Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 223 Xiao Gangyu, a petty man who gains power, and Ji Changming, who kicks someone when they&

Make your own way!

They reaped what they sowed!

These eight words were like eight slaps to the face, making Lü Liang's old face burn with pain.

After a few seconds, a long sigh followed.

"Director Lu, do you know who did this?"

With his wife detained and fined, Lü Liang naturally wanted to know who was so cold-hearted as to not even give him face.

He's the deputy chief prosecutor of the Jingzhou Procuratorate, after all!

A deputy director-level official with real power is someone many people would be too afraid to fawn over, yet someone dares to be so disrespectful.

"Is that even a question? Of course it's Cheng Du, the deputy director of the Guangming District Public Security Bureau in Jingzhou City!"

Lü Liang suddenly stood up.

"Huh? He...he's gone mad? Why would he do this? We have no grudge against him, someone must have ordered him to do this!"

Lü Liang knew that his rank was much higher than that of Cheng Du.

Even if one were to advance one level and become Director Cheng, one would still only be a division-level official.

Within the system, even if the units are different, there is a saying that you should always leave room for maneuver so that you can meet again in the future.

Therefore, the fact that Cheng Du dared to grab his own wife shows that he had no intention of saving face for himself, nor was he afraid of offending him and being tripped up in the future.

Such impartial and ruthless law enforcement—is there no powerful figure backing or directing it from behind?

"I don't know who ordered him, but I heard he was transferred from Luzhou City. I don't need to say more about whose territory Luzhou City is, do I?"

"Gao Yuliang!!!"

A gasp escaped Lü Liang's lips.

Only after I said it did I realize that I shouldn't call him by his name like that.

He's the Secretary of Luzhou City!

Besides having a higher job rank than me, his network of connections is also terrifying.

Gao Yuliang was a law professor recruited and promoted from Handong University by Liang Qunfeng, the former secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Department of Handong Province. It is said that he was being groomed as a successor.

During his time teaching at the university, Gao Yuliang mentored many outstanding students, most of whom are now working in political and legal units in Handong.

To sum it up in one sentence, his students and former officials were all over the east of the Han River!

What's even more interesting is...

Rumor has it that Zhao Ruilong, the beloved son of Zhao Lichun, the top official in Handong, has to call him "Uncle-in-law".

How could one address such a powerful, promising, and well-connected person by his first name?

Even though Lü Liang is an upright person who is not afraid of powerful people, he knows that within the system, there must be a minimum level of respect.

Therefore, he hurriedly added the words "Book Records".

"Behind Gao Shuji is the Zhao family, so I don't need to say more about who's behind us, do I?"

Lü Liang's lips trembled slightly.

He hasn't been wasting his time all these years.

Without experiencing brutal power struggles, how could he have risen to his current position?

In an instant, he understood everything.

The reason why Cheng Du was so fearless was because Gao Yuliang was backing him up, and Gao Yuliang had the Zhao family as his backer, so he was naturally fearless.

Their reason for retaliating with severe punishments for minor offenses was certainly not just to vent the anger of the restaurant owner's family.

Why make such a big fuss when you're trying to stand up for ordinary people?

Their real purpose is to make an example of someone to scare others and expand their influence.

After Zhong Zhengguo was transferred, Zhao Lichun used the Lincheng mining disaster to launch an anti-corruption campaign.

But there are still some people who are neither greedy nor take bribes, yet they are also disobedient. Since anti-corruption efforts can't get rid of them, they find other excuses.

Anyway, after all this, a lot of people were killed, but a lot of their own people were replaced, and those who weren't killed were scared into obediently following orders.

This will not only help expand Gao Yuliang's influence, but also lay a good foundation for his future transfer to the provincial capital.

This also benefits Zhao Lichun, enabling him to better coordinate and direct public officials across the province, ensuring the success of the high-quality economic development pilot program, and thus taking it a step further.

With such benefits, it's only natural to launch a large-scale operation.

Anyway, the practice of severely punishing minor mistakes was first started by our own group, and others just followed suit and applied it as they learned.

Everyone is strictly enforcing the law and is impartial!

This mutual harm will obviously only result in one side ultimately suffering the loss.

After all, Zhao Lichun is now the top official in Handong Province, and this is a justifiable way to make an example of someone.

Who else dares to stand up and oppose this?

Having figured everything out, Lü Liang let out a long sigh.

"So what do we do now? The Intermediate People's Court has upheld the original verdict in the second instance, and the final judgment in this case rests with the Provincial High People's Court."

"We can't possibly go back to the provincial high court now and ask them to rule in favor of the restaurant owner just to settle things, can we?"

Upon hearing Lü Liang's words, Director Lu on the other end of the phone burst into laughter in anger.

"Old Lu, are you kidding me?"

"There's no need to even mention it, the High Court will definitely overturn the verdict!"

"If we really have to ask someone for help, we'll lose all face."

Lü Liang smacked his lips and scratched his head repeatedly.

"Well...we have to do something, right?"

Although he was honest and incorruptible, he was not greedy or took anything.

