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Chapter 150: Beilan County Government Meeting
Zhang Zhi Hua smiled and said, "Your uncle helped arrange the rental, over by the Old County Hospital in the south of the city."
Zhang Qiu nodded, not thinking about anything else, only recalling Sister Hua in the south, which was her territory.
Zhang Zhi Hua thought Zhang Qiu might be unwilling, so he patted her shoulder and continued, "There's no other way; the whole county is under renovation, and it's hard to find a place to rent. It's a bit far, but at least it has all the utilities—water, electricity, and heating—so it's not troublesome. There's also a morning market nearby for buying groceries. We can build a room in the yard later and install a toilet and shower; it won't be much different from our current living situation."
"It's fine, it's fine; it's quite good," Zhang Qiu replied while looking around the living room and asked, "Aren't we sleeping here tonight?"
"We'll move the water and things over first, and we'll bring the bed last. We'll still stay here tonight."
Zhang Qiu nodded and said goodbye to her father, "Then I'll go upstairs."
"Wait a moment," Zhang Zhi Hua stopped Zhang Qiu and said when she was ready, "I've talked to your uncle about Jiang Xue's situation. He agreed to do his best to help you."
Zhang Qiu looked at He Jun, who added, "We'll do everything we can within the bounds of the law."
"Okay," Zhang Qiu nodded; that was her uncle's style.
In the following hours, He Jun brought a group of people to help move things. There were acquaintances and friends, but very few colleagues—only Wang Hailong. In just three hours, everything from two floors of a house and one flat was moved out. Since Zhang Qiu was born, their home had been filled with furniture; this was her first time seeing an empty house. She took out her phone and snapped pictures of the front and back of the house to capture its final appearance.
Meanwhile, in the fifth-floor conference room of the Beilan County government building, Director Chen sat at the head of the table with county committee members, the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary, and newly appointed Police Chief Wang Guodong present. Notably, the Director of the Education Bureau was also included.
Director Chen wore a stern expression as everyone below kept their heads down, staring at their notebooks. He said, "The matter we need to discuss today involves several key individuals. Yan Ji from the city has called to inquire about how we're handling this issue. I want to hear everyone's opinions first."
No one spoke; everyone understood that today's discussion involved an unprecedented major issue. A careless remark could offend someone.
"Since no one wants to speak up, let's start with you, Director He. The Public Security Bureau should have a clear understanding of this matter," Director Chen said, feeling frustrated that such a significant incident occurred under his administration. Moreover, it involved various influential figures at different levels—a complicated situation that wouldn't be easy to resolve. The County Party Secretary had entrusted him with full responsibility for handling it but merely passed on a troublesome situation that he couldn't refuse.
He Jun looked around at his fellow leaders; he wasn't well-versed in politics. When Director Chen asked him to speak based on their investigation results, he had no choice but to report honestly: "Last month on the 0th day at our county's Yuan Dynasty Ancient City Ruins, there was a serious brawl involving over a hundred participants, most of whom were students preparing for their college entrance exams. This incident is extremely severe with significant repercussions. Currently, we have detained Jiang Xue but have not yet applied for prosecution from the district attorney's office. Additionally, key suspects Zhang Qiu and Liu Xiaolong are under bail pending trial; Liu Xiaofei is still recovering in the hospital while another main suspect Zeng Fan has not yet been acted upon."
After He Jun finished speaking, the officials immediately began whispering among themselves. Director Chen raised his voice: "If you have any thoughts or opinions, bring them forward instead of whispering among yourselves. This is a government meeting—not a marketplace where people chatter noisily."
As soon as Director Chen's voice fell, the room fell silent. He Jun was the first to speak: "Director Chen, my opinion is that we should handle this according to existing laws and show no leniency towards those involved."
As soon as He Jun finished speaking, someone immediately rebutted him. The Director of the Education Bureau took over the conversation: "This matter involves many students, and most of them are preparing for the college entrance examination. Therefore, we in the Education Bureau are considering whether it would be better to handle this discreetly."
"I also think it should be handled discreetly," said a county committee member.
"How can such a serious case be handled discreetly? It should be dealt with severely and serve as a warning to others," another committee member insisted, his tone firm and agitated. He felt anger when he heard about this case. Today's students face lenient punishments, which is why violent incidents keep occurring.
"But these are all students about to take the college entrance examination. I think for most of them, it would be better to let it go. As for Jiang Xue, submit her for prosecution. As for Zhang Qiu, Liu Xiaolong, and Liu Xiaofei, just give them a few fines or something. We need to consider the bigger picture."
The discussion in the conference room became heated; those involved naturally hoped for leniency, while those not involved but who had grievances with those implicated seized the opportunity to attack. The room quickly divided into two factions, arguing loudly. Director Chen observed without intervening.
