Chapter 318: Dai Jinshan is Also Down

"Considering the serious criminal offenses committed by Gao Jianhui, Gao Ming, Gao Feng, and others in Jin Ning, including embezzlement, bribery, illegal detention of others, intentional murder, intentional injury, and organizing a criminal gang, which undermines the people's democratic dictatorship and endangers the safety of people's lives and property, I, on behalf of the Jin Ning Municipal Committee and Municipal Government, hereby announce that Gao Jianhui, Gao Ming, and Gao Feng are sentenced to death, with their political rights stripped for life!"

As Wang Changhao announced the verdict, the scene erupted in enthusiastic cheers, the atmosphere akin to the national football team winning the World Cup. 

However, amidst the cheers, Wang Changhao and other officials from Jin Ning were not as pleased. It wasn't because they had sentenced their own colleagues but because the crowd had chanted Zhou Ming's name earlier: at the people's public trial, the criminals pleaded with Zhou Ming to spare them, while the crowd demanded that Zhou Ming not spare them.

What does this mean? Can someone named Zhou Ming still act as the judge? Can't these people see that all the leaders of Jin Ning's party and government agencies are here?

These Jin Ning officials couldn't understand this because they were thinking in bureaucratic terms, but the ordinary people had long lost hope in their bureaucratic mindset.

The saying goes, "Three feet of ice does not thaw in a microwave," and the Gao Ming and Gao Feng criminal gang becoming the largest criminal organization in Jin Ning was not something that happened overnight. If the Jin Ning Municipal Committee and Municipal Government had done something earlier, it would not have reached this point. Now, even the provincial police department was powerless. If Zhou Ming had not shown up and brought troops, crushing the criminal organization with an iron fist, who knows how long it would have taken to resolve this issue.

The people's eyes are sharp. They know who treats them well, and that's why they chanted Zhou Ming's name in front of all Jin Ning's leaders.

"Death penalty! Wonderful, these people have finally received their comeuppance!"

Lia Weina's voice choked with emotion reached Zhou Ming's ears. He turned to see the poor woman in tears, her fists clenched, her body trembling with agitation.

Lia Weina's emotional words echoed the sentiments of everyone at the public trial. After Lia Weina spoke, others also shouted, "Die! Gao Ming and Gao Feng, you bastard brothers, go to hell, you're beyond redemption!"

In sharp contrast to the shouting crowd below were the defendants Gao Jianhui, Gao Ming, and Gao Feng. Although they had known the outcome before stepping onto the trial stage, hearing it was a different experience. Before something happens, no matter how cruel the thoughts, it is not as impactful as the reality.

Thus, when Gao Feng, usually the most arrogant thug in Jin Ning, heard Wang Changhao's final verdict, he collapsed to the ground, his legs giving way.

The crowd noticed Gao Feng's reaction and mocked, "Look at Gao Feng! He used to swagger around Jin Ning, now he's like a scared shrimp."

Gao Feng's cowardice was shared by his father and brother, as people below also remarked, "Look at our Secretary Gao and Chairman Gao, they're so scared of being sentenced to death that they've wet themselves."

Faced with the ridicule from thousands of spectators, Gao Jianhui and his family felt shamed and angry. A month ago, they could have easily dealt with these impertinent people, but now they could only stew in their frustration. Gao Jianhui had bitten his lips until they bled, mixing with the blood from his head, making it hard to notice.

Now, these people were contemplating that if there were another life, they would never dare to provoke Zhou Ming again, but whether this fear meant not daring to provoke Zhou Ming or not daring to commit such crimes again was debatable.

With the public trial of the Gao family concluded, Zhou Ming sent Luo Wei back to the construction team.

"Engineer Luo, I know this situation has caused significant harm to you and your wife, so I think it's best if you return to the capital for recuperation and not rush back to work," Zhou Ming advised.

However, Luo Wei refused Zhou Ming's kind offer and resolutely shook his head, saying, "Thank you very much, Mr. Zhou, for your help in this matter. We've decided to stay and continue working on the project for you."

