blogombal Page 194
Page 194
"I never imagined that you, the handsome son-in-law with thick eyebrows and big eyes, the Marquis of Changxin... would actually accept bribes."
"And it's two million nine hundred and ninety thousand."
Why 2.99 million?
So, do readers think there might be a deeper meaning behind this 2.99 million?
The answer is yes. First, let's analyze it rationally.
According to the criminal law of the Han Dynasty, the punishment for embezzlement and bribery was divided into three levels, and the third level, which was the most serious, stipulated a fine of three million!
In other words, embezzlement and bribery amounting to three million or more are considered particularly large sums and are punishable by imprisonment of ten years or more, or life imprisonment. If the impact is egregious, it may even result in the death penalty.
Hou Liangping accepted bribes of 2.99 million yuan, which was just below the 3 million yuan threshold, clearly a calculated move intended to evade the most severe punishment.
In this way, even if Hou Liangping's misconduct is exposed and investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, it will not be a problem.
At most, he faces life imprisonment, not the death penalty.
However, the loopholes in the law cannot conceal the decline of morality.
Zhao Lichun picked up the red secure phone and personally dialed Chen Shi, the secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. "Secretary Chen, I have important materials here that involve... Hou Liangping, the deputy chief prosecutor of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate... accepting bribes of 2.99 million yuan."
Zhao Lichun's fatal blow came when he personally reported the matter, escalating it to the point that Chen Shi, the Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, became aware of it.
Because Chen Shi is a man who cannot tolerate any wrongdoing.
Most importantly, Chen Shi is not a member of the Zhong family and has no connection with Hou Liangping, so the matter will be handled fairly.
Chen Shi, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, answered the phone, his brows furrowed, and said in a deep voice, "Committee Member Zhao, are you sure... the evidence is conclusive? Moreover, shouldn't this Hou Liangping be Secretary Zhong's son-in-law?"
"Yes, Secretary Chen, the evidence is conclusive. Although Hou Liangping is Secretary Zhong's son-in-law, the law is impartial. I have clear evidence that Hou Liangping has taken advantage of his position to accept bribes on multiple occasions, involving 2.99 million yuan."
Zhao Lichun spoke slowly, his expression extremely serious. "Secretary Chen, this matter concerns judicial fairness and must not be tolerated. I have compiled all the evidence and it is ready to be handed over at any time. Please... personally supervise the process and give Handong Province and even the whole country a clear explanation."
"Okay, Commissioner Zhao. I'll send my trusted secretary to your house. Please hand over the evidence to him."
Zhao Lichun nodded, secretly relieved. He knew this move was extremely risky, but it was also a last resort.
Chen Shi's brows furrowed instantly, his eyes revealing seriousness and determination. He knew this matter was no small thing. Hou Liangping, as the deputy chief prosecutor of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate, should have been a defender of the law, yet he was suspected of accepting bribes, which was undoubtedly a serious trampling on the dignity of the rule of law.
. . . . .
Chen Shi hung up the phone and immediately convened an emergency meeting with relevant personnel from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He said firmly, "Comrades, we have just received an important report: Hou Liangping, deputy chief prosecutor of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate, is suspected of accepting bribes of 2.99 million yuan. This figure is very delicate; it is clearly a carefully planned scheme by someone to evade the severe punishment of the law."
"We must not let such lawbreakers go unpunished. We must thoroughly investigate this matter and give the public an explanation."
"I propose that we prepare to establish a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection investigation team. I will personally serve as the team leader."
After the meeting, the investigation team quickly launched its operation.
The secretary also brought back all the evidence Zhao Lichun had collected, including bank statements, and placed them on the desk of Chen Shi, the secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Over three days, he repeatedly studied the materials provided by Zhao Lichun, and his indignation towards Hou Liangping's behavior grew stronger.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation team split into multiple groups, one of which conducted a comprehensive investigation into Hou Liangping's bank accounts and assets.
On the other hand, we need to find the relevant illegal businessmen, collect evidence, and not overlook any detail.
