In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

"Did Secretary Lichun make this?"

"Perhaps. By the way, you can be discharged from the hospital in a few days. You can tell the organization whatever you want then."

"Yes, thank you, Secretary Chen."

"No need to thank me. You've been a competent public security chief during my months in Handong. If you want to thank someone, thank yourself for getting shot three times to ensure your safe arrival."

After exchanging a few more words, Chen Luo hung up the phone. Based on the current calculations, Zhao Lichun's purpose was quite clear.

As for what Zhao Lichun does, that's his business.

After washing up, Chen Luo went to bed.

On Tuesday, at the same time, the same call came again. Zhong Zhengguo called Zhao Lichun once more. Logically, Zhao Lichun should have already succumbed to the pressure and compromised with him.

They waited all night but no call came.

Unable to contain himself, Zhong Zhengguo decided to take the initiative.

"Hey, Secretary Lichun, have you thought it through?"

Zhao Lichun smiled slightly upon receiving the call.

"Brother Zhengguo, I've let you down."

I understand perfectly well! Just wait for my message.

At that moment, a barely audible voice reached Zhong Zhengguo's ears, "Secretary Zhao, Director Xiao is waiting for you!"

Chapter 216: Zhao Lichun exposes himself while holding Zhong, and steps down from the stage.

"Hello? Hello! Zhao Lichun, what's the situation on your end? What Director Xiao?"

But Zhao Lichun didn't reply with a single word.

Hang up the phone immediately.

At home, Zhong Zhengguo's heart was pounding. After hanging up the phone, he was restless, sweat dripping from his forehead, until he muttered to himself, "Director Xiao? Director Xiao of the Supervisory Commission? Deputy Secretary Xiao? Damn it, you big fool Chun, what are you trying to do!"

After realizing what was happening, Zhong Zhengguo called Zhao Lichun again and again, but to no avail; no one answered.

After making a few calls, the phone even shut down.

At the Discipline Inspection Commission, Zhao Lichun, with a heavy heart, pushed open Director Xiao's office door.

"Comrade Lichun is here, please sit down."

Both were at the same level, but of course, Director Xiao's real power was far greater than Zhao Lichun's.

"Director Xiao, I won't sit here. I'm not worthy!"

Director Xiao smiled and shook his head.

"Comrade Lichun, whether you are worthy or not is a matter for the organization to consider. In the years of reform and opening up in Handong, the contributions you, as the provincial party secretary, have made cannot be ignored."

"Let's sit down and talk about whatever our problems are."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lichun sat down in silence.

"Director Xiao, I'm here to explain the problems to the organization."

Director Xiao's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Well, Comrade Lichun, you go ahead and speak."

"Director Xiao, I have worked in Handong for more than 20 years. I have done all kinds of jobs, from the county to the city and then to the province. I even served two terms as the provincial party secretary."

As you probably know, I have a son named Zhao Ruilong…

As Zhao Lichun confessed to all his problems, the focus remained on his failure to properly manage Zhao Ruilong.

In his confession, Zhao Lichun attributed the problems of Qi Tongwei, Gao Yuliang, Gao Xiaoqin, and others to his son Zhao Ruilong, blaming himself for failing to properly raise his son.

"Alas! Director Xiao, I request the organization to discipline me and to sentence Zhao Ruilong according to law and regulations!"

Director Xiao smiled and nodded, then asked, "Comrade Lichun, is that all?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lichun was taken aback. Did he really need to say anything else? But he really had no other problems.

"Comrade Lichun, I've heard that you and Comrade Zhong Zhengguo haven't gotten along lately. Would you like to elaborate on this issue?"

Zhao Lichun belatedly realized what was happening, and upon seeing Director Xiao's squinting, smiling expression, he immediately had a guess.

"Ahem, it's like this, Director Xiao. Comrade Zhong Zhengguo has been paying extra attention to me lately, or rather, he's been very attentive to the position I'm currently in..."

After revealing everything Zhong Zhengguo had done during this period, Director Xiao smiled with satisfaction.

"This Comrade Zhong Zhengguo is truly undisciplined and lacks any sense of organization! I was wondering why the Third Inspection Office suddenly went to Handong to conduct an investigation a while ago; it turns out it was used for personal purposes!"

What does Zhong Zhengguo want to do?

Even if you, Comrade Lichun, step down, that decision will be made by the organization and by the people!

Zhong Zhengguo actually tried to coerce you into recommending him using such methods?

"Comrade Lichun, rest assured, our Discipline Inspection Commission will thoroughly investigate this matter!"

"Um... Director Xiao, also, you know about Zhongfu Group, right?"