"I still insist on severe punishment; there is no bigger picture before the law," He Jun raised his voice again to emphasize his point. Others looked over; He Jun's face showed no expression, making it hard to guess his thoughts. Logically, Zhang Qiu was He Jun's nephew; he shouldn't be so forceful—could it be true that he was as heartless as people said?
"I think we should handle it lightly; our county can't afford this kind of trouble," another committee member chimed in. His phone had been ringing off the hook lately with calls from everyone—from officials to street vendors—asking him to intercede.
After much debate without resolution, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee said: "Director Chen, since opinions are divided on this matter, what is your stance? What does the city think?"
This question hit the nail on the head; everyone turned their attention to Director Chen, eager to hear his thoughts.
Director Chen took a sip of water before slowly saying: "When I spoke with City Committee Member Yan Ji on the phone, he mentioned that this matter involves too many people and that during this sensitive period before the college entrance examination, it is not appropriate to deal with so many students. This incident could escalate unnecessarily—it’s just a fight after all—and if it blows up, it might even attract central government attention! Therefore, to ensure stability, we must handle everything lightly and swiftly. This is both the city's opinion and my personal opinion. Does anyone have any other thoughts?"
With the City Committee Secretary's stance made clear, who would dare voice any dissent? Even if someone had differing opinions, who would speak up? Seeing no one respond, Director Chen continued: "If we really impose severe penalties and process these students right before their exams, won't their parents go crazy? Setting aside those in power and influence, even ordinary families would come en masse to protest at government offices—who could withstand that?"
"Considering the bigger picture, this is indeed how we should proceed," echoed the county committee member who had previously advocated for leniency. Now he could provide an explanation to those who sought his help. Of course, he felt justified in keeping any local specialties for himself.
With opinions unified, the meeting proceeded smoothly and concluded in a friendly atmosphere that satisfied all parties involved. He Jun did not voice any further objections; partly because he knew it would be futile—after all, the highest authority in legal matters was not Police Chief Wang Guodong but rather the Secretary of Political and Legal Affairs Committee. Secondly, leniency was precisely what He Jun wanted. No matter who approached him previously, he had handled matters impartially—not only to uphold legal dignity but also to compel them to seek help elsewhere.
Regardless of anything else, Zhang Qiu was now safe. Everyone else was fine too; only Jiang Xue remained in trouble. Liu Xiaofei refused to relent; even Police Chief Wang Guodong had no way around that.
After the meeting concluded, the officials departed separately. County Mayor Chen Guobin went to the County Party Secretary's office where a man in his fifties with slicked-back hair sat behind a desk. The man's graying temples and wrinkles on his face revealed signs of aging. Chen Guobin approached him: "Xu Ji, the meeting has concluded. We will not pursue those involved in the fight and will eliminate any potential threats to stability from their roots."
Xu Ji nodded and asked Chen Guobin: "What about Zhang Qiu and Liu Xiaolong, Liu Xiaofei? And what about Jiang Xue who caused injury? How will they be handled?"
"In the hospital, Liu Xiaolong is after all Director Wang's nephew, and then there's Zhang Qiu, who is Director He's nephew. It's just a matter of doing a favor; we won't pursue it further. Only that Jiang Xue, Liu Xiaofei... oh, Liu Xiaofei will be held accountable. I've checked; Jiang Xue's father passed away early, and her mother remarried. She lives at her uncle's house, so there shouldn't be any trouble."
Xu Ji nodded in satisfaction and called Director Chen over, whispering, "That Jiang Xue, I heard she's Zhang Qiu's girlfriend. Have you looked into this?"
"I have, but Zhang Qiu wouldn't do anything out of line, right? I believe Director He will keep him in check."
Xu Ji smiled meaningfully and said, "Guess who called me today?"
"Who?" Chen Guobin couldn't think of anyone whose call would interest the County Party Secretary this much.
"Our Vice Governor Liu from H Province. He specifically asked about Zhang Qiu. He claimed he was just trying to understand the situation and wasn't asking for leniency, but..." Xu Ji smiled lightly, leaving the second half of his sentence unspoken.
Director Chen's mouth dropped open in shock. How could Zhang Qiu be connected to the Vice Governor? That was unbelievable. If there was such a connection... Director Chen shook his head; the situation was complicated and needed careful consideration.
"I've told you everything; how to handle it is up to you. You must ensure that nothing major happens during this period before the college entrance examination," Xu Ji concluded, picking up his cup and lightly blowing on it before taking a sip.
Chen Guobin left with a sense of understanding, pondering the relationship between the Vice Governor and Zhang Qiu on his way back to the office.
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