33: Chapter 33 Xishan Earthquake

In December, the sky over Lvjiang City was overcast.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan was reviewing documents in his office when Secretary-General Fang Zhou pushed the door open and entered, his steps faster than usual.

"Secretary, there is movement over in Xishan."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked up, and Secretary-General Fang Zhou handed him his phone.

On the screen was a news flash with a very brief headline.

"Li Chun, Deputy Secretary of the Xishan Provincial Party Committee, is suspected of serious disciplinary and legal violations and is currently under organizational investigation."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan said calmly, "Is there more?"

"Yes."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou continued, "Bao Guowei, Party Group Secretary of the Xishan Provincial CPPCC, was also announced on the same day."

"And the leader of private enterprises in Xishan, the chairman named Guo Chun, has already been arrested in accordance with the law."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan didn't speak; he stood up and walked to the window.

"Three people, on the same day."

"So fast!"

Secretary-General Fang Zhou stood behind him and said admiringly, "Secretary, this intensity..."

"It's not just a matter of intensity."

"Li Chun is a Deputy Secretary, and Bao Guowei is a Party Group Secretary; both are at the provincial and ministerial level."

"Guo Chun is the richest man in Xishan and has spent decades building a network of connections."

"These three people are from the same circle."

"Is the Secretary saying..."

"Black Water."

"They all belong to the Black Water faction."

"The sky has changed."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou gasped. Black Water! With these three falling, the influence of Black Water in Xishan has effectively been uprooted.

"Secretary, does this count as... a continuation of the struggle?"

Secretary Wan Xiaohan did not answer directly; he sat back in his chair.

"Old Fang, tell me, what does it mean when a Provincial Party Secretary dares to move against a Deputy Secretary, a Party Group Secretary of the CPPCC, and the richest man all on the same day?"

"It means he has enough confidence."

"Secretary Xu will definitely be promoted after the Two Sessions next year."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou nodded. He did not ask where he would be promoted to; that was a question one could not ask.

"He is only forty-seven this year."

This was said very softly, but Secretary-General Fang Zhou understood. A forty-seven-year-old Provincial Party Secretary making such a big move—the position next year is enough to make one shudder.

The office was quiet for a few seconds before Secretary-General Fang Zhou suddenly remembered something.

"Secretary, that child..."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou didn't finish, but Secretary Wan Xiaohan understood.

Xu Weidong! Secretary Xu's son...

Secretary Wan Xiaohan said seriously, "Keep an eye out; there might be some reactions in the city over the next few days."

"You mean..."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan said in a flat tone, "The news has spread; those who should know will know."

"Some will panic, some will make moves, and some will try to find a way to get close."

"Keep a close watch."

"Understood."

At the same time, at the Municipal Government, Secretary Lin Juncai also saw the news. He read the news item several times, then placed his phone on the table and leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes and remained motionless.

Damn, the gods are fighting! Department-level cadres there can only be considered foot soldiers! The number of department-level cadres Xu Tianhua handled is actually in the dozens! Are you kidding me? After working for so many years, this is the first time I've felt that the positions of Mayor and Municipal Party Secretary are so hot.

Fortunately, he is not in Xishan Province, otherwise he definitely wouldn't be able to sleep at night. It's too terrifying!

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding stood by, not daring to make a sound.

After a long time, Secretary Lin Juncai opened his eyes.

"Old Jiao, did you see it?"

"I saw it."

"Three heavyweights on the same day!"

"A Deputy Secretary, a Party Group Secretary of the CPPCC, and the richest man."

"What kind of intensity is this?"

"I was worried before that sending Police Chief Zheng Xilin down to crack down on organized crime that day was too hasty. Now it seems..."

It was damn right! That was simply the most correct thing Secretary Lin Juncai has ever done in his life! What if something had happened to that child in Changyuan County that day, what if he had been offended by those people, what if there had been a bump or scrape! Would he still be able to sit here now?

Secretary Lin Juncai's back felt a bit cold; if department-level officials in Xishan Province are just foot soldiers, what does that make him?

"Old Jiao, where is that gang leader kept by County Magistrate Lan Tianxing now?"

"He should still be in Changyuan County; Police Chief Zheng Xilin is still investigating and hasn't moved against him yet."

Secretary Lin Juncai was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Tell Police Chief Zheng Xilin to speed up the progress."

"Over in Changyuan County, take whatever can be taken as soon as possible; don't drag it out."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding nodded and said, "Understood."

Secretary Lin Juncai looked at the scenery outside the window and said, "I'm afraid this New Year will not be easy to get through."

In the villa district in the east of the city, Zheng Dongguo was also watching the news.

He put on his reading glasses and read the announcement from beginning to end, then put down his phone, took off his glasses, leaned back on the sofa, and didn't speak for a long time.

The housekeeper brought tea, placed it on the coffee table, and quietly retreated to the side.

"Old Chen."

The housekeeper walked back and said, "Old Leader."

Old Chen was formerly the Deputy Director of the Lvjiang City Government Affairs Bureau and later retired due to age. To repay the Old Leader's kindness for recognizing his talent, and also to reassure the Old Leader that he could keep secrets, he had been helping Zheng Dongguo manage this villa all these years. At the same time, he also helped the Zheng family handle some unsavory matters, which is why he always called Zheng Dongguo "Old Leader."

"Did you see it?"

"I saw it."

Zheng Dongguo nodded. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down again.

"Li Chun, Bao Guowei, and Guo Chun."

"All of them are veterans of Black Water."

The housekeeper didn't speak. Zheng Dongguo leaned on the sofa, looking at the ceiling.

"Xu Tianhua's strike is ruthless."

"It's not just anti-corruption; this is clearing the field."

"It's even helping Black Water curb its arrogance and impetuosity!"

The housekeeper asked softly, "Does the Old Leader mean..."

"Xu Tianhua was an expert at struggle in Hanzhong Province; sending him to Xishan Province was simply a brilliant move."

"Black Water has operated in Xishan for many years, from top to bottom, from the officialdom to the business world, with tangled roots and intertwined branches."

"And Xu Tianhua only went there for three years, yet he has pulled these people out one by one, step by step."

"This cannot be explained by anti-corruption; this is fighting a war."

The housekeeper nodded and said, "Then we..."

"We?"

Zheng Dongguo smiled and then said, "We are from Lvjiang City; we are over a thousand kilometers away from Xishan, and we have nothing to do with Black Water."

"However, that child is here."

The housekeeper understood and said, "Is the Old Leader saying..."

"I didn't say anything."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Old Chen, do you remember the words I said to them last time?"

"I remember."

"That's good."

"Go and give Deputy Secretary You Chuan a call; tell him to be steady these next few days."

"As for those people below, take what needs to be taken and cut off what needs to be cut off."

"Don't wait until the blade falls to know the pain."

"Also, give Zheng Qi a call and tell him to take the money and go abroad."

Old Chen smiled bitterly and said, "Old Leader, I didn't expect you to still be thinking about the Third Young Master."

Zheng Dongguo sneered, "I'm afraid someone will use him to make a case against me."

"Also, tell Secretary Xu Qing to have his people cooperate with Police Chief Zheng Xilin in Changyuan County."

"Hand over what needs to be handed over, say what needs to be said; don't hide anything."

"At this time, whoever hides will die."

"I understand."