Chapter 437: The Wind Fills the Tower (Middle)

Chapter 437: The Wind Fills the Tower (Middle)

Huang Zidi, Deputy Secretary of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee, entered the office. Seeing the stern expression on Zhou Changquan’s face, he immediately guessed the nature of the matter. A sense of unease settled in his heart. After taking a seat, he spoke proactively, “Secretary Zhou, Shazhou is currently in a state where ‘the wind fills the tower before the storm.’ The political climate has been unfavorable recently. Some people are taking the opportunity to strike from behind, attempting to disrupt the stability and unity of Shazhou.”

Having formerly served as the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee and now acting as the Deputy Secretary in charge of organizational affairs, Huang Zidi had a thorough understanding of Zhou Changquan’s mindset. He cut straight to the chase, voicing the concerns that were already weighing on Zhou’s mind.

Zhou Changquan raised his eyebrows slightly. “If one’s conduct is upright, one need not fear a crooked shadow. As long as we act with integrity and sit with dignity, evil influences cannot penetrate our bodies.” He lifted his chin slightly, his face hardening. “I met with Secretary Gao today. That is precisely why I have summoned you. You are aware of this, aren’t you?”

Since Huang Zidi had assumed the position of Deputy Secretary, Zhou Changquan rarely spoke to him in such a tone. Sensing the ominous shift, Huang Zidi feigned surprise. “What matter? I am indeed unclear about the specifics.”

Hou Weidong’s office was separated from Zhou Changquan’s by only a single door, which was usually left open. Hou Weidong could hear the conversation between Zhou and Huang with crystal clarity. Hearing this exchange, he found himself straining his ears to catch every word.

In truth, after Kong Zhengyi was placed under shuanggui (suspension from duty and detention for investigation), Huang Zidi had begun a self-examination. Over the past few years, he had maintained close ties with Kong Zhengyi. As the then-popular Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, he had conveniently utilized funds from the Finance Bureau. After careful sorting, he categorized the money he had used into three parts.

The first part involved expenses claimed against the Municipal Party Committee Office’s budget, reimbursed through the Finance Bureau. The invoices included both public and private items. At the time, Kong Zhengyi would merely glance at the invoice amounts, never questioning the specific details. Once Huang Zidi signed off, the Finance Bureau office would fill in the names of the handlers, rendering the invoices as normal expenditures of the Finance Bureau, with no direct link to Huang Zidi.

The second part consisted of money and goods distributed by the Finance Bureau under various pretexts, including bonuses.

The third part involved cash given privately by Kong Zhengyi. This occurred on several occasions, such as for trips abroad or birthdays, ranging from ten thousand to twenty thousand yuan each time. The largest single sum was five thousand US dollars.

Additionally, during mahjong games, Kong Zhengyi would often casually toss several thousand yuan onto the table. These instances were too numerous to count, and even Huang Zidi could not recall the exact totals.

Combined, these amounts likely exceeded two hundred thousand yuan. Most of this constituted gray income, existing in the ambiguous zone between crime and non-crime. Furthermore, some portions lacked concrete evidence and could not be definitively proven. Therefore, Huang Zidi was not overly anxious.

Zhou Changquan’s gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on Huang Zidi. “In front of me, speak plainly. How much money did Kong Zhengyi actually give you?”

Huang Zidi responded with indignation. “Old Kong must have been forced into a corner with no other options, leading him to fabricate these baseless claims. I did reimburse some expenses through him. At that time, the Municipal Party Committee’s funds were tight, and all reimbursements were for public purposes. How can this be pinned on me?”

Zhou Changquan pressed relentlessly. “How much did he give you for your trip to the United States that year?”

“During that trip to the US, I was short on dollars. I borrowed five thousand from him at the time, and I repaid him after returning to China.”

“Five thousand US dollars. Did you truly repay it?”

Huang Zidi paused deliberately for a moment before answering. “I did repay him, but I did so with invoices. While in the US, I purchased some gifts. American prices are not cheap. The items were few, but expensive. I presented them to several leaders in the province and city who care about Shazhou. After returning, I obtained some invoices and submitted them to the Finance Bureau.”

