Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 129 The Green Plum Arrives

Wu Zhiyuan did not ask a question immediately, but stared at Chen Zhenglei with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

This silent scrutiny is more effective at breaking down someone's psychological defenses than a harsh rebuke.

Feeling guilty, Chen Zhenglei's eyes darted around unconsciously before he finally avoided eye contact.

Two minutes later, Wu Zhiyuan finally spoke: "Chen Zhenglei, it seems we wronged you!"

Riding a bicycle, eating vegetable noodles, wearing tattered underwear, living in an old house, using old appliances, handing over monetary gifts...

He is hardworking, frugal, honest, and dedicated to public service—a true role model for outstanding cadres!

While others are caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, you remain serene and serene; others who walk by the river inevitably get their shoes wet, but you never do.

Chen Zhenglei chuckled awkwardly: "Director Wu is too kind. This is all I should do."

As leading cadres, we should uphold our responsibilities and remember that hard work and perseverance are invaluable family heirlooms that we must not lose.

I know there may be some rumors circulating outside, but they are all misunderstandings and malicious fabrications.

I have lived an honest and clean life, with a clear conscience. Those fabricated stories simply cannot withstand scrutiny.

Wu Zhiyuan decided to release some evidence at the right time, but not all of it. Instead, he produced a photocopy of a family photo of Chen Zhenglei, Wang Xingxing, and their family of three.

"Chen Zhenglei, Longhu Peach Blossom Garden Villa, Wang Xingxing, and that child—how do you explain all this?"

Chen Zhenglei was startled, but quickly regained his composure: "Oh, you mean Xingxing? She's my nephew's wife, married to my nephew Chen Jun."

That child is Chen Jun and Wang Xingxing's child. Is there a problem with me taking a photo with my grand-nephew?

Surely the organization wouldn't interfere with even the normal family interactions and personal favors of its cadres?

Wu Zhiyuan gestured to Wu Ruolan to play the video of questioning Chen Jun.

In the video, Chen Jun, with his hunched back, clearly explains the background and consequences of his sham marriage with Wang Xingxing.

"...It was my cousin Chen Zhenglei who contacted me. He said he would give me 100,000 yuan and help me pay the rent for the shop. The condition was that I could get a marriage certificate with Wang Xingxing and tell everyone that the child was mine."

I knew I wouldn't be able to find a wife, and I needed money, so I agreed.

Wang Xingxing and I have never slept together, the child isn't mine, and I can't even get into her villa...

Wu Zhiyuan said sternly, "Chen Zhenglei, did you hear what your nephew Chen Jun said clearly?"

"Fake marriage," "The child isn't mine," "Can't even get into the villa!"

This is the niece-in-law and grand-nephew you're talking about? This is what you call "normal family interaction"? Are you going to continue fabricating this easily exposed lie?

Chen Zhenglei gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Wu Zhiyuan then raised another question: the auction of counterfeit paintings and calligraphy.

Last June, Zhao Zhao spent three million yuan to buy the so-called famous landscape painting at the Jubaozhai Auction House in a neighboring province.

That was just a fake worth a thousand yuan, and the three million yuan ultimately flowed into Wang Xingxing's mother's account.

Zhao Zhao has confessed everything. This was a carefully orchestrated power-for-money transaction between you and him, disguised as an art auction!

Next, a video clip of Zhao Zhao being questioned was played.

Chen Zhenglei's face turned pale, and he secretly groaned in his heart that he was completely finished.

But he still held on. Deputy Mayor Sang Jiaquan hadn't fallen yet, and he couldn't fall. If he fell, Sang Jiaquan wouldn't be able to escape either.

To protect himself, Sang Jiaquan will definitely try to find a way. The only thing he can do now is to stall until someone outside takes over.

He took a deep breath and began to argue: "Director Wu, things are not as you imagine."

Regarding Wang Xingxing and the child, I admit that I made a mistake in my lifestyle due to a moment of confusion, and I am sorry for the organization's cultivation of me. I am willing to accept any punishment.

But the so-called bribery was completely fabricated. The three million was lent to Wang Xingxing by Zhao Zhao on his own initiative; it had nothing to do with the painting, nor with me.

Zhao Zhao is making baseless accusations; he must be acting under someone's orders to frame me.

Chen Zhenglei attempted to distance himself from the economic issues, only acknowledging the relatively minor problems with his lifestyle.

