Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 255 Belly Dance

In the meeting room of the county discipline inspection commission.

Lang Wenping, member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Secretary of the County Commission for Discipline Inspection, listened to the investigation team's report.

The head of the investigation team pointed to the account screenshots on the projection screen: "After a thorough investigation, we discovered major suspicious points in the flow of funds in the Xindian Avenue project."

According to Youdong Company's accounts, since March of last year, five payments totaling NT$2.8 million have been made to the bank card of Wang Qingyan, the female owner of Qingyan Beauty Salon, under the guise of project coordination fees, expert consultation fees, and labor dispatch fees.

What is the connection between the construction project and the beauty salon? With these questions in mind, we conducted an in-depth investigation and confirmed that Wang Qingyan was one of Zhang Ping's mistresses and his mistress.

During our investigation of the high-standard farmland construction project, we discovered that before bidding, the parent company of the construction contractor, Yonggu Construction, paid a consulting service fee of 600,000 yuan to a company called Qingshan Consulting.

The actual controller of this consulting firm is Liu Jianwei, Zhang Ping's college classmate.

After winning the bid, Yonggu Construction illegally subcontracted some sections of the project to several local construction teams. The heads of these construction teams had close ties with Zhao Weizhong, director of the Xindian Town Urban Construction Office, and Liu Shuang, deputy mayor of the town.

We secretly met with Li Yongfu, the project manager of Yonggu Construction.

After being persuaded and presented with evidence, he initially confessed that in order to secure the project in Xindian Town, they bribed Zhang Ping with 800,000 yuan through Liu Jianwei, and also gave Liu Shuang and Zhao Weizhong 100,000 yuan and 50,000 yuan respectively.

Lang Wenping nodded and said, "The chain of evidence has been basically formed. However, Zhang Ping is a deputy division-level cadre, and according to the cadre management authority, the filing of a case against him for investigation must be approved by the municipal party committee."

Zhang Ping is the nephew of Zhang Xiaotian, the director of the Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee; everyone knows this. This matter must be handled with utmost care.

The opinions of the main leaders of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection were very clear: the evidence must be conclusive, the procedures must be standardized, and the timing must be appropriate.

Before formally taking detention measures against Zhang Ping, we must not alert him.

Now, we need to further improve the external evidence, especially to obtain more direct documentary and physical evidence from both the bribe-giver and the bribe-taker.

The investigation team will continue to thoroughly investigate the accounts of Yonggu Construction and Youdong Company, and sort out the assets of Zhang Ping and his relatives…

It's difficult to avoid alerting the enemy.

Zhang Ping had been in officialdom for many years and had many informants.

He had already heard rumors that the county discipline inspection commission was investigating potential corruption issues in the construction of projects such as Xindian Avenue and high-standard farmland.

Fortunately, he was a deputy division-level leader, and the county discipline inspection commission had no authority to directly investigate him.

But he went to his uncle Zhang Xiaotian's house as soon as possible.

Zhang Ping complained: "Uncle, Wu Zhiyuan is making a big show of things as soon as he takes office. He's nitpicking and colluding with the county discipline inspection commission to maliciously persecute people, all with the aim of eliminating dissidents."

Zhang Xiaotian was a cunning old fox who had cultivated himself to perfection; he naturally knew exactly what kind of person his nephew was.

He asked sternly, "Do you dare say you're without problems? Flies don't land on eggs without cracks! If you're without problems, why are you coming to me?"

Zhang Ping chuckled and said, "Uncle, in my eyes, you treat me better than my father does."

To be honest, I did receive some compensation for my trouble.

Their boss makes a fortune every day, and I serve them hand and foot. Shouldn't I receive some necessary compensation?

Uncle, you have no idea how easily these bosses make money! And how lavishly they spend it!

We civil servants only have that meager fixed salary, which isn't even enough to support our families!

Am I dumber than them? Not at all! This world is so unfair!

"Unfair?" Zhang Xiaotian sneered, taking a leisurely sip of tea. "Then what do you think constitutes fairness?"

"If everyone were like you, taking money they shouldn't take and enjoying benefits they shouldn't have, would that be fair?"

Zhang Ping opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but Zhang Xiaotian raised his hand to interrupt him.

