Chapter 57: Selling Out Friends for Fame?

  "You're kidding, right? You might as well say he should be fined another 10 billion, does he have that kind of money?" Peng Hongjun didn't want to listen anymore and frowned, saying: "Lu Zhong, what do you really want to say?"

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly and said, "Right, he should not have any. We don't have personal bankruptcy law, but we can formulate corresponding regulations to deduct a certain percentage of fines from his future income, only leaving him with an income that can guarantee his normal living standards. The rest of the income will be deducted as fines until the fines and interest are paid off or he dies naturally. Of course, if the convicted person does not have a normal income after being released from prison, there is no way to collect the fine, nor does it affect him from enjoying various social minimum guarantees."

  Moreover, family common property should be included in the scope of fine collection, including the bribes given by the corrupt person to his family members in the past, so as not to let the corrupt person sacrifice one and benefit the whole family.

  "In the future, for economic crimes, we can move with the times and be more lenient in sentencing, but we must demonstrate the deterrent power of the law in a more civilized way."

  "Thus, by implementing fines as punishment, the cost of committing a crime is maximized to the greatest extent, which will also greatly reduce the likelihood that some criminals can obtain ultra-high returns at the cost of several years in prison. After being released from prison for corruption and bribery, you can only live an ordinary life, want to continue indulging in luxury and extravagance? That's just a dream."

  "Pa", but Lu Zhong had just pulled out a cigarette, and his little secretary had already come up behind him to light it for him.

  Lu Zhong lit a cigarette, smiled and nodded at the little secretary, then turned his head and said: "So, Lin Haixia's case, she was found to have illegally obtained more than 20,000 yuan, right? Then let's fine her another 10,000. Verify her family's assets and properties given to her children, all of which will be confiscated as fines. If the payment is not enough before she goes to prison, it will be enforced after she comes out." Lu Zhong nodded thoughtfully at this point and said: "If Lin Haixia was just taking the fall for someone else, I think now she might retract her confession. And as for the fine, we need to investigate how each sum of money came about in our judicial department."

  Everyone was stunned. Lu Zhong went back and forth, and it seemed that he wanted to fine Lao Du's family again? This, this is not a case of turning against someone you know?

  Those who are familiar with Lu Zhong's character know that although he has a bad temper, he is particularly righteous. During Du Bo Tao's investigation, Secretary Qiu kept his distance, but only Lu Zhong didn't avoid suspicion and often went to Du Bo Tao's house to visit. Lu Zhong is absolutely not someone who would turn his back on others or be unfeeling and heartless. It seems that there must be some intention behind these words today.

  Peng Hongjun sneered: "What's all this fuss about? If the crime is serious, just confiscate the property."

  Lu Zhong slightly shook his head and said, "The definition of severity is too vague, similarly, it's very difficult to implement in practice. Laws and regulations must be clear and explicit in order to have a basis for enforcement."

  Jiang Haiyan glanced at Qiu Dahe and said, "Secretary Qiu, what do you think of Lu Zhong's idea? Otherwise, let's adjourn the meeting and discuss it further?"

  Qiu Da nodded slightly.

  Lu Zhong said at this time: "We do not have a clear provision for fines, so even if our Guangning Court has made such a judgment, it is only a special case as an economic special zone court, but the significance is extremely significant. I think about it, whether our judicial department needs to make a theoretical explanation from a legal perspective? Please also ask provincial and municipal legal experts to provide valuable opinions, maybe in the future, it can be implemented nationwide, and for the work of our Wushan and Guangning judicial system, it will be a good boost."

  Everyone was silent, and it turned out that this guy had just entered the main topic. After going around in circles, it was all about his political achievements. The Guangning judicial system achieved results, and the first beneficiary would naturally be Lu Zhong himself.

  Some people's gaze towards Lu Zhong has also changed, this Lu Gang head, who says he is just a rough man? Being able to enter the Standing Committee, now looking at it, it's not just luck, this guy can always stir up some noise anywhere and anytime, and will turn bad things into good things, this skill is quite deep.

  Jiang Haiyan looked at Lu Zhong's gaze with great depth, but the corners of her mouth slightly revealed a hint of disdain, as if Lu Zhong had been labeled with the four words "betraying friends for personal gain" once again.

  Peng Hongjun's face didn't look very good, perhaps he had originally planned to use the meeting to deal with Du Botao and show off his power as the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, but unexpectedly, Lu Zheng easily stole the spotlight.

