Chapter 130: Strict Investigation and Prosecution!

"Solidify it?"

Wei Chonghu’s expression shifted slightly after hearing Guan Mushan’s words. This was a signal for a harsh, uncompromising crackdown.

"Secretary, shouldn't we deliberate a bit further?" Wei asked tentatively, continuing, "We have already issued reports on over a dozen cases, all of which have caused quite a stir. We really need to gauge the attitude of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government."

"Comrade Chonghu, that’s enough." Guan Mushan interrupted him with a wave of his hand before he could finish. Having been at the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection for a month and a half, he was finally showing his decisive, autocratic side. As the Secretary of the Municipal Commission, he had to be resolute; when it was time to strike, he had to strike. Opportunities like this were fleeting.

"Our Commission is not a subordinate branch of the Municipal Party Committee or the Municipal Government. We are a municipal-level department under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, and we possess independence in our work."

"We must fully utilize our authority for peer supervision, diligently implement the directives of the Central and Provincial Commissions for Discipline Inspection, ensure our supervisory work is concrete, rigorous, and authentic, and handle anti-corruption efforts with meticulous care."

"When cases involve officials at the deputy departmental level, we must report to the Provincial Commission in a timely manner. But until such a level is involved, we must fully exercise our independence in handling cases."

"Let’s handle this matter as decided. Comrade Chonghu, although the famous words of the Ming Dynasty’s Yu Shaobao were spoken centuries ago, they remain applicable to our work today. Secretary Su of the Provincial Commission once said them to me, and today, I pass them on to you: 'Fear not the crushing of bones or the shattering of the body, so long as I leave my purity in this world!'"

"Su Tongzhou, Liu Shan, you two must ensure these instructions are implemented thoroughly. That is all. Dismissed."

Guan Mushan had made his decision, wasting no more breath. Wei Chonghu nodded, stood up, and turned to leave, his lips moving as he silently recited the poem. As the top leader, Guan Mushan certainly wouldn't have mentioned those lines without a reason. If Provincial Secretary Su had shared them with Guan, it meant the old leader held high hopes for him. Now, Guan was passing that same sentiment to Wei, implying that he, too, held high hopes for him.

Wei felt as though he had grasped something significant, yet it remained just out of reach. By the time he left, he didn't even hear Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan greeting him as he headed straight toward his own office.

Su and Liu stood in the corridor and exchanged a glance. "Old Su, what now?" Liu Shan asked, frowning. Su looked at Wei’s retreating back, then toward the office of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Secretary. This was not a matter of choosing sides. As cadres within the Commission, they had to implement every order from their Secretary with absolute rigor. Even Wei Chonghu, the Deputy Secretary, had to fully support it.

"Obey orders. We will interrogate Zhao Pengcheng ourselves. We must ensure the interrogation is thorough, solidify the case, and make it airtight!" Having made his decision, Su turned and walked away. Liu Shan followed without a word.

After leaving the building, the two took a car to the secret hotel designated by the Commission. Half an hour later, inside Room 101, Lü Yanqing sat to the side, serving as the recorder, diligently taking notes. Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan sat on either side of Zhao Pengcheng.

Seeing two deputy-division-level cadres from the Commission conducting the interrogation personally, Zhao felt a wave of panic. *What is happening? Wasn't my case supposed to be closed? Why this sudden turn of events? And why are two high-ranking officials handling it themselves?*

He recalled a question Yang Dong had asked him a few days prior: "Are you still hoping for divine protection? The gods might not even be able to save themselves." As a deputy-division-level cadre, he understood the implication all too well. At the time, he had truly believed that his "patron" would not abandon such a devout follower. But now, with Su and Liu facing him, he was truly terrified.

"Zhao Pengcheng, we aren't personally acquainted, but I have known of you for a long time," Su said with a smile, engaging him in casual conversation rather than diving straight into the interrogation. With over twenty years of experience in the Discipline Commission, handling a "sly old fox" like Zhao was well within his capabilities.

"Is that so? I have also long admired you, Director Su." Zhao, of course, recognized Su. As a Deputy Minister of the Municipal Organization Department, he was very familiar with deputy-division-level cadres in the city, as their appointments and transfers required his department’s oversight. He had seen Su's file multiple times.

"Zhao, since you know me, does my presence here put you under any pressure?" Su asked, smiling kindly. Zhao remained vigilant, his palms sweating, but he forced himself to maintain his composure. They were both deputy-division-level cadres; he couldn't afford to show weakness.

"I’ve already confessed everything I could. I feel quite lighthearted now. Why would I be under any pressure?" Zhao replied, feigning relaxation.

Su lowered his head, looked at Zhao's previous testimony, and then, with a darkened expression, asked, "Then explain this: why does your son’s account in the UK transfer 50,000 Euros every month to a US account? And it just so happens that the holder of this US account is also an overseas student. Zhao Pengcheng, start explaining."

Su stared sharply at him, striking the vital point immediately. While the lower-level team leaders like Yang Dong lacked the authority to investigate overseas accounts, as deputy leaders of the investigative group, Su and Liu could apply for such authorization. Since Secretary Guan wanted this case "solidified," they had to deliver results. If not for Guan’s firm stance, the Commission would never have bothered with such an investigation, and the case would have ended with Zhao. But with the new directive, they were going to chase the trail wherever it led.

Zhao’s face turned deathly pale, drained of all color. He nearly collapsed from his seat, and a member of the First Special Task Force, Xiao Li, had to reach out to steady him. Zhao’s heart hammered, his lips trembling. It was over. It was truly over. Not only had his son’s account been discovered, but they had also traced it to the account of their leader's son.

"Zhao Pengcheng, are you still going to hold out? We’ve reached the overseas accounts; we clearly have the evidence. You worked in the Shiyuan Municipal Commission for years; you know how this works. Stop stalling. Speak!"

Su’s aggressive interrogation style was on full display. Watching him, Lü Yanqing couldn't help but recall how Yang Dong had interrogated Zhao days ago—the same confidence, the same style. But there was still a gap—a gap in qualifications, seniority, and rank. If Yang Dong held Su’s rank and position, he would surely do even better. Lü felt a pang of regret for Yang Dong, unaware that the very man he was pitying had just received a new assignment.