Chapter 655

Persons: Du Wenlong, Ma Qiang, Lu Fan. Also Discipline Inspection Committee staff (generic). Also Du Wenlong.

Seeing this sudden formation, Ma Qiang was dumbfounded, instantly feeling that something was terribly wrong, his face full of shock and bewilderment.

"Take the person away! And impound this vehicle as well!" Indeed, Du Wenlong said nothing more and immediately moved to "take the person" and "take the vehicle."

At Du Wenlong's order, several Discipline Inspection Committee cadres sprang into action, moving swiftly and cleanly, without any hesitation.

Lu Fan quietly watched everything unfolding before him, his gaze settling on the panicked Ma Qiang, and he said slowly, "I hope you can deeply reflect on your actions and truthfully explain the problem!" After speaking, he gently shook his head and turned back to his room.

Lu Fan, Du Wenlong, also Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Integrity Education Base. Also Ma Qiang. Also Lu Fan. Also Du Wenlong. Also Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee.

Du Wenlong, Ma Qiang, Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary. Also Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee. Also Du Wenlong.

Ma Qiang argued stubbornly: "At most this is attempted bribery; don't think I don't know the law—voluntarily confessing bribery can lead to a lighter penalty or even exemption!"

Du Wenlong said: "Alright, then tell me where this 50 million came from. Let me also brief you: the crime of unexplained huge wealth refers to property or expenditures clearly exceeding legal income, with a huge discrepancy, and the individual cannot explain the source as legal. Suspicion of unexplained huge wealth involving an amount over 300,000 yuan warrants case filing, punishable by up to five years' imprisonment or detention, with the discrepancy to be recovered; if the discrepancy is especially huge, the penalty is five to ten years' imprisonment."

"I... the money is borrowed!" Ma Qiang said with his head down, a fine layer of sweat already beading on his forehead.

"Who did you borrow from? Do you have IOUs? How much from each? When did you meet them?" Du Wenlong's eyes were sharp as an eagle's, fixed tightly on Ma Qiang, missing not the slightest flicker on his face.

Ma Qiang stammered in reply: "This... I forgot!"

Du Wenlong slammed the table, stood up, and shouted angrily: "A single 'I forgot' can't exempt you from party and state discipline? Ma Qiang, don't indulge in fantasies! You must clarify the source of this 50 million down to the last penny—no cent unaccounted for. Moreover, I will conduct a detailed investigation into your and your relatives' assets; don't take chances, you think the Discipline Inspection Committee is joking? Besides truthfully confessing your violations, you have no way out."

Ma Qiang was at a loss, yet he understood the principle "confess for leniency, resist and suffer"; left with no choice, he simply pretended to be deaf and dumb, keeping silent.

Du Wenlong wasn't in a hurry either; he'd seen this many times before, and since tomorrow is the National Day holiday, he believed that by the end of the break he would surely gain something, so he'd just wear them down slowly.

The next day after work, Secretary Li Xingyuan personally called Lu Fan, asking to return together to Yancheng.

Lu Fan understood his intentions, so he called Secretary Hong Tao to ask if he could free up some time during the holiday.

Wang Hongtao thought for a moment and replied: "Tomorrow noon, I can spare about an hour; I have to report work in the afternoon, so if I stay overnight I must return to Nanling."

Hong Tao, the Secretary, and Lu Fan (the speaker).

"……" no names.

Department Head, Department of Natural Resources (the Department Head refers to an unnamed person; we include the title and department).

Deputy Provincial Governor Yun Junjie, Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Gu Yunhao; also Yun Junjie, Gu Yunhao; also Deputy Provincial Governor, Executive Deputy Provincial Governor.

Lu Fan, Li Xingyuan.

Yang Jiale, He Yuanhang.

He Yuanhang shook his head, worried, and said: "Can't you see? He's trying to save himself through Lu Fan; this line is probably cut off!" He is now worried about himself—what will become of his future!

On the way to the airport, Li Xingyuan asked quietly: "How is it? Can Secretary Hong Tao free up some time?"

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Tomorrow noon I can free up a bit of time; let's meet at Tan Family Cuisine."

Li Xingyuan said delightedly: "It's wonderful that the secretary can squeeze out time from his busy schedule! Lu Fan, I'll go to Tan Family Cuisine early tomorrow—does the leader have any dietary taboos?"

