Chapter 315: Provoking the Provincial Secretary

The atmosphere in the room fell into a deep silence. No one knew what to say. Indeed, as Zhou Ming had mentioned, his construction team was hired from Yanjing. Generally, local officials have a profound respect for the capital, and people everywhere are cautious around them. Yet, despite this, the criminal gangs in Jinning City were still so rampant, which clearly indicated the local situation was dire, essentially akin to being ruled by a local despot.

Facing such a vile criminal organization and the severe suffering of the Jinning people, it was shocking that neither the province nor the city seemed to care, allowing the situation to develop unchecked. Now that Zhou Ming had exposed the situation, instead of praising him, Governor Xiong Qingping was reprimanding him. This was akin to rallying for the criminals, making Xiong feel deeply ashamed.

However, the silence and awkwardness didn't last long. Soon, the Provincial Secretary Jiang Wen ended his phone call with Chairman Du and returned the phone to Zhou Ming. He looked around and then asked Zhou Ming, "The comrades from Jinning City should have arrived by now, right? Why haven't I seen Comrade Chang Hao?"

"Secretary Jiang, Secretary Wang has gone to coordinate with the relevant departments to continue the campaign against the Jinning counter-revolutionary group," Zhou Ming explained.

Zhou Ming didn't intentionally avoid anyone in his response. Moreover, the people from Jinning City were very eager for first-hand information. Upon hearing Zhou Ming's answer, they were immediately pleased because Jiang Wen's active rush from the provincial capital Tanshou to Jinning indicated that the province took the matter very seriously. Since the provincial government was so concerned and the Provincial Secretary had personally come to Jinning, it was odd that the City Secretary was absent. What did it mean? Was the small city secretary trying to show off in front of the Provincial Secretary?

While this might seem trivial, it could reveal an official's political acumen. Hearing Zhou Ming's explanation, everyone was pleased, assuming Jiang Wen would have issues with Wang Changhao. However, to their disappointment, Jiang Wen merely nodded and made no comments about the matter.

"Comrade Zhou Ming, let's have a private chat," Jiang Wen said.

Zhou Ming couldn't refuse the Provincial Secretary's invitation. He followed Jiang Wen into the room where Wang Changhao had previously been. Unlike Wang, Jiang Wen acted as though he owned the place, finding a chair and gesturing for Zhou Ming to sit.

Zhou Ming raised his eyebrows, thinking to himself that Jiang Wen lived up to his title as Provincial Secretary. Although Jiang Wen hadn't left a deep impression on Zhou Ming, the lack of an impression didn't mean he was lacking in ability. After all, one couldn't become a Provincial Secretary without some skill. It was clear that Jiang Wen was far more competent than Wang Changhao in terms of temperament and other aspects.

With this thought, Zhou Ming steeled himself. After sitting down, Jiang Wen immediately asked, "The departure of Comrade Chang Hao was not accidental, but something you arranged, wasn't it?"

Zhou Ming was somewhat surprised. He had considered what Jiang Wen might discuss first, but he hadn't expected such a direct question.

Zhou Ming understood the purpose behind Jiang Wen's question. Typically, when higher-ups visit, subordinates are expected to welcome them. However, this wasn't always the case. For instance, with the counter-revolutionary incident in Jinning City, Wang Changhao had to show his resolve against counter-revolutionaries starting from this event.

Realizing this, Zhou Ming smiled wryly. To be honest, he hadn't thought about it before, but now that Jiang Wen brought it up, he realized that Wang Changhao had been absent for quite some time. As the City Secretary, he couldn't have been unaware of the Provincial Secretary's visit. His absence was clearly a deliberate gesture to show his attitude.

It seemed that, whether in the political or business world, those with a certain status were never easy to deal with. Jiang Wen, the Provincial Secretary, and Wang Changhao, who might advance to central leadership, were both examples of this.

Zhou Ming thought about this and said, "I want to say I didn't arrange it, whether you believe it or not, Secretary Jiang."

Jiang Wen scrutinized Zhou Ming for a moment before waving his hand, deciding to move past the topic. "Alright, let's put that aside. I want to know what your true intentions are behind creating this counter-revolutionary incident."

As Zhou Ming was about to answer, Jiang Wen quickly added, "Comrade Zhou Ming, you and I both know what the counter-revolutionary group in Jinning City is really like. So let's avoid discussing that."

Zhou Ming was taken aback. He realized that for a Provincial Secretary to speak so frankly was quite unusual. Nevertheless, Zhou Ming chose not to answer directly and said, "I don't understand what you mean by 'for what.'"

