Chapter 313: In the Name of Counter-Revolution (Part 2)

Dismantling the black and evil forces in the name of counter-revolution?

Wang Changhao looked at Zhou Ming with a stunned expression, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous fairy tale. He really wanted to say to Zhou Ming: Are you here to tell me a story, or have you lost your mind, thinking everyone in the world will go crazy with you?

However, Wang Changhao held back these words. He saw that a battalion from the Lingnan Military District had arrived and taken control of Gao Ming, the chairman of Jinning Company, his brother Gao Feng, and their father Gao Jianhui. The sentries around the tenement building were set up like a war zone, indicating that Zhou Ming was not joking.

But if Zhou Ming wasn't joking, why would he put such a dire label on Gao Jianhui and his sons?

Of course, Wang Changhao wasn't worried about Gao Jianhui and his sons. In officialdom, human relationships are often cold and indifferent. Wang Changhao could care less if Gao Jianhui and his sons met their end. The real issue was that once the label of counter-revolution was attached, it wasn't just a personal matter or a local Jinning issue—it could cause a shake-up in the entire Jingchu Province.

As the saying goes, "Under a collapsed nest, there are no intact eggs." As the Secretary of Jinning, Wang Changhao had no room to dodge or maneuver.

Seeing that Wang Changhao remained silent, Zhou Ming was not in a hurry. He pulled up a chair and sat down in front of him, making a gesture inviting Wang Changhao to sit. "Secretary Wang, please find a chair and sit down. I think we can discuss this topic in detail."

Wang Changhao was so frustrated he felt like he might vomit blood. Here Zhou Ming was, creating chaos in the name of counter-revolution, and now he was leisurely sitting, while the entire Jinning officialdom was in a state of panic, wanting nothing more than to tear Zhou Ming apart. Wang Changhao looked at Zhou Ming's smile and wanted to hit him, but he didn't dare. He had a premonition that the future of this matter was entirely in Zhou Ming's hands.

With this in mind, Wang Changhao moved a chair over and sat down. Zhou Ming said, "I understand that Secretary Wang's time is limited, so let me summarize it briefly."

Wang Changhao grunted, his face like a corpse with no visible emotion.

"Actually, this is not a complex matter. My construction team was building a highway in your city's Liangjiang County, but Jinning Company demanded protection fees. When my team refused, Jinning Company kidnapped, beat, and illegally detained my engineers, and even abused his wife. When I went to reason with them, they threatened me for money. I can't tolerate such behavior, so I decided to deal with them decisively," Zhou Ming explained.

If Zhou Ming's previous words seemed like a fairy tale, then his current explanation sounded like a legend.

They weren't all heroes of Liangshan. Who would resort to killing or ruining someone over a single dispute? Aren't they all adults? Can't they handle things like adults?

"I understand this is something that can be negotiated for you, Secretary Wang, but for me, I will never bow down to any evil force!" Zhou Ming declared.

This lofty declaration left Wang Changhao feeling helpless. "Mr. Zhou, what exactly do you want?"

Hearing Wang Changhao's tone, Zhou Ming decided to be direct: "Secretary Wang, it's not about what I want, but rather what you need to do."

"What I need to do?" Wang Changhao was stunned, feeling like he was going insane from Zhou Ming's way of thinking: This whole mess was started by you, Zhou Ming. I was in the municipal building two hours ago, completely unaware of what happened, and now I'm being asked what I should do? It's absurd!

Zhou Ming nodded seriously. "Yes, because the situation is as it is, as the Secretary of Jinning, you only have two options: either wait for the provincial authorities to make a decision or join me in cracking down on the counter-revolutionary group. What do you think, Secretary Wang?"

Wang Changhao's face darkened. "Is Mr. Zhou threatening me?"

Zhou Ming smiled. "Secretary Wang, if I were threatening you, I wouldn't put it this way. I'm actually helping you."

"Labeling Gao Jianhui and Jinning Company as counter-revolutionaries is helping me?" Wang Changhao sneered, feeling Zhou Ming was utterly shameless. But Zhou Ming's next words made him reconsider.

"I am helping you, Secretary Wang. Why? Because you know the situation in Jinning better than I do, don't you? If we don't eliminate this cancer, your job as Secretary will only get more difficult. What do you think?" Zhou Ming said.

Wang Changhao was stunned, looking at Zhou Ming with uncertainty, while Zhou Ming smiled back.

