0121 130 Things have changed, people are no longer the same.
When Jiang Yunpeng and Zhou Pei first arrived in Beijing, they learned that the cabinet and the emperor had gone to Beidaihe to escape the summer heat. Only the logistics department personnel remained in the city, but they couldn't get any information from them. So the two of them changed planes and went to Beidaihe.
No sooner had they left Beijing than the CCP's All-Army Party Building Conference convened, and neither of them, busy traveling between the two locations, planned to attend.
After arriving in Beidaihe, it took another day of driving to reach their destination. Once contacted with the security bureau, Jiang Yunpeng quickly met the person he was to see. Zhou Pei, of course, could not accompany him; he was not qualified to meet the General Secretary.
Standing neatly dressed in the winding corridor in the middle of the lake, Jiang Yunpeng observed that although Beidaihe was a good place to escape the summer heat, the weather was still sweltering, and sweat was beading on his hat. Footsteps approached, and Jiang Yunpeng straightened up. Soon, the General Secretary arrived. Jiang Yunpeng went to greet him, and the Secretary smiled at him, saying, "You must have been hot on the way. We just received some wine from Guizhou; you can try some later."
The Party Secretary is known for his love of drinking. Jiang Yunpeng smiled and said, "I just heard that you went fishing this morning. I wonder if you had any wine or meat?"
"Since you're here, then of course there is something for you," the two said as they walked into the house. "How's the matter I asked you to handle?"
"We caught the person, but the interrogation took some effort..."
As soon as he entered the room, a cool breeze hit him, and Jiang Yunpeng immediately felt refreshed. There's a trick to this coolness; air conditioning is too cold, a naturally formed breeze is better. A house with good feng shui is naturally blessed with good fortune.
"What were the results?"
Once inside, the two sat on the sofa.
"The people involved might be of a higher rank than expected..." Jiang Yunpeng spoke slowly. The secretary was naturally suspicious, so every word had to be accurate, so as not to give anyone pause or make him think he was being superficial. His expression also had to match, feigning a troubled look.
"What's wrong? Tell me."
Jiang Yunpeng nodded, leaned close to the secretary's ear and whispered a few words. After listening, the secretary asked, "It's him? Are you sure? I promoted him myself!"
“We are also verifying this. After all, his work has no connection with the military, so there must be a problem with his work management. Based on the document released by the U.S. Air Force regarding the Rocket Force's personnel organization, structure, base distribution, technology, and funding, we can be certain that it was a high-level leak. Only he could have access to such high-level secrets.”
A murderous glint appeared on the secretary's face, his eyes like those of a fierce tiger, and the air itself seemed to hold swords. Jiang Yunpeng sat to the side, feeling constrained and awkward.
After a short while, the secretary said, "He already had a problematic background. His grandfather went astray in his thinking back then. After he reformed, the organization was tolerant of him and did not do anything harmful to him or his family. They even gave him many opportunities..." The secretary leaned back on the sofa and looked at Jiang Yunpeng, "Are you sure?"
Jiang Yunpeng dared not speak. Serving a ruler was like serving a tiger. He felt uneasy and thought he had been too hasty.
Are you sure? These three words contain many subtexts. First, how could someone promoted by the Emperor himself make a mistake? How could the Emperor be wrong? Second, this is merely a spy's testimony. Your abrupt report to the Emperor lacks any evidence, only some very basic evidence—which can be fabricated.
So, what is the purpose of your report? To sow discord?
The third point is, if this is true, what do you think should be done?
Jiang Yunpeng, of course, couldn't remain silent for long. He sighed, "Secretary, there is evidence, but there's also the possibility of being framed. He was promoted by you, and he won't let you down. I think there must be some misunderstanding here. If these things are true, considering his position as a vice-national leader, we should handle it discreetly. If this gets out, it will definitely cause political turmoil, and people at home and abroad will be watching, which will further strengthen the Party's work style education..."
After listening, the secretary pondered without speaking, and Jiang Yunpeng sat to the side in silence.
