"That's settled then. I'll call him right away." Yan Baiyang said, and then called out to Yuan Xian, the secretary at Menmen, "Yuan Xian, call Deputy Mayor Gong and have him come to me right now."

"Okay! Secretary!" Secretary Yuan Xian replied and called Deputy Mayor Gong Yongli.

. . . . .

Deputy Mayor Gong arrived soon.

The first thing he noticed after entering the office was that, in addition to Yan Baiyang, there was also Feng Yuxing. A hint of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Comrade Yongli, please sit down!" Yan Baiyang said with a smile, "Yuanxian, make Mayor Yongli a cup of tea!"

Deputy Mayor Gong Yongli doesn't like Feng Yuxing very much. Similarly, Feng Yuxing doesn't like Gong Yongli either. All members of the Xiyun Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government know this.

Of course, in the leadership team of Xiyun Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, the relationship between most people following Feng and Xing is not so harmonious, especially the relationship between Deputy Mayor Gong Yongli and Feng and Xing is even more incompatible.

Especially when he visited Changming Development Zone, in order to support the powerful enterprises in the development zone, he suppressed Feng Yuxing openly and secretly, and the conflict between the two became public.

His son committed a crime two years ago, and now Feng Yuxing arrested his son without a word. It was because of his son that he had no choice but to submit his resignation to the Municipal Party Committee because of his son's matter.

After Gong Yongli sat down, he did not immediately ask the municipal party secretary Yan Baiyang why he was notified to come.

At this moment, he thought to himself that he had already submitted his resignation. If he needed to talk about matters related to his resignation, it seemed unnecessary to let Feng Yuxing listen, and he was not qualified, because Feng Yuxing was not a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee.

But after he sat down, Yan Baiyang didn't seem to have any intention of letting Feng Yuxing leave.

Yan Baiyang saw the puzzled look on Gong Yongli's face and understood what was in Gong Yongli's mind. He looked at Gong Yongli and said with a smile, "Comrade Yongli! I asked you to come here. It's mainly related to your son's matter!"

Gong Yongli glanced at Yan Baiyang and Feng Yuxing and said, "What's there to talk about? My son broke the law, so he must accept legal sanctions. There's an old saying that 'a prince who breaks the law is guilty of the same crime as the common people.' What's more, I'm just a deputy mayor!"

Gong Yongli was not as arrogant as before, but his words were also full of resentment.

Feng Yuxing listened to Gong Yongli's words without saying anything, and smoked leisurely on the side. How could he not hear the resentment in Gong Yongli's heart from his words?

However, he didn't mind. He wanted to clear Gong Tinghui's suspicion, not because he wanted Gong Yongli to appreciate his favor, nor did he come to reconcile with Gong Yongli. He was the top leader of Changming County and was ready to serve the people. He would not wrongly accuse good people, nor would he let go of any violation of the law and discipline.

Feng Yuxing listened quietly to Gong Yongli's words. Although he did not respond immediately, his eyes revealed a hint of understanding of Gong Yongli's inner thoughts.

The air was filled with a faint smell of tobacco, mixed with deep resentment and dissatisfaction, which were direct reflections of Gong Yongli's emotions.

Feng Yuxing knew very well that his mission at this moment was not just to win Gong Yongli's gratitude or to seek harmonious coexistence between the two sides.

As the top leader of Changming County, he shoulders important responsibilities and missions. He must handle this case with an impartial and selfless attitude, rigorously and meticulously, and ensure that every decision can stand up to scrutiny and testing.

If Gong Tinghui's case is indeed a case of injustice, we will do our utmost to ensure that innocent people are not wrongly accused, and at the same time we will not let off any person who violates laws and regulations and undermines discipline.

There is only one clear line of principle in his mind: do not wrongly accuse a good person, nor condone a bad person. He lives a carefree life and mocks the law.

Facing Gong Yongli, whose son was imprisoned, Yan Baiyang could understand a father's feelings. "Comrade Yongli, please take a look at your son's confession first, then we can talk! This is something Comrade Yuxing came to discuss with me specifically!"

Yan Baiyang also followed Feng Yuxing and let Gong Yongli read the oral materials first, so that the other party could understand the meaning more easily.

Gong Yongli took his son's confession transcript from Yan Baiyang. He looked very dejected and flipped through it casually.

Two years ago, his son Gong Tinghui also told him the whole process of this matter. Of course, it was not as detailed as this, but the general idea was similar.

Time seemed to become unusually long at this moment. Gong Yongli finally finished reading. His eyes flashed with complex emotions, including anger, helplessness, and a barely perceptible sense of guilt.

He looked up at Yan Baiyang and Feng Yuxing, and said in a slightly hoarse voice:

"Secretary Baiyang, I admit that I didn't discipline Tinghui strictly enough, and even allowed him to run wild. Furthermore, there's nothing wrong with his confession. I failed to report what I knew, and I'm ashamed of the Party and the country."

Yan Baiyang took up Gong Yongli's topic and said:

"Comrade Yongli, you are right. We cannot violate the law because of personal emotions, but now is not the time for you to repent.

Comrade Yuxing hopes to get your help because he sees something wrong in your son's confession;

But at the same time, we must respect the law and follow legal procedures. Only in this way can we ensure that this matter is handled justly and fairly."

Gong Yongli glanced at Feng Yuxing, not only unhappy, but also full of resentment. "Comrade Yuxing, you have arrested the man, and he has confessed his guilt. As his father, I have also submitted my resignation. What else do you need me to do?"

Feng Yuxing took a deep breath of smoke, exhaled slowly, and then said calmly:

"Mayor Yongli, I understand your feelings. But the law is impartial and selfless. If Tinghui has indeed committed a crime, then he must accept legal sanctions. Our current goal is to find out the truth and clear Tinghui's name."

As soon as Feng Yuxing finished speaking, a hint of doubt and confusion flashed in Gong Yongli's eyes.

He looked at Feng Yuxing intently, trying to read some clues from the expression of the young county party secretary of Changming County.

Feng Yuxing met his gaze, nodded slightly, and said solemnly:

"Mayor Yongli, it's not just you who doesn't understand the confession, the secretary just now also didn't understand. Let me put it this way! As a father, you're only worried about your son's safety, and you haven't investigated the case itself! Let me ask you one question: are you so sure that your son is a murderer?

The law is impartial and impartial. It does not favor anyone based on their status, position, or wealth. If Tinghui has indeed committed a crime, he must accept legal sanctions. This is an unavoidable fact.

But I noticed something different in your son Gong Tinghui's confession. My initial judgment is that Gong Tinghui may not have been responsible for that man's death.

Of course, I'm not 100% sure, so I need you to work with me to make a presumption of innocence for Gong Tinghui first, but I need evidence.

Don't think about it too much. If your son Gong Tinghui really committed a crime, not only you, but the entire Xiyun City might be treated differently by the higher-ups!"