I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 215: Chapter 126: Yang Wenqing VS Zhang Qiming

Yang Wenqing was prepared. When Zhang Qiming’s demeanor shifted, he met his gaze without hesitation, his expression open and calm, waiting for what he would say next.

Zhang Qiming, of course, couldn’t back down. Holding Yang Wenqing’s gaze, he continued:

"You’re a smart man. You should know that the waters of Lingshan Town run deep. Buried beneath the surface aren’t just a few bodies, some irregular accounts, or a handful of greedy petty officials. It’s a tangled web of interests, a network that’s been cultivated for years."

He paused, observing Yang Wenqing’s reaction. But Yang Wenqing’s composure made him feel somewhat offended. Deep down, he naturally looked down on people like Yang Wenqing from minor families, but for now, he could only maintain his smile and continue.

"You’ve been investigating for a while now. What you have, and where it points—you know, and I have a pretty good idea too. Liu Rong is dead, and Wu Yan is still laid up. You’re angry and want to get justice for them. I understand that sentiment. I even admire it. But, Wenqing..."

Zhang Qiming’s tone became earnest, even taking on a confidential quality:

"Everything has its limits. Investigating cases is your duty, but you also have to know how to read the situation. Who will get dragged into this if you keep digging? How much turmoil will it cause? Could it cause certain situations in Qianjiao County, or even Coral City, to spiral out of control? Have you thought about any of this?"

"You’re young, talented, and full of drive. Those are all precious assets. But sometimes, what is too rigid is easily broken. Is it worth it to block everyone’s path, and even risk your own future, for a case that has already happened?"

Yang Wenqing met his gaze, neither flinching nor answering immediately, simply listening in silence.

Seeing that he didn’t offer a fierce rebuttal, a flicker of almost imperceptible hope flashed in Zhang Qiming’s eyes. He lowered his voice, making it even more enticing:

"Wenqing, we’re not enemies. I’ve watched you come up. I’ve seen your abilities and your achievements. For this Lingshan Town case, no matter what the final investigation uncovers, no one can erase your hard work and accomplishments."

"So, let’s make a deal. Or rather, let’s reach a consensus."

His finger tapped lightly on the tabletop, as if he had just made some kind of decision:

"What you have ends here. The problems with the Hongyuan Trading Company can be classified as commercial violations and the corruption of a few individual officials. We’ll arrest who needs to be arrested and punish who needs to be punished. That will be our explanation to our superiors and the public. The assassination attempts can still be investigated, but the scope will be limited to the hitmen themselves. As for other, deeper possibilities..."

He stared into Yang Wenqing’s eyes and said, word by word, "Cut it off here. Dig no deeper."

"In return..."

His tone suddenly became generous. "I’ll clean up this mess in Lingshan Town. Not only that, but I will immediately withdraw from the competition over Lingshan Town and use all of my connections to fully support you as the director of the preparatory office!"

He watched Yang Wenqing’s expression, continuing to up the ante:

"And that’s not all. I can pull some strings to get you the operating rights to three high-grade Spirit Medicine Manors outside Qianjiao County. And the largest future Energy Stone Factory in Lingshan Town—I can guarantee you will personally hold at least five percent of its silent shares. Unregistered and completely secure. All of this together is enough to ensure that you and your family will stand strong for the next hundred years."

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating one half of Zhang Qiming’s face while the other remained hidden in shadow, giving him a strangely sinister look. The terms he offered went far beyond a normal deal; he was practically ceding his core interests in Lingshan Town and even Qianjiao County.

He believed no one could refuse such a temptation. Power, wealth, and his family’s future were all gift-wrapped and placed right in front of Yang Wenqing.

Yang Wenqing quietly listened to all the offered benefits.

His face still showed no drastic change in expression. Even his eyes didn’t flicker at the mention of the three Spirit Medicine Manors and the shares in the Energy Stone Factory.

He knew very well that Zhang Qiming was already making his biggest concession, one that might even damage his own fundamental interests. The sincerity of the offer could not be understated.

And yet, deep down, Yang Wenqing wasn’t the least bit tempted.

It wasn’t because he was some kind of Saint who saw wealth as dirt. He had his own desires. He, too, wanted to climb higher mountains and obtain more resources. But there was something that weighed more than the power and wealth right in front of him.

It was his Path.

And those who walk a different Path cannot plan together.

The outline of Liu Rong’s body on the cold ground, the deathly pale face of Wu Yan struggling between life and death, the mountain of flesh and bone buried beneath the forest floor, and all the ordinary workers who had vanished without a trace from the construction sites in Lingshan Town—these images were all carved far more clearly into his mind than Zhang Qiming’s promised Spirit Medicine Manors.

He didn’t feign profundity, nor did he hesitate or waver. In the brief silence after Zhang Qiming finished speaking, as he awaited a reply, Yang Wenqing met the man’s gaze—a gaze filled with both expectation and pressure—and responded:

"Director Zhang, the position of director for the Lingshan Town preparatory office is certainly tempting. The Spirit Medicine Manors and the shares in the Energy Stone Factory are also enough to tempt anyone."

The corners of Zhang Qiming’s mouth lifted slightly. He thought the deal was done.

But Yang Wenqing continued, "However, Liu Rong can’t have died for nothing. Those heaps of bones in the forest, and all the other potential souls who’ve been wronged, deserve justice. Since I took this case and put on this uniform, there are some lines I just can’t trade away."

He paused, his tone becoming even more resolute. "So, I refuse your proposal. I will see this investigation through to the very end. As for who gets arrested, that will be up to the leadership to decide."