After leaving the hotel.

Chen Fang immediately called Chen Huaizhong to inquire about the specifics of the Bai Shuang case.

This was the only connection he had within the police system since arriving in Rongjiang City.

Since Chen Huaizhong is part of the National Security Brigade and doesn't oversee criminal cases, he had to utilize his contacts to gather information.

This inquiry.

It wasn't until noon the next day that he received a reply.

Chen Huaizhong informed Chen Fang that the Bai Shuang case was directly handled by the Criminal Investigation Team of the Changting Branch at the scene of the crime.

Li Qiulun, the director of the Changting Public Security Bureau, personally issued orders to the task force, prohibiting Bai Shuang from hiring any lawyers, which is the reason Zhao Yiyi's procedures couldn't be processed.

Obviously.

This was against regulations.

But considering that Lu Wenyuan's mother, Lu Ke, is the district chief of Changting, it seemed less surprising.

The current situation makes it difficult for Chen Fang to get involved.

Although he is nominally the Mayor.

But Zhou Jingyan is above him.

She is a member of the Provincial Committee, wielding more power and influence.

Below him is Zhang Moqian, the Deputy Mayor, who restricts his actions no matter what he tries to do, preventing him from operating unhindered.

To completely resolve the situation is quite challenging.

It was at this moment.

Chen Fang thought of someone.

Zheng Chi, the former Deputy Director of the Changhua District Public Security Bureau and now the Deputy Director of the Changting District Public Security Bureau.

Why did he suddenly think of him?

There are two reasons.

Firstly, Zheng Chi works at the Changting District Public Security Bureau and should be well-informed about the case.

Secondly.

After all these years, Zheng Chi is still in the same position.

Meaning he has no connections at all.

Some might say he has a decent relationship with Zhang Moqian; back then, Zhang Moqian even sought him out to resolve issues.

But if you think about it from another angle.

Zheng Chi was merely a pawn under Zhang Moqian.

Now that he's risen to a position on the City Committee as Deputy Mayor, would he still care about someone like Zheng Chi?

Therefore, in Chen Fang's mind, Zheng Chi seems to be the most suitable candidate.

Let's get to it.

Chen Fang immediately called Chen Huaizhong.

Asked him to invite Zheng Chi out in his name.

At seven-thirty in the evening.

Chen Fang arrived at the reserved seafood restaurant as planned.

At the entrance, Chen Huaizhong was already waiting in casual attire.

Seeing Chen Fang get out of the car, he promptly approached to open the door for him.

"Officer Chen, thank you."

Chen Fang said, patting Chen Huaizhong on the arm.

Chen Huaizhong smiled slightly and said, "Mayor Chen, you're too kind. Mei Mei told me that when you worked together, you helped her quite a lot, so it's only right."

This remark made Chen Fang a bit embarrassed.

He didn't help much otherwise, just fulfilled other needs thoroughly.

He awkwardly said, "Then, when you return, please send my regards to Wen Mei."

"Sure, definitely."

After finishing, Chen Huaizhong bid farewell to Chen Fang and left.

When Chen Fang pushed open the door to the private room, Zheng Chi was holding the waitress's hand, pretending to read her palm.

Upon hearing the door open.

He instantly let go of her hand.

He looked up.

And was completely stunned.

"Chen... Chen City..."

"Alright, no need for formal titles in private. Sit, please sit."

Chen Fang gestured to him.

Zheng Chi didn't finish his sentence.

He swallowed.

Sitting down anxiously.

His eyes kept glancing towards the door.

Seemingly waiting for Chen Huaizhong to come in and clarify.

Chen Fang chuckled.

Said, "Don't look, Director Chen had to leave for something. I asked him to invite you today."

Zheng Chi was taken aback.

Looked at Chen Fang without understanding.

Chen Fang calmly picked up a wine bottle to pour him a drink.

Frightening Zheng Chi as he quickly stood up, proactively taking the bottle, saying, "Mayor Chen, let me pour for you..."

Chen Fang didn't refuse.

After both glasses were filled.

Chen Fang raised his glass towards Zheng Chi, saying, "Come, Director Zheng, we're old friends, let's have a drink..."

Chen Fang took a small sip.

Zheng Chi didn't dare delay,

He downed the whole glass.

With some alcohol in him.

The conversation became much easier.

Chen Fang, while inviting Zheng Chi to eat, carelessly asked, "Zheng Chi, I remember when we met, you were already the Deputy Director of the Changhua District Branch, how come after so long, you're still a Deputy Director?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chi's face immediately turned dark.

He drank another glass of wine.

Said dejectedly, "Mayor Chen, you honor me with this invitation, so I'll be straightforward. What else could it be? It's because there's no one to support me above."

Chen Fang feigned surprise and said, "No way, I remember you had a good relationship with Deputy Zhang. When he had issues with me, he called you over to help..."

Mentioning past matters.

Zheng Chi immediately tensed up again.

He put down his chopsticks.

Quickly said, "Mayor Chen, at that time... I was naive. I... I was just called over by Deputy Zhang, I truly didn't know..."

Chen Fang smiled slightly.

Patting the back of his hand.

He said, "Zheng Chi, I'm not here to settle old scores. If I wanted to trouble you, I wouldn't invite you for a meal. Don't be nervous, relax; I just want to chat..."

Despite saying such.

One is the Mayor, the other is merely a Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau.

There is certainly anxiety.

He paused, said, "After those events, Secretary Zhang—no, Deputy Zhang stopped interacting with me much. Perhaps because, in his eyes, I lost my value..."

"So, the last time you helped Lu Wenyuan, was it just to suck up to District Chief Lu?"

Chen Fang asked.

Zheng Chi's face reddened.

Slowly nodded.

Said sorrowfully, "Mayor Chen, we are different from you big figures. Climbing up may seem easy for you but is almost unreachable for us. We also wish not to grovel and flatter, but we have no other choice."

His words weren't merely complaints.

It's a real dilemma for many grassroots public servants.

Some spend their lives stuck at deputy section chief level as their ceiling.

While others quickly rise to division level, bureau level, and even national top positions.

Is it really just about ability?

Certainly not.

Chen Fang, having been in the political arena for many years.

Was familiar with the currying favor and scrambling for profits.

He knows too well the power of "connections."

Just like him, without Shangguan Shoudong's backing, he wouldn't have become the Mayor of Rongjiang City before his forties.

For someone like Zheng Chi without any connections.

Holding steady as Deputy Director of the district Public Security Bureau is already fortunate.

Is he really incompetent?

Not at all!

Zheng Chi is 44 years old.

He joined the police force at 23, two decades of service.

Upon joining, he was in the most dangerous anti-theft squad.

During the heyday of motorcycle thefts and pickpocketing.

Zheng Chi won several individual second-class and collective first-class merits.

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