inspire-indiana Chapter 1116 Zhao Lichun's Choice
Chapter 1116 Zhao Lichun's Choice
Having received this assurance, Lü Liang's expression relaxed slightly. After much deliberation, he finally spoke slowly:
"Frankly speaking, I don't have any concrete evidence as to whether Hou Liangping and Governor Zhao achieved any ulterior political motives or whether they used the anti-corruption campaign to eliminate dissidents. I dare not speak recklessly or make any arbitrary judgments. This is the basic professional conduct of a prosecutor."
But one thing I can be sure of is that Comrade Hou Liangping's investigation in Handong has always been smooth sailing and unimpeded.
Hou Liangping was able to handle many cases that others couldn't handle, couldn't touch, or couldn't investigate.
Hou Liangping dared to provoke or confront many people that others dared not mess with.
There was even a provincial standing committee member who was brought down because of Comrade Hou Liangping's anti-corruption work.
After saying that, as if remembering something, Lü Liang quickly clarified again, "Director Zhong, please don't misunderstand. I am not implying anything, nor am I making any malicious speculations. I am just objectively stating a phenomenon that I have personally witnessed and experienced."
I personally believe that the fight against corruption should be impartial, and all those involved, regardless of their status or background, should be thoroughly investigated.
Of course, there should be no favoritism or bias, and it should not become a tool for individual leading cadres to eliminate dissidents, seize political capital, and achieve their power goals.
However, power struggles are not something that people at our level can fully understand or interfere with.
All I can do is stick to my post, adhere to judicial procedures, and uphold the bottom line of the law, without overstepping boundaries, blindly following others, going with the flow, or taking sides.
As for how others act and exercise their power, their duties and authority are beyond my control, and I have no ability to manage that.
After saying that, Lü Liang sighed softly, his face showing a self-protective look, unwilling to delve deeper into the topic. "Alright, Director Zhong, that's all I know, can say, and dare to say."
The remaining truth and the remaining questions still need to be carefully investigated and rigorously verified by the organization.
I only ask that... the organization handles everything impartially, does not wrong a good comrade who upholds principles, and does not let any hidden dangers or corrupt elements lurking in the cadre ranks go unpunished.
Seeing this, Zhong Xiaoai didn't press Lü Liang to continue. She asked a few more trivial questions and then took her leave.
Lü Liang rose to see him off, and the two shook hands in farewell as they left.
"Comrade Lü Liang, thank you for your righteous words today. We will stay in Handong for a few more days. Please contact us again if you have any new developments."
"Ok."
Watching Zhong Xiaoai walk towards the elevator, Lü Liang seemed to suddenly remember something and called out to her, "Director Zhong, actually, if you really want to understand the true situation of our Handong Province and our Provincial Procuratorate, you'd better find someone."
He is highly experienced, respected, outspoken, and upright. Having dedicated his life to the political and legal system in Handong, I believe he can offer you many honest answers.
Zhong Xiaoai's eyes narrowed, and she immediately asked, "Oh? Who is he?"
Lü Liang spoke firmly, enunciating each word clearly: "Former Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate—Chen Yanshi, Old Chen."
……
Building No. 2, where Zhao Lichun resides, is the best-located and highest-standard detached building in the provincial party committee compound. The courtyard is secluded and the decoration is luxurious, exuding the majesty and grandeur of a person in a high position.
At this moment, the study on the second floor was still brightly lit, with warm yellow light shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows, drawing out a bright area in the night and forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding darkness.
Zhao Lichun's relentless work ethic was well-known throughout the officialdom of Handong.
Throughout his nearly seven years as governor, he always presented himself as "diligent," and the light in his study was rarely turned off before midnight.
Whether reviewing documents, planning work, receiving confidants, or strategizing, he habitually did all of this in his study. This was the core position where he controlled the political situation in Handong, and also his private space where he weighed the gains and losses of power.
Behind the large, heavy rosewood desk, Zhao Lichun leaned back in an expensive leather chair, a top-quality Cuban cigar between his fingers, but he didn't light it.
For some reason, he felt uneasy all day, his eyelids twitching frequently, as if something terrible was about to happen, as if an invisible crisis was quietly approaching him.
