Chapter 9: Crisis Lurking Everywhere

  Wang Dagui listed ten crimes of Zhou Qibao, the most serious of which were buying and selling official positions, participating in gambling, colluding with underworld organizations, embezzlement, bribery, messing around with men and women, trading power for sex, dereliction of duty resulting in loss of state-owned assets, collusion between officials and merchants, and even bribery.

  Zhou Zheng was shocked after hearing it. Zhou Zheng listened carefully to Wang Da Ge's accusations against Zhou Qiuball. In the end, Zhou Zheng asked a sentence: "What is your evidence?"

  "The problem now is that many are just self-written materials from informants, but no effective evidence has been obtained." Wang Dagui said with a depressed tone: "The most important thing is that the current leaders of Yongsheng County have all 'crossed the river' and formed an alliance to defend each other."

  "The problem in Yongsheng County is indeed very serious, it seems even more severe than I imagined." Zhou Zheng said thoughtfully.

  "Yes, I haven't been here for long and I'm well aware of the depth of Yongsheng County's waters and the complexity of the case. Zhou Qiball and others have tried every means to drag me down, using beauty, money, etc., but I've politely declined them all. So, Qiball has a grudge against me. Yesterday's meeting with you was probably also grasped by Zhou Qiball, after Wang Puchu, I should be adjusted in my position."

  King Da Ge's words made Zhou Zheng see that in such a "bad" work environment, King Da Ge was still able to keep himself clean and upright, which was indeed not easy. At this moment, Zhou Zheng had a kind of respect for King Da Ge from the bottom of his heart.

  "Da Ge, don't worry, you have to believe in the Party Central Committee, the provincial and municipal leaders won't tolerate such corrupt elements." Zhou said comfortingly.

  "Are you referring to the current municipal party committee leadership?" Wang Daguo asked with some skepticism.

  "Yes, don't worry! Secretary Jiang of the Municipal Party Committee will protect you. Even if you are wronged, in the face of a harsh environment, you must stick to your bottom line. As a party member, it is very difficult and precious to maintain the purity of thought when facing major issues. I admire that." Zhou Zheng spoke with emphasis and sincerity to comfort him. Zhou Zheng hoped Wang Daguo would understand that the organization would come to rescue him.

  Facing such a bad environment, Zhou Zheng knew that the most important thing at present was to report the situation here in time to Jiang Feng. Only Jiang Feng could stop the further spread of the incident and protect the last good cadres of Yongsheng County.

  Zhou Zheng said urgently: "Da Ge, arrange a vehicle quickly and send me back to the city. I need to see Secretary Jiang immediately."

  "What about your promise with Qiball?"

  "Wait a minute, if Zhou Qiku asks, just tell him that I have something urgent to attend to in the city and will return first. We'll discuss it further when we have another chance." Zhou Zheng found an excuse, perhaps this was also a characteristic of disciplinary inspection work, which determined their ability to respond.

  "Alright, I'll arrange for a vehicle right away."

  In less than a minute, a Toyota car appeared under the Disciplinary Committee building. Zhou Zheng and Wang Dagui were already waiting there. After a brief conversation with Wang Dagui, Zhou Zheng quickly got in the car, leaving behind a worried Wang Dagui.

  Zhou Zheng sat in his Toyota and drove back to the city along the provincial highway.

  However, Wang Daguo was interrogated by Zhou Qibiao. Around 11 o'clock, when Zhou Qibiao learned that Zhou Zheng had left suddenly, he seemed to have a premonition that Wang Daguo and Zhou Zheng had said something they shouldn't have.

  Zhou Qiu spoke in a low and menacing tone to Wang Dagui, "Comrade Dagui, you've been in Yongsheng County for quite some time now, and you should know my character. I'm a person who treats comrades with warmth like spring, but towards those who oppose me, I've never shown mercy. Your work is under my direct supervision, you should understand that 'the Party Committee leads the Discipline Inspection Commission's work'. Your loyalty to me is equivalent to your loyalty to the Party. You'd better confess honestly what you said to Secretary Zhou Zheng."

  "It's nothing, Deputy Secretary Zhou just came to sit with me for a bit. Actually, Deputy Secretary Zhou received a phone call and then hastily left." Wang Dagui brushed it off.

  Zhou Qiball isn't that easy to fool, although he doesn't do his job well and has a lot of ulterior motives. He knows Wang Dagui won't tell him the truth, but Zhou Qiball is aware that Wang Dagui fears his wife. This is his weakness. As long as his wife gives an order, except for illegal or disciplinary matters, Wang Dagui never hesitates. Zhou Qiball has lived in Yongsheng County for a long time and has a clear understanding of the weaknesses of most cadres, especially the main leading cadres. By understanding each person's characteristics and using tactics to force them to join his own interest group, he makes the voices of justice and opposition gradually shrink until they disappear.

  "Comrade Da Ge, isn't your wife Gao Caihong wanting to transfer to the Municipal Education Bureau? I can help with this matter. The Director of the Municipal Education Commission, Hong, is an old acquaintance of mine. You know about this." Seeing that being tough didn't work, Zhou Qiball changed his strategy and used a softer approach.

  "It would be great if you could help with this matter." Wang Da Ge acted quite well, and his gratitude was evident.

  "Look, everyone still has feelings, Comrade Da Ge is still very aware of the situation. Can you tell me about Vice Secretary Zhou's return to the city?" Zhou Qiuball suddenly lowered his voice.

  "Deputy Secretary Zhou returned to the city, I really don't understand what he's going to do, but when I reported to Deputy Secretary Zhou, I mentioned you." Wang Dagui's brain made a 360-degree turn, he had to come up with an explanation. Otherwise, Zhou Qiball would never let him off.

  "What's wrong with me?" Zhou Qiball was somewhat at a loss.

  "Of course, you are the 'number one' of Yongsheng County. Serving Yongsheng County for so many years should get a promotion, and Vice Secretary Zhou has something to look for you, I certainly can't miss such a good opportunity, let's talk about it." Wang Dagou could only keep making up stories.

  "Oh, you're still very supportive of the party committee's work! I'll remember what you said today, but I need to investigate you thoroughly. County People's Congress Director Lei is approaching retirement age, and I think Comrade Da Ge is quite hopeful. Work hard!" At this moment, Zhou Qiball seemed to believe Wang Dage, but if he thought so, he was wrong. Zhou Qiball was an official "troublemaker". How could he be fooled by Wang Dage?

  He thought he'd start by intimidating Wang Da Ge's wife, scare Wang Da Ge first, this kid dares to play with knives in front of me, he's still a bit tender.

  At 12:01 pm, a black Audi without a license plate drove past the entrance of Municipal No. 1 Middle School, ran onto the sidewalk, and hit a middle-aged woman. Fortunately, the Audi braked in time, only knocking the woman to the ground, scraping her hands and feet. The middle-aged woman fell to the ground, constantly... At this time, a big man wearing sunglasses jumped out of the car and spat at the middle-aged woman: "You should tell your husband to behave, if he offends our brother again, next time it won't be so easy." He drove away in the Audi, leaving behind a long trail of exhaust. The middle-aged woman had not yet recovered, nor did she know who her husband had offended. A large crowd of onlookers gathered, and soon an ambulance arrived...