Chapter 1804

Chapter 1804: Chapter 1804

Secretary Xie learned about the situation here through the journalist’s live interview.

He actually had some suspicion that the group of villagers blocking the road to file a complaint was a scene arranged in advance by Mayor Wu.

Because Wu Qiangwei came to the county town yesterday to find him and talked about this matter.

But the truth is no longer important.

The nature of this matter is so malicious, and since Wu Qiangwei already intended to hold Cao Xiaolou accountable, she would not miss this opportunity.

He arrived at the county government, and just as he sat down, Song Guanchao said, "Secretary Xie, please invite the Disciplinary Committee Secretary over."

Secretary Xie didn’t ask much and made a call to the Disciplinary Committee Secretary.

A long wait followed.

Gaoshui County is not large, and the County Party Committee and County Government are not far apart. In about fifteen minutes, Secretary Zhang from the Disciplinary Committee arrived.

Secretary Zhang still didn’t know what had happened, but as the head of the county’s Disciplinary Committee, he too had a keen political instinct.

Just upon entering and scanning the room, he immediately realized that something had gone wrong.

Typically, matters requiring discussion between Secretary Xie and County Magistrate Cao are discussed at the County Party Committee office building.

But Secretary Xie had come to the county government.

Clearly, he had been summoned here.

"This is Secretary Zhang Maohua," Secretary Xie introduced. "Secretary Zhang, you met this gentleman yesterday, Director Song from the City Government Office."

Zhang Maohua maintained a reserved smile, "Hello, Director Song."

Song Guanchao said, "Secretary Zhang, have you received any complaints regarding the county’s failure to pay teacher salaries?"

He directly asked, giving Zhang Maohua no time to react or think.

Yet the effect was excellent.

Only to see Zhang Maohua instinctively pause and look towards Cao Xiaolou.

Cao Xiaolou’s face darkened, "What are you all staring at me for!"

Zhang Maohua quickly realized and retracted his gaze, deliberately sipping tea to appear calm, while rapidly pondering what the situation was.

Both County Magistrate Cao and Secretary Xie were present, and both heads of the Education Bureau and the Public Security Bureau were summoned.

The salary arrears problem had apparently been confirmed.

Moreover, he was asked not whether the issue existed, but whether anyone had reported it to him...

If the answer was yes, the next step would be to ask how he had handled the complaint.

If the answer was no, a quick investigation would prove that he was lying.

Zhang Maohua suddenly realized that there was no correct answer to this question.

"Received," Zhang Maohua nodded.

Since there was no correct answer, he had to minimize his responsibility.

Song Guanchao asked, "Did you process it?"

Zhang Maohua shook his head, "Because it was an anonymous complaint, according to procedure, it was not processed."

Cao Xiaolou subtly exhaled, this answer from Zhang Maohua was impeccable.

Song Guanchao gave an understanding nod and turned to Yang Ling, "Teacher Yang, have you reported to the County Disciplinary Committee before?"

Yang Ling shook her head, "No."

"Why not report?"

Yang Ling appeared conflicted.

The reason being nothing more than officials protecting one another, colluding together, and that reporting wouldn’t help.

But she didn’t dare say such things.

She could vent emotions to ordinary people but dared not speak carelessly to officials.

Because the former couldn’t do anything to her, but the latter could truly accuse her of "defamation" and arrest her.

Song Guanchao said, "Teacher Yang, don’t feel pressured, just say what you want. I also want to hear the real thoughts of the public about people like us."

"Um..." Yang Ling summoned up courage and said, "The reason for not reporting is because it wouldn’t help."

In the conference room, aside from Song Guanchao and a few others, there were the main leaders of the County Party Committee and County Government, including three County Party Committee members.

Yang Ling’s words in front of them were like a loud slap in their faces.

Yet, since Song Guanchao had already spoken, they dared not exert pressure or put on labels.

Song Guanchao asked, "Secretary Zhang, do you have any thoughts?"

Zhang Maohua solemnly said, "What this teacher said exposed our Disciplinary Committee’s shortcomings. The Disciplinary Committee should be where people seek justice when encountering problems. Now, however, it’s misunderstood and distrusted by some, and as the Disciplinary Committee Secretary, I have an irreproachable responsibility."

He stood up and bowed deeply to Yang Ling, "Teacher Yang, I apologize to you; this is my problem. But I hope you trust the Disciplinary Committee as it will not harbor anyone, nor will it muddy waters just because the accused is a public servant."

Then, he turned to Song Guanchao, "Although I don’t understand why Teacher Yang has this misunderstanding of us, it also reflects our shortcomings; the Disciplinary Committee department still needs many improvements. Teacher Yang also taught us a lesson today."

It’s undeniable that Zhang Maohua’s speech was skillful.

At this moment, Song Guanchao’s phone rang; it was Liang Jianfeng calling.

He didn’t avoid others and answered openly, "Mayor Liang... Are you here? Come directly to the County Government, third-floor conference room."

Next to him, Director Huang’s heart raced.

Mayor Liang, who is also the Public Security Bureau Chief, was coming?

Mayor Wu called him over, what was he planning?

Song Guanchao had just dismissed several directors and deputy directors from the Education Bureau, and with Liang Jianfeng coming, could it be he was going to dismiss me too?

Director Huang’s mind was chaotic, with all kinds of negative thoughts emerging.

In about five minutes, footsteps were heard outside, each step felt like it was treading on Director Huang’s heart.

Creaaak.

The conference room door was pushed open, and Liang Jianfeng, clad in a black leather jacket, stood tall at the entrance.

Behind him were two rows of eight plainclothes officers.

Near fifty, with short hair like steel pins, thick sword-like eyebrows, and piercing eyes, Liang Jianfeng exuded a commanding presence.

His gaze swept across the room; no one dared meet it.

He walked in, pulled out a chair, and sat down dominantly, "Director Song, Mayor Wu asked me to assist with your work. What do you need me to do?"

Song Guanchao pointed at Yang Ling, "This is Teacher Yang from Sanwan Town. Last week she went to the city to report the issue of unpaid salaries, and the day before Mayor Wu’s inspection, she was unjustly arrested by county police. Director Huang claims ignorance; I’m now distrustful of the county bureau. Mayor Liang, you’re the expert, please handle it."

After hearing this concise summary, Liang Jianfeng grasped the situation and turned to Director Huang, eyes sharp as a blade, "Huang Guangrong, are you aware of this matter?"

Director Huang’s heart beat wildly as he couldn’t meet his gaze, "Chief Liang, I only found out today."

Liang Jianfeng said, "No need to explain, starting now, you’re dismissed. I’ll oversee the Gaoshui County Public Security Bureau."

Though he anticipated this, Director Huang still felt a chill in his heart and attempted to resist, "Chief Liang, I..."

"Leave," Liang Jianfeng coldly instructed.

Director Huang dared not speak further, bowed his head, and dejectedly exited the conference room.

Liang Jianfeng, strong and decisive, dismissed a chief right away, his thunderous tactics slightly unsettled even County Magistrate Cao.

He wasn’t very familiar with Song Guanchao but had heard of Liang Jianfeng.

Liang Jianfeng arrived in Jiangzhou even before Wu Qiangwei, and he was directly appointed by the provincial department.

His resume is viewed as legendary in the official circles.

Everyone in Jiangzhou City knows, the newly appointed Vice Mayor and Public Security Bureau Chief is a stern enforcer of the law who does not prioritize personal relationships.

And now, this stern enforcer has taken over the Gaoshui County Public Security Bureau.

Cao Xiaolou felt increasingly uneasy inside.