Chapter 411: Investigating the Case (Part 2)

Hou Weidong had known Kong Zhengdong for several years. Their acquaintance dated back to a time when he had accompanied Zhu Yan to the Finance and Taxation Hotel to play mahjong. As they were just climbing the stairs, they witnessed Kong Zhengdong reprimanding a subordinate in front of everyone, showing no mercy at all. At that moment, Hou Weidong did not know the identity of the person being scolded. It was only later that he learned the tall, humiliated official from the Finance Bureau was actually the Deputy Director.

This incident left a deep impression on Hou Weidong at the time. After he became Zhou Changquan’s full-time secretary, every time he met Kong Zhengdong, the latter was always extremely polite, making people feel as if they were bathing in a spring breeze. However, the impression from that first encounter remained vivid, and Hou Weidong always maintained a degree of caution toward him.

When he learned that Chen Zaixi had come to investigate Kong Zhengyi, Hou Weidong did not find it strange. He thought to himself, "Those who flatter their superiors are often arrogant toward their subordinates. It was only a matter of time before Kong Zhengyi got into trouble."

He knew that Kong Zhengyi, Chief Prosecutor Fang, and Huang Zidi were all part of Zhou Changquan’s inner circle. While organizing documents, he secretly observed Zhou Changquan. The secretary-general appeared completely unfazed, wearing his reading glasses and carefully reviewing several important reports that had been submitted earlier that morning.

At ten o’clock, Bu Haiyun hurried into the office. In the newly established Leading Group for the Relocation of the Four Major Leadership Bodies, Zhou Changquan served as the group leader, while Liu Bing, Huang Zidi, and Bu Haiyun were deputy leaders. Bu Haiyun also concurrently served as the director of the Leading Group’s Office. In reality, the relocation project for the four major leadership bodies had been decided by the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, with Bu Haiyun responsible for its specific implementation.

Bu Haiyun’s rise from Deputy Director of the Construction Committee to Director, then to Vice Mayor, and finally to Executive Vice Mayor, had all been achieved under Zhou Changquan’s patronage. He and Huang Zidi were Zhou Changquan’s right-hand men.

After discussing matters until eleven o’clock, Bu Haiyun finally left the office. Zhou Changquan stood up, did a few chest-expanding exercises in the office, and instructed Hou Weidong, "Call Secretary Ji. We will go to the Small Guesthouse immediately."

Upon arriving at the Small Guesthouse, Zhou Changquan extended his hand before Ji Daolin could even introduce anyone. "Director Chen, it has been three years since we last met, and you look as distinguished as ever." Chen Zaixi shook Zhou Changquan’s hand vigorously and said, "Our First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office is responsible for liaising with Shazhou. We haven’t visited often, which has been a criticism from you, Secretary Zhou." Zhou Changquan chuckled, "When higher-level leaders don’t visit, it means they trust us. When they do visit, it shows their care for us."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone entered Building One of the Small Guesthouse.

Chen Zaixi’s hair was slightly thinning, shining brightly under the spring sunlight. Standing behind Zhou Changquan, Hou Weidong noticed the gleam on Chen Zaixi’s bald spot, which added a touch of comic color to the scene. However, given the seriousness of the occasion, he kept his face stern, exchanging only a subtle glance with Chen Zaixi.

Compared to the political earthquake in the neighboring Maodong City, Shazhou could be described as calm. After listening to Ji Daolin’s report on the case the previous night, Zhou Changquan’s intuition was that the First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office was making a mountain out of a molehill. "The Director of the Finance Bureau of a prefecture-level city handles funds in the billions. As long as he doesn’t put money into his own pocket, spending a bit more on business trips is really a minor issue."

Once the formal symposium began, Chen Zaixi cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "Recently, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission received several letters of accusation regarding Director Kong Zhengyi of the Shazhou Finance Bureau accepting bribes. Comrade Liao Ping, Deputy Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, specifically instructed that the First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office be responsible for investigating this matter. Let me first read Comrade Liao Ping’s instructions."

After the Deputy Director of the First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office introduced the details of the case, Ji Daolin spoke calmly and steadily. "First, the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission will fully cooperate with the First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office in handling this case. We have assigned Comrade Zhong Yang, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, to assist Director Chen in his work. Second, based on the content reflected in these letters of accusation, the total amount involved is not large, and only the incident involving the auto repair shop constitutes a bribery circumstance. My suggestion is that we do not directly investigate Kong Zhengyi at this stage, nor do we use measures such as 'shuanggui' (mandatory questioning). Instead, we should primarily conduct peripheral investigations. This approach is conducive to maintaining stability in Shazhou."

When Ji Daolin finished speaking, Chen Zaixi said, "Secretary Zhou, please give your instructions."

Zhou Changquan stated, "The Municipal Party Committee has a clear stance on corrupt and degenerate cadres: we will punish them severely and show no leniency."

He paused briefly and continued, "However, we cannot take measures against important cadres based solely on a few letters of accusation. After all, letters represent only one side of the story and lack corroborating evidence. I agree with Secretary Ji’s opinion. Let us form a joint investigation team consisting of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission’s First Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office and the Shazhou Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission to conduct a secret investigation. If conclusive evidence is obtained, we can take immediate action. My opinion is for reference only; specific measures will be decided by the leaders of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission."

At this point, Chen Zaixi understood the accurate attitude of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee. He wondered to himself, "There are many such letters of accusation. Usually, letting the Shazhou Discipline Inspection Commission handle the investigation is sufficient. There is really no need for us to come to Shazhou personally. Secretary Liao is truly making a mountain out of a molehill. He is a veteran in discipline inspection; why make such an unconventional arrangement?"

