Chapter 314: It Must Be Done

Heavenly Father! What just happened? Why is Secretary Wang supporting the crackdown on counter-revolutionary groups? What kind of drug did Zhou Ming feed him?

This was the common thought among the officials of Jinning City upon hearing Wang Changhao's words. They were all stunned, unable to believe that such statements came from Wang Changhao's mouth. Some even wondered if they were hearing things, because Wang Changhao's attitude was too bizarre.

If the person who had come today were leaders from the provincial or central government, then Wang Changhao's statement could be seen as following the central instructions. But now, with the provincial party secretary and governor calling to inquire, clearly they were not informed about this beforehand. Therefore, Zhou Ming's actions seemed to be unilateral and aimed at framing Gao Jianhui. In such circumstances, supporting him was incomprehensible.

At this moment, everyone began to doubt the logic they had believed in for decades, thinking that the logic they had known was fundamentally flawed.

Regardless of whether they questioned their own views or had other thoughts, the situation unfolded in such a miraculous way, and it was happening whether they accepted it or not.

Then Zhou Ming stepped on everyone's already shattered hearts and said, "The task of cracking down on other counter-revolutionary associates outside will be handled by Secretary Wang. I'll be waiting for your triumphant return."

This statement nearly made everyone faint. Who exactly is Zhou Ming? How dare he speak to Wang Changhao with such a tone of leadership encouraging a subordinate? What was even more unacceptable was that Wang Changhao did not get angry and actually nodded to Zhou Ming, promising, "Rest assured, Comrade Zhou Ming, I will fulfill my duties as the Municipal Committee Secretary and won't disappoint the Party and the organization."

Of course, after Wang Changhao finished speaking, he left with his team. But his statement left everyone petrified, their gazes at Zhou Ming turning into one of complete bewilderment.

Facing the attention of Jinning's officials, Zhou Ming said, "Comrades of Jinning, our country has come to where it is today through great difficulty. Now the country is undergoing reform and opening up to vigorously promote economic development and lead the people to prosperity. However, there are always some people with ulterior motives who wish to disrupt our hard-earned happiness and place themselves above the people. To these people, I want to say that for the fundamental interests of the people, I will fight them to the end!"

Zhou Ming's speech was still as passionate as ever, but to everyone present, it felt like a series of slaps on their faces, cracking loudly.

This caused an indescribable anger. Was Zhou Ming the only good person fighting for the welfare of the people, while they were just bureaucrats? Especially since Zhou Ming was not a government official but a capitalist exploiting the people, how could he speak like this? He even accused others of wanting chaos, but wasn't he the one who thrived in chaos?

Everyone was dissatisfied, but from the developments of the past moments and Wang Changhao's attitude towards him, no one could say a word of rebuttal.

Zhou Ming was not the type to keep pressing his advantage or showing off. After making his point and hitting the bureaucrats' egos, he left to return to the tenement building.

Back in the courtyard, Du Peng couldn't help but ask Zhou Ming, "Can Wang Changhao really be trusted? What if he's just brushing you off?"

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and replied, "Actually, whether I trust him or if he's just brushing me off isn't important. What's important is that with the commotion I've caused, Jinning's lid is bound to come off. Regardless of whether I succeed or fail, Jinning will go through a major reshuffling. So rather than drifting along in the future, it's better to take initiative. Once the counter-revolutionary label is firmly placed, he'll become the vanguard in cracking down on them, which will be a significant achievement for him and a guarantee for his future promotion."

"So," Zhou Ming concluded, "if he wants to actively grasp his destiny, he must do as I say."

Du Peng sighed and said, "I have to say, Zhou Ming, you're really something, calculating everything so precisely. Now that Wang Changhao is out to capture the counter-revolutionaries, what should we do?"

"Didn't Mayor Kong say that Secretary Jiang Wen and Governor Xiong Qingping are on their way? We can't let the provincial leaders make a trip for nothing. We should just wait here for them," Zhou Ming said.

Du Peng remarked, "Why do I feel like you're setting up Secretary Jiang and Governor Xiong to fail too?"

Zhou Ming laughed heartily, "If I can indeed manage to involve the two provincial leaders, I'd be proud and honored."

