Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 225 What's more terrifying than ghosts is the evil in people's hearts.

Wu Zhiyuan gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Xiaoyu, you're safe now. We'll take you out in a little while. Do you know what happened to them?"

Zhou Xiaoyu pointed at the dazed young woman: "She was here when I woke up. She didn't cry or make a fuss, and she didn't say anything. She ate when given food and drank when given water, like she had gone mad."

She then pointed to the sleeping woman: "This lady said she had a high fever last night, was delirious, and then fell asleep."

At this moment, the woman, who had been in a deep sleep, opened her eyes and said weakly and groggily, "Thirsty, thirsty, I want to drink water."

Wu Zhiyuan quickly went to the restaurant to pour a glass of water, but the water was too hot, so he added mineral water.

"Secretary Wu, what's the situation inside?" Liao Yong asked.

"Three women: one with a fever, one with a mental breakdown, and one college student."

When will the reinforcements arrive? Get people from the town hospital!

Liao Yong said, "People from the town hospital have also come in a police car. I expect there will be more. I asked Li Dajiang to meet them and bring them here."

I also notified the county criminal investigation team. This case involves illegal detention, trafficking of women, and rape of women; it's a gang crime, and the case is serious.

Wu Zhiyuan handed the water to the unconscious woman. She struggled to sit up, but she didn't have much strength.

Zhou Xiaoyu rushed over to help her and made her drink warm water in small sips.

After drinking a few sips of water, the woman seemed to become a little more awake, looking around blankly.

"Big sister, we're here to rescue you. The bad guys outside have been caught. You have a fever, the doctor will be here soon," Wu Zhiyuan said gently.

The woman then realized what had happened, and tears welled up in her eyes. She choked up and couldn't speak, only nodding repeatedly.

Wu Zhiyuan comforted her, "Big sister, don't rush. Lie down for a while and conserve your energy. We'll be out soon."

A cacophony of voices and the beams of flashlights could be heard outside.

The reinforcements have finally arrived.

Li Dajiang led the way, and the doctor from the town's health center and two police officers from the local police station arrived, panting.

The doctor began examining the three women's physical condition.

A woman with a high fever needs to receive intravenous fluids as soon as possible.

The young woman, who appeared dazed, was in relatively good physical condition, but suffered severe psychological trauma and required psychological intervention.

Aside from being frightened and suffering minor abrasions, Zhou Xiaoyu was otherwise unharmed.

Several police officers from the county's criminal investigation team also arrived, led by the deputy captain, Zong Wanquan.

Liao Yong reported the situation to Zong Wanquan and handed over the three handcuffed criminals.

Criminal investigators began to carefully examine the three bungalows, taking photos and collecting evidence.

Outside the courtyard, many villagers had gathered to watch the spectacle. They were all talking about it.

"My God, someone really is playing tricks!"

"How utterly depraved! To do such a heinous thing!"

"Thanks to Secretary Wu and Director Liao, otherwise these women would have been sold off somewhere..."

As the chaos gradually subsided, the victim was carefully helped by the doctor and policewoman into a police car, ready to be taken to the hospital for further examination.

The three criminals were put into another police car.

Zong Wanquan walked over and said, "Secretary Wu, we owe you a lot this time."

This is a hideout for a human trafficking ring. Judging from the items found at the scene, it may also be involved in other cases.

"That 'Brother Long' is the gang leader. I've already reported it to the county bureau, and they're immediately deploying forces to arrest him."

Wu Zhiyuan nodded and asked, "Are these women able to contact their families?"

"Zhou Xiaoyu's family has been notified, and I have asked them to go to the town."

The other two, the older woman with the fever, is being contacted by her family, and the other one is mentally unstable; we probably can't reach her for the time being. We'll think of something else when we get back.”

Wu Zhiyuan nodded, his heart heavy.

Before tonight, this mountain forest was known to the villagers as a haunted place.

Now that the mystery has been solved, what has been revealed is the evil of the human heart, which is even more terrifying than ghosts and monsters.

"Oh, right," Zong Wanquan remembered something, "we took down that ghost prop."

It's just a simple white cloth draped over a scarecrow, a white dress over it, a long wig over it, and it's suspended from a tree by a fishing line.

The tape recorder was also found; it was hidden in a rainproof box in the tree branch.

The sand is just ordinary river sand. Several bags were filled and placed on the eaves and trees, and a rope was pulled down to scatter it. Of course, sand can also be scattered manually.

The methods were all old-fashioned, but enough to scare the superstitious villagers.

"Yes, they took advantage of people's fears. It just so happened that the owner of the camellia oil plantation, who also owned these bungalows, suddenly died."

Wu Zhiyuan said loudly to the villagers who had gathered around, "You've all worked so hard without resting so late."

The "ghost" of Xishantou has been caught. It was a person causing trouble, someone who was specifically doing bad things.

