124: Chapter 124 People from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Arrive

Lu Zheng stared coldly at Ji Hongwen, his gaze terrifyingly sharp.

Zhao Yang took out a new sheet of transcript paper and started recording again.

Ji Hongwen had nothing left to lose; his tone was calm, as if he were reminiscing about the past:

"To stop the Commission for Discipline Inspection from investigating the restructuring of the Die-Casting Machine Factory, I first gave Tao Zhimian one million in cash. After Governor Sun arrived, I was afraid the situation might change, so I gave him Hetian jade worth 1.5 million."

Zhao Yang finally understood; the root cause of why the restructuring inspection was halted lay here.

He wanted to continue questioning, but heard Lu Zheng say: "Ji Hongwen, take a look at the transcript and sign it after confirming it is correct."

Zhao Yang was a bit surprised; what a great opportunity, why not dig deeper?

But Lu Zheng clearly didn't give Zhao Yang a chance to speak. After Ji Hongwen finished signing, he immediately scolded sternly:

"Ji Hongwen, I advise you not to make wild accusations! Throwing mud around will only add to your crimes!"

Walking out of the interrogation room, Lu Zheng lowered his voice extremely low:

"Zhao Yang, this matter is of great importance. You go report this to Governor Sun right now."

He handed the transcript paper with Ji Hongwen's second signature to Zhao Yang, "Keep this safe. Before the Governor makes a decision, no one else can know about this."

The lights in the corridor were pale, leaving faces devoid of color.

At 7:20 PM, at this time, Sun Zhendong should already be home; it was the perfect time for a private report.

In front of Villa No. 2 of the Provincial Committee family quarters, Zhao Yang pressed the doorbell.

Opening the door was Han Zhiyu, Sun Zhendong's wife.

She was wearing a casual sweater, her hair tied loosely behind her head.

Seeing it was Zhao Yang, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her face:

"Little Zhao is here? Come on in, Old Sun is waiting for you in the study."

Zhao Yang changed his shoes and followed Han Zhiyu inside.

The scent of tea drifted in the living room; the TV was on with the volume turned very low, broadcasting the news.

Just as Zhao Yang sat down on the sofa, Sun Zhendong came out of the study.

He was wearing a dark gray cashmere sweater, holding reading glasses in his hand. Seeing Zhao Yang, a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

"Finished the transcript?"

Zhao Yang stood up: "Finished, I have an important case to report."

Seeing his serious expression, Sun Zhendong immediately returned to the study: "Come in with me."

Arriving in the study and sitting down, Zhao Yang concisely reiterated the contents of the transcript.

From Ji Hongwen admitting to bribery, to confessing to conspiring with Xiao Zhiyuan to embezzle fiscal funds for stock speculation, to the split of 83 million, and the beginning and end of framing Sun Hongwei.

He spoke at a steady pace, clear and organized, without missing any important numbers.

After listening, Sun Zhendong was silent for a long time.

"83 million..."

Sun Zhendong finally spoke, his voice deep as thunder.

"As a division chief of the Finance Department, he really did thoroughly figure out the word 'finance'."

Zhao Yang didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

Sun Zhendong put down his teacup, his gaze turning to the window.

"What do you plan to do about Xiao Zhiyuan's side?"

Zhao Yang said: "Director Lu is preparing to report to Secretary Gong. Since it involves an official at the ministerial level, it is estimated that it will need to be reported to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Sun Zhendong nodded: "That is correct. Comrade Gong Chengze handles matters steadily."

Zhao Yang hesitated for a moment, then took out Ji Hongwen's second transcript.

This transcript was truly too heavy.

Sun Zhendong stared at the transcript for a long time, his expression shifting uncertainly.

A few minutes later, he finally spoke: "Who else knows about this transcript?"

"Lu Zheng, the Chief of the Fourth Division, who interrogated him with me. After the interrogation, Director Lu told me to come find you, and specifically instructed that before you make a decision, no one else can know about this."

The matter was of great importance; Zhao Yang described it in detail, fearing he might miss any detail.

Sun Zhendong nodded, "Lu Zheng did very well, he has a great sense of the big picture."

He finally understood at this moment why Tao Zhimian took the initiative to show goodwill, and why he actively chose someone from his own camp for the appointment of the Tongan Municipal Party Committee Secretary.

Sun Zhendong put away the transcript and turned to look at Zhao Yang: "Little Zhao, just pretend this never happened."

After speaking, he stood up and walked toward the living room. After sitting down, he suddenly changed the topic:

"Little Zhao, I have always felt that you are talented beyond your current position working in the Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Zhao Yang was stunned, then replied:

"Working for the Party, it's the same everywhere."

Sun Zhendong looked at him, his eyes carrying a bit of scrutiny and a bit of appreciation:

"I came from Donghai Province and didn't bring Wang Yu; the secretary position has been vacant."

Governor's Secretary.