Zhou Ming was not worried. He had Wang Changhao in his pocket. From previous investigations, Zhou Ming knew that Wang Changhao was having a tough time in Jinning. While a municipal party secretary typically holds great authority, in Jinning, even though Wang Changhao was the Secretary, he was still constrained by two deputy secretaries, especially Gao Jianhui, who had strong connections in the province. If it weren't for these connections, Gao Jianhui's son would never have been able to lead such a large criminal gang, nor would they have been untouchable by the provincial public security bureau.

Another figure, Mayor Kong, though not as overtly challenging as Gao Jianhui, still seemed to be working against Wang Changhao. This was evident when Zhou Ming wanted to speak to Wang Changhao alone, and Mayor Kong opposed it.

"Danger and opportunity coexist. This crackdown on counter-revolutionaries in Jinning is a major event for Jinning and Jingchu Province, but for you, Secretary Wang, it's a tremendous opportunity!" Zhou Ming said.

Wang Changhao's breath grew heavier. He understood that Zhou Ming's words weren't just boasting. If this counter-revolutionary case were solidified and he actively participated in the crackdown, it would have enormous political significance. Moreover, with Gao Jianhui's downfall, the power struggle in Jinning would end, and Wang Changhao could finally establish himself as the real Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

Ordinarily, someone would be thrilled to have such a massive opportunity, but Wang Changhao remained calm and asked, "I don't understand, why did you choose me?"

"It's simple. Because you are the Secretary of Jinning, I need your help, and you need the opportunity I'm offering. I'm a businessman, and this is my preferred win-win cooperation model. In such a model, I always come out on top," Zhou Ming explained.

Wang Changhao was dumbfounded. "It's that simple?"

Of course not!

This was Zhou Ming's first reaction. In fact, Zhou Ming chose Wang Changhao because he remembered that in his previous life, the Jinning Company, which had been a black and evil force in Jinning for ten years, was dismantled under Wang Changhao's leadership. Though Wang Changhao had been promoted to the province by then, the case was still dealt with impressively.

Zhou Ming recalled that the province had mobilized almost all the elite police forces and over a thousand armed police units to completely eradicate Jinning Company, with none of the major culprits escaping. Wang Changhao gained significant credit for handling the case and was eventually promoted to the central government.

It was because of this past success that Zhou Ming had confidence in collaborating with him.

But Zhou Ming could never reveal this to Wang Changhao, so he simply nodded and said it was that simple.

Seeing the answer, Wang Changhao had no further thoughts. In business, it was said that there was no place for such a massive political event to be treated as a transaction. Only Zhou Ming could handle it this way.

From Wang Changhao's expression, Zhou Ming could tell he had already agreed. So, Zhou Ming quickly seized the opportunity: "Since Secretary Wang has agreed, you are now the frontline commander in our crackdown on the counter-revolutionary group in Jinning. Let's head out now; there are still many things in Jinning that need your arrangements!"

Zhou Ming said, leading Wang Changhao out. As they moved, Wang Changhao's expression turned to anger. He realized he had been coerced by Zhou Ming, but what was worse was that he had to follow Zhou Ming's orders and even thank him later. What kind of situation was this!

Zhou Ming didn't hear Wang Changhao's internal cries, but even if he had, it wouldn't have changed his mind.

Minutes later, Zhou Ming and Wang Changhao emerged from the tenement building. By then, the officials of Jinning were almost going mad waiting. When they saw Wang Changhao and Zhou Ming come out, Mayor Kong immediately approached with his team and asked, "Secretary Wang, what's the situation inside? Are Comrade Gao Jianhui and others injured? Please rest assured, Secretary Wang, Secretary Jiang and Governor Xiong are on their way, along with the Lingnan Military District leaders. I believe those who unlawfully mobilized troops and illegally detained national leaders won't escape retribution!"

After Mayor Kong's righteous words, Zhou Ming laughed heartily. Mayor Kong glared at him and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing because you're an idiot!" Zhou Ming replied bluntly, then ignored

 Mayor Kong's murderous gaze and said to Wang Changhao, "Secretary Wang, it's your turn to speak."

With these words, all eyes in Jinning focused on Wang Changhao, who then declared an unbelievable statement.

"I announce that the Jinning Municipal Committee and Municipal Government will cooperate with the military district to severely crack down on all counter-revolutionary organizations in Jinning!" Wang Changhao proclaimed.