The struggle for power has always been cruel and relentless.
It involves people and matters from all aspects, with far-reaching implications.
Outsiders watch the excitement, insiders see the details.
What originally was just a conflict between two local forces, old and new, eventually escalated into a struggle between two police chiefs.
And both chiefs paid a considerable price first: one suffered a car accident and a broken arm; the other was bitten by a rabid dog, sustaining multiple injuries all over his body, and both were hospitalized.
Such a huge price, while bringing excitement, also served as a warning to many who wished to get involved.
Those not directly involved are best advised not to participate, otherwise, the cost will be too great.
The conflict had just begun, and both chiefs were already injured and hospitalized. If others were to get involved, it's hard to say if people would actually die.
The entire special class of Yongnan County was filled with tension and unease, as no one knew what the final outcome would be.
And under these special circumstances, Qin Chuan's side was not idle. He dispatched almost all his elites to closely monitor every move of Han Shifei's faction.
Simultaneously, he stationed personnel at the hospital to prevent the occurrence of accidents like Zhou Zongrong's car crash.
Zhou Zongrong was of immense importance in the current situation, almost deciding the victor of the entire conflict.
If he won, it would mean victory for Qin Chuan's side, allowing them to firmly establish themselves in Yongnan County.
But if he lost, the consequences would be severe.
His hard-won empire and vast foundation might be lost, leaving him with no chance to enjoy it. He would either have to flee to a foreign land and prepare for a comeback,
or obediently be annexed by others, acting as a loyal lapdog, waiting for occasional mercy to receive scraps.
This is the typical scenario of the winner takes all, the loser is condemned, extremely cruel and ruthless.
The battle became a stalemate for a time, with both sides evenly matched, unable to gain the upper hand.
One day, Qin Chuan went to the police station for a visit and to see Zheng Chengdao.
In the detention room, Qin Chuan apologized to Zheng Chengdao with guilt, stating he couldn't get him out for the time being because old Zhang Wenbo stubbornly refused to plead guilty.
At the same time, that scoundrel Lin Dongping repeatedly clamored that he hadn't killed anyone and that the video evidence was obtained under duress from Qin Chuan and his men.
Upon hearing this, a hint of sadness flickered across Zheng Chengdao's weathered face.
After all, no one wants to spend their days in a dark and gloomy detention room. Although the people here treated him courteously, it was nowhere as comfortable as the outside.
"Brother Dao, Han Shifei, Nan Hongya, and their factions are much stronger than we anticipated. At this stage, I feel like I can't even intervene!"
"We can only wait for the two sides to slowly determine the winner through this stalemate."
Qin Chuan said. The current struggle had truly gone beyond his control; the situation had already escalated.
It was a pity for Zheng Chengdao, who had become the biggest sacrifice in this special environment.
As long as there was no resolution between the two factions, Zheng Chengdao might not be able to get out. Qin Chuan felt incredibly guilty about this and kept apologizing.
"Boss, do you remember something we stumbled upon when you asked us to investigate that woman named Li Xiangcao back then?"
Suddenly, Zheng Chengdao, with his eyes lowered, looked up and said to Qin Chuan.
"Li Xiangcao?"
Qin Chuan's expression turned astonished. Why would Zheng Chengdao suddenly bring up Li Xiangcao?
"Yes, it's that woman, Li Xiangcao!"
A sharp glint flashed in Zheng Chengdao's deep eyes.
"Back then, when my men were tracking Li Xiangcao, they accidentally discovered a very big secret."
"I told you about this at the time, Boss. It concerns our Secretary..."
As Zheng Chengdao reminded him, Qin Chuan's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He gradually recalled something he had forgotten, and finally, he slammed his fist against the wall with force:
"Damn it, I'm such a stupid pig! How could I forget something so important!"
He finally remembered what Zheng Chengdao was talking about!
When Li Xiangcao suddenly appeared that day, Qin Chuan became interested in this former "childhood sweetheart" classmate. He wanted to see if Li Yuansan's sudden rise to power was orchestrated by this woman.
If it was, his attitude towards Li Xiangcao would change drastically.
During the investigation, a shocking secret was unexpectedly discovered.
County Secretary Zhao Anquan was having an affair with Li Xiangcao, and she was his secret lover.
"Brother Dao, I remember we took photos back then, right?"
Qin Chuan asked excitedly.
"Yes, the photos are hidden in a box under the bed in the house I lived in, at the very bottom."
Zheng Chengdao said, "You even said back then, Boss, that those photos were very valuable and would serve an unimaginable purpose in the future."
"I think now is the time for those photos to serve their purpose!"
Qin Chuan clapped his hands in excitement, "Isn't it? Damn it, I've been so busy lately that I've forgotten such an important matter!"
"Brother Dao, just wait. I'll go back right now to get those photos and give them to Magistrate Ye. With these photos, it will be enough to change the current stalemate."
"And you'll be able to get out soon!"
Zheng Chengdao also showed a bright smile, his previous dejection and sadness gone.
Everyone knew who the biggest backing of Han Shifei and Nan Hongya was. If Zhao Anquan fell, the outcome would be almost self-evident.
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. If the biggest pillar of support collapses, then the "ghosts and monsters" below would naturally descend into chaos.
Qin Chuan was very fast. In less than half an hour, he rushed to the county government with the evidence.
When he handed the photos to Ye Qingping, Ye Qingping, who had always been calm and experienced, trembled with excitement as he looked at the contents of the pictures.
"Qin Chuan, where did you get these photos?"
Ye Qingping asked excitedly.
Qin Chuan then briefly described the situation.
Wang Pingan, who was standing nearby, also widened his eyes, looking at the contents of each photo with disbelief.
These were things he had longed for just as much. He never expected that Qin Chuan's side would accidentally capture them. It was truly a case of "intentions to plant flowers yield no bloom, but unintended planting yields willows."
After Qin Chuan finished speaking, Ye Qingping couldn't help but burst into laughter and hugged Qin Chuan tightly.
"Qin Chuan, do you know you've rendered a great service?"
"This is simply heaven-sent!"
Qin Chuan grinned, "As long as it can help Magistrate Ye, that's good."
"It must be helpful, and extremely so!"
Ye Qingping was truly happy and patted Qin Chuan's shoulder forcefully. "From now on, you just go home and focus on your business, and wait for my good news!"
"This time, I will not only bring down Zhao Anquan, but all the imps and demons under him will suffer the consequences as well."
As he spoke the last words, Ye Qingping exuded a sharp aura, like a sword drawn from its scabbard, its edge piercing and cold.