193: Chapter 193 Mayor Zhang is very frustrated

County Mayor Sheng Huaian sighed, "There are currently two main trends in public opinion: one demands that we demolish Master Wang Sen's residence, and the other demands that we investigate Master Wang Sen."

Master Wang Sen's persona is that of a 'Master,' and many big shots are his guests of honor, all respectfully addressing him as Master.

He is draped in a layer of mystery; whether it is magic, feng shui, or medicine, his skills are exceptionally superb, especially his magic trick of producing snakes from an empty basin, which remains unsolved to this day.

Because of this persona, he has many followers online who speak up for him, whitewash his reputation, and so on, but they are no longer the dominant force.

The vast majority of ordinary netizens are exposing dirt on Master Wang Sen and demanding that the relevant departments investigate him; his persona's total collapse is only a matter of time.

Sensing the pressure on County Mayor Sheng Huaian, Qin Chuan said, "We already issued the demolition notice for the illegal structure to Master Wang Sen. It has been three days, hasn't it? Has he made any moves?"

"There hasn't been any movement at all. He has absolutely no intention of relocating; it seems he is certain we cannot demolish his residence."

Qin Chuan said, "Mayor Zhang Qun said that the construction of this residence was originally tacitly approved by him, and he does not allow us to demolish it."

County Mayor Sheng Huaian was a bit anxious, "If we don't demolish it, we will face the verbal attacks of the vast majority of netizens. They are now strongly demanding that we demolish that residence."

Qin Chuan smiled, "A few days ago, we truly couldn't demolish it. Even if we wanted to force a demolition, the resistance we would face would be immense."

"It's different now. Public opinion is so massive that whoever dares to obstruct it is just asking for death. I don't think Mayor Zhang would dare either."

Upon hearing this, County Mayor Sheng Huaian's eyes lit up.

In that case, couldn't we proceed with the demolition?

Qin Chuan nodded slightly, "Organize your team, make all preparations, and stand by. Once I give the order, you will begin the operation and demolish that illegal structure. Is there any problem?"

"No problem, there is absolutely no problem!"

After chatting for a while, County Mayor Sheng Huaian left happily; it was clear that his pressure had lessened significantly.

A while later, Qin Chuan's phone rang.

It was a call from Governor Zhou Yuan himself, "Little Qin, you must be under quite a bit of pressure right now."

"Hello, Governor Zhou. We are indeed under some pressure. More and more people online are coming forward, strongly demanding that we demolish Master Wang Sen's mansion. Additionally, they are demanding that we investigate Master Wang Sen."

Governor Zhou laughed heartily, "I knew you would be under pressure. Regarding this matter, I have specifically issued instructions requiring you to demolish that illegally constructed residence. A charlatan building a mansion of over two hundred mu—what kind of behavior is that?"

"As for the investigation into Master Wang Sen, I think you can begin it secretly. Do not startle the snake for now; wait until you have sufficient evidence."

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan was overjoyed!

With Governor Zhou's instructions, there would be absolutely no resistance left; it would be impossible for anyone to jump out and block it.

Heh, didn't Mayor Zhang Qun say we couldn't demolish it?

I will go and ask for instructions now, saying we intend to demolish Master Wang Sen's mansion, and see what Mayor Zhang has to say.

Just thinking about it is a bit exciting; I wonder what kind of reaction Mayor Zhang will have.

No sooner said than done, Qin Chuan went to the Mayor's office again.

His luck was not bad; Zhang Qun happened to be sitting in his office, seemingly reviewing some documents.

"Hello, Mayor Zhang."

Zhang Qun put down his pen, his face unreadable, "Secretary Qin Chuan is here. Is there something you need?"

Secretary Qin Chuan immediately started complaining, "Mayor Zhang, have you been following the public opinion online? We are under immense pressure right now and can't hold out any longer."

He had paid some attention, but not much.

"What's wrong? What kind of public opinion is there online?"

Qin Chuan said, "Mayor Zhang, the internet is full of reports about Master Wang Sen's residence being an illegal structure, and the vast majority of netizens are strongly demanding that we demolish this illegal structure."

"Simply ridiculous!" Zhang Qun flared up, "How can they say such things? A bunch of troublemakers who fear the world won't be chaotic enough!"

"Don't pay attention to them. In a few days, public opinion will slowly subside, and by then, no one will mention this matter again."

Heh.

Mayor Zhang was truly determined to support Master Wang Sen. Even when it had reached such a serious level and public opinion was almost completely one-sided, he still maintained this attitude.

Qin Chuan said, "Mayor Zhang, that definitely won't work. If we don't take concrete action, the leadership team of Wanshun County will be cursed to death. How will the general public view us? How will our superiors view us? We don't want to be the scapegoats for this."

Zhang Qun's tone carried obvious anger, "Then you mean you want to demolish Master Wang's home and tear down his mansion, which cost two or three hundred million to build?"

"Mayor Zhang, we have no choice. Additionally, I have received instructions from Secretary Kang, requiring us to investigate clearly. If it truly belongs to an illegal construction, it must be officially identified and demolished. Why don't you go and communicate with Secretary Kang? We are really in a difficult position in the middle."

Immediately, Zhang Qun's face darkened.

He cursed inwardly, 'MMP, this is obviously you using Secretary Kang Kewu to pressure me. Since you have his instructions, why the hell are you still coming to me to ask for instructions? Aren't you intentionally trying to embarrass me?'

'You are definitely doing this on purpose, intentionally trying to disgust me.'

Qin Chuan continued, "Mayor Zhang, public opinion is so massive now that I'm worried the provincial leaders will pay attention as well. If they happen to instruct us to demolish Master Wang Sen's residence, then should we demolish it or not?"

Zhang Qun was so angry he nearly vomited blood.

It was too aggrieved; he never expected that he, a dignified mayor, would be manipulated by a subordinate County Party Secretary.

What made him even more aggrieved was that at this moment, a call came from Governor Zhou, who first sternly criticized him: why did they turn a blind eye to such a large-scale illegal construction and let it exist for so many years? He explicitly instructed that such illegal structures must be demolished as soon as possible.

This was a telephone instruction, a formal directive; it was estimated that it would soon be issued to the Ningzhou Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government.

Qin Chuan heard the content of the call clearly, but he pretended not to know and deliberately asked, "Mayor Zhang, should we demolish it or not? It's too difficult to be stuck in the middle, and the pressure is too great; I'm afraid we can't hold out."

Zhang Qun wanted to throw his cup; damn it, it was too aggrieved.

He had always said it couldn't be demolished and had always forbidden Qin Chuan and the others from demolishing it. Now he had to break his promise and overturn what he himself had said.

His old face flushed, and he waved his hand impatiently, "Demolish it, you go ahead and demolish it."

Qin Chuan said, "Mayor Zhang, if we really demolish it, we will likely face great pressure and resistance. Could you provide a written instruction in black and white, or have the Municipal Government issue a formal document? That way, we will have an imperial sword, and no one will dare to jump out and block us."

Zhang Qun's face burned, his complexion turning both red and black.

This instruction and document had to be issued. The Governor had personally given instructions and had just called personally; if Ningzhou City did not issue a corresponding formal document, and he, the Mayor, did not provide instructions, what would the province think?

Could it be that Ningzhou City has objections to the provincial leaders, or perhaps you do not attach importance to the provincial leaders' instructions and are preparing to just go through the motions?