Chapter 434: Implications (Middle)

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Ji Daolin received notification from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission. After reporting to Zhou Changquan, the Municipal Party Secretary, he put aside all his current work and headed to Shazhou to assist Secretary Ning Que of the Provincial Commission.

On the journey from Shazhou to Lingxi, Ji Daolin pondered the case, his mind clouded with doubts. Kong Zhengyi was a veteran Director of the Finance Bureau, maintaining close ties with many leaders in Shazhou. In other words, Kong Zhengyi was deeply rooted in Shazhou, with an extensive network of connections. Under these circumstances, the Provincial Commission’s decision to include him in the special task force showed considerable boldness.

Moreover, Gao Xianglin of the Provincial Commission had issued instructions for Deputy Secretary Ning Que to take charge. This suggested the case involved a wide scope. If it implicated important leaders in Shazhou, the Provincial Commission was taking a significant risk.

These doubts were not unique to Ji Daolin. Even Ning Que himself had raised objections to Gao Xianglin. Gao had simply replied, “I have a clear idea of the situation,” and insisted that the Shazhou Discipline Inspection Commission participate in the investigation.

Upon arriving at the Traffic Hotel on the outskirts of the city, Ji Daolin encountered Ning Que, who was just entering the lobby.

The Traffic Hotel, built in the 1970s, was long past its prime. The Department of Transportation already had specific renovation plans. Ning Que had called the Director of the Department, who readily agreed: “I support the Discipline Inspection Commission’s work one hundred percent. Don’t worry about money; use whatever you need.” Upon receiving the Director’s orders, the Office Director personally visited the suburban hotel to instruct the remaining manager to purchase new bed sheets and other supplies, creating favorable conditions for the special task force.

Ning Que’s round, plump face looked somewhat haggard. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Ji Daolin, he led him to his room and outlined the basic situation. “We are currently giving Kong Zhengyi the opportunity to confess voluntarily. But he is stubborn, like a dead pig that doesn’t fear boiling water. He refuses to move—neither pen nor mouth.”

Ji Daolin replied, “Whether he keeps his mouth shut or opens it, as long as the evidence is solid, he cannot escape legal sanctions.”

Having transferred from Shazhou College to the government sector, Ji Daolin had spent the longest time working in the Discipline Inspection Commission. He had participated in handling several major cases and was well-versed in the strategies and methods used by the Commission. In addition to casting a wide net to collect evidence, there were also more covert techniques.

In today’s era, where legal awareness is increasingly strong, regulations strictly prohibit departments like the Discipline Inspection Commission from using torture to extract confessions or conducting fatigue interrogations. Torture leaves physical scars and can easily lead to loss of life. Those in the Discipline Inspection Commission, Public Security, and Procuratorate who are sharp-minded avoid this tactic; it is not worth jeopardizing one’s own career for public matters.

Fatigue interrogation, however, leaves no physical scars. As long as the intensity is controlled, it rarely results in death. Therefore, when facing subjects under shuanggui (restricted residence and interrogation), if policy persuasion, intimidation, and inducement fail, the Commission often employs fatigue bombing. Most individuals eligible for shuanggui hold some official position and are accustomed to a life of comfort. Their bodies are spoiled; if deprived of sleep for two or three days, nine times out of ten, they will break down.

Ji Daolin was well aware of the effectiveness of fatigue bombing. He was certain that the overweight Kong Zhengyi would not withstand this test.

Ning Que nodded. “Secretary Ji is absolutely right. Kong Zhengyi’s guilt regarding bribery is already nailed down; he cannot escape.”

Ji Daolin’s eyes flashed. “Has the case seen a breakthrough?”

Ning Que pointed to his wrist. “For now, we have confirmed one thing: the watch on his wrist.”

Gao Xianglin, known as the White Bao Gong, adhered to an important principle: anyone placed under shuanggui must have a verified handle, no matter how small. This allowed the Commission to maneuver with flexibility. Previous whistleblowing letters had mentioned Kong Zhengyi accepting luxury watches. This particular watch, worth over ten thousand RMB, was the one Kong usually wore. The Provincial Commission had secretly brought the manager of the Gas Company, who had given the watch, to Lingxi. With this firsthand evidence secured, Ning Que’s trip to Shazhou became possible.

Kong Zhengyi managed funds in the tens of millions and billions; he had never paid much attention to the watch on his wrist. When he was placed under shuanggui, the watch was naturally confiscated by the Provincial Commission. With both witness testimony and physical evidence present, this single watch was sufficient to charge him with bribery under criminal law.

Ji Daolin sighed inwardly. “Kong Zhengyi is an extremely clever man. He never expected that the watch on his wrist would become his ticket to prison. It seems the net of heaven is wide, but it lets nothing slip through.”

Ning Que said, “The Provincial Commission has received multiple whistleblowing letters. You have seen the first one; there are several others. Based on our preliminary investigation, they are largely true, involving many people.” He paused, then added, “Let’s discuss this later. The members of the special task force are in the large conference room. Go meet them.”

Ji Daolin entered the conference room, where Chen Zaixi and five or six other comrades were gathered. Ning Que announced, “Everyone knows Secretary Ji Daolin from Shazhou. He is now the Deputy Leader of the special task force and will be working with you for a period of time.”

Most of the task force members were staff from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, whom Ji Daolin mostly recognized. There was only one unfamiliar face. Ning Que specifically introduced him: “This is Tang Jun from the Provincial Higher Procuratorate.”

