Chapter 507: Taking Down the City Investment

The moment that was said, the standing committee members immediately knew what the Secretary wanted to do!

If not, Lu Fan said in a deep voice: "First, we must identify who the 'naked officials' are and forbid 'naked officials' from holding office! We must strengthen supervision of officials, making the income, assets, and family members of civil servants transparent, so that we can determine whether a civil servant is a 'naked official'."

Second, we must make 'naked officials' disappear from Nanyuan! Since their spouses and children are unwilling to take our nationality, I find it hard to imagine such an official sincerely serving the country and the people; they probably have a convenient calculation that the whole family can leave at any time. Behind this often hide corruption and other crimes; rather than wait for verification and miss the chance to arrest, it is better to strip them of office first, preventing further harm to the nation, and this is a measure taken out of necessity.

We will carry out this work without announcing it; I hope everyone maintains confidentiality, so that what I say here doesn't spread across the city within a short time. Only a united leadership can have cohesion and combat power; I do not want this term's leadership to have a 'black horse'!

Alright, that's all for the meeting!

Stepping out of the conference room, Lu Fan realized night had fallen, the lights were just coming on, and the standing committee meeting had lasted a full four hours!

Lu Fan had just entered the office when Political and Legal Committee Secretary Tian Xuan followed in, reporting: "Secretary, I have a situation to report; it's a 'sweep away black and eliminate evil' case involving the Party Committee Secretary and Chairman of the City Investment Group, Ma Tao."

Lu Fan frowned and said, "First, tell me the situation." He knew that the chairman of the investment company was the son of the Municipal People's Congress Director.

Tian Xuan continued: "Chen Jun is suspected of crimes including organizing and leading a mafia‑type organization, colluding in bids, and bribery, and has been transferred to the procuratorate for review and prosecution. This gang has existed for a long time and spans a wide period, severely damaging the order of the Nanyuan engineering bidding sector, with extremely harmful impact. Moreover, they are strong in anti‑investigation, with key members forming offensive‑defensive alliances and refusing to disclose major criminal facts. We have exerted great effort, starting from details of individual key cases, to dismantle them one by one."

Chen Jun, by courting Nanyuan's leaders, obtained project information in advance, then used qualified companies as fronts to collude in bidding, achieving a monopoly over the entire industry. Their corrupt tactics included not only monetary inducements and bribery, turning Ma Tao from an 'outsider' into an 'umbrella backbone.'

Lu Fan asked, "Is the evidence solid?"

Tian Xuan replied: "Ma Tao abused his position to secure benefits for Chen Jun in work assignments, project contracting, and payment of project funds, accepting bribes. The amount involved is extraordinarily huge, reaching a staggering 1.252 billion yuan. For example, during the period when our city accelerated the westward expansion of the central district and launched a batch of major projects, the investment company was responsible for organizing the construction of new districts, urban roads, and shantytown redevelopment projects. As the company's 'top leader,' Ma Tao made unilateral decisions on project selection, bidding, and fund usage, essentially handing the projects over to Chen Jun. In the shantytown redevelopment project alone, he took 12 million yuan in bribes. This concerns only Chen Jun; I'm sure Ma Tao has other corrupt activities as well."

Lu Fan thought for a moment, dialed Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Fang Yang, and said, "Come to my office for a moment!"

In just five minutes, Fang Yang pushed the door open and asked, "Secretary, what instructions do you have?"

Lu Fan said, "The 'sweep away black and eliminate evil' operation has 'snared' the 'protective umbrella' and 'accomplices'; are you familiar with the name Chen Jun?"

Fang Yang nodded and said, "He's been famous for a long time, a name that rings like thunder! He was just 'taken down' by Secretary Tian!"

Lu Fan continued, "His case implicates Ma Tao, with the amount reaching 1.252 billion!"

"Ma Tao? The son of Director Ma!" Fang Yang was somewhat surprised.

Lu Fan said gravely, "What does a Zero Tolerance stance on corruption mean? It means zero tolerance and zero leniency toward corruption—any corruption is met with retaliation, any greed with strict punishment. When a corrupt individual is discovered, we resolutely investigate; when a corrupt act is discovered, we resolutely correct it; we adhere to 'strike as soon as it appears' to prevent spread."

Zero Tolerance means there is no 'special zone' for corruption, no 'restricted zone' for anti‑corruption; it means before Party discipline and state law there are no exceptions—no matter who, no matter how high the rank, the investigation goes to the end, with no leniency!

Tian Xuan, hand over the evidence to the Discipline Inspection Committee. Fang Yang, the sooner the better; to avoid any mishap, seize Ma Tao immediately! You work through the night on 'continuous collection', I'll be waiting in the office; I'll sign the necessary documents and bear the responsibilities!

Tian Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Alright, Secretary, I'll act at once! Just a word of warning: Director Ma has a fiery temper; I doubt he will let this go peacefully!"

Lu Fan said, "Hmm, I understand, I'll wait here for him! You all work hard—high‑pressure anti‑corruption with no restricted zones, no special zones, no blind spots!"

The two took their orders and left, while Lu Fan sat alone in the office, deep in thought.

Ma Jinming rose from the grassroots in Nanyuan, having served as Tong County Party Secretary and Executive Vice Mayor; in Nanyuan he is deeply rooted and highly respected, always strongly supporting his work. Ah, what must be faced must be faced!

