Chapter 2326

In fact, Su Xinghui knew perfectly well why Yuan Yifu had come to find him, but of course, he could not say he knew, so he had to ask.

Yuan Yifu's decision to find Su Xinghui had also undergone a long period of ideological struggle. In the end, he decided to go downstairs to find Su Xinghui because he knew that besides Su Xinghui, it would be useless to find anyone else.

Last year, even the Provincial Party Secretary had ended up in a sorry state trying to investigate Su Xinghui. With Yuan Yifu's meager background, who could he find to deal with Su Xinghui?

If he really did that, his end might not be as easy as just being in a sorry state.

Although he had made up his mind, once he was really in front of Su Xinghui, Yuan Yifu still felt that speaking was such a difficult thing. He hesitated, and Su Xinghui did not urge him, sitting there quietly, waiting for Yuan Yifu to speak.

After hesitating for dozens of seconds, Yuan Yifu finally spoke: "County Magistrate, it's like this. Recently, I've always felt that my health is not good, especially my heart. I always feel chest tightness and shortness of breath. The doctor said there are some problems with my heart, so I want to resign from the position of County Party Secretary to the Municipal Party Committee."

Su Xinghui was stunned and said: "Secretary, you're not serious, are you?"

Yuan Yifu said: "I'm not joking. My body really needs to rest. When I resign, I will recommend you to the Municipal Party Committee to serve as the Chongjin County Party Secretary."

Su Xinghui said: "Secretary, you don't need to make such a hasty decision. How about this: since your health is not good, go rest for a while. It won't be too late to come back after your health improves. Don't worry about the county's work during this time; there's me and the comrades."

Yuan Yifu shook his head listlessly and said: "I have been working for more than forty years, and I am indeed tired. Besides, it's only a couple of years until I retire. It's better for me to rest early. Chongjin County will depend on you all."

Yuan Yifu had indeed worked for more than forty years. In these forty-plus years, he had engaged in power struggles and hidden knives in smiles; it was indeed very tiring—tiring for the heart.

Su Xinghui said: "Secretary, will you really not consider it again?"

Yuan Yifu said: "I have considered it very clearly. With Chongjin County in your hands, I am at ease."

Su Xinghui did not speak at this moment; it was not appropriate for him to say anything.

Having said these words, Yuan Yifu felt much lighter in his heart. Yes, what was the point of him staying in this position of County Party Secretary? It was better to step down early and be clean.

Yuan Yifu picked up his teacup and took a sip, saying: "County Magistrate, before I step down, I want to make one last request to you."

Su Xinghui naturally knew what Yuan Yifu's request was. He said: "Secretary, whatever request you have, just say it. If I can do it, I will try my best to do it."

Yuan Yifu said: "How about this, County Magistrate? If I may take a few minutes of your time, I would like to tell you a story."

Su Xinghui nodded and sat there, looking like he was all ears.

Yuan Yifu then told the story of his youth, when Yuan Yilu would steal corn and sweet potatoes and catch frogs, field mice, and snakes everywhere to increase nutrition for his wife. When he reached the emotional part, his eyes turned red.

Su Xinghui remained silent. He had not expected that this pair of brothers, whom he despised, also had such brotherly love. However, this was not a reason to let Yuan Yilu go.

Yuan Yifu said: "County Magistrate, I also have a great responsibility for my brother ending up in today's state. My education of him was not enough. But I hope you can spare him. Just consider it a request from this old man!"

Looking at Yuan Yifu's pleading eyes, Su Xinghui pondered for a moment and said: "Secretary, I don't want to say any high-sounding words. Today's report was indeed handed by me to Secretary Yin, and it was I who asked Secretary Yin to take it to the Standing Committee meeting. But I have no other intentions. I hate the cadres involved in this audit report who are suspected of embezzlement just as much; it is not aimed at any one person."

Yuan Yifu listened intently to Su Xinghui's words. He did not show any expression of dissatisfaction; he knew that now, he was not qualified to show such an expression in front of Su Xinghui.

Moreover, he also knew that Su Xinghui had no need to tell him any lies now. What he was saying now should be his sincere words.

