67: Chapter 67 is merely a matter of duty.

In Secretary Chen Tianci's office, the scent of tea drifted in the air.

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing sat on the sofa, holding a teacup, sipping it slowly and deliberately.

Secretary Chen Tianci sat opposite him, also holding a teacup, but his gaze was fixed outside the window.

The two men remained silent, neither willing to be the first to speak.

This was the unspoken understanding between the old foxes of Changyuan County; whoever spoke first would lose their momentum.

In the end, it was Secretary Chen Tianci who broke the silence.

"County Head Lan."

Secretary Chen Tianci set down his teacup, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

"How is the progress of the Crackdown on Organized Crime in the county lately?"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing felt a jolt in his heart. The Crackdown on Organized Crime? When had Secretary Chen Tianci ever cared about that?

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing remained composed, set down his teacup as well, and said in a flat tone, "The progress is going quite smoothly."

"Ever since Comrade Qiu Ping took over the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, his actions have been swift."

"Secretary Liu Qingfeng has also been cooperating well."

"A few days ago, they even took down a criminal gang and arrested seven or eight people."

Secretary Chen Tianci nodded, not responding.

Silence returned, and County Magistrate Lan Tianxing waited.

He knew that Secretary Chen Tianci hadn't called him here just to listen to these empty pleasantries.

This Secretary comrade never did anything without a purpose.

Sure enough, Secretary Chen Tianci spoke again.

"County Head Lan, the Crackdown on Organized Crime is a decision and deployment from the central authorities, and a requirement from the Provincial Party Committee and the Municipal Party Committee. Our county must implement it to the letter."

"Don't you agree?"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing nodded and said, "That is only natural."

"But..."

Secretary Chen Tianci turned his head and looked at him. "Some things are better said behind closed doors. You know, and I know, just how deep the roots of the organized crime forces in our county run."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing's heart skipped a beat. What did that mean?

Secretary Chen Tianci didn't wait for him to respond, continuing on his own. "Over the years in Changyuan County, there have been some companies that look shiny on the surface, but the things they do behind the scenes cannot see the light of day."

"Major taxpayers? Pillar enterprises?"

"Those are all just superficial gestures."

"The real foundation is filthy."

Secretary Chen Tianci paused, his gaze landing on County Magistrate Lan Tianxing's face.

"County Head Lan, don't you agree?"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing met his gaze, his mind racing.

What was Secretary Chen Tianci trying to do? Investigate organized crime?

Or was he using the excuse of investigating organized crime to swallow up the organized crime forces controlled by others?

"Secretary Chen, you are right."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing weighed his words carefully. "Over the years, there have indeed been some companies that, under the guise of development, have committed many illegal and undisciplined acts."

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime is meant to deal with these people."

Secretary Chen Tianci nodded, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then set it down.

"I have received reports stating that the Sihai Group is the largest organized crime force in our county."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing was stunned. Sihai Group?

President Cheng Xin's Sihai Group?

That is the enterprise that you, Secretary Chen Tianci, supported with your own hands!

For years, President Cheng Xin has been at your beck and call, serving you, Secretary Chen Tianci, like a dog, bringing gifts to your home during every holiday.

The gifts alone could fill an entire room!

He even gave you his sister-in-law, aside from his wife!

Such a good dog, and you're just going to slaughter it like that?

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing looked at Secretary Chen Tianci and suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

This man was too ruthless.

"Secretary Chen, Sihai Group... shouldn't we reconsider? After all, President Cheng Xin has made contributions to the county over the years."

"And..."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing paused, leaving the rest of his sentence unspoken.

And that's your man; are you really willing to part with him?

Secretary Chen Tianci looked at him, his gaze calm and without a ripple.

"County Head Lan, organized crime forces must be eliminated."

"It doesn't matter who they are, what contributions they've made in the past, or who they are related to."

"This is a matter of principle!"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing cursed inwardly. A matter of principle? You're talking to me about principles, you bastard?

But on the surface, County Magistrate Lan Tianxing nodded repeatedly. "Secretary Chen is right, absolutely right."

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime requires treating everyone equally; we cannot make exceptions."

Secretary Chen Tianci looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"County Head Lan, your level of awareness is high."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing also smiled, his expression carrying just the right amount of humility.

"Not at all, it is Secretary Chen who stands tall and sees far."

"I am just following your instructions."

Secretary Chen Tianci waved his hand dismissively. "I wouldn't call it instructions; we are all doing this for the sake of work."

Secretary Chen Tianci stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to County Magistrate Lan Tianxing.

"County Head Lan, do you know why I made this decision?"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing hurriedly said, "Please enlighten me, Secretary Chen."

Secretary Chen Tianci looked at the square outside the window and said slowly, "Some people, the more you use them, the more they think they are indispensable."

"Some enterprises, the more you nurture them, the more they feel they can manipulate leaders."

"This kind of tendency must be nipped in the bud."

Secretary Chen Tianci turned around and looked at County Magistrate Lan Tianxing.

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime is a political task, but also a political opportunity."

"What needs to be cut must be cut; what needs to be severed must be severed."

"Only when we cut cleanly and sever decisively can we move forward without burden."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing nodded repeatedly. "Secretary Chen has great foresight; I admire it immensely."

Secretary Chen Tianci walked back to the sofa, sat down, and picked up his teacup.

"County Head Lan, your greatest virtue is that you are sensible."

"You know what should be done and what should not. You know when to speak and when to keep your mouth shut."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing felt a tightness in his chest, but his face remained naturally smiling. "Secretary Chen, you flatter me."

"I'm just here to do the work; it all depends on the County Party Committee leaders to steer the ship."

Secretary Chen Tianci nodded and set down his teacup.

"Alright, that's all for today. Regarding the Crackdown on Organized Crime, just keep it in mind."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing stood up and took his leave.

As he reached the door, he heard Secretary Chen Tianci say something from behind him.

"County Head Lan, as for President Cheng Xin, let's just pretend he never existed."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing paused, nodded, and pushed the door open to leave.

The moment the door closed, he stood in the hallway and let out a long sigh of relief.

That was too dangerous!

Every sentence just now was a trap.

Secretary Chen Tianci was absolutely testing him!

Testing his attitude toward President Cheng Xin...

If he had said one more good word for President Cheng Xin just now, he feared his own fate wouldn't be very good...

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing hurried downstairs, got into his car, and sat in the back seat, motionless for a long time.

The driver turned around and asked, "County Head Lan, where to?"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing waved his hand. "Wait a moment."

Then he closed his eyes, leaned back against the seat, and replayed the conversation in his mind over and over again.

This man, Secretary Chen Tianci, was too ruthless.

President Cheng Xin had followed him for so many years, at his beck and call, like a dog.

And what was the result?

He decided to kill him just like that, without blinking an eye.

"County Head Lan?"

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing opened his eyes and looked out the window.

"Let's go home."

The car started slowly and drove out of the County Committee Compound.

As they passed the Cuihu Clubhouse, he glanced at the building. Several cars were still parked at the entrance, and business was still booming.

He didn't know if President Cheng Xin was inside at that moment, but he knew that this person was finished.