Official excuse: I was sent to work at the grassroots level for training, and Hou Liangping arrested

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Three days later, Zheng Guangtian turned himself in and confessed to all the crimes.

This includes the $3.43 million in bribes he received from Zhao Xiaosheng, as well as 100 apartments and 100 mistresses.

Upon learning this news, Lin Yunfei's expression remained largely unchanged. He calmly instructed, "Old Yan, immediately organize a special task force to verify Zheng Guangtian's confession point by point, especially the financial transactions and real estate information. We must work with banks, housing management departments, and other relevant agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation to ensure that every piece of evidence can withstand scrutiny."

Yan Guohua accepted the order and left, while Lin Yunfei stood alone by the window, gazing at the distant sky, pondering to himself that although this anti-corruption storm had already stirred up a storm, the follow-up work was still arduous.

At this time, the atmosphere inside the Public Security Bureau remained tense and serious, with each team working intensively.

Lin Yunfei knew that although a major victory had been achieved and many of Zhao's protectors had been arrested, the Zhao family had been entrenched for many years and there might still be more unknown secrets and networks of relationships hidden behind them.

Yan Guohua led the task force members to act swiftly. They split into several groups: one went to the bank to retrieve Zheng Guangtian's financial records and carefully compared them with the information in the ledgers; another group went to the housing management department to verify the specific details of the 100 commercial apartments, including the purchase time and source of funds; and a third group was responsible for sorting out the information on the 100 mistresses that Zheng Guangtian confessed to, trying to find more clues related to the Zhao family.

Inside the bank, the staff were impressed by the serious attitude of the task force and fully cooperated with the investigation, quickly obtaining detailed transaction records for multiple accounts under Zheng Guangtian's name.

The task force meticulously examined each transaction, leaving no suspicious case unchecked. After several days and nights of hard work, they discovered that several large sums of money had flowed into several shell companies, all of which seemed to have intricate connections to the Zhao family's businesses.

After careful investigation, the staff of the housing management department confirmed the existence of the 100 commercial housing units and found that most of them were purchased in other people's names, but the funds came from accounts related to Zheng Guangtian or the Zhao family.

These properties are located in different cities; some are rented out, while others are left vacant, clearly intended to conceal assets.

Meanwhile, the work of sorting out information on 100 mistresses is also progressing with difficulty.

Because a large number of people were involved, and many were unwilling to cooperate with the investigation, the task force members had to spend a lot of time and energy doing ideological work.

However, through persistent efforts, they still managed to obtain some important information from some of the mistresses, several of whom mentioned that they had heard Zheng Guangtian talk about some things related to the Zhao family's high-level decision-making.

Yan Guohua promptly reported these investigation results to Lin Yunfei. After listening, Lin Yunfei pondered for a moment and said, "Old Yan, these clues are very important. We need to follow these clues and dig deeper. We might find a bigger conspiracy behind the Zhao family. At the same time, we must be careful to protect the safety of those who provided these clues and prevent them from being retaliated against."

Yan Guohua nodded and said, "Understood, Vice Governor Lin. I have arranged for someone to protect them. Next, we plan to summon and question those shell companies and people involved in real estate."

.....

"Secretary Sha, I am reporting to the Provincial Party Committee that we have successfully dismantled the Zhao family in Changwu, a criminal smuggling and drug trafficking group that had been entrenched for many years."

"All the 'protective umbrellas' have been brought down, including one vice-ministerial level official, two department-level officials, and one deputy department-level official."

"15 people at the level of division chief."

Lin Yunfei took the time to report the victory to Sha Ruijin via video.

On the other end of the video call, Sha Ruijin showed a gratified yet serious expression. He nodded slightly and said, "Comrade Lin Yunfei, you did a very good job in this operation. You have removed a major scourge for the Party and the people. This deserves recognition and praise."

"However, we cannot slacken our efforts in the follow-up work. We must ensure that the entire case is handled with irrefutable evidence so that every criminal who violates the law receives the punishment he deserves."

Lin Yunfei responded solemnly, "Secretary Sha, rest assured, we will uphold a rigorous and responsible attitude and do a thorough and meticulous job in the subsequent investigation, evidence collection, and trial, leaving no detail overlooked."

Sha Ruijin praised them, then said, "Good, keep up the good work. The provincial party committee will continue to monitor the progress of the case. If you encounter any difficulties, please report them to the higher authorities in a timely manner, and we will overcome them together."

