102: Chapter 102 Investigating to the End

After the call went through, no one picked up.

As the seconds ticked by, Ji Hongwen's heart sank deeper and deeper.

Just as Ji Hongwen was about to hang up, the call connected, and Tao Zhimian's steady voice came from the other side.

"Hello, this is Tao Zhimian."

Ji Hongwen gripped the receiver excitedly. "Secretary Tao, it's Hongwen! Secretary, I have important information to report to you!"

"What's so important? Has the sky fallen?" Tao Zhimian's tone was clearly tinged with displeasure.

Having spent years in officialdom, Ji Hongwen naturally heard that Tao Zhimian was in a bad mood.

At a time like this, one must not cross the leader under any circumstances.

Even if a magnitude ten earthquake occurred in Tongan, it would have to be reported through normal procedures.

He quickly changed his tune. "It's nothing urgent. I'll go to Jiangzhou tomorrow to report to you in person."

Tao Zhimian's tone softened slightly. "Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, I have a half-hour window."

Since the Secretary was willing to see him, there was room for maneuver.

Feeling slightly more at ease, Ji Hongwen called his driver, changed his clothes, and went downstairs.

Once he was properly dressed and groomed, Ji Hongwen regained his usual air of authority.

At ten o'clock the next morning, at the Jianghan Provincial Committee Residential Compound.

Ji Hongwen struggled to carry a briefcase as he walked into Villa No. 1.

Tao Zhimian opened the door. Seeing Ji Hongwen carrying a case, he feigned displeasure:

"How many times have I told you? You just won't listen. You bring something every time you come."

Ji Hongwen leaned in a bit closer and lowered his voice:

"Secretary Tao, this time is different. Such a large piece of Hetian seed jade is very rare. I've been searching for over a year specifically to show my respect to you."

Tao Zhimian didn't care for beautiful women or calligraphy and paintings; he only liked fine jade.

Ji Hongwen was playing to his interests.

Tao Zhimian nodded and stopped refusing, moving to sit on the sofa.

"Speak then, what is it?"

Ji Hongwen sat opposite Tao Zhimian, perched on the edge of the sofa.

"Secretary Tao, last night people from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection took Guo Mingkai away."

In some matters, one could only hint at the point.

Tao Zhimian had already stepped in to stop the restructuring oversight. Speaking too plainly would instead put the leader in an awkward position.

Hearing this, Tao Zhimian raised an eyebrow, and his face immediately darkened.

No one had reported it to him, so he truly didn't know about this.

The problem was, he couldn't admit he didn't know.

Otherwise, it would be equivalent to admitting incompetence and a loss of control over the Commission for Discipline Inspection.

He picked up his teacup, blew on the surface, and took a gentle sip.

"You said last time they were all minor issues. Corporate restructuring is moving too fast; it's normal for there to be some problems. It's just a routine inquiry, don't worry too much."

Wasn't this just official jargon?

Ji Hongwen's heart went half-cold, but he knew best how much dirt he was hiding.

Ji Hongwen steeled himself and said, "Secretary, after such a big incident in Tongan before, it really can't handle any more turmoil."

"You have the nerve to say that?" Tao Zhimian set down his teacup. "The landslide-style corruption in the Tongan Police is a leadership responsibility you cannot evade!"

"Yes, yes! Secretary, I will definitely reflect seriously when I return, carry out profound rectifications, and restore political integrity to Tongan!"

Ji Hongwen stood up. "I need to go back and cooperate with the Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation, so I won't take up any more of your time."

He had said what needed to be said and given the gift; his goal was achieved.

Staying any longer would only make Tao Zhimian find him an eyesore.

"Go attend to your business," Tao Zhimian waved him off. "The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has its own considerations; don't overthink it."

The fact that the gift wasn't returned made Ji Hongwen feel much more at ease.

After Ji Hongwen left, Tao Zhimian opened the briefcase and unwrapped the layers to reveal a seated Maitreya Buddha with a large belly.