Wu Zhiyuan sneered and pressed on: "Chen Zhenglei and Zhao Zhao have already confessed. Do you still want to downplay your crimes and get away with it?"

Zhao Zhao and Wang Xingxing are not related, so why would Zhao Zhao lend her a huge sum of three million?

Where's the IOU? Where's the interest? Where's the repayment history? Do you think we're three-year-olds?

Also, what is your relationship with Zhou Hualong?

The task force originally planned to detain Zhou Hualong as well, but when Lin Xue reported to Ai Kun, Ai Kun raised a different opinion, believing that Zhou Hualong was a well-known entrepreneur in Longcheng with a significant social influence, and it was not appropriate to detain him because it would affect the overall economic development and be detrimental to the business environment.

The task force switched to questioning, but Zhou Hualong did not cooperate.

Chen Zhenglei lowered his head and remained silent.

Too much talk leads to mistakes; if you say too much, you're bound to make a mistake and the other party will seize on your loopholes. It's best to say less.

Wu Zhiyuan tapped the table with his knuckles: "Chen Zhenglei, do you remember the total budget for the Longdong District New Administrative Center Square Greening Improvement Project was 90 million yuan?"

Chen Zhenglei forced himself to remain calm: "Of course I remember. This is a key project for the district, designed to enhance the overall image of Longdong District and improve the leisure environment for citizens. It has undergone rigorous evaluation and a legal bidding process. All procedures are compliant and legal, and can withstand scrutiny."

"Compliant and legal? Can it withstand scrutiny?" Wu Zhiyuan pulled a copy of a document from the folder and slammed it heavily on the table. "Then please explain to me what's going on with this 'Seedling Procurement List' that you personally approved and signed!"

Wu Zhiyuan pointed to the lines circled in red on the list: "A Podocarpus macrophyllus with a diameter at breast height of 30 centimeters, with a purchase price of 50 yuan."

A ginkgo tree with a diameter at breast height of 25 centimeters has a purchase price of 12 yuan.

The purchase price of a single mature wisteria vine is 5 yuan.

Chen Zhenglei! Tell me, what planet is this market price from?

Chen Zhenglei argued, "These are premium seedlings with excellent shapes and perfect tree forms. They were specially purchased from a well-known nursery in the south, so the price is naturally higher. Art is priceless."

"What a priceless art!" Wu Zhiyuan pulled out a market research report. "This is the market guidance price and actual transaction price of seedlings of the same specifications that we obtained from several large and formal nurseries inside and outside the province, as well as the landscaping industry association."

For the same specifications, the highest market price for a premium Podocarpus macrophyllus is no more than 8 yuan, for a Ginkgo tree no more than 2 yuan, and for a Wisteria no more than 8000 yuan.

Where did this huge price difference go? Part of it went into Zhou Hualong's pocket, and part of it went to Rising Antivirus's GG company, under the guise of GG fees, belonging to your specific associate, Wang Xingxing!

Chen Zhenglei chose the most primitive and stubborn form of resistance—silence—using this non-violent non-cooperation attitude to counter the pressure of interrogation.

He knew that once he admitted to the economic problems, he would be doomed.

His only hope now is that the Sang family can find a way to rescue him, or at least stall the case.

After leaving the detention room, Wu Zhiyuan reported the interrogation to Ding Yiyi, the head of the special task force.

Wu Zhiyuan analyzed: "Chen Zhenglei is a tough nut to crack, especially in terms of economic issues. He has a lot of wishful thinking and is trying to get away with it or even put up a stubborn resistance."

Currently, it seems very difficult to break through the defenses through interrogation alone in the short term. We must adhere to a two-pronged approach.

Ding Yi nodded and said, "Yes, Zhiyuan's analysis is correct. On the one hand, we should continue to improve and consolidate the existing chain of evidence to ensure that the evidence is irrefutable;

On the other hand, we can't let him slack off so comfortably; we need to apply psychological pressure when necessary...

My childhood sweetheart, Han Tingting, called: "Brother Zhiyuan, guess where I am?"

Upon hearing Han Tingting's words, Wu Zhiyuan guessed that she must have come to Longcheng.

So he tentatively asked, "You've come to Dragon City?"

"Zhiyuan, you're amazing! You guessed it right away! The city is holding a training course for township and community nurses, and I'm a trainee. I report this afternoon; it'll last for five days. Can I see you tonight?"