Lin Yunfei said firmly, "Understood, Secretary Sha. We will certainly live up to the trust and expectations of the organization and resolutely complete this arduous and glorious task."

After hanging up the video call, Lin Yunfei immediately summoned the members of the task force, conveyed Sha Ruijin's instructions, and further deployed the next steps. Everyone expressed their determination to do their utmost to make the case an ironclad one that can withstand the test of history.

209. Zhao Lichun called, and Lin Yunfei decisively said no.

209. Zhao Lichun called, and Lin Yunfei decisively said no.

Lin Yunfei immediately summoned the members of the task force and conveyed Sha Ruijin's instructions.

Lin Yunfei's gaze was sharp, and he said firmly, "We must act swiftly and strictly follow Secretary Sha's instructions. No detail can be overlooked, and we must ensure the mission is successfully completed."

The task force members nodded in agreement, understanding the urgency and importance of the mission.

"Comrades, the Party and the people will not forget you. The darkness of Changwu City will finally be replaced by light."

"Zheng Guangtian's crimes are heinous and beyond description. 3.43 million US dollars, 100 apartments, 100 mistresses, he is simply a beast."

Lin Yunfei shouted emphatically, questioning, "How dare a retired deputy director of the provincial CPPCC accept bribes of 343 million US dollars?"

"We must get this money back. Every single penny must be counted."

"Old Yan, someone's going to interrogate Zheng Guangtian."

"Chang Zheng! Take two men with you to interrogate your biological mother, Han Ya."

Lin Yunfei stretched out his left and right hands, pointing at Yan Guohua and Chang Zheng respectively.

Yan Guohua and Chang Zheng responded simultaneously, their eyes revealing determination and resolve. Yan Guohua immediately stood up and said, "Vice Governor Lin, I will go and prepare to interrogate Zheng Guangtian right away. I will definitely get to the bottom of the matter."

Chang Zheng also stood up, took a deep breath, and said, "Director Lin, I'm going to interrogate my biological mother. No matter the outcome, I will handle it impartially."

Lin Yunfei nodded slightly and continued, "Everyone must pay attention to safety during the operation and report any emergencies immediately. This time, we not only want to thoroughly investigate Zheng Guangtian's crimes and recover that huge sum of money, but also to restore peace to Changwu City and give the government and the people a satisfactory explanation."

The members of the task force all expressed their commitment to doing their best, and then got busy preparing for the upcoming interrogation.

. . . . . .

Yan Guohua and Chang Zheng quickly left the conference room, their hearts heavy but their steps firm.

They know that the scales of justice must not be tipped, and even when faced with tests of kinship and power, they must remain true to their original aspirations and restore a bright and just world to Changwu City.

Yan Guohua strode toward the interrogation room, his mind racing with all sorts of possible excuses Zheng Guangtian might make. He silently reminded himself to stay calm and not be fooled by the other party's sweet talk.

Chang Zheng walked with a heavy step toward the place where Han Ya was being held. He was filled with mixed feelings. His own mother was involved in such a serious case, but he was even more aware of the responsibilities and mission he had to shoulder.

Upon arriving at the interrogation room, Yan Guohua took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went inside. He was determined to extract all the crucial information from Zheng Guangtian with the utmost professionalism and rigorous logic.

Chang Zheng also stopped in front of the room where Han Ya was being held. He composed himself, his eyes becoming incredibly resolute, before pushing open the door, ready to face this difficult but necessary interrogation.

. . . . .

Inside the interrogation room, Zheng Guangtian was pale. When faced with Yan Guohua's questions, his eyes flickered, and he tried to avoid the questions.

"I...I've said everything I needed to say."

Yan Guohua's expression was serious, his square face stern: "Zheng Guangtian, you accepted bribes of 3.43 million US dollars and kept 100 mistresses."

"Because a large number of people are involved, many women... are unwilling to cooperate with our investigation."

Zheng Guangtian was speechless, and roared, "What does that have to do with me?"

"If they don't want to cooperate, that's their problem."

boom!

"Zheng Guangtian, don't think that just because you turned yourself in, you can get a suspended sentence? Or even be released on bail?"

Yan Guohua flew into a rage, slammed his hand on the table, and shouted.

. . .

Chang Zheng, on the other side, calmly observed Han Ya and began asking questions with a firm tone. Both of them knew that this contest had only just begun.

