Please, mature women, have some self-respect. I just want a raise and a promotion.

Lin Zheng didn't speak; he knew that Yang Wanshan was testing him.

"Lin Zheng, I'm not trying to find out your background."

Yang Wanshan flicked his cigarette ash, his tone softening somewhat.

"I just want to tell you that no matter who you cooperate with, your share of the cooperation with me is indispensable."

"If the project is successful, the achievements are mine, and the credit is mine too."

"Do you get me?"

"Don't worry, Mayor Yang, I understand."

Lin Zheng was cursing under his breath, but he didn't show it on his face.

Yang Wanshan was warning him.

This old man only takes advantage of opportunities and avoids trouble; he's even more of a fence-sitter than Wang Jianguo.

"That's good."

Yang Wanshan stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Lin Zheng.

"Go back first, and we'll discuss the next steps after the district releases its information."

Lin Zheng nodded, stood up, and walked out of the office.

He stood in the corridor, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

Yang Wanshan, that old fox, still lives by the old saying: "He won't act until he sees the rabbit."

He won't take action unless the district files a case.

We'll have to wait and see about Ma Hongshan's matter.

Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette, walked out of the town government building, hailed a taxi, and returned to his residence.

He lay in bed, his mind a jumbled mess.

What was the result of Zhang Xuemei submitting the materials to the district? Will Zhou Haidong accept them?

Did Qiu Ruiming receive the news in advance?

These problems, like a tangled mess, were making him restless.

Lin Zheng sat up and lit another cigarette.

He picked up his phone, intending to call Zhang Xuemei, but hesitated for a moment and then put it down.

Calling now might be risky if she's talking to Zhou Haidong at the time.

Let's wait and see.

Lin Zheng leaned against the headboard and closed his eyes.

After finishing a cigarette, my phone finally rang.

He looked and saw that it was Zhang Xuemei calling.

"Master, it's done."

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Xuemei's voice carried a hint of smugness.

"After reviewing the materials, Zhou Haidong said he would immediately report to the district discipline inspection commission and initiate an investigation as soon as possible."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief: "Great, that's wonderful."

"Master, don't forget what you promised me."

Zhang Xuemei's voice carried a hint of ambiguity.

"I won't forget you. When you come back, I'll reward you properly."

"Then it's settled."

"Master, I'm going back now. See you tonight."

See you tonight.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zheng leaned against the headboard and let out a long sigh of relief.

With the district launching an investigation, Qiu Ruiming no longer had the energy to manage matters at the construction site.

It's time to make a move on Ma Hongshan's side.

But before that, he had to find someone.

Wang Jianguo.

Lin Zheng sat up, changed his clothes, and went straight to Wang Jian's house.

Wang Jianguo lived in a residential area in the south of the city. When Lin Zheng arrived, he was watching TV at home.

Wang Jianguo was somewhat surprised to see Lin Zheng enter.

"Manager Lin? What brings you here?"

"Mayor Wang, I have some good news to tell you."

"What good news?"

"Qiu Ruiming, something might be going to happen."

The remote control in Wang Jianguo's hand fell to the ground, the batteries fell out and rolled under the sofa.

Wang Jianguo bent down to pick up the remote control, installed the batteries, and placed it on the coffee table.

He didn't say anything, lit a cigarette, and slowly smoked it.

Lin Zheng wasn't in a hurry. He sat down opposite him, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it slowly.

Five minutes passed before Wang Jianguo finally spoke.

"Manager Lin, what do you mean by that?"

Lin Zheng put down his water glass and looked at Wang Jianguo.

"Mayor Wang, you should know better than I do what Qiu Ruiming has done over the years."

"Embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power, keeping a mistress—which of these is a small matter?"

"Now, someone has reported him to the district authorities, and the district discipline inspection commission is investigating the case."

Wang Jianguo's cigarette trembled slightly: "Who reported it?"

"I can't say for sure, but the news is absolutely true."

"Mayor Wang, you're a smart man. You should know that Qiu Ruiming's chances of survival are slim this time."

Wang Jianguo remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to Lin Zheng's face.

"Manager Lin, you came to see me not just to tell me this news, right?"

"Of course not."

