The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"They were caught, two brothers, later sentenced to death and already executed by firing squad."

Shangguan Shoudong sighed and said.

The case wasn't complicated.

The president of the Intermediate People's Court was killed, and it was a massacre case that caused a huge sensation in Shangqing City.

The city's criminal investigation team quickly established a special task force.

The provincial office also sent an expert team to guide the work.

A massive manhunt was launched across the city.

At the same time, reward announcements were released through media and other channels, offering ten thousand yuan for useful clues.

Less than twenty-four hours after the case happened.

The task force received a tip from the public that they seemed to have seen the two brothers hurriedly returning home that night.

Hence.

The police raided the brothers' house.

They were arrested while playing mahjong at home.

Guns used in the crime were also found at their home.

Ballistic tests and fingerprint identification confirmed that these guns had been used by the brothers, and blood traces from the scene were found on their shoes.

This confirmed that Gu Jin's family was killed by the two brothers.

Although the brothers vehemently denied it after being caught, they eventually confessed under police pressure. In the fall of the same year.

The two brothers were executed by firing squad.

Upon hearing this.

Chen Fang asked, "What was the motive for the brothers' murder?"

Shangguan Shoudong said, "The motive was a case Gu Jin presided over as a judge..."

Three months before Gu Jin was killed.

Gu Jin, as the presiding judge, tried a civil dispute case.

When the brothers were building a new house, they encroached on the neighbors' property. The neighbors tried to negotiate several times to no avail and were even beaten by the brothers.

In the end, having no other choice, the victim took the brothers to court.

Gu Jin ruled that the brothers must demolish the illegal construction and stop infringing on the victim's rights.

The judgment was delivered.

But the brothers refused to comply.

After repeated urging, Gu Jin took the enforcement court's colleagues and various departments for a mandatory enforcement to demolish the parts of the brothers' newly-constructed house that violated the law.

After that incident.

The brothers were very disgruntled.

They went to court to make trouble several times.

They even threatened to make Gu Jin pay.

Who would have thought that three months later, the tragedy would really happen.

Saying this, Shangguan Shoudong sighed.

He said, "Gu Jin and I grew up in the same place. When we worked in Yan Zhao Province, we were neighbors and forged a deep camaraderie. After this happened, I brought Meng Sheng over and raised her as my daughter until now. In my heart, she's no different from my own daughter."

"Ever since she grew up and understood things, she has repeatedly wanted to go to Shangqing City. I didn't agree. This time she forced you to go to Jiuhai Province, she'd insisted on going, too. I was helpless, so I agreed just to appease her. But now, I somewhat regret it. I forgot she's grown up, and those firm ideas cannot be changed by a few words from me."

Chen Fang nodded.

He asked, "Am I also going to Shangqing City this time?"

Shangguan Shoudong nodded.

He said, "That's the current plan. You'll go there as the Disciplinary Committee Secretary, which should be your field of expertise. Whether you can establish yourself depends on your own skills. I can't help you, and I can't offer you any assistance."

After saying that.

He opened the drawer.

Took out a file folder and pushed it in front of Chen Fang.

He said, "The waters in Shangqing City are deep, and deeper still in Jiuhai Province. Here is a basic dossier on provincial and municipal leaders for you to study over the next week. Prepare to take office."

Chen Fang took the file folder.

Paused and said, "Mr. Shangguan, there's still one thing I don't understand."

Shangguan Shoudong smiled and said, "You want to know why Meng Sheng told you about my and Jiang Chuo's plan, right?"

"Yes!"

Chen Fang nodded and said.

"Regarding Jiang Chuo, it involves major high-level secrets, and I can't tell you now. If possible, you'll find out one day. I can't explain too much about this matter. I had Meng Sheng tell you about our cooperation to let you understand my painstaking efforts, so you won't think that all I care about is politics without any human touch."

After saying this.

Shangguan Shoudong stood up.

He said, "Let the Xu Family and Dong Family know that the Hou Family has already fallen, and their family power is at its weakest. I hope they take care and don't follow in their footsteps. Otherwise, they'll be next."

After saying this.

Shangguan Shoudong opened the door.

He called out, "Li Chong, see Chen Fang out, arrange a hotel for him."

"Chen Fang, let's go."

Li Chong walked in and said to Chen Fang.

Under his guidance.

The two finally left the compound.

Li Chong personally drove, taking Chen Fang to the city.

After stopping at a hotel entrance.

Li Chong turned to Chen Fang and said, "The room is ready, just check in with your ID."

"Okay, thank you, Secretary Li."

Chen Fang was just about to open the door and get out.

Li Chong suddenly shouted, "Chen Fang, wait a minute."

"Is there anything else?"

Chen Fang asked.

Li Chong had a hesitant look.

Seeing this, Chen Fang smiled and said, "Secretary Li, feel free to speak."

Li Chong nodded and said, "It's still the same advice; you shouldn't have pleaded for Hou Jingjing. You've been close with the Xu Family, Dong Family, and Hou Jingjing. The incident in Xiaxiang City already showed your stance, but pleading for her made the leaders... the leaders trust you less. If you change your mind now, I can persuade the leaders to retract the previous decision..."

Chen Fang slightly nodded.

He said, "Thank you, Secretary Li, but that's unnecessary."

After saying this.

Chen Fang got out of the car.

Back in Shangguan Shoudong's family compound.

After Chen Fang left.

Shangguan Shoudong returned to his study.

Sitting down.

He said to the empty study, "Come out, he's gone."

With a creak.

A hidden small door opened in the dark.

A middle-aged man walked out.

The middle-aged man was not tall, wearing an administrative jacket, and like Shangguan Shoudong, he carried an aura of authority. It was obvious he also held a high position for a long time.

He sat across from Shangguan Shoudong.

Asked, "This lad indeed has some courage, but he's not shrewd enough. Isn't it too risky to give him such a heavy responsibility?"

Shangguan Shoudong took a deep breath.

He said, "That's why I'm sending him to Jiuhai Province to gain more experience, hoping that when we meet next time, he will meet all our requirements."

The middle-aged man smiled.

He said, "You better hope he settles down smoothly in Jiuhai Province; otherwise, you might end up with nothing."

Shangguan Shoudong's eyes brightened.

Looking at the night sky outside, he said, "I don't know why, but I have confidence in this kid..."