As the investigation deepened, more and more evidence surfaced. The facts of Hou Liangping's bribery gradually became clear, and the destinations of the bribes that he had cleverly concealed were revealed one by one thanks to the efforts of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation team.
Looking at the mountain of evidence before him, Chen Shi secretly vowed to bring Hou Liangping to justice and uphold the fairness and dignity of the law.
"Secretary Chen, Hou Liangping did indeed accept bribes of 2.99 million yuan during his time in Beijing."
"This Hou Liangping truly lives up to his reputation as a prosecutor; he's a veteran within the system."
"Knowing that there are more than three million [cases] could lead to... the death penalty."
Zhang Xingchen, dressed in a prosecutor's uniform, said with an extremely serious expression: "We must punish them severely and never let this kind of scoundrel tarnish the reputation of the Ministry of Justice."
Zhang Xingchen's words strengthened Chen Shi's resolve. He knew that this was not only a trial of Hou Liangping, but also a test of the entire imperial judicial system.
"Xiao Zhang, I'm ordering you. You will personally lead a team to Handong Province to arrest Hou Liangping."
Chen Shi abruptly changed the subject, opened a drawer, and took out an arrest warrant from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection: "I'll sign it for you personally. The evidence is clear and the facts are sufficient."
Even if Secretary Zhong had any complaints, he wouldn't be able to voice them.
Zhang Xingchen accepted the arrest warrant, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Please rest assured, Secretary Chen, I will definitely complete the mission."
You should know that Zhang Xingchen and Lin Yunfei are childhood friends.
My childhood friend who grew up with his bare bottom exposed.
He had heard about Lin Yunfei's experiences in Handong.
Hou Liangping, relying on his status as Zhong Zhengguo's son-in-law, suspected and investigated Lin Yunfei.
Isn't this just slapping yourself in the face?
Marquis Changxin, you just wait. This time, you won't escape.
A surge of anger ignited in Zhang Xingchen's heart, and he resolved to bring Hou Liangping to justice and seek justice for Lin Yunfei.
"Xiao Li, Xiao Qin, and Xiao Wang, the three of you are coming with me on a business trip to Handong."
“I have obtained an arrest warrant from Secretary Chen. We will go directly to Handong to arrest Hou Liangping.”
"Alright, in two hours. We'll take the Coaster to Beijing Capital International Airport."
"Remember, keep the entire operation confidential. The arrest operation cannot be disclosed in advance," Zhang Xingchen said, making a startling statement.
Xiao Li quickly organized the documents, Xiao Qin checked the equipment, and Xiao Wang was responsible for contacting the driver.
. . . . .
Four hours later, a Boeing 737 landed in Handong.
As soon as the plane came to a stop, Zhang Xingchen led Xiao Li, Xiao Qin, and Xiao Wang down the gangway. The weather in Handong was rather muggy, but this did not affect their determination to carry out the mission.
They walked out of the airport discreetly, and a vehicle that was already waiting outside quickly took them to the People's Hospital of Handong Province.
Hou Liangping is currently still receiving treatment at the People's Hospital.
Along the way, Zhang Xingchen reiterated the secrecy and importance of the operation. Xiao Li, Xiao Qin, and Xiao Wang all nodded solemnly, knowing that this mission was of extraordinary significance.
Upon arriving at the inpatient department of the People's Hospital, Zhang Xingchen and his group tiptoed upstairs. The corridor was so quiet that only their footsteps could be heard. They quickly found Hou Liangping's ward, where two armed police officers stood guard.
"Comrade, hello. I am the Fourth Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. This is my identification."
"We were ordered to come from the capital to arrest Hou Liangping and bring him back to Beijing for investigation."
After Zhang Xingchen presented his identification, the armed police quickly allowed him to pass.
The four of them walked into the regular ward in a large group.
Swah——
Zhang Xingchen looked at him coldly, took out an arrest warrant, and said seriously, "Hou Liangping, you are suspected of accepting bribes of 2.99 million yuan. The evidence is conclusive, and you are hereby arrested in accordance with the law."
"This is an arrest warrant, personally signed by Secretary Chen."
