Chapter 49: Reporting the Case

  The next day, Leng Bing Han naturally used the excuse of helping his father contact Zhu Jian Jun and had to skip class. Leng Yun Yi did not object to this either. Now that things were urgent, and Leng Bing Han's grades were also very good, she didn't worry about him skipping class at all. She even personally called Leng Bing Han's homeroom teacher, Zheng Guo Min.

  As a deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, his home was naturally equipped with a telephone.

  Zheng Guomin is in his forties and has climbed up step by step from a village primary school, which was not easy at all. It wasn't until he was over 40 that he became a small class teacher at No. 1 Middle School.

  Yizhong, as the best middle school in Changfu, parents want their children to receive more care from teachers, so they often make demands on the head teacher. Therefore, the head teacher of Yizhong is still relatively popular. However, Zheng Guomin's expectations go far beyond that, he also has ambitions and wants to continue climbing up, unfortunately, he has no background and no power, these things can only be hidden deep in his heart.

  However, this time coincidentally cold and icy to his class, his dormant heart seemed to be stirring again. He often borrowed the opportunity to report on the child's situation, wanting to get close to Leng Yunyi and pull some connections, but every time he answered the phone it was always Leng Yunyi's secretary, not once able to have a direct conversation with Leng Yunyi himself. He was very annoyed about this, but did not give up, believing that as long as one puts in enough effort, even an iron rod can be ground into a needle.

  As soon as he arrived at the office this morning, the phone rang. His colleague heard that it was for him and immediately let him answer the call.

  Although it was already on the verge of entering the 90s, telephones were still not very common, and those who could make phone calls definitely had a high social status. He solemnly took over the phone, but after hearing the introduction from the other end, he suddenly felt like he had been electrocuted, his whole body shook, and his heart beat violently, almost dropping the phone in his hand.

  Leng Yun didn't know that this phone call would cause such a big reaction from the other party, and simply helped Leng Bing Han ask for leave.

  On the other end of the phone, Zheng Guomin didn't dare stand up straight, with his waist bent and a flattering smile all over his face. Everything was naturally fine, and he even proactively suggested that when Leng Bingxue returned to school, he would help him make up for the missed classes, absolutely not letting Leng Bingxue be affected in any way.

  He hung up the phone, and Zheng Guomin only then realized that all the teachers in the office were staring at him with curious and astonished eyes. He knew that his flattering had been seen through by everyone, but he didn't think it was a big deal. After all, who could easily flatter the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee? In high spirits, he hummed a tune as he left the office to go check on the students' daily reading situation in class.

  After leaving the cold ice, he didn't go directly to the Fei Yuan Building, but instead went to the nest of the Power Bureau community, and then took out a big brother's phone to call Zhu Jianjun. He simply told him about the situation. As for taking over the steel factory, Zhu Jianjun naturally had no objections, but he also didn't understand the industry at all, and was worried that the withdrawal of funds would affect R's plan.

  He's a straightforward person, can't keep things in his heart, so after hastily finishing the meeting, he rushed to meet with Leng Bingxue. So having this space is very convenient for Leng Bingxue who still needs to keep a low profile.

  Two outsiders discussed and discussed, but still did not come up with any results. They could only follow the cold and icy plan from last night, and in the afternoon, Zhu Jianjun would first contact Leng Yunrui to express his interest in Changfu Steel Factory, and wait for professionals from Hong Kong to conduct research and evaluation before making a decision.

  Having made an appointment, Leng Bing Han finally completed his father's entrustment and slowly walked towards the municipal government, preparing to report the good news to his father. His father must have been waiting anxiously.

  The municipal party committee and government of Changfu City are located in the same place, but they are two separate office buildings. One is for the municipal government and the other is for the municipal party committee.

  Not yet at the entrance of the city government, a large crowd was seen surrounding the gate, with noisy sounds coming from it.

  A chill ran down his spine as he wondered if the people from Changfu Steel Factory had already caused trouble here? That would be terrible. He hastily ran a few steps and squeezed in.

  In the crowd, a man in his sixties or seventies and a girl of twelve or thirteen years old were surrounded. The two people's clothes were very tattered, dusty and exhausted, with gray hair on their heads and feet, and their self-made shoes were covered with mud, looking like they had been through a long journey.

  An old man and a young one were negotiating with the guard at the entrance about something, seemingly wanting to go in, but was clearly met with stern refusal from the guard.