His statement was half-truth, half-fiction. It was true that he had bought gifts for provincial and municipal leaders back then. However, using invoices for reimbursement was a separate matter. Since several years had passed, and although Huang Zidi had submitted those invoices, no one could now verify exactly which invoices were his.

Zhou Changquan was aware of this detail. When Huang Zidi returned from the US, he had given Zhou Changquan a lifelike craft bull. Cast from brass, the material was not precious, but the craftsmanship was exquisite, perfectly capturing the bull’s vigor and majesty. Huang Zidi, born in the Year of the Ox, had always admired Lu Xun’s phrase, “Willing to be an ox for the people.” He had a fondness for this American “ox for the people” and had kept it displayed in his study.

Seeing Zhou Changquan lost in thought, Huang Zidi continued, “Secretary Zhou, I have heard many unpleasant rumors in the province. They say there are few good officials in Shazhou. This widespread corruption among Shazhou cadres implies that the Municipal Party Committee leadership must bear responsibility. In reality, this is aimed at you.”

Zhou Changquan’s eyebrows gradually rose. Huang Zidi added, “I believe this is a scheme by Liu Bing. With the leadership transition next year, he intends to muddy the waters first, then seize power in the chaos. It is the same old tactic from the Cultural Revolution.”

Zhou Changquan’s eyebrows slowly returned to their normal position. “The leadership transition next year is a matter for the Provincial Party Committee to consider. Those who attempt to manipulate organizational intentions will eventually trip over their own stones.”

Hou Weidong, listening from the adjacent office, thought to himself: Huang Zidi is indeed a formidable figure. Without making a sound, he has successfully diverted Secretary Zhou’s attention to the upcoming leadership transition.

Zhou Changquan seemed to realize this as well. He shifted his tone. “Secretary Gao reviewed Kong Zhengyi’s confession materials. You were mentioned multiple times. The figures involving you in Kong’s confession are substantial. The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection attaches great importance to this matter. They have specifically verified Kong’s confession materials against the Finance Bureau’s ledgers. Since none of these invoices bear your signature, Secretary Gao only sought my opinion and has not taken any measures against you.”

Fortunately, I was smart enough and had good habits. If I had signed my name on those documents, I would be in deep trouble now. Hearing this, Huang Zidi silently thanked his luck. Sweat began to seep from his back, large droplets rolling down his broad shoulders and dripping into his waistband.

He said to Zhou Changquan, “This is a lesson. In the future, when encountering such matters, it seems we must follow formal procedures. If office funds are insufficient, we should ask the Finance Bureau to formally increase the budget. Otherwise, it would be like jumping into the Yellow River and still being unable to clear one’s name.”

“Very well, let this matter rest here. You must learn from this lesson and ensure it does not happen again.” Zhou Changquan concluded briefly.

Huang Zidi left Zhou Changquan’s office looking dejected. He felt angry, yet also harbored some gratitude toward Zhou Changquan. He understood clearly: The severity of this matter could have been much greater. If it had crossed the line, it would have been a major incident. But by dragging its feet slightly, Zhou managed to turn a major issue into a minor one. Gao Xianglin’s summons of Zhou Changquan was undoubtedly to seek his opinion, and Zhou Changquan spoke in my favor.

Upon leaving the office, Huang Zidi encountered Deputy Secretary-General Zeng Yong. Zeng Yong smiled warmly, his thick double chin jiggling cheerfully. “Secretary Huang, I have something to report to you.”

Huang Zidi straightened his chest, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked majestically toward his own office, with Zeng Yong following closely behind.

As Huang Zidi exited, memories flashed through Hou Weidong’s mind. He recalled his time as a secretary to Zhu Yan. Zhu Yan had once asked Hou Weidong to retrieve several tens of thousands of yuan, intending to bribe Zhou Changquan. The money was never delivered, but Huang Zidi had definitely accepted twenty thousand yuan.