Director Xiao was naturally well aware of the situation.

"You mean Lin Manjiang?"

"Yes, yes, Director Xiao, you don't know, this Lin Manjiang used to be Comrade Zhong Zhengguo's subordinate. Zhongfu Group was, to some extent, Comrade Zhong Zhengguo's backyard."

"I have already had the comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission investigate this matter, although Lin Manjiang is still unwilling to give a clear explanation."

But he will definitely speak up within a few days at most. This Comrade Zhong Zhengguo has gone too far!

Oh, right, Comrade Lichun, don't leave yet.

I have to report both your problem and Comrade Zhong Zhengguo's problem, after all, I am only the deputy secretary.

Your issues still need to be understood and decided upon by those above.

"I understand, Director Xiao!"

In Lüzhou, Chen Luo had just finished presiding over the Standing Committee meeting, giving instructions and making arrangements for the next phase of work in Handong, and had just returned to the Secretary's office when he received a call from Elder Xu.

"Hey, Mr. Xu."

"Chen Luo, guess what I want to say?"

Chen Luo chuckled upon hearing this.

"Old Xu, did Zhao Lichun confess to the organization?"

"Hey! Where did you get this information, kid? I just got a call from Director Xiao. You can't be some kind of Six-Eared Macaque in disguise, can you?"

"Old Xu, there are actually clues to this. Secretary Lichun now has a grandchild, so naturally he has to consider him. In Handong, his son Zhao Ruilong has already become mentally impaired."

You're simply unaware of this information.

"No wonder then. But it wasn't just Zhao Lichun who frankly confessed to the problem; he also dragged Zhong Zhengguo into it."

Tsk tsk, I just received a notice that there will be a meeting tonight. In addition to discussing the handling of Zhao Lichun, there is also the issue of Zhong Zhengguo's disregard for organizational discipline.

You just wait and see, kid. I reckon they're both finished!

After hanging up the phone, Chen Luo hadn't even sat down when another call came in.

Upon closer inspection, wow, it was my senior.

"Hello, Minister Xu!"

"Nobody's here, call him 'senior'!"

"Haha, senior!"

"Thank you for Zhong Zhengguo's matter. Although I am not in Handong, I am aware of your efforts. If Zhong Zhengguo is removed from his position this time, I will most likely be able to take his place."

"Senior, I didn't do anything. I was just upholding the rule of law in Handong."

"Alright, alright, whatever you want. Anyway, I'll remember this favor. You've done a great job in Luzhou. Keep up the good work, your future will be even brighter than ours!"

The series of phone calls made Chen Luo let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Chen Luo, Chen Luo, don't forget your original aspirations!"

Shaking his head, Chen Luo suppressed the joy in his heart.

Now that both the Zhong and Zhao families are about to fall, Handong's support for him is unprecedented.

Luzhou, the place where he was in charge of his work.

Chen Luo is determined to develop Lüzhou, a place that receives advanced foreign technology and industries!

Wednesday arrived, and in Handong, the Provincial Public Security Bureau and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection jointly released details of the case.

There was no evidence that Zhao Ruilong coerced Zhong Xiaoai, but Zhong Xiaoai remained unconvinced and chose to continue her appeal. Meanwhile, Zhao Ruilong was transferred to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Meanwhile, news of Zhao Lichun's hospitalization due to illness spread in the morning, along with his retirement application. In the afternoon, Zhong Zhengguo was secretly taken away by staff from the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Supervisory Commission for investigation.

In a short time, the two sides that had been fighting fiercely came to an end, and cadres from all over the country either retired or were transferred to sinecure positions. Such is the cruelty of struggle.

The next morning, Zhong Zhengguo came out of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Supervisory Commission, but he looked as if he had aged ten years.

On this very day, Handong discovered new evidence: Zhong Xiaoai was forced by Zhao Ruilong.

Meanwhile, Zhong Zhengguo, like Zhao Lichun, applied for early retirement due to health issues.

Chapter 217 The dust settles, a gluttonous feast begins.

Zhong Zhengguo felt extremely heavy-hearted when he returned home.

Pushing open the gate of the courtyard house, Zhong Zhengguo saw his father sitting at the entrance of the main room from a distance, holding a cane in his hand.

Old Zhong's eyes were slightly closed, but he opened them immediately after hearing Zhong Zhengguo push him away.

His cloudy gaze pierced straight into Zhong Zhengguo.

He didn't speak, nor did he make any accusations, but Zhong Zhengguo felt uneasy.

He lowered his head and walked towards his elderly father. When he reached Old Zhong, he knelt down on the ground with a thud.