155: Chapter 155 The Endgame for All Parties

The harsh beam of the flashlight illuminated the area around the donkey cart in a deathly pale light.

Police Chief Zhao Gang stood in the wind, saying nothing, just staring silently at Village Secretary Zhang Dahai, who was sprawled in the mud.

In the distance, two black cars drove up and came to a halt.

The doors opened.

Town Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Chen Jianjun, wearing a dark trench coat, walked over with large strides, accompanied by four discipline inspection officers.

Upon seeing Village Secretary Zhang Dahai on the ground, and catching a glimpse of the bundles of hundred-yuan bills and gold bars exposed in the slashed woven bags, a cold sneer curled the corner of Secretary Chen Jianjun's mouth.

"Village Secretary Zhang Dahai, regarding your bribery, the evidence is conclusive."

Secretary Chen Jianjun looked down at him. "I hope you will cooperate with the work of our Discipline Inspection Commission."

Village Secretary Zhang Dahai lay limp on the ground; his usual arrogance and domineering manner were completely gone, and he nodded as if resigned to his fate.

Secretary Chen Jianjun tilted his head.

The four discipline inspection officers quickly stepped forward, turned on their law enforcement recorders, and began counting the valuables on the donkey cart.

The amount was enormous, so the officers counted with extreme care before packing the valuables into evidence bags.

"Village Secretary Zhang Dahai, take a good look, then sign and press your fingerprint."

Secretary Chen Jianjun handed the inventory list to him.

Village Secretary Zhang Dahai's hands trembled as he scrawled his name crookedly on the list and pressed his red thumbprint.

Secretary Chen Jianjun then signed it and handed it to his subordinates to be sealed and filed.

After finishing all this, Secretary Chen Jianjun looked at Police Chief Zhao Gang.

"Director Zhao, I'll take him back for interrogation first." Secretary Chen Jianjun handed him a cigarette. "We will detain him for three days to crack open the corruption case. After three days, the Discipline Inspection Commission will hand him over to you, and you can continue handling the criminal aspects of the case."

Police Chief Zhao Gang took the cigarette but didn't light it.

"Secretary Zhu briefed me before the operation; all actions are to be under the command of the Discipline Inspection Commission."

This was the tacit understanding of unified command.

Secretary Chen Jianjun took out a lighter and lit it for Police Chief Zhao Gang.

"Very well, tomorrow morning, I will personally go to report to Secretary Zhu."

Secretary Chen Jianjun turned to his officers and instructed: "Take Village Secretary Zhang Dahai away."

Two officers hoisted Village Secretary Zhang Dahai up and shoved him into the back seat of the Santana. As for Liu Meijiao, who was curled up on the side shivering, she would naturally be taken back to the Police Station by Police Chief Zhao Gang.

The police car started.

Inside the vehicle, Police Chief Zhao Gang dialed the phone number of Zhu Wenhao.

"Secretary Zhu, Secretary Chen has taken the man away. The illicit money was all sealed on the spot, and the procedures were followed according to the rules."

From the receiver, Zhu Wenhao's voice came through.

"The confession and physical evidence must form a closed loop. Village Secretary Zhang Dahai's wife is in your hands; get everything she knows out of her. Make the evidence solid so there is no room for them to recant."

"Understood," Police Chief Zhao Gang replied.

"The net of justice is wide, but it lets nothing through. Since we've started, we must make this an ironclad case."

Zhu Wenhao cut the call.

The next morning.

Linjiang Municipal Party Committee compound.

Secretary Lin Weimin sat behind a large desk, his pen marking up an economic report. A knock sounded at the door, and the secretary pushed it open and entered.

"Secretary, Secretary Zhu Tianhe called to ask if you have time now; he has work to report to you."

Secretary Lin Weimin put down his pen.

"Let him come over."

Before long, Secretary Zhu Tianhe walked in and sat down on the guest sofa. The secretary served hot tea and retreated.

"Comrade Tianhe, coming over so early in the morning, is there something urgent?" Secretary Lin Weimin picked up his teacup.

"Secretary Lin, the Municipal Public Security Bureau recently took down the Taiyao Gang, and the burden on the Political and Legal Affairs Commission system has become heavier. Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, the Party Secretary of the Development Zone Management Committee, is a capable person. He has spent many years at the grassroots level and understands both the economy and maintaining stability; could we consider giving him more responsibility?" Secretary Zhu Tianhe said in a relaxed tone.

Secretary Lin Weimin understood clearly in his heart.

This was Secretary Zhu Tianhe's probing after the vacancy for the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary position. He did not express an opinion immediately, only saying: "The Organization Department can conduct an assessment first. For the appointment of cadres, we must listen to the opinions of all parties."

The small talk about personnel was merely a prelude. Secretary Zhu Tianhe picked up his teacup, moistened his throat, and shifted the topic.

