Half an hour later, Jiangcheng's relevant departments launched a late-night operation and apprehended Shen Mingchen as he was attempting to flee.
Initially, Shen Mingchen vehemently denied everything, roaring that he was framed and that he would report the matter to higher authorities, which greatly unnerved the relevant Jiangcheng departments.
Later, Cheng Lu came up with an idea to appease the Jiangcheng departments: If Shen Mingchen refused to confess, it was fine; he could be detained for one night. The next morning, the Jiangcheng Daily's front-page headline would surely make Shen Mingchen confess honestly.
"Chief, what you said about the eldest's daughter, is it credible? When the Jiangcheng Daily comes out tomorrow, will Shen Mingchen really confess honestly?"
In the interrogation room, the assistant asked the chief interrogator.
"I truly don't know about such mysterious matters," the chief interrogator replied glumly.
"No way, Chief. You don't even know if Shen Mingchen is innocent. What if Shen Mingchen is innocent? What then?" the assistant asked fearfully.
"Why think so much? Do we have a choice?" the chief interrogator retorted.
Upon hearing this, the assistant deeply agreed.
This matter had been directly ordered for arrest by the highest leader in Jiangcheng, leaving them no room for choice.
That's how power dynamics worked; there were too many things one couldn't control.
If Shen Mingchen was truly guilty, the credit wouldn't go to them, the interrogators.
However, if Shen Mingchen was innocent, the fault would definitely lie with them, the interrogators.
Thus, the two spent a restless night, finally waiting until dawn.
Seeing the time, it was past five o'clock. Without a word, the assistant rushed to the mailroom to get the day's Jiangcheng Daily.
Opening the Jiangcheng Daily, the assistant was overjoyed.
My heavens, Cheng Lu was truly prescient!
The Jiangcheng Daily's front-page headline, an entire page dedicated to Shen Mingchen's crimes, was extremely detailed, with evidence for every point. It was irrefutable evidence, making it impossible for Shen Mingchen to deny anything.
Upon seeing the front-page headline, Shen Mingchen's arrogance immediately deflated.
"I confess to everything," Shen Mingchen said dejectedly.
The two interrogators wasted no time and immediately took out their pens to record the statement.
"Xiao Lu, you have a good eye for people," Cheng Liren said to Cheng Lu straightforwardly in the morning.
Honestly, he hadn't slept all night.
He had been pondering a problem: What if the relevant departments from the provincial capital asked him to explain the reason for arbitrarily detaining a young entrepreneur today? He couldn't come up with an answer after thinking all night.
Fortunately, in the morning, the Jiangcheng Daily's front-page headline meticulously listed Shen Mingchen's crimes one by one, leaving Shen Mingchen no room for denial.
"That's a given, Dad. Think about it, from childhood to adulthood, have I ever misjudged a person? No, right? Besides, Chen Feng's demeanor makes him look like someone capable of great things," Cheng Lu said excitedly.
"I agree with your assessment. This young man, Chen Feng, is no ordinary young man; he's got something special. However, as I said, you can admire his talent, but absolutely do not have any other thoughts," Cheng Liren seized the opportunity to elaborate.
"I understand, Dad. You are the top leader of Jiangcheng, equivalent to an ancient prefect. The prefect's daughter is born a political sacrifice, and I'm prepared for that. However, I don't want to get married yet; I just want to work hard. We'll talk about future matters later," Cheng Lu said with a smile.
After chatting for a while longer, Cheng Lu went to the hotel to find Chen Feng. The Wuli River Reservoir pollution incident had been successfully resolved, and it was time to return to Mingshan Town.
An hour later, the two returned to the Mingshan Town government compound.
Chen Feng got out of the car and went directly to Wang Delai's office.
"Mayor Wang, I suggest that the village head of Heiwu Village resign voluntarily," Chen Feng said straightforwardly upon entering the office.
"Chen Feng, have you come to the wrong office? This isn't Deputy Mayor Qin's office," Wang Delai said, looking at Chen Feng with displeasure.
"Mayor Wang, I haven't come to the wrong office; I'm here to see you," Chen Feng replied calmly.
"Chen Feng, although a village head is not a state cadre, he is still the highest leader at the village level. For a driver like you to suggest that the village head resign voluntarily, isn't that too arrogant? Besides, he is doing a perfectly fine job as the village head of Heiwu Village, so why should he resign voluntarily?" Wang Delai retorted fiercely.
"The village head attempted to embezzle compensation funds. Shouldn't he resign voluntarily for that?" Chen Feng countered without preamble.
"Is there any evidence proving the village head took money? If not, it's all just your assumption. You think it's possible to ask the village head to resign based on your assumption? Because you are Deputy Mayor Qin's driver, I won't be angry with you. Leave quickly, don't delay me," Wang Delai glared fiercely at Chen Feng.
"Mayor Wang, I don't have evidence of the village head taking compensation funds, because I persuaded the village head to voluntarily terminate the criminal act. However, there are other matters that will absolutely cause the village head to resign voluntarily. If he doesn't resign voluntarily, it will ultimately implicate you."
With that, Chen Feng handed the front-page headline of the Jiangcheng Daily to Wang Delai.
Wang Delai was not blind. Upon seeing the front-page headline, his demeanor immediately deflated.
The damned village head, for such a small pittance, had failed to inform him truthfully that Shen Mingchen had secretly discharged toxins into the Wuli River Reservoir in Heiwu Village.
Fortunately, Shen Mingchen didn't blab indiscriminately; otherwise, a group of people, including himself, the mayor of Mingshan Town, would have been implicated.
The matter was too serious, involving the drinking water safety of millions of people in the provincial capital, and it was definitely a major case.
Within a minute, Wang Delai immediately called the village head of Heiwu Village.
The Heiwu Village head thought Wang Delai was calling to ask him to collect the compensation funds from the villagers again and embezzle them. He never expected to be told to resign immediately.
The village head was quite frustrated.
Damn it, what was going on? Did Wang Delai have water in his brain? A dignified mayor actually listened to the driver Chen Feng?
"Mayor Wang, please don't listen to that Chen Feng's nonsense. He doesn't have evidence of my wrongdoing, so I don't need to resign voluntarily," the village head stubbornly replied.
"Don't talk so much nonsense to me. It's best if you resign voluntarily. If you don't want to leave with dignity, I'll help you do it," the mayor said sternly.
Upon hearing the mayor's words, the village head had no choice but to comply.
He was just a minor village head and had to obey the mayor.
"Chen Feng, look, I've already made the village head resign voluntarily. Can the Wuli River Reservoir matter be considered settled?" Wang Delai asked Chen Feng, trying to maintain his composure.
However, there was a hidden murderous intent in his eyes.
This little driver knew too many of his secrets; he had to find a way to get him out of Mingshan Town.
"Shen Mingchen has been arrested, and the village head has also resigned voluntarily. The Wuli River Reservoir pollution incident has naturally been resolved satisfactorily," Chen Feng responded smoothly.
"Chen Feng, to be honest, I never imagined that a driver like you could have such awareness. I'm truly impressed. To be frank, with your great capabilities, driving in Mingshan Town is a waste of your talent. Coincidentally, the archive room in Lianhua Town is short of an administrator. How about I transfer you there to be an archive administrator?" Wang Delai asked with a cunning smile.
As long as Chen Feng agreed, this fellow's path would be at an end.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Mayor," Chen Feng replied calmly.
He saw through Wang Delai's little trick at a glance.
"Chen Feng, think carefully. An archive administrator is a staff member with a formal establishment. It's much better than being a temporary driver, more than just a little bit. Are you sure you want to refuse?" Wang Delai tempted Chen Feng.