After work in the evening, County Magistrate Hou had dinner with a few of his trusted aides.
During the meal, he subtly observed, ensuring that none of his confidants had been bought off.
Thinking about it, if Tu Zhaorui had really targeted him, he wouldn’t have just targeted him alone.
His trusted aides would likely also be on Tu Zhaorui’s list.
After dinner, he declined the invitation to go to the club.
Arriving home, he locked himself in his study and turned off the lights.
In the darkness, his gaze was sharp as he searched every corner of the study inch by inch.
Though he was an official, he also knew how to search for pinhole cameras.
He himself had often used such dirty tricks against others.
Only after confirming that there were no surveillance devices in the study did County Magistrate Hou turn on the light.
He took out paper and a pen and wrote down a series of keywords.
Currently, a few problems could be confirmed.
First, Secretary Lu, Mayor Zheng. Latest content publıshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
They refused the benefits he offered, which was out of character for them.
Second, Director Qin.
He knew in advance that he was coming to Lingjiang, and even knew he was going to see him.
It was certain that the driver by his side was Director Qin’s man.
Third, Song Guanchao.
He had heard of Song Guanchao’s great reputation; the man was highly capable and precise in his actions.
Although Song Guanchao appeared very high-profile in the City Committee, this prominence was because his capabilities were too strong to be hidden.
He himself was not high-profile.
However, Song Guanchao’s behavior the previous night in the detention center was very abnormal.
As a secretary, even with military support, he shouldn’t have antagonized him so thoroughly.
His actions left no room for reconciliation, completely disregarding any future retaliation from Hou.
At the time, Hou didn’t think too much of it, but considering the reactions of Secretary Lu, Mayor Zheng, and Director Qin, Song Guanchao’s arrogant attitude now made sense.
This indicated that even Song Guanchao knew that Tu Zhaorui was targeting him!
Tu Zhaorui couldn’t possibly have told a secretary such a thing; it must have been Wu Qiangwei who told him.
From this, it was evident that Song Guanchao’s position in the City Committee was very high!
He had always found it strange.
Lu Xiaotian had caused so much turmoil in the county; it was impossible for Tu Zhaorui to be unaware.
Yet, he did not impose strict orders to rectify the situation.
It was as if he was intentionally indulging Lu Xiaotian.
Initially, he felt puzzled, but now it suddenly became clear.
Tu Zhaorui was intentionally indulging him, wanting to set off this time bomb.
These suspicious points were connected in Hou Wen’s mind into a complete logical chain.
Now, he was one hundred percent certain that Tu Zhaorui had really made a move against him.
And he had already given a heads-up to the city officials.
He did not choose to attack him during his tenure, clearly not wanting to leave a bad impact of "internal strife."
For Hou Wen, the most important thing now was to determine exactly when Tu Zhaorui would make his move against him.
He guessed that it would probably be after Zhang Meilin took office.
The first day Wu Qiangwei arrived in Lingjiang, she took down Vice Mayor Li Fuhai.
It seemed that Zhang Meilin was also to emulate Secretary Wu and take action against him, the county magistrate, on his first day in office!
After clarifying his thoughts, Tu Zhaorui was not so panicked anymore.
What people feared the most wasn’t someone targeting them, but the unknown dangers.
Now that he knew who was targeting him and approximately when they would act, there was still some room to wiggle for Hou Wen.
To successfully escape, the most crucial factor wasn’t Tu Zhaorui or the several standing committee members in the City Committee.
If he thought like most people, he should simply run away now.
In fact, Hou Wen’s first reaction was to run.
But escaping depended on how one ran.
The driver was a spy for Director Qin, and who knew who else might be secretly watching him.
Under such circumstances, how could he escape?
He probably would be apprehended as soon as he reached the airport.
Therefore, Zhang Meilin was the key to breaking the game!
Zhang Meilin must not take office!
No matter what means he used, he had to stop him and keep him tied down in the city!
He turned on the computer, accessed the Lingjiang City Government official website, and saw the public announcement for Zhang Meilin’s appointment.
After four days, the public comment period would end.
Without any surprises, the day after the end of the period, Zhang Meilin would officially take office.
He turned off the computer screen and cleared his browsing history.
Picking up his cell phone, he found his son’s WeChat and initiated a video call.
"Dad, did you just get off work?"
In the video, a young man in his early twenties appeared confident and spirited.
This was his son, who had been sent abroad for high school, with his wife accompanying him for schooling.
Every year, he took time out specifically to go abroad and spend some time there.
"I’ve been off work for a while now."
Hou Wen said with a kind smile, "How have you been recently? Is mom feeling well?"
"Mom is doing well; she’s planning to go see the Northern Lights in a few days and is currently looking up tips. Dad, why don’t you come over, and we can go together?"
"Really?" the young man said, surprised. "Dad, don’t you have to work? Can you take the time off?"
"Hehe, dad is about to retire. Soon, our family of three can be together every day. When you get married and have a son, I’ll be spending my days playing with my grandson."
"That’s wonderful, dad. When will you come over?"
"Soon, if nothing unexpected happens, this month."
After chatting with his son for over half an hour, Hou Wen’s gloomy mood had significantly improved.
He glanced at the time; it was already 8:30 PM.
He stood up, left the house, and drove to the detention center.
In a car in the distance, a man in his thirties sat.
Seeing Hou Wen drive away, the man didn’t immediately follow but opened an app on his phone instead.
On the app, a red dot was moving.
That red dot represented Hou Wen’s car.
About twenty minutes later, Hou Wen’s car stopped at the detention center.
The man didn’t think much of it, assuming he was there to see Director Yao.
Indeed, Hou Wen was there to see Director Yao.
Outside the detention center, two soldiers sat on stools, guarding the door on either side.
Since Song Guanchao had said he should stay inside for three days, then he must complete the three days.
"Hello, young comrade, I’ve come to see him," Hou Wen said politely.
The soldiers nodded; they were only responsible for ensuring that Director Yao didn’t leave, not caring who came in.
Hou Wen pushed the door and entered the cell.
Director Yao’s hair was messy, and he looked disheveled sitting on the bed.
He had never imagined that being imprisoned would be so torturous.
Seeing Hou Wen come in, Director Yao hurriedly scrambled towards him: "County Magistrate Hou, are you here to get me out?"
"Wait a bit, stay one more day, and you can leave."
"..." Director Yao’s face fell.
Hou Wen patted his shoulder, handed him a cigarette, and walked to the farthest wall.
After lighting the cigarette, Hou Wen lowered his voice to a whisper audible only to them, "He Sen betrayed us!"
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