Several of them were eyeing Liu's position as deputy district head and secretly began to make their moves.
Six o'clock sharp.
As the first rays of sunlight shone into the alley, Grandpa Zhang, who was selling breakfast, had just set up his oil fryer when he was attracted by the cries of a newsboy.
Breaking news! Deputy District Chief Liu's brother-in-law smuggled vegetables using a coal truck! Exclusive photos!
Grandpa Zhang took out his reading glasses, leaned close to the newspaper, and was so angry that his beard stood on end.
"These parasites! No wonder vegetable prices are so high in winter!"
Such dialogues were playing out simultaneously in every corner of Beijing.
In less than an hour, the newspapers were sold out; teahouses, breakfast stalls, bus stops...
Everyone is talking about this scandal.
"Look at this photo! The coal truck is full of cucumbers and tomatoes!"
"These people are incredibly audacious; they dare to use a government-owned train for their own purposes!"
"I knew Sanbao Vegetable Shop's vegetables were ridiculously expensive, now I know why!"
Anger spread like wildfire.
7:30.
When Ma Sanbao arrived at his shop, humming a little tune and jingling his keys, he was stunned by what he saw.
Dozens of angry citizens blocked the store entrance, some of them clutching today's newspaper.
"That's him! The fat guy in the newspaper!"
A middle-aged woman wearing glasses pointed at him and screamed.
Before Ma Sanbao could react, a rotten tomato was smashed onto his shiny forehead.
"You bastard! Making money through dishonest means!"
"Take him to the police station!"
"Get rid of this parasite!"
The crowd surged forward.
Ma Sanbao turned to run, but a burly man grabbed him by the back of his collar.
"Don't hit him! Don't hit him! My brother-in-law is Liu..."
Ma Sanbao's wailing was interrupted by a powerful punch.
Blood gushed from his nose, and his expensive leather jacket was torn to shreds.
"Give me back my brother-in-law? He's not getting away either!"
Old Zhang, who sells pork, swung a rolling pin and hit him on the leg.
In the chaos, Officer Wang from the local police station arrived after hearing the news and was also shocked by the scene.
He initially intended to dissuade him, but changed his mind after seeing Ma Sanbao's face clearly.
Last week, he went to Sanbao Vegetable Store to buy vegetables and was ripped off.
"Stop it, all of you!"
Officer Wang made a perfunctory shout, then slowly pulled out his handcuffs.
"If you have anything to say, go to the police station."
at the same time.
The freight station was in an uproar.
Dozens of citizens, holding newspapers, surged toward the "Beijing B-4419" coal train, with some even climbing onto the carriages to take pictures.
"Look everyone! There are still vegetable leaves here!"
"A bamboo basket was hidden under the coal ash! The evidence is conclusive!"
Train conductor Lao Zhao hid in the duty room, too afraid to come out, large beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.
He dialed the railway bureau's security office with trembling hands.
"Quick, someone come quick... the car is surrounded..."
Nine o'clock sharp.
Three police cars sped up.
The head of the railway police department personally led the team, his face turning ashen as he looked at the remaining vegetables and freight bills in the carriage.
"Seal off the entire area! No one involved is allowed to leave!"
He shouted sternly, then turned to his secretary and said.
"Report this to the ministry immediately!"
At this moment, Deputy District Chief Liu was still fast asleep at home.
He was exhausted and didn't finish destroying all the "evidence" until 4 a.m. last night. He took two sleeping pills before he could fall asleep.
Right now, he's dreaming of getting promoted and making a fortune.
Ring ring...
The shrill ring of the telephone woke him from his dream.
"Who is it..."
Deputy District Head Liu fumbled for the microphone, his voice hoarse.
"Old Liu! Something terrible has happened!"
On the other end of the phone was Secretary-General Zhang, whose voice was filled with unprecedented panic.
"More than a dozen tabloids all reported it! Ma Sanbao was beaten up and taken to the police station, and his coal truck was seized by the railway police!"
Deputy District Chief Liu sat up abruptly, the effects of the sleeping pills wearing off instantly.
He felt a sudden dizziness, and the microphone slipped from his hand, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
"It's over...it's all over..."
He muttered to himself, his legs went weak, and he slid off the bed onto the floor.
The expensive silk pajamas were soaked with cold sweat and clung tightly to his plump body.
The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open, and Ma Chunmei rushed in, her face deathly pale.
"Old Liu! Lots of reporters have arrived outside! And there are people from the Discipline Inspection Commission too!"
Deputy District Chief Liu stared blankly out the window.
"District Chief Liu, please respond to the corruption allegations!"
"Were you involved in coal smuggling?"
"The disciplinary committee has opened an investigation..."
His lips trembled, but no sound came out.
Thirty years of official career, countless sleepless nights weaving a network of relationships, collapsed at this moment.
And at Dongdan Market.
Su Jianguo stood in front of "Su's Vegetable Shop".
Seeing the excited expressions on the faces of the neighbors as they passed around the newspaper, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
He turned to his wife and said.
"Call the villagers and tell Jianjun to deliver the vegetables quickly. It's our grand opening today, all vegetables are 20% off!!"
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