Chapter 316: Provincial Secretary's Statement

When Zhou Ming and Jiang Wen walked out of the dormitory compound, it was already completely dark outside. Despite this, officials of all ranks from Jinning City were still waiting at the entrance of the compound under the leadership of Secretary Wang Changhao, forming a crowd that was packed tightly, like spectators at an event.

In such a critical situation involving counter-revolutionary activities, no one dared to leave early. As the city secretary, Wang Changhao had no room for maneuver. Previously, his absence could be seen as a way to show resolve, but if the Provincial Secretary arrived and he still did not make an appearance, it would be seen as a blatant act of self-destruction.

When Jiang Wen and Zhou Ming emerged and faced the eagerly awaiting eyes of the crowd, Jiang Wen said, "Since the reform and opening up, the living standards of people across the country have continually improved, and our country's construction projects have progressed greatly. Yet, there are always some people who want to turn back history, to oppose the Party and the country, and to destroy the hard-earned happiness of the people. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

"Therefore," Jiang Wen declared loudly, "as the Provincial Secretary of Jingchu, I announce that the provincial committee will cooperate fully with the Lingnan Military Region to severely crack down on and eradicate all counter-revolutionary organizations in Jinning City and the entire province!"

"Secretary Jiang's statement is excellent!"

After Jiang Wen finished speaking, Zhou Ming immediately took the lead in applauding enthusiastically. Du Peng, Xiong Qingping, and the other officials from the provincial committee followed suit, leading to a burst of applause.

Although others were also applauding, their expressions indicated that their applause was more of a mechanical reflex than genuine enthusiasm. In reality, they were still stunned. Even Governor Xiong Qingping was surprised and hadn't anticipated Jiang Wen's strong support for Zhou Ming and his statements. Only Wang Changhao was truly relieved.

To them, while Wang Changhao's previous statement had left everyone stunned, Jiang Wen's statement had completely thrown their thinking into confusion. They couldn't imagine why Jiang Wen would make such a declaration.

Everyone stared blankly at Jiang Wen and Zhou Ming. Some could hardly believe it and thought they were dreaming, while others speculated that Zhou Ming must have used some kind of magic to brainwash both the Provincial Secretary and the City Secretary, making them all speak up for him.

However, things do not change based on personal will. Regardless of what others thought, Jiang Wen and Wang Changhao had said what they said. After making his statement, Jiang Wen left, and Zhou Ming and Du Peng stayed in the dormitory compound to avoid potential dangers outside.

Back in the compound, Zhou Ming's phone rang immediately. When he answered, it was someone unexpected but also expected. Zhou Ming said, "Hello, Secretary Dai."

The caller was Dai Jinshan, the Executive Deputy Governor of the Provincial Committee. It was unexpected because the two weren't familiar and had a bit of animosity. Such a relationship made a call from Dai Jinshan unusual.

It was expected because, as Jiang Wen had mentioned, Dai Jinshan was the true power behind the criminal gang in Jinning City. Without Dai Jinshan's support in the provincial government, it was unlikely that Gao Jianhui would have been so brazen. Now that the situation had escalated and had been labeled as counter-revolutionary, Dai Jinshan was bound to call Zhou Ming.

"Comrade Zhou Ming, let's skip the pleasantries. I already know about the situation in Jinning. It's all due to Gao Jianhui's poor methods in educating his child, which led to Gao Feng becoming such a lawless person. Gao Feng acted out of anger after being beaten by your engineers. I know it was wrong, but your retaliatory action of mobilizing troops and labeling them as counter-revolutionaries is excessive," Dai Jinshan said.

"Secretary Dai, you really are quite the eloquent speaker!" Zhou Ming sneered. "A criminal gang that has been entrenched in Jinning City for years, causing untold harm, extorting and blackmailing, and you lightly brush it off with 'poor methods of educating his child.' An illegal detention and organization of a counter-revolutionary group in Jinning, and you call it merely a case of 'extreme revenge by a young and passionate person.' I find it hard to believe that Secretary Dai still has any conscience left."

"What are you saying?" Dai Jinshan's voice was loud, indicating his anger, and it was clear he was banging the table on his end.

Zhou Ming didn't care if Dai Jinshan was banging the table or throwing a tantrum. To him, it was just a clown performing a self-indulgent show.

"Does Secretary Dai have any further instructions?" Zhou Ming asked. "If not, I'll hang up. I have other matters to attend to."