But to say that he doesn't know how to assess the situation is absolutely impossible.

If you can't understand the situation at all, you wouldn't have been able to reach your current position.

"What should I do? In my personal opinion, if you make a mistake, you have to admit it and stand up straight when you're punished!"

"We were the ones who made the mistake of punishing minor errors severely, so we should correct our attitude and make amends."

"Of course, that's assuming the High Court issues its final ruling. As for now... let's prepare the things and send them to the detention center!"

Lü Liang quickly got up.

"Okay, okay, I agree."

"Given the current situation, resisting is suicidal, and apologizing is shameful. Let's just behave ourselves!"

"After the final judgment, our procuratorate and your industry and commerce bureau will both send people to that small restaurant!"

……

After a while.

Lü Liang hurried downstairs carrying large and small bags.

As soon as I reached the bike shed, I saw Xiao Gangyu returning from grocery shopping.

In the past, Lü Liang looked down on Xiao Gangyu.

They considered this guy to be a snob who got to his position through nepotism.

He's not very capable at his job, but he's quite good at being opportunistic and sycophantic.

It is said that the reason he was able to be transferred from the municipal procuratorate to the provincial procuratorate so quickly back then.

It was mainly due to his relationship with Liang Qunfeng, the former political and legal secretary of Handong Province.

Furthermore, Liang Qunfeng greatly admired Gao Yuliang.

Therefore, Xiao Gangyu always treated Gao Yuliang with great respect, and the two had always had a good relationship.

This is not.

Now, amidst this massive storm, even his own wife has been arrested and detained.

Where is Xiao Gangyu?

Not only was he perfectly fine, but he also seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

He bought a lot of vegetables and a big carp. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was going to have a victory celebration!

"Old Xiao, let's have fish tonight!"

Lü Liang took the initiative to greet him, his smile conveying politeness.

"Yes!"

Xiao Gangyu looked at Lü Liang with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the large and small bags he was carrying.

Are you going on a business trip?

Lü Liang secretly grumbled to himself.

Where I'm going, do you think you don't know?

But thinking about his wife, he knew it wouldn't be long before the news spread.

So he said without any attempt to hide it:

“My wife was cursing and spitting in the street and was arrested and detained by the Guangming District Public Security Bureau for disturbing public order. I brought her some clean clothes and daily necessities.”

"Huh? Really?"

Xiao Gangyu asked in surprise, "What's the big deal about spitting and cursing? People argue and spit every day in the market, and they actually detained your sister-in-law? Isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Lü Liang smiled slightly.

"Things are different now!"

"Besides, isn't the Guangming District Branch also acting in accordance with the law and regulations, and enforcing the law impartially?"

Xiao Gangyu nodded slightly.

"That's true. Isn't the loophole of acting in accordance with laws and regulations and enforcing the law impartially something that your city created?"

"Nowadays, people are just copying what you've done, so it's no wonder they're so ruthless, don't you think?"

These words were like a knife stabbing into Lü Liang's heart, twisting it violently twice.

Even more ruthless, Xiao Gangyu continued:

"Fortunately, it was just detention and fines. Unlike that restaurant, which used a small signboard for advertising and didn't cause much of a negative impact, it was fined again and again. The person was detained for several days and that wasn't the end of it. The shop was shut down, the bank account was frozen, and the house was even auctioned off."

"You've driven ordinary people to their deaths. It's already a miracle they haven't gone so far as to take you all down with them. Now that your sister-in-law is in detention, it should actually be a good thing. But you'd better be careful. What if she doesn't want to live and tries to drag others down with her?"

"..."

Lü Liang was both angry and annoyed, but he was speechless.

That Xiao Gangyu, he really is a dog, his face changes so fast.

Just a moment ago they looked surprised and sympathetic, but now they're gloating.

But what he said was the truth.

Without severe punishment for minor mistakes, and without a firm and authoritative stance, there would be no progress.

They've driven ordinary people to the brink of despair.

Will they really take the case to the end?

Once this matter escalates, it will become an opportunity for Gao Yuliang and Zhao Lichun to reorganize their teams.

In the end, isn't this all self-inflicted?

of course.

Ultimately, it comes down to being out of touch with the masses for too long.

They are unaware of human suffering and cannot empathize with the hardships of the working people.

They were used to being treated like royalty, accustomed to being high and mighty and giving orders.

Who knew they'd run into a tough opponent this time, who insisted on fighting to the bitter end, thus angering the upper echelons of Handong once again.

This situation has now made both the common people unhappy and the top leaders dissatisfied.

If Lü Liang could see his own intestines now, he would be filled with remorse.

"What's wrong? Why are you staring at me?"

"Don't worry too much, it's not a big deal."

"After the High Court makes its final judgment, we will apologize if necessary and treat everyone to a meal if necessary."

"No matter what, as long as we sincerely repent and wholeheartedly serve the people in the future, we are still good comrades, right?"

Xiao Gangyu smiled and patted Lü Liang's shoulder lightly.

How could Lüliang not laugh?

"Yes, it is good to correct one's mistakes!"

