Chapter 32#
Chapter 32 Mantis, Oriole, and Cicada
Investigation without clues is honestly very boring.
After parting at the door of the guesthouse room that day, Gu Chenzhou stopped paying attention to He Hailou’s movements—this person was one of his important targets after returning to China, but not the main target at present. Moreover, he always felt that the real He Hailou was not just what he looked like now—instead, he spent all his energy on Qingxiang County and its current Party Secretary.
Qingxiang County was the same as the investigation Gu Chenzhou had done before: poor, remote, inconvenient transportation, no characteristics, and even the leadership team from top to bottom here, counting back ten years from now, had no political achievements to show.
A place with no value for attention.
At least on the surface, it was indeed so.
The owner of Xiao Wang’s barbecue stall has been living a good life recently.
Businessmen’s focus is always on business. As the owner of a small roadside barbecue stall with scarce assets, a stable and generous source of customers is enough to raise his mood to a higher level. And if this stable and generous customer is also very talkative, that would be even better.
At nine o’clock sharp in the evening, the first batch of customers visiting the barbecue stall had almost left. While directing the only helper of the barbecue stall to tidy up the tables and chairs, Boss Xiao Wang looked towards the alley entrance. When he saw the familiar figure walking from the alley entrance, he shouted happily to the helper: “Quickly open a case of beer and put it on table number three!”
The figure at the alley entrance walked to the barbecue stall and sat down at table number three. Boss Xiao Wang made one or two skewers of various barbecues in front of the barbecue stall. Seeing no other customers coming, he personally brought the barbecue to table number three: “Brother Gu is here?”
In a week, although Boss Xiao Wang felt that he was familiar enough with the other party, he had to admit that he knew very little about this punctual and generous customer—for example, the other party’s surname was Gu.
“Boss Wang’s barbecue tastes very good.” The customer sitting opposite Boss Xiao Wang said.
Boss Xiao Wang immediately felt happy: Actually, there was nothing special about this sentence. He also knew that his barbecue taste was at most average. But being said so simply by this recently developed regular customer, somehow, he also felt that his barbecue taste was indeed great.
“Where, where, Brother Gu is too polite,” Boss Xiao Wang smiled brightly and was modest repeatedly, “But I’m not bragging. Speaking of this barbecue stall, it has indeed been passed down for three generations. The barbecue ingredients have been researched and improved since my grandfather…”
A bottle of chilled beer was served at the right time. Boss Xiao Wang picked it up and took a sip, instantly feeling cool from the heart to the skin.
Comfortable! But although there are no customers now, I can’t drink too much today… Boss Xiao Wang thought so while holding the cold glass, making up his mind to just sit here and chat simply with this generous customer today, and immediately return to the barbecue stall to continue working.
But once the chatterbox was opened, things seemed a bit out of control.
“Oh? Really?”
“Haven’t heard of this.”
“Boss Wang knows a lot.”
With a few simple sentences and appropriate expressions and tones, unknowingly, Boss Xiao Wang’s tongue moved faster and faster, there were more and more empty beer bottles beside him, and the topic jumped more and more—he talked from his wife and children at home to conflicts with neighbors and other barbecue stalls, from punks and hooligans wandering around the streets collecting protection fees or eating and drinking for free to the seven aunts and eight aunts in the county government, and from the road of Qingxiang County to the mountain of Qingquan Village, and finally back to his wife who always flirted with neighbors and his disobedient child…
“Young Master Gu is really in the mood.”
Boss Xiao Wang was talking enthusiastically when someone suddenly interrupted next to him, pulled out the empty chair beside him and sat down.
He was inevitably a bit disappointed, stopped talking and glanced unhappily at his side, but saw a very young and handsome person sitting down, wearing a shirt and trousers, with a gold watch on his left wrist, which looked valuable at first glance.
The unhappiness on Boss Xiao Wang’s face immediately turned into the unique happiness of a businessman.
These two customers with rich wallets obviously knew each other! He judged quickly and shrewdly started with the object he was familiar with: “Brother Gu, this is…?”
“A friend.”
“Oh!” Boss Xiao Wang looked enlightened, “You two are good friends. The things on the table have been cold for so long. Do you want to clear them up and order something else?” After he finished speaking, he saw the newly seated customer look at the almost untouched barbecue on the table, and then glanced at him with a smile that was not a smile.
This young man is even prettier than those male actors on TV! Boss Xiao Wang just muttered in his heart, and the generous customer sitting opposite him nodded as expected, and added, “Boss Wang, do as you see fit.”
Really a customer as good as can be! Boss Xiao Wang didn’t mind that his interest in talking was interrupted, stood up happily to take away the things on the table, and returned to the barbecue stall to get busy.
