Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 122 "Black Widow's" Appointment

Just then, a child's loud cries suddenly came from upstairs.

"Oh dear, the child is awake!" Wang Xingxing said hurriedly, "Officer, I'm sorry, the child is crying, I have to go upstairs to check on him!"

After saying that, she turned around and walked quickly toward the stairs without waiting for a response.

Wu Zhiyuan scanned the living room ceiling and corners again but found no obvious surveillance cameras.

He casually said to the middle-aged woman, "Auntie, could you please get our household registration booklet? We just need to take a look."

This is a reasonable request; it is standard procedure for the community to conduct door-to-door visits to verify information and check household registration books.

The middle-aged woman didn't suspect anything and quickly said, "Okay, okay, the household registration book is in the drawer upstairs, I'll go get it right away."

Only Sun Runcai and Wu Zhiyuan remained in the living room.

Wu Zhiyuan pointed to the small photo frame next to the TV cabinet, and Sun Runcai understood immediately.

He stood near the top of the stairs, pretending to observe the decorative paintings on the wall, but actually using his body to block the view that might come down the stairs.

Wu Zhiyuan seized the opportunity, aimed at the wooden photo frame, and took several photos and a video. These are all evidence.

Wu Zhiyuan returned to his seat and saw several magazines on the lower shelf of the coffee table. The top one was a copy of "Qiushi" magazine. He casually flipped through it and found a copy of the "Approval Form for Fund Allocation of the Greening Improvement Project of the New Administrative Center Square in Longdong District".

At the end of the document, Chen Zhenglei's name and approval comments were clearly visible, and the date was at the beginning of the year.

At that time, Chen Zhenglei was the executive deputy district head. He was transferred to the position of deputy secretary of the district party committee in March of this year.

While Wang Xingxing and her mother were still downstairs, Wu Zhiyuan took several photos.

The fund disbursement approval form is not a secret; it can be accessed by requesting an inquiry.

However, since we cannot alert the enemy, the contents of the fund disbursement approval form and its attachments are very valuable.

A middle-aged woman came downstairs with her household registration booklet: "Officer, I've brought my household registration booklet."

"Thank you, Auntie, thank you for your trouble." Sun Runcai took the household registration booklet and carried out routine information verification and registration.

On the way back, Sun Runcai praised Wu Zhiyuan: "Zhiyuan, with your skills, it's a real shame you're not in the National Security Bureau!"

Wu Zhiyuan laughed and said, "It was indeed thrilling and exciting. Is the National Security Bureau still recruiting?"

Sun Runcai said, "The provincial department recently recruited some people from our public security system."

"You're not without a chance to join the National Security Bureau. Who knows, one day they might take a liking to you and you could enter the covert operations."

Wu Zhiyuan chuckled a few times but didn't reply. Instead, he carefully examined the photo of the fund disbursement approval form.

He zoomed in on the image and examined it carefully.

The table shows that the total budget for the project is as high as 90 million yuan, the approval process is complete, and Chen Zhenglei signed the words "Please have the Finance Bureau allocate funds in accordance with regulations".

The problem lies in the attached list.

One of the lists detailed the types, specifications, and unit prices of the seedlings to be purchased.

A top-quality Podocarpus macrophyllus with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 30 cm costs 50 yuan; a Ginkgo tree with a DBH of 25 cm costs 12 yuan; a mature wisteria vine costs 5 yuan…

Although Wu Zhiyuan was not a landscape expert, based on common sense and a rough understanding of market conditions, he felt that these prices were outrageously high, several times or even ten times higher than normal market prices.

This only covers the cost of purchasing seedlings; other expenses, including earthwork, construction, and maintenance, are also surprisingly high.

Such an obviously inflated price likely indicates a huge potential for bribery.

Inflating project prices appears to have become a common trick used by some to line their own pockets.

Otherwise, where would the huge sums of money used to bribe officials come from?

Ultimately, it all comes down to the consumer, enriching businessmen and corrupt officials while harming national and public interests.

Sun Runcai couldn't hide his excitement: "Zhiyuan, you've had a very fruitful trip today."

That photo is irrefutable evidence that Chen Zhenglei and Wang Xingxing were not only lovers, but also had a child. This is a serious matter of personal conduct and may involve bigamy.

Coupled with that exorbitant purchase order, there's a strong suspicion of economic problems.

Wu Zhiyuan remained calm: "Runcai, you have indeed made great gains, but it is far from time to celebrate."

What we have now are just clues; they need to be transformed into a solid chain of evidence.

This photo proves that Chen Zhenglei and Wang Xingxing have an extraordinary relationship, and may even have a child together.

However, based on just one photo, Chen Zhenglei could easily argue that it's a photo of relatives, godfather and goddaughter, or simply deny the authenticity of the photo, since we only took photos and videos and didn't take any physical objects.

We need more direct evidence to confirm their specific relationship status and the fact that the child was born out of wedlock.

Even if it is proven that Wang Xingxing was Chen Zhenglei's mistress and that her marriage to Chen Jun was just a cover-up, it is still just a matter of lifestyle.

Lifestyle issues may result in disciplinary action at most, but they cannot fundamentally change the situation.

The exorbitant approval form only indicates the project budget and procurement intentions; the unusual price is merely our suspicion.

To definitively address the economic issues, we still have many questions to verify, and this must be done through a formal investigation.

Sun Runcai said, "Okay, just tell me if you need my cooperation."

Sun Runcai is a policeman. This time, he was helping out as a friend; catching corrupt officials was not part of his job.

"Zhiyuan, there's something I forgot to tell you. Last night during a raid on prostitution, we arrested Zhao Zhao at a private club. He had two young models with him at the same time."

We brought Zhao Zhao to the station, intending to send him to the detention center, but we didn't expect that Zhao Zhao had such a deep network of connections.

Before we even finished the paperwork, the office received several calls from people pleading for leniency, all of them quite high-ranking.

Finally, