The Lishan County Party Committee building was located in the west of the county seat, while the Public Security Bureau stood to the east—two diametrically opposed directions.
While Xu Zeguang was painstakingly persuading Zhang Yang at the Public Security Bureau, the County Committee building was equally bustling, though here the activity was a meeting—the Standing Committee session.
Seated in the head chair was County Party Secretary Xu Guangrong, who was glowering, taking deep drags from his cigarette.
Beside him sat County Magistrate Zhou Guocheng and Deputy Secretary Yu Wenwu. Of Lishan County’s thirteen Standing Committee members, all twelve were present, save for the Minister of the United Front Work Department, who was away on temporary business.
In front of each person lay a copy of the day’s provincial newspaper.
“You’ve all read the papers. If anyone has anything to say, speak up now!”
Xu Guangrong said this bluntly, then took another furious drag before stubbing the cigarette out in the ashtray. He was old, already slated for a transition to a secondary role, and this current situation guaranteed his departure from the active frontline.
His post-retirement arrangements were essentially settled: County Magistrate Zhou Guocheng would succeed him, and Deputy Secretary Yu Wenwu would take over Zhou Guocheng’s position, followed by the appointment of a new Standing Committee member. That was the general consensus.
What infuriated and shocked him was that such a major incident had erupted right as he was preparing to step down.
The provincial newspaper! A full half-page dedicated to negative coverage of them. The Municipal Party Secretary had personally called him to demand an explanation of what was happening.
“I believe someone is deliberately smearing Lishan!”
Xiao Yan, the Organization Department Minister, murmured quietly. As soon as he finished, Xu Guangrong glared at him: “Stop with the vague nonsense. It’s useless. Right now, I need solutions!”
Xu Guangrong was on his way out, so his speech was unforgiving. Why wouldn’t he be? About to retire, only to run into such a mess—it was impossible for him to be pleased.
“Secretary Xu, I just received a notification. Seven more media outlets have arrived, specifically requesting interviews with Secretary Yu!”
Zhang De, the Propaganda Department Minister, suddenly interjected. He had received the message via pager from his staff.
Xu Guangrong gave a cold laugh. “Seven more? Excellent. If I recall correctly, over twenty outlets have already registered with the Propaganda Department? Lishan has never attracted this much media attention. Who would have thought smashing a single car would make us famous!”
Xu Guangrong’s words caused Yu Wenwu to lower his head again.
It was obvious Xu Guangrong was pointing the finger at him—that he was the one who brought this trouble upon them. If Xu Guangrong weren't close to retirement, leaving him a shred of dignity, Yu Wenwu might have slammed his fist on the table and erupted in curses.
“Secretary Xu, esteemed colleagues, I apologize. It is my failure in disciplining my son that has caused this incident!”
Yu Wenwu had no choice but to step forward. He caused the trouble; he couldn't expect everyone to take the hit with him.
No one else was prepared to shoulder the burden.
“Enough with the apologies for now. Let’s solve the problem first. Let me tell you, Secretary Miao from the Municipal Committee is watching this closely. He awaits my answer. I am the one leaving; I fear nothing. But you all need to consider whether you can withstand the consequences!”
Xu Guangrong finished speaking and cast a cold look at Yu Wenwu. He said ‘you all,’ but everyone understood he was speaking only to Yu Wenwu.
“Meeting adjourned!”
Xu Guangrong stood up abruptly and left the conference room. With the crisis exposed, he couldn't stay there arguing; he needed to give them time to resolve the issue.
How they resolved it was Yu Wenwu’s problem.
“Secretary Yu, I’ll hold off those reporters for you initially, but I can’t stop them for long. You need to move quickly!”
As the meeting broke up, Propaganda Minister Zhang De immediately approached Yu Wenwu, speaking to him in a low voice.
“Minister Zhang, thank you. I will resolve this as quickly as possible!”
Yu Wenwu scrambled to respond. At a time like this, anyone offering assistance was rare.
But he also understood that Zhang De wasn't genuinely helping him out of goodwill; this was simply Zhang De’s duty, a situation he couldn't avoid.
Leaving the conference room, Yu Wenwu immediately called for a car to the Public Security Bureau. The one who tied the bell must untie it—Zhang Yang was the key to this entire affair.
He even suspected Zhang Yang himself had drafted the article. No one in Lishan possessed that capability, nor would anyone else have such intimate knowledge, complete with photographs.
Didn't Yu Yong say yesterday that Zhang Yang had taken pictures of them with a camera?
Regardless of whether Zhang Yang wrote the article or not, one thing was certain: they absolutely could not lay a hand on Zhang Yang now. Not only could they not touch him, but they had to placate him carefully and resolve this issue swiftly.
As long as this matter remained unresolved, his troubles would not end.
“Mr. Zhang, what do I have to say for you to agree to leave?”
Inside the Public Security Bureau, Xu Zeguang was nearly in tears from anxiety. He truly understood the meaning of the proverb: it’s easy to invite a god, but hard to send him away. If he could forcibly eject Zhang Yang right now, he would do it instantly.
“I already said it: Whoever smashed my car needs to come speak to me directly!”
Zhang Yang replied languidly, crossing his legs. It was already ten in the morning. These media professionals had not disappointed him; the moment they found a lead, they swarmed in.
He was inside, but that didn't mean he was unaware of the situation outside.
Those police officers had run out countless times, returning only to whisper and chuckle. Dozens of reporters had descended upon the Public Security Bureau alone, and their numbers were still growing.
The Propaganda Department had sent people to try and politely escort the reporters away, but no one paid them any attention.
“I will have the person you requested come here. Once we are out of this, everything else can be discussed!”
Xu Zeguang immediately nodded. At this moment, he would agree to anything Zhang Yang said, just focused on getting Zhang Yang out first.
The reporters outside were landmines. If they encountered Zhang Yang, managed to snap a few photos, and then ran a story about the victim being detained by the police, he, the Bureau Chief, would be finished.
“Chief!”
A police officer whispered, calling to him. Xu Zeguang turned back, looking at him with confusion.
The officer subtly gestured, signaling the Chief to step outside to talk.
Xu Zeguang stood up. Since he couldn't persuade Zhang Yang anyway, he might as well let him calm down inside for a bit longer.
“Chief, this kid refuses to leave. I say we just keep him detained!”
As soon as they were outside, the officer cheerfully said to Xu Zeguang.
“If we keep him detained, you handle all those reporters outside?”
Xu Zeguang snapped back. In his heart, he also wanted Zhang Yang to stay detained—someone they finally got their hands on, someone so brazenly contemptuous of them—they certainly deserved a lesson.
But he was helpless! If he had a solution, why would he debase himself begging, especially a Public Security Bureau Chief?
“Chief, have you forgotten? He severely injured over thirty people. If we detain him on that charge, he becomes a criminal suspect. Then we’ll have a legitimate reason to hold him, and we can give the outside reporters an explanation!”
The officer offered the suggestion with a grin, standing there seemingly awaiting praise from his superior.
Xu Zeguang’s eyes widened dramatically, swiftly followed by an expression of extreme rage. He roared, “Get out!”
After shouting, Xu Zeguang didn't even spare the officer a glance before returning to the holding cell area.
Suggesting he frame Zhang Yang with fabricated charges—if that tactic worked, he wouldn't need this officer to suggest it; he would have done it long ago.
Setting aside whether anyone would believe the story of one man beating thirty people so badly, he couldn't explain away the fact that thirty people had been involved in a brawl, likely involving weapons. If that information broke, it would only confirm the prior allegations of organized crime ties. It would become infinitely more complicated.
If that were the case, an issue that might have been solvable would definitely explode. Not only would Yu Yong be ruined, but Xu Zeguang himself wouldn't keep his position. As the Public Security Bureau Chief, presiding over such a massive gang operation involving his own officers, culminating in public vandalism—that was more than enough to sink him.
Xu Zeguang wasn't foolish; he had considered this possibility earlier. He had hoped the officer might offer a better idea, but to suggest something so obvious and self-defeating infuriated him enough to lash out.
“Chief, Secretary Yu has arrived!”
Another officer walked in and reported to Xu Zeguang. Xu Zeguang glanced towards Zhang Yang's cell, then immediately stepped back outside.
Yu Wenwu’s arrival was opportune. He caused this mess, and Xu Zeguang currently had no solution; it was perfect for him to take charge.
“Brother Su, Zhang Yang really won't be hurt in there, will he?”
Outside the Public Security Bureau, Mi Xue asked again from inside Su Zhantao’s BMW.
She had asked this question at least ten times; her anxiety for Zhang Yang’s safety was overwhelming her.
“Mi Xue, rest assured. I guarantee he’s fine. I dare say the people inside are currently serving him like a master!”
Su Zhantao was far shrewder than Mi Xue. After reading Zhang Yang’s article yesterday, he understood the situation immediately. He hadn’t anticipated Zhang Yang’s plan would be this effective.
Just looking at the continuous stream of arriving reporters confirmed it. He had even stepped out earlier to inquire and heard that not only were many local media outlets present, but some from other provinces had shown up too. The lawyer he had specially called for was now practically useless.
As long as these reporters were here, Zhang Yang was absolutely safe. At this moment, they shouldn't be worrying about Zhang Yang; they should be worrying about the person who smashed Zhang Yang’s car.
The thought of Zhang Yang’s car being damaged ignited a spark of anger in Su Zhantao.
That was the car he personally selected, the gift he gave Zhang Yang, the only gift he had ever given. Now, someone had destroyed it. Even if Zhang Yang didn't pursue it, Su Zhantao would personally make the person who smashed the car pay dearly.
Poor Yu Yong had no idea that one act of vandalism had punched a hole clean through the sky, and the person he considered to have no background possessed a terrifying pedigree he couldn't even begin to imagine.
Fortunately, Zhang Yang hadn't deployed those connections. He was handling them with his own methods. If he had used his full background, these people would have died without knowing how.
Inside the Public Security Bureau, Xu Zeguang relayed everything to Yu Wenwu.
After hearing the full account, Yu Wenwu entered the detention room with a dark expression. It was his first time seeing Zhang Yang.
“First, we will fully compensate you for your car—two million yuan. Second, we will no longer interfere in your affairs with Mi Xue. How about that?”
Suppressing the anger churning in his chest, Yu Wenwu spoke softly to Zhang Yang, cutting straight to the chase and presenting Zhang Yang’s compensation as his ultimatum.
Tenth update, ten updates completed!