Jiang Wen frowned, visibly displeased. Most people might have faltered under such scrutiny, but Zhou Ming remained indifferent. Eventually, Jiang Wen relented and said, "Governor Xiong mentioned that your construction team in Jinning was extorted and threatened by criminal elements?"

"It seems, Secretary Jiang, you think I'm retaliating," Zhou Ming said. "But that's fine. If it's retaliation, then so be it. I'm willing to take that blame."

"You are indeed retaliating, but your target isn't the criminal elements in Jinning City. Instead, it's the Deputy Secretary Dai Jinshan of the provincial government, using the counter-revolutionary incident to take him down," Jiang Wen said sternly.

Zhou Ming remained silent. Jiang Wen continued, "I know that during the last inspection tour by the Jiangnan Province research team to the township industrial park in Linyang, there were some disagreements between you and Dai Jinshan. Comrade Dai Jinshan also mishandled many issues. However, creating a counter-revolutionary incident is extremely unwise and harmful to you!"

"Comrade Zhou Ming, you are still young and lack a deep understanding of counter-revolution. You don't realize that these three words signify more than just a crime. They involve major issues of anti-party and anti-state activities. If mishandled, it could backfire on you, leading to personal trouble," Jiang Wen warned.

If Jiang Wen weren't a Provincial Secretary and if the issue weren't about counter-revolution, his words would have seemed like a typical neighborhood mediation. However, hearing them from a Provincial Secretary made Zhou Ming want to laugh.

Despite this, Zhou Ming didn't laugh. He shook his head and said, "Secretary Jiang, you underestimate me. I do want to take revenge on Dai Jinshan, but I have many ways to do that. I don't need to use such drastic measures. I wouldn't just stand by while my engineers and their families are mistreated and then use the incident for my advantage. Such actions are only for beasts!"

Zhou Ming became more agitated as he spoke, almost shouting, "Some things I've said to Secretary Dai Jinshan before, but now I want to say them to you as well."

"I'm a young man who graduated from university just two years ago. My heart is still full of passion. I'm not one of those apathetic, timid, and cowardly people described by Lu Xun. I'm someone who dares to fight, to explore, to dream, and to act!"

Zhou Ming declared, "I don't deny that I know the Jinning company is backed by Secretary Dai Jinshan. The reason I involved the military and turned this into a counter-revolutionary incident was to blow the case wide open and bring down Secretary Dai Jinshan. That's because I know he's the key to the criminal elements in Jinning City. If he's not removed, the criminal elements in Jinning City will never be eradicated!"

"Secretary Jiang, you say I'm retaliating. I admit that, but this retaliation isn't for my benefit. It's for all the people in Jinning City who have suffered under the criminal elements! It's also to restore peace and order to Jinning City!" Zhou Ming shouted resolutely, raising his arm.

Jiang Wen instinctively leaned back and looked up at Zhou Ming, as if Zhou Ming's figure had suddenly grown larger.

Seeing Jiang Wen's reaction, Zhou Ming continued, "Secretary Jiang, I know this counter-revolutionary incident has caused you and the province significant trouble. I understand that what I've done is highly inappropriate. But I can't tolerate the scum enjoying themselves in Jinning City. So, Secretary Jiang, if you really fear trouble and central punishment, please don't intervene. I'll handle it myself…"

Before Zhou Ming could finish, Jiang Wen interrupted sternly, "Comrade Zhou Ming, remember that I am the Provincial Secretary of Jingchu. Of course, it's my responsibility to handle the counter-revolutionary incident!"

"I knew Secretary Jiang, you are a good leader who comes from the people and serves the people. I believe that in the face of the counter-revolutionary group in Jinning City, you will firmly stand with the people and thoroughly eradicate this counter-revolutionary group!" Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming's words were stirring, but to Jiang Wen, they were laced with profound sarcasm, making him want to curse.

Zhou Ming had tricked him again!

Jiang Wen scolded Zhou Ming in his heart. He regretted saying those words the moment they left his mouth. As the Provincial Secretary, how could he not see that Zhou Ming's speech was meant to provoke him?

What do you mean 'understand that it's inappropriate'? If you understand, then don't do it!

What do you mean 'can't tolerate scum'? Then just deal with them yourself!

What do you mean 'if you're afraid of central punishment'? If the Provincial Secretary doesn't handle it, who will?

These were all tactics to provoke Jiang Wen, and Zhou Ming had used them at the perfect moment, making it nearly impossible to guard against.