  Lu Zhong slowly inhaled his cigarette smoke, he didn't care what others thought, he just hoped to use the current case to slowly explore and pave the way for the future.

  Raise the cost of recidivism for economic crimes.

  From the central government to local governments, political and economic reforms are being explored gradually. Many times, it is a case of using pilot projects to promote nationwide implementation, especially for special economic zones where policies are more relaxed.

  For example, Shenzhen is already preparing to issue a special zone currency, and at the central level, it has been approved.

  A country, under the same system, issuing two sets of currency, is just a little bit away from appearing right before our eyes. What else is impossible?

  Lu Zhong believes that using a point to influence the whole country is now the best time. Many things can still be changed from now on, and it's not too late.

  ……

  Dong Mi Garden, a small private room on the second floor, only Lu Zhong and Du Bo Tao were present.

  Du Bo Tao has just submitted his resignation report. Now, even if he stays in the unit, it doesn't make much sense. Originally a high-ranking official, now he is not even qualified to speak at the party group meeting of the bureau's department, and his situation is worse than that of an ordinary clerk. Staying in the unit has made him a laughing stock.

  "Baotao, take care on your journey from now on." Lu Zhong raised his wine cup and lightly clinked it against his.

  Du Bo Tao smiled wryly and nodded, he couldn't understand many things, but it was clear that Lu Zhong didn't want to give him an answer either.

  The court has just pronounced the verdict, Du Bo Tao's wife Lin Haixia was sentenced to 5 years in prison for "speculation and profiteering", with all illegal gains confiscated and a fine of 10,200 yuan. According to various sources obtained by Du Bo Tao, this was largely driven by Lu Zheng, who proposed the punishment at the Standing Committee meeting, and then repeatedly convened meetings with public security, procuratorate and court officials, communicating with those in charge, even going so far as to influence the verdict through administrative orders.

  Some people say that Lu Zhong did this in order to achieve results for the judicial system he leads.

  Du Bo Tao, however, did not quite believe the rumors outside. The Lu Zhong he knew was not a ruthless and unscrupulous bandit in the eyes of outsiders, nor was he a heartless and despicable person.

  To make up for the fine, Du Bo Tao almost emptied his family's savings, and after borrowing from east to west, he was still short of a few thousand yuan. Just as he was at his wit's end, Du Xiao Hu sent over some money, relieving his urgent need.

  Today Lu Zhong invited him to dinner and also told him a good news, Lu Zhong had already helped him contact a trading company in Beijing, in a few days, he could go to this trading company for work.

  Lu Zhong said more seriously: "Bo Tao, I can only do this much. What happens to you in the future depends on yourself. If things go well for you, maybe in a year or two, you'll be able to pay back all the debts, including those I borrowed from you."

  "But I have high hopes for you, all these years working in the business system, from now on really put your mind into doing business, not many people can keep up with you."

  So, Du Bo Tao is still confused to this day and really doesn't know what kind of tricks Lu Zhong is playing. If it's just for his own sake, it's too unbelievable. Besides, why would he do that? What's in it for him?

  It seemed that Lu Zhong knew Du Bo Tao's inner doubts, so he put down his wine cup and said seriously: "In short, Bo Tao, this matter is not aimed at you, don't bear a grudge against me."

  Du Bo Tao smiled wryly and said, "Zhuangzi, where did this come from?" Without official duties, he felt lighter and more relaxed.

  To say that this matter had nothing to do with Lu Zhong from the start, whether his wife was sentenced or he himself was demoted, it was all an inevitable outcome. Lu Zhong just made a suggestion to add a fine, and afterwards, he actively helped himself to make amends, so there's no need to mention resentment or blame.

  After his own downfall, the entire Guangning government was left with only Lu Zhong and Li Xiangyang who could still come and go with him. Even Li Xiangyang, an old friend of many years, had some reservations, but he was far from being as open and aboveboard as Lu Zhong.

  "It's actually me, after handling these matters, I'm afraid to leave Guangning! Looking at Du Bogao's puzzled gaze, Lu Zhong smiled and said: "Don't mention this!" Raised his wine cup: "Bogao, congratulations on your new career, may it flourish every day! Come, let's have another cup of wine, and go to the capital to make a big plan!"

  Du Bo Tao smiled slightly, and somehow, he was infected by Lu Zhong's emotions, suddenly feeling a few points of heroic spirit, lightly clinking cups with Lu Zhong, and drinking it all in one gulp...