No wonder there is a saying about officials protecting each other. The connections are so intricate and tangled that they cannot be easily severed. If Huang Zidi had not been placed under shuanggui, he might have dragged Zhu Yan and many other leaders down with him. This would have severely damaged the image of Shazhou cadres and even the province. Zhou Changquan and Gao Xianglin must have been fully aware of this, which is why they showed leniency toward Huang Zidi, who was entangled in gray areas.

Thinking of this, Hou Weidong recalled the quarry business. Fortunately, I thought far ahead when starting the quarry. Otherwise, if someone had reported it, it would have been another matter impossible to explain clearly.

He continued to reflect: It is thanks to these quarries that I am free from financial burdens. Otherwise, trying to be an incorruptible official on the current salary would only lead my entire family into poverty. Hai Rui, though respected, had an extremely unfortunate family. Hai Rui’s name will be remembered for eternity, but his family suffered greatly in reality.

The image of Li Jing appeared in his mind. He opened his drawer and took out the mobile phone used for private calls with Li Jing. Just as he touched the phone, he saw it flashing.

At that moment, Li Jing’s call came through. She spoke cheerfully, “Why did you answer so promptly today? It connected as soon as it rang. I was preparing to leave a text message if no one answered.”

Hou Weidong, feeling guilty like a thief, glanced nervously at the door. Hearing the loud voice on the other end, he tried to use neutral language. “Is he talking? His voice sounds quite loud.”

Li Jing understood from Hou Weidong’s wording that it was inconvenient to speak freely. “You haven’t been to Lingxi for several days. Little Chou Chou has gained quite a few new skills.”

“Mm.”

“When will you come over?”

“Try to come as soon as possible.”

Li Jing said, “I recently heard some news. Is the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection focusing on Shazhou? Have Liu Chuanda and Kong Zhengyi both been placed under shuanggui?”

“Yes.”

Li Jing sighed. “Kong Zhengyi’s downfall was within my expectations, but I never imagined Liu Chuanda would be involved. He was a sincere leader. Among the many leaders I have interacted with, Liu Chuanda is one I respect. The new factory they established was actually quite profitable. Now that the heads have been arrested, the enterprise is doomed to collapse.”

“There is nothing that can be done. They did indeed break the law.”

Li Jing snorted on the phone. “Liu Chuanda was simply unlucky. He is a victim of political struggle. I heard that Zhou Changquan is about to step down, and Liu Bing will become the Party Secretary. Husband, what will you do?”

Hou Weidong knew the inside story best. Zhou Changquan had Wu Ying, who could reach directly to Provincial Party Secretary Meng Haofang. Furthermore, Zhou had no financial issues, and Shazhou’s development momentum was strong. With these three factors, even if Liu Bing used every trick in the book, he could not overthrow Zhou Changquan.

He said, “Do not believe the rumors outside. They are unreliable.”

Li Jing looked at her son’s waddling buttocks and smiled. “Your son can walk with a walker now. He looks so cute.” She continued, “Political struggles are very complex. You do not lack money, so do not have any crooked thoughts. I do not expect you to become extremely wealthy and noble; I only wish for you to be safe and sound. Kong Zhengyi was a powerful figure in Shazhou, but his later years will likely be spent in prison. Not to mention Liu Chuanda. I truly could not believe it when I heard the news.”

“There is one more thing. I heard that Qin Lu is entering the Provincial Standing Committee as a Vice Governor. His sister, Qin Li, has been frequently visiting Shazhou. She is somewhat domineering in her business dealings. Try to avoid provoking her. This woman is very complex.”

Hou Weidong laughed. “I am just a lowly secretary. What would Qin Li want with me? Besides, if I cannot provoke her, I can at least avoid her.”

After hanging up, Gao Jian’s call came through. “Brother, are you free tonight? Let’s have dinner together. There are no others, just old friends.”

Qin Li was sitting in Gao Jian’s office, her legs crossed comfortably.