After a long while, the secretary said, "You should put this matter aside for now. The investigation cannot be neglected. Let him attend the occasions he is required to attend. We need to be careful with the wording in the media reports. Otherwise, let's hold off on everything else for now."
"That's fine," Jiang Yunpeng nodded. "Okay, no problem. Sorry to bother you, Secretary."
“This is your job too, you’ve worked hard,” the two stood up. “By the way, let’s have lunch together later.”
"Secretary, Xiao Zhou is still waiting for me outside."
The secretary smiled and nodded. "Xiao Zhou, right? Zhou Pei? The person you sent to carry out the mission?"
Jiang Yunpeng nodded. "This young man is reliable. Although his background isn't great, his abilities are undeniable. He's the one who caught this spy. He's a very good guy."
"I remember the last time something happened at the Suzhou Military Region, he accompanied you to investigate, right?"
Jiang Yunpeng laughed heartily, "Secretary, you have a great memory, it's definitely him!"
"Since everyone's here, don't rush to leave. Let Xiao Zhou stay and have lunch with us. The fish we caught this morning is very fresh."
Since the Party Secretary had spoken, Zhou Pei naturally couldn't refuse. At the dinner table, the Party Secretary and his wife ate together, while Jiang Yunpeng and Zhou Pei sat to the side. After the food was served, the housekeeper ate a few bites first before the Party Secretary picked up his chopsticks.
The four of them ate together, and naturally, the conversation started with everyday matters. After taking a couple of bites of rice, the Party Secretary put down his chopsticks and looked at Zhou Pei. "You're Zhou Pei? I've always heard Old Jiang praise you. Now that I see you, you really are a spirited young man."
With a smile, Zhou Pei said, "Hello, Secretary, I am Zhou Pei..."
"You have an older sister?"
Zhou Pei nodded, "Zhou Xiye."
The secretary had heard of her name; she used to be Ye Lifeng's confidante, but was kicked out of the position after she got it. He frowned and asked, "Where did your sister go? Yunnan or Guizhou?"
"In Kunming, Yunnan, I will serve as the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee."
At this point, the secretary remembered everything. "She was commended in Beijing not long ago. She has indeed brought fresh blood and vitality to Kunming since taking office. She is a capable person."
“Both siblings are very capable,” Jiang Yunpeng said from the side, “unlike my son, who just eats and drinks well every day and doesn’t do anything productive.”
"Haha, Old Jiang, your daughter is a princess!"
“Secretary, you’re joking. Your daughter isn’t even a princess, how could she be!” Jiang Yunpeng shook his head after saying that.
The secretary's wife chuckled, "My daughter, I don't know who she learned from, is now working in biotechnology in the US, and she and her husband are doing very well..."
Upon hearing this, the Party Secretary suddenly frowned, exchanged a glance with his wife, and then looked at Zhou Pei, "I heard your sister has a good friend named Ye Rouxin?"
Zhou Pei nodded, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"Is that Ye Lifeng's grandson?"
“Yes,” Zhou Pei said, looking at Jiang Yunpeng.
“He investigated a lot of things when he went abroad before, and even went to the Panama Bank… He encountered things he shouldn’t have,” the secretary paused, then sighed, “Premier Ye is one kind of person, and Ye Rouxin is another kind of person.”
Zhou Pei, unaware of the meaning behind those words, hurriedly explained, "My sister and he used to be a couple, but she married... Pei Zhiyu, and now she has no dealings with the Ye family."
The secretary then countered, "Has she really stopped having any contact with the Ye family?"
Zhou Pei couldn't make any promises; he just looked into the secretary's eyes and felt the pressure mounting.
Jiang Yunpeng stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Secretary, Ye Rouxin passed away not long ago, and his death was very suspicious."
The secretary snorted and picked up his chopsticks. "How could he not die? He found things he shouldn't have. There are many people who want him dead."
Zhou Pei turned to look at Jiang Yunpeng, only then did he learn of the news. Ye Rouxin was dead? He had no aversion to Ye Rouxin at all. His memory of her was that after Zhou Xiye told him she had a boyfriend, Ye Rouxin came to visit, and the two played a game of FIFA. Ye Rouxin was very skilled, and after winning, she wasn't too excited. She threw down the game controller, sank into the sofa, and crossed her legs.
