Chapter 40: Fleeing in Fear of Guilt

The moment Zhang Jianmin heard this, he immediately said to Wang Xinbing, "No one involved in this matter is allowed to leave. Cuff him right now."

At that moment, Wang Liu had just started to regain his senses, but upon hearing Zhang Jianmin's words, he was struck by panic. Over the years, he had committed more than a few illegal acts. In the county, he had connections, but those connections meant nothing before someone like Zhang Jianmin. If the higher-ups started investigating, it would be enough to get him sentenced several times over.

As he was frantically considering his options, Wang Xinbing had already walked over and cuffed him to the nearby radiator pipe. Wang Xinbing knew that Wang Liu had backing in the county; otherwise, Wang Liu wouldn’t have gotten away with so much for so long. But in front of Zhang Jianmin, his “backer” was nothing. Even if his patron were present, if Zhang Jianmin said to cuff him, he had to comply.

Just then, a tall figure in a police uniform hurried over. He went straight to the table where Lu Ming and the others sat and addressed Zhang Jianmin: "Secretary Zhang, you’re here."

Zhang Jianmin glanced at him and said, "You must be Jin Yongchao?"

Jin Yongchao nodded quickly. "Yes, Secretary Zhang."

He was just a small-time director in the county. He knew who Zhang Jianmin was, but Zhang Jianmin had no idea who he was.

At this point, Zhang Jianmin spoke. “These gentlemen have filed a complaint with me—they say someone has threatened their personal safety, while you claim they have injured someone. Since that’s the case, handle this on the spot and get to the bottom of it.”

Jin Yongchao immediately replied, "Yes, Secretary Zhang. I’ll investigate right away."

He then turned to Lu Ming and his companions. "Gentlemen, please tell me what happened."

Wang Xinbing had already begun taking out paper and pen to record statements. Jin Yongchao understood that if they were sitting with Secretary Zhang, the nature of this incident was already decided; he just had to go through the motions.

At this, Lu Ming said to Chen Bing, "Go ahead and tell them about your situation."

Chen Bing nodded and turned to Jin Yongchao. "My family suffered a forced demolition. Wang Liu directed a bulldozer that ran over my father and killed him. He’s still at large. I’ve repeatedly appealed with no result, and when I went to Xijing to appeal, I was intercepted. As soon as I got back, Wang Liu’s subordinate, Wang Zhongjun, showed up with people to beat me. If it hadn’t been for Brother Lu, I might not even be alive right now."

As Chen Bing spoke, tears welled up in his fierce eyes. A man standing seven feet tall, a veteran of bloody battlefields, he had always shed blood, never tears. But the series of events he’d endured since returning home left him, now disabled, feeling utterly powerless. He still had the heart to fight, but his body was broken, and he lacked the strength. Watching his father die so tragically, unable to do anything, was a humiliation hard to bear. Whenever he brought it up, this once iron-willed man could only shed tears of frustration.

When Chen Bing finished, Jin Yongchao secretly sighed. Such a major incident—of course, as director, he knew all about it. But with higher-ups suppressing the case, there was nothing he could do. Now that the matter had reached Secretary Zhang, however, he no longer needed to worry.

Jin Yongchao nodded and said to Wang Xinbing, "Bring Wang Liu here to confront Chen Bing."

"Yes." Wang Xinbing put down his pen and paper and went to fetch Wang Liu.

But just then, unexpectedly, Wang Liu suddenly broke free from the handcuffs, kicked open the nearby window, and leaped out. There was no way his actions here could withstand scrutiny; with Zhang Jianmin personally taking charge, he knew his “backer” was finished. The only thing to do was to escape immediately. This was only the fifth floor—with his skills, he could manage it. Once he got away, those useless officials were nothing to him. He had saved up a lot of money in recent years; he could start over in a new place under a new identity and live well.

As Wang Liu made his escape, everyone was momentarily stunned. Jin Yongchao had already drawn his gun. But Wang Liu was highly skilled and moved with great agility; half his body was already out the window, and it seemed too late to stop him.

At that moment, Lu Ming gave a cold snort. "Get down here!"

An invisible force pierced Wang Liu’s mind like a blade. Wang Liu felt his vision go black and pitched forward, falling straight down.

It was only then that the officers snapped back to their senses and rushed to the window to check. Jin Yongchao looked out and saw Wang Liu lying below, a metal object protruding from his chest, blood pouring forth—he was clearly beyond saving.

