Chapter 582 - 582: Strong Leader
After lunch, Lin Dade and his wife went home to pack their belongings, preparing for their trip to Dongzhou.
Fang Yiming and Xiao Man also returned to the hospital. Now Fang Yiming was the most popular person at the Xishan City Hospital. Having saved the daughter of the Provincial Police Department head, both the commander of the Provincial Military Region and the municipal party secretary had publicly praised him. Becoming a permanent staff member was no difficulty for him. Currently, the main consideration at the hospital was what position he should be given after his confirmation.
Given that Fang Yiming was still young, offering him a high position could be problematic since he might not handle it well, and he lacked experience. However, giving him a lower position might be seen as not respecting the three influential figures.
The hospital director, Zhou Benyong, had been completely dismissed and was currently under investigation. The new director, stressed about arranging Fang Yiming's affairs, was already going gray. Nonetheless, one thing was certain: Fang Yiming would definitely make significant achievements at the hospital in the future!
After everyone had left, only Liu Changping, Zhou Bolong, and Ye Qing remained in the room.
At that moment, Liu Changping's secretary, Xiao Li, came in and whispered, "Director Liu, Director Kong has been waiting outside for three hours. Should I let him in?"
Liu Changping nodded, and Secretary Xiao Li immediately went out. Soon, Kong Anwu entered, wiping his sweat. He had been waiting outside for a full three hours, which meant he had been there even before Liu Changping and the others had settled in, and had waited until now to be invited in.
Ye Qing looked at Liu Changping. He knew that Liu Changping was definitely aware of Kong Anwu's presence outside. But by ignoring it, he was sending a message to Kong Anwu that he was somewhat displeased with him. Yet, he ultimately allowed Kong Anwu in, which suggested that although he was dissatisfied, he was not ready to completely write off Kong Anwu. Therefore, when Kong Anwu entered, he had a look of relief on his face.
"Commander Zhou, Director Liu, Mr. Ye!" Kong Anwu greeted each of the three men in the room but didn't dare to sit down.
"Sit!" Liu Changping called out, and only then did Kong Anwu dare to sit, though he barely touched the chair, ready to stand up at any moment.
Kong Anwu said, "Director Liu, we have thoroughly investigated the evidence provided by Mr. Ye. The evidence is authentic, and Comrade Lu Jiangong indeed has serious disciplinary issues. So, I am specifically requesting Director Liu's approval to arrest Lu Jiangong and all individuals involved in this case!"
Liu Changping didn't speak but slowly sipped his tea. Zhou Bolong, even more casual, turned to chat with Ye Qing about Green Wolf's situation in the military, seemingly oblivious to Kong Anwu's presence.
Kong Anwu became extremely uneasy, knowing that Liu Changping's silence indicated dissatisfaction with what he had said. Moreover, he was aware of what particularly dissatisfied Liu Changping.
After a moment of silence, Kong Anwu gritted his teeth and said, "Director Liu, I too am responsible for this. I am the Municipal Police Chief of Xishan City, yet I failed to manage my subordinates properly. That is my dereliction of duty, and I am willing to take full responsibility. However, I beg the organization to allow me to fully handle this matter and then I will personally submit my resignation to the organization!"
Only then did Liu Changping put down his teacup and quietly looked at Kong Anwu, saying, "Old Kong, how many years have you been in Xishan City?"
"Five years," Kong Anwu replied softly.
"In these five years, all the things that happened in Xishan City, did you really not know about them?" Liu Changping paused, then continued, "Or else, if I hadn't come to Xishan City, if Ye Qing hadn't exposed these matters, would you still not know about them?"
Kong Anwu bowed his head, unsure how to respond. Of course, he knew about the situation in Xishan City. But frankly, he was powerless to change it.
"Our police force is a department most closely linked to people's lives. If the police cannot be honest and incorrupt, then how can the people live peacefully and work happily?" Liu Changping tapped the desk and said, "Old Kong, twenty-three years ago when you were pursuing a fugitive, you used your body to shield your colleague from a bullet. I thought then that you were a good comrade, brave and capable of great achievements. We need such courageous people in our police force. Fearless of hardships, fearless of authority, that is the character we need. I placed you in Xishan City because I believed you were a courageous and capable person who could change the situation in Xishan City. But to my disappointment, you accomplished nothing here over the past five years!"
Liu Changping spoke unhurriedly, in a calm tone, yet his words made Kong Anwu's face turn red with embarrassment. Clenching his fists, he looked up at Liu Changping and said, "Director Liu, I have failed to meet your expectations; I was overly cautious and overly concerned with the connections in the official circles of Xishan City. Rest assured, this time, I will investigate thoroughly until the end, even if it costs me myself, I will find everyone involved in this case!"
