220: Chapter 220 Watch My Micro-Management

The place where Zheng Ze arranged to meet Deputy Secretary You Chuan was a private club in Lüjiang City.

Deputy Secretary You Chuan originally didn't want to come, but Zheng Ze's tone on the phone was so anxious and frantic, stating that if Deputy Secretary You Chuan didn't show up, he would go find him at his office.

Deputy Secretary You Chuan thought about it and decided to come, not out of respect for Zheng Ze, but out of respect for Zheng Dongguo.

The old man hadn't passed away on his sickbed yet, so he couldn't shut the door on the Zheng family at this time; if word got out, people would say Deputy Secretary You Chuan was ungrateful and cold-hearted.

He had spent most of his life in officialdom, and what he cared about most was how others perceived him.

The private room was not large, but it was antique and elegant.

When Deputy Secretary You Chuan arrived, Zheng Ze was already waiting, and the tea in front of him had already been steeped twice.

He stood up to greet him, his smile as eager as if he had seen a savior, and he grasped Deputy Secretary You Chuan's hand with both hands, calling out, "Uncle You."

Deputy Secretary You Chuan responded, sat down opposite him, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Zheng Ze rubbed his hands, gave a dry cough, then leaned in closer, his voice lowered.

"Uncle You, I invited you here today to talk about the Cuican Fireworks matter. I feel there is a huge misunderstanding regarding this; I never intended to go against Xu Weidong."

"You know, I may be greedy for money and lustful, but I'm not stupid."

"Who in the entire Fengtian Province doesn't know that Xu Weidong is not to be trifled with?"

"I see clearly who his father is, who stands behind him, and what happened to those in Changyuan County who opposed him."

"Even if I were a complete scoundrel, I wouldn't dare offend such a person; wouldn't that be seeking death?"

Deputy Secretary You Chuan looked at him without speaking.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip, slowly savoring the bitterness of the tea, pondering back and forth in his heart.

He didn't understand the point of Zheng Ze asking him to come today; surely it couldn't just be to explain this matter to him?

Who didn't know that Xu Weidong could not be offended?

Did he even need to say that?

Anyone with a brain in the entire Lvjiang City and Fengtian Province knew that Xu Weidong could not be provoked.

Of those who had provoked him, who had a good ending?

Zheng Ze couldn't possibly be counting on him to act as a mediator and go make peace with Xu Weidong, could he?

That was giving him too much credit...

What was he in front of Xu Weidong?

A mayor?

In the eyes of that young master, he was just an ordinary official who could be greeted politely, but whose presence would never change any of his decisions.

Seeing that Deputy Secretary You Chuan wasn't speaking, Zheng Ze thought he was hesitating and hurriedly added a few more sentences.

"Uncle You, I know you can get a word in with Xu Weidong. You have a good relationship with Secretary Wei Kuan of Changyuan County, and Secretary Wei Kuan has an even better relationship with Xu Weidong."

"As long as you say a word to Secretary Wei Kuan and let him pass a message to Xu Weidong for me, I am willing to host a banquet to apologize."

"I have already stopped associating with General Manager Hu Dakuan."

"As long as Xu Weidong is willing to raise his hand and let me off, I will do anything."

Deputy Secretary You Chuan put down the teacup, leaned back in his chair, and looking at Zheng Ze's expectant face, felt a deep sense of sorrow.

It wasn't sorrow for himself, but for Zheng Dongguo.

The old man had been wise all his life, governing Lvjiang City for many years, accomplishing so many practical things and doing so many good deeds; his reputation among the common people was earned through solid work.

Yet, he had produced such an unpromising son who, instead of inheriting his political legacy, was personally squandering his lifelong reputation bit by bit just as he was about to pass away.

He stood up, picked up the briefcase on the table, and looked at Zheng Ze.

"Xiao Ze, you found the wrong person. I am not close with Xu Weidong, nor can I get a word in."

"I cannot help you with your matter."

"I advise you to listen to your older brother and leave tomorrow."

"Do not stay in the country anymore, and do not contact anyone; this is your only chance."

Zheng Ze stood up as well, trying to stop Deputy Secretary You Chuan, but Deputy Secretary You Chuan didn't give him the chance and strode out.

The door closed, and Zheng Ze was left alone in the private room.

Meanwhile, in Changyuan County, Xu Weidong's day had just ended.

When he came out of the County Government building, it was already getting dark.

Mu Ruxue was waiting for him in the passenger seat; she hadn't driven today, saying she wanted to go back with him.