"Go down and check immediately," Jin Yongchao ordered Wang Xinbing.

"Yes," Wang Xinbing replied. He led his men downstairs, quickly returned, and reported, "There’s a concrete umbrella base downstairs with a steel tube for the umbrella. Wang Liu fell right onto it; it pierced him through the back and he shows no signs of life."

Hearing this, Jin Yongchao felt a headache coming on. How had someone died right in front of Secretary Zhang? What was he supposed to do now?

Zhang Jianmin let out a cold snort. "This is clearly a case of fleeing to escape justice."

"Indeed, Secretary Zhang. What should we do now?"

At that moment, Yun Ketian spoke up. "Wang Liu might be dead, but his subordinates are all still here—they were just threatening me a moment ago."

Hearing this, Zhang Jianmin immediately said, "Did you hear that? Arrange it at once. Not just Wang Liu’s group—every gang-related element must be cracked down on. Organize a special anti-crime campaign right now. It seems to me that this Xin’an County is in utter chaos!"

Jin Yongchao was deeply shocked. This young man’s influence was extraordinary; with a single word, Secretary Zhang had launched a special anti-crime operation. Moreover, Secretary Zhang’s remark about Xin’an County being chaotic was an implicit criticism of his own incompetence as chief of police. If he didn’t handle this well, his future was easy to predict.

Jin Yongchao immediately replied, "Yes, Secretary Zhang. I’ll launch a special anti-crime campaign throughout the county at once."

"Go," said Zhang Jianmin.

Jin Yongchao quickly led his subordinates away to handle Wang Liu’s body, arrest his men, and organize the crackdown.

After Jin Yongchao and the others left, Zhang Jianmin turned to Yun Ketian with a broad smile. "Young Master Yun, is there anything else you need me to do?"

That line nearly caused the hotel owner, Zhu Weifeng, to collapse with shock. Who was Zhang Jianmin? The big boss of Baofeng City, yet he spoke so deferentially to this young man—just who was he?

But Yun Ketian ignored Zhang Jianmin and instead turned to Lu Ming. "Brother Lu, what should we do next?"

Lu Ming pondered for a moment and said, "Secretary Zhang, I must trouble you again. This friend here was cheated out of six million; the swindler can’t be found. Also, the real mastermind behind the death of my friend's father—the developer of this project—has also vanished. I hope you can help us track down these two people."

Wang Liu, after all, was just a henchman. The truly ruthless profiteer, indifferent to life and death, was the developer. Chen Bing’s father’s death was directly tied to him—he must be brought to justice.

Zhang Jianmin considered briefly and replied, "That’s easy. The person in charge of this development is Deputy Mayor Zhang. I’ll make a call and we’ll find him immediately. As for the swindler, just give me his name and I’ll have the relevant departments check the online records for any recent activity."

Lu Ming nodded and looked at Chen Bing.

Clenching his teeth, Chen Bing said, "The man who tricked me is named Meng Changjiang."

Zhang Jianmin nodded and immediately made a phone call.

After that, everyone settled in to wait.

During this time, Zhang Jianmin was exceedingly attentive to Yun Ketian, Lu Ming, and their companions—asking after their wellbeing, offering every courtesy, even showing concern for Li Xiujuan, the waitress, leaving her feeling quite uneasy.

More than half an hour later, Zhang Jianmin received a call. When he hung up, his expression was very strange.

Yun Ketian noticed and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Zhang Jianmin replied, "The developer and the swindler are actually the same person."

This revelation stunned everyone.

A moment later, Lu Ming sneered. "What a move—swindles six million, then immediately turns around and becomes a developer. This Meng Changjiang is quite cunning."

With Lu Ming's reminder, everyone realized what had happened. After cheating six million, he somehow got hold of this development project, hid in the shadows, and became the boss behind the scenes—a truly crafty man.

Suddenly, Chen Bing slammed the table, sending soup splattering in all directions. His face was contorted in pain.

Meng Changjiang had stolen the six million in compensation, then turned around and caused his father’s death. Who could bear such a thing?

"Meng Changjiang, I will never forgive you," Chen Bing cried in anguish.

Lu Ming said quietly, "Secretary Zhang, please just give us a lead. We’ll handle the rest ourselves."

Just then, Zhang Jianmin’s phone rang again.

After taking the call, he said, "Ten minutes ago, Meng Changjiang checked into a presidential suite at the Xinghui Hotel in Baofeng."

Let’s set a small goal—like remembering the mobile reading site of Book Guest Residence in one second.