Hou Liangping's face turned pale, and he became agitated, trying to explain: "This...this is a frame-up, I have been wronged."
Zhang Xingchen remained unmoved. With a wave of his hand, Xiao Li and Xiao Qin immediately stepped forward and restrained Hou Liangping. "If you have anything to say, we'll talk at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."
Zhang Xingchen said.
They then quickly took Hou Liangping away to Handong Airport, intending to escort him back to Beijing for further investigation.
The entire arrest process was swift and efficient, attracting little attention and successfully completing the mission of maintaining secrecy.
On the plane back to Beijing, Zhang Xingchen carefully observed Hou Liangping's expression.
Hou Liangping looked guilty, his Adam's apple bobbing, and large beads of sweat streaming down his face. His eyes darted around, clearly showing his extreme panic.
Zhang Xingchen's cold gaze pierced through his disguise like a sharp sword, and Hou Liangping finally lowered his head and said nothing more.
The plane weaved through the clouds at an altitude of 10,000 meters. The cabin was completely silent, with only the roar of the plane's engines echoing in the air.
221. Sha Ruijin convened a Standing Committee meeting overnight.
Handong Province, Jingzhou City. The provincial party committee compound, the three-story villa where Sha Ruijin resides.
Ring ring! A sudden, urgent telephone ring woke Sha Ruijin from his sweet dream.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes, slowly sat up, reached for the phone, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Hello, who is this?"
An urgent voice came from the other end of the phone: "Secretary Sha, something's happened. Hou Liangping has been arrested."
"Hou Liangping, arrested?" Sha Ruijin's heart skipped a beat, all sleepiness vanished, his brows furrowed, and he quickly asked, "What happened? Tell me the details quickly!" The voice on the other end of the phone became increasingly urgent, reporting the course of events in a broken and intermittent manner.
"Hou Liangping was suddenly arrested by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation team while he was in the hospital."
"The person leading the group appears to be a deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."
"The current situation is that Hou Liangping has been taken away by plane to Beijing. He is completely out of the control of our Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection." As the secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zhao Dagong realized for the first time how deep the waters in Handong were.
Hou Liangping is a prime suspect, with leads in multiple cases involving high-ranking officials.
Sha Ruijin's grip on the microphone tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He asked in a deep voice, "Which case is it involved in? Is there any concrete evidence?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if someone was gathering their words, before lowering their voice: "The clues we have so far point to Zhao Ruilong, but... the chain of evidence is not yet complete. Hou Liangping was poisoned and almost died."
"He also reported Zhong Zhengguo to Vice Governor Lin... that Secretary Zhong accepted bribes of 1.2 billion US dollars." Zhao Dagong paused for a moment.
Sha Ruijin's eyes suddenly sharpened. He stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the lights of the provincial party committee compound under the night sky. His tone became colder: "Zhao Dagong, you do two things immediately. First, contact the Beijing authorities to confirm the specific department and person who received Hou Liangping."
"Second, retrieve all the case files that Hou Liangping has recently been handling, especially those related to Secretary Zhao Lichun. Convene an emergency Standing Committee meeting in one hour."
After hanging up the phone, Sha Ruijin stood by the window for a long time without moving. The night wind of Jingzhou blew in through the gauze window, but it could not dispel the heaviness in his heart.
Hou Liangping was a "sharp sword" that he personally transferred from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, but now this sword has been broken before it has even been drawn.
This struggle is becoming increasingly serious.
...
As night falls and the stars twinkle, the city lights gradually illuminate the scene, reflecting a blend of prosperity and tranquility.
Lin Yunfei held a laptop in his hand, gently tapping on the keyboard, and sat in the room having a video conference with the special task force in Handong. The screen showed focused faces.
Team leader Yan Guohua was giving a serious report on the case's progress: "Governor Lin, it's like this. The special task force has been working tirelessly these past few days to gather evidence, trying to get a breakthrough from Zhao Xiaosheng."
Team member Chang Zheng nodded quickly: "Team Leader Yan is right. Governor Lin, we have done a lot of work, but Zhao Xiaosheng is a tough nut to crack and just won't say a word."