He Hailou looked at the chubby back of the barbecue stall owner, took a glass and poured half a glass of beer for himself, raised the glass to Gu Chenzhou and smiled: “I always thought Young Master Gu was only suitable for staying in various high-end places—didn’t expect to see Young Master Gu at such a street stall.”
Gu Chenzhou also raised his glass and touched it lightly with He Hailou, but didn’t touch his lips. He adjusted his sitting posture slightly, with a smile on his face. The person was still the same person, and the clothes were still the clothes just now, but the ordinary customer who listened attentively and had a peaceful temperament just now was gone: “I also thought this small place couldn’t satisfy Young Master He’s requirements for quality of life.”
“There is nothing fun here,” He Hailou shook the glass. He didn’t mind that Gu Chenzhou didn’t drink. Not only did he drink it cleanly, but he also poured himself another glass, “But since Young Master Gu is here, no matter how boring the place is, it has the charm to attract people to stay.”
Gu Chenzhou laughed: “Young Master He praises me too much.”
“Actually, I’m more curious,” He Hailou changed the subject, “I stayed because of Young Master Gu’s attraction. What attraction made Young Master Gu stay?”
“Young Master He hasn’t found out in these few days?” Gu Chenzhou said.
There is meaning in the words. He Hailou smiled slightly: “I just paid more attention to Young Master Gu…” He spread his hands, “Indeed didn’t find anything, except finding that Young Master Gu has been chatting and wandering around with people in this small county town.”
“Really?” Gu Chenzhou also changed the subject, “The pear Young Master He treated me last time was delicious.”
He Hailou raised his eyebrows, waiting for the next sentence.
Gu Chenzhou continued as expected: “Not only pears, the fruits here taste very good. There is also a fruit with pale red skin that I haven’t eaten outside—”
“Child fruit.” He Hailou took over the conversation, and added when seeing Gu Chenzhou look over, “Locals call it this.”
Gu Chenzhou smiled, stood up and talked with the person pulling a cart selling fruits next to the barbecue stall for a while, brought a bag of fruits over, and washed two with the water of the barbecue stall owner.
He Hailou leaned his elbows on the table, watched Gu Chenzhou finish this series of things, walked over and handed one to him: “Young Master He try it?”
He Hailou took it and took a bite. The rich sweet juice was mixed with a little bit of sourness. This taste was not unfamiliar. He used to climb trees all over the mountain to pick this fruit to eat when he was a child.
Gu Chenzhou played with it in his hand: “It’s a pity that this fruit is not sold outside.”
People in the same circle, when you say a sentence, he can often catch the next sentence.
He Hailou looked at the child fruit in his hand: “Young Master Gu thinks Qingxiang County should promote this as a specialty?”
Gu Chenzhou smiled: “I just think a county can always find a little specialty. If not this, it will be that.” He said again, “Has Young Master He learned about Gu Yikang?”
“About which aspect?”
“The most basic.”
The most basic… He Hailou said: “Know a little.”
“Forty-three years old this year. Became a clerk in Qingxiang County at the age of twenty-three, and then spent sixteen years slowly climbing to the position of Party Secretary.” Gu Chenzhou said slowly, “This resume is quite standard in officialdom, but considering the connections he owns, he really didn’t do well, which shows that he really has no achievements in politics.”
“And then?”
“And then?” Gu Chenzhou said, “Does Young Master He still remember how much time this unaccomplished Party Secretary allocated from the disaster in Qingquan Village to the arrival of the rescue team?”
He Hailou raised his eyebrows.
“The efficiency is indeed good, isn’t it?” Gu Chenzhou said, “Well-informed news and superb skills, Young Master He chose both at that time.”
“This doesn’t prove anything,” He Hailou said, “Qingquan Village might have notified the county as soon as the mudslide happened.”
“Then Gu Yikang did all the allocation work between 12 am and 6 am the next day?” Gu Chenzhou smiled faintly, “The efficiency is good enough. By the way, his child was sent abroad five years ago. His wife goes abroad for three months every year to take care of the child, and stays for a month every three months on average.” He gave a soft hum, spread his hands and said, “Indeed all small things, right, Young Master He?”
“But it seems these small things point to a big thing.” He Hailou said, “But now I have another doubt. I wonder if Young Master Gu is still willing to help me answer it?”
“Young Master He might as well say it.”
“This county magistrate is Young Master Gu’s purpose for coming here, right—why is Young Master Gu willing to tell me so much?”
“Didn’t Young Master He say just now? Staying here is entirely because of my charm,” Gu Chenzhou smiled, raised his glass to He Hailou and drank it all, “A little news is not worth anything. At least I can’t disappoint Young Master He, right?”
After finishing a glass, Gu Chenzhou left first. Until Gu Chenzhou’s figure disappeared at the corner of the street, He Hailou was still sitting in the original place.