Seeing that Zhou Ming wanted to say something, Luo Wei immediately interrupted, "Mr. Zhou, you don't need to say anything. My wife and I understand your intentions. We know you're looking out for us, but since you've done so much for us, we can only repay you by working faster and better on this road project."

"Mr. Zhou, I know what you want to say, but I just want to ask you for a chance to repay your kindness. Otherwise, I will never feel at ease," Luo Wei added.

Lia Weina also said, "Yes, Mr. Zhou, people should be most grateful to their parents, but for us, you are like our reborn parents. No matter what we do, we can never repay your kindness. It is said that great kindness goes unspoken, but here, I just want to say thank you!"

Faced with such determination from Luo Wei and Lia Weina to show their gratitude through action, Zhou Ming was at a loss for words. He hoped they could adjust their mindset before returning to work, but seeing their persistence, he reluctantly agreed.

True to their word, Luo Wei and Lia Weina resumed work immediately after the public trial. According to Luo Wei's estimates, the road would be completed in no more than six months.

Zhou Ming trusted this beleaguered couple and, given that road construction would take at least six months to a year, he left Jin Ning that same night.

Although Zhou Ming and Du Peng drove to Jin Ning, Su Han came to the county town to wait for him. Upon seeing Zhou Ming return, Su Han hugged him and murmured, "Zhou Ming, you scared me! I heard that the situation over there was so dangerous, with the troops and the Jin Ning gang exchanging gunfire!"

Zhou Ming, knowing how rumors can get exaggerated, explained with a wry smile, "I'm fine. It's not as dramatic as you heard. Neither the troops nor the Jin Ning gang fired any shots."

Zhou Ming then explained the situation with Jin Ning Company to Su Han, which reassured her.

Zhou Ming took out his phone and dialed Xiong Qingping's number, "Governor Xiong, I've completed the public trial in Jin Ning. I'd like to know how we should handle Secretary Dai Jinshan?"

Without any preamble, Zhou Ming asked about Dai Jinshan, indicating that Zhou Ming considered this matter more significant than Jin Ning. After all, Dai Jinshan was the one backing Gao Jianhui, and without removing Dai Jinshan, addressing the issue would only be treating the symptoms, not the root cause. The criminal forces in Jin Ning would inevitably resurface.

Moreover, for Zhou Ming, dealing with Dai Jinshan was the primary goal, which is why he was so proactive.

Now that the Jin Ning situation was settled, with Gao Jianhui, Gao Ming, and Gao Feng all sentenced to death, the challenge was dealing with Dai Jinshan in the province. Accusing a high-ranking official like the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee and Executive Vice-Governor was not something that could be resolved easily; it required significant negotiation and maneuvering.

Even so, Zhou Ming wanted to get news as soon as possible.

"Don't worry, Zhou Ming. Dai Jinshan has also been stripped of his political rights for life due to his support of the counter-revolutionary group!" Xiong Qingping said.

This answer made Zhou Ming pleased. Although Zhou Ming was not a political insider, he understood that to be a successful official, one must have political power. Without it, one could not even enter the office.

However, Zhou Ming did not get too carried away and continued to ask, "Is there any other punishment? Stripping someone of political rights might be acceptable for an ordinary person, but for a Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee supporting local counter-revolutionary organizations, it seems insufficient. What do you think, Governor Xiong?"

Xiong Qingping, understanding Zhou Ming's concerns, directly answered, "Comrade Jinshan has been removed from his positions as Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee and Executive Vice-Governor due to errors in splitting the party and the country."

Though it sounded like a standard statement, it delighted Zhou Ming because Dai Jinshan was finally brought down.

"Thank you, Governor Xiong, for your assistance in the province," Zhou Ming said, though Xiong Qingping had not done much.

"Just avoid causing me more trouble if you want to thank me!" Xiong Qingping replied tersely.

Zhou Ming could only smile wryly at Xiong Qingping's comment and didn't know how to respond.

Xiong Qingping did not dwell on the issue and instead told Zhou Ming, "I won't keep you any longer; someone will be calling you soon."

Zhou Ming wanted to ask who would be calling but Xiong Qingping hung up before he could.