booktalesy Chapter 430 A Righteous Young County Magistrate Who Seeks Justice for the People
Chapter 430 A Righteous Young County Magistrate Who Seeks Justice for the People
Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Xinghua, what's your opinion on the illegal sand mining?"
Lu Xinghua said, "Yuan Xiaowu's attitude in front of you today is quite intriguing."
Tell me about it.
"He didn't argue with you, or even try to defend himself; instead, he immediately agreed to stop the work. This is illogical."
A person who makes a living by sand mining should at least try to negotiate a price if their livelihood is cut off.
But he didn't; he agreed too readily. That was very unusual.
Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "You noticed it too?"
Lu Xinghua said, "I can tell that he is stalling for time."
He's waiting for the storm to pass, for you to shift your attention to other things, and then everything will go back to normal.
Wu Zhiyuan's expression was solemn: "Yuan Xiaowu has been operating in Qingyan for so many years, and his network of relationships is intricate and complex."
His sand mining has been able to continue for so many years not because he is so skilled, but because someone is backing him up.
In the Water Resources Bureau, the Land and Resources Bureau, and even the Public Security Bureau, there are people speaking on his behalf and doing things for him.
It was no accident that I confronted Yuan Xiaowu today in front of Hu Jianhua and Tan Zhiyong.
I want them to see what my attitude is towards this matter.
After they return, they will convey this attitude to the appropriate people.
Lu Xinghua suddenly realized: "You deliberately had them there?"
"What else? Take them sightseeing? The problem of the Shicao River didn't happen overnight. Ma Guoliang and the others are all corrupt."
Even if they didn't take Yuan Xiaowu's money, they are still responsible for negligence.
I'm letting them see for themselves how badly that river has been ruined, so they'll know they can't deny it.
"So what do you plan to do with them?"
"Whether or not to take action depends on their performance. All sewage outlets within Qingyan must be rectified within one month."
All illegal sand mining must be cleaned up within a week.
If they can do that, it means they still have the ability to execute, and I can let bygones be bygones.
If they can't do it, or if they just pay lip service or do a perfunctory job, then don't blame me for being impolite.
After a moment of contemplation, Lü Xinghua said, "County Chief Wu, what I'm worried about is that even if Ma Guoliang and his team want to do it, they might not be able to."
Yuan Xiaowu's sand dredging boat has been around for a long time. The Water Resources Bureau has investigated it before, but each time it was all talk and no action.
There are obstacles, pressures, and things we can't see.
Wu Zhiyuan was silent for a moment, then said, "We won't go back to the office; we'll go directly to the county public security bureau to see Rao Zhengyi."
"But, County Chief Wu, do you think Rao Zhengyi will cooperate?"
Wu Zhiyuan didn't answer directly, but instead said something seemingly unrelated: "Xinghua, do you know what the most important lesson I've learned in all my years of work experience is?"
Lü Xinghua shook his head.
Never overestimate a person's loyalty, and never underestimate a person's selfishness.
The fact that Rao Zhengyi has been able to work in the public security system for so many years shows that he is capable.
But having ability doesn't mean someone is responsible.
When Yuan Jin was around, he was close to Yuan Jin;
When Liang Dongming arrived, he became close to Liang Dongming again.
This shows he's a smart person. Smart people know how to choose sides, and they know when to step in and when to observe.
Rao Zhengyi, the deputy county head and director of the public security bureau, has his office on the seventh floor of the county public security bureau.
Rao Zhengyi was in his early fifties, with a robust build, a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, giving him a rather dignified appearance.
Seeing Wu Zhiyuan arrive uninvited, he was somewhat displeased, but Wu Zhiyuan was, after all, the county magistrate, so he still stood up and said insincerely, "County Magistrate Wu, what brings you here? You could have just called if you needed anything, and I would have come over."
"County Chief Rao is a very busy man, I'm afraid I won't be able to get him to come by phone."
Wu Zhiyuan's words had a veiled sarcastic tone.
After he became the county magistrate, Rao Zhengyi never went to his office on his own initiative. On the one or two occasions he did go, it was always out of necessity.