His intuition has always been very sharp.
He was in this state when his daughter Zhao Xiaoya had her accident.
This is the experience gained from decades of navigating the storms of officialdom.
He mentally reviewed everything that had happened in Handong recently.
Just then, the red secure telephone on the desk suddenly rang sharply without warning!
"Ring ring—ring ring—"
The urgent and shrill ringing of the bell sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet study, like a clap of thunder.
Zhao Lichun straightened up instantly, his previous lazy, half-reclined posture vanished in an instant, replaced by extreme respect and tension. He reached for the microphone with both hands and feet and responded softly.
This number, this time, this top-secret red hotline—there could be no one else but that old leader who was about to retire, who held his career in his hands and promoted him all the way to the position of governor of Handong Province.
This old leader was his only backer in the central government, the key to his smooth ascension to the position of provincial party secretary, and his greatest source of confidence in his official career.
"Old boss, it's so late, aren't you resting yet?"
"It's the beginning of spring, and I'm not in the mood to rest." The old leader on the other end of the phone had a hoarse but serious voice: "By the way, Lichun, what has your son-in-law Hou Liangping been busy with lately?"
A sense of foreboding rose in Zhao Lichun's heart.
"He's always investigating cases, he can't stay idle," Zhao Lichun said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"Can't you stay idle? Is the corruption problem in Handong that serious?" The tone on the other end of the phone became even more serious.
Zhao Lichun's heart skipped a beat, but he still habitually criticized his competitor: "Old leader, as you know, Handong has been slow to move forward in recent years because the problem of corruption has not been dealt with severely enough."
Ultimately, it all comes down to Comrade Ji Yun…
"Hey! Why are you blaming Comrade Jiyun again?" The old leader interrupted Zhao Lichun sharply, his tone clearly angry. "Lichun, can't we talk about principles and Party spirit? Huh?"
You've fooled others, are you going to fool this old man too? Do you think I don't know what you're up to?"
"No, old leader, what are you talking about? I really don't understand what you mean." Zhao Lichun pretended to be confused.
"Stop pretending!" The old leader's voice suddenly rose, filled with barely suppressed anger. "It's the beginning of spring, the fire is already at its wits' end, how long are you going to keep up this act? Huh!"
Zhao Lichun immediately shut up, not daring to breathe, like a child who had made a mistake facing a stern elder, his fear and panic reaching their peak.
No, what exactly happened?
After a long silence, the anger on the other end of the phone subsided slightly, but the tone remained heavy and cold: "Lichun, in principle, I do not oppose your support for anti-corruption and the investigation of corruption cases. This is a good thing and a necessary measure to clean up the cadre ranks."
But we can't make a huge fuss or cause a public uproar, and we certainly can't use the name of anti-corruption to eliminate dissidents, cultivate private cliques, or stir up the political situation!
Do you know how many people have signed a petition to sue you? It has already alarmed several important comrades in the central government!
This afternoon, Comrade Zhong Wei called me and said something inexplicable. He said that the anti-corruption work in Handong has been very effective recently. At first, I was confused and didn't know what he meant.
Later, a colleague from the Discipline Inspection Commission informed me, and I finally understood—the materials reporting you and your son-in-law Hou Liangping had already been sent to the National Discipline Inspection Commission!
Tell me, how did you become the governor? Huh? Seven years in charge of Handong Province, how could you be so lacking in discretion, so unrestrained, so blind to the situation? Huh!
Zhao Lichun's heart sank, his face turned deathly pale, and his hand holding the microphone began to tremble slightly. His voice was filled with disbelief and astonishment: "Old leader, what whistleblower letter? How come I have no idea about it? Who is maliciously framing me behind the scenes?"
"You say you're using the anti-corruption campaign to eliminate your rivals? Hmph, whether it's a malicious accusation or something real, you know the answer in your heart."
The old leader's tone became increasingly serious:
"Let me tell you, the investigation team has been secretly stationed in Handong for several days now. I've heard they've already gathered quite a few clues, and many things seem to be plausible. The chain of evidence is gradually being completed. You'll just have to wait for Comrade Zhong Wei to personally talk to you!"