He pondered this question for a long time but found no clues. Since the leadership had made the arrangement, he had no choice but to execute it.

"Secretary Zhou, Secretary Ji, thank you for your support of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission’s work. Let me discuss the specific measures. First, we will audit the accounts of the Finance Bureau; Secretary Ji will provide the specific items to check. Second, we will talk to personnel from Shunfa Auto Plant and simultaneously audit the plant’s accounts. These two groups will work simultaneously. Once the results are in, we will arrange the next steps based on the findings."

Zhou Changquan nodded and said, "Secretary Ji, please take personal charge of this, cooperating with Director Chen to conduct the investigation thoroughly. This is responsible to the Provincial Party Committee and, more importantly, to the people of Shazhou."

Chen Zaixi had handled many major cases at the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, so this minor case initially held little interest for him. After exchanging opinions with the main leaders of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee, everyone began to chat casually.

After lunch, Hou Weidong accompanied Zhou Changquan as they left the Small Guesthouse. As soon as they stepped out, the smile vanished from Zhou Changquan’s face. He spoke earnestly to Hou Weidong, "Xiao Hou, what is the most important thing for a leader?"

While Hou Weidong was still pondering the question, Zhou Changquan provided the answer. "It is integrity. As long as mid-to-high-level leaders do not make mistakes in economic matters, they are basically unshakeable. Kong Zhengyi, the Director of the Finance Bureau, if he were really greedy for such small amounts of money, he would be too short-sighted and it would be too unworthy. When you become a cadre in the future, you must remember what I have told you today."

"Rest assured, Secretary Zhou, I will absolutely not make mistakes in economic matters."

Hou Weidong said this with great confidence. He was currently a deputy division-level official, with a salary of slightly over 1,000 yuan. However, he owned a quarry and a coal mine registered under his mother’s name, and he held shares in Jinggong Group. Therefore, he could maintain a decent standard of living without needing to engage in corruption or bribery, and he naturally had no desire for petty gains.

Zhou Changquan did not say much more. As they walked to the front courtyard of the Small Guesthouse, he suddenly sighed, "Being an official is not easy. It consumes a lot of heart and blood, and one must always be on guard against hidden arrows. My two sons—I firmly forbid them from entering politics. They should focus peacefully on technical work."

Hearing the underlying meaning in Zhou Changquan’s words, Hou Weidong realized that Zhou was likely protective of Kong Zhengyi. He pondered internally, "Is it necessary to secretly tip off Kong Zhengyi?"

Of course, this was something he could only ponder silently, understanding Zhou Changquan’s intentions without speaking out. If he were to ask directly, it would be a taboo.

Following Zhou Changquan back to the office, Hou Weidong had not yet made a final decision.

After getting off work in the evening, Hou Weidong escorted Zhou Changquan home. Arriving at the entrance of Xinyue Building, he waved goodbye to Ma Bo as usual. Just as he walked into the central courtyard, a person emerged from a wooden bench beside the community garden and called out, "Director Hou."

The person standing by the garden was indeed Kong Zhengyi, the Director of the Finance Bureau. At this moment, he had no entourage and was standing alone under a dense poplar tree, waving directly at Hou Weidong.

Seeing Kong Zhengyi, Hou Weidong naturally understood his intentions. He quickly ran through his thoughts and prepared a countermeasure.

Sure enough, Kong Zhengyi opened by asking, "Director Hou, has the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission sent someone to investigate me? What are they investigating?"

Hou Weidong asked seriously in return, "Who told you that?" Looking at Kong Zhengyi’s demeanor, he thought, "Kong Zhengyi’s information network is truly efficient. I wonder who told him."

Kong Zhengyi’s face was pale. At this moment, he lacked the authority of the Finance Bureau Director. Standing in the shade of the tree, he looked like an ordinary person relaxing under the trees. "This is a deliberate frame-up. As the Director of the Finance Bureau in Shazhou, the money I handle is calculated in billions. It is too easy to find fault. I know who wrote the letters of accusation."

He asked in a low voice, "I wonder what Secretary Zhou’s attitude is."

Hou Weidong thought for a moment and answered artistically, "Two sentences, eight characters: First, conduct a serious investigation and let the evidence speak. Second, punish severely and show no leniency."

Kong Zhengyi slowly savored the meaning of these eight characters and asked again, "Which comrade from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission is leading the team? Where are they staying?"

Seeing Kong Zhengyi’s persistent questioning, Hou Weidong felt somewhat displeased. "I am not too clear about this. I’m afraid you would need to ask Secretary Ji."

To clarify Zhou Changquan’s implicit protection, he explained, "The core of these eight characters is to let the evidence speak. Everything is handled according to the law now. Only evidence can prove the issue. As long as there is no evidence, nothing will happen. If there is evidence, you cannot deny it even if you want to. Do you understand?" He was almost saying the four words "destroy the evidence."

Seeing that Hou Weidong’s mouth was tight, Kong Zhengyi said, "Director Hou, thank you. Please notify me promptly if anything happens. Great kindness needs no words. We will meet again."

The two shook hands and parted. Hou Weidong went upstairs.

Kong Zhengyi also returned home.

Kong Zhengyi turned on the recorder he had hidden on his person and listened to the day’s recording again. He was already very familiar with the first three segments, so he skipped directly to the last part, which was the conversation with Hou Weidong. After listening for a while, Kong Zhengyi cursed, "Hou Weidong is really damn cunning. He talked for so long, yet didn’t leave a single handle for me to grab."