The Official Ladder: I ascend to the pinnacle of power, wielding the power of life and death.

"Director Tang, this matter needs to be investigated. You can't just believe the other side's story..."

"Alright, Director Liang, there's no point in talking about this now. The most urgent thing is to meet with the victim's family to understand the specific situation and minimize the impact on society."

Jiang Yiming interrupted Liang Yongguang and took the lead in walking downstairs.

Tang Zhichao and Liang Yongguang quickly chased after them.

At this moment, a large crowd had gathered at the entrance of the county government compound.

Two people were holding a white banner with black lettering that read, "Police officers disregard human life; please have the government severely punish the murderers!"

The others, dressed in white mourning clothes, shouted slogans, attracting a large crowd.

Seeing the scene before him, Jiang Yiming's expression turned solemn.

If this matter is not handled properly, it will have a far worse impact than the previous petition by the villagers of Daling Village in Zhaowan Township.

After all, the last time it only involved the distribution of benefits, and it was a village official.

This time, however, it involves human lives, and it also involves the police, who represent justice.

Seeing so many people, Liang Yongguang suggested, "County Chief, so many people blocking the entrance to the County Party Committee compound will have a very bad influence. I suggest we send the police to disperse them and then conduct a further investigation."

“This matter already involves the police. If you intervene and forcefully drive them away, it will only anger them and cause even worse consequences. It might even result in someone’s death.”

Jiang Yiming criticized, "Director Liang, you need to change your way of thinking. Don't resort to violence so easily. Try to consider things from the perspective of ordinary people. Do they want to cause trouble?"

"To put it bluntly, if your loved ones were persecuted to death, you would be even more anxious than they were!"

Liang Yongguang was scolded by Jiang Yiming until his face turned red and his neck bulged, but he couldn't refute it.

Just as Jiang Yiming was about to step forward to persuade them, police sirens suddenly sounded outside.

Immediately afterwards, more than twenty uniformed police officers rushed over and surrounded the group of people dressed in mourning clothes.

"Director Liang, what's going on? Didn't I tell you that you're not allowed to use police force?"

Jiang Yiming said with a stern face.

"County magistrate, I don't know either. I didn't call these people over."

Liang Yongguang said with an innocent look on his face.

Just then, a piercing shout came from behind the crowd: "I am Han Shaohu, the political commissar of the county public security bureau. Who gave you permission to cause trouble here? I'm giving you one minute to leave. If you don't leave, I will arrest the ringleader for the crime of provoking trouble!"

“My son died in your police station. Instead of arresting the murderer, you come to arrest us. Are you even human?”

“They’re all in cahoots. It’s no use trying to reason with them. If the government doesn’t give us an explanation today, we’re determined not to leave.”

"We absolutely refuse to leave. We must get justice for Xiaoli!"

The victim's family members were extremely emotional.

Seeing this, Han Shaohu said in a deep voice, "Since you are all so stubborn, then I will take you all back!"

"Arrests!"

"stop!"

Just as the group of uniformed men were about to make their move, Jiang Yiming shouted, "Han Shaohu, who gave you permission to bring these men here? Stop immediately and take them back. I'll handle things here!"

Upon hearing that it was County Chief Jiang Yiming's voice, Han Shaohu immediately squeezed over to report: "County Chief, I was informed by Standing Committee Member Zhang that it was Secretary Niu who gave the order for our police station to intervene."

"You take your men and leave immediately. I'll explain to the Party Secretary."

Jiang Yiming said.

"This……"

Han Shaohu hesitated.

"Han Shaohu, didn't you hear what the county magistrate said?"

Liang Yongguang said with a stern face, "Take the person back immediately."

"Director Liang, I'm just following the Party Secretary's instructions. Why are you yelling at me?"

Han Shaohu made up his mind and looked at Jiang Yiming, saying, "County Chief, I'm sorry, but the Party Secretary gave me an order to make sure that everyone is taken care of. I wouldn't dare disobey without his order. Please understand, County Chief."

After saying that, he shouted to his men, "Take action immediately! Anyone who resists will be severely punished!"

The group dared not disobey Han Shaohu's orders and immediately began arresting people.

"Liang Yongguang, what kind of bureau chief are you? Stop this immediately!"

Jiang Yiming was furious. He, a county magistrate, couldn't even command the political commissar of the Public Security Bureau.

“County Chief, the police station is a complicated matter. These are the people from the Public Security Brigade. They only listen to Han Shaohu and don’t listen to me.”

Liang Yongguang said with a face full of embarrassment.

"The Public Security Brigade?"

Jiang Yiming looked around but did not find Liu Guangji, the captain of the public security brigade.

If Liu Guangji were here, perhaps he could have stopped these people.

Jiang Yiming was worried that things would get out of control, so he immediately called Niu Baogen, hoping that he could step in and stop Han Shaohu.

"Secretary, a group of petitioners are blocking the entrance to the compound, and I'm dealing with them. Han Shaohu has brought his men over, saying they are on your orders to arrest these people."

Jiang Yiming said, "Please give me some time, Secretary, and ask the police not to get involved in this matter to avoid escalating the conflict. I will handle this."

“County Chief Yiming, as the head of the county, you should consider all the major issues of the county. You can’t personally handle every trivial matter. That’s easy to put the cart before the horse and delay your important work.”

“Secretary, this incident involves human lives, so it’s no small matter. Besides, no matter is too small when it comes to the people. These issues that concern the vital interests of the people are our top priorities.”

Jiang Yiming said, "If we can't even handle these kinds of things, what right do we have to talk about handling the major affairs of the entire county?"

"Please give me more time, Secretary, so as to avoid escalating the conflict and causing someone to die."

“County Chief Yiming, you’re new here and don’t know the situation in our county. Some people are very difficult to deal with, and they even take advantage of us. We must take strong measures to keep these people in check.”

Niu Baogen showed no sign of changing his mind, saying, "As the head of a county, if the government is too weak, it will be bullied by these unruly people. We cannot back down this time. Alright, I have other things to take care of, so I won't chat with you any longer."

After saying that, he hung up the phone directly.

Hearing the busy tone on the microphone, Jiang Yiming sighed, feeling helpless.

Although he was the county head, in the context of the Party's leadership over everything, only Niu Baogen, the Party secretary, was the real top leader.

Most importantly, he could tell that this political commissar named Han Shaohu was at odds with Liang Yongguang and was very likely one of Niu Baogen's men.

In this situation, he only listened to Niu Baogen, and he really had no other choice.

The police's arrests were not going smoothly. The victims' families were very agitated, and some resisted, but against these well-trained and violent authorities, it was like an ant trying to shake a tree—completely futile.

As more and more people were forcibly handcuffed, the victim's mother became furious. She took out a bottle of liquid from her pocket, twisted it open, and poured it into her mouth.