He found that in these few meetings with Gu Chenzhou, it seemed that Gu Chenzhou always said “excuse me” first…
By the way, there was the conversation just now. He thought to himself.
A Party Secretary who has strength but doesn’t use it in officialdom, pays special attention to Qingquan Village, and found a way out early, sending his wife and children abroad?
This is almost as conspicuous as a lit billboard at night!
Seven days later, He Hailou drove to Qingquan Village again.
In a week, Qingquan Village seemed to have completely got rid of the impact of the mudslide that night: the cracked house corners were repaired, the fields submerged by mud were leveled, and several roosters paced back and forth on the village path with the big yellow dog guarding the gate, either leisurely or proudly, getting along harmoniously.
He Hailou drove his newly picked up off-road vehicle to the two jujube trees at the end of the village.
In the last mudslide, the white sedan parked here and one of the broken trees were transported away when clearing the mud. He Hailou parked well and got out of the car. The children in the village, just like when he came last time, hid behind adults and looked here with wide eyes.
Twice in seven days.
He Hailou thought slightly unhappily.
Once every three and a half days on average. He thought he wouldn’t come back here for at least ten years.
The first time was because Gu Chenzhou wanted to come here. He thought the other party came to probe his background, so he followed.
He Hailou shuttled skillfully in the mountain road. When entering the mountain, several villagers shouted at him that the mountain was dangerous, but he ignored them all.
What about the second time? Because Gu Chenzhou’s words pointed here…
Thinking of this, He Hailou found himself even more unhappy. But he was indeed—indeed—a little interested.
Climbed to the position of Party Secretary in sixteen years.
Reacted immediately after the disaster.
Did the villagers contact the county in time?
Or did the county understand the situation here in time?
For what?
What is Gu Yikang’s special attention to Qingquan Village for?
Or, what he pays special attention to is Qingxiang Mountain…?
In eighteen years, this place has changed and not changed.
Trees, flowers and grass, paths, streams, exactly the same as in memory.
But others—the bee nests and bird nests left in his memory, a pair of wild deer that once roamed on the mountain, his secret base where he buried his toys—a banyan tree hollowed out inside but with lush branches and leaves, were all gone.
He walked faster and faster, his steps lighter and lighter, and his smile brighter and brighter.
Until he came to his destination, in a place where no one else should appear, he saw the person who should appear least.
Gu Chenzhou.
He stopped, with a smile still on his face, but his eyebrows inadvertently gathered towards the middle.
“Young Master Gu?” After saying a sentence, He Hailou had recovered. He looked around, “I found that I really have a fate with Young Master Gu recently—is Young Master Gu here for a picnic?”
Gu Chenzhou curved his lips and smiled.
This was a place close to the mountain wall, deviating from the normal route up the mountain. Many places needed climbing to cross. Therefore, the cave covered by grass and trees next to the mountain wall Gu Chenzhou leaned against was very hidden. Without someone who knew the way to lead, there was no worry of being discovered.
“Young Master He really loves to joke,” Gu Chenzhou said, “I came here specially. Isn’t Young Master He?”
These words… much more straightforward than before. He Hailou couldn’t help looking at Gu Chenzhou: “Accurately speaking, Young Master Gu wanted me to come and have a look.”
Gu Chenzhou admitted: “Even so. Does Young Master He want to have a look?”
“Since Young Master Gu is here, why not let Young Master Gu say it directly?” He Hailou indeed came for Gu Chenzhou’s words, but since Gu Chenzhou stood here, He Hailou suddenly didn’t want to go in and look.
Gu Chenzhou smiled, suddenly looked up at the sky: “Young Master He, will it rain again today?”
Rain again?
He Hailou looked up at the sky subconsciously.
“And then another mudslide.” Gu Chenzhou said lightly.
This sentence made He Hailou think of a possibility, and his face suddenly turned gloomy.
Gu Chenzhou raised his hand and threw a stack of green things to He Hailou.
He Hailou didn’t move, and the stack of green things fell on the ground in front of him with a snap.
A stack of fifty-yuan bills.
Gu Chenzhou took out another stack, pulled out one from it, lit it to light a cigarette, and then threw it on the ground casually.
After several contacts, He Hailou knew clearly that Gu Chenzhou would only take out cigarettes when he was in a very bad mood.
“Making counterfeit money?” He Hailou said.
“Several hundred million, I guess.” Gu Chenzhou looked calm.
“The mudslide seven days ago…”
“Blasting the mountain.” Gu Chenzhou answered, “This Party Secretary was very worried about the arrival of the inspection team, so he thought of a way to make the inspection team leave voluntarily—the effect was good.”
He Hailou sneered, a trace of hostility looming between his eyebrows: “I really didn’t know… Young Master Gu said he would blast the mountain again? Why?”
