234: Chapter 234 There is no most abstract, only more abstract.

Zhao Yang smiled slightly and said, "In that case, Shanshui Group might as well just give up on Dafeng Factory to avoid adding to your burden."

President Gao Xiaoqin was taken aback, then smiled awkwardly, "But Dafeng Factory was mortgaged to us by Cai Chenggong, and the Court has already ruled in our favor."

Zhao Yang sighed softly, "Let me ask you one more time. Do you really want the equity of Dafeng Factory?"

President Gao Xiaoqin muttered to herself. Director Qi Tongwei wanted her to let it go, but Zhao Ruilong insisted she hold on to it. She hesitated for a moment and said, "We've even paid the workers' resettlement fees. How can we just give up now?"

Zhao Yang tapped the table lightly. "Alright, President Gao, remember what you just said."

As they were speaking, Secretary Li Dakang rushed over, accompanied by the honest-looking District Mayor Sun Liancheng.

Zhao Yang stood up immediately and smiled, "Secretary Li, you're here. Please, have a seat here."

Secretary Li Dakang shook hands with him and sat down on Zhao Yang's other side. He glanced at President Gao Xiaoqin and nodded slightly. "President Gao of Shanshui Group, right? Hello."

President Gao Xiaoqin quickly replied respectfully, "Hello, Secretary Li."

Zhao Yang then pushed a stack of documents in front of Secretary Li Dakang and lowered his voice, "Secretary Li, I've just learned that there is a massive historical burden behind this dispute over Dafeng Factory. Take a look at this."

Secretary Li Dakang looked down and flipped through a few pages. Shock instantly flashed in his small eyes. "The land of Dafeng Factory is designated as retained allocation land, with a term of five years?"

Zhao Yang nodded. "Yes, this is the record found by the Land Bureau. Because Dafeng Factory couldn't afford the land rent and transfer fees, they used this method to grant them five years of rent-free usage."

Secretary Li Dakang thought for a moment, his voice turning cold. "The five-year term expired long ago, and the rent has never reached the government, let alone the land transfer fees!"

Zhao Yang said in a low voice, "No one would take the initiative to pay, and no one has ever pressed for payment—or perhaps someone did, but was turned back."

Secretary Li Dakang frowned. "I can't believe such a thing happened. I'll definitely have to look into this."

Seeing Zhao Yang and Secretary Li Dakang whispering, President Gao Xiaoqin couldn't help but feel anxious. She strained her ears to listen but couldn't make out anything, leaving her heart hanging in suspense.

Before long, Chen Qingquan of the Jingzhou City Intermediate People's Court arrived. Upon seeing Secretary Li Dakang, they naturally exchanged pleasantries. Immediately after, Director Xu from the Land and Resources Administration Bureau arrived as well, greeting Secretary Li Dakang and Zhao Yang as soon as he walked through the door.

The workers' representative, Zheng Xipo, was the last to arrive. He was followed by a few people: a thin man, who was an accountant surnamed You; and another stout man with well-developed masseter muscles, who was Captain Wang Wenxuan, the captain of the Factory Protection Squad.

Behind them followed two more—one was Zhang Wei, and the other was a young, beautiful girl in a white dress, looking about fourteen or fifteen years old, who was none other than Zhuge Dali. The two were whispering to each other, and as Zhuge Dali spoke, she pinched the soft flesh around Zhang Wei's waist with a look of disgust.

Seeing the state of these two, Zhao Yang's eye couldn't help but twitch—was this guy, Zhang Wei, still kind-hearted?

Zheng Xipo, who had a friendly face, came over with a smile when he saw Zhao Yang. "Hello, Chief Prosecutor Zhao."

Zhao Yang shook hands with him and introduced everyone to each other. When he learned that the small-eyed man was Jingzhou City's top leader, Secretary Li Dakang, Zheng Xipo became visibly nervous.

"Old Zheng," Zhao Yang smiled, "don't be nervous. Secretary Li won't let the workers suffer."

Secretary Li Dakang also chimed in, "Master Zheng, rest assured. If the workers have any demands, you can raise them with me."

"Thank you, Secretary Li. You must stand up for us."

Zheng Xipo immediately beamed and sat down in his seat.

