Chapter 481: Taking Down Ma Li

This time the City Government centrally reviewed project plans from all counties, districts, and municipal departments, causing widespread sensation across the city, making many leaders realize that lying flat will get you "hit with a board," and the mayor's current criticism likely signals the next adjustment!

At the same time, it also mobilized the enthusiasm and initiative of Nanyuan's leading cadres; after everyone's active planning, the City Development and Reform Commission gathered 1,285 major projects, with total investment of 1.25 trillion, annual planned investment of 758.6 billion, covering seven major areas: innovation‑driven capability enhancement, new infrastructure, new urbanization, major infrastructure, industrial structure optimization and upgrading, ecological environment protection, and livelihood and social undertakings.

Lu Fan knows planning and implementation are two different concepts, but you can't even imagine, let alone put into practice. Next, the City Government must take firm measures, insisting on goal‑driven, work‑driven, time‑driven, and result‑driven pressure, urging all counties, districts, and departments to implement the planned projects, laying a solid foundation for Nanyuan's project construction and economic growth.

On January 16, the provincial Education Department and Finance Department issued the special‑fund allocation document for "Improving School Dining Conditions"; after Ma Caihong fought hard for it, Nanyuan City secured a special fund of 180 million.

Lu Fan immediately convened a special meeting, attended by the Deputy Mayor in charge, heads of the counties and districts, and officials from the City Discipline Inspection Committee, Audit Bureau, Finance Bureau, and Education Bureau.

According to the opinion of Deputy Mayor Ma Caihong, the City Finance Department put out an additional 50 million matching fund, allocating the 230 million special fund to two districts and twelve counties.

At the meeting, Deputy Mayor Ma Caihong gave specific arrangements for improving student cafeterias citywide and put forward related requirements.

Mayor Lu Fan said in his speech that the quality of school cafeteria meals concerns the health of teachers and students and the quality of learning, as well as social stability; the quality of students' food is receiving increasing attention from parents and society. This winter break, each county and district must fully complete the improvement of student cafeterias, and after the holidays all schools in the city must strictly enforce the "Nanyuan City Student Cafeteria Management Measures."

Lu Fan instructed that the Education Bureau take the lead, together with the City Discipline Inspection Committee, Market Regulation Bureau, and Audit Bureau, to conduct regular and spot inspections of all school cafeterias citywide, and to regularly audit cafeteria finances, ensuring that cafeterias in each county and district operate in compliance and maintain food safety. Regular satisfaction surveys should be carried out, involving parents and society in cafeteria inspection and evaluation. At the same time, a smart platform should be used to control each school's cafeteria costs, ingredient quality and purchase prices, and meal preparation, allowing parental and social supervision, to provide cafeterias where students eat well and parents are reassured.

On January 17, City Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Fang Yang reported that he had obtained evidence of partial embezzlement and bribery by City Water Affairs Bureau Director Ma Li, involving more than two million.

Detaining a deputy‑division‑level cadre requires approval from the Municipal Party Committee; Wang Haiyang would certainly block that. If the City Discipline Inspection Committee acts, it may alert the target, since Wang Haiyang has been a key leader in Nanyuan for nearly ten years, and his network is not to be underestimated.

But the matter was urgent, so Lu Fan called Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Deng Guoqiang, and after the line connected said, "Guoqiang, I'd like you to do me a favor."

Deng Guoqiang laughed, "You, a big mayor, think I can help? Give me your instructions first!"

Lu Fan said, "I want measures taken against our City Water Affairs Bureau Director to verify some leads."

Deng Guoqiang thought for a moment and replied, "A deputy‑division‑level case, a higher‑level investigation isn't impossible, but if you want to detain, it must be submitted to the Discipline Inspection Committee Standing Committee. Lu Fan, you're trying to hide this from Wang Haiyang, right?"

Lu Fan didn't hide it, saying, "It may be somewhat related to him, Guoqiang. I know this isn't procedural and could pose some risk to you…"

"Hold on, it's not a big issue; leaders have an obligation to cooperate with the Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation, it's just verifying leads, not detention. As a Deputy Secretary I have this authority. Tell me, when should we act?"

"The sooner, the better!"

"Alright, I'll send Wenlong. He's a good investigator; once he's in Nanyuan he'll follow your commands!"

"Guoqiang, thanks!"

"No need for thanks between us. If there's an issue, we can communicate anytime."

After hanging up, Lu Fan told Fang Yang, "Organize the materials on Ma Li; Director Du Wenlong of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Supervision Office should arrive soon. You personally cooperate with his work, and remember, let no information leak."

"Okay, Mayor, I'll be very cautious!" Fang Yang once again witnessed Lu Fan's influence; a single phone call directing a Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Deputy Secretary on a case is not something an ordinary mayor can accomplish.

At 2 p. m., Du Wenlong rushed to Nanyuan City, found a discreet hotel, called Lu Fan and said, "Brother Fan, I'm here. What should I do? Your orders!"