"The prisoner's name?"

Han Ya, dressed in prison uniform and handcuffed, looked at him with a responsible gaze: "Han Ya."

"Gender?" Chang Zheng continued to ask.

Han Ya: "Female."

Chang Zheng stared intently at Han Ya, his eyes sharp, and then asked, "Age?"

Han Ya was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Forty-eight."

As Chang Zheng was taking notes on the paper, he asked, "Do you know what crime you are suspected of?"

Han Ya lowered his head slightly, his voice low and deep: "Suspected of accepting bribes and harboring criminals."

Chang Zheng nodded and continued to press, "Could you elaborate on the specific amount of the bribes and which projects they involved?"

Han Ya took a deep breath and said, "The amount of bribes is probably several million yuan. It mainly comes from dealings with Zhao Xiaosheng's companies. They gave me money, and I gave them the green light in some policy approvals."

Chang Zheng frowned and asked again, "Then what about harboring criminals? Whom did you harbor, and what crime did they commit?"

A struggle flashed in Han Ya's eyes before he slowly said, "I protected... Zhao Xiaosheng and Tieshi Mining. I know he did a lot of illegal and disorderly things, but for some complicated reasons, I didn't expose him in time."

Chang Zheng gripped his pen tightly and continued to press for details: "What are the reasons for these complexities? Is it due to your personal relationship, or are there other unspeakable secrets?"

Han Ya was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts, before saying, "There are personal factors involved, Chang Zheng, don't blame your mother. When I got pregnant with you... because I was worried about my reputation, I gave birth to you and entrusted you to my best friend, Lin Bai, who is also your adoptive mother."

"Moreover, I was also worried that if I exposed him, it would implicate me, so I kept hesitating."

After Chang Zheng finished recording, he looked up and said seriously, "Han Ya, you must now truthfully confess all the issues and strive for leniency. Any concealment or sophistry will not do you any good."

Han Ya nodded and said, "I know, I will tell you everything I know."

. . . . . .

At the same time, Lin Yunfei received a mysterious phone call.

"Comrade Yunfei, this is Zhao Lichun."

Lin Yunfei was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Secretary Zhao, hello. I think we have no work-related contact."

On the other end of the phone came Zhao Lichun's voice, which was slightly authoritative yet trying to be conciliatory: "Comrade Yunfei, there are some things I would like to discuss with you in person, which are also very important for the development of Changwu City."

Lin Yunfei's gaze was cold and stern. Without hesitation, he decisively said, "Secretary Zhao, if it's about Zhao Xiaosheng's case or other illegal or disciplinary matters, then there's no need to discuss it."

"We are now handling the case in accordance with the law, and any attempt to interfere with the handling of the case will not succeed."

Zhao Lichun seemed surprised that Lin Yunfei would refuse so directly. After a pause, he said, "Comrade Yunfei, don't be so impulsive. There are some situations you may not understand. This involves many complex relationships and interests."

Lin Yunfei responded firmly and righteously, "Secretary Zhao, no matter what complex relationships or interests are involved, we must yield to the law and justice. We will not give up our fight against illegal and criminal activities because of any external pressure. Changwu City needs true fairness and justice, not darkness obscured by power and interests."

Zhao Lichun sounded annoyed on the other end of the phone: "Lin Yunfei, don't be ungrateful. Doing this won't do you any good."

Lin Yunfei, undaunted, declared loudly, "Secretary Zhao, I, Lin Yunfei, am only responsible to the Party and the people, and I only recognize the law and justice."

"If I am retaliated against for upholding principles, I will have no regrets. I want to see who can cover up the truth and stop us from cracking down on illegal and criminal activities."

After saying that, Lin Yunfei hung up the phone, his eyes revealing unwavering determination. He then immediately contacted members of the task force.

They were informed of potential external interference and were asked to remain at their posts, strictly adhere to legal procedures, and ensure that the investigation was not affected in any way.

210. Lin Hu made a move and summoned Zhao Ruilong.

210. Lin Hu made a move and summoned Zhao Ruilong.

Lin Yunfei was still a little uneasy, so he decided to stay in his own office. He picked up the red secure landline and dialed a number.

This number belongs to his father, Lin Hu.

"Hey. Calling me so late, you brat. Don't you know I need to rest tonight?" Lin Hu's voice was steady and strong on the other end of the phone.