Zhao Yang curled his lips inwardly—Secretary Li Dakang's words were quite clever. "Feel free to raise your demands," but he never promised to satisfy them.

At this moment, Zhang Wei walked up to Zhao Yang and whispered, "Chief Prosecutor Zhao, regarding this dispute over Dafeng Factory, I have some information I'd like to report to you privately. Is it convenient for you?"

Zhao Yang could tell at a glance that he had something to say, so he walked with him to an empty spot nearby, and Zhuge Dali followed them.

"Zhang Wei, what is it?" Zhao Yang asked.

Zhang Wei lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yang, this Dafeng Factory matter is a complete quagmire. The shareholding workers only care about getting their shares back, completely ignoring the issue of the land transfer fees after they regain equity. If they actually win this lawsuit, the workers will face immense pressure instead."

Zhao Yang smiled. "You guys noticed this issue as well."

Zhang Wei sighed, "Yes. Actually, Lawyer Zhuge and I have run through it repeatedly—if our Dasheng Law Firm handles this lawsuit, as long as we can get to Court, we have a seventy percent chance of winning. But after we win, we'll end up being cursed at."

"Uncle Yang," Zhuge Dali took over, "actually, there's something I've been keeping from Zhang Wei, fearing it might affect his focus on the case. Today, in front of you, I'll speak out."

"Go ahead, what is it?" Zhao Yang said.

"Actually, the shareholding employees aren't unaware of the land transfer fees," Zhuge Dali's voice grew even lower. "They have someone to rely on, believing they can get out of paying this money. I overheard a conversation between Zheng Xipo and Captain Wang Wenxuan. It seems that back then, they relied on someone named Chen Yanshi to get the land rent waived. This time, they also plan to use Chen Yanshi to get the land transfer fees waived as well."

Zhao Yang couldn't help but laugh. "These people, despite their ordinary looks, sure have beautiful imaginations. Scheming to avoid the land transfer fees? Isn't that taking away the livelihoods of all civil servants in Jingzhou? Just pretend you don't know about this and focus on handling your case."

Zhang Wei nodded and let out a bitter laugh, "Brother Yang, I never thought there could be something so... so absurd in this world."

Zhao Yang patted his shoulder. "As a lawyer, the things you encounter will only get more absurd, never less. By the way, has Dali been in Handong Province all this time? Isn't she supposed to take the college entrance exam this year?"

Zhang Wei's mouth twitched. "She doesn't need to take it; she was recommended for direct admission."

Zhuge Dali smiled, "I had nothing else to do anyway, so I came along. Besides, my mom said that Zhang Wei tends to act on impulse and is too soft-hearted, so she wanted me to keep an eye on him."

"Oh..." Zhao Yang pursed his lips and didn't ask further, only silently mourning Zhang Wei's future household status for a dozen seconds.

With the representatives from all parties present, Zhao Yang returned to his seat. He picked up the microphone, cleared his throat, and got straight to the point, saying, "The equity dispute of Dafeng Factory involves many parties. Secretary Li of the Jingzhou Municipal Committee attaches great importance to this matter and specially consulted with our Provincial People's Procuratorate, commissioning us to organize this meeting as a relatively neutral party. There are two purposes—first, we hope everyone will lay their demands out in the open; second, we want to explain some actual facts our Procuratorate has recently uncovered. This is not only for the parties involved but also for the concerned public, so that everyone can fully understand the situation and better exercise their civic right of supervision. To our friends from the traditional and self-media who are present today, you are free to record and broadcast."

"Well said!" A burst of applause immediately erupted from the audience.

Secretary Li Dakang listened with a slight curve to his lips. Zhao Yang putting the municipal government first made him highly satisfied with this statement. He secretly gave Zhao Yang a thumbs-up—not only was Zhao Yang highly capable, but his interpersonal skills were also impeccable. No wonder he could reach the deputy provincial level at just thirty-seven.

Right at that moment, Zhao Yang's expression suddenly darkened. The friendly demeanor from earlier instantly vanished, replaced by a cold and serious face.

An invisible pressure suddenly filled the venue, and the room, which had still been rustling with whispers, instantly fell dead silent...