Right path to power

At 5 p.m., Liu Yun called Lin Xiao to report.

"The surveillance and interview results are out. Cao Changjie went out on Sunday and did not return home. He spent the whole afternoon in the teahouse and drank until the early hours of the morning. On Monday morning, he did not return to the town government but played mahjong in the attic."

Later, when he saw you suddenly appear on the street, he hurriedly drove back to the town government. He was on the phone while driving, and by the time he realized the car in front of him was waiting at a red light, he was already too close. He panicked and swerved, causing his car to veer into the oncoming lane and collide with a large truck that was traveling normally.

"What about the traffic police's determination of responsibility?" Lin Xiao asked.

"The truck was driving normally through a green light and braked immediately to avoid the danger, but the momentum was too great and it was too late. The traffic police determined that Cao Changjie was fully responsible and the truck driver was not responsible."

"In other words, Cao Changjie cannot be recognized as having died in the line of duty."

"That's right."

After a pause, Liu Yun continued, "Furthermore, during the investigation, we discovered that Township Head Zhou Zhongming, Organization Committee Member Wang Jianming, and Deputy Township Head Xia Yanggui also attended the Sunday banquet, but they all went home after the banquet. Also, Cao Changjie frequently stays overnight at the teahouse, and his relationship with the proprietress is unusual. We have already communicated these findings to the Discipline Inspection Commission."

"Okay, then hurry up and get the data organized. By the way, did you...?"

"Don't worry, I've already given a brief report to Secretary Zhu before calling you."

"That's good. You must be more rigorous in your reporting procedures in the future."

In fact, Teng Lijie had been criticized by him after his report.

Within the system, some things cannot be allowed to be undermined in the slightest.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao went straight to Zhu Lishu's office, where the two discussed the investigation results.

Not long after, Liu Yun arrived at the office with a detailed report.

After reading the report, Juliet finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, the county discipline inspection commission verified the contents of the whistleblower letter based on relevant clues provided by the public security bureau.

The teahouse was actually divided into two parts: the first and second floors were for catering, while the third and fourth floors were for resting and drinking tea. The proprietress was a widow, and it was thanks to Cao Changjie's support that the Hongfa Restaurant on the first and second floors became the town government's only designated hotel for entertaining guests, while the third and fourth floors became places for rest and entertainment.

The teahouse owner was quickly brought to her senses by the interrogators. According to her confession, she and Cao Changjie had indeed had a long-term illicit relationship, and the more than one million yuan in bribes Cao Changjie received were deposited in her account. Furthermore, Cao Changjie had also bought a house in the city in her name.

Subsequently, Zhu Lishu arranged for Dong Yimei to bring relevant documents and, accompanied by personnel from the county discipline inspection commission and public security bureau, to go to the funeral home again to communicate with Hong Cuixiu.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Lishu convened a five-person group meeting to report the investigation results of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Public Security Bureau, discuss the nature of Cao Changjie's death in a car accident, and discuss the aftermath handling plan.

In addition, regarding the fact that the Pengning Township Party Committee deliberately concealed the fact that Cao Changjie had been absent from his post and violated discipline when reporting Cao Changjie's accidental death, the five-person group meeting ordered the Pengning Township Party Committee to submit a written self-criticism, and held talks with Township Head Zhou Zhongming and a number of township party committee members, and issued a severe reprimand.

In addition, the meeting also discussed a campaign to rectify the work style of cadres throughout the county, as well as some personnel adjustment plans.

"We will hold a meeting of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee tomorrow afternoon to report on the relevant situation, discuss relevant handling decisions, and personnel issues," Zhu Lishu finally decided.

Meanwhile, Dong Yimei had already explained the situation to Hong Cuixiu and the others.

"What? It doesn't count as dying in the line of duty? Fine, we'll go to the county to confront Zhu Lishu right now, and if that doesn't work, we'll go to the city! Xiao An, get some people to come and help carry Lao Cao to the city, so the city leaders can see how the county treats a hardworking cadre..."