Lin Zheng leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs.

"Mayor Wang, if Qiu Ruiming falls, the town will have to be reshuffled, and Mayor Yang's promotion is a sure thing."

"But the mayor's position is vacant, who will fill it?"

Wang Jianguo's eyes lit up, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Manager Lin, you mean...?"

"What I mean is, Mayor Wang, you've been in the position of deputy mayor for so many years, it's time for a change."

"As long as Mayor Wang shows some commitment in this matter, I'll put in a good word for you with Mayor Yang."

Wang Jianguo was silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"It's very simple, Ma Hongshan."

"You're going to take action against Ma Hongshan?"

"He is Qiu Ruiming's ironclad support. The fire brigade is like a knife hanging over the construction site in his hands."

"As long as he remains in power, the construction site will never be peaceful."

"Therefore, we must take him down."

Wang Jianguo thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Ma Hongshan really needs to be dealt with."

"But he's not that active. He's worked in the fire brigade for so many years, and he has other connections besides Qiu Ruiming."

"That's why I need Mayor Wang's help."

"How can I help?"

"Mayor Wang, have Lin Hai investigate the hotel in which Ma Hongshan has a stake, under the pretext of cracking down on prostitution."

As Lin Zheng spoke, he took out a stack of documents and handed them to Wang Jianguo.

These materials were given to Ma Hongshan by Lao Liu when he investigated Ma Hongshan's house.

Since Ma Hongshan chose to die, he can't be blamed.

Wang Jianguo took the documents, glanced at them, and immediately nodded: "I'll take care of things in Linhai."

He had originally planned to collaborate with Qiu Ruiming.

Now that Qiu Ruiming is about to be investigated, he has decisively changed the focus of the investigation.

This is the officialdom.

One must be able to adapt to changing circumstances in order to preserve oneself.

The two discussed some more details, and then Lin Zheng got up to take his leave.

As Lin Zheng left Wang Jian's house, he realized that this opportunist was tempted.

As long as he's willing to help, Ma Hongshan's matter will be easy to handle.

.....................

In the afternoon, people from the district discipline inspection commission came down.

The team was led by Zhou Haidong, who went directly to the town government and called Qiu Ruiming into the meeting room for a half-hour talk.

When Qiu Ruiming came out, his face was ashen. He didn't say a word and went straight back to his office.

News of Qiu Ruiming's illegal and disciplinary violations quickly spread throughout the entire town government.

Some say that Qiu Ruiming is in trouble this time, as the district discipline inspection commission officials have come down in person, which means they must have evidence.

Some say that Qiu Ruiming, having served as the top official in Dianhai Town for so many years, has made too many enemies, and this time he was targeted.

In short, there are all sorts of opinions.

Lin Zheng was at the construction site when he received the message.

He stood in front of the unfinished three-story building, a cigarette between his fingers, looking at the distant sky.

When the district discipline inspection commission officials came down, Qiu Ruiming felt more pressure, while the construction site felt less pressure.

But this is only temporary. To completely resolve the problem, the first step is to take down Ma Hongshan.

He took out his phone and dialed Yang Wanshan's number.

"Mayor Yang, the people from the district discipline inspection commission have started working."

"We can't just sit idly by here either."

"Yes, we can't just sit idle."

On the other end of the phone, Yang Wanshan's voice carried a hint of excitement; he hadn't seen that Lin Zheng really did have some skills.

Qiu Ruiming's expression when he came out showed that this was no small matter.

"Mayor Yang, isn't it time to take action against Ma Hongshan?"

Yang Wanshan remained silent for a moment before replying, "Wait a little longer."

Lin Zheng frowned: "Are we still waiting? Mayor Yang, this is a crucial moment; if we miss it, it'll be gone forever."

"Let's wait for the district's investigation results before making a decision. You need to give me some time."

Alpaca!

Lin Zheng cursed inwardly.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "Mayor Yang, we can't wait any longer regarding Ma Hongshan's matter."

"The district's investigation into Qiu Ruiming will take at least a month. Are we going to have to wait a whole month?"

"Lin Zheng, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Measures?"

"Mayor Yang, are you waiting for Qiu Ruiming to really fall before you take action?"