  In foreign countries, municipal and state governments are open to the public for visits, but in China, it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to enter government buildings. Perhaps there are too many people in China who want to see leaders, or perhaps it's because of the traditional Chinese idea that being an official requires dignity and grandeur, from ancient times to the present.

  The guard's attitude was still very good, patiently persuading him, but the old man seemed to be completely unconvinced, his face red with rage, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Is this still not the GCD's world? Is this still not our people's world? Is there no place for reason under heaven? I followed Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Zhu to fight for the country when you little brats weren't even born yet! Now that I'm old, there's nowhere to reason with? This is ridiculous, how did you become a soldier? All you know is to bully us ordinary people? You don't know how to uphold justice..."

  That little girl was also there, crying pitifully.

  Those onlookers were also there, talking and discussing, mostly expressing dissatisfaction with the government and sympathy for the old man.

  Through the onlookers' gossip and the old man's intermittent narration and scolding, the cold and icy truth gradually became clear.

  The old man, surnamed Zhao, joined the revolution at the age of ten and was an old Red Army soldier. He was wounded many times on the battlefield. After the founding of the country, he didn't have too many demands, but returned to his hometown in Changfu village to farm. Now he has a son and a daughter, as well as three grandchildren. Although life is simple, with filial children and a virtuous wife, it can be said that he is being taken care of in his old age, and the family is harmonious.

  The old man's son, Zhao Zhiming, contracted a fish pond in the village and signed a 5-year contract with the village. The fish were all taken to the city to sell. In these two years, as people's living standards improved, the fish sold very well and the income was not bad, making many people in the village jealous.

  Only two years into the contract, the village's tyrant, Wen Yong, the second son of the village branch secretary, came to their doorstep and demanded that they withdraw from the contract for the fish pond in the village and let him take over.

  Zhao Zhiming definitely won't do it. The contract clearly stated that the contract period was five years, and at that time, in order to transform this stinky pond into a fish pond, they worked day and night without sparing any effort. Now that the term has not yet expired, why should they quit? There's no such reason under heaven, so naturally, they flatly refused.

  It doesn't matter if you don't answer, Wen Yong didn't say much either, he just coldly smiled twice and turned to leave.

  Soon, a big problem occurred in Zhao's fish pond, where the fish died in large numbers for no reason, causing huge losses.

  Just when the Zhao family was in a state of panic, the village branch secretary came to their doorstep with the original contract signed between the Zhao family and the village, saying that the original contract had not been approved by the village committee and was invalid. Not only did they want to terminate this contract, but also demanded compensation from the Zhao family for the illegal profits gained from using the fish pond over the past two years, amounting to 5,000 yuan.

  The Zhao family was stunned upon hearing this. The contract for the fish pond had been signed publicly at a village meeting, and they had even paid 500 yuan as a deposit in front of everyone. How could it be declared invalid just like that? Moreover, for the past two years, most of the investment in the fish pond had been spent on costs such as feed and seedlings, and only recently had they started to make a profit. Where would they get 5,000 yuan to compensate with?

  The Zhao family knew that this was the village branch secretary's family trying to force them to give up their fish pond, so they deliberately picked a quarrel. They naturally did not agree and had a big argument with the branch secretary. Seeing that the Zhao family was not being cooperative, the branch secretary turned his face away and left in anger.

  The next day, Wen Yong took people to the fish pond and directly started catching fish for sale. Zhao Zhi Ming rushed over to stop him after hearing the news, but Wen Yong argued that after a unanimous decision by the village committee, they had taken back the fish pond from Zhao's illegal contract and re-contracted it to the second son of the village branch secretary, Wen Yong.

  There was no way Zhao Zhiming would agree to such bullying, and he immediately got into a dispute with them. However, he was beaten up by Wen Yong and ended up in the hospital with a head injury and bleeding.

  Old Zhao hadn't even had time to visit his injured son when the village branch secretary came to their home with a large group of people demanding money, saying it was to compensate for two years of losses in the village. Old Zhao was so angry that he trembled all over, stomping his feet and cursing the branch secretary. However, the branch secretary ignored him, ordering people to move things away, and even pushed Old Zhao into a big ditch.

  Mr. Zhao has worked hard all his life, and the bloody fight at the beginning was just to give his children and grandchildren a happy life. Who would have thought that in his old age, he would encounter such a thing? He is really angry about it, so he brought his granddaughter here early in the morning after walking for more than three hours to report the situation to the city.

  Upon hearing this, Leng Binghan couldn't help but ask: "Old man, why didn't you go to the special petition department to reflect on the situation, but instead came to the municipal government?"