Upon hearing Dong Yimei's words, Hong Cuixiu flew into a rage, shouting that she wanted to take the body to the city while asking her younger brother, Hong Quan'an, to find someone to help.

Hong Quan'an stared intently at Dong Yimei with wide eyes. If there hadn't been police officers present, he probably would have already attacked her.

But Dong Yimei was no longer as passive as before. She calmly and coldly said, "Comrade Hong Cuixiu, please calm down. I am just reporting the relevant situation to you truthfully. What I just told you about Cao Changjie's gambling during working hours, his long-term improper relationships with other women, and his acceptance of bribes have all been verified by the County Discipline Inspection Commission and the Public Security Bureau. The evidence is conclusive..."

"I...I don't believe it! You're trying to renege on your debt and frame me on purpose, you..." Hong Cuixiu shouted again.

"Hong Cuixiu!"

Dong Yimei shouted, and Hong Cuixiu was stunned.

Then, she softened her tone and said, "According to regulations, you are not allowed to see these materials, but Secretary Zhu specifically instructed that because of the special circumstances and out of consideration for your feelings, we are making an exception and allowing you to look through them."

As she spoke, she handed over a thick stack of materials.

Hong Cuixiu hesitated for a moment, but still took the materials and quickly flipped through them.

When she saw the teahouse owner's testimony, along with bank statements and a copy of the property certificate, tears streamed down her face.

Hong Quan'an came over to look, his face growing increasingly grim. He never expected that his brother-in-law, whom he had previously defended so fiercely, was actually a scoundrel who kept a mistress and gave all his money to her, leaving his own sister penniless. He couldn't even borrow money from her.

Originally, he wanted to take this opportunity to persuade his sister to ask the county for more money so that he could pay off the gambling debts he owed outside.

Because he knew very well that what the government feared most was people causing trouble.

Moreover, Cao Changjie did indeed die on his way to work.

His suggestion to his sister to ask for a million in compensation was mainly to prepare for future negotiations, and the later two million was also based on this plan.

Who knew that his attempt to steal a chicken would backfire so badly? Not only did he not get the extra money, but he also lost his basic pension, leaving him with only a meager balance of tens of thousands of yuan in retirement funds.

Hong Cuixiu placed the materials on the table, glanced at the ice coffin, and suddenly cried out, "Cao Changjie, you bastard! How could you do this to me? I devoted myself to you, gave you a son, and took care of your old mother. In the end, you cheated on me with other women! How could you do this to me? How could you do this to our son? You even gave all your money to that vixen! Have you lost your conscience? You deserve to die a horrible death..."

Hong Quan'an followed, his eyes darting around, and said indignantly, "Sister, we can't just let this go. That Cao guy is heartless, and you're not being fair either. Let's go find that vixen and settle accounts with her, and make her compensate us for our emotional distress."

Hong Cuixiu was too busy wailing to pay any attention to her good-for-nothing brother.

Looking at this pitiful and pathetic woman, Dong Yimei shook her head and left the funeral home with her entourage.

She believed that, faced with the irrefutable facts, Hong Cuixiu would not do anything excessive again.

Soon, the truth about Cao Changjie's accidental death spread.

"Didn't the county leaders go to pay their respects yesterday? How come they've investigated him thoroughly today?"

"Alas, the most ruthless are the officials."

"With all this commotion, I doubt Old Cao will have a peaceful time down there either."

"Do you really need to pity someone like that? His wife is the one who's most pitiful."

"By the way, have you heard? He died in a car accident because he was afraid of being caught red-handed by County Chief Lin."

"Oh? Is that really true?"

"That County Magistrate Lin is terrifying!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Have you ever heard of anyone arrested by County Magistrate Lin being innocent?"

"Yes, yes, that's the truth."

Of course, some people were discussing it, while others were secretly plotting their moves while eyeing the empty seats.

You wouldn't believe it until you did the math: since Lin Xiao took over as acting county head, six positions at the section chief level have become vacant in Fuchuan County.

The destructive power is simply beyond words!