Chapter 220: The Small Note Incident (Part 1)

Chapter 220: The Small Note Incident (Part 1)

Hou Weidong arrived at the office building but could not find Zhu Yan.

At that moment, Zhu Yan was in the government’s executive conference room, attending a negotiation meeting with Taiwanese businessmen. Such meetings were technically the responsibility of the government; Zhu Yan could choose to attend or not. This time, he had chosen to be present.

After the introductions were made and Zhu Yan delivered his opening remarks, the meeting officially began.

The two Taiwanese businessmen had their hair combed meticulously, their faces tight and serious, lacking the gentle elegance they had displayed at the banquet the previous night. “Our company is a top-tier food enterprise. Holding a 51% stake is a prerequisite. Otherwise, we would not have come to Yiyang County. Yiyang is located in the inland, and its transportation conditions are inferior to those of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.”

Yang Dajin from the Planning Commission stated, “Yiyang Native Produce Company is a state-owned factory. According to relevant regulations, Yiyang Native Produce Company should retain controlling shares.”

“The board of directors considers this a prerequisite,” the Taiwanese representative replied.

This was the first round of negotiations between the Taiwanese investors and the Yiyang government. Both sides were probing each other’s bottom lines. Zhu Yan knew that such negotiations could not be resolved in a single session. He glanced at his watch, preparing to excuse himself, when Hou Weidong approached. Leaning in, Hou Weidong whispered, “Secretary Zhu, Secretary Qian from the Discipline Inspection Commission needs to report on his work.”

Zhu Yan took the opportunity to leave the conference room. Seeing the serious expression on Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Qian Zhiguo’s face, he said, “Old Qian, let’s go to my office.”

After reading the note, Zhu Yan praised him, “Old Qian, you handled this well. Swift and decisive, securing the evidence in hand.”

“Yiyang Native Produce Company is the largest enterprise in our county. As a food enterprise, its achievements are remarkable. If the company had maintained its initial development momentum, it would not have been inferior even to Sichuan’s Diling Pickled Mustard Greens. It is a typical model of ‘company plus households,’ which is crucial for Yiyang County’s development. Unfortunately, Yiyang Native Produce Company has been declining year by year, like Wang Xiaoer’s New Year celebrations getting worse each year. Within just a few years, the company reached the brink of bankruptcy. This is not just a matter for one company; it involves thousands of farming households.”

As he spoke, Zhu Yan’s eyes sharpened. “The Taiwanese enterprise wants to take controlling shares of Yiyang Native Produce Company. Regardless of whether this deal succeeds or fails, this point alone proves that the copper rod project is a good one with a huge market. This time, we must investigate to the end and punish severely without leniency.”

He added, “Old Qian, this matter involves a wide range of people. Report to me at any time.”

Letters reporting Yi Zhongling had been received every year. However, these letters lacked specific details. Most were based on suspicion, listing phenomena rather than concrete evidence. Zhu Yan had signed off on these letters several times, of course, with very principled and general remarks.

As the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, Qian Zhiguo understood Zhu Yan’s attitude. Therefore, when he saw the small note brought by Liu Kai, he quickly launched an operation.

He had his reservations, as Ma Youcai’s relationship with Yi Zhongling was extraordinary. However, between Zhu Yan and Ma Youcai, he valued Zhu Yan more. Zhu Yan was the Party Secretary, the genuine top leader. More importantly, Zhu Yan was not corrupt. For this reason alone, Qian Zhiguo believed he should place his bet on Zhu Yan.

Searching No. 115 Zhongshan East Road was his duty as Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary. On another level, it was a political statement to Zhu Yan.

Hou Weidong had not been in the workforce for long. Although he had gotten lucky with the quarry in the township and spent some time in the township government, he had not seen much of political maneuvering. In Qinglin Town, only the incident where Qin Feiyue was squeezed out had a hint of conspiracy.

Qian Zhiguo’s decision regarding the small note reflected his judgment of the current situation in Yiyang. How much thought he had put into it, Hou Weidong could not yet fully appreciate. In his eyes, Qian Zhiguo was simply a Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary who boldly carried out his work and was willing to take responsibility.

No. 115 Zhongshan East Road was caught off guard. More than twenty officers from the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Procuratorate, and the police quickly sealed off and controlled the building. They searched room by room. Finally, in an unnamed room on the third floor, they found a safe. After trying every means to open it, they discovered it was filled with approval notes written by leaders, important IOUs and receipts, and account books for two years. Several of the notes bore the signature of County Mayor Ma Youcai.

When the Procuratorate personnel saw these items, their expressions grew grave.

Deputy Procurator Bo Ning looked at the documents and sucked in a breath, thinking to himself, “With just these items, it is enough to file a case. Yi Zhongling is finished. The Yiyang government might even face an earthquake.”

Liu Kai, leading the team, remembered Qian Zhiguo’s instructions. He said, “Since it is enough to file a case, I suggest handing the items directly to you for processing.” He added, “I will report to Secretary Qian immediately.”

After receiving the phone call, Qian Zhiguo took a deep breath, feeling that he had made the right bet. He immediately went upstairs to Zhu Yan’s office.

Hearing that a large amount of physical evidence had been seized, Zhu Yan raised his eyebrows and said, “I agree with the Discipline Inspection Commission’s opinion. This matter will be handled by the Procuratorate.”

