"Hmm," Xu Zhengyang spoke again, saying, "Chief, don't be surprised. This person is just acting like this when he has a guilty conscience and has done something wrong."
Good grief, this is never going to end.
This director is really a shrewd fellow. As soon as he heard this, his mind raced. He decided to let bygones be bygones and let these two go.
Now it was Xu Zhengyang's turn to be puzzled. Did they just leave like that?
It's quite fun.
As Zheng Dahai followed Xu Zhengyang out, he kept shaking his head as he looked at Xu Zhengyang's back. He sighed inwardly at the state of the world. People with status were indeed extraordinary; no one dared to mess with them anywhere. That young man named Chen Hanzhe was really something. If he had called his friend earlier, would there have been any trouble? He made me lose my job and travel thousands of miles back to testify for you.
"Brother, you even lost your job because of my friend. I'll thank you on his behalf." Xu Zhengyang said to Zheng Dahai with a smile after walking out of the police station. Zhu Jun had already parked the car at the entrance. Xu Zhengyang stood in front of the car, turned around, and said this.
"Oh? Hey, don't be so polite. Your friend is really unlucky. That's just how I am; I take things too seriously when I don't like them..." Zheng Dahai waved his hand and said heartily.
Xu Zhengyang said with a smile, "It's hard to find a good person like you these days. How about working for Ronghua Group?"
"Ronghua Group?" Zheng Dahai was taken aback.
Xu Zhengyang nodded and smiled, "I know that area very well. Just let me know if you want to go." Xu Zhengyang turned to Zhu Jun and asked for paper and pen. He then wrote down his phone number and handed it to him, saying, "Call me when you've thought it through. I'm being sincere, haha, nothing more."
"Well, I really have to thank you for this." Zheng Dahai was a little embarrassed, but he still reached out and took the paper with the phone number written on it.
"That's all for now. See you on the day of the trial." Xu Zhengyang turned around, opened the car door, and got in.
Qu Haobo, who had been dawdling on the sidelines, looking for an opportunity to come forward, saw Xu Zhengyang about to leave and quickly ran over. Through the open car window, he blocked Xu Zhengyang from waving goodbye to Zheng Dahai. His swollen face was full of embarrassment as he stammered, "Young man, can we talk in private for a moment?"
"What did you say?" Xu Zhengyang's face turned cold.
"Your recording..." Qu Haobo started to say, then quickly changed his words, "I mean, it's like this, about today's incident..."
Xu Zhengyang raised his hand to interrupt the other person, and said bluntly, "Your character is questionable, you can't stay in the court."
After saying that, Xu Zhengyang waved for Zhu Jun to drive.
The white Audi A4 drove away into the distance.
At the entrance of the police station, Qu Haobo, his face swollen like a pig's head, was still in a daze. Who on earth was this person? You...you damn well better have come sooner! I wouldn't have offended you all, I was just being modest and low-key, and you, my friend, only showed up now...isn't this just setting me up for failure? Qu Haobo felt like crying.
"Oh dear, you really shouldn't be a villain." Zheng Dahai raised his head and glared at Qu Haobo with disdain, then walked towards the bus stop, tossing out a remark as he went: "Hehe, we lost a sesame seed but picked up a watermelon. Ronghua Group... the salary must be high, probably more than working at the court, right?"
...
Xu Zhengyang was far from happy about this.
He's furious right now. What's going on? He sent Li Haidong here and he's been busy for ten or fifteen days, and this is the result?
I was thinking of entrusting you with important responsibilities? What a load of rubbish!
This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!
Yueshan City has a City God Temple, ghost messengers, and you, the acting judge of the City God Temple specifically assigned to handle this matter. The local citizens are discussing this matter enthusiastically. And now, there are still scoundrels like Qu Haobo doing these things; your work efficiency and ability, Li Haidong, are truly…
I am truly disappointed!
That night, Xu Zhengyang and Zhu Jun stayed at Chen Hanzhe's house.