Rao Zhengyi was well aware of Wu Zhiyuan's implied meaning, and he smiled, "County Chief Wu is joking."
He led Wu Zhiyuan to sit on the sofa, then sat on one side of the sofa and crossed his legs.
"What instructions does County Magistrate Wu have for me today?"
"It's not really about giving instructions, it's just about coming to take a look. You could call it a survey, or you could say it's just a chat."
This is my first time visiting the county public security bureau since I came to Qingyan. It's not that I don't value it, but I'm just too busy with work.
What is the overall public security situation in Qingyan now?
Rao Zhengyi slightly turned his body to the side, changing the direction of his crossed legs.
He worked in the public security system for more than 30 years, rising step by step from a grassroots police officer to deputy county head, and had met countless leaders.
To be honest, he didn't take a young county head like Wu Zhiyuan too seriously.
"The social security situation in Qingyan County is generally good, stable, and can withstand scrutiny."
First, the criminal case rate has declined for three consecutive years, decreasing by 8.6 percent year-on-year last year and by another 4.2 percent in the first half of this year.
Secondly, the homicide case clearance rate has been 100% for five consecutive years, a remarkable achievement in the city.
Third, in the public's sense of security and satisfaction survey, Qingyan ranked third in the city last year, setting a new historical record.
When Rao Zhengyi finished speaking, he glanced at Wu Zhiyuan, as if waiting for his confirmation.
Wu Zhiyuan remained expressionless, simply nodding: "Anything else?"
"Since the launch of the campaign against organized crime, we have dismantled two criminal gangs, solved more than 30 criminal cases of various types, and detained more than 40 people."
The incidence of theft, robbery, fraud, and other frequently occurring property crimes has dropped significantly, the social security and prevention system has been continuously improved, and the visibility and responsiveness of police in society have increased markedly.
"County Chief Rao, I spent half the morning at the Petition Bureau and went to Shicaohe this afternoon. I have a few cases that I'd like to discuss with you."
"County Magistrate Wu, please speak."
"One of them is Yuan Xiaowu, who illegally mines sand. He has a group of people under him. According to the public, he has a history of violent monopoly and threats against whistleblowers."
At the beginning of the year, some villagers reported being beaten while mining sand, but the case was dropped after the police were not heard.
I wonder if County Chief Rao is aware of this case?
"County Chief Wu, Yuan Xiaowu's illegal sand mining is mainly under the jurisdiction of the water resources and land departments."
If it involves violent crime, it falls under the category of public security or criminal cases. As long as the public reports the case, we will definitely investigate and handle it in accordance with the law.
Which township and village specifically is this case you mentioned? I'll have the local police station check to see if anything has been missed.
"Hejiagou Village. The whistleblower was beaten at the beginning of the year, suffering fractures to two fingers on his left hand and a fracture to his left leg, and spent two months in the hospital."
He said he reported it to the police, but they haven't found the culprit. A grown man was beaten like that, and after months of investigation there are still no results—does County Chief Rao think that's normal?
Rao Zhengyi's expression was somewhat grim: "I need to understand the specifics."
However, some assault cases are indeed very difficult to solve if the suspect escapes, or if there are no witnesses or surveillance footage at the scene.
When we handle cases in the police force, we emphasize evidence; we cannot rely on guesswork.
Wu Zhiyuan said unhurriedly, "Okay, then I'll talk about the next one."
In Hejiawan Village on the outskirts of the city, there is a man named He Biao who forcibly occupied collective land, prompting a joint complaint from the villagers.
Not long after the letter of complaint was submitted, He Biao found out and led a group of people to threaten people from house to house. On the way, he even beat Chen Dayong, a villager who led the signing, so badly that he was seriously injured.
Chen Dayong also reported it to the police, and in the end, two people were arrested to take the blame, while He Biao himself got away scot-free. Is County Chief Rao aware of this case?
"We remember He Biao's case. We filed a case, arrested people, and the court also made a judgment in the case of Chen Dayong being beaten."
As for whether He Biao was involved or instructed, the investigation must be based on evidence.
There is currently no direct evidence to prove that He Biao was the mastermind.
County Chief Wu, our police require strict procedures and solid evidence when handling cases.