No need to be afraid anymore. Just chop wood when you need to, and move around when you need to.

It's a shame to leave this forest lying fallow; let's see if we can make good use of it.

Yu Dadan also arrived and said loudly, "Secretary Wu, you are bold and meticulous, eliminating harm for the people. During the day, you just rescued several disabled people who were worse than slaves, and at night you solved the mystery of the ghost."

"My title of 'Bold Yu' is undeserved; Secretary Wu is the real 'Bold Wu.'"

Li Dajiang also sighed with emotion: "Secretary Wu, if you hadn't been so skeptical and insisted on investigating thoroughly, who knows how many people that 'ghost place' would have harmed!"

People used to be afraid of ghosts, but now they realize that some people are far more terrifying than ghosts!

……

That afternoon, Wu Zhiyuan was in his office reading the report submitted by Wu Changchun regarding the preliminary investigation of the brewery.

The report listed some problems, such as purchase prices that were significantly higher than market prices and non-compliant financial reimbursement vouchers.

However, deeper issues, such as relatives of leaders opening affiliated companies and potential transfer of benefits, are currently difficult to uncover core evidence for.

The office phone on the desk rang.

It was an unfamiliar number from out of town.

Wu Zhiyuan pressed the answer button: "Hello."

"Hello, is this Secretary Wu Zhiyuan?" A woman's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Yes, who are you?"

"Secretary Wu, hello! I've finally gotten in touch with you."

My name is Shen Yuwei. Do you still remember when you risked your life to save me in Qingshan Gorge?

I was in the hospital receiving treatment and recuperating until I fully recovered a few days ago.

I saw a post online about how you saved me, and I learned that you are the Party Secretary of Xindian Town, where Qingshanxia is located. I found your office phone number.

Secretary Wu, thank you so much! You're my savior!

Wu Zhiyuan certainly remembered this incident, but he remained calm: "Ms. Shen, there's no need to be so polite. It was what I should do. Anyone would have done their best to help in that situation."

"I'm so glad you've fully recovered. That's more important than anything else."

"No, Secretary Wu, you are my savior, you gave me a second life. I want to meet you in person to express my gratitude."

Are you available recently? I'd like to visit Xindian Town again to arrange a time to see you, my savior.

Wu Zhiyuan is about to accompany County Party Secretary Gan Simiao on a business trip to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to find a way out for the brewery, so he doesn't have time to see her.

Besides, he didn't save her for anything in return, so he politely declined: "Ms. Shen, I appreciate your kindness. But there's really no need for you to come and thank me."

It is our duty as Party members and cadres to step forward when the masses are in danger.

Your best wishes for me to take good care of myself are the greatest gratitude I can express.

"Secretary Wu, what you said makes me feel even worse," Su Yao insisted. "I know you are a leading cadre and may think this is nothing."

But for me, this is a lifesaver. Can I just have a quick meeting without disturbing your work?

Wu Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment. To refuse again would be impolite, so he said, "Ms. Shen, I have to go on a business trip out of province soon. Can we arrange a meeting again when I return?"

Shen Yuwei hurriedly replied, "Okay, okay, Secretary Wu, please go ahead with your work, I'll contact you again in a few days."

……

A few days later, the Qingshan County investment promotion delegation arrived in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

The delegation was led by Gan Simiao, the county party secretary, and included Li Changgui, the deputy county head in charge of investment promotion, the director of the investment promotion bureau, the director of the development zone, and the party secretaries of several key townships. Wu Zhiyuan was also among them.

One of the key targets of this trip is Dingyue Group, located in Suzhou and Hangzhou.

This is a large private group with businesses covering real estate, hotel and cultural tourism, food and beverage, and retail. It owns two listed companies and has strong financial strength. In recent years, it has also been actively expanding into the health food and specialty beverage sectors.

The investment promotion team under the Qingshan County Investment Promotion Bureau did a lot of preliminary work and had initial contact with the food and beverage sector of Dingyue Group, expressing their intention to cooperate.

Dingyue expressed strong interest in Qingshan County's abundant high-quality agricultural resources, believing it could serve as a raw material base for its health drinks or snack foods, and is considering investing in setting up a factory for deep processing.

Following standard procedure, if initial communication goes smoothly, key leaders will typically intervene to conduct higher-level negotiations and push the project to fruition.

Or at least sign a framework agreement or letter of intent to invest, to lay the foundation for subsequent substantive cooperation, and at the same time serve as a result of the leader's efforts to attract investment.

The delegation arrived at the headquarters of Dingyue Group at the agreed time.

The impressive, modern office building and the spacious, bright lobby showcase the company's strength.

However, they were only received by the deputy general manager of the food and beverage division and a few department managers.

None of the senior executives mentioned during the previous discussions showed up.