Volume 1: Director of Public Security Chapter 56: Reciting Sutras and Beating Monks

  In the evening, Tong Su-su still had to work overtime and rehearse. In the county's cafeteria, Lu Zheng and Tong Mu had dinner together, and again heard some service staff and cadres greet Lu Zheng respectfully, with some calling him "Secretary Lu" and others "County Magistrate Lu". Tong Mu's mind was momentarily stunned. It wasn't until halfway through their conversation that she gradually came to understand that the young man in front of her also served as the county's Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary and Deputy County Governor, and was even a member of the county's Standing Committee.

  The mother couldn't help but sigh deeply and say: "This world still favors good people, Congzi, you have a kind heart, so naturally there will be noble people to protect you."

  Not to mention Lu Zhong's age, an ordinary cadre can be promoted to the county party committee is a very complex process, with the right timing, location and people, among which personal connections are the most crucial and important. Looking at Lu Zhong, Tong Mu knew in her heart that this young man would not be as simple as he seemed in her daughter's eyes.

  Lu Zhong smiled and said: "Auntie will be staying in Guangning for a while, anyway, if there's anything in the future, just let me know, don't treat me like an outsider."

  The young mother nodded slightly, but towards Lu Zhong, there was also an invisible barrier. Having reached the position of county committee member, it's impossible that there wasn't a relationship with someone above. Who knows who this young man has backing him? If he's not on good terms with the old man... Loose talk can lead to trouble, and unintentionally revealing some things might stir up a huge commotion.

  Lu Zhengmin keenly felt the change in Tongmu's attitude, but didn't say much, just smiled and accompanied her to eat and chat, then personally drove her back to her rented county suburban bungalow.

  ……

  Before you know it, after a snowfall, Chinese New Year is approaching.

  The crew of "Dream of the Red Chamber" left Guangning after New Year's Day due to weather reasons. Lu Zhen occasionally goes to Wushan to visit Tongmu and also knows about Tong Suxin's recent situation. It is said that her position in the crew has become more stable, and she has gained the director's appreciation. Many scenes have stolen Lin Daiyu's spotlight.

  Lu Zhong couldn't help but sigh, thinking that the "Dream of Red Mansions" was no longer the version he had read before. Perhaps by the time it officially airs, the rivalry between Baochai and Daiyu will bring a whole new experience to the media and audience.

  The county fertilizer plant contract reform was officially launched, and the county government specially set up a leading group, with Lu Zhong as the leader, Vice County Mayor and Director of the Planning and Economic Commission Wang Dongsheng as the deputy leader, and most members were heads of relevant departments and bureaus.

  At the same time, Wang Zhiwei, director of the county audit bureau, and Du Botao, director of the county commerce bureau, were also investigated by the discipline inspection commission, which also caused a great stir in the Guangning government.

  The last county party committee meeting before the Spring Festival discussed the important agenda of how to deal with Du Bo Tao.

  The case of Du Bo Tao has been basically investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission. Du Bo Tao's wife, Lin Haixia's trading company, under the banner of Du Bo Tao, speculated and profiteered from selling planned commodities at low prices to outside areas, earning huge profits. Currently, Lin Haixia is being detained in a detention center, and Du Bo Tao has been temporarily suspended from his duties.

  The first agenda of this Standing Committee meeting was how to deal with Du Bertao in accordance with party discipline and government discipline, and how to sentence Lin Haixia.

  The heads of the county courts, procuratorates and judicial bureaus attended the meeting as observers. Under the current political atmosphere, it is a very common procedure for the Party to guide judicial organs in handling cases.

  It's actually quite obvious that at the secretary meeting, a tone had been set for Du Bo Tao's case, and Qiu Dahe and Jiang Haiyan must have reached some sort of consensus. At the meeting, it was mainly Vice Secretary and Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Peng Hongjun who spoke, he severely criticized Du Bo Tao's various wrongdoings, with a look of pain and regret: "Comrades, we must take this as a warning! Although our economy is thriving, our hearts can't be swayed by it. As party cadres, we must strictly demand ourselves to be like still water, clean and pure!"

  Obviously, as the power of the Discipline Inspection Commission is implemented, Peng Hongjun's waist gradually becomes harder.

  Finally, Peng Hongjun proposed that Du Baotao be dismissed on the spot, all party and non-party positions be revoked, and he be given a two-year disciplinary action of staying in the party for observation. Du Baotao's lover Lin Haixia and related suspects were transferred to the procuratorate for legal proceedings.

  Leave the party for observation, and in general, will be exempt from intra-party duties, while also suggesting that external groups exempt him from his duties.

  Jiang Haiyan interrupted Peng Hongjun's speech, "I hope the comrades of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Procuratorate can verify Lin Haixia's illegal income clearly. This part of the income must be handed over to the state treasury." Her words were naturally meant to influence the court's verdict.

  To be fair, Jiang Haiyan didn't kill Du Boguo with one blow. After all, his wife was using Du's name to embezzle money outside, and it's unlikely he knew nothing about it. In the end, Jiang Haiyan spared Du from prison, which can be considered mercy.

