The incident of the Xiaoshahe sand quarry being burned spread rapidly through society, with various versions of rumors and information being eagerly discussed.
One version claimed that Yang Jian, though on the run, was still making a fortune elsewhere and brought money back to invest. Xu Zheng, wanting to interfere with Yang Jian's investment projects, deliberately set up a sand quarry in the development area, ultimately leading to Yang Jian sending people back to burn it down.
Another version stated that Yang Jian had warned Xu Zheng not to interfere in any matters concerning Yangli Village. However, Xu Zheng, defiant, took advantage of Yang Jian being wanted and forcibly opened a sand quarry at Xiaoshahe, thus touching Yang Jian's sensitive spot. Consequently, Yang Jian sent people to eliminate him.
Regardless of the version, the incident shifted the focus onto Yang Jian, with people believing he had planned and executed the operation.
Subsequently, the casualties of Xu Zheng and his group were also exposed. Four people were injured by buckshot, with Xu Zheng being the most seriously wounded and sent to Hancheng Hospital for treatment. Two others were injured by knives but their lives were not in danger.
New River District People's Hospital, surgical ward.
Shen Hua, who had undergone surgery on his buttocks, could only lie prone on the hospital bed. Cat Brother and Baoguo sat beside him, with San Pang standing behind Cat Brother.
"Xiao Hua, I just learned from the doctor that Xu Zheng was hit by a steel ball in his tailbone. Even with treatment at a Hancheng hospital, he will be disabled, possibly paralyzed for life, and spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair."
Baoguo, with a grim expression, conveyed the newly acquired information to Shen Hua.
Shen Hua pounded the pillow with his fist. "Damn it, we were too careless this time. I must get revenge for this. Baoguo Ge, how are the other brothers?"
"The other brothers are mostly fine. Two were slashed twice, but not seriously. They'll recover in two months. Two others were hit in the legs by steel balls, also not a big problem; the pellets were removed. Judging by the injuries, the attackers didn't aim for fatal spots, whether shooting or slashing. Xu Zheng was just unlucky to be hit in the spine."
"Baoguo Ge, what did the police say? Do they have any leads?"
"No useful leads. The perpetrators handled the case very professionally. They waded across the river to launch a surprise attack on you and then returned the same way. There must have been a vehicle waiting for them. No useful clues were found at the scene, nor were there any witnesses. Cases like this are very difficult to solve unless they are caught for other crimes and confess."
"Is there no news from the underworld at all? There were at least eight or nine people. With so many people acting, there should be some clue, right?"
"So far, there's no news. I've arranged for many brothers to investigate throughout the district, but no suspicious individuals have been found."
Cat Brother interjected, "Everyone outside is saying Yang Jian arranged and planned this attack. Could it be people he brought back from out of town?"
Baoguo nodded. "I think so too. Last time Xu Zheng was beaten at the Xinqiao Hotel, it was Yang Jian's close associates who acted. This time is no different, only the attack was more brutal, costing us over a million."
Cat Brother turned to San Pang. "San Pang, do you think Yang Jian sent people back to do this?"
San Pang shook his head. "I don't know. The village has all sorts of rumors. Some say Wu Wangchun hired professional killers from Hancheng. He's always been at odds with Xu Zheng, and his businesses have been suppressed by Baoguo Ge and the others recently. It's not impossible he'd take this opportunity for revenge."
"You have a point. Wu Wangchun has been forced to operate his emperor's court in Hancheng. He certainly has a motive. It would protect Yang Jian and also disrupt the alliance between us and Xu Zheng. But Yang Jian is still ultimately involved."
"Perhaps."
San Pang couldn't say much more. He was inwardly loyal to Yang Jian, so he wanted to shift the blame to Wu Wangchun to prevent Cat Brother and the others from targeting businesses in Yangli Village.
"San Pang, I asked you to keep in touch with Jing Yongli regularly. Have you gathered any information about Yang Jian?"
"Really none. I not only asked Jing Yongli but also often chatted with Yang Jian's parents. I haven't heard a single piece of news about Yang Jian. They also seem unaware of his whereabouts, and they cry whenever they talk to me."
"Damn Yang Jian, he's hiding too well. We won't feel secure until he's in prison."
Shen Hua, uncomfortable lying down, shifted with difficulty. "Cat Brother, what are Brother Xing's plans? We can't just let this go. Xu Zheng is crippled, so what about the sand quarry? We lost over a million."
"Before I came, I called Hong Xing and told him about the situation here. He said the sand quarry must proceed, even if not for profit from digging sand, but to obstruct Yang Jian's projects from proceeding smoothly. He also said that in Xinhe, if Yang Jian exists, Hong Xing does not, and if Hong Xing exists, Yang Jian does not. Therefore, the suppression of Yang Jian must be comprehensive, and his industries in Xinhe must not be spared."
"I think so too. Did Brother Xing say how to proceed?"
"He said to wait for now. With the shooting incident, the police will be closely monitoring Xinqiao. Don't run into the muzzle of a gun. He wants you to recover from your injuries. You're still in charge of Xinqiao matters, and you'll be provided with people and money."
"Alright. It will take me about ten days to be able to walk, and at most a month. I'll make them pay a heavy price."
Having been ambushed and nearly losing his life, Shen Hua's desire for revenge swelled immensely.
This situation made San Pang secretly alarmed. These people were determined to fight Yang Jian to the death and were even planning to target his businesses, completely disregarding the unwritten rules of the underworld. He had to inform Yang Jian and Jing Yongli of this news so they could take precautions.
After leaving the hospital, Cat Brother asked him to return to Yangli Village to continue gathering information and to learn about the new project. This suited his intentions perfectly.
Upon returning to Yangli Village, San Pang immediately found Jing Yongli and told him about Hong Xing's plans.
Hearing that Hong Xing intended to target businesses, Jing Yongli became a little flustered. The situation was escalating, and he had to inform Yang Jian.
Therefore, Jing Yongli immediately called Yang Jian and reported how Feng Wu had led people to destroy Xu Zheng's sand quarry.
Upon hearing that Feng Wu had directly used firearms and crippled Xu Zheng, Yang Jian was greatly shocked. However, the incident had already happened, and it was meaningless to blame him. After all, it was done to protect the company's interests, and no one on his side was injured, nor were any clues left for the police.
"Yongli, tell Feng Wu not to use firearms so easily in the future. For major matters, he must inform me. No unauthorized actions."
"But Jian Ge, Hong Xing and his group are planning to target businesses."
Jing Yongli then relayed the information San Pang had gathered to him.
"Is Hong Xing tired of living? He actually wants to go head-to-head with me, even declaring that it's either him or me, and me or him. Fine, I'll accommodate him. Let's see whose life is more valuable."
Yang Jian had been waiting for news from Lu Hao, hoping his case could be dropped, and had been following his advice to avoid direct confrontation with people in Xinhe. Now that they were pushing him, it seemed he had no choice but to act.