mtl008 Chapter 116 An Anti-Corruption Storm
Chapter 116 An Anti-Corruption Storm
Cao Jinliang asked with concern, "Old Cai, is your sister-in-law alright?"
"It's nothing. I was in a car accident, hit someone, and then that kid Qi Tongwei arrested her and took her to the city police station. He even threatened her, saying I was involved in embezzlement and bribery."
Cao Jinliang understood; Cai Xilian was afraid.
"Old Cai, don't scare yourself. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get the position of customs chief before I retire."
Cai Xilian couldn't resist the temptation of the power of being the top leader. His wife loved to shop, his son was studying abroad, and his salary was simply not enough. Naturally, he was dragged into it.
"Mayor Cao, the Municipal Public Security Bureau is cracking down hard. You must remind Xinwei that safety comes first."
"Okay, Lao Cai, you can rest assured."
After hanging up the phone, Cai Xilian dialed the number of Huang Liansheng, the fabric tycoon. Huang Liansheng also made his fortune through smuggling and became the fabric tycoon.
"Mr. Huang, please handle today's traffic accident properly. The victim is in the hospital; send someone to check on them. The Municipal Bureau has unintentionally become involved in this matter, so it's crucial to handle it well."
"Yes, Chief Cai, your wife has been frightened. I will definitely visit you another day to apologize."
Shanghai TV Station.
Several members of the Discipline Inspection Commission went straight to Deputy Director Chang's office.
The disciplinary officials produced an arrest warrant. "Chang Bo, you are suspected of embezzlement, bribery, and illicit sexual relations. You are now formally arrested."
Deputy Director Chang's legs went weak and he almost knelt on the ground. His backer was Cao Jinliang, and Deputy Mayor Cao promised that he would only be given a major demerit for having illicit relationships, but it would not affect his continued position as deputy director of the TV station.
Now that the disciplinary committee has accused him of embezzlement and bribery, he's really finished; they'll find out the truth as soon as they investigate.
Deputy Director Chang did not resist; he was like a deflated balloon as the Discipline Inspection Commission handcuffed him.
The TV station staff all rushed out to see what was going on. The usually aloof Deputy Director Chang was now like a dead dog.
"Damn it, he's finally caught. The ladies can breathe a sigh of relief."
"Heavens above! Finally, they've opened their eyes!"
"I think it's all thanks to that police officer. I was on tenterhooks for him at the time, but looking back, it was really satisfying to beat him up."
"I heard from a friend who's a policeman that the Discipline Inspection Commission came to my door demanding the negatives of the explicit photos they'd taken. That guy cursed out the Discipline Inspection Commission members at the police station, saying that if Deputy Director Chang hadn't embezzled and taken bribes, he'd write his name backwards. In the end, the Discipline Inspection Commission slunk away."
"Damn, that's impressive! Looks like that kid has some powerful connections."
"He must have powerful backing, otherwise he wouldn't dare to attack Deputy Director Chang. Now the Discipline Inspection Commission has opened a case against him for embezzlement and bribery, which shows that he has very strong backing and can influence the Discipline Inspection Commission's decision."
"Why don't we all set off firecrackers tonight to celebrate? After all, there won't be a Deputy Director Chang anymore, and the prison will have just gained another inmate."
"Serves him right, it's truly gratifying!"
Immediately, everyone couldn't help but give a warm round of applause to send off Deputy Director Chang.
The members of the Discipline Inspection Commission felt ashamed. It turned out that everyone yearned for fairness and justice, but usually lacked the courage, simply because they were trying to make a living.
That evening, Cao Jinliang talked with his son Cao Xinwei in the study.
"Xinwei, Chang Bo has been arrested. This was a decision made by the Discipline Inspection Commission, likely on the instructions of Secretary Zhu. The situation is becoming somewhat dangerous."
Cao Xinwei nodded. "Dad, I think Secretary Zhu wants to use the TV station incident to launch an anti-corruption campaign."
