Chapter 803: with translation of chapter title

"Fine, even if these are fabricated, what about these?"

Sun Yongwen took out another document and laid it in front of him.

Zhou Hongwei lowered his head and glanced; his face instantly darkened to utter gloom; these were photocopies of the project documents he had approved over the past three years.

It appears the Commission for Discipline Inspection hasn't spared any effort digging into him.

On each document, key violations were circled in red pen, including but not limited to floor‑area ratio adjustments, planning changes, and environmental exemptions.

"Eighty percent of these projects are related to the Zhao Group."

Sun Yongwen's voice turned cold, each word like a knife: "Director Zhou, could you explain why the Zhao Group's projects always enjoy exceptionally fast approval? Why do other companies have to wait three months while the Zhao Group gets approval in just one week? Why do projects that clearly violate planning become compliant once they reach you?"

"I... I was just following procedure."

Zhou Hongwei stood firm and righteous: "The Zhao Group is a large enterprise; its contribution to Wuzhou's economy is significant. Appropriate policy tilt is reasonable; this is the Municipal Party Committee's directive."

"Appropriate tilt?"

Sun Yongwen calmly picked up a document and threw it in front of Zhou Hongwei.

He asked bluntly: "According to plan, the West City Logistics Park should have a supporting wastewater treatment plant, yet you approved postponing its construction by three years. What's the basis? Is it because the Zhao Group is having cash‑flow problems?"

The Zhou Hongwei who had just been righteous and confident now lowered his head guiltily, saying nothing more.

"And there's this..."

Sun Yongwen picked up another document and threw it in front of Zhou Hongwei.

He pressed on: "For Phase One of Cloud Peak Mountain Villa, the floor‑area ratio was raised from 1.2 to 1.8—how much extra floor space was added? At market prices, how much more profit does the Zhao Group stand to gain from this?"

And the basis for your approval was merely a so‑called expert opinion.

But according to our investigation, three of the experts who attended that review were long‑term consultants of the Zhao Group—how do you explain that?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hongwei's forehead began to sweat.

"Zhou Hongwei..." Sun Yongwen gave a light, calm laugh, his eyes fixed on Zhou Hongwei: "Do you think, based on this alone, that it's enough to convict you?"

"I... I want to see Secretary Wang!" Zhou Hongwei suddenly shouted: "All the work I've done has been for the sake of Wuzhou's overall development; I want to see Secretary Wang!"

"Secretary Wang currently has no time to deal with you."

In the course of talking and laughing, Sun Yongwen increasingly felt that Zhou Hongwei was both pitiable and hateful.

Damn it, after so many years in the bureaucracy, climbing to the bureau chief's seat, who would have thought many people are skilled at playing the 'sacrifice the chariot to save the general' game?

Even at death's door, he still harbors wishful thinking.

Sun Yongwen mercilessly pierced Zhou Hongwei's false hope: "You didn't know? Just this morning, Secretary Wang made a clear statement at the Standing Committee meeting, demanding that your disciplinary and legal violations be investigated thoroughly according to law and regulation. Secretary Wang also especially emphasized that the roots of the crime must be dug up, with no leniency."

"!!!"

Zhou Hongwei looked at Sun Yongwei half‑believing, half‑doubting, saying nothing; silently he seemed to be saying: "Don't bullshit me here, old man!" Secretary Wang's high‑talk at the meeting is understandable, but Secretary Wang would never issue a 'deep dig' order—that simply doesn't serve his interests.

"You don't believe me?"

Sun Yongwen, too, is a seasoned old hand; he seemed to see through Zhou Hongwei's resistance at a glance.

He calmly pulled out his phone, opened a text message, and handed it to Zhou Hongwei to read. The sender was Li Bin of the Municipal Party Committee Office, time: today morning at 10 a. m.

The content is simple:

"Secretary Wang's directive: the Zhou Hongwei case must be investigated strictly according to law, and use this as an opportunity to deepen the city‑wide Party conduct and clean‑government work."

Upon seeing this message, Zhou Hongwei still said nothing, but his teeth were clenched tight.

That was anger rising from deep within!

Even his facial muscles twitched slightly!

Who does he hate?

All of this was within Sun Yongwen's expectation; without a doubt, once the hope‑bubble was burst, Zhou Hongwei's hatred would surely be aimed at Wang Qigang, who had pulled the ladder away after crossing the river.

Sun Yongwen struck while the iron was hot.

He immediately dealt a fatal blow: "You can choose to keep resisting, but I must warn you: the longer you hold out, the heavier the sentence. Moreover, if you stay silent, others will speak."

Saying this, Sun Yongwen noticed:

Although Zhou Hongwei remained silent, his gaze was no longer as stubborn as before; it was obvious his resolve had weakened.

Sun Yongwen then unleashed a psychological heavyweight: "By the way, your sister Zhou Hongying has been detained for obstructing law enforcement with violence. She's been guarding your fish ponds all these years—does she really know nothing?"

"!!!"

Zhou Hongwei broke out in a cold sweat, his composure finally gave way, and he instantly collapsed into a mess; he wished he could find a block of tofu to kill himself.

Although he had never told his sister Zhou Hongying about the gold hidden in the fish pond.

But what Sun Yongwen said made sense—how could his sister, who had guarded his fish ponds for all those years, possibly know nothing? She's not a fool.

If the things he's been gritting his teeth to keep secret were to be confessed by his sister Zhou Hongying, that would be a disaster—everything would be ruined.

He hesitated for a while.

Zhou Hongwei confessed gloomily: "Actually... many things, I was also forced into it. The Zhao Group's projects are key projects for the city. The higher-ups ordered a green light all the way—what could I do? Regardless of whether a project meets regulations, if I were to put a spoke in the wheel during approval, I'd be seen as a clueless fool."

"First, tell me the source of your illicit gains," Sun Yongwen said.

Zhou Hongwei recalled: "Some came from developers, some were from people asking me to handle things... but I must stress, I never actively sought bribes; they forced them on me, and I couldn't refuse."

"Whether you actively sought bribes isn't up to you to decide," Sun Yongwen pressed. "Who exactly gave you the bribes?"

"I know you want to hear a name, but this will probably disappoint you. Although I'm the head of the Housing and Urban‑Rural Development Bureau, Zhao Group's young master Zhao Tianyu has never had any contact with me. People of his stature wouldn't even notice a low‑level bureau chief like us; they deal only with deputy‑minister‑level or higher officials."

Zhou Hongwei gave a bitter smile.

He continued: "The honest‑sounding demolition firm under the Zhao Group, the bald‑headed guy in charge—that's Lao San; those U. S. dollars were what he forced on me."

"What about the antiques and gold?" Sun Yongwen asked.

Zhou Hongwei lowered his head, thinking, somewhat torn: "I'm not the only corrupt one; I want to report! Yuan Ben Zhong of the Land Resources Bureau—that dog is even more corrupt than I am."

Saying that, Zhou Hongwei suddenly grew excited, lifting his head to stare straight at Sun Yongwen.

Seeing this, Sun Yongwen's mood also lifted; he secretly gloated, thinking that this plot still hadn't deviated from the outline laid out by Mayor Lin and Secretary Shi—dog eats dog, fur flies.