Su Xinghui said: "Secretary, last year's once-in-a-century flood was so severe, and the disaster-stricken masses were living so difficultly. These people actually dared to embezzle disaster relief funds. Would you not be angry at such behavior? If your brother were not among them, how would you handle it?"

Now it was Yuan Yifu's turn to be silent. He knew that Yuan Yilu's behavior this time was indeed too egregious and indeed not worth forgiving. But what could he do? This was his only brother.

Su Xinghui said: "To be honest, Secretary, I am still very moved by the brotherly love between you and your brother. However, precisely because he is your brother, this matter must be investigated, and it must be investigated to the end. He must also accept the disposal of Party discipline and state law. Otherwise, the image of our Party in Chongjin County will cease to exist!"

Yuan Yifu said bitterly: "Is there no room for maneuver at all?"

Su Xinghui pondered again. After a long time, he said: "How about this, Secretary: have your brother voluntarily return the stolen money, including some of his past economic problems. Whatever should be returned should be returned. If he doesn't have that much money, you can help him if you can. If your money is not enough, I can lend it to you. Voluntarily returning the stolen money and actively confessing the problems should allow for a lighter punishment."

Yuan Yifu was silent again. He naturally understood Su Xinghui's meaning. After Yuan Yilu was investigated this time, there would certainly be many people reporting him. He had many past misdeeds; rather than waiting for others to report him, it would be better to confess voluntarily and return the stolen money actively. In that case, he could still be treated leniently.

Although Yuan Yifu was somewhat unwilling, he also knew that this was probably the best outcome.

What could he do? If he fought Su Xinghui to the death, it would be like an egg hitting a rock. Even if Su Xinghui didn't do this, it wouldn't be difficult for him to put both brothers to death.

Moreover, the impact of Yuan Yilu's matter this time was indeed too bad. If Su Xinghui did not pursue this matter at all, his prestige would also be significantly affected. Therefore, it was already not easy for Su Xinghui to be able to do this.

If Yuan Yilu could actively return the stolen money and return all the illicit money, such an economic case would not be sentenced very heavily. Yuan Yifu was clear about the policies in this regard. Perhaps he would only need to stay in prison for two or three years; that was not too long a time.

Yuan Yifu nodded and said: "County Magistrate, thank you. Don't worry, I will definitely persuade Yilu to voluntarily confess his problems and actively return the stolen money."

Su Xinghui said: "Secretary, you don't need to thank me. This is stipulated by the laws and regulations of the country. Every criminal suspect, as long as they can voluntarily confess their problems and actively make up for their mistakes, will be treated leniently."

Yuan Yifu then stood up and said: "Alright, County Magistrate, then I'll go first."

Su Xinghui stood up to see him off. Yuan Yifu waved his hand at him and walked out of Su Xinghui's office. His back was somewhat hunched, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

Su Xinghui had expected Yuan Yifu to come to his office today, but he had not expected Yuan Yifu to have the intention of retiring.

Su Xinghui had originally thought that even if Yuan Yilu fell, Yuan Yifu would still be his County Party Secretary. But it seemed that everything that happened at the Standing Committee meeting today had left Yuan Yifu disheartened.

And another factor was, of course, that the relationship between the brothers Yuan Yifu and Yuan Yilu was very good. He would not hesitate to resign from the position of County Party Secretary to make way for Su Xinghui just to save his brother.

Because Yuan Yifu now knew Su Xinghui's personality—he was someone who ate soft but not hard. If Yuan Yifu came hard at Su Xinghui, it would definitely have no effect. But if he took the initiative to resign from the position of County Party Secretary and would recommend Su Xinghui to serve as County Party Secretary, and then pleaded bitterly, even Su Xinghui could not ignore it.

Now, Yuan Yifu could be considered to have achieved his goal to some extent. Anyway, he had at most one year left as County Party Secretary, and he was not having a smooth time, having some meaning of being a puppet. It would be better to use this position of County Party Secretary to save his brother.

Su Xinghui found it somewhat funny. Originally, he had no intention of serving as County Party Secretary now, but who knew that by some strange twist of fate, he was about to be pushed into the position of County Party Secretary?