These four words were like a stone thrown into the lake of Zhao Yang's heart, stirring up layers of ripples.

That was a position countless people would break their heads trying to fight for.

Following the leader every day, coming into contact with the heads of provincial departments, witnessing the highest-level affairs of the entire province.

After working for a few years, if sent out, it would be at least a substantive deputy departmental position.

But he quickly calmed down; he had just been exceptionally promoted to a section-level position, and the Governor's secretary is at least a deputy division level.

"Uncle Sun, I just got promoted to section-level, and it was an exceptional promotion..." Zhao Yang weighed his words.

Sun Zhendong's expression was somewhat stunned, a flash of disappointment in his eyes.

He had already reserved a position for Zhao Yang; he hadn't expected this result.

Seeing his expression, Han Zhiyu smiled from the side:

"Old Sun, why can't your brain turn at the critical moment? Little Zhao has shallow qualifications; it's not appropriate to be a secretary directly. But we can change to another place."

Sun Zhendong looked at his wife: "What do you mean?"

"Policy Research Office," Han Zhiyu said, "Little Zhao has a strong pen, and he has worked at the grassroots level; he definitely won't be bad at writing materials. In a year or two, wouldn't it be logical to transfer him to your side then?"

After listening, Sun Zhendong's eyes lit up, and he immediately laughed:

"Haha, it is still my wife who knows how to use people well."

Zhao Yang was also moved.

The Policy Research Office, although not as conspicuous as a secretary, touches on a very high level.

The province's major decisions and important documents all have to pass through there.

Moreover, this Mrs. Sun is truly not simple, being able to give such precise advice at a critical moment.

"Little Zhao, what do you think?" Sun Zhendong asked.

Zhao Yang did not hesitate: "Governor Sun, I am willing."

Han Zhiyu smiled knowingly from the side:

"Yo, the role change is quite fast; even the address has changed."

Meanwhile, at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection case-handling center.

Lu Zheng sat in his office, the ashtray in front of him already piled high with cigarette butts.

Ji Hongwen's confession was too important, so important that it made him have to be cautious.

He picked up the phone and dialed Gong Chengze's number.

"Secretary Gong, there is an emergency situation that needs to be reported."

On the other end of the line, Gong Chengze's voice was steady: "Speak."

"Ji Hongwen confessed to conspiring with Xiao Zhiyuan to embezzle fiscal funds. The cumulative amount..."

Lu Zheng reported the numbers, but did not mention Ji Hongwen's report against Tao Zhimian.

Involving an official at this level, the higher-ups are very cautious; letting Zhao Yang hand it over to Sun Zhendong for a decision was the best choice.

There was silence on the other end of the line for a full ten seconds.

"Are you sure?" Gong Chengze's voice lowered.

"Sure. Ji Hongwen has confessed clearly. Moreover, Xiao Zhiyuan knew about the framing of Sun Hongwei."

After a long while, Gong Chengze finally spoke:

"Involving a ministerial-level official, we do not have the authority to handle it. You organize the materials well, and I will report to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection immediately."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Zheng let out a long breath.

He knew that what happened next was not something the province could control.

...

It was already past nine o'clock in the evening when Zhao Yang dragged his exhausted body back to the dormitory.

He pushed the door open, but the lights were on in the room.

A familiar figure was sitting on the sofa, holding a book in her hand.

Jiang Nan.

She was wearing casual clothes, her long hair draped over her shoulders, and she looked up when she heard the door open.

Seeing Zhao Yang's appearance, her brows furrowed.

"How did you get like this? Your hair is as messy as a chicken coop."

Zhao Yang was stunned, then smiled: "Why are you here?"

Jiang Nan put down the book, stood up and walked over, looking him up and down:

"Resting on the weekend, I came to see you. You, on the other hand, didn't answer your phone all day, and only just showed up now."

Zhao Yang smiled and asked: "Why are you here alone, how boring. Why didn't you go over to accompany our mother?"

Jiang Nan pouted, "I don't want to go back to watch her show off her wealth."

She walked a few steps closer, looking at Zhao Yang's bloodshot eyes, and asked with concern:

"What happened?"

Zhao Yang shook his head and pulled her into his arms:

"I'm almost done over here; there might be big movements in the neighboring Donghai Province."

Jiang Nan didn't ask again; she knew the discipline of the Commission for Discipline Inspection—things that shouldn't be asked must not be asked.

Jiang Nan broke free from his embrace, walked to the table, and opened a thermos:

"Honey, I stewed some chicken soup for you, drink a little."

The term "Honey," plus the steaming bucket of chicken soup, made the sense of happiness in Zhao Yang's heart instantly reach its peak.

He hugged Jiang Nan from behind and buried his face in her hair.

"Wife, I feel like I am the happiest man in the world, bar none."

Jiang Nan let him hug her, immersed in the two people's world.

The next morning, a silver-white special plane landed at Jiangzhou Airport.

Six people from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection opened the cabin door and filed out one by one.