Fortunately, Chen Hanzhe is currently living alone in this house in Yueshan City; his family hasn't moved in yet, so it's quite convenient.
For Chen Hanzhe, this matter was truly a burden on Xu Zhengyang. After all, Xu Zhengyang held a certain position and had his own company, with countless other things to consider. Yet, Xu Zhengyang had made a special trip to Yueshan City because of Chen Hanzhe. Chen Hanzhe was deeply moved, but also felt guilty and remorseful. Had he known things would turn out this way, he would have simply accepted the misfortune, agreed to mediation, and given the old lady's family tens of thousands of yuan. Sigh.
Xu Zhengyang noticed Chen Hanzhe's worries and said before going back to his bedroom to rest, "Hanzhe, if something like this happens again, don't think about just accepting your bad luck. That's not just a loss for you. You're also indirectly encouraging the arrogance of these evil people, allowing morality and conscience to be trampled on even more."
"Brother Yang, quite a few people have come forward to testify for me," Chen Hanzhe said awkwardly.
“Yes, so you don’t need to worry anymore. If you’re upright, you have nothing to fear. In most cases, it’s because people are lazy and have the mentality of ‘it’s better to do less’ that they end up suffering.” Xu Zhengyang said calmly but seriously, “Those who do bad things have also figured out the mentality of ordinary people. They treat it as a serious matter and work and don’t mind wasting time, but others can’t afford to waste time.”
Chen Hanzhe and Zhu Jun listened to Xu Zhengyang's words and pondered them. The words were rough but the reasoning was sound. However, most people wouldn't have thought about such a simple truth, and even if they did, what could they do? As Xu Zhengyang said, ordinary people are busy making a living all day long. Why would they waste time on such things? They might as well swallow their losses, accept their bad luck, and hurry up to work and earn money to make up for their losses.
In the bedroom, Xu Zhengyang lay quietly on the bed, his expression peaceful and serene, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep.
His divine sense had already entered the state god's mansion in the Nine Provinces Record, which had just been converted from a city god's mansion.
Inside the State God's Mansion, Li Haidong, Su Peng, Wang Yonggan, and Guo Li stood in the government office, talking to each other with curiosity, wondering why their mansion had been changed.
The City God's Mansion has been changed to the State God's Mansion, which makes it easy for them to guess that Lord Xu Zhengyang has been promoted.
Volume Six, Chapter 312: What is the Big Picture, and What is the Minor Detail?
Of all the ghost messengers, Wang Yonggan was Xu Zhengyang's favorite, so he followed Xu Zhengyang around every day and naturally understood Xu Zhengyang's mood at that moment.
Therefore, Wang Yonggan approached Li Haidong and sighed softly, saying, "Your Honor, this time, alas, you really didn't do a good job."
"Hmm?" Li Haidong smiled and turned his head. He still naturally possessed an air of authority towards these ghost messengers, but now that they were all his subordinates, he wouldn't be overly condescending towards his colleagues. Although Li Haidong knew what Wang Yonggan meant by those words, he didn't name names, and simply smiled, "What do you mean?"
"Your Honor, please don't take offense if I say something out of turn," Wang Yonggan said in a low voice, deliberately lowering his voice. "Given our Lord Zhou's habits, some things need to be done as soon as possible. You know, it's been half a month already, why hasn't that kid Chen Hanzhe's matter been settled yet?"
Li Haidong shook his head and said, "There are things we should do and things we shouldn't do. We can't just resort to violence to suppress violence."
Wang Yonggan pursed his lips. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly felt a great force strike him, and his legs involuntarily caused him to fall to his knees with a thud. Then, a Soul-Slaying Whip appeared out of thin air and slammed heavily into Wang Yonggan's back.
"Ah..." Wang Yonggan screamed in agony.
Behind the long table in the main hall, Lord Xu Zhengyang, the governor, sat there with a somber expression, his imposing aura filling the hall.