“That’s right. You should hurry up and take the things to your sister-in-law! But it’s quite a distance from our neighborhood to the Guangming District Detention Center. I suggest you take a taxi. Otherwise, by the time you get there by bicycle, it will be past the visiting hours.”

After saying that, Xiao Gangyu walked away with a smile and a pigeon-toed gait.

Such gloating and petty smugness infuriated Xiao Gangyu.

"Damn it, you shameless bastard!"

"If it weren't for Gao Yuliang backing you up, would you have escaped this predicament?"

"A treacherous, cunning, and shameless person like you who loves to take advantage of others is the one who should be arrested and detained for half a month!"

Just as Lü Liang finished cursing under his breath, Xiao Gangyu suddenly turned around.

This startled Lü Liang.

He thought that Xiao Gangyu had heard his curses.

"Anything else?"

Lü Liang asked somewhat nervously.

"How many days was your wife detained again?"

Xiao Gangyu asked with a half-smile.

"Fifteen days!"

Lü Liang replied, suppressing his anger.

"What about the fine? It's not two thousand yuan, is it?"

Xiao Gangyu's lips curled up slightly, almost beaming with joy.

"Yes, two thousand yuan."

Lü Liang gritted his teeth inwardly, "I need to hurry to the bank to withdraw money. I have to talk to you now, see you later."

Xiao Gangyu nodded slightly.

"Alright, alright, then hurry up and go! Two thousand yuan, this street is really expensive!"

"After getting out, I might have to find a new job, which is a really big price to pay!"

Hearing these sarcastic remarks, Lü Liang was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth.

I really wanted to turn around and slap Xiao Gangyu a few times, but I held back in the end.

It is highly likely that Xiao Gangyu was deliberately trying to provoke him, hoping to make him make a mistake as well.

A few slaps might temporarily vent your anger, but you'll almost certainly be detained and fined.

At this critical juncture, being detained for breaking the law could lead to demotion, dismissal, or even termination of public office, rendering all those years of hard work futile.

“They are a group of upright people who do not take bribes, do not make mistakes, and have no opportunity or reason to bring me down.”

"So he'd love for me to get angry and start a fight, but I can't let him have his way!"

With that thought in mind, Lü Liang quickened his pace and left.

Seeing Lü Liang's "fleeing in disarray," Xiao Gangyu almost doubled over with laughter.

"Lüliang, Lüliang, you've finally met your match!"

"Isn't he supposed to be aloof and principled?"

"This time I'm serious, I'm telling you the principles, and you're back to being a coward again!"

Amidst his emotions, Xiao Gangyu suddenly felt incredibly fortunate.

Not only am I glad that I and my friends and family weren't arrested, but I'm also glad that I didn't make the wrong friends.

If Cheng Du hadn't informed Qi Tongwei of the operation beforehand, Qi Tongwei would have immediately warned him.

Based on my long-standing habit, I will definitely invite my friends to play mahjong this weekend to relax and have some fun.

If that's the case, wouldn't it become gambling?

Inviting friends and acquaintances could even lead to accusations of gambling in a group.

If this serious accusation is leveled against him, he will not only be stripped of his job, but may even end up in jail.

The principle of severe punishment for minor offenses is to impose the heaviest possible penalty.

In Lüliang, a wife can be detained for half a month and fined 2,000 yuan for swearing and spitting.

If you were to organize gambling, how could you not be sentenced to prison?

"This is a life-or-death power struggle!"

"No fancy stuff, it's just simple and straightforward!"

"And this wasn't a frame-up; otherwise, dealing with Lü Liang would have been a piece of cake!"

With his head held high, Xiao Gangyu carried the groceries home, walking with an air of nonchalance.

Neither he nor Lü Liang noticed Ji Changming on the third-floor balcony.

Ji Changming overheard the conversation between Xiao Gangyu and Lü Liang.

As a seasoned veteran of the system, he had naturally anticipated this day.

Zhao Lichun, the top official of Handong, wrote a proclamation, repeatedly emphasizing the need to strengthen the rule of law and improve the business environment, but his subordinates paid lip service to it and added extra pressure at each level.

Rigid, dogmatic law enforcement and inhumane, cold-blooded judgments—what's the difference between this and openly contradicting others?

So now that a storm has been triggered, many people have lost their jobs, and Ji Changming can only say they deserve it.

They lack even this basic political acumen; they deserve to be punished.

However, merely gloating wasn't enough for Ji Changming.

If one wants to advance and become the chief prosecutor of the Handong Procuratorate in the future, how can one not seize this opportunity to take a chance?

Over the years, we've collected a lot of dirt on people, and now it's time to put it to use.

I'm not kicking someone when they're down, but rather eliminating a scourge for the people!

After leaving the balcony, Ji Changming returned to his study.

Wearing gloves, I put a lot of materials into envelopes and sealed them.

Then write the address and postal code with your left hand and affix the stamp.

Finally, I went out for a stroll to the park, and as I passed a mailbox, I quickly stuffed it in.

"Let this storm rage even more fiercely!"