198: Government bailout

Seeing the happy expressions on the farmers' faces, Lin Zifeng continued, "Once the criminal suspect is apprehended, besides holding him criminally liable, we will also require him to pay civil compensation.

The remaining portion will be covered by the finances of the Hetao Town Town Government and the County Government.

Farmers, as long as you cooperate with our staff to clean up your breeding ponds, aside from putting in some physical effort and spending some time, you will not need to bear any losses."

Hearing Lin Zifeng's promise, the farmers were stunned for a moment before someone subconsciously asked, "County Magistrate, are you serious?"

"The County Magistrate represents the County Party Committee and County Government; what he says is the decision of the County Party Committee and Government.

The County Party Committee and County Government and the Hetao Town Town Government cannot just move away, and we cannot run away either. How could the County Magistrate's word not count?" Wan Guoliang said with a firm tone.

"Thank you, Secretary, thank you, County Magistrate, thank you, leaders."

The farmers thanked them excitedly and happily, with some already moved to tears of joy.

"Fellow folks, this time the government is providing a safety net for you, but we must all learn our lesson and be more vigilant in the future.

Don't be stingy with a little money; in the future, when you continue your aquaculture, you should install more video surveillance.

If you all have surveillance installed, those with malicious intent will feel wary even if they want to cause trouble," Lin Zifeng said earnestly.

"We will listen to the County Magistrate and will definitely install more cameras when we get back to strictly prevent despicable people from deliberately causing damage."

One farmer shouted excitedly, and the other farmers chimed in one after another.

The symposium concluded successfully, and the preliminary work was completed. The Secretary of Hetao Town said, "Secretary, County Magistrate, it is lunchtime. The cafeteria has prepared lunch. What do you think?"

Wan Guoliang stood up and said, "Then let's go eat together! Let these dozen or so folks join us as well.

After an incident like this, they probably haven't had the mood to eat since last night!

Now that the problems have basically been solved, let's go eat with peace of mind together!"

Everyone refused out of embarrassment, but after Wan Guoliang's reminder, a few of their stomachs rumbled right on cue.

Everyone laughed good-naturedly. Lin Zifeng smiled and said, "The government is the people's government; it's just a meal, there's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Be quick about it. In the future, as long as you focus on your aquaculture and help the nearby masses get rich together, that is what we want to see."

Under the persuasion of the Hetao Town Town Government staff, these farmers finally followed them out of the meeting room and headed toward the Town Government cafeteria.

The Cadres of Hetao Town knew the work style of their two top superiors, so they only had the cafeteria prepare two extra dishes and did not prepare any alcohol.

Lin Zifeng and Wan Guoliang finished their lunch quickly with the group.

After seeing off the farmers who had set their minds at ease, they were accompanied by members of the government leadership team to the Small Meeting Room.

They held a targeted meeting regarding the incident that had just occurred and made detailed arrangements for the next steps of work.

They also listened to work reports from various aspects of Hetao Town. It wasn't until after four in the afternoon that Lin Zifeng and Wan Guoliang left in their respective cars.

By the time they returned to the county seat, it was already time to get off work, so Lin Zifeng asked Li Qiang to take him straight home.

Two days passed in a flash. Not long after work started that day, Zhu Yushan, led by Wang Zhongyu, walked into Lin Zifeng's Office.

After a few brief pleasantries, Zhu Yushan began to report on the progress of the malicious poisoning case in Hetao Town.

"County Magistrate, after the meticulous investigation by our Public Security Police Officers, we have locked onto the criminal suspect and apprehended him yesterday afternoon.

Upon interrogation, the criminal suspect, Wang Chenglin, is thirty-four years old, unmarried, an unemployed drifter, and a thorough gambler. His parents are both over sixty.

Because Wang Chenglin lacked gambling funds, he had borrowed money from two of the six households that were poisoned some time ago.

The nearby residents all know that Wang Chenglin does everything—drinking, whoring, and gambling—and lending him money is like throwing a meat bun at a dog; it never comes back. Therefore, he was refused by the two farming households.

Wang Chenglin held a grudge from then on and kept looking for an opportunity to retaliate, so he came up with the idea of poisoning the breeding ponds.

In order not to arouse suspicion, Wang Chenglin deliberately poisoned the ponds of four additional farming households."

Zhu Yushan reported the cause and result of this poisoning case in a concise manner.

Lin Zifeng nodded and said, "Then follow the legal procedures and use the law to punish the criminal suspect!"

"Very well, County Magistrate. Once the Court sentences the criminal suspect, we will make the results of the handling public to serve as a deterrent to lawbreakers."

"Additionally, this case reflects another issue: the serious consequences brought about by gambling.

Our Public Security Bureau must strictly crack down on gambling and, even more importantly, prevent a minority of Public Security Police Officers from becoming protective umbrellas for gambling syndicates. Even tipping them off must be severely punished without leniency.

Our County Public Security Bureau must first conduct self-inspection and self-correction. Only when our team is solid can we ensure the smooth progress of this work," Lin Zifeng said, deliberating his words.

"County Magistrate, please rest assured. After I return, I will strictly implement your instructions. Once we have completed the self-inspection and self-correction work, we will severely crack down on all forms of gambling," Zhu Yushan hurriedly promised.

Subsequently, Zhu Yushan reported on some other aspects of the County Public Security Bureau's work before rising to take his leave.

Not long after Zhu Yushan left, Wang Zhongyu knocked on the door again.

"County Magistrate, County Magistrate Zhang is here to report his work to you."

"Quickly, invite County Magistrate Zhang in."

As Lin Zifeng spoke, he stood up, walked around the desk, and shook hands with Zhang Linhua, who had walked into the Office.

After exchanging greetings, he and Zhang Linhua sat down on the sofa together. Wang Zhongyu poured tea for Zhang Linhua and then turned and left.

Zhang Linhua then spoke, "County Magistrate, I returned from Hetao Town yesterday evening.

The fish and shrimp from those six poisoned farming households have all been disposed of in a harmless manner.

Nearly half of the water in the breeding ponds has been treated, and in another two or three days, it will be completely cleaned.

After disinfecting and drying for a week, they can refill the water, introduce new seedlings, and resume aquaculture.

In addition, the sampling results for the water quality of the surrounding breeding ponds are in. The water in the nearby breeding ponds has not been contaminated at all."

"Now we can be completely at ease. Thank you for your hard work, County Magistrate Zhang," Lin Zifeng nodded and said with satisfaction.

"County Magistrate, this is my duty; it is all what I should do," Zhang Linhua said hurriedly.

The two discussed this aspect of the work for a while longer, and then Lin Zifeng spoke again, "County Magistrate Zhang, how is your son doing at the Animal Husbandry Bureau?"

Hearing Lin Zifeng's inquiry, Zhang Linhua's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "My son was a bit unruly and immature a few years ago. After he started working at the Animal Husbandry Bureau, he slowly settled down.

After two years of work experience, his personality has become steady, he is much more sensible, and he no longer associates with those bad friends from before. I don't have to worry about him anymore," Zhang Linhua said with a look of relief.