Chapter 4065

"Nonsense! If I knew, would I still need to ask Secretary Zhao to point it out for me?" Zhao Desan said, sounding annoyed.

Although the District Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary was lower in rank than the top leader of the Four Greats, seeing Zhao Desan's arrogant attitude—completely disregarding him as the Discipline Inspection secretary—Secretary Zhao let out a cold snort. He threw a photograph and a report of accusations in front of Zhao Desan and said, "Look at the good deeds you've done! You've shamed all the cadres of our country! Abusing the power in your hands to toy with women, and accepting bribes—now someone has reported you by name! Our Party's policy has always been leniency for those who confess and severity for those who resist. If you voluntarily confess clearly, in view of your youth and promise, and the fact that you have made some contributions to the district, our Commission can consider recommending that the court give you a lighter sentence!"

Secretary Zhao's words were spoken with righteous indignation, yet he also put on a show of benevolence in front of Zhao Desan. After finishing, he felt quite satisfied himself; after all, he had done this kind of thing many times, and many spineless fellows had long since obediently spilled the truth under his combination of soft and hard tactics.

Zhao Desan lowered his eyes and glanced at the photo and the report on the desk. That photo was the MMS message Sister Wu had sent over an hour ago—a photo of him holding Xu Qian—and as for that report, he believed it was Xu Qian's masterpiece. He smiled calmly and said, "Secretary Zhao, you judge me to have violated regulations based on these things? Isn't the work of your Commission for Discipline Inspection a bit too sloppy? Couldn't this report be a frame-up?"

Secretary Zhao was truly a bit surprised. He hadn't expected that Zhao Desan, at such a young age, could still maintain such a calm mood at this moment, appearing so composed. However, he still didn't take Zhao Desan seriously; after all, he had gnawed on quite a few hard bones. He felt that the guy in front of him, being so young, even if cunning, couldn't be that cunning. He smiled indifferently and said, "As for whether it's a frame-up, our Commission will investigate it clearly. But it's not just this issue; it's mainly about your bribery. Confess honestly, did you or did you not accept bribes? If you don't confess honestly, we have the right to search your residence and office!"

"Bribery?" Zhao Desan let out a cold laugh, tilted his head, and said, "I won't hide it from you, Secretary Zhao, I actually did receive a bank card!"

"So you're admitting that you accepted bribes from others?" Secretary Zhao asked hurriedly, as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, seemingly wanting to seize this point to convict Zhao Desan!

"Who said I admitted it?" Zhao Desan asked, looking at the eyes of Secretary Zhao that were vaguely revealing an excited expression.

"Comrade Zhao Desan, what you just said has been saved as evidence for our Commission's investigation. Don't think about overturning your statement. Confess honestly, and the district will consider the circumstances and give you a lighter punishment. As a state cadre, accepting bribes from others is a serious violation of organizational regulations and requires you to bear responsibility and be punished. Just admit it honestly!" Secretary Zhao seemed to have locked onto Zhao Desan's previous words and set the charge of bribery against him.

Seeing that Secretary Zhao seemed very eager to convict him, Zhao Desan couldn't help but glance at him with contempt, sneering as he said, "Secretary Zhao, I haven't finished speaking yet, are you in such a hurry to convict me?"

Secretary Zhao felt a wave of embarrassment on his face from Zhao Desan's sarcasm, and with a serious expression, said, "Comrade Zhao Desan, you have made a mistake in economic matters. You just admitted to accepting bribes from others yourself, and someone has reported you. The facts are all here; what else do you have to say?"

Zhao Desan sneered and said, "Since you mentioned evidence, Secretary Zhao, as far as I know, your Commission for Discipline Inspection also values evidence when investigating and punishing leading cadres who violate laws and discipline, right? But you, Secretary Zhao, so firmly believe that I, Zhao Desan, have committed a violation—where is the evidence? Can just one photo and a few sheets of report material be enough to conclude that I, Zhao Desan, have violated organizational discipline?"

Secretary Zhao was a bit annoyed by Zhao Desan's counter-question. He frowned, picked up the printed photo on the table, pointed at the people in it, and said, "Comrade Zhao Desan, this is the evidence. You went to open a room with a woman; this is a matter of personal conduct, and the Commission has the right to investigate it too!"

Hearing Secretary Zhao say this, Zhao Desan laughed dryly twice and said, "Secretary Zhao, how can this be called a personal conduct issue? I am still single and not married. Isn't it very normal to be with a girl? It shouldn't count as a conduct issue, right? One has to find someone suitable when dating, don't you think, Secretary Zhao?"

Secretary Zhao was momentarily rendered speechless by Zhao Desan's rebuttal. His cheeks puffed out, and for a moment, he didn't know how to convict Zhao Desan. He took a cigarette from the table, put it in his mouth, lit it, took a fierce drag, glanced at Zhao Desan, and picked up the report to flip through it. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He raised his head, looked at Zhao Desan with a cold sneer, and said, "You say you are dating, but the report accuses you of rape. You got the accuser drunk that night and forcibly raped her—that is the fact! This is a serious illegal act. Zhao Desan, confess honestly, and perhaps our District Commission can show leniency and plead for you to the procuratorial department. If you remain stubborn, the sentencing will definitely be very severe!"

"Go to hell!" Having been repeatedly slandered by Secretary Zhao with excuses, Zhao Desan finally couldn't hold back. He stood up straight with a 'whoosh' and cursed viciously at Secretary Zhao, "Look at the photo and see who got drunk! If I had gotten that woman drunk, would she be the one supporting me!"

Secretary Zhao was startled by the suddenly furious Zhao Desan and shrank back, saying, "I don't care about the specific process, but using the power in your hands to forcibly have sexual relations with a woman—your behavior not only seriously violates the Party's rules and regulations but has also broken the law. Everyone is equal before the law. As a state cadre, you, Zhao Desan, should be even more responsible for this!"

Zhao Desan gritted his teeth and glared at Secretary Zhao, looking at him angrily, and said, "Secretary Zhao, since your Commission is investigating me, shouldn't you call the person involved over to properly understand the situation? That would appear more fair!"

Secretary Zhao sneered and said, "Fine, then I will satisfy your request. Director Wang, go find that accuser and bring her here for a face-to-face confrontation with Zhao Desan!"