, don't be so formal." Secretary Qi Zhengming strode over and enthusiastically grasped Xiao Bei's left hand. "How is your injury? Does it still hurt?"

"Much better, thank you for your concern, Secretary."

"Sit, please sit." Secretary Qi Zhengming personally led him to the sofa in the reception area. "Little Xiao, make some tea!"

The secretary deftly poured the tea, then retreated quietly, closing the door behind him.

Secretary Qi Zhengming picked up his teacup and took a sip, his eyes constantly sizing up Xiao Bei: "You made a great contribution in the Bishi Coal Mine case this time."

"I only did my duty," Xiao Bei answered cautiously.

"Your duty?" Secretary Qi Zhengming suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the spacious office. "Little Xiao, do you know how many people that bastard General Manager Xiang Wenqiang has killed over the years?"

Xiao Bei gripped his teacup tightly, recalling the photos he had seen during the investigation—miners disfigured by gas explosions, migrant workers buried alive due to collapses, and family members weeping heart-wrenchingly.

"Twelve incidents," Xiao Bei said in a low voice. "They covered up twelve mining disasters, resulting in twenty-seven deaths and forty-three serious injuries."

Secretary Qi Zhengming's smile vanished, and he set his teacup down heavily: "Twenty-seven families! Those animals!"

His knuckles rapped against the coffee table, making a dull thud. The office fell into silence. Outside the window, the cicadas chirped tirelessly, adding a touch of restlessness to the hot summer afternoon.

"Provincial leaders specifically called to commend this operation." Secretary Qi Zhengming suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming relaxed. "Mayor Qin, in particular, had nothing but praise for you."

Xiao Bei lifted his eyes slightly, catching a flash of inquiry in Secretary Qi Zhengming's eyes. He knew this was the real point of today's conversation.

"Mayor Qin was just acting impartially," Xiao Bei said calmly.

"Acting impartially?" Secretary Qi Zhengming smiled meaningfully. "Comrade Xiao Bei, it's just the two of us here. To be honest, Mayor Qin thinks very highly of you..."

The teacup paused slightly in Xiao Bei's hand: "That's all from a past connection; it's not worth mentioning."

"Modest! Too modest!" Secretary Qi Zhengming laughed as he stood up, walked to the desk, and took out a document. "Look at this."

Xiao Bei took the document. It was a list of cadres proposed for promotion. His name was prominently listed, with "Proposed as Member of the County Party Committee Standing Committee" marked next to it.

"This..." "The Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee above has already approved it."

Secretary Qi Zhengming watched Xiao Bei's surprised expression with satisfaction. "This time, you not only exposed major safety hazards but also assisted in solving a series of homicide cases. You have made an indelible contribution. It just so happens that there is a vacancy for a member of our County Party Committee Standing Committee, so after research and decision by the Municipal Party Committee, while you remain the Party Secretary of Bishi Town, you will also serve as a member of the Beijiang County Party Committee Standing Committee."