Chapter 37: Three Pieces of News

He precisely captured the fleeting moment of his opponent's astonishment. In that instant, Jiang Zhaoyang, like a leopard pouncing on its prey, concentrated all his strength and will into a single point, launching a fierce counterattack with lightning speed.

The long staff gripped tightly in his hands was like a terrifying bolt of lightning erupting from the depths of hell. It whistled as it swept across the ground, kicking up a series of heart-stopping gusts. The three poachers were caught completely off guard, never expecting that they themselves would become the prey in someone else’s eyes.

Jiang Zhaoyang’s staff was both swift and accurate, each strike imbued with immense force. Accompanied by a howling wind, the staff struck like divine retribution, precisely sweeping across the legs of the three poachers. Several crisp, dull, and jarring cracks echoed through the air. Immediately, the poachers lost their footing, their bodies collapsing helplessly to the ground like kites with broken strings. Blood sprayed from their shattered limbs, staining the earth and filling the air with a pungent, metallic stench. They could not comprehend how a man who had seemed on the brink of despair could suddenly tip the scales of life and death, leaving them in the dire straits instead.

The leader’s face darkened instantly, deeper than the night itself. The smug, cruel grin on his lips seemed to freeze in the cold wind, replaced by a look of disbelief and irrepressible rage. He swung his thick, heavy fist, wind whistling around it, as he lunged at Jiang Zhaoyang. Yet, at this critical juncture, Jiang Zhaoyang displayed extraordinary calmness and agility. He leaped into the air, narrowly dodging the blow. Taking advantage of the momentum the man had spent, he lashed out with a kick—like a dragon soaring through the heavens—striking the poacher’s chest with unstoppable force.

The kick was as fast as lightning and as fierce as a thunderbolt. The poacher, caught completely off guard, was sent flying backward by the sudden impact, crashing heavily to the ground with a shrill cry. Amidst the swirling dust, he struggled for a moment before collapsing into a heap, unconscious and stripped of all fighting ability.

Jiang Zhaoyang dusted himself off. He noticed a large woven bag not far away. Walking over to inspect it, he found it filled with rare animals, including wild pikas and black-necked cranes. Once certain that the poachers could no longer escape, he quickly pulled his phone from his pocket, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed the police.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, the sound of a siren drifted from afar, growing steadily closer. Moments later, a police car with striking blue and white markings raced toward them like an arrow released from a bow. The doors flew open, and several forest police officers quickly disembarked. They professionally subdued the poachers one by one and efficiently escorted them into the police vehicle.

Then, they shook hands with Jiang Zhaoyang in farewell. As the red glow of the police car’s taillights faded into the distance around a bend, Jiang Zhaoyang finally let out a sigh of relief. He gently patted the dust and fallen leaves from his clothes, thinking to himself that he could finally get a good night’s sleep tonight without worrying about poaching activities. He returned to his living quarters.

The next morning, as the first light of dawn grayed the horizon, Jiang Zhaoyang woke up. After a quick wash, he set out on his daily patrol of the reservoir. Along the way, he carefully inspected every potential hazard to ensure the safety of the site. By the time he returned, the sun was already high in the sky.

Jiang Zhaoyang entered his room and brewed himself a cup of steaming green tea—a small luxury he enjoyed amidst his busy life. Just as he lifted the cup and took a sip, the familiar, slightly bitter aroma still lingering on his tongue, the sharp ringing of his phone shattered the tranquility. Jiang Zhaoyang glanced at the screen; it was Bai Wei.

He answered, and Bai Wei’s familiar, energetic voice immediately filled the room.

"Director, I have three pieces of news for you."

"The first one might surprise you," Bai Wei said with a hint of mystery.

Jiang Zhaoyang’s heart tightened, and he asked curiously, "Oh? What is it?"

"Zhang Chaoshen didn't get the position of County Party Secretary as he had hoped."

"This is the first time in our county’s history; it completely breaks all precedent!" Bai Wei’s voice was laced with surprise and confusion.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoyang paused with his teacup. This news was indeed unexpected. Zhang Chaoshen’s failure to secure the post was undoubtedly a bombshell in political circles. He was deeply puzzled as to why Zhang Chaoshen had not been promoted to County Party Secretary according to custom. Jiang Zhaoyang pondered for a moment, secretly suspecting that this might signify a quiet shift in the county’s political winds.

Bai Wei continued, "The second piece of news is that a new County Party Secretary has taken office, and it’s a woman. They say she’s very beautiful."

He had already anticipated the third piece of news. But when he heard it, a jolt went through him: Lin Weiquan had been promoted to Town Party Committee Secretary, and He Di had been officially appointed as the Director of the Party and Government Office—not just as an acting director.

Of course, what he did not know was that his own research report had been plagiarized by Lin Weiquan and He Di and submitted under their joint names. Such a weighty report had provided the critical points for their successful promotion. What Jiang Zhaoyang did know was that in this small political ecosystem, his room for maneuver was being squeezed bit by bit. He feared his situation would only grow worse. These two would certainly not let him have an easy time; they would use every means to suppress and marginalize him.

Thinking of this, a chill crept over him, and a sense of foreboding clouded his heart. Jiang Zhaoyang thought to himself that the new County Party Secretary might just be cut from the same cloth as Zhang Chaoshen. He understood that with the new secretary and Zhang Chaoshen teaming up to promote Lin Weiquan, his situation had undoubtedly gone from bad to worse.

Not long after, this fear turned into cold reality. It was a drizzly afternoon, and he was sitting alone in his modest reservoir office. The sound of rain outside mingled with his inner agitation, feeling particularly chaotic. Just then, a sharp phone ring broke the silence.

On the other end of the line was the voice of Tong Liguan, the Town Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary. His tone was blunt and left no room for doubt: "Jiang Zhaoyang, did you catch some poachers a few days ago?"

"Yes, the individuals were handed over to the forest public security authorities for processing."

Tong Liguan, on the other end, said coldly, "I’m not asking about that simple outcome, Jiang Zhaoyang."

"Then what are you asking about?" Jiang Zhaoyang was completely baffled, unable to fathom what game he was playing.

Jiang Zhaoyang gripped the phone tighter, an inexplicable sense of anxiety surging within him. He truly had not expected that after a successful anti-poaching operation, such direct questioning would be waiting for him.