Chapter 16: Truth Revealed, Lancheng

Jiang Hai said, "Brother Zhao, if this goes wrong it could cost lives! If it were someone else's, I could let it go, but this is Secretary Liu's car. Once out of our city, the whole route is downhill; if the braking system is sabotaged, the consequences are unimaginable."

Zhao Jidong said, "You don't need to worry so much; the reason we asked you is because your skill is good. You can't directly destroy its brake system—you must ensure it can brake within the city segment, then once out of the city the brakes must fail completely."

"That way no one will notice; even if eventually someone thinks of it, Liu Zhengyang is dead, who would care?"

"All these years, the horrific cases you've seen or heard are just a drop in the ocean; the truth of most cases Within the System is covered up. History is written by the victors."

"We've already decided Liu Zhengyang's fate: he was massively corrupt, and after hearing the Discipline Inspection Commission's investigation, he committed suicide out of guilt."

"As for the car accident, there was never any such thing; do you understand? Leave it."

"Also, your son's enrollment in the key elementary school has been handled; after this is done, your wife's job at the union will also be secured."

"Furthermore, the over 200,000 yuan you owed from gambling outside, I've already paid it off for you. Otherwise, think about it—these creditors would keep harassing you daily; could you continue working?"

"Previously they actually came once; I had people suppress it. You said if others found out, what would be the consequence?"

Jiang Hai said, "Then what if something happens?"

Zhao Jidong said, "Liu Zhengyang is dead, what else? Didn't I make it clear to you just now?"

"As soon as he's dead, the lid on the coal‑mine matter is completely sealed. Our whole Lancheng officialdom will thank you; leaders up and down will speak for you. Moreover, if you steadfastly deny the incident, no one can do anything to you."

"From now on, as long as you perform well, becoming the deputy head of logistics is no problem; everything depends on your performance."

Jiang Hai said, "Alright, Brother Zhao, I'll do as you say; just be sure to help me then."

"I've been in the small car unit for so long; although outsiders always look down on me, relatives back home treat me as a high official. Whenever they ask me for favors, I used to be embarrassed beyond measure."

"From now on, Brother Zhao, you must look after me."

Zhao Jidong said, "Hehehe, it's all minor; once this is settled, just wait to enjoy the rest of your life."

"The dialogue ends here, but this already illustrates the issue. Everyone's expressions turned serious; this is key evidence. Once we have this piece of evidence, Zhao Jidong's charges will be solidly placed."

Zhou Cheng said, "Now it's clear: Zhao Jidong ordered Jiang Hai of the maintenance squad to tamper with Secretary Liu's car. We'll go directly to interrogate him; once we pry his mouth open, this whole series of events will make sense. I'll handle this myself."

After Zhou Cheng finished speaking, he took two people and left. The remaining others, now looking at Su Yang, had a different gaze.

They, many of them, had made no progress for nearly a week; Su Yang arrived this morning and already solved all the problems. Whether it's luck or ability, the concrete results are here; they can't dispute it. Only Wu Jiang kept complaining: "It's just luck."

Su Yang doesn't mind; his mind keeps replaying the whole shocking case. From finding the crucial evidence to prying Zhao Jidong's mouth took about 20 days.

But those are no longer his concerns; now he wonders where to go next. Stay in the Discipline Inspection Commission? Clearly that doesn't match his original intent. Apart from the Discipline Inspection Commission, where else can he go?

These days, he has been eating and living with the task force; the whole city is in a state of panic.

Zhao Jidong didn't last long before he gave instructions, but he shifted all the charges onto the coal boss, claiming the boss feared exposure, so he had him find someone to act, besides promising Jiang Hai vague benefits, also three million yuan in cash.

He fantasized that blaming the coal boss would protect everyone.

Just as he gave the orders, the coal boss involved, upon receiving the news, committed suicide at home.

At the same time, evidence of years of illegal mining accidents and murders was left, clearer than the evidence Liu Zhengyang held, listing officials led by Mayor Ye Zhou of Lancheng City.

Every bribe amount is recorded clearly, even noting the three‑foot‑high golden Buddha he originally gave to Ye Zhou.

This blew everything wide open; some Section‑level Cadres from the Municipal Office and Municipal Government Office were taken by the Discipline Inspection Commission, and then the secretary of County Party Committee Zhao Shanhe of Jincheng County, the secretary of Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission Li Zhengguang, Mayor Ye Zhou's secretary and driver were investigated.

Immediately after, Deputy Chief of Public Security Bureau Gao Changhe and Bureau Chief Yi Jianping, Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Li Zhengguang, County Party Committee Secretary Zhao Shanhe, Lancheng Mayor Ye Zhou and others were all summoned for a tea.

When everyone thought Liu Shuji's case was about to conclude, Ye Zhou named a Vice Provincial Governor.

Except for Su Yang, everyone else was shocked; this Vice Provincial Governor usually had a good relationship with Liu Zhengyang, often taking care of him at work—truly knowing his face but not his heart.

A few days later, the truth was completely revealed.

Just as everyone imagined, because Liu Zhengyang uncovered the dealings between Lancheng officials and the collapsed coal‑mine owner, and he had obtained detailed ledgers of bribery.

These people feared Liu Shuji would submit the ledger to Jingcheng, so they decided to stop at nothing, risking universal condemnation to kill Liu Shuji.

Then, as Zhao Jidong said, they classified the incident as massive corruption, even drafting a press release.

But in the end, evil cannot triumph over righteousness.

The Common People of Lancheng took to the streets, some even set off firecrackers. The sky over Lancheng finally cleared.

The families of miners who died mysteriously in the mines over the years finally learned the truth and received appropriate compensation.

A few days later, Su Yang, still in the task force, learned the outcome early: everyone, including that Vice Provincial Governor, was convicted, but County Party Committee Secretary Zhao Shanhe clung to the blame, becoming the sole person sentenced to life imprisonment; Zhao Jidong surprisingly escaped, only being dismissed from public office.

This matches Su Yang's memory exactly; once again he gained a new understanding of politics— even with mountains of evidence, provincial leaders will still make compromises to balance relationships.

Actually it's understandable; Zhao Shanhe almost gave his life to save his son.

The next day, Zhou Cheng called Su Yang into the office: "Su, this time you achieved a great feat; without you we wouldn't know how long it would have taken. Our work is done, those people will soon receive their deserved punishment. What are your plans now?"

"Tell me, I'm listening."