Chapter 233: The Determination Of The City Leader

All of their light-network accounts had been blocked.

"The Ye family anticipated this move. If they could, they would have tried to shut down the entire light-network tonight," Bai Zi explained, clearly having foreseen this outcome. "But the Star Council owns the light-network, so the Ye family can't fully shut it down. All they can do is temporarily close the accounts of anyone who might pose a threat."

He looked at Li Xiaofei.

"You need to find an account that can still publish information—one with enough influence and the right permissions—to ensure that the Ye family can't immediately suppress the information."

Bai Zi smiled knowingly. "If you can't find such an account, you could always ask for my help."

Li Xiaofei had already shifted his view of Bai Zi from a friend to a possible rival.

Bai Zi’s long-winded explanations seemed like a way to show off his intelligence to Tan Qingying, like a peacock displaying its feathers. But I, Li Xiaofei, am no ordinary man.

"Heh, of course I can find a reliable account."

A plan was already forming in his mind.

***

At the same time. At the investigation team's headquarters.

After more than a week of investigation, the final summary meeting was underway.

"Based on the findings of this seven-day joint investigation, Duxing Hospital has not been found guilty of any illegal activities. The alleged trafficking of live organs has not been substantiated by any evidence..."

The man reading the report was a slightly balding elderly gentleman dressed in a Zhongshan suit. His name was Qian Yuangang, and he was the leader of the Twelfth Group of the Northwest District Inspection Team. He was responsible for all administrative assessments in Liuhe Base City. He had also taken on the role of deputy leader in this investigation.

The room was filled with over thirty prominent figures from Liuhe Base City, including representatives of the five major families, heads of various government departments, and medical technology experts.

Tan Zhenwei sat calmly at the front.

After finishing the report, Qian Yuangang took a leisurely sip of tea and continued, "We can now confirm that City Leader Tan's decision to shut down Duxing Hospital was a grave mistake. Such an action in the midst of the ongoing star beast siege has caused widespread panic, a backlog of injured patients, and delays in New Martial Arts surgeries, resulting in extremely negative public opinion."

Tan Zhenwei remained silent. He had known from the very beginning that his decision to close the hospital would bring him significant trouble. He even had a hunch that this was a trap deliberately set by the Ye family to ensnare him.

But as the city leader, once he learned that the Ye family was using Duxing Hospital in collaboration with Jiepeng for such heinous acts, he couldn’t stand idly by. Citizens of the base city were being harmed every moment. He had to put a stop to it.

But he had not acted recklessly. Before launching his thunderous strike, Tan Zhenwei had conducted his own thorough investigation and meticulously planned his actions. But he hadn't anticipated the extent of the Ye family's infiltration in the base city. He had also not anticipated the intervention of external forces, such as the Saint family.

At a critical moment, key figures within several major government agencies had betrayed him, and his carefully planned operation had fallen apart at the final stage of evidence gathering. Now, everything seemed beyond repair. But Tan Zhenwei had no regrets. At least, the Ye family's atrocities against the citizens had been temporarily halted during the past week.

"City Leader Tan, as is customary, you need to take responsibility for this," Qian Yuangang said, surveying the room before continuing slowly. "Moreover, your performance in this city's administrative assessment is also unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is my suggestion that you resign voluntarily from your position as city leader."

Tan Zhenwei replied calmly, "I will not resign unless forced to by the District Executive Committee."

"Do you feel no remorse for your actions?" Qian Yuangang raised his voice. "Instead of governing for the people and uniting your colleagues, you engaged in factional struggles that only made life difficult for the citizens of this base city. And now, instead of taking responsibility, you cling to power and neglect your duties. I find your behavior deeply troubling."

Tan Zhenwei smiled faintly. He had no interest in arguing with these people.

"As I said before, I will not resign." Tan Zhenwei slowly rose to his feet. "I will certainly take responsibility for my actions, and I have a clear conscience."

"Heh, what a claim to have a clear conscience." Ye Guanzhen sneered, feigning a look of deep disappointment. "City Leader Tan, you were once my idol. You came to Liuhe Base City with grand promises of revitalizing Liuhe, improving the citizens' welfare, and increasing their happiness. But look at where we are now. What have you truly accomplished? We have star beasts besieging us, and internal power struggles tearing us apart. You've turned Liuhe Base City into a complete mess. Isn’t resigning to take responsibility the best way to make amends?"

Tan Zhenwei paid him no attention. He knew all too well what was happening. Ye Guanzhen was the heir chosen by the Ye family. Every move Ye Guanzhen made over the years had been carefully orchestrated to pave his way into politics.

The Ye family had invested a massive amount of resources to ensure his rise. This entire scheme was designed to force Tan Zhenwei into resigning. If he stepped down, the Ye family could easily maneuver Ye Guanzhen into the position of city leader.

Once Ye Guanzhen became the new city leader, Liuhe Base City would fall entirely under the control of the Ye family. At that point, the city's millions of residents would become mere pawns in the Ye family's ambitions and be reduced to nothing more than expendable resources. That would be the true, irreversible disaster.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have something to say to all of you," Tan Zhenwei said, his eyes sweeping over the others seated in the room.

"You are all natives of Liuhe Base City and children of this city. You know very well what's happening within these walls. Some have let their burning ambitions consume their consciences. They have become ruthless and lost the very essence of what it means to be human. If these people succeed, you know all too well what kind of hell Liuhe Base City will become. As human beings, we must have a conscience. As officials, we must have an even greater sense of conscience. You may be angry but afraid to speak out, choosing to protect yourselves."

"But you must never aid and abet the wicked. The surgeries conducted by the Jiepeng people are an attack on the very foundation of Great Xia's martial arts. What they have done here in Liuhe Base City is something you all should not be ignorant of. I, Tan Zhenwei, am no hero, but today I have a message for all of you from our ancestors... If I can benefit my country, I will not avoid sacrifice, whether it brings fortune or disaster. As long as I, Tan Zhenwei, am still the city leader of Liuhe Base City, Duxing Hospital will not be reopened, and the New Martial Arts Surgery Center will never operate again. Even if I must bear the burden of infamy, even if I must face a thousand cuts, I will not waver."

His resolute words echoed throughout the conference room, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Many faces in the room changed. Qian Yuangang, Ye Guanzhen, and others had dark expressions.

"City Leader Tan, your stubbornness is truly beyond reason," Ye Guanzhen sneered. "You're not afraid of being reviled for eternity, but have you not considered your daughter? Are you willing to drag her down with you and ruin her life by sharing in your disgrace?"

Tan Zhenwei’s eyes narrowed. He understood the implication behind Ye Guanzhen's words. The threat was clear: his daughter’s life was at stake.

So, Little Ying is in danger?

"What have you done?" Tan Zhenwei demanded, his anger rising.

Ye Guanzhen replied coolly, "I'm simply advising you to think carefully."

Just then, the doors to the meeting room burst open as someone rushed in.