Dai Jinshan was jolted awake by this question. He quickly said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, please wait a moment. I'm not trying to brush this off lightly. The charge of counter-revolutionary activities is too serious. If this continues, it will be difficult for Jingchu Province to develop and could even affect your business in the future."

"Is that so? Thank you for the reminder, Secretary Dai, but it doesn't matter to me. As long as I can eradicate this counter-revolutionary group, I'm willing to endure a loss for a year," Zhou Ming said.

"Comrade Zhou Ming, aren't you just being petulant? A businessman shouldn't do business at a loss," Dai Jinshan continued to persuade.

Zhou Ming laughed heartily, "Why shouldn't I? Secretary Dai, you don't understand me. I'm a major boss and don't care about such small amounts of money!"

Hearing Zhou Ming's boastful tone, Dai Jinshan was even more infuriated and slammed the table again. This time, however, he was wise enough not to shout but instead calmly suggested, "Comrade Zhou Ming, I know you have grievances against me and that some actions below are indeed excessive. These are not unnegotiable. Could we consider resolving the issue in a more peaceful manner?"

"Secretary Dai, I don't think there's room for negotiation in a counter-revolutionary incident. Otherwise, it's like negotiating the interests of the Party and the country, which is impossible," Zhou Ming replied.

With that, Zhou Ming hung up the phone, feeling there was no need to continue talking to someone who was beyond redemption.

After hanging up, Zhou Ming turned to see Du Peng, who looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked, "Zhou Ming, you're amazing. If I didn't know your character, I'd really suspect that the story of Luo Wei and Lia Wenna was arranged by you. Otherwise, how did you come up with the idea of using this incident to take down Dai Jinshan?"

Zhou Ming gave a forced smile and didn't answer. This was all based on memories from his past life. He clearly remembered that when Wang Changhao had eradicated the criminal forces in Jinning in his previous life, Dai Jinshan, who had just retired, was immediately implicated and removed. This news had stirred up quite a commotion in Jingchu Province, which Zhou Ming remembered vividly.

It was precisely because of this that Zhou Ming had decided on this plan after hearing about Luo Wei's experience in Jinning.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng went to the room where Gao Jianhui and Gao Ming were. As soon as Gao Jianhui saw Zhou Ming enter, he immediately said, "Boss Zhou, the situation in Jinning is all my fault. Gao Ming and Gao Feng have nothing to do with it. They are still young, and I just ask you to give them a chance!"

Hearing this familiar plea, Zhou Ming smoothly responded, "How do you propose to give them a chance?"

"Previously, they had no choice but to make mistakes in Jinning, but now they want to become good people," Gao Jianhui said.

"Fine, but you need to talk to the procuratorate about that," Zhou Ming said.

"Are you really determined to cut all ties?" Gao Jianhui glared at Zhou Ming, his teeth clenched.

"Cutting all ties?" Zhou Ming scoffed. "Secretary Gao, you really have the nerve to say that. Have you ever thought about how Gao Feng and his men extorted and injured my engineers? Isn't that already 'cutting ties'? Later, they even abducted and cruelly tortured my engineer and his wife. Isn't that also 'cutting ties'?"

Gao Jianhui lowered his head in shame, not daring to make eye contact with Zhou Ming.

At this moment, Luo Wei and Lia Wenna arrived. Lia Wenna had changed into a new set of clothes, and Luo Wei, bringing her over, instinctively wanted to kneel to Zhou Ming but stopped himself. Instead, he gave Zhou Ming a deep bow, saying, "Thank you very much for your help, Boss Zhou!"

"Engineer Luo, you really don't need to thank me. If you had any conscience or responsibility, you wouldn't have sat idly by!" Zhou Ming said. "But I think it's a bit early to thank me. I've just caught these scumbags, but we haven't really put them on trial yet. You can say more later."

"Right now, the most important thing for you is to think about what punishment can make them remember for a lifetime and satisfy your desire for revenge," Zhou Ming asked.

Luo Wei and Lia Wenna were stunned by this. They didn't understand what Zhou Ming meant by making them remember for a lifetime.

Seeing their confused faces, Zhou Ming explained directly, "Engineer Luo, I know that before liberation, criminals were paraded through the streets and then executed in public. The reason was to break down the criminal's spirit. I think we can also take them for a public display."

"Boss Zhou, are you suggesting we parade these scumbags through the streets?" Luo Wei asked, stunned.

"Currently, the law prohibits such public displays, but I have another idea," Zhou Ming said with a wink.