"I know what you're trying to say. 'Everyone's taking it,' 'Why not take it if you're going to?' 'It's just a fixed salary'... I've heard that bullshit for thirty years!"

Zhang Xiaotian slammed his teacup down on the table, spilling tea. "Zhang Ping, let me tell you, there is never any absolute fairness in this world!"

You think those bosses make money easily and spend money lavishly, but why don't you think about the risks they take?

How many business owners have you seen who jumped off buildings after their businesses went bankrupt?

You think being an official is risk-free? Aren't you standing on the edge of a cliff right now?

Zhang Ping, too ashamed to look up, stammered, "Uncle, I know I was wrong... but what can I do now? Wu Zhiyuan and Lang Wenping are clearly trying to mess with me..."

"Now you know fear?" Zhang Xiaotian stood up and paced around the study.

A banner reading "Upright and Honest" hangs on the wall of the study; it was written by Zhang Xiaotian himself.

Zhang Xiaotian's handwriting is passable, but it's far from "very good." However, he enjoys calligraphy and likes to appear cultured. He loves being called a "calligrapher."

"I'm asking you, how much exactly did you receive as 'service fees'?"

What methods were used? Did you leave any evidence against them?

"Besides you, who else is involved?" Zhang Xiaotian stopped and fired off a series of questions.

"About... about three million," Zhang Ping said hesitantly.

Zhang Xiaotian was startled.

Three million is not a lot for a department-level official.

The provincial discipline inspection commission might not even file a case for this small amount of money, because the amount is small and there are too many cases to handle. Usually, they just hand over the money, give a disciplinary action, and that's it.

But for a town mayor, that's enough to land him in jail.

"You! You!" Zhang Xiaotian said, exasperated. "How many times have I told you not to reach out too far!"

Some money is acceptable; some money is too hot to handle! But you seem to accept everything!

"Uncle, I was confused for a moment..." Zhang Ping said with a mournful face, "What should we do now? Lang Wenping is so unreasonable, and Wu Zhiyuan won't let go."

If they really investigate this thoroughly, I'm finished!

"I'll figure something out about the county discipline inspection commission." Zhang Xiaotian paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back. "Although Lang Wenping is tough, he's not all-powerful."

I can also speak on behalf of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The key is yourself; you need to stay calm and not panic! Also—"

He stared at Zhang Ping: "From now on, you better keep your head down and behave yourself!"

Try to refund part of the money that should be refunded, just to make a gesture.

Cut off all contact with those you shouldn't associate with!

Try to avoid working in Xindian Town and minimize your presence as much as possible.

I'll try to find a way to transfer you away from Xindian Town as soon as possible, away from this troublesome place.

When someone is no longer in a position of authority, there is often room for maneuver.

"Transferred? To where?"

"You don't need to worry about that, I'll handle it." Zhang Xiaotian waved his hand. "You can go back now, but remember what I said."

Behave yourself lately, don't cause trouble, and don't call me again. I'll contact you if anything happens.

Zhang Ping left, expressing his deepest gratitude.

In the study, Zhang Xiaotian sat alone, looking at the four large characters "清正廉明" (meaning "upright and honest") on the wall.

Honest and upright? Easier said than done!

After being immersed in this dye vat for decades, who hasn't gotten a little tainted?

While his protection of Zhang Ping was partly due to familial ties, wasn't he also protecting himself in the process?

If Zhang Ping falls, it's hard to guarantee that more people won't be implicated, and more old stories won't be revealed.

This pool of water should not be stirred up too much.

However, despite his cunning, Zhang Xiaotian underestimated two things: Zhang Ping's lustful audacity and stupidity, and Wu Zhiyuan and Lang Wenping's determination to get to the bottom of things.

The day after Zhang Ping visited Zhang Xiaotian, the phone on Lang Wenping's desk rang. It was a deputy secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection calling: "Wenping, I've heard something about the case in Xindian Town. It's not easy to train grassroots cadres."

When handling cases, it is important to pay attention to methods and approaches, especially to the unity of political, social, and disciplinary effects.

Some things, once investigated and clarified, are achievements; however, if the investigation is rushed or handled improperly, it may also cause unnecessary turmoil.