Only then did Liu Changping slowly nod his head and said, "Old Kong, every place has its local forces intertwined, which is inevitable. However, as police, if we also fear these local forces, then who can we rely on to fight these criminals? Since I assigned you here, don't worry—act decisively and ferret out all the parasites. Connections, backgrounds, official collusion—what of it! As long as you are willing to commit and dig deep, should any trouble arise, I have your back. If I can't support it, the National Police Department will, so what is there for you to worry about?"
Liu Changping's words deeply stirred Kong Anwu, and even Ye Qing couldn't help but take a second look at Liu Changping. This man appeared calm and kind on the outside, the image of a nice guy. But in reality, his methods and courage in handling affairs were much stronger than Zhou Bolong's. Moreover, like Zhou Bolong, he also intensely despised evil, hating wrongdoing. Such a man being the head of the Dong Province Police Department truly commanded Ye Qing's respect and admiration. Indeed, only such a person should and indeed could lead!
Ye Qing didn't admire many people, but from Liu Changping's speech just now, Liu Changping had become someone Ye Qing truly admired from the bottom of his heart!
"Old Liu is right!" Zhou Bolong slammed the table and exclaimed, "Damn it, what are you afraid of? I tell you, just investigate, investigate vigorously. Should any trouble arise, I'll have your back too! Damn it, I fought with my life back then, sacrificed so many brothers, to win a world for the people. Why should these parasites enjoy it? These bastards, catching them and having them shot one by one would be most fitting."
"Old Zhou, you're going a bit too far there!" Liu Changping said, "We abide by the law, and what the law dictates, we must follow. It's no longer the time of war; your approach is not suitable anymore!"
"Damn this suitability talk! The thing I hate the most in my life is corrupt officials. Why did I join the army back then? It was because I couldn't stand being bullied by these people anymore. Damn this what-the-law-says, don't talk to me about that; I am just a stubborn guy, corrupt officials all deserve to die!" Zhou Bolong slammed the table and declared, "I refuse to accept it; even if I kill a few corrupt officials, what can anyone do to me?"
Liu Changping couldn't help but smile at Zhou Bolong's fiery temper, deciding not to argue with him anymore.
"Old Kong, remember what you said!" Liu Changping looked at Kong Anwu and said, "The police force here in Xishan City, you must thoroughly investigate from top to bottom. Anyone who violates regulations or commits crimes must be severely punished. Even if only you remain in Xishan City, you must make everything clear, or else I'd send people from the provincial department to help you. You and I are about the same age, and after another five years, it will be time to retire. I'm giving you five more years, and I hope that when you leave Xishan City, it's not with a sullied reputation!"
This made Kong Anwu even more impassioned, tears welling up in his eyes, as he stood at attention and saluted Liu Changping, saying, "I will definitely live up to Director Liu's expectations!"
Liu Changping nodded and added, "Right, also look into the matter concerning Erhe Village. I know this might involve many important officials from the municipal committee and government, but do not be afraid. Once you go back, I will personally communicate with the higher-ups. That incident from back then, we must provide a resolution for all the innocent victims. No matter how high the positions those officials hold now, they must return and kneel at the graves of those wronged souls to confess and face punishment!"
"Yes!" Kong Anwu responded loudly.
Zhou Bolong said, "I'm telling you, just go ahead and investigate. If you're short on manpower, call the military district. I've already made arrangements; the personnel from Xishan City's military district can be assigned to assist you at any time!"
Kong Anwu, overjoyed, was indeed in desperate need of more hands for his investigations. Most personnel in the Xishan City police system were Lu Jiangong's people, making his investigations challenging. Zhou Bolong providing him with this convenience was like divine aid, significantly facilitating his investigation. Moreover, the military personnel, being uninvolved with local affairs and beyond the reach of the municipal committee and government, could help as long as Zhou Bolong commanded it—who could stop them!
"Thank you, Commander Zhou!" Kong Anwu replied excitedly.
Liu Changping gave him a few more instructions before allowing him to leave.
"Mr. Ye, now let's talk about your matters." Liu Changping then turned to Ye Qing and said, "I've heard that the police department in Xishan City is issuing a warrant for you, claiming you are involved in organized crime and gambling, unlawfully imprisoning children, and have killed several people. What exactly is going on?"
"Is that even necessary to ask? It's definitely a false accusation!" Zhou Bolong looked at Ye Qing and said, "This kid is good. You know what Fifth Brother is like, he wouldn't associate with people of poor character. If Fifth Brother gave him my number, it means this kid definitely doesn't have a character issue!"