"Secretary Lin, I have already heard about what happened in the Discipline Inspection Commission detention room. Secretary Li Changgeng committed suicide out of fear of punishment, which has indeed had a bad impact."

Secretary Lin Weimin's expression darkened slightly.

With Secretary Li Changgeng's death, Mayor Su Changming seized the opportunity to make a big fuss, clamoring that the Discipline Inspection Commission had violated regulations in handling the case and demanding a strict investigation into the responsibility of Secretary Li Li, the head of the Discipline Inspection Commission. This momentum of forcing the leadership had already reached the desk of the Municipal Party Committee.

"Secretary Li Changgeng is dead, and Mayor Su has strong objections." Secretary Lin Weimin tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "The Discipline Inspection Commission did indeed have lapses in their case-handling procedures."

"A thousand-mile levee can collapse because of an ant hole. Lapses should be punished, but one should not give up eating for fear of choking." Secretary Zhu Tianhe leaned forward.

"Secretary Lin, Comrade Secretary Li Li has been conscientious and diligent on the disciplinary inspection front. In this investigation of the Taiyao Gang, she bore immense pressure to step into a minefield."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe looked directly at Secretary Lin Weimin. "If, because a criminal committed suicide out of fear of punishment, we let a general who charges into battle feel disheartened, then in the future, who in this Linjiang City would dare to investigate cases? Who would dare to wield the blade for the Municipal Party Committee?"

These words hit the crux of the matter. Secretary Lin Weimin looked at his nose and focused his mind. He certainly understood Mayor Su Changming's scheme. Once Secretary Li Li was in trouble, if Mayor Su Changming's people were inserted into the Discipline Inspection Commission, his life as the Municipal Party Committee Secretary would not be easy either.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's plea was actually offering a ladder. It showed that the Deputy Secretary stood firmly with the Municipal Party Committee Secretary in this round, working together to protect the Discipline Inspection Commission.

"Comrade Tianhe has always had a strong sense of the big picture when viewing issues." Secretary Lin Weimin's brow relaxed. "The sharp sword of the Discipline Inspection Commission cannot be dulled. Internal rectification is necessary, but the commander cannot be easily moved. The Municipal Party Committee will consider this comprehensively and suppress the rumors."

An exchange was settled in a few calm, tepid sentences. Secretary Zhu Tianhe received a satisfactory reply and rose to leave.

Ten o'clock in the morning.

Discipline Inspection Commission building.

Secretary Li Li sat before her desk, three or four cigarette butts already accumulated in the ashtray.

Secretary Li Changgeng's hanging death kept her up at night. Mayor Su Changming was aggressive, and the old leaders of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection had also sent back bad responses; if the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee did not pursue accountability for this matter, it would be easier to handle.

The phone on the desk rang suddenly. It was a call from the Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General. He conveyed Secretary Lin's instructions: the Discipline Inspection Commission should submit a self-examination report, and internal disciplinary warnings would be issued. The follow-up sorting out of the Taiyao Gang case would still be led by Secretary Li Li.

Raised high, but put down gently.

After hanging up the phone, Secretary Li Li's tense body relaxed, and the pent-up frustration in her chest was exhaled.

To be able to suppress this matter at the height of the storm, it would be unrealistic for Secretary Lin Weimin to do it alone; someone must have spoken for her and stabilized the situation. And the only person with the weight and willingness to act was Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

This favor from Secretary Zhu Tianhe was delivered quietly but weighed as heavily as Mount Tai.

She picked up the phone on her desk. "Have Su Qinghan from the Third Office come over."

Before long, Su Qinghan pushed the door open and entered.

Her black uniform was neat, and her expression was cold.

Secretary Li Li looked up and down at the young person before her. Mayor Su Changming's daughter, yet she had shown no mercy in investigating her own father's secretary. This ruthlessness in putting justice above family, combined with the Zhu family vaguely standing behind her, meant she was definitely not someone to be underestimated.

"Qinghan, sit." Secretary Li Li pointed to the chair opposite her. Su Qinghan sat down, her back straight.

"You did a good job with the Taiyao Gang case this time. Not only did you capture the key evidence, but you also didn't lose your composure in the face of pressure from the criminals." Secretary Li Li picked up her teacup. "Work at the Discipline Inspection Commission requires walking on the edge of a knife. You are still young, and the organization sees this drive you have."

Su Qinghan listened silently, offering no modest replies.

"The Third Office has a heavy workload recently, and I intend to place more responsibility on your shoulders."

Secretary Li Li's tone was calm, but every word carried great weight.

"The anti-organized crime Supervision Team is still missing a liaison officer; you will take that role." The intention to promote her was overflowing.

"Thank you for your trust, Secretary Li." Su Qinghan clenched her fists. "I will do this job well."

Secretary Li Li nodded, a touch of appreciation showing in her eyes.

"Go and get busy."

Su Qinghan retreated and closed the door tightly.

Secretary Li Li leaned back against the chair, gazing at the gloomy sky outside the window.