You should prioritize stability and be mindful of protecting the enthusiasm of your cadres for work and innovation.

Lang Wenping knew that this phone call was undoubtedly due to pressure from Zhang Xiaotian's line.

He responded respectfully, "The leader's instructions are very important. We will definitely understand them carefully and proceed with the investigation in accordance with laws and regulations, in a steady and prudent manner."

Please rest assured, leaders, the county discipline inspection commission will definitely adhere to the policies and appropriate boundaries.

After hanging up the phone, Lang Wenping called the head of the investigation team to his office and gave him instructions in person:

"From now on, investigations will be more covert, the pace can be slightly slower, but the intensity cannot be reduced, and the standards cannot be lowered. In short, be tight internally but lenient externally."

The key tasks are as follows: First, conduct thorough analysis of the bank statements and real estate information of Zhang Ping and his specific associate Wang Qingyan, to find out the final destination and actual controller of each suspicious fund.

Second, conduct an external investigation into Qingshan Consulting Company to ascertain the nature of its economic dealings with Zhang Ping and secure evidence of bribery.

Third, the testimony of Li Yongfu, the project manager of Yonggu Construction Project, should be carefully verified and recorded, and audio or video recordings or other physical evidence of his bribery should be obtained as much as possible.

Fourth, we must intensify our talks with Zhao Weizhong, director of the Urban Construction Office of Xindian Town, and Liu Shuang, deputy mayor, and use policy persuasion to try to break through their defenses and obtain key testimonies pointing to Zhang Ping.

Remember, all evidence collection must be strictly regulated, with complete documentation, and able to withstand any scrutiny!

Despite knowing that the Discipline Inspection Commission was investigating, Zhang Ping's lustful desires remained undiminished. That night, he booked a room at a hotel in the county town and called over Jiang Furong's daughter, Jiang Shan.

This was the second time Zhang Ping had met with Jiang Shan alone.

The last time was also at this hotel.

Just as things were getting heated, Jiang Shan said her period had started.

I don't know if they're really coming or just pretending.

At least it gave Zhang Ping some hope.

The thought of Jiang Shan's youthful and voluptuous figure filled Zhang Ping with excitement.

Jiang Shan arrived as promised.

She was clearly dressed up carefully.

Her chestnut-brown long hair was styled into fashionable big waves and loosely draped over her shoulders.

Her face was covered in exquisite makeup, and she wore lipstick, but it wasn't bright red.

She was wearing a black, tight-fitting knitted mini-skirt that barely covered her upper thighs, outlining her full breasts and slender waist, with her long legs encased in black stockings.

The Jiang Shan before my eyes was completely different from the intern nurse who usually wore a pink nurse's uniform and a nurse's cap.

She was beautiful, sexy, and exuded a maturity and avant-garde that seemed beyond her years, with a bold gaze.

Zhang Ping stared intently at Jiang Shan for a good few seconds. Youth is truly wonderful.

"Uncle Zhang, watch your eyes!" Jiang Shan chuckled and reminded him.

"Jiang Shan, you are so beautiful, so youthful and radiant. I feel old standing next to you."

Zhang Ping is actually not old; he's only in his thirties.

"Uncle Zhang, you're not old at all," Jiang Shan said with a grin.

Zhang Ping corrected him, "Call me Brother Zhang! If you call me Uncle, how can I not look old?"

"Hehe, Brother Zhang, it's my fault."

"If you're wrong, you have to accept the punishment!" Zhang Ping grinned mischievously.

"Brother Zhang, you're not going to punish me, are you?"

"Hehe, I'll punish you tonight, who told you to yell like that!"

"Okay, Brother Zhang, how about I perform a belly dance for you?"

"Jiang Shan, I've already spoken to friends in the Personnel Bureau and the Health Commission. This year, the county hospital is recruiting nurses with artistic talents. They need to have artistic skills and a good image and temperament. This will eliminate a large number of competitors, greatly increasing your chances of getting the job."

"Brother Zhang, you know I'm not good at academic subjects, even if three people can pass the exam."

"I'm not sure I can pass either." Jiang Shan pouted and said coquettishly, "Brother Zhang, you have to help me get ashore no matter what. I don't want to be a temporary worker, I want a permanent position."