Cao Jinliang took a sip of tea. "Secretary Zhu has been in Shanghai for over a year, but he hasn't made a move yet. Wherever he goes, there will be an anti-corruption storm. You have to be extremely careful about your affairs, otherwise, if your father falls from grace, you'll be letting your grandfather down."
"Dad, I'll let go after I've earned this for two more years, then we can go abroad and enjoy life."
"Your father is getting old and doesn't want to go abroad anymore. He just hopes to retire peacefully and travel all over the country with your mother. His idea of returning to his roots is something your younger generation can't understand."
Cao Xinwei asked worriedly, "Dad, what if Chang Bo says something detrimental to you?"
"He was promoted by your father, so he has that much political awareness; otherwise, what would happen to his family?"
Cao Jinliang was very confident. He had entered the officialdom and hoped that someone would take care of his family. He couldn't break the rules, which had been accepted by the scholar-officials since the Song and Ming dynasties.
The Ye family home, located in a compound for retired cadres in Shanghai.
"Is my clever granddaughter sure she's thought it through?"
Ye Xuan massaged her grandfather's shoulders. "Grandpa, I've decided to study abroad. The world is so big, and I want to see it all."
"Are you sure you can let go of that kid?"
"Grandpa, nothing happened between him and me. There's nothing I can't let go of. I just want my whole family to be happy and harmonious."
"Then make yourself happy."
"Grandpa, I'm not that eighteen-year-old girl anymore. To live a good life, you have to weigh the pros and cons. Otherwise, what's the fun in living a carefree life?"
"My granddaughter has finally grown up. Whatever decision you make, Grandpa will support you."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
The old Shen family home in the old cadre compound of Shanghai.
"Dad, why don't we still schedule the National Day celebration? I've noticed Mom hasn't been eating or drinking much lately," Shen Zhenhua said worriedly.
Old Shen took a puff of his cigarette. How could he not love his youngest son, whom he had at the age of 50?
"Any progress from the police?"
"Dad, in my opinion, Secretary Zhu is going to launch an anti-corruption campaign in Shanghai. Today, the deputy director of the TV station was placed under investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission for embezzlement and bribery."
Old Shen was furious. "Having affairs on television is a disgrace to the government. It's time to sweep away these monsters and demons!"
Shen Zhenhua comforted him, "Dad, don't be angry. If you get sick from it, we'll be the ones who worry. But we have to thank that kid for this; he's really fearless."
Shen Ning didn't think so. "It was just a reckless act. That kid yelling at the disciplinary committee at the police station was even more childish and ridiculous."
"Little sister, you seem to have a lot of prejudice against that boy. If it's because of National Day, I can understand."
Shen Zhenhua looked at the kid with a different eye; that kid had the ability to act as Secretary Zhu's dagger, which was a skill in itself.
"Brother, I see you're starting to admire that kid. That kind of person is a ticking time bomb. You know politics better than I do; it's not something you can play with just enthusiasm."
Shen Zhenhua understood his sister's meaning: idealists are not suited for officialdom.
"Sister, if you put yourself in Secretary Zhu's shoes, this kind of person is very useful. Someone who isn't afraid of powerful figures can help the leaders accomplish many impossible things. How about we make a bet? This kid can definitely solve the smuggling case, and maybe even bring down many high-ranking officials."
Shen Ning didn't believe it. "Brother, you overestimate that kid. Even if he solved the case, it was Director Han and Secretary Zhu who were orchestrating it behind the scenes."
"Sister, you must never underestimate the ability of an executor. Take the deputy director of the TV station as an example; anyone else would definitely not dare to rush in, take photos, and secure the evidence."
Shen Ning still looked down on Qi Tongwei. "I don't think highly of him at all. This kind of childish behavior is no different from that of a little kid. Acting solely on his own whims is irresponsible."
"Alright, alright, you two siblings, stop arguing about who won."
Old Shen interrupted the siblings' argument. After those ten years, Old Shen's mindset had changed a lot. Stability was paramount, and everything should be done step by step, because haste makes waste.