Chapter 306: The Situation in Jin Ning is Complicated

"Engineer Luo, are you feeling any better?"

The next day, Zhou Ming and Du Peng visited the factory hospital to see Luo Wei. Seeing them enter, Luo Wei hurriedly got off the bed and urgently said to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, I'm fine now, really. My health is good. Please, first think of a way to save my wife. Whenever I think about her still being at the hands of those scum, not knowing what she's enduring, my heart feels like it's being cut by a knife!"

Zhou Ming nodded. He had just come from Director Huang and knew that Luo Wei's injuries weren't serious. Although he had some internal and external injuries from being beaten by Jin Ning's gangsters, none of them were life-threatening. They were mostly superficial injuries that would heal with a few days' rest.

Moreover, Zhou Ming had spent yesterday trying to verify the situation in Jin Ning. Although the specifics were unclear, the general situation was similar to what Luo Wei described. The local criminal forces in Jin Ning had indeed clashed with the engineering team and had detained several people.

As the saying goes, "First deal with the petty, then the grand." Even though Luo Wei appeared sincere and his story was infuriating, Zhou Ming still needed to verify the situation for safety. He couldn't just act on hearsay; that wouldn't make him a good person, it would make him a fool. Understanding the situation in Jin Ning was crucial, not just to eliminate Luo Wei's suspicions but also to take the right actions.

"I understand. That's why I'm here today to help you report the criminal forces in Jin Ning to the provincial authorities!" Zhou Ming said to Luo Wei.

This statement made Luo Wei's eyes light up. "Boss Zhou, is that true? You're really going to help me? Thank you so much! But where do you plan to report it? To the Provincial Public Security Bureau?"

"The Provincial Public Security Bureau? If they were effective, Jin Ning's criminal forces wouldn't be so rampant now," Du Peng said disdainfully. "We're going to report directly to Governor Xiong Qingping."

"What? The Governor?" Luo Wei asked in surprise. Zhou Ming nodded in confirmation.

Luo Wei gasped, staring at Zhou Ming in disbelief. This was an answer he never expected. He had thought Zhou Ming might seek help from some leader in the provincial government, but he never imagined that Zhou Ming would go directly to the Governor. After all, the Governor was a high-ranking official, and even in the capital, Yanjing, provincial officials held significant power, let alone in the local area. This person was one of the top figures in the power pyramid.

No wonder Zhou Ming had become such a powerful businessman in Jingchu Province—he must have support from the provincial level.

However, this also reassured Luo Wei. He said with relief, "It's great that we can report directly to the Governor! With the Governor's direct orders, my wife can be saved, and those bastards will get the punishment they deserve!"

"Engineer Luo, I think you shouldn't get your hopes up too much," Zhou Ming said to Luo Wei.

Luo Wei was taken aback and asked Zhou Ming why, but Zhou Ming didn't answer directly. Instead, he took Luo Wei to the Director's office where the phone was freely available.

With the development of mobile communications in Jingchu Province, Governor Xiong Qingping naturally had a mobile phone. Zhou Ming dialed his number and, to let Luo Wei understand clearly, he put the call on speaker. The phone rang for a while before being answered, not by Governor Xiong but by his secretary, Wu Shiping. Wu Shiping asked in a plain tone, "Hello, who am I speaking with?"

"Hello, Director Wu, I'm Zhou Ming. I need to speak with Governor Xiong," Zhou Ming said. Even though he knew Wu Shiping was Xiong Qingping's secretary, Zhou Ming addressed him by his official title, which sounded more respectful.

Hearing Zhou Ming's voice, Wu Shiping's tone softened as he said, "Oh, Representative Zhou. It's unfortunate, but Governor Xiong is currently in an important meeting and can't take the call. If you have something to discuss, you can tell me."

"Alright, Director Wu, I have a very important case to report to Governor Xiong," Zhou Ming said.

"Is it about the Provincial Construction Department? Governor Xiong is already aware of this matter and is coordinating it. The results will be available within a week at the latest," Wu Shiping said.

Zhou Ming raised his eyebrows. It seemed that Governor Xiong was fully aware of the situation on this side.

Seeing Zhou Ming remain silent, Wu Shiping continued, "Representative Zhou, there are many issues in the province recently, and Governor Xiong has many matters to attend to. As the Governor, he isn't the Provincial Party Secretary, so not everything is as convenient as you might think."

Luo Wei was very surprised. Although he didn't understand what they were talking about, it was clear from Wu Shiping's explanation that Zhou Ming had a significant relationship with Governor Xiong.

"Director Wu, you misunderstand. I'm not calling about that matter," Zhou Ming said.

