Jiang Xiaochuan sat in the hospital, with lingering thoughts clouding his mind.

Suddenly, an explosion occurred, enveloping everyone.

Jiang Xiaochuan vividly recalled the scene. He was pinned down by Lian Cheng, then felt Lian Cheng risen up, warm liquid trickling down his neck from Lian Cheng’s arm.

At that moment, he couldn’t hear anything, his vision blurred. He vaguely sensed cries or screams, yet for some reason, he perceived silence as fitting for that moment.

Through his blurred vision, the slender figure of Lian Cheng stood amidst the hot air waves, amidst the debris, amidst the scene of carnage. The sleeves of his white shirt now soaked red, his hair slightly singed, curled by the heat. The wind tousled his shirt, sweeping his bangs aside. His eyes fixed on the raging fire ahead, a profound darkness dwelling within.

In this silent realm, devoid of crackling flames, shouts, or commotion…

Lian Cheng lit a cigarette, standing erect, motionless as a statue.

He couldn’t gauge how long Lian Cheng stood there, as later, he was carried into the ambulance by medical personnel. Clearly unharmed, while the one needing rescue remained.

A minor concussion.

Jiang Xiaochuan rubbed his forehead, finding the absurdity in everything.

 

Qian Qiming was dead.

Expectedly so, being at the explosion’s epicenter. It would’ve been odd had he survived.

Qian Qiming had barely returned, only to face such a fate… These people were truly dreadful.

A bunch driven solely by greed.

Jiang Xiaochuan had only sustained minor scratches and a bandage on his forehead. Standing before the window, he perused the latest newspaper headlines.

The explosion was mentioned briefly. The government mouthpieces adhered to the official narrative, avoiding sensitive topics.

Scanning through other articles, he found nothing of interest.

With only a mild concussion, he had been under observation in the hospital for a few days.

The ward’s cabinets overflowed with flower baskets and fruits, yet Jiang Xiaochuan had no inclination to look. Were it not for Lian Cheng’s intervention, he would’ve perished too.

Pushing the ward door open, he gazed upon the desolate corridor, guided by his recollection of Lian Cheng’s ward’s whereabouts.

 

Lian Cheng’s arm was cut by the blown car metal, and the injury was relatively serious.

When someone from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection came to inspect such incidents, it was indeed a significant matter.

Every time a crucial piece of evidence emerged, key individuals were always disconnected, witnesses constantly endangered, and accidents kept occurring.

Qiu Yi, Uncle Qiu, Zhang Xiaoli, Qian Qiming… Regardless of their status, gender, age, or moral standing, if investigated by Lian Cheng and likely to become witnesses, they were all persecuted.

.

Standing at the door of Lian Cheng’s ward, he knocked.

“Please come in,” came Lian Cheng’s calm voice.

Jiang Xiaochuan glanced at the two guards by the door, then at Lian Cheng’s door, before pushing it open.

“It’s Mayor Jiang,” Lian Cheng remarked, lying on the hospital bed with one hand still wrapped in gauze, holding some white paper that seemed to have something printed on it.

He raised his eyes, spotting Jiang Xiaochuan entering. He smiled and asked, “Is Mayor Jiang alright?”

 

“I’ll be discharged from the hospital after a few days of rest. Deputy Director Lian…” he wanted to inquire about Lian Cheng’s health but found it difficult to ask too directly.

Lian Cheng set aside the documents in his hands, “It’s just a superficial injury. Speaking of which, I’ll probably leave Chengzhou soon.”

Jiang Xiaochuan was momentarily stunned. What about the ongoing investigations?

Clearly, Lian Cheng sensed his doubts. He averted his gaze, his hospital gown seeming thin, despite it being summer. “There are implications from above. With Qian Qiming dead, certain matters can’t be pursued. No one knows the consequences of continuing investigations. We know there are issues with those people, but without evidence, we’re powerless. It’s just not feasible.”

There was a chaos already brewing within the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. If he didn’t return, irreversible consequences loomed.

Lian Cheng never admitted to lacking connections.

Today’s officialdom was rife with young master of wealthy family, and he was just one among many. His decision was indeed unconventional. These young masters rarely chose thankless roles like the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Jiang Xiaochuan found himself speechless, unsure of what to say.

It was a stalemate, a dead end with no escape.

Could the turmoil in Chengzhou simply come to an abrupt halt?

Suddenly, he felt a profound sense of irony.

There were bruises around Lian Cheng’s eye sockets, indicating recent sleep deprivation. As he recounted recent events, he cautioned Jiang Xiaochuan, “When we were on the national highway, Xu Weiguo likely knew the inside story, but now, with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection unable to investigate due to my evacuation, no one can suppress them or tip off the snake. After these recent visits, the Chengzhou officialdom will see a significant purge, temporarily calming the chaos. However, it’s merely addressing symptoms, not the root cause.”

Jiang Xiaochuan felt burdened. He turned to gaze at the greenway shrouded in dense shade outside the window, the gloomy sky suffocating.

