Chapter 1016: Even When the Situation Is Critical, He Still Quibbles

The corridor of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission detention point was so quiet that clear footsteps could be heard. Lin Dongfan stood three meters outside the interrogation room door, not moving forward.

The secretary beside him whispered a reminder: "Mayor Lin, according to the joint disciplinary and law enforcement case handling regulations, unauthorized case-handling personnel are not allowed to approach the interrogation room, let alone listen in or interfere with the interrogation process."

Lin Dongfan gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the tightly closed iron door, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

The Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission handles disciplinary investigations, while the Provincial Public Security Department handles criminal investigations; now the two are conducting a joint investigation, proceeding independently throughout.

Lin Dongfan, who had worked for many years in the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

He was fully aware in his heart: any non-case personnel intervening and interfering constitutes a violation of rules and discipline, which would not only invalidate the case procedure but also bring him accountability risks.

"I know, I'll wait here for the result."

Lin Dongfan's voice was calm, yet he still maintained concern for the case.

He had just sat down in the meeting area at the end of the corridor when his pocket phone vibrated—a call from his mentor, Luo Xiang.

"Teacher, what's up?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Luo Xiang's tone was grave: "The province has received an anonymous report. Someone reported that during your inspection in Jinxian County, you allegedly used illegal means out of personal revenge when taking coercive measures against Chen Cheng, breaking one of his legs. Just now, Deputy Provincial Governor Deng issued a directive, requesting the Provincial Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission to intervene and investigate."

"An anonymous report?"

Lin Dongfan frowned, instantly guessing the hidden scheming behind it.

Chen Cheng's leg injury occurred from an "accidental fall" in a blind spot of the surveillance, with no direct evidence pointing to the case handlers. The sudden emergence of this report at this time clearly shows someone wants to use "procedural issues" to put the brakes on the case.

"The report includes photos of Chen Cheng's leg injury and a blurry recording of anguished cries," Luo Xiang added. "Although there is no evidence proving it was done by the case handlers, Deng Chunning's attitude is clear: demanding 'investigate procedure first, then the case,' obviously intending to interfere with your progress on the cases of Meng Qinghe and Fu Xinping."

Lin Dongfan let out a cold laugh: "He sure knows how to pick a moment."

"You need to be mentally prepared for this," Luo Xiang reminded.

Lin Dongfan replied dismissively: "If Deputy Provincial Governor Deng had evidence, he would have taken me down already. What he's doing now is merely trying to scare the snake by beating the grass."

"I'm afraid that after the Provincial Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission intervenes and investigates, they will find an excuse to make a big deal out of it," Luo Xiang worried.

Lin Dongfan replied: "Comrade Lengchuan of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission is also an old acquaintance of mine. Without evidence, I believe he won't make a fuss. Teacher, you can rest assured about this."

After hanging up, Lin Dongfan remained calm and composed.

Lin Dongfan was very clear in his heart:

Deng Chunning has long harbored hostility toward him; previously, out of deference to the Lin family's background, he never dared to confront him openly.

Now, as the case threatens to uncover a deeper network of interests,

Old Deng finally couldn't sit still, attempting to create pressure by means of an "anonymous report," which is nothing more than delaying the interrogation progress to buy time for those behind the scenes to destroy evidence and collude on testimony.

Lin Dongfan sent a message to Yang Qing and Shi Liantang: "We must find a way to make Fu Xinping talk!"

Inside the interrogation room.

The joint interrogation is proceeding according to regulations.

Shi Liantang sat on the left, with thick case materials spread before him; Yang Qing sat on the right. A clerk sat between them, the entire process being audio- and video-recorded, each step strictly following procedural rules.

Fu Xinping sat in the interrogation chair, his hands naturally placed, not wearing handcuffs.

During the disciplinary investigation phase, before any detention measures are taken, the use of restraints is prohibited—this is an ironclad rule. At this moment, the ashen-faced Fu Xinping still harbored hope, believing he could get by on "silence."

"Fu Xinping, you should understand the principle of leniency for confession and severity for resistance. I hope you can fully cooperate with the organization's investigation." Yang Qing's voice was steady, without any extra emotion: "In 2018, during your tenure at the Jinxian County Public Security Bureau, did you ever cover up a series of illegal acts by Chen Cheng?"