Xu Zhengyang slightly raised his hand, and the Soul-Striking Whip flew through the air to the table, landing steadily beside it, as if it possessed a spirit.
"Slap yourself with the Soul-Striking Ruler," Xu Zhengyang said grimly.
Wang Yonggan, who had been curled up on the ground, shakily got up and knelt down, not daring to utter a sound. He quickly summoned the Soul-Slaying Ruler and began to slap himself across the face.
In the solemn and imposing hall, the clapping sounds were particularly clear, and all the other ghost messengers stood solemnly.
"Stop," Xu Zhengyang ordered in a cold voice. Only then did Wang Yonggan stop what he was doing, stand up shakily, stand with his hands clasped behind his back, head drooping, not daring to look directly at the Governor.
Xu Zhengyang didn't look at Wang Yonggan again, nor would he explain why he was making him slap himself. He figured Wang Yonggan would understand on his own. Did he really think that just because he followed the Prefectural God every day and was favored by him, he was somehow superior? It was fine to speak frankly to one's superior, but one shouldn't try to use one's influence to presumptuously represent the Prefectural God's opinions.
A ghost messenger? You're not qualified!
Xu Zhengyang looked at Li Haidong with a sullen face, without saying a word.
Li Haidong lowered his head and stepped from the side to the center. Facing the official behind the long desk in the main hall, he bowed and said, "I have failed in my duties. Please punish me, Your Excellency."
"Don't give me that!" Xu Zhengyang snorted. "I know you have your own ideas, but I don't want to hear your explanations. I'll just ask you one question: if Chen Hanzhe doesn't have good financial conditions right now, if he still has to struggle to make a living and is stuck on this for half a month, a month, or even longer, then who will compensate him for his losses?"
"This..." Li Haidong's heart sank, and an embarrassed look appeared on his face.
Yes, he has been considering the progress of the issue from many perspectives, trying to make it as reasonable and stable as possible, and doing it perfectly. He aims to avoid disrupting normal social order, resorting to legal channels, and using this widely followed case to convince the public.
He had considered that this might be slower and somewhat different from the previous instructions of the Governor, but since he had been given full authority to handle the matter, and considering the Governor's future development plans, and to avoid excessive conflict with human laws, he felt it necessary to be more meticulous in his work.
However, the governor did not ask him to explain this aspect, but unexpectedly asked him about it.
Therefore, Li Haidong really didn't know how to answer this question for the time being. Because... Xu Zhengyang's question was clearly a reprimand, which was exactly an aspect that Li Haidong had overlooked.
As the saying goes, those who understand the big picture don't concern themselves with trifles.
The problem is that Xu Zhengyang, this master, pays attention to details.
"Speak!"
The governor's voice, booming like a bell, echoed in the solemn and quiet hall.
Li Haidong trembled unsteadily. Luckily, he wasn't human; otherwise, he would be drenched in sweat by now... Even so, he was still shivering and chilled to the bone.
"Can't say it, is that...?" Xu Zhengyang's face was clearly angry, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, looking somewhat ferocious.
"My lord, I am incompetent." Li Haidong said this sincerely this time, and then knelt on the ground.
Xu Zhengyang wouldn't harbor any other thoughts because of Li Haidong's kneeling. As an elder, Li Haidong naturally deserved more respect, but now that he was a ghost messenger, he had to sever ties with the so-called kinship of the human world. In particular, he needed to relinquish the mindset he had when he was alive as a person or official, that arrogant and overly ambitious perspective!
Ultimately, Li Haidong, you're not qualified to look at the big picture of the gods' actions. When Xu Zhengyang asks you questions, you can offer your own ideas, but don't overthink it normally. Just follow your superiors' orders and try to improve things as much as possible while completing tasks.
Xu Zhengyang snorted coldly, turned his gaze to Wang Yonggan, and said indifferently, "Wang Yonggan, go and severely punish that old lady's daughter-in-law, make sure her family watches, and then kill her... She was the one who instigated this from behind."