“Will there ever be a day when we address the root cause?” He questioned skeptically, recognizing the perpetual cycle of corruption within the bureaucracy.

As one corrupt official fell, countless others risen.

The endless intrigue persisted.

The chess match between Chengzhou and even the capital of Shu remained unresolved.

Even Lian Cheng, despite his youth, was perplexed by Jiang Xiaochuan’s seemingly straightforward inquiry. Despite his initial enthusiasm and subsequent adeptness in disciplinary inspection work, he never anticipated being tormented by the committee. Yet, every year, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection uncovers a plethora of complex issues—corruption, unethical practices, and influence peddling. What he hadn’t seen?

Addressing the root cause might just be a pipe dream.

But perhaps, one day, it would be attainable.

.

“It’s unfeasible now, but one day it will be, though by then, you and I may be nothing but dust,” Lian Cheng remarked, rising from bed to open the window, allowing in the cool morning breeze.

Oh, it was going to rain again.

“I’ve been in Chengzhou for so many years, yet it seems to rain frequently. Was it like this before?” He asked, an unrelated query.

Jiang Xiaochuan concurred, “This year seems to have more rainfall.”

 

“It’s been less in Beijing lately…” Lian Cheng mused before turning to Jiang Xiaochuan, eyeing the bandage on his head, and inquired, “Mayor Jiang, do you still recall what you signed?”

“I do,” acknowledging the agreement’s significant impact.

If corruption permeated every corner of China, the nation might have crumbled long ago. While many criticized relevant departments for inaction, they themselves used connections for personal gain. Cleansing this bureaucracy depended not solely on the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s actions but on the multitude still engaging in bribery.

“Those with issues must be monitored, but there’s a line you mustn’t cross. While sometimes we employ unconventional methods, they remain within a legal framework,” Lian Cheng explained calmly, “My departure is imminent, but I hope upon my return, we can reinvigorate Chengzhou and break free from this deadlock.”

Chengzhou was on deadlock.

Jiang Xiaochuan was overwhelmed with emotions. Countless words were trapped in his heart, yet he couldn’t utter a single one.

“The political landscape in Chengzhou is often dictated not solely by the Chengzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government themselves. A significant portion is influenced by factions within the province. Some individuals have ties to the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Others share political alignments with them. Therefore, what unfolds in Chengzhou isn’t just local affairs; it’s often a power struggle among those above,” Lian Cheng expressed, his mind brimming with thoughts.

Recalling the incident where he saved Jiang Xiaochuan previously, Lian Cheng continued, “Provincial Party Committee Secretary Zheng Liangyou managed to weather the storm during the altercation involving his daughter and Zhou Qian last time. He is connected to the Yue family in the military region, who hold considerable sway within the Provincial Party Committee. Exercise caution around Zheng Liangyou.”

“As for Qu Zhendong, the deputy secretary of the Provincial Party Committee who endorsed your promotion, he maintains ties with someone from the Political Bureau, with the individual hailing from Shudu Province. The better the situation in Shudu, the more leverage he gains within the bureau. Therefore, Chengzhou’s developments may not align with his expectations. While some seek to undermine senior leaders, others, like him, wish to maintain their positions. The turbulence in Chengzhou may persist for quite some time.”

“Qu Zhendong holds sway within the bureau and clashes fiercely with Zheng Liangyou. The situation within their provincial committee is of great concern. We’ll gain clarity soon. I won’t elaborate further; time is the essence,” Lian Cheng concluded, emphasizing the urgency.

Startled, Jiang Xiaochuan gazed at Lian Cheng.

Lian Cheng smiled, “I’ll depart this afternoon.”

When the explosion occurred, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection responded promptly. They were incensed by such blatant violence and suppression, yet couldn’t employ harsh measures. The Party Central Committee directive emphasized the need to maintain overall harmony, and their actions risked destabilizing Chengzhou. Should chaos ensue, even the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection stood to lose.

Subsequently, witnesses perished under mysterious circumstances, economic issues surfaced, and two deputy mayors were dismissed consecutively. This was followed by intense underworld clashes in Chengzhou, leading to the reorganization of underground forces. Now, with a deputy mayor falling victim to a bomb blast, along with injuries sustained by Lian Cheng and other casualties, even the armed police weren’t spared.

It was a gruesome tragedy that would leave an enduring mark on Lian Cheng’s psyche. However, he wasn’t one to succumb easily. The brazen actions of those behind the scenes only fueled Lian Cheng’s determination. He relished challenges and abhorred criminality.

“Mayor Jiang, you are the ace up my sleeve in Chengzhou. I implore you never to be tainted by corruption and immorality, always standing tall and resolute in Chengzhou’s bureaucracy.”

Amidst the corridor, Jiang Xiaochuan touched his forehead, contemplating his next move. Would he be waging this battle alone?

.

Outside, the rain began to fall once more.

He never imagined he would become a lone warrior.

 

Note: this kind of remind me of that peculiar case, a witness of corruption case was found dead mutilated and burned, just a few days or a week before the trial. Tragic and brutal, shame absolutely shameful.