23: Chapter 23 Never Let It Go

Xiao Bei chuckled, then scratched his head and didn't say anything more.

At this moment, Secretary Qi Zhengming walked over, looked at Qin Ruoxi with a solemn gaze, and asked with some unease:

"Mayor Qin, what exactly are you investigating by coming to Bishi Town for an unannounced visit this time? Is there some oversight in our county?"

Qin Ruoxi nodded slightly and said in a serious tone:

"Secretary Qi, I did come here to investigate something important. Recently, I received several reports indicating that Bishi Town has serious problems in the implementation of poverty alleviation funds.

Many people have reported phenomena of false claims and misappropriation of poverty alleviation funds. Some impoverished households haven't even received the subsidies they are entitled to, which is why I came to see for myself."

Upon hearing this, Secretary Qi Zhengming's face turned livid in an instant, and his fists clenched involuntarily:

"What? Such a thing actually happened! Poverty alleviation funds concern the vital interests of the common people. Whoever dares to tamper with them is simply lawless!"

Qin Ruoxi sighed softly and said:

"Secretary Qi, poverty alleviation work is a major national priority that concerns the livelihoods of thousands of households. If these reports are true, it is not just a problem for Bishi Town, but a dereliction of duty for the entire Beijiang County."

Secretary Qi Zhengming took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger in his heart, and said in a deep voice:

"Mayor Qin, rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly to the end! Regardless of who it is, as long as they are involved in illegal activities, I will be the first to prosecute them!"

After speaking, he immediately took out his mobile phone and dialed the number of Bishi Town Party Secretary, Secretary Wu Jingheng.

On the other end of the line, Secretary Wu Jingheng's voice carried a hint of sycophancy:

"Secretary Qi, why are you calling personally? Do you have any instructions?"

Secretary Qi Zhengming said coldly:

"Secretary Wu Jingheng, come to the Police Station immediately, right now!"

Secretary Wu Jingheng was in bed with his mistress at the moment, and upon hearing Secretary Qi Zhengming's words, he was so scared he nearly jumped up:

"Se... Secretary Qi, what happened? I am in a meeting here, can you wait a moment..."

"A meeting?"

Secretary Qi Zhengming sneered. "Secretary Wu Jingheng, don't try to pull the wool over my eyes! I'm telling you, Mayor Qin is in Bishi Town right now. If you drag your feet any longer, you will bear the consequences!"

"Ma... Mayor Qin?"

Secretary Wu Jingheng's voice instantly began to tremble. "Okay, okay, I'll be there right away! Right away!"

After hanging up, Secretary Qi Zhengming dialed the number of Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan.

"Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan, come to the Police Station immediately. Mayor Qin wants to see you!"

Upon hearing the words "Mayor Qin," Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan's tone immediately became nervous:

"Mayor Qin? Why did she come here? Secretary Qi, did something happen?"

Secretary Qi Zhengming said coldly:

"You know what you have done! Stop talking nonsense and get over here immediately!"

After hanging up, Secretary Qi Zhengming turned to Qin Ruoxi and said:

"Mayor Qin, I have notified Bishi Town Party Secretary, Secretary Wu Jingheng, and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan. They will be here shortly. How would you like us to proceed?"

Qin Ruoxi pondered for a moment and said:

"When they arrive, let's hear their explanation first. However, Secretary Qi, I hope you understand that this matter is not just a problem in Bishi Town; it is a loophole in the poverty alleviation work of the entire Beijiang County."

"I want you to use this opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation and never let any parasite off the hook."

Secretary Qi Zhengming nodded solemnly:

"Mayor Qin, rest assured, I will fully cooperate with your work and will never let any lawbreaker escape the sanctions of the law!"

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside the Police Station.

Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan rushed in, both of their faces showing clear panic and unease.

As soon as Secretary Wu Jingheng entered the door, he greeted them with a beaming smile:

"Ma... Mayor Qin, hello. Secretary Qi, hello. Why are you both here?"

Secretary Qi Zhengming coldly interrupted him:

"Secretary Wu Jingheng, don't play dumb here! Mayor Qin came this time specifically to investigate the issue of poverty alleviation funds. What exactly is going on with the poverty alleviation work in Bishi Town?"

Secretary Wu Jingheng's expression changed, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead:

"Secretary Qi, this... this must be a misunderstanding! Our poverty alleviation work in Bishi Town has always been strictly executed according to the instructions of our superiors; there absolutely cannot be any problems!"

Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan also quickly chimed in:

"Yes, Mayor Qin, Secretary Qi, the poverty alleviation work in our Bishi Town is the benchmark for the whole county; how could there be any problems? Someone must have made a malicious report to deliberately smear us!"

Qin Ruoxi glanced at them indifferently and said:

"There is no need to rush to defend yourselves. I have detailed report materials in my hand, as well as real-name complaint letters from the masses. If you truly have a clear conscience, then cooperate fully with the investigation and explain the matter clearly."

Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan looked at each other, their faces instantly turning pale.

Secretary Wu Jingheng stammered:

"Mayor Qin, this... this must be someone framing us! You must not listen to those rumors!"

Secretary Qi Zhengming snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"Secretary Wu Jingheng, Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan, stop quibbling here! Mayor Qin has already grasped sufficient evidence. If you do not tell the truth, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan's legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground, his voice trembling as he said:

"Secretary Qi, we... we really don't know what is going on! The disbursement of poverty alleviation funds was all done according to procedure; there absolutely cannot be any problems!"

Qin Ruoxi shook her head gently, her tone carrying a trace of disappointment:

"Secretary Wu, Town Mayor Zheng, are you still refusing to tell the truth at this point? Then I will have to let the comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission talk to you."

After speaking, she turned to Secretary Qi Zhengming and said:

"Secretary Qi, I think we should let the comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission intervene. This matter must be investigated thoroughly to the end."

Secretary Qi Zhengming nodded, glanced coldly at Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan, and waved his hand to the Discipline Inspection Commission cadres behind him:

"Take these two away as well, and open a case for investigation immediately!"

Several Discipline Inspection Commission cadres immediately stepped forward and hoisted Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan up.

Secretary Wu Jingheng struggled, shouting in a hoarse voice:

"Mayor Qin, we are wronged! We are wronged!"

At this moment, Xiao Bei leaned into Qin Ruoxi's ear and whispered a few words.

Qin Ruoxi pondered for a moment, then nodded, looked at Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan who were being held by the Discipline Inspection Commission cadres, and said:

"Since you keep insisting that you are wronged, do you dare to go to the village with me and confront the villagers face-to-face?"

Secretary Wu Jingheng and Town Mayor Zheng Siyuan looked at each other, a flash of panic crossing their eyes, but they quickly forced themselves to appear calm.

Secretary Wu Jingheng forced a smile:

"Mayor Qin, this... this is of course fine! We act upright and sit straight; we are not afraid of a confrontation!"