Fu Xinping firmly shook his head: "No, whether in Jinxian County or while working in Wuzhou, for any case, big or small, I have always handled it in accordance with the law and regulations, strictly following procedure."

"Back then, Sun Bingliang publicly reported Chen Cheng's mine for illegal wastewater discharge; afterward, someone broke one of his legs. Was this case personally handled by you?" Yang Qing pressed.

Fu Xinping replied solemnly: "I personally handled it, but at the time there was no evidence proving that Sun Bingliang's leg was broken by Chen Cheng. I can't just arrest Chen Cheng based on Sun Bingliang's one-sided account. Handling cases requires evidence; this is my investigative principle and also my bottom line."

"Very well, then let's talk about your principles and bottom line."

Yang Qing asked calmly, with a smile: "After Sun Bingliang's leg was broken, Chen Cheng later gave the Sun family one million yuan in the name of compensation and tricked Sun Bingliang's father into signing a loan agreement. After Sun Bingliang reported to the police, why didn't you file and accept the case? This gets to your principles and bottom line."

"The Sun family borrowed money from Chen Cheng; that's a civil dispute. If Sun Bingliang had objections to the agreement, he should have sued in court." Fu Xinping replied, feeling justified.

Yang Qing, smiling but angry, said: "Chen Cheng, under the guise of compensation, deceived an illiterate old farmer into signing a high-interest loan agreement, and you call that a civil dispute?"

"……!!!"

Fu Xinping's body stiffened suddenly, his eyes instantly flustered.

Seeing that Fu Xinping had nothing to say.

Shi Liantang immediately handed over a bank statement: "In October 2018, Chen Cheng transferred 100,000 yuan to your wife's account, marked as 'loan,' but the money has not been repaid to this day, and there is no loan agreement. In November of the same year, your wife's account received another 200,000 yuan in wealth-management returns, the funds coming from a shell company. The actual controller of that company is a distant nephew of Wang Qigang—how do you explain this?"

"I…… I'm not sure, possibly a misunderstanding."

Fu Xinping's voice grew softer, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

"A misunderstanding?"

Shi Liantang then produced another photo—a picture of Fu Xinping and Wang Qigang together from back then, with the background being the opening ceremony of Chen Cheng's mine.

Shi Liantang asked: "During Wang Qigang's tenure as governor of Wuzhou, you were promoted multiple times. Moreover, Chen Cheng's mine could obtain approval smoothly, also inseparable from Wang Qigang's patronage. Additionally, regarding Meng Qinghe's daughter's livestream, you not only brushed over two million yourself, but also mobilized Chen Cheng to participate in tipping—behind this, isn't there an exchange of interests?"

"……!!!"

Fu Xinping lowered his head, silent.

Every question posed by Yang Qing and Shi Liantang precisely hit the vital point, the evidence chain linking tightly, leaving no room for Fu Xinping to quibble.

Fu Xinping's psychological defenses were clearly crumbling, his hands clenched tightly together.

As a veteran public security officer, Fu Xinping himself knew that if Shi Liantang and Yang Qing did not have sufficient evidence in hand, they would not have rashly brought him here for interrogation.

Under these circumstances, stubborn resistance is already meaningless.

But thinking of the people behind him, Fu Xinping dared not speak lightly. Meng Qinghe, Wang Qigang, and even the higher-up Deng Chunning—none are easy to deal with.

Especially Deputy Provincial Governor Deng!

Once he confesses, these people will definitely not let him go.

The atmosphere in the interrogation room grew increasingly oppressive; the clerk quickly recorded the dialogue between both sides, the red light on the recording pen staying on, documenting every detail.

Outside the corridor.

Lin Dongfan received a text message from Yang Qing: "Fu Xinping's emotions are visibly fluctuating, but he still conceals the key points; we need to further break through, possibly requiring some tactics."

Interrogate them according to the law; the higher-ups are watching you, so don't give anyone a handle.

Lin Dongfan had just replied to Yang Qing's message when his phone vibrated again; this time it was Gao Yicheng from the Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau calling.

Gao Yicheng reported: "Meng Qinghe rushed home before finishing the meeting today; we found out he obtained a passport using someone else's identity, possibly intending to flee."

"Stop him, I'm coming right away!"

Lin Dongfan's eyes turned cold, and he hurried to Meng Qinghe's home.