“Don’t look at me like that. She’s your sister,” Ye Rouxin turned to meet his gaze and said innocently, “You don’t have any power for her to rely on right now.”
After that, Zhou Pei and Ye Rouxin had little contact. Even if Ye Rouxin didn't harbor any hostility towards him, Zhou Xiye stood between them.
Jiang Yunpeng noticed Zhou Pei's mood and kicked him. Zhou Pei snapped out of his daze and lowered his head to eat.
On the way out of Beidaihe, Zhou Pei remained silent. He checked his phone for news about Ye Rouxin's death, but there were no official reports. However, there were many rumors circulating, saying that Ye Rouxin died from excessive indulgence and drug use. How could the son of a prime minister be so reckless? They should investigate how much their family had embezzled.
There was a lot of vulgar and abusive talk about Ye Rouxin's death. Zhou Pei knew that news and information involving national leaders were usually quickly censored to prevent anyone from talking about them—a practice known as "silencing the mouth." But everyone knew about Ye Rouxin's death; even WeChat public accounts could publish articles about him. This had a significant impact on Ye Lifeng.
Zhou Pei put away his phone and turned his head to look at Beidaihe at night, a place he had never been before.
"You can ask your sister about Ye Rouxin's death; she's the one who brought Ye Rouxin home from Paris."
Zhou Pei turned to look at Jiang Yunpeng, "How did he die?"
"Excessive indulgence after drug use."
He is asexual.
Jiang Yunpeng laughed. "Obviously, someone doesn't want him to be."
Zhou Pei turned away, remaining silent. After boarding the plane, Jiang Yunpeng still reminded him, "You and your sister are now on opposing sides, so don't get involved in those messy things. The Party Secretary met with you personally today, and he may be observing you for a while afterward, so don't make any mistakes."
Zhou Pei nodded.
But Jiang Yunpeng was worried; he didn't know how much of Zhou Pei's advice had actually been taken to heart.
Two flowers bloom, each representing a different branch.
Zhou Xiye's long-awaited central inspection team finally arrived in Kunming. The team leader, Shen Yuhe, suggested meeting everyone at the provincial capital meeting. So, Zhou Xiye asked Qiao Senxi to arrange a meeting time and called Ling Xingzhi, but unexpectedly, Ling Xingzhi said he was busy and couldn't make it.
Originally, Ling Xingzhi wasn't required to attend this meeting, since he wasn't a member of the provincial party committee. Logically, the municipal party secretary and mayor should have gone with him to meet the group members. Ling Xingzhi's unusual behavior prompted Zhou Xiye to ponder for a moment, then he took out his phone and called someone in Beijing. He learned that the Wei family was under investigation, and Ling Xingzhi was handling the matter.
She's certainly reaching out far, but it's their own business and none of her concern. Just as she was about to hang up, the person on the other end of the line in Beijing said, "Zhou Xiye, I think I saw your brother come back."
Zhou Pei? Zhou Xiye was taken aback. "What do you mean by him coming back? Hasn't he been in Fujian all this time?"
"I'm not too sure either. It seems to be related to the Rocket Force. He came to Beijing and had negotiations with the procurement department of the Equipment Development Department, but I can't find out the specifics."
Zhou Xiye thought for a moment, then tapped his fingers on the table. "Okay, I understand. Thank you. That's all for now."
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Xiye sat there for a long time without moving.
Zhou Xiye only snapped out of her daze when Qiao Senxi came in and told her that it was almost time for the meeting and that she had to go to the provincial party committee.
It was at the provincial party committee meeting that Zhou Xiye finally saw Shen Yuhe, who was better seen than heard about.
With a face as handsome as jade and icy black eyes, he wore a black suit, and the corners of his eyes held a hint of a cold smile. His gaze towards Zhou Xiye was complex, unlike that of a seasoned veteran of the officialdom.
"Hello, Shen Yuhe."
Zhou Xiye hesitated for a few seconds before taking his hand, "Zhou Xiye."
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