Although they were waiting, Zhou Ming knew it would take about six hours for the provincial leaders to travel from the provincial capital to Jinning. During this time, Zhou Ming and Du Peng stayed busy, making several calls to the central government. Of course, during this period, Secretary Jiang Wen and Governor Xiong Qingping also called, but Zhou Ming and his team chose not to answer, even turning off their phones and leaving only a pager.

Finally, as dusk approached, the top officials of the Jingchu Province government arrived.

When these two rulers of Jingchu arrived, Zhou Ming could clearly hear the commotion outside, which was the sound of Jinning's officials greeting them.

Under normal circumstances, the leaders might have exchanged pleasantries with them to show their approachability, but now, they directly went to the entrance of the tenement building, addressing the junior officer at the door: "I am Jiang Wen, the Provincial Party Secretary of Jingchu. I want to know what happened here. Take me to see your commander immediately!"

The junior officer was too intimidated to challenge the words of the Secretary, but faced with a provincial leader, he felt some anxiety.

Fortunately, at this moment, Zhou Ming, Du Peng, and Major Lin came out, greeting Secretary Jiang and Governor Xiong.

If it were usual, Jiang Wen would have exchanged a few pleasantries, but now he was impatient and directly questioned Zhou Ming, "Comrade Zhou Ming, what are you doing?"

"I am cooperating with the military to crack down on a group of counter-revolutionaries in Jinning!" Zhou Ming responded with the same answer.

However, Jiang Wen was not satisfied and asked, "Counter-revolutionaries? Then tell me, who exactly are these counter-revolutionaries? What specific counter-revolutionary actions have they taken, and what evidence is there?"

Jiang Wen was indeed a more astute provincial party secretary compared to Wang Changhao. His questioning was difficult to answer for most people. But Zhou Ming was prepared. He handed his cell phone to Jiang Wen and said, "Secretary Jiang, Chairman Du wants you to call him back as soon as you arrive. He has something to discuss with you."

Jiang Wen was taken aback by Zhou Ming's actions but took the phone from him and went to the side to make the call.

Meanwhile, Xiong Qingping and Zhou Ming were left staring at each other. This was actually Zhou Ming's intention, as he was not familiar with Jiang Wen and couldn't discuss some matters with him. But with Xiong Qingping, despite the differences in their positions, there were still ways to communicate. Moreover, Zhou Ming needed Xiong Qingping's support for some issues.

Like Jiang Wen, Xiong Qingping was also straightforward and questioned Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, is this how you're hijacking the party and government leaders at all levels?"

From Jiang Wen and Xiong Qingping's behavior, it was clear that the two provincial leaders were extremely displeased.

Others might have started worrying, but Zhou Ming was puzzled and asked, "Governor Xiong, I don't understand what you mean. I'm just helping the Party and the country crack down on counter-revolutionaries. How did it become hijacking?"

"Comrade Zhou Ming!" Xiong Qingping raised his voice, "Are you still trying to argue? I know your construction team was treated unfairly, and you're frustrated, but that's no reason to label others as counter-revolutionary organizations! Do you know the consequences of what you're doing? Do you realize the huge problems this will cause from the provincial level down to the local level?"

"Governor Xiong, do you think I'm just venting my frustration or complaining about the provincial government's neglect? If that's the case, you're greatly disappointing me," Zhou Ming said. "I'm sure you haven't been to Jinning City, so you don't know how arrogant the Jinning Company is or how my engineers and their wives were treated."

Zhou Ming pointed to the tenement building behind him and continued, "They're inside. I suggest Governor Xiong go take a look. If after seeing their situation you still think this way, I have nothing more to say. Please, Governor Xiong."

Zhou Ming made a gesture inviting Xiong Qingping to go inside. Faced with Zhou Ming's disappointed gaze, Xiong Qingping's anger was visibly suppressed, though he wanted to regain his composure. He found himself unable to say anything in response.

Zhou Ming didn't want to embarrass Xiong Qingping, so he only made this gesture. Seeing that Xiong Qingping's attitude had softened, he quickly changed his tone: "Let me describe the situation in Jinning in detail for you, Governor Xiong."

Zhou Ming then recounted the incidents involving Luo Wei and his wife at the Jinning Company. Xiong Qingping was shocked by the account: "Outrageous! This is simply outrageous!"

"Governor Xiong, if my people are treated like this, you can imagine how local residents are being treated," Zhou Ming said.