The car drove out of the County Committee Compound and headed home along the main road of the county town.

Mu Ruxue leaned back in her seat and told him about the affairs of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles today, her voice soft and sweet, very pleasant to hear.

While waiting at a red light at an intersection, a loud "bang" suddenly came from behind, and the whole car lurched forward violently.

Xu Weidong's body slammed heavily against the steering wheel, and Mu Ruxue screamed as her phone flew out and landed on the floor mat.

Xu Weidong steadied the steering wheel, pressed the brake, pulled the car over to the side of the road, and his expression darkened.

He pushed the door open and got out; behind them was a black SUV with a large dent in its front, while his own rear was deformed, and the bumper was hanging to one side.

A burly man got out of the driver's seat, sporting a buzz cut, a gold chain around his neck, and a face full of flabby flesh; he was half a head taller than Xu Weidong.

"How the hell are you driving?"

The big man pointed at Xu Weidong's nose, spit flying, his eyes wide as copper bells.

Xu Weidong didn't argue with him and took out his phone to call the police.

The big man's gaze moved past Xu Weidong and landed on Mu Ruxue in the passenger seat.

She had just gotten out of the car and was standing by the door, rubbing her neck which had been hurt in the collision.

The twilight light fell on her, illuminating her exquisite face and graceful figure, her long legs wrapped in stockings straight and slender.

He licked his lips and immediately changed his tone.

"Brother, regarding today's matter, I was going to beat you up, but for your wife's sake, I won't hold it against you."

"How about this, let your wife join me for a drink, and we'll call it even, how about that?"

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Weidong's palm had already slapped him across the face.

The sound was crisp, exploding in the empty street like a clap of thunder.

The big man clutched his face, staring wide-eyed at Xu Weidong, his expression shifting from surprise to anger.

He hadn't expected this seemingly weak young man to dare to strike!

"You dare hit me? Do you know who I am? Let me tell you, this isn't over!"

"I'll make you pay dearly!"

Xu Weidong didn't look at him and dialed a number on his phone.

"Director Li Zhongmin, I was rear-ended on the main road of the county town; the other party is driving under the influence and has a terrible attitude. Come over and handle it."

Director Li Zhongmin responded on the other end of the line. Xu Weidong hung up, leaned against the car door with his arms crossed, and looked at the big man as if he were looking at a dead man.

Mu Ruxue walked to his side and took his arm.

Xu Weidong patted her hand and said it was nothing.

The big man was still on the phone calling for backup, his voice high and urgent, as if he were calling for help.

"Hey, Bro, I got hit. On the main road of the county town, by some young punk who doesn't know life from death."

"Right, he even called the traffic police."

"Bring a few more people over; today I'm going to make him kneel and call me Grandpa."

He hung up the phone, glaring viciously at Xu Weidong with a smug smile on his lips.

"Just you wait, my brother is arriving soon. He runs things in the county; in the underworld, they call him Brother Leopard. You can't afford to mess with him."

Xu Weidong ignored him, leaning against the car door and watching the flashing police lights in the distance.

Director Li Zhongmin arrived very quickly—three police cars, a dozen people, with Director Li Zhongmin leading them.

He strode over, stopped in front of Xu Weidong, and bowed slightly.

"County Magistrate Xu, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. This person was driving under the influence and rear-ended me, and he also threatened me and my family. Handle it."

Director Li Zhongmin turned around and looked at the big man.

The big man's face turned completely pale, and his drunkenness was completely frightened away.

"County Magistrate? He... he is the County Magistrate?"

Director Li Zhongmin didn't answer his question; he waved his hand and said, "Take him away." Two police officers stepped forward, grabbed the big man's arms from left and right, and shoved him into the police car.

The big man's legs were so weak he couldn't even stand; he was still muttering something, his voice slurred and unclear.

The police cars drove away, and the onlookers gradually dispersed.

Director Li Zhongmin said goodbye to Xu Weidong and got into his car.

The street returned to calm, and the streetlights turned on one by one, their orange halos appearing particularly warm in the twilight.

Xu Weidong turned around and looked at Mu Ruxue.

"Were you scared?"

Mu Ruxue shook her head, took his arm, and rested her face on his shoulder.

"With you here, I'm not afraid."

Xu Weidong smiled, reached out to ruffle her hair, started the car, and drove home.

Director Li Zhongmin stood in front of his office window, looking at the pitch-black night outside, holding a cigarette; the smoke curled up under the light.