"Yes, sir!" Wang Yonggan immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee to accept the order, then got up and quickly walked out. He had to make a good impression quickly, because the master already had a problem with him. It was too scary.
After Wang Yonggan left, Xu Zhengyang turned his gaze to Li Haidong and said, "I ask you, according to your arrangements and plans, even when the trial begins, can you guarantee that the outcome will be that Chen Hanzhe will not have to bear any responsibility?"
"Sir..." Li Haidong wanted to say that if Chen Hanzhe needed to take responsibility, he could appeal, and with so many witnesses testifying against him, the local court wouldn't dare to make a arbitrary judgment.
But now Li Haidong dares not say those words anymore.
How could local officials possibly be bothered by the public's outrage? How could they possibly care about the opinions and accusations of ordinary people?
Xu Zhengyang waved his hand and said slowly in a deep voice, "When I arrived in Yueshan City, the verdict in this case was basically finalized. It will definitely be changed, and this has absolutely nothing to do with the work you, Li Haidong, have done! Understand?"
"Understood, Your subordinate," Li Haidong replied somewhat ashamed.
"Good that you understand." Xu Zhengyang pondered for a moment, then pointed at Li Haidong, his anger gone, replaced by a hint of amusement. He said, "After the court verdict, you go and torture that old woman, kill her. Yes, you'll do it... and her son, and her daughter, make them all mentally ill, let them suffer from ghostly possession every day, and spread the word everywhere that they deserved it!"
Li Haidong trembled. Since entering the City God's Mansion, he had never personally done this kind of ghost messenger work.
But now the Governor has clearly instructed him to do this kind of thing...
Seeing that Li Haidong hadn't answered for a long time, Xu Zhengyang's face darkened, and he said, "Hmm? What... can't you do it?"
“Sir, violence is not a long-term solution,” Li Haidong said, mustering his courage.
“Yes, this is certainly not a long-term solution.” Xu Zhengyang spoke slowly, drawing out his words. “The point is to achieve significant results in a short period of time, so that in the long run, we won’t need to resort to violence to solve problems…”
Li Haidong remained silent.
"Don't think or consider things with the arrogant, high-ranking official mentality you have when you're alive. That's hypocritical..." Xu Zhengyang's voice suddenly rose, and he pointed at Li Haidong with one hand, angrily saying, "Because of your mentality, how many people die with their eyes open, how many people suffer a fate worse than death, enduring endless injustice and humiliation... Remember! The duty of the various levels of the Heavenly Court is to maintain fairness and justice in the human world, to prevent humanity and morality from falling into depravity and ruin!"
"The principles of conduct need not be overly rigid or inflexible, and there is no need to be so concerned with polite persuasion!"
"There is only one rule: good deeds will be rewarded and evil deeds will be punished!"
"There are gods watching over us; this saying must not be an empty phrase!"
...
In the solemn and dignified hall, Xu Zhengyang's voice, as resonant as metal and stone, echoed for a long time.
Li Haidong knelt on the ground, not daring to straighten up, while Su Peng and Guo Li trembled, heads bowed, pondering the words the Governor had just spoken.
After pausing for a while, Xu Zhengyang waved his hand and said, "Guo Li, you are in charge of investigating the court and seeing who is still trying to distort the truth. That guy named Qu Haobo, you make trouble for him and get him to turn himself in. Su Peng, you are in charge of checking on those who are willing to testify for Chen Hanzhe and not forcing them anymore."
The two ghost messengers received their orders and left.
Xu Zhengyang stood up and walked down, standing in front of Li Haidong. He rebuked him in a deep voice, "Do you know how disappointed you have been to me this time? Hmm?"
"grown ups……"
"I showed you the reactions and attitudes of the public online so that you would know what we need to do! You still cling to the idea of following the same procedures as worldly laws? Then what are we doing here, with ghost messengers, the City God's Office, me, and you? Hmm?"
Li Haidong was speechless.