“My stance is firm, but we must also emphasize confidentiality. This case has strong policy implications. Old Qian, you must personally go to the Procuratorate to explain the policy.”

He added, “This matter is significant. The Discipline Inspection Commission and the Procuratorate must report any progress to me at any time. Hou Weidong must actively participate in this matter.”

With Zhu Yan setting the tone, Qian Zhiguo took Hou Weidong to the Procuratorate.

Procurator Li Du was in his fifties, with graying hair. He had only been in Yiyang for two years, previously working at the Shazhou City Procuratorate. He said, “Secretary Qian, the Procuratorate will strictly follow Secretary Zhu’s instructions. We have already selected our best personnel, with Comrade Bo Ning as the group leader. Based on the clues we have, we will begin work immediately. We will report progress to the Discipline Inspection Commission and the County Party Committee at any time.”

Seeing Hou Weidong sitting nearby, he added specifically, “Deputy Procurator Bo will report to Secretary Hou at any time.”

The Procurator and the Court President were both county-level leaders. Li Du was so polite that Hou Weidong hurriedly said, “Procurator Li, please don’t say that. You are flattering me too much. My task is simply to understand the progress of the case. I do not interfere with other matters. I studied law, so I understand the rules of handling cases.”

Qian Zhiguo supplemented, “Since this matter is handed over to the Procuratorate for handling, there is no need to report the specific details of the case to the Discipline Inspection Commission. After the case is concluded, just report the conclusion. The Discipline Inspection Commission will handle disciplinary actions against relevant personnel based on the case conclusion.”

Li Du thought to himself, “Qian Zhiguo, this old slicker, sees that the case involves Ma Youcai and wants to get off the boat.” Out loud, he said, “The Discipline Inspection Commission still needs to be reported to.”

He was also mentally prepared for the complexity of this matter. He instructed Bo Ning, “Deputy Procurator Bo, from now on, you will liaise with Secretary Hou. You must report the progress of the case to the County Party Committee in a timely and accurate manner. Only with the support of the County Party Committee can we handle this case well.”

After announcing the policy, Qian Zhiguo smiled and said, “I must leave first. People from the Shazhou City Discipline Inspection Commission are coming today at noon. Secretary Hou, you stay and listen to the case strategy and progress.” At this stage, Qian Zhiguo’s attitude had been clearly conveyed to Zhu Yan. In other words, he had handed over his certificate of loyalty. He did not need to wade too deeply into this muddy water.

Li Du tried to detain him, saying, “Since Secretary Qian has come, please have lunch at the Procuratorate’s cafeteria. Our leadership team will report our work to you.” Qian Zhiguo laughed it off, saying, “Forget it. I really have things to do. Let’s have a good drink together another day.”

Following Bo Ning, Hou Weidong revisited the Procuratorate. The last time he had been brought here, he had been cooperating with the investigation and had endured forty-eight hours of continuous questioning. Now, the prisoner had turned the tables. Accompanied personally by the Deputy Procurator, he came to the Procuratorate as a special observer.

Although he was relying on Zhu Yan’s power, Hou Weidong still felt the pleasure that power brought to people. He arrived at Bo Ning’s office. Bo Ning personally poured him a cup of tea and made a phone call. Soon, Tang Xiaowei appeared in front of Bo Ning’s office.

Tang Xiaowei had long known from the Commercial Inspection Bureau that Hou Weidong had become Zhu Yan’s secretary. Seeing him suddenly, his expression was quite awkward.

Bo Ning also knew about this past incident but did not point it out. After introducing the two to each other, he said, “Section Chief Tang is a capable case handler in the Procuratorate and an advanced worker for many years. Section Chief Tang will handle this case specifically. Today, Section Chief Tang will first report the strategy for handling this case to Secretary Hou.”

Hou Weidong humbly said, “Deputy Procurator Bo, please don’t say ‘report.’ I am just a liaison.”

Tang Xiaowei still presented the case strategy in the format of a report to the County Party Committee.

Hou Weidong did not evaluate the case strategy. He simply said, “Secretary Zhu specifically instructed that this matter involves a wide range of people. For the stability and unity of Yiyang, we must pay special attention to confidentiality. The case handlers must be selected from comrades with strong professional skills and high political awareness.”

Bo Ning said, “Procurator Li has already instructed this. Except for reporting to Secretary Zhu, this case must be strictly confidential externally, using a single-line reporting method.”

When leaving the Procuratorate, Tang Xiaowei proactively asked, “Secretary Hou, did you bring a car?” Hou Weidong had come with Qian Zhiguo, so he said, “No.” Tang Xiaowei said, “I will drive you.”

In the car, Tang Xiaowei said, “Secretary Hou, I am truly sorry for the past incidents. Are you free at noon today? I would like to treat you to a meal.”

Hou Weidong smiled magnanimously, “They say no fighting, no friendship. I appreciate the gesture, but let’s do it next time.”

Tang Xiaowei’s attitude was very sincere. “I have already invited Director Shang from the Public Security Bureau. Just the three of us. Let’s catch up properly.”

Hearing that Director Shang from the Public Security Bureau was coming out, Hou Weidong nodded and said, “Alright. But I have to work in the afternoon, so no drinking at noon.”