With Wu Wangchun's support, Yang Jian fully commenced the road construction the next day. He instructed Liu Chao to bring four excavators and one bulldozer to prepare the roadbed, and asked Liangliang to contact a commercial concrete station, planning to use commercial concrete for the entire road to improve efficiency and aim to complete the road in one month.
"Xiao Yang, are you in Chengguan? Come to Pinwei Shiguang, our section chief Yu wants to have a chat with you."
Yang Jian, who was directing the construction on the road, suddenly received a call from Lin Nan.
"Section Chief Yu? I don't know him, what does he want to chat about?"
"He's your cousin Xu Zheng's uncle. He knows I'm quite familiar with you, so he asked me to invite you out. He wants to help resolve the conflict between you and Xu Zheng."
"Yu Xiangdong? He's not going to arrest me, is he?"
"How could that be? I'll be there, don't worry. It's just a private chat, I guarantee your safety."
"Alright, even if he's not going to arrest me, what can I possibly talk about with him? Will he admit that Xu Zheng instigated the beating of my cousin and the smashing of his family's supermarket?"
"He certainly won't admit it. However, two of the people involved in beating your cousin have already surrendered. He's here to talk to you on behalf of those two people, hoping to get your family's forgiveness."
"Oh, alright, I'll be there right away. But you'll have to wait a bit, I'm still in Xinqiao."
Yang Jian hung up the phone, greeted Liu Chao, who was directing the construction on-site, and drove to Chengguan with Lu Yao.
He first dropped Lu Yao off at the 4S shop to let her pick out a car, and then went to Pinwei Shiguang alone.
"Xiao Yang, let me introduce you. This is Section Chief Yu from my unit. He was formerly the deputy director of the Xinqiao Police Station. You should have heard of him. Section Chief Yu, this is Yang Jian, my girlfriend's best friend's boyfriend."
In a private room, Lin Nan introduced Yang Jian and Yu Xiangdong to each other.
Yu Xiangdong was in his early forties, tall, and looked very strong, though he was starting to gain weight. He was fair-skinned and well-maintained.
Yang Jian nodded at him, "Hello, Section Chief Yu."
Yu Xiangdong sized him up, "Hmm, have a seat, Yang Jian. I've heard a lot about you. You truly are a distinguished looking young man. Looking at your physique, you're clearly someone who trains."
"You flatter me, Section Chief Yu. I just enjoy exercising."
Yu Xiangdong turned to Lin Nan, "Team Lin, I'd like to have a private chat with Xiao Yang. Could you wait outside for a moment?"
"Sure, you guys talk. I'll have a cup of tea outside."
As Lin Nan got up, he gave Yang Jian a look, indicating that he shouldn't worry about any unexpected events.
Seeing the private room door closed by Lin Nan, Yu Xiangdong poured Yang Jian a cup of tea, "Yang Jian, let's not beat around the bush. I invited you here today mainly to resolve the conflict between you and Xu Zheng."
"Section Chief Yu, I don't understand. I don't know Xu Zheng, and I don't have any conflict with him. Why would a section chief like you need to mediate personally?"
"I am Xu Zheng's uncle. Let me be direct. I know you were the one who led people to smash the arcade in Xinqiao, but I have no intention of arresting you. You and Xu Zheng are both from Xinqiao, and you'll run into each other often. You are both influential figures in Xinqiao. If you continue to fight endlessly, it will only result in mutual harm and have a negative social impact. Therefore, I want to be a peacemaker and resolve your conflict completely."
"Section Chief Yu, you can't just say anything. The arcade wasn't smashed by me. Police Officer Zhou from the police station investigated at my factory, and over sixty employees at the factory at the time can testify that I was at the factory the whole time."
Yang Jian was highly vigilant, worried that Yu Xiangdong might have a hidden recording device, and vehemently denied smashing the arcade.
Yu Xiangdong looked at him with a grim expression, "Xiao Yang, today I am negotiating with you as Xu Zheng's uncle, not representing the police. You don't need to be wary of me. Let's be frank, your cousin's beating and the smashing of his family's supermarket are somewhat related to Xu Zheng.
Because two people have surrendered, and they have a very good relationship with Xu Zheng, and they are management personnel of the construction company where Xu Zheng is the legal representative. I heard that your cousin snatched their project, so they took it upon themselves to act against your cousin.
Xu Zheng was handling matters in Hancheng at the time, and by the time he found out about the incident, it was too late. So, he had those two managers surrender. As the legal representative of the company, Xu Zheng naturally has to bear some responsibility and is willing to provide some compensation to your cousin's family."
These words were eloquently spoken. Clearly, Xu Zheng had orchestrated the beating and smashing incident but arranged for two people to take the blame. If it weren't for the fear that Yang Jian would continue to retaliate against Xu Zheng, this matter would likely have been dropped, and Jing Yongli would have been beaten for nothing, with no mention of the scapegoating.
Yu Xiangdong must have done such things often. Yang Jian sneered, "Section Chief Yu, since someone has surrendered, then let the court decide. Those who deserve to go to jail will go to jail, and those who need civil compensation will provide it. Why are you coming to me to coordinate?"
"Xiao Yang, stop pretending to be ignorant. Jing Yongli was working for you. If not you, then who should I coordinate with? Those two families who surrendered are not well-off. On one hand, they hope to receive forgiveness, and on the other hand, the compensation will definitely fall on Xu Zheng. Just tell me, what conditions do you need to write a letter of forgiveness and agree not to retaliate against Xu Zheng anymore?"
"Forgiveness? Why didn't they think of forgiveness when they were beating people? Smashing and looting a shop that was operating normally and paying taxes in broad daylight, why didn't they think of forgiveness?"
"Xiao Yang, don't dwell on what has already happened. Seeking forgiveness from the victim is a legal procedure. Even in murder cases, there is this procedure. The incident has already occurred, and providing the victim with maximum compensation is what we need to discuss now.
This procedure is not only for the emotional comfort of the victim but also an opportunity for the perpetrator to repent and reform. This is a common way our police handle general cases. I hope you can understand."
"General cases?"
"Yes, this is not a homicide case. I've already looked into it. Jing Yongli's injuries are not too serious, just two fractures. At most, it's considered minor injury. He'll recover in two months with rest. Medical expenses plus lost wages will not exceed ten thousand yuan.
The losses at your aunt's supermarket are no more than fifty thousand yuan. Xu Zheng said he is willing to pay a lump sum of eighty thousand yuan as compensation. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Jian stood up to leave, "Eighty thousand? Section Chief Yu, are you kidding me? I spent over a hundred thousand yuan to compensate for the excavator, and that's verifiable and cannot be faked. You think eighty thousand yuan can settle this matter? That's too insincere."
"Sit down. This is a negotiation, how can things be settled in just a few words? You can state your demands. Why are you leaving as soon as we disagree?"
Yu Xiangdong's tone was stern, as if he were displaying his authority.
After all, the other party was a section chief with real power, and he and his brothers were operating on the fringes of the law. Yang Jian dared not completely offend him, so he sat back down, waiting to see how he would perform.