The next morning, Ma Tao went to work as usual. Since Chen Jun's arrest, he has toned down his flamboyance, becoming much more low‑key, even driving his own car.

Just as he entered the office, before he could sip his hot tea, Director of Supervision Office, Discipline Inspection Committee Feng Yifan pushed the door open and said sternly, "Chairman Ma, please come with us; we need you to explain a few matters."

Those who must come cannot escape, and those who try to hide cannot avoid it! Ma Tao quickly sent a message to the elder, then stood and said, "Alright, Director Feng, I'll go with you! But I have some important tasks at hand that need arranging."

Feng Yifan replied, "No need, the world keeps turning without anyone; from now on, I hope you cooperate with the Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation and stop these little tricks!" After speaking, he immediately ordered, and publicly escorted their top leader away from the City Investment Group!

As they went downstairs, hearing cheers from behind, Feng Yifan teased, "Chairman Ma, the people's will is against you; it seems you're unpopular!"

Ma Tao sighed, "The world is cold, people come and go! Director Feng, you're looking for me because of Chen Jun, right? There are many rumors, I will cooperate with the Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation, but I can assure you that I have no financial dealings with Chen Jun, at most just personal acquaintances!"

Feng Yifan said calmly, "I also hope you are innocent, but deeds leave traces, and many things can be verified."

At ten a. m., Lu Fan was in his office listening to a report from the Culture and Tourism Bureau when suddenly Municipal People's Congress Director Ma Jinming burst in, angrily demanding, "Secretary Lu, I want to know on what grounds the Discipline Inspection Committee took Ma Tao away!"

Culture and Tourism Bureau Director Wang Cong hurriedly stood and said, "Director Ma, we can discuss this…"

Lu Fan said, "Wang Cong, step out and wait a moment; don't close the door—nothing is unspeakable."

"Alright, Secretary, I'll stay outside; just call if you need anything."

After they left, Lu Fan stood and said, "Director Ma, let's sit down and talk!"

"Sit down for what? Secretary Lu, frankly, since you arrived in Nanyuan, I've supported your work enough, haven't I? One shouldn't burn bridges after crossing a river."

Lu Fan replied solemnly, "Director Ma, I respect you and thank the Municipal People's Congress for supervising and supporting the Party Committee and City Government, but this is a different matter from Ma Tao! I understand you have devoted much effort to your child's upbringing, yet Ma Tao abused his position, connections, and power, using illicit means to embezzle and accept bribes, violating the basic conduct of a leader and desecrating law and public authority! As Party cadres we cannot indulge in the 'one person rises, his whole family ascends' mentality. Whoever violates Party discipline or state law must face serious accountability and harsh punishment; this is not empty rhetoric."

Ma Jinming shouted angrily, "What a display of self‑lessness, Lu Fan. I have only this one son; must you eradicate him completely? Even setting aside whether Ma Tao erred, look across the city—are there any officials above the division level without issues? Can you guarantee that every person you've appointed is Integrity and Cleanliness, spotless? Ma Tao's mistake was merely a work error, a lapse in duty; is it necessary to make it a headline case?"

Lu Fan patiently said, "The Party Committee steadfastly maintains a high‑pressure anti‑corruption stance, adhering to no‑restricted‑zone, full coverage, Zero Tolerance. No matter who recommended the cadre, if he is suspected of corruption, we investigate each one! Let power operate in the sunlight, safeguarding social fairness and justice!"

Director Ma, the deeper the love, the more appropriate the guidance must be. Without moral standards and rules for conduct, even great power will eventually stumble. As leaders, we must strictly hold our relatives and friends to account, maintain proper family and kinship relations, and avoid the improper trend of 'seeking shade under a big tree.' Sheltering one's children while ignoring the people's interests? When virtue does not match the position, disaster follows, harming both children and family!

Director Ma, the deeper the love, the more it needs to be taught properly. Without the morality and principles of conduct in life, no matter how great the power, one will eventually stumble. As leading cadres, we must strictly demand of our relatives and friends, manage well the family gate and the kinship gate, and cannot have the corrupt practice of 'enjoying the shade under a big tree'! To hold one's children in the palm of one's hand, are the people's interests then ignored? Virtue not matching position will surely bring disaster, harming the children and destroying the family!

"Involving tens of billions of fiscal funds, several officials must be investigated, cannot be left untouched! Otherwise how can we answer the city's cadres and masses?"

"What a display of self‑lessness! Must you cut me open?"

"Director Ma, I hold no personal grudge; it is my duty and mission. As Nanyuan Party Secretary, I must cement the anti‑corruption and integrity baseline, safeguarding Nanyuan's fairness and justice!"

"Alright, you're impressive!" he said, then Ma Jinming turned and left, his eyes filled with boundless resentment and anger!

Within moments, the news of Municipal People's Congress Director Ma Jinming's uproar at the Party Committee spread throughout the Party Committee compound and to all counties and districts; no one expected Secretary Lu to truly dare to move Director Ma's son.

He is Director Ma after all, highly respected and deeply rooted in Nanyuan; he certainly won't submit easily—there might be an interesting show to watch!

This is Ma Zhuren, eh, in South Garden he is highly respected and deeply entrenched; he definitely won't give in easily—who knows, there might be a good show to watch!