  The current social atmosphere has zero tolerance for exposed cases of official corruption, unlike in the past when people were numb to such issues. Some local official media have even come up with absurd arguments for lenient sentences, such as "special talent theory" and "no loss to the country theory". Therefore, Jiang Haiyan's punishment is considered very light.

  Jiang Haiyan had just finished speaking, and Peng Hongjun was about to echo her words when Lu Zhong extinguished his cigarette butt and said with a smile: "Secretary Hongjun, may I add a couple of sentences?"

  Lu Zhong was in charge of the party's political and legal affairs, but when the secretary convened a meeting to discuss this case, he wasn't even notified to attend. When he wanted to speak, everyone suddenly seemed to have come back to life, those who were originally dozing off sat up straight, thinking to themselves that this live bandit was probably going to fire another shot.

  Everyone is waiting to see the good show.

  Peng Hongjun's face turned iron-green as he glanced at Lu Zhong, not making a sound. Since Lu Zhong directly questioned him "What kind of thing are you?" at the Standing Committee meeting, there was no room for improvement in the deteriorating relationship between the two.

  Lu Zhong didn't even look at him, and began to speak on his own initiative. He sighed and said: "The spring breeze of reform blows across the land, but in this warm spring breeze, if our cadres cannot keep a clear head, then this spring breeze may be a sandstorm, blowing away the dignified officials everywhere."

  Qiu Dahai picked up his teacup, and Lu Zhong's speeches always surprised everyone, but after the meeting, you would find that no matter how angry or impromptu he spoke, the result was always the same: the tone of the meeting shifted in a direction favorable to him. Perhaps it was a coincidence, perhaps intentional, but in any case, Qiu Dahai gradually felt that this Lu Zhong was far from as simple as he seemed.

  Jiang Haiyan is calm in the face of anyone, but when she sees Lu Zhun's lazy appearance, she hates it so much that her teeth ache. However, sometimes she has to rely heavily on Lu Zhun, such as the fertilizer plant reform, which is very much in line with her thinking. Perhaps, given her temperament, not having moved against Lu Zhun until now is already a miracle.

  But human tolerance is always limited.

  Lu Zhong also had a feeling that recently, Jiang Haiyan's attitude towards herself had changed. Perhaps she was planning something, and now that Du Bogao had fallen, would she be the next one?

  Knocking on the table, Jiang Haiyan frowned and said: "Most cadres are good, don't be too alarmist! We are all public servants, and it's not appropriate to talk about official hats!"

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly and said, "I agree with your view. Now our cadres are naturally all good comrades, but what about in the future? Can our cadres resist the temptation of power in their hands in the face of economic tides?"

  Peng Hongjun followed the usual procedure, imitating Jiang Haiyan's mannerisms by knocking on the table and saying: "These factors will be considered above, but we should still focus on the practical issues of Guangning. Deputy County Magistrate Lu, don't you think so?" In his heart, he looked down on Lu Gang, who was pretending to be a big shot, not knowing that he thought he was the General Secretary of the Party Central Committee.

  "The Deputy County Head" - Peng Hongjun emphasized these four words, and anyone could hear the meaning behind them.

  Lu Zhong ignored the sarcasm from Peng Hongjun, nodded and said: "Baotao's case gave me an idea. Are we being too lenient on officials who abuse their power for personal gain and corrupt? Of course, Baotao is not a corrupt official, I'm just speaking my mind."

  Peng Hongjun frowned and said, "The treatment of Du Boguo has already been exceptionally considerate. Considering he is a long-time old party member and old cadre, and his wife's wrongdoing was unknown to him, what do you think? Do you think it's too severe?" He thought Lu Zheng was taking advantage of the situation to defend Du Boguo.

  Lu Zhong shook his head and smiled, "I think it's too light, especially when it comes to illegal income. Whether it's corruption or bribery, or benefits obtained through abuse of power, just confiscating the ill-gotten gains is not enough. Our crime costs are too low. Take corruption for example, I think that even if we can verify the property, seven or eight out of ten cases won't be reported by the briber."

  "If it's a case involving tens or hundreds of millions, then after confiscating the illegal gains, these criminals may still be left with tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of black income. And this money, ordinary workers may not be able to earn in their lifetime. So I couldn't help but ask, can our punishments really deter crime?"

  "As for the confiscation of property in economic crimes, it is very vague and there are many difficulties to be solved." Lu Zhong said, taking a sip of water from his cup, and continued: "Therefore, I think that in addition to confiscating illegal gains, a certain proportion of fines should be imposed on corrupt officials who abuse their power for personal gain. This proportion can be further explored."

  In the conference room, people looked at me and I looked at them. Many people seemed to be puzzled by what Lu Zhong was saying, except for Jiang Haiyan, who narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

  Lu Zhong also said: "In this way, let me give an example, for instance, someone has embezzled 100 million yuan."

  The scene suddenly burst into a "hush", and Peng Hongjun frowned: "How is this possible?"

  Lu Zhong smiled and said: "I'm just giving an example, just listen to it." He continued: "If someone embezzled 100 million yuan, that's okay. In addition to confiscating the income of 100 million yuan, a fine can be imposed in a certain proportion, for example, at the same proportion as the illegal income..."