Lu Fan said, "Wenlong, thank you for your effort! Immediately take action against City Water Affairs Bureau Director Ma Li, and be sure to keep it confidential. I've assigned City Government Secretary‑General Dou Zhengyang to assist you. After you secure her, dig deep into her corrupt acts and her connection with Wang Haiyang; I suspect Wang Haiyang is planning to flee."

Du Wenlong immediately understood and said, "Brother Fan, I know what to do. Rest assured, I'll pry Ma Li's mouth open as soon as possible."

At 3 p. m., Water Affairs Bureau Director Ma Li received a call from City Government Secretary‑General Dou Zhengyang, who warmly asked, "Secretary‑General, any instructions?"

Dou Zhengyang politely said, "Director Ma, I have a matter to ask your help with; I have a friend in engineering and would like you to look after him!"

Ma Li laughed, "If the Secretary‑General orders, I have no hesitation; I'll definitely give my all!"

"Director Ma, I've booked a room at the Sanyuan Grand Hotel; are you free to come over for a face‑to‑face chat? The mayor will also come later."

Hearing this, Ma Li felt the opportunity arrive and immediately replied, "Secretary‑General, hold on, I'll be there in half an hour!"

"Alright, the room is 8001; I await your arrival, Director Ma!"

Ma Li quickly refreshed her makeup, carefully examined herself in the mirror, feeling confident and proud. Though she was over forty, time seemed to have left few traces on her face; her features remained delicate, her charm intact, exuding the aura of a mature woman.

Ma Li knew her own advantages; she believed her experience was incomparable to that of younger women. She was convinced that, given a single chance, she could "take down" Lu Fan, making him fall completely under her charm, unable to extricate himself.

"What others can give, I can give; what others cannot, I can also give," Ma Li firmly believed. There's no cat that won't eat raw fish; as long as you cater to its taste, you'll win the mayor's favor!

Half an hour later, Ma Li hurried to the Sanyuan Grand Hotel and knocked on room 8001.

Dou Zhengyang opened the door, invited Ma Li in, casually closed the door, and introduced, "Director Ma, this is Du Wenlong, Director of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Supervision Office One; these two are officials of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission. Sorry for bringing you in this way; please cooperate with the Commission in verifying some issues!"

Hearing Dou Zhengyang's words, Ma Li's face turned pale instantly; she widened her eyes, her lips trembling slightly, and stammered, "Huh? What… you… how could this be? I… I don't know what issues you're trying to verify!"

Her voice was full of terror and unease, as if she had been frightened into madness. She never expected the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to appear here; her previously hopeful anticipation instantly turned into a fear as if standing at the edge of an abyss!

Dou Zhengyang stood up and said to Du Wenlong, "Director Du, my task is complete; I won't disturb your case any further!" With that, he left the room directly.

Alone facing the Director of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Supervision Office, Ma Li grew even more fearful; although she is a deputy‑division‑level cadre, she has had no real experience and harbors deep dread of the Commission.

Du Wenlong ignored her, sitting on the sofa to read documents; the room was dead silent.

Half an hour later, Du Wenlong looked up and said in a low voice, "Ma Li, here is some evidence of your embezzlement, corruption, and bribery; take a look yourself first!"

After the staff handed the materials to Ma Li, she eagerly began flipping through them.

When she saw the first page, Ma Li collapsed, because the documents listed everything she had done.

Soon, a knock sounded at the door, and the staff stood up to open it.

To Ma Li's surprise, the entrant turned out to be her Deputy Director, Li Shuzhong!

Li Shuzhong handed a stack of materials to Du Wenlong, saying, "Director Du, these are some leads I've uncovered; I hope they'll aid the investigation."

Du Wenlong stood up, took the materials, and said, "Alright, this essentially matures the evidence chain. Thanks!"

"Then you all be busy."

As he left, Li Shuzhong gave Ma Li a look full of meaning.

Soon after, Du Wenlong stared at Ma Li with a solemn face, speaking harshly, "Regarding your illegal and disciplinary violations, do you have any additions? You know the party's discipline: confession is lenient, resistance is severe! I hope you won't waste time trying to oppose the organization!"

Ma Li's mind was in complete chaos at that moment, utterly at a loss. She never imagined she would face such a scenario; this is the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission!

Du Wenlong continued, "Ma Li, let me be clear: I'm not targeting you; I hope you won't become someone else's 'scapegoat'!" His gaze was sharp and resolute, as if it could see through everything.

"You… you are investigating Secretary Wang Haiyang?" Ma Li asked in terror.

"If you voluntarily disclose the issues and hand over illicit gains, the Discipline Inspection Committee can handle you at its discretion. If you dodge the serious parts, conceal the truth, and try to slip through, it's like covering your ears while stealing a bell—ultimately you'll only smash your own foot with a stone! Let me be frank: Wang Haiyang's problems are severe, and the investigation into him is fully underway. Are you willing to be his cannon fodder?"

Lu Wenlong has handled many cases, is extremely experienced, and feels that taking down the woman before him is as easy as flipping a hand!