  "The petition department is useless." As soon as the petition department was mentioned, Old Zhao became even more agitated and tearfully said: "I've almost worn out the threshold of this petition department. At first, they received me warmly a few times, but later on, it's just been one after another passing the buck. I also told the village about the situation, but it's all just officials protecting each other. Yesterday, the second son of the branch secretary, Wen Yong, even came to my house to show off, saying that his family has plenty of connections and even if we take it to the provincial level, they're not afraid. He even smashed our pot."

  "I don't believe in this evil, I just want to find the secretary and the mayor, ask them if there's no place for reason in this world of GCD, how can they be allowed to run amok in the countryside, bullying the weak? Is there anyone with a conscience, with eyes to care about our lives as ordinary people?"

  The onlookers also expressed their indignation and condemnation, while at the same time expressing their dissatisfaction with the government's protection of its officials and unfair law enforcement.

  At the sight of this, everyone was outraged and it's easy to cause trouble. Meanwhile, I'm surprised that so many people gathered at the city government gate, yet no one came out to resolve the issue in a timely manner. Whatever the case, having so many people blockaded at the city government gate doesn't look good either.

  He hastily pulled Zhao's hand and said, "Don't worry, old man, those are just isolated phenomena, I believe the government will definitely resolve them properly. I'll take you to see the city leaders now."

  If such words were spoken by a government official, people would think it's normal. But when they come from the mouth of a little kid, it feels a bit strange.

  Everyone looked at Leng Bingxue with sidelong glances as if they had seen a monster, and some adults said: "Whose child is this? Don't make trouble here, go home quickly, or your parents will worry later."

  Old Zhao also said: "Child, thank you for your kindness, but these are adult matters, you children don't understand."

  Only the little girl stopped crying and looked at Leng Bing curiously. She didn't understand why this child, who seemed even younger than herself, spoke with such confidence and self-assurance, as if nothing could faze him, and it made her feel so impressed.

  Leng Binghan didn't care about others, but instead supported Zhao Dage to walk inside. Zhao Dage couldn't resist and also wanted to go inside to find the government leaders, so he didn't struggle and followed Leng Binghan inside. The little girl naturally followed closely behind her grandfather.

  All the onlookers were waiting to see a good show, wanting to see how this old couple and their grandson would be blocked by the security guards, but what made everyone's eyes widen in surprise was that the security guard didn't have any intention of blocking them at all. Coldly and calmly, he let Zhao Dage and his grandson enter very smoothly.

  They stared blankly at the disappearing figures, and most people dispersed since there was nothing more to see. However, some onlookers asked the guards in puzzlement, "Didn't you say that unauthorized personnel couldn't enter without permission? How did you let them in?"

  The guard smiled and said, "With familiar people accompanying you, of course, you're not an idle person."

  "An acquaintance? That little kid, is he an acquaintance of yours?"

  The guard gave him a glance, somewhat impatiently saying: "Leng Secretary's family kid, are you an acquaintance or not?" After that, he turned around and returned to the sentry post, continuing to stand watch.

  Leng Bing Han sometimes also comes here to find his old man, and the security guard at the entrance has naturally recognized him long ago.

  That person seemed to be puzzled for a moment and muttered: "Leng Secretary, which Leng Secretary?"

  The people around him burst out laughing, and one of them said with a scornful tone: "This fool doesn't even know Leng Yunfei, the Secretary of Cold Cloud Village."

  That man slapped his forehead and suddenly realized, "Ah, how could I not know that Cold Cloud Secretary has done so many practical things for the people of Changfu over the years? It's said that even Fei Yuan Company was introduced by him. My daughter works at Fei Yuan Company, and it's really good there. We should thank Secretary Cold for this. Didn't I just fail to react immediately?"

  Others also nodded in agreement: "Yes, unexpectedly Secretary Leng is a good official, his son is so traditional and enthusiastic, it's really 'a tiger father has no dog son'!"

  Some people said: "It seems that this old man has met a noble person, with Secretary Leng taking action, he will definitely severely punish those who harm the group, and give justice to the old man and his family."

  "Only Secretary Leng would take the initiative to handle and resolve such matters, if it were someone else, I think they'd all be worried about their own positions, not every official is like Secretary Leng who puts the people at heart."

  "I trust Secretary Leng!"

  "Oh dear, if all officials under heaven were like Secretary Leng, that would be a blessing for us ordinary people!"

  ……

  Everyone was discussing and gradually dispersing with a sense of nostalgia, each busy with their own affairs. Such things were not ordinary for them, but just added some topics to chat about after dinner.