Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 41 The Municipal Party Secretary was eavesdropped on, and Zhang Wanlin retaliated.

Qingqing's mother hurriedly explained, "No one really contacted me; I figured it out myself."

Qingqing went mad back then. How can you believe what a madwoman says? She was just talking nonsense.

She became mentally unstable because one night, she was late coming home from school and passed by the old woods at the east end of the village, where she was possessed by an evil spirit.

He encountered a ghost raising sand and hearing ghostly cries, which scared him so much that he lost his soul and went insane.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Longqiao Villa, and it has absolutely nothing to do with Boss Zhang.

Secretary Wu, Secretary Xu, you are both good people, so concerned about our family. But we really made a mistake and caused you trouble. We're so sorry, so sorry…

This explanation is a forced reversal and full of loopholes.

Wu Zhiyuan was certain that Zhang Wanlin's men had used money to silence Qingqing's mother, and possibly also intimidation and threats.

Wu Zhiyuan's voice turned serious: "Big sister, you have to tell me the truth. Has someone threatened you? Or, are they trying to fulfill some condition for you?"

You need to understand that if you tell lies, the real bad guys won't be punished, and Qingqing's grievances won't be redressed. Secretary Xu genuinely wants to help you.

Qingqing's mother said haltingly, "Secretary Wu, please, please stop asking... Let's leave it at that..."

As long as my daughter can get treatment safely in the hospital, and our family can live a peaceful life, that's all that matters...

Those things are in the past. Please tell Secretary Xu that we remember his kindness, but please ask him not to investigate this matter anymore…

Before Wu Zhiyuan could speak again, the call was abruptly ended.

After the research trip concluded, Xu Youwei politely declined Zhang Wanlin's invitation to a banquet.

After returning to his office, Wu Zhiyuan knocked on Xu Youwei's office door.

As I moved the chair, I heard a soft "thud" and something fell from under the chair.

Wu Zhiyuan bent down and picked up a black object that looked like a USB flash drive.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a bugging device.

He handed the bugging device to Xu Youwei: "Secretary Xu, this is a bugging device. It was taped under the chair, but the tape probably wasn't sticky enough and it fell off."

Xu Youwei frowned: "A bugging device? Who did this? How dare they!"

Xu Youwei instructed Wu Zhiyuan to put away the bugging device, then called his college classmate, the director of the Municipal State Security Bureau, and asked him to send an expert with professional equipment over, and to keep it strictly confidential.

The Municipal State Security Bureau operates from an unmarked office building near the municipal government.

A dozen minutes later, two men arrived.

They are professional technicians from the Municipal State Security Bureau.

After a thorough inspection, no new hidden cameras or eavesdropping devices were found.

They took the bugging device with them for further investigation.

"Zhiyuan, it's lucky we found out early, otherwise, someone would have been eavesdropping on everything I said. It's really scary to think about."

This access control system is way too lax. They can just open my door whenever they want?

"Secretary Xu, in various places, there are multiple county party secretaries who have had hidden cameras installed in their offices or residences by people with ulterior motives. Subsequently, they have either been blackmailed or pressured to promote the other party."

"I have seen two similar news stories. One was about a county party secretary in Hunan who had a hidden camera installed in the water dispenser in his office by three subordinates."

One of them was from Shaanxi Province. He was secretly filmed at his mistress's residence and was subsequently blackmailed for 50 million yuan.

Although it's said that if you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear, and I never do anything illegal or disorderly, the thought that every word I say is being listened to still terrifies me.

For example, if we discussed strategies for dealing with Zhang Wanlin, and that got back to him, would we still have any secrets left? Luckily, we unearthed a landmine today.

Wu Zhiyuan tentatively said, "Secretary Xu, I have an idea. How about installing a surveillance camera in my office? That way, if someone sneaks in, we can see them immediately without affecting your work."

Wu Zhiyuan's office was in the outer room, while Xu Youwei's office was in the inner room.

Xu Youwei had to pass through Wu Zhiyuan's office before he could enter his own.

Installing surveillance cameras outside the room would not infringe on Xu Youwei's privacy, but it would allow them to monitor those with ulterior motives.

Xu Youwei hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "I think it's a good idea."

Next, Wu Zhiyuan reported on Qingqing's mother's change of attitude, and Xu Youwei frowned.

At this moment, Wu Qiang's mother also called: "Secretary Wu, the matter I mentioned last time about my son Wu Qiang reporting the mine disaster online was just hearsay and I made a mistake."

There was a minor accident in the mine; only one person sustained minor injuries, and the mine has reported it to the county.

Wu Qiang heard some unsubstantiated rumors from somewhere and assumed they were true. Without verifying them, he reported them online.

Wu Qiang admitted that his claims were unfounded, wrote a letter of repentance, acknowledged his mistakes, and has been released.

The government was right to educate him; one shouldn't spread rumors online without solid evidence.

Secretary Wu, this matter concerning Wu Qiang is over. Please tell Secretary Xu that we thank him for his concern.

This statement is exactly the same as Qingqing's mother's "change of heart".

When the two key figures suddenly changed their stories, Wu Zhiyuan said, "Secretary Xu, their statements are almost identical. This is no coincidence. It must be Zhang Wanlin's people who took action, either by threatening them, offering them huge rewards, or both, to shut them up."

Xu Youwei nodded and said, "It was expected, but the fact that they came so quickly and in such a coordinated manner shows that we hit their weak point and they are afraid."

This tactic of coercing or inducing witnesses to recant their testimonies is itself a sign of a guilty conscience and is illegal.

However, this also serves as a reminder that Zhang Wanlin is ruthless in his methods, and his influence at the grassroots level should not be underestimated.

Wu Zhiyuan chimed in, "Yes, I suspect that not only have Qingqing and Wu Qiang's families been taken care of, but Wang Caifeng, a key figure in Qingqing's case, has also probably been taken care of by Zhang Wanlin."

Just then, Xu Youwei's phone rang. It was Geng Dongqing, the director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, calling.

"Secretary Xu, I just received a notice from the General Office of the Provincial Government that Governor Jiang Jun will be coming to Longcheng for research the day after tomorrow, focusing on the development of the private economy, the optimization of the business environment, and the implementation of support policies."

Among the companies on the research list, Jintang Group was personally named by the provincial governor and requested to be a key enterprise for investigation.

The province has instructed us to make necessary preparations for the reception and reporting. I will report to you in person later.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Youwei said to Wu Zhiyuan, "Zhiyuan, did you hear that? The governor's inspection notice has arrived, specifically requesting a visit to Jintang Group. This news has come at just the right time."

It seems some people are eager to use higher-level influence to stabilize the situation and tell us to stop now.

Wu Zhiyuan said cautiously, "Secretary Xu, there are rumors that Zhang Wanlin and Mayor Ai have a close relationship, and Mayor Ai is a frequent visitor to Villa No. 5. Moreover, he is the former secretary of Governor Jiang."

Governor Jiang's visit to Longcheng for research, neither too early nor too late, comes at a time of sensitive events, and is very likely an attempt to support Zhang Wanlin.