"Then what is it that you need, Representative Zhou?" Wu Shiping asked.

"I want to report on Jin Ning Company's disregard for party discipline and national laws, their illegal detention and assault of others, and their severe crimes, including the abuse of women. I want to report that Jin Ning Company is a criminal organization based in Jin Ning. I demand that the provincial party committee and government shut down and crack down on Jin Ning Company and bring all criminals to justice!" Zhou Ming declared.

Zhou Ming's resolute words echoed in the office. Luo Wei clenched his fists and couldn't help but cheer for Zhou Ming, his excitement evident.

Wu Shiping fell silent for a moment and then suddenly asked, "Representative Zhou, are there others with you?"

Zhou Ming glanced at Luo Wei and said, "Yes, Director Wu. He is the head of the construction team in the Liangjiang area of Jin Ning Expressway and a victim of Jin Ning Company's persecution. Not only was he brutally beaten, but his wife was also insulted by criminals, leading to a miscarriage. Therefore, I urge the provincial party committee and government to eradicate this criminal force and bring all perpetrators to justice!"

"Representative Zhou, could you ask him to step outside for a moment? I need to discuss something with you," Wu Shiping said.

Zhou Ming looked back at Luo Wei, who, after thinking for a moment, cooperatively left the office, closing the door firmly behind him. Zhou Ming informed Wu Shiping that Luo Wei had left.

Hearing the door close, Wu Shiping said to Zhou Ming, "Representative Zhou, I can help you contact them and have them release the people they've detained, and ensure they stop harassing the construction team. Would that be acceptable?"

Zhou Ming immediately sensed something was wrong. "Director Wu, is this matter very troublesome?"

Wu Shiping gave a wry smile. "It's not just troublesome, it's extremely complicated. Jin Ning Company's connections run very deep."

"So deep that even the Governor would hesitate?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Not just the Governor; even the Provincial Party Secretary would find it troublesome," Wu Shiping said, thinking for a moment before continuing, "Let me tell you something. Previously, the Provincial Public Security Bureau sent a task force to Jin Ning to investigate the situation. However, that night, the head of the task force had his legs broken. The task force withdrew the next day. You should understand now, right?"

Wu Shiping's words made Zhou Ming laugh. It was absurd that a provincial task force would be sent back by a gang of criminals. Despite many underlying reasons, the situation was undeniably ridiculous.

"I understand. It's simple to say that Jin Ning is untouchable, right?" Zhou Ming said.

Wu Shiping ignored Zhou Ming's sarcastic tone and said, "So, Representative Zhou, I'll report this to Governor Xiong, but it's best if I coordinate the matter. I believe with my influence, it can be resolved. You don't need to worry about it. What do you think?"

Zhou Ming sighed, "Director Wu, since you've said so, what else can I say?"

"Thank you for your understanding. Please help calm down your construction team leader. I'll do my best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. If his emotions are unstable, he can be brought to Tanshou, where I'll arrange for someone to work on his mindset," Wu Shiping said.

"Alright, thank you, Director Wu."

With that, Zhou Ming ended the call and turned to Du Peng. Du Peng had a mocking smile on his face. "This is really difficult. From Director Wu's tone, it seems that even his influence as the Provincial Secretary might not solve this issue."

Zhou Ming didn't believe that a provincial secretary couldn't handle it. It was clear from his tone that if someone else had called, Wu Shiping wouldn't have cared about the matter.

However, this wasn't the time to discuss Wu Shiping's attitude. Zhou Ming opened the office door and let Luo Wei back in. Luo Wei walked in with a lifeless expression, clearly having anticipated the outcome. His eyes were filled with despair. He said to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, is it that the provincial authorities won't help? Jin Ning can't be dealt with? It's okay. I still really appreciate your help. As long as my wife can be saved, that's all that matters."

With that, Luo Wei turned to leave, but Zhou Ming stopped him.

 "Are you giving up so easily? Is it enough to just forget about the grievance of your wife being insulted?"

"How could I just forget?" Luo Wei yelled, clearly provoked by this statement. But then he smiled bitterly, "But what can I do? Even the Governor won't help."

"Just because the Governor won't help doesn't mean I can't," Zhou Ming said.

Luo Wei looked at Zhou Ming in confusion, not understanding what Zhou Ming meant. Zhou Ming said to him, "I have a way to both rescue your wife immediately and ensure that Jin Ning's criminal forces receive the punishment they deserve. It will involve some risk, but are you willing to take it?"

"Willing!" Luo Wei answered without hesitation. "As long as it can save my wife and ensure those bastards get the punishment they deserve, I'm willing to take any risk!"