121: Chapter 121 Preparing to Escape

At the end of the corridor, Lu Zheng stubbed out his cigarette.

"I will report to Secretary Gong immediately."

He glanced at his watch. "At this time, he should be in his office."

Zhao Yang nodded. "I will keep an eye on Tongan personally."

Lu Zheng patted him on the shoulder and turned back to the lounge.

Zhao Yang went to Zheng Beichen's room and smiled at him:

"Beichen, ever since we came to Tongan, hasn't handling this case been very exciting?"

Zheng Beichen rolled his eyes at him. "Exciting my foot. You've hogged all the limelight yourself."

"I don't care about the limelight!"

Zhao Yang pointed to the scar on his head. "I'd rather not have fame that costs me my life."

After saying that, he changed the subject. "Beichen, the next task isn't dangerous. Why don't you come with me?"

Zheng Beichen glared at him. "Look at that smug look on your face; it definitely can't be anything good."

Zhao Yang ignored his attitude and went straight to using authority:

"Director Lu said we should keep an eye on Ji Hongwen during this period and report to him immediately if there are any unusual movements."

Zheng Beichen's eyes lit up immediately. "Is he really involved in the case? Is this case really that big?"

Zhao Yang lifted his chin. "Just tell me if you're doing it or not!"

"I'm doing it, of course I am!" Zheng Beichen was a bit excited. "I've been in the Commission for Discipline Inspection for years, and I've never caught such a big fish!"

...

Lu Zheng returned to the lounge and dialed Gong Chengze's phone.

"Secretary Gong. Guo Mingkai has confessed everything. Ji Hongwen has accepted a huge amount in bribes. Most importantly, he was the mastermind behind the murder case of Sun Hongwei's wife.

"To prevent any complications, I suggest taking measures against Ji Hongwen immediately."

On the other end of the line, Gong Chengze's voice was very low.

"This matter concerns the overall situation of Tongan City's development and stability. I will report it first and request instructions from superiors."

Ten minutes later, Lu Zheng sent the important case materials to Gong Chengze via fax.

After reviewing them, Gong Chengze picked up the internal phone.

"Governor Sun, are you free? There is an important situation that I need to report in person."

Sun Zhendong's steady voice came from the other end of the line.

"Come over."

In the Acting Governor's office.

Sun Zhendong was reading documents. Seeing Gong Chengze enter, he put down his pen and took off his glasses.

"Comrade Chengze, sit."

Gong Chengze didn't beat around the bush and laid out the situation directly.

After listening, Sun Zhendong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down again.

"Is the evidence conclusive?"

"Conclusive." Gong Chengze nodded.

"Guo Mingkai's confession, bank transfer records, and the account book in the safe in his office—Lu Zheng and his team have already gone to retrieve them."

Sun Zhendong was silent for a while, then raised his head.

"Have you reported to Secretary Tao?"

"Not yet," Gong Chengze said. "I came to consult with you first."

Sun Zhendong nodded, very satisfied with this answer.

"Report it normally. Secretary Tao will preside over the Standing Committee meeting to discuss it."

Sun Zhendong was certain that Tao Zhimian had already been forced to agree to the investigation at the last Standing Committee meeting, and he would certainly not block it this time.

When it comes to cadres violating discipline, no one would openly act as a protective umbrella.

The next morning at nine o'clock, the Provincial Committee Standing Committee meeting was held on time.

Nine people sat in order around the oval conference table.

Tao Zhimian sat in the center, and Sun Zhendong was on his left.

Gong Chengze first reported on Ji Hongwen's violations of law and discipline.

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell into a brief silence.

Tao Zhimian scanned the room and spoke slowly.

"Everyone is clear about the situation now. The nature of Comrade Ji Hongwen's problem is serious and the impact is severe. Now, please express your opinions."

The other members of the Standing Committee knew in their hearts that if this situation was brought up for discussion, it had basically been verified.

Therefore, everyone's speeches were impassioned, firmly supporting the investigation into Ji Hongwen.

Hou Junjie, who had highly supported Sun Zhendong last time, only said two words this time:

"Agree to the investigation."

Gong Chengze's speech was also very simple:

"I approve of the investigation. The evidence is sufficient; it should not be delayed any longer."

After everyone finished speaking, Tao Zhimian turned his gaze to Sun Zhendong.

"Governor Zhendong, what is your opinion?"

Sun Zhendong looked around at everyone and spoke slowly:

"My opinion is that this matter must be investigated, but we must pay attention to the methods used.

"After all, Ji Hongwen is the Municipal Party Committee Secretary of Tongan. Taking him away while he is in office would have too great an impact. I suggest transferring him to be the Deputy Director of the Cultural and Historical Committee of the Provincial CPPCC first, and then executing 'two detentions'."

This is standard procedure and consistent with Tao Zhimian's consistent cautious and prudent style.

Tao Zhimian naturally felt that Sun Zhendong did not suggest an immediate investigation, which was clearly giving him a way out.

He had to take this way out.

"Good."

Tao Zhimian put down his pen. "Since everyone agrees, let's do it according to Governor Zhendong's opinion: transfer him first, then investigate."

He paused and looked at Sun Zhendong.

"Governor Zhendong, in Tongan's current situation, there must be a top leader who understands the economy to lead Tongan's economic development. You understand the economy best; do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Tao Zhimian knew that he would be going to Beijing to retire in more than two years, and Jianghan Province would be under Sun Zhendong's control.

Opposing Sun Zhendong at this time was not as good as building a good relationship for the future.

The conference room suddenly quieted down.

Everyone knew that personnel power had always been controlled by the top leader.

Tao Zhimian's words were giving Sun Zhendong face.

And it was a lot of face.

Sun Zhendong certainly understood this. If he proposed a candidate directly, that would be seizing power.

He leaned forward slightly, his tone humble:

"Secretary Tao, I haven't been in Jianghan for long, and my understanding of the cadres is far from as thorough as yours. It is better for you to propose it, and we will discuss it."

Tao Zhimian nodded, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Then I will propose a candidate: Shen Nianqiu, Director of the Provincial Economic and Trade Commission."

The Economic and Trade Commission belongs to the government system; his recommendation of Shen Nianqiu was essentially a gesture of goodwill toward Sun Zhendong.

Tao Zhimian looked at the Organization Department Head, Gu Qingfeng:

"Comrade Qingfeng, please introduce the situation of Comrade Shen Nianqiu."

Unsurprisingly, Tao Zhimian's proposal was passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Gong Chengze notified Lu Zheng that the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection's Special Investigation Team would withdraw, but surveillance of Ji Hongwen would continue.

Those with major problems discovered would be handed over to judicial authorities for handling.

The heads of various departments in Tongan City involved in the case would first be given admonitory talks, and those with serious problems would be dealt with later.

Lu Zheng keenly realized that the Provincial Committee was about to take action against Ji Hongwen.

Ji Hongwen, who had been paying close attention to the movements of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, was now feeling restless.

The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection's Special Investigation Team had left, but his old leader, Tao Zhimian, had not revealed any information.

If problems were found, he should be severely criticized; if there were no problems, he should certainly be encouraged.

The current calm was extremely abnormal.

And there always seemed to be a pair of eyes watching him from behind.

Ji Hongwen knew deeply that if he didn't flee now, there was only one result waiting for him:

Being taken away by the Commission for Discipline Inspection.

And for a leader at his level, his passport was kept by the organization; he couldn't get it himself.

Moreover, airports and border inspections had early warning systems.

He couldn't leave through normal channels.

Thinking of this, Ji Hongwen silently took out his phone and dialed Xiao Zhiyuan's number.