It's not that whoever reports someone is the victim, or that whoever speaks ill of someone is the suspect.
"County Chief Rao, there is another one, Li Qiaozhen, a resident of Chengguan Town, whose daughter Zhao Xiaoyu, 19 years old, worked at a hotel and went missing a few months ago. She has not been seen alive or dead."
Zhao Xiaoyu has been missing for several months. What has your task force found out?
Have you determined the exact time of her disappearance? Have you reviewed all the surveillance footage around the area where she was last seen?
Has her social network been thoroughly investigated? Have possible hiding places been searched?
Rao Zhengyi finally lost his temper and said angrily, "County Chief Wu, it feels like you're not here to conduct research, but to interrogate me!"
You treat every case like you're interrogating me!
It's as if our Public Security Bureau is just sitting around doing nothing, and as if I, Rao Zhengyi, am a good-for-nothing and a protector of organized crime!
You want us to investigate? Fine, we'll investigate in accordance with the law and regulations!
But you can't come in with prejudice, as if our police station is deliberately not investigating or deliberately covering up for someone!
Wu Zhiyuan calmly said, "County Chief Rao, you've misunderstood. I'm not interrogating you, much less negating the work of all the police officers in the Public Security Bureau."
I'm trying to understand the situation, and also to remind you that in some cases, the public has discerning eyes, and we cannot turn a deaf ear to their voices.
You're right, evidence is essential for solving cases. But evidence is found, not waited for.
"If the public provides clues, we should investigate and dig deeper."
Rao Zhengyi suddenly stood up and almost roared, "I, Rao Zhengyi, have worked on the public security front for more than 30 years. I have solved more cases and arrested more people than you have ever seen!"
I know more about case handling and evidence than you do!
In the case of Zhao Xiaoyu's disappearance, we set up a special task force, investigated all possible clues, and retrieved all available surveillance footage from the surrounding area!
No suspicious persons were found, and no valuable clues were discovered!
How am I supposed to investigate? Are you expecting me to conjure up a murderer out of thin air? Or are you just going to grab someone and call it a day?
Wu Zhiyuan's tone remained calm: "Zhao Xiaoyu's mother, Li Qiaozhen, knelt in front of me in the petition reception room today, crying and saying that she only has this one child, and she can't live if something happens to her child."
County Magistrate Rao, you also have children. How do you feel after hearing these words?
"County Chief Wu, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to pressure me with the tears of family members?"
I, Rao Zhengyi, have been working in the public security system for thirty years, and I've seen more tears than you've ever heard in a report!
Which victim's family member isn't in pain? Which one isn't in despair?
If cases could be solved with just sympathy and tears, then what's the point of having police officers? What's the point of having laws?
Rao Zhengyi, still furious, continued, "I, Rao Zhengyi, have been a police officer for over thirty years. Fighting crime and maintaining public order is my duty. I don't need you to teach me."
Public security work has its own set of rules; it's not a matter of who has the highest rank who has the final say.
If you think I, Rao Zhengyi, am incompetent, you can report it to the county party committee or the municipal bureau. There's no need to be sarcastic and bossy here!
"County Chief Rao, you're right. There are rules to public security work, and it's not about who has the highest rank who has the final say."
I have neither the qualifications nor the interest to teach you how to solve cases.
He paused, then continued, "I'm not here today to teach you how to handle cases, nor to listen to your complaints or boasting."
I'm just here as a county magistrate to find out whether the most basic sense of security of the people in Qingyan is guaranteed.
When their legitimate rights and interests are violated, when their relatives are missing, can they believe that the public security organs will do their utmost to give them justice?
Is it a pattern that the case of the severely injured villagers of Hejiagou remains unsolved for months?
Is it a pattern that He Biao can openly commit murder yet find someone to take the blame and escape justice?
Zhao Xiaoyu, a young woman, disappeared from the county town for several months without a trace, neither alive nor dead. You have been investigating but have found nothing. Is this a pattern?
If these are all patterns in the work of the Qingyan Public Security Bureau, then what use are these patterns to ordinary people?
What they want is peace! Justice! Someone to take responsibility when something goes wrong, and someone to seek redress when they are wronged!