"Secretary Hong Tao isn't particular about food, but millet porridge is a must. Secretary, don't worry—I'll be there early tomorrow."

"Lu Fan, I won't bother with thanks—I have a suggestion: consider, if possible, swapping out the provincial Party Committee secretary!"

Lu Fan.

Li Xingyuan, Lu Fan, Governor Shiyu; also Shiyu; also Governor.

Lu Fan replied: "Thank you, secretary, for your guidance!"

Suddenly, Li Xingyuan's expression turned grave and slightly tense as he said: "Lu Fan, tomorrow I want to have a private talk with Secretary Hong Tao to explain some matters."

Lu Fan nodded and said: "Okay, secretary, I know what to do."

Lu Fan, Li Lao, also Northern Headquarters Hutong.

Li Lao was strolling his birds in the courtyard when he saw Lu Fan enter; he put down the birdcage, smiling, and said: "You look thinner—finally you have a holiday; rest well for a few days."

Lu Fan replied: "Grandfather, I am indeed tired, mainly mentally weary. While everyone celebrates the hard-won great achievements of anti-corruption work, I inexplicably feel waves of heartache. A person, regardless of background or whether they have 'connections,' to become a leading cadre cannot do without the organization's cultivation nor personal effort; after decades of hard work, to plummet overnight from a glorious peak into a dark abyss—what a pity, what a heartbreak!"

What the people hope for is to soon establish a truly clean, public-serving, diligent-for-the-people cadre corps, not to see corrupt officials one after another falling from grace!

Li Lao, having seen all kinds of worldly phenomena, sighed: "Corruption is truly a malignant tumor growing on the body of society! Without drastic measures, the consequences are unimaginable. In just a few months you have 'cut out' so many 'tumors,' which undoubtedly benefits the political ecology of the grasslands."

The anti-corruption struggle of the new century is a 'showdown with corrupt elements' and also a 'peak period when corrupt elements begin to be tried'; the situation is developing in a benign direction. Today's corrupt elements are like ants on a hot pan—not only feeling panic and anxiety, but also restless and unable to rest all day. For superiors and subordinates to unite in integrity and fight corruption together is more important than anything. Steadfastly marching forward in the correct direction will never lead astray.

Lu Fan, Li Xingyuan, Hong Tao.

Li Lao, Lu Fan, De Ming, Jia Zhong, Li Xingyuan.

Lu Fan, Li Lao.

Li Zimeng, Li Mingzhou.

Li Lao, Li Zimeng (father-in-law and son-in-law).

Wang Yubin, Li Xingyuan, Lu Fan.

Lu Fan, Wang Yubin, Li Xingyuan.

Upon entering the private room, Lu Fan ordered four cold dishes and four hot dishes, all specialties here, plus a pot of millet porridge; he specifically instructed to start simmering the porridge now, while preparing the ingredients for the other dishes first.

At 11:30, Wang Hongtao called to tell Lu Fan he had set out from the office; Li Xingyuan hurriedly instructed the kitchen to serve the dishes.

At noon sharp, Wang Hongtao arrived at the private restaurant; he has an almost obsessive insistence on punctuality.

Hong Tao, Lu Fan, also Zhou Xi, Liu Congfeng.

Lu Fan hurriedly stepped forward to help serve the porridge to the leader.

The steaming hot millet porridge, Wang Hongtao drank two bowls in succession, revealing a satisfied smile.

Wang Hongtao took the bowl, gently blew on it, and slowly sent the warm millet porridge into his mouth. Each sip brought a smooth texture and the rich, mellow rice aroma spreading across his tongue.

After drinking two large bowls, he finally put down his chopsticks with a heart full of contentment, his face breaking into a radiant smile like spring sunshine.

Lu Fan rose and said: "Secretary, I'll hurry the dishes."

Wang Hongtao nodded, understanding that Li Xingyuan had something to say.

After Lu Fan left the room and gently closed the door, Li Xingyuan drew a deep breath, his face showing deep remorse, and he said softly: "Secretary, I have betrayed the organization's trust and cultivation, and committed an unforgivable mistake…"

Half an hour later, Lu Fan returned to the private room, seeing Wang Hongtao with a normal expression, composed.

Li Xingyuan sat in the chair with a dejected expression, yet faintly revealed an inexplicable calm.