Dong Xuebing sip on a cup of Long Jing Tea while waiting for Xu Yan’s call. A while later, she called.
“Hello, Sister Xu. How is it?”
“They are in our custody now.”
“Haha… Thank you. I….”
“What’s there to thank? I will settle the rest.”
“Is it too much to label them as spies? The evidence we have is….”
“I will lock them up for a few days for investigation first.”
“Oh, sorry for the troubles. I will give you a treat tomorrow.”
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing finishes his tea. He understood Sister Xu. They can’t charge Pang Dabing and his Liu Gang for espionage because it was a trap set by Xu Yan and him. He also believes they are not involved in any spying activities. But he has the upper hand now. They are caught for tailing Xu Yan, and it’s normal for them to be locked up for weeks for investigation. After a few months of torture, they will be handed to the Public Security to be charged with following and monitoring Government Leaders.
What goes around comes around.
Setting up Liu Gang and Pang Dabing is just the beginning. Dong Xuebing’s purpose is not to warn them and wait for their revenge after being released. He is going to ruin his reputation and career and not allow them to make any comebacks.
Dong Xuebing found Nan Qi Morning Post’s Chief Dong Haitao’s number and called him.
“I am Guang Ming Subdistrict Office Dong Xuebing.”
“Oh, it’s Director Dong.”
Before Dong Haitao could continue talking, Dong Xuebing started scolding. “Chief Dong, what is your newspaper agency doing? Did I snatch your wife or kill your son? Why is your newspaper agency keep trying to frame me?! Ah?! What’s the meaning of this? I kept quiet the first time as I gave you all the benefit of the doubt. You all might not know what happened and wrote that bias report. But it is too much this time. You all accused me of beating up others, causing fractures? Who is the person who has broken bones?! Show me! I ignored you all, but you all still try to push your luck! Why did your agency send Pang Dabing and Liu Gang to follow and monitor me?! Don’t you know this is against the law? Who gave you all this authority? If it wasn’t for the State Security informing me, I still don’t know you all are so bold.”
Dong Haitao tried to explain. “Director Dong, this might be a misunderstanding.”
“Fine. This calls for an investigation to see if it is a misunderstanding.” Dong Xuebing hung up.
Nan Qi Morning Post Agency.
Dong Haitao is under immersed pressure after hanging up. He can still suppress and cover up if Liu Gang follows a Government Leader. But it seems the State Security was involved. Both of them were arrested, and their apartments and offices were sealed. Until now, he still doesn’t know what actually happens.
Dong Haitao could not wait any longer. He quickly called his contacts and asked them to check with the City State Security for information. He needs to know what Pang Dabing and Liu Gang did.
Dong Haitao’s contact revealed some information because he is the Chief Director of Nan Qi Morning Post. Pang Dabing and Liu Gang are arrested because they are suspected spies.
Dong Haitao broke out in cold sweat. He is not involved in the news article about Dong Xuebing and doesn’t know what Pang Dabing and Liu Gang did. But he cursed Pang Dabing and Liu Gang countless times in his heart when he heard they tailed the City State Security Chief. How will he keep his position if one of his higher management staff and a reporter are spies? He will be implicated, and the State Security might also do something to the news agency.
How did I get implicated in such bullshit?
Dong Haitao could not sit still and call for an emergency meeting.
Ten minutes later. A small meeting room in the agency.
Dong Haitao looked at all the newspaper agency higher management staff and said. “I am sharing a piece of information with you all. Our agency’s Pang Dabing and Liu Gang are suspected of leaking information overseas using their authority. They had been taken away by the State Security.
Everyone is taken aback.
One of them asked. “Chief, is this information reliable?”
Dong Haitao continued. “They are only being suspected, and the authorities might not have concrete evidence. But they had tailed and monitored the City State Security Chief Xu, and Guang Ming Subdistrict Office Director Dong. This had been confirmed.”
“Why did Pang Dabing do this?”
“Chief, will our agency be implicated?”
Dong Haitao kept quiet. The agency and everyone in the meeting will be implicated if Pang Dabing and Liu Gang are found guilty. “Let’s discuss what we are going to do.”
Dong Haitao looked at a man on his left. “Old Zhou, what do you think?”
Chief Editor Old Zhou thought for a while and said. “Although the investigation is not over, our agency must show our stand by implementing some punishment quickly. I suggest double dismissals for Liu Gang. Regardless of the investigation outcome, Liu Gang had tailed and monitored a State Security Leader. This is unforgivable.” Liu Gang is a nobody, and no one cares about him. Old Zhou paused for a second. “As for Editor Pang…. Suspend his duties first and dismiss him later.” The newspaper agency cannot dismiss them as spies as the investigation is not over. But they can fire them for following a Government Leader.
This is what Dong Haitao wanted to hear. “Alright. We shall do this. What do you all think?”
No one opposed. Even those who are close with Pang Dabing kept quiet. They might be implicated if they try to speak up for him. Suspected spy charges are not a joke. Who knows if the State Security might go after them?
This proposal was approved quickly.
Nan Qi Morning Post’s top leaders know they must draw the line between Pang Dabing and Liu Gang and them. Even if they are found not to be spies after the investigation, the newspaper agency will not take them back. Who knows what they might do in the future? They are the ones who created this mess, and they have to take responsibility.
Translator’s notes: Double Dismissal is a jargon used in China. It means a civil servant getting dismissed from his duties and the Party.