The jade was warm and delicate, with high whiteness, a rich oily luster, and exquisite carving.

When he lifted it, it weighed over ten catties.

It was indeed a rare treasure among Hetian seed jades.

After stroking it fondly for a while, Tao Zhimian closed the lid and picked up the landline next to the sofa.

"Chengze, what exactly went wrong with the restructuring of the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory?"

Gong Chengze was startled. How did the top leader find out about this so quickly?

He had originally intended to bring it up during Monday's routine Standing Committee meeting, but clearly, he couldn't wait that long.

With the top leader personally inquiring, he had no choice but to report.

Gong Chengze had to explain the issues in the materials provided by Zhao Yang.

"Just the concealment of fixed assets alone exceeds 20 million, and that doesn't even include other items."

The implication was that the amount was too large for the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection not to investigate.

"If there are problems, they can be corrected. By directly initiating oversight procedures, how is the restructuring supposed to proceed?" Tao Zhimian was somewhat annoyed.

He had said to delay the oversight, yet Gong Chengze had acted without reporting. Did he have any respect for him at all?

Gong Chengze quickly explained, "The whistleblower also reported using their real name to Governor Sun. This was also Governor Sun's intention; I really couldn't suppress it."

Tao Zhimian understood. Gong Chengze had worked with Sun Zhendong in the past and was likely one of his people.

Sun Zhendong, a new official looking to make his mark, wanted to catch a typical case of restructuring violations, and the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory had ended up in his crosshairs.

If he intervened again now, it would be equivalent to going against Sun Zhendong.

Moreover, this was a case of violations. If the top leader didn't support bringing it to the Standing Committee for discussion, it would clearly show he wanted to protect someone.

Tao Zhimian wasn't so stupid as to openly protect those who violated rules and discipline.

The case was urgent; it was already too late for private conversations to smooth things over.

It was a bit tricky.

If he wanted to stop it now, his only hope was the final collective vote of the Standing Committee.

As long as he gave a few hints, there was a high probability the vote wouldn't pass.

Tao Zhimian pondered for a moment and said deeply:

"With WTO accession imminent, corporate restructuring is urgent. Let's do this: have a collective discussion on this matter at the Standing Committee as soon as possible."

In fact, what he didn't know was that Sun Zhendong's decision to act on the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory restructuring wasn't just because of the violations.

At that day's Standing Committee meeting, after the routine study session, Tao Zhimian turned his gaze to Gong Chengze:

"What exactly went wrong with the corporate restructuring in Tongan City?"

He wanted to be the first to speak after Gong Chengze's report to set the tone for the matter.

Gong Chengze glanced at the members present and took out the report materials.

"Regarding the restructuring of the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory, I will provide a report..."

Gong Chengze began reading the document drafted by Zhao Yang, starting with the concealment of fixed assets and then the withholding of worker settlement fees.

When the Commission for Discipline Inspection staff went to investigate, the factory even resorted to unscrupulous means, attempting to hire a killer.

He also listed various suspicious points regarding the car accident Zhao Yang and Gao Yan encountered after leaving the factory's dormitory area.

There was also testimony from Jiang Peng and Jiang Nan, officers from the June 11 Case special task force.

Tao Zhimian grew more alarmed as he listened. He only knew about the concealment of fixed assets; he hadn't expected so many other things.

What else was Ji Hongwen hiding?

Slap!

While Tao Zhimian hesitated, Sun Zhendong slammed the study documents in his hand onto the table.

"Preposterous! Utterly lawless!"

The other members of the committee were startled, their eyes all snapping toward the new Governor.

Sun Zhendong's gaze swept over everyone, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot:

"The higher-ups requested the promotion of restructuring to allow enterprises to move forward unburdened and better adapt to the new economic environment, not to allow a small number of people to seize the opportunity for personal gain."

"Regarding the restructuring issues of the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory, we must investigate to the very end!"