171: The truth will come out

When Lin Zifeng, led by the Secretary, walked into Cao Mingxiu's Office, he was stunned to see that in addition to Cao Mingxiu and Wan Guoliang, Mayor Jiang Shiyu was also there.

At this moment, the three men all stood up. Seeing Lin Zifeng, who had arrived travel-worn and weary, Cao Mingxiu was the first to extend his hand toward him.

After Lin Zifeng shook hands with Cao Mingxiu and Jiang Shiyu respectively, he sat down next to Wan Guoliang.

Jiang Shiyu recounted the events of the morning to Lin Zifeng.

Finally, he added, "County Magistrate Zifeng, the Secretary and I certainly do not disbelieve you!"

"However, you also know the working principles of our Discipline Inspection Commission. There are too many anonymous tip-off letters; we still have to intervene and investigate."

"The incident that occurred at the gate of the Municipal Party Committee this morning already has a preliminary conclusion. Secretary Gao from the Discipline Inspection Commission has already reported to the Secretary and me over the phone."

"Those were all unemployed drifters hired by someone. The joint investigation team has already gone to Yushu County, and I believe they will soon expose the mastermind behind the scenes."

"However, regarding the anonymous tip-off letters, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection is currently investigating. In a while, Secretary Gao from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection will come over to question you personally."

"I hope you will not have any emotional outbursts, and even less so, feel any pressure."

Hearing Jiang Shiyu's account, a surge of anger welled up in Lin Zifeng's heart. He never expected that despite working diligently, trying every possible method to improve the livelihoods in Yushu County, vigorously developing the local economy, and improving the living standards of the local people, there would still be someone stabbing him in the back?

Moreover, doing it in such a high-profile way, hanging banners at the gate of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government—this was an attempt to completely destroy him!

The three men saw that Lin Zifeng's face was livid and he remained silent; they all deeply understood Lin Zifeng's current mood.

After more than ten seconds, Lin Zifeng suppressed the anger in his heart and spoke in a low voice, "Secretary, Mayor, I will fully cooperate with the investigation by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"Thank you, both leaders, for protecting me in this roundabout way."

"I believe that the innocent will remain innocent, but I have one request: if the facts prove that I am innocent, the slanderers and libelers must be severely punished, and the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection must also clear my name."

"I do not want to waste working time because of such matters."

"My work cannot be affected by cowardly rats who only dare to write anonymous tip-off letters."

"If possible, I would rather disclose my personal and my parents' assets at all times to prove myself, than have such things that affect my mood for work happen again."

"It is understandable that County Magistrate Zifeng has some emotions. The conditions you proposed are not actually conditions; we intended to do this anyway."

After saying this, Cao Mingxiu couldn't help but think that judging by Lin Zifeng's reaction, it was almost certain that he had been slandered.

Lin Zifeng was so young, it was normal for him to have some temper.

Just as Cao Mingxiu was lost in thought, a knock on the door sounded again, and Gao Mingyuan walked in with a staff member from the Discipline Inspection Commission.

The door was closed again by the Secretary. After Gao Mingyuan greeted everyone, he entered his role.

He asked, "Comrade Lin Zifeng, regarding the large number of anonymous tip-off letters accusing you of corruption and bribery, I need to conduct a routine inquiry. Please cooperate."

"Very well, Secretary Gao, I guarantee I will cooperate fully."

Lin Zifeng said calmly, no longer showing any emotional fluctuation.

Gao Mingyuan nodded to the staff member beside him, signaling the other party to take notes and record, before beginning the inquiry.

As the two exchanged questions and answers, more than half an hour passed.

In the end, Gao Mingyuan asked, "County Magistrate Lin, in all your time as an official, have you never received a single gift, or given any gifts to your superiors?"

Reaching the end of the inquiry, Gao Mingyuan was curious and asked what was on his mind.

"Secretary Gao, I cannot live in a vacuum. Take when I was serving in Heping Town, Yushu County, for example; every year when I paid New Year visits to County Leaders, I would present some local specialties."

"However, the price of these local specialties was strictly controlled within two hundred yuan."

"After I arrived at the county for my post, some township Cadres would present some local specialties during the New Year, but I would not accept anything with a value exceeding two hundred yuan."

"Even if I accepted their local specialties, I would return a gift of equal value."

"Secretary Gao, this doesn't count as bribery, does it?"

"It does not, it does not. I was just curious."

Gao Mingyuan said quickly.

Just then, Gao Mingyuan's mobile phone rang.

Seeing that it was the Discipline Inspection Commission Cadre who led the team to Yushu County calling, Gao Mingyuan stood up, intending to go outside to answer the phone.

However, he was stopped by Cao Mingxiu, "Secretary Gao, that should be the call from the Discipline Inspection Commission Cadre who went to Yushu County, right?"

Seeing Gao Mingyuan nod in admission, he continued, "Then answer it right here!"

"The Comrades here should all be trustworthy!"

Since Cao Mingxiu had spoken to this extent, how could Gao Mingyuan refuse? He not only answered the phone but also switched it directly to speakerphone.

The voice of the staff member immediately sounded from the receiver.

"Secretary, we have checked the bank statements of County Head Lin Zifeng and County Magistrate Lin's family members through special means."

"County Magistrate Lin's mother has savings of 160,000 yuan, all of which come from the salaries of County Magistrate Lin's parents."

"County Magistrate Lin's father only has 3,000 yuan in savings, and County Magistrate Lin himself only has a mere 17,500 yuan in savings."

"This amount of savings is really too little for a county magistrate."

"I can guarantee that County Magistrate Lin is definitely the poorest county magistrate in the country."

"In addition, there is also progress regarding the anonymous tip-off letters. The mastermind who hired those people to hang banners at the gate of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government is a Vice Principal who was dealt with by Yushu County."

"This person has already been controlled and interrogated by us, along with thirty-plus others who were scumbags cleared out of the teaching staff by Yushu County."

"After they were disciplined, they harbored resentment and hatred, so they united together to deliberately slander and frame County Magistrate Lin."

"They not only hired people to go to the City Level to frame County Magistrate Lin, but the anonymous tip-off letters were also the work of these people."

"Our other Comrades are currently working with other Comrades from the Municipal Public Security Bureau, with the cooperation of the Yushu County Public Security Bureau, to arrest these people."

The words of the Discipline Inspection Commission staff member completely clarified the matter.

Gao Mingyuan quickly said, "All participants must be brought to justice, and at that time, they must be dealt with to the full extent of the law."

"These bastards who slander and libel are truly hateful."

After giving instructions to the staff member, Gao Mingyuan hung up the phone.

"The facts have proven that our Comrade Lin Zifeng can withstand the test. Comrade Lin Zifeng, you have been wronged."

"I was also acting out of work duty; please forgive me!"

Gao Mingyuan extended his hand with an apologetic look.

As Lin Zifeng shook hands with Gao Mingyuan, he said, "Secretary Gao, you are too polite. I should be thanking you and the Comrades of the Discipline Inspection Commission!"

"If it weren't for your efficient work, how could my innocence have been proven so quickly?"

"County Magistrate Zifeng is a broad-minded person, fully displaying the demeanor of a general. Now that everything has come to light, while punishing the lawbreakers who slandered and framed you, we must also eliminate the impact this matter has brought upon County Magistrate Zifeng."

Cao Mingxiu gave the instruction.