In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 85 Zhao De Suspended from Duty
State District, Police Station.

Zhang Like rushed over to find Lu Zhao again.

"Old Lu, this is bad. The smuggled goods we were investigating have been discovered by the city authorities, and they've taken some of them."

"Let them take it, at least we took photos as evidence."

Lu Zhao continued practicing his immobilization technique and replied calmly, "If our report becomes invalid because the goods were stolen, then the higher-ups have no intention of dealing with Zhao De."

"What if the higher-ups really do that?"

Zhang Like always likes to assume the worst-case scenario, which also reveals his eagerness to win.

Lu Zhao used to be like that too, his mind only filled with the most extreme good and evil. Either the wicked would be brought to justice, or everything would be lost.

Like swaying weeds, they bend whichever way the wind blows.

In his view, Zhao De's sending people to steal things showed that the other party was desperate.

Lu Zhao closed the book and said calmly and firmly, "Then we should also return to the border station and continue preparing for this year's flood season."

"Their crimes will not disappear because of this cover-up. I am not afraid of being discouraged. There is still a long way to go."

Being pragmatic and conscientious is how Lu Zhao summarizes himself.

Lu Zhao led Zhang Like out of the office, inspected the various firing positions, and emphasized that they should be more vigilant in the coming days and be on guard against enemy attacks at all times.

As for the enemy, it goes without saying.
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July 2nd, Nankaido Prefectural Government Bureau, small conference room.

The Dao Zhengju (Taoist Administration Bureau) has large and small meetings. The large meetings invite leaders from various departments, regional representatives, industry representatives and other high-level people to discuss and often decide the future development direction of the entire Dao.

However, the federal government is particularly domineering, and these meetings are generally more of a formality than a practical matter.

The purpose of inviting celebrities from all walks of life was not to discuss matters, but to issue a notification.

After the notice is given, anyone who still doesn't understand should not blame the iron fist for coming down.

Only small meetings have decision-making power. The small meeting room of the Nankai Prefectural Government has twelve seats, which also symbolizes the twelve directors of the Prefectural Government.

These twelve people are the 'designers' of Nankaido, and their every move affects 300 million people, extending even beyond the Miyako Islands and all the islands along the southeast coast.

Broadly speaking, the twelve people can be divided into two factions: Liu and Chen. More specifically, each person is a separate group.

Today, Chief Scientist Liu Hanwen convened an emergency seminar.

[Meeting on the Handling of Serious Violations of Discipline and Smuggling Channels in Fangcheng District]

Everyone was stunned when they saw the file name.

A few days ago, it was agreed that the issue of smuggling would only be addressed in the defense of the city, and that the issue of city enforcement would not be pursued for the time being.

This was the result of Chen Yunming's desperate protection.

But today Liu Hanwen suddenly changed his tune, combining the two issues together. Such capriciousness goes against the unspoken rules of the power structure.

"Please sit down, everyone. We can only continue the meeting after you have read the report."

Liu Hanwen invited everyone to sit down. Everyone had their own thoughts, but they all kept a calm demeanor.

Soon, the expressions of the crowd split into two camps: one side looked surprised and let out a soft "Eh," while the other side's expression gradually became serious.

About three minutes later, Liu Hanwen, without exchanging pleasantries, presented a brief report on the smuggled goods: "Comrades, the situation is very clear. The matter of Fangshi is not as simple as the issue of the state district."

"This is an organized criminal activity within the federal government, an abuse of power by a group of officials, and a trampling of morality and discipline! It is extremely serious in nature and must be dealt with severely, swiftly, and strictly!"

Every word made the Chen faction's directors' hearts race.

According to Liu Hanwen, the scope of the attack was enormous. Everyone's gaze, intentionally or unintentionally, drifted towards Chen Yunming, the middle-aged man with heavy eye bags, who remained silent.

This report left him speechless.

With witnesses and physical evidence, it's best to catch them in the act. If Chen Yunming can break this royal flush, then the South China Sea should be called Chen Family Road.

Seeing that he remained silent, Liu Hanwen continued, "I suggest that a temporary leadership team be parachuted in to control the situation, and then a thorough investigation of officials at all levels should be conducted."

“I think it is indeed necessary to investigate, and it must be investigated thoroughly.” Chen Yunming first agreed, then changed the subject: “But directly undermining the management of a city is too radical.”

"This evidence has not yet been verified, and there are no specific figures on the amount and scale involved. There is only one witness, an official at the level of a chief clerk."

Liu Hanwen asked, "We have both witnesses and physical evidence, isn't that enough?"

“I agree with Chief Liu’s proposal,” Chen Yunming reiterated, emphasizing cooperation. “I just wonder if being too aggressive might overcomplicate the issue, or even lead to the defection of high-level superhumans?”

"Those who can become executives in the Federation are all top geniuses."

Upon hearing this, most people showed expressions of approval.

The defection of a high-level superhuman is a much more serious matter if it gets out, as it will undermine the unity of the Federation.

The extraordinary individuals in the city's executive positions are basically well-rounded individuals in both civil and military fields within the Federation, and the vast majority of them were once geniuses.

These people were also reserve officers for the Martial Marquis, and each of the Martial Marquises had served as a market official.

Liu Hanwen frowned slightly and asked, "Then what does Vice Chairman Chen think should be done?"

Chen Yunming said, "We can take disciplinary action first, and then conduct an investigation after the temperature drops."

"By then, will these witnesses and physical evidence still exist?"

Liu Hanwen was not satisfied and said, "Why not hand it over to the special task force? I think one of the comrades there, Lu Zhao, is very capable."

Chen Yunming raised an eyebrow and softened his tone: "For those below the rank of official, those with conclusive evidence will be arrested, and the rest will be temporarily suspended from their duties and the supervisors will postpone the investigation."

Liu Hanwen asked, "What if a high-level superhuman defectes?"

Chen Yunming calmly replied, "I believe in the ethics of the Federal City Executive Group. Even if they die, they should die within the Federation."

If someone doesn't want to be dignified, then someone else will naturally help them be dignified.
-
On July 3rd, in light rain, the special task force prosecuted the traffic management department, and one chief officer and three deputy officers were arrested.

On July 4th, in light rain, Wang Tong, the captain of the Special Counter-Strike Team, was suspended from his duties pending investigation.

On July 5th, in light rain, the deputy-level leader of the personnel department was suspended from duty for investigation.

On July 6th, during a heavy rain, the deputy-level leader of the local Dali Division was suspended from duty for investigation.

On July 7th, the head of the city's public security department was arrested.

Arrest warrants were issued one after another from higher authorities. Officials were temporarily suspended from their duties for investigation, while lower-ranking officials were directly arrested.

The supervisory authorities were arresting people everywhere, and for a time everyone in the city was living in fear.

As news spread that the task force was stationed at the police station in the outer district, Chinese people began to come and submit a large number of reports.

Lu Zhao accepted all such offers, and as long as his superiors refused to grant them their requests, he would uphold justice to the end.

Arresting all the officials, big and small, in Fangcheng District would surely result in injustices, but arresting every other one would allow many corrupt officials to slip through the cracks.

On July 8th, during a heavy rain, Zhao De, the head of the Fangshi Municipal Bureau of Justice, was suspended from his duties pending investigation.

With the biggest hat falling to the ground, the atmosphere in Fangcheng District suddenly became quiet.

(End of this chapter)