“Young Master He was scratched unconscious by a monkey last time, can you reason with a monkey?” Gu Chenzhou laughed, “Similarly, no matter how different Eldest Young Master Gu’s identity is, if buried by a mudslide, could the Gu family in the capital run over to reason with the mudslide?”
He Hailou smiled, and the hostility between his eyebrows converged cleanly in an instant: “So Eldest Young Master Gu is now?”
“Catching the person and the loot together.” As Gu Chenzhou’s voice fell, a human scream came from afar.
He Hailou raised his eyebrows: “Young Master Gu timed it well.”
“It’s Young Master He who arrived at the right time.” Gu Chenzhou answered. The two waited in place for a while, heard the shout of “Caught, withdraw team” from afar, and then some people in police uniforms pushed aside the grass and walked over.
“Young Master Gu, the person is caught. It’s a villager surnamed Wang at the foot of the mountain!” A middle-aged policeman leading the group walked quickly to Gu Chenzhou, handed his hands forward, held Gu Chenzhou’s hand firmly and shook it, “Thanks to Young Master Gu, let us solve this huge economic case!”
“It’s not me that Chief Wang should thank.” Gu Chenzhou smiled faintly.
He Hailou and Captain Wang were both stunned.
“What does Young Master Gu mean…?”
“Let me introduce to Captain Wang. This is Young Master He from the He family. Young Master He came here when he was a child and is very familiar with this place. Everyone can be so smooth this time, Young Master He contributed a lot.” Gu Chenzhou said.
He Hailou looked at Gu Chenzhou and couldn’t answer for a moment.
Captain Wang was a bit strange, thinking so what if this Young Master He is familiar with this place? Could he be more familiar than the locals? Besides, they also followed the locals to find here this time… But after all, he was an old man in the system. Captain Wang thought about it and realized that this was probably an exchange of interests between the young masters in the capital. Anyway, this credit fell from the sky for nothing. Gu Chenzhou could exchange with whoever he wanted. What did it have to do with him? Thinking this through, he turned his face and extended his hands again, holding He Hailou’s hand tightly and saying: “Really thanks to Young Master He! Thanks to Young Master He!”
He Hailou’s face was stiff.
Captain Wang was not a person who was particularly good at currying favor. When the attitude was enough, he let go of his hands and said to the two: “Young Master Gu, Young Master He, I’ll take the person back to the city station first, guarantee to make him speak as soon as possible, strive to catch the mastermind behind the scenes today, and solve this huge case!”
“Sorry to trouble Captain Wang.” Gu Chenzhou said, and said to He Hailou, “I booked a flight back to Beijing today—what about Young Master He?”
He Hailou just wanted to speak when the phone in his pocket rang. He took it out and looked at it for a while, didn’t answer immediately, but said to Gu Chenzhou:
“Young Master Gu came for this economic case?”
“Young Master Gu really didn’t know—this is my hometown?”
He asked two questions in a row, and didn’t expect Gu Chenzhou to answer, just answered the phone.
On the other end of the phone was He Nanshan.
“I heard about your affairs in Qingxiang County. Good job.” He Nanshan paused, “If your previous fox friends and dog friends were half as good as the Gu family kid, I wouldn’t care about you in the future!”
Although He Nanshan’s voice was still serious, He Hailou could hear that the other party was in a good mood.
But once the other party was in a good mood, his mood was really not good.
Gu Chenzhou…
He Hailou squinted slightly.
A tiger that doesn’t move often. He looked at the figure disappearing from sight, and this thought suddenly rose in his heart.
Although not moving often, as long as willing, claws can be popped out at any time.
In the mountains and forests, Gu Chenzhou walked down the mountain alone when He Hailou just answered the phone.
The reason why He Nanshan got the news so early was because when he greeted the Public Security Bureau Chief of the city directly under Qingxiang County, he specially mentioned He Hailou.
One day was enough for that Public Security Bureau Chief to contact He Nanshan’s secretary through the relationship behind him—and then vigorously praise He Hailou.
The relationship between He Nanshan and He Hailou was probably worse than that between him and Gu Xinjun. Gu Chenzhou, who knew the complexity well, didn’t need to think much to understand that to make He Hailou unhappy, just make He Nanshan happy.
This is not difficult, just a lift of the hand.
He ran here from the capital, indeed not completely as he told He Hailou before—he didn’t come for He Hailou, but he knew this was He Hailou’s hometown.
He Hailou’s hometown, a Party Secretary related to the Gu family in a roundabout way.
He came here to investigate clues involving the future decline of the Gu family.
But just a corrupt official, an economic case of several hundred million. He Hailou didn’t even know the inside story.
Hometown is just hometown.
No clues.
Gu Chenzhou, who had investigated solidly for several days, was not very happy.
In this case, he thought, He Hailou doesn’t need to be too happy either.