Zhao Lichun was completely stunned, his mind blank. After a long while, he finally reacted and hurriedly said into the microphone, "Old leader, this...this is simply absurd! It's a malicious accusation! It's a political frame-up!"
Liangping and I are wholeheartedly dedicated to public service and fighting corruption for the people. We have absolutely no intention of abusing our power for personal gain or eliminating dissidents. You must believe me!
"Whether it's true or just nonsense, none of that matters," the old leader said. "Even accusations that you're eliminating dissidents and manipulating power, none of that matters."
The important thing is that this happened at this specific time! Be vigilant on the day of Lichun (the beginning of spring)!
The Central Committee was not very satisfied with your and Comrade Jiyun's work over the years, and there was constant criticism from the outside world. They said that you were too domineering and autocratic and did not know your place.
It was me who, despite my pride, spoke well of you to some key leaders, going to great lengths to finally persuade them to let you try serving as the provincial party secretary for one term.
But now, this incident has happened, and there's criticism everywhere, and opinions are directed at you from all sides.
"If things continue like this, I think your coveted position as provincial party secretary is in jeopardy! It's even uncertain whether you can keep your current governorship!"
"Old leader, I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!" Upon hearing that his position as provincial party secretary was in jeopardy, Zhao Lichun completely lost his composure. All his calmness and dignity vanished, leaving only endless fear and pleading. "It was my negligence, I failed to consider the overall situation, I have caused you trouble and held you back. You must help me! You can't abandon me!"
Seeing that he had finally given in, the old leader softened his tone slightly, but still maintained an unquestionable authority: "Saving people also depends on how they save themselves. Lichun, there's only so much I can do to help you; the key is what you do yourself."
As if grasping at the last straw, Zhao Lichun pleaded desperately into the microphone, "Old leader, please show me the way, and I will do it! Even if it means going through fire and water, I will have no complaints!"
The old leader was silent for a moment: "There is no clear way out, but there is a way to sacrifice the pawn to save the king."
Zhao Lichun instantly understood his old leader's unspoken meaning: "You mean... we have to sacrifice Liangping?"
"That's all we can do," the old leader said indifferently. "Make your son-in-law make some sacrifices and take on all the criticism and responsibility."
You are well-versed in literature and should be familiar with the story of Chao Cuo's execution.
Now, both those above and those in Handong need an outlet for their anger, and they need someone to take responsibility for all the mistakes. You have to satisfy them.
In short, it doesn't matter whether your son-in-law Hou Liangping has any problems, nor does it matter whether the cases he investigates are legal or procedural.
The most important thing is whether you can successfully rise to power and hold onto the position of provincial party secretary! Your career, your power, and your future are what truly matter!
"Do you understand what I mean?" the old leader asked rhetorically.
Zhao Lichun hesitated for a moment, his subconscious instinct being to plead: "Old leader, can't we replace him with someone else? The Anti-Corruption Bureau has so many deputy directors and so many cadres, can't we just find anyone to fill the position? Why do we have to touch Liangping..."
“How can anyone else be worthy?!” The old leader immediately interrupted him, his tone sharp and displeased. “What? Zhao Lichun, you’re reluctant to part with him? Reluctant to part with your good son-in-law?”
Zhao Lichun quickly explained, his voice tinged with helplessness: "It's not that I'm reluctant, old leader, you know, my son is a good-for-nothing, a hopeless case. I'm planning to groom Hou Liangping as my successor, to help him get things going so he can take over my job in the future, so..."
"So? Lichun, I really don't know whether to praise you for being loyal and righteous or to criticize you for being so muddle-headed and unable to see the important things!" The old leader's tone was full of disappointment. "You are the governor of a province with tens of millions of people, and you have been in power for decades. How come you don't even understand the most basic principle of weighing the pros and cons in officialdom?"
Successors are a matter for the future. If they hinder your further advancement and prevent you from becoming the top leader of Handong Province, then what need do you have for a successor?
Moreover, as far as I know, your son-in-law is only in his early thirties, right? At this age, he has already served as the director of the anti-corruption bureau at the division level for several years. His career path is much smoother than most people's, which is already quite outstanding.
To put it bluntly, even if we suppress him now, suspend him, investigate, and leave him idle for ten or eight years, it's not too late to promote him again! It won't delay him much!