Tang Jun was around thirty years old. He stepped forward to shake hands, saying politely, “Dean Ji, I am from the Law Department at Shazhou College. I once attended your classes.” Ji Daolin looked at him carefully but could not place him. He spoke honestly, “Which grade were you in? My memory is not very clear.”

Tang Jun smiled. “I was in the class of ’88. I was immature back then, spending all my time playing.” Ji Daolin replied, “Performance in school doesn’t tell the whole story. Many top figures were average in university. Bill Gates dropped out of college and is now the world’s richest man.”

“With Dean Ji’s encouragement, my confidence is even higher.” Tang Jun added, “Hou Weidong is my junior. I heard he is the Deputy Director of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Office. He has a bright future.”

Ji Daolin said, “Hou Weidong is good.” But inwardly, he thought, “Politics is a long process. Moving fast does not mean going far. If Zhou Changquan is implicated, Hou Weidong’s political life may not fare well.”

As this thought struck him, it was like a lightning bolt in the sky. He suddenly understood the question he had been pondering on the road: “If Zhou Changquan were truly in trouble, Gao Xianglin would never have allowed me to join the special task force. The province’s attitude is clear. This is the ‘scale’ Zhou Changquan emphasized before leaving.”

Ji Daolin felt a sudden clarity, and his mood lightened.

At the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee, Zhou Changquan’s thoughts were focused on Zhang Yongtai, the Party Secretary of Chengjin County. He had not considered that the whistleblowing letters also contained reflections on him. When Ji Daolin reported on his trip to Lingxi, Zhou simply instructed, “This is a good thing. It shows that the Provincial Party Committee fully trusts the Municipal Party Committee. As long as it involves corrupt officials in Shazhou, we must pursue them to the end, eliminating troublemakers for Shazhou.”

Before Ji Daolin left the office, Zhou Changquan made an exception and walked him to the door. As they shook hands, Zhou casually said, “Shazhou is in a period of rapid development and needs a stable cadre team. While handling the case, you must also serve as a good advisor to the Provincial Commission, paying attention to the scale. In short, the overall situation of Shazhou’s development must be prioritized.”

After seeing Ji Daolin off, Zhou Changquan asked, “When did Du Zhengdong say he would arrive?” Hou Weidong stood up, checked his watch, and said, “Half an hour.” Zhou Changquan wanted to say something, but the words stopped at his lips. He waved his hand inexplicably and sat back down at his desk.

Ten minutes before the scheduled time, Du Zhengdong, Deputy Director Su, and several stern-faced men arrived at the Municipal Party Committee.

After the scheduled time passed, Zhou Changquan walked steadily into the small conference room. As he entered, Du Zhengdong and Deputy Director Su stood up out of habit, while the several stern-faced men remained seated, unmoved.

Du Zhengdong introduced the stern-faced men to Zhou Changquan: “This is Secretary Zhou of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee.” Then he turned to Zhou Changquan: “These are experts sent by the Provincial Department. This is Director Meng.” Director Meng shook hands with Zhou Changquan and sat back down, his face dark, seemingly deep in thought like Einstein pondering a problem.

After brief pleasantries, they got down to business. Director Meng spoke concisely. “I deal with technology, so I will stick to the facts. The car fell from a slope nearly a hundred meters high. The ground was covered with rubble. Although it was fortunate that it did not catch fire, the key parts for accident inspection were destroyed. Therefore, we cannot provide an accurate answer regarding the cause of the accident.”

“Does this mean that since the cause cannot be determined, it can only be classified as a traffic accident?”

This was consistent with the findings of the Shazhou Public Security Bureau.

Zhou Changquan had anticipated this result. “Is this the final conclusion?” The technical authority from the Provincial Department agreed with the Shazhou Public Security Bureau’s viewpoint. Du Zhengdong’s confidence grew. “Yes.”

Shortly after Du Zhengdong left, Chen Jing, Minister of the Propaganda Department, and Zhu Jielin, Vice Minister, along with other key figures, arrived at the small conference room. Zhou Changquan directly assigned tasks. “Comrade Zhang Yongtai died in the line of duty, falling on the path of leading Chengjin’s development. He is a typical example emerging from Shazhou and also from Lingxi Province. I am assigning specific tasks here. The Propaganda Department must organize personnel to carefully write a high-quality report, ensuring it is published in the Lingxi Daily. Additionally, a condensed version of this report must appear in the internal publication of the Provincial Party Committee.”

“Shazhou television and newspapers must also fully leverage their role in guiding public opinion, creating a city-wide trend of learning from heroes, inspiring the spirit of cadres and masses, and injecting powerful spiritual strength into Shazhou’s development.”

Chen Jing, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Minister of Propaganda, held a Parker pen and recorded rapidly in his notebook. His running script was beautiful, making his notebook a pleasure to look at.

Hou Weidong admired this greatly. Hou Weidong’s penmanship was not terrible, but in the Municipal Party Committee Office, there were no more than ten people with worse handwriting than his, including the drivers. Seeing Chen Jing’s meeting notes, Hou Weidong could only feel envy.

Of course, good handwriting was very useful for a secretary, but it had little use for a member of the Standing Committee. Among all the Standing Committee members, Chen Jing visited Zhou Changquan’s office the least. The Propaganda Department had also promoted few cadres in recent years, leading to some complaints among ordinary staff in the department.

Hou Weidong looked at Chen Jing’s thick glasses and thought, “Regarding the selection for the Finance Bureau, two people voted against. One was definitely Liu Bing. Who was the other?”