The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

It seems like Chen Fang's eyes revealed some confusion.

Tang Guozheng patted him on the shoulder and said, "Comrade Chen Fang, you've been in our city, Shangqing City, for a relatively short time. Some circumstances, you might not fully understand yet. After Cui Liansheng left Dayu County, he's been working in the legal system all along. The legal system of our Shangqing City, up and down, is basically cultivated by him. Except for Dingshan County, which was managed by Comrade Ji Shuzhen back then, with little association with Comrade Liansheng."

The words reached this point.

Chen Fang had a sudden realization.

Everything seemed very reasonable.

The evidence provided by Lou Yu indeed showed that it was Cui Liansheng who contacted him through some means.

The one who assassinated Lou Youhua was a police officer.

As someone with a huge influence in the legal system, Cui Liansheng knowing a policeman was not surprising.

All of this seemed to firmly bind Cui Liansheng with the evidence chain.

Tang Guozheng was naturally excited about such a result.

After all, Cui Liansheng has always been Liu Yi's right-hand man.

Once Cui Liansheng is brought down, Liu Yi's power will inevitably suffer a significant loss.

Next, it will greatly assist him in controlling the situation in Shangqing City.

That's also why Tang Guozheng is paying so much attention.

Ring ring ring.

Chen Fang's phone suddenly rang.

He looked at the number; it was Jiang Feng calling.

Chen Fang walked to a corner and asked, "What's up?"

"Leader, quite a few people from Dingshan County Public Security Bureau have come. They said the City Committee ordered them to take over Lou Youhua."

Jiang Feng's tone was very anxious.

"Yes, that's indeed the case."

Chen Fang said.

Jiang Feng was taken aback and asked, "Should our people withdraw then?"

Chen Fang paused and said, "Do not withdraw, stay in the ward, and until I arrive, you are not allowed to hand over Lou Youhua to anyone. Remember, I mean anyone!"

"Yes! I promise to complete the task!"

Jiang Feng solemnly said over the phone.

Then.

Chen Fang waved to Wu Xixin.

He said, "Comrade Xixin, I'll leave matters here to you. Please manage Secretary Tang well, and if he asks where I've gone, just say you don't know."

"Leader, what are you planning to do?"

Wu Xixin asked.

Chen Fang gritted his teeth and said, "Interrogate Lou Youhua, there's something about this whole affair that feels off."

"Alright."

Wu Xixin nodded and walked through the doors of the compound.

...

At this moment.

At Cui Liansheng's house.

It was already very late.

But he didn't feel sleepy at all.

Thinking back and forth, he felt today's decision was a bit rushed.

Killing isn't a small matter.

Even if Lou Yu succeeds, he's pointlessly left with a charge of instigating murder. Why take such a huge risk?

He really didn't like Chen Fang.

But this hatred hadn't reached the point of murder.

Besides, up till now, there was still no news from Lou Yu, making him even more uneasy.

His chest felt like it was blocked by a rag, his breathing became labored.

Regret.

Real regret.

But it's too late for everything now.

No turning back after drawing the bow.

Now, he can only pray for Lou Yu to have a smooth sailing.

Thinking of this.

He walked into the study.

Opened a small cabinet on the side.

Pulled out a Guanyin Statue.

Took three incense sticks, trying to ignite them with a lighter.

But after several tries, the lighter just wouldn't spark.

Left with no choice but to rummage for another lighter.

For some reason, the lighter that was always easy to find was nowhere to be seen today.

Just as he was feeling increasingly anxious.

Ring ring ring.

The phone rang suddenly.

Startling him.

Even broke one of the incense sticks in his hand.

This is a bad omen!

Cui Liansheng picked up the phone, it was from Ah Tang.

Took a deep breath, raised the phone, and softly said, "Hello, this is Cui Liansheng."

"Secretary Cui, it's bad, something happened, Lou Yu got caught."

In the call, it was Ah Tang's anxious voice.

Cui Liansheng's suspended heart suddenly died.

Holding his breath, he asked, "What happened?"

"A brother from Guangshou County Disciplinary Inspection Commission brought the news, saying not only was Lou Yu caught by Chen Fang, but he also confessed that you instructed him. Additionally, a murder attempt against Lou Youhua happened at the inspection group's residence, done by a police officer from the County Public Security Bureau. He was also caught and confessed that… that you instructed it…"

"What? A police officer? Kill Lou Youhua? I didn't do this..."

Cui Liansheng exclaimed.

Whether it was Cui Liansheng, Ah Tang wasn't sure.

He balanced his tone and said, "Secretary Cui, there's another news, Secretary Tang has already arrived at the inspection group's residence in Guangshou County, reportedly he's already informed the Provincial Committee, and the people from the Provincial Committee to arrest you are nearly here, I advise you to escape quickly..."

Saying this.

Click.

The phone was hung up.

As if his soul was torn away.

Cui Liansheng slumped into his chair.

Words bounced in his mind constantly — "It's over."

At the same time.

The doorbell rang.

Cui Liansheng knew it was the people from the province here to arrest him.

Thinking of the empire he'd built over a lifetime, now all doomed so carelessly, despair and hopelessness surged.

He didn't respond to the persistent doorbell.

But got up and locked the study room's door from inside.

Then took off the robe's belt from his waist.

Threaded it through the ceiling fan.

Tied a knot and tested its firmness.

Ensured it was strong enough to hang himself.

He was just about to stand on the chair, ring ring ring, another bout of phone ringing reached him.

He didn't want to answer it.

Assuming it's an urging call from above.

Just about to dismiss the call.

Suddenly noticed it was Chen Fang calling.

Chen Fang!

He couldn't believe his eyes.

Why would he call at a time like this?

Could it be to mock him?

All because of Chen Fang, if not for him, how could he fall to this point?

With determination.

Took the call, put it to his ear, and pressed the answer button.

Before Chen Fang could speak, Cui Liansheng roared, "Chen Fang, are you satisfied now? Don't be too complacent, even as a ghost I won't let you off."

"Secretary Cui, I'm not calling to argue, just have a few questions. Did you send Lou Yu to kill me?"

On the phone, Chen Fang asked calmly.

Cui Liansheng paused.

Gritted his teeth saying, "Yes!"

On the other end, Chen Fang was silent for a moment then asked, "Did you send Shi Ce to kill Lou Youhua?"

"No, I don't know any Shi Ce, and have no reason to kill Lou Youhua."

Cui Liansheng replied.

After another silence.

Chen Fang continued to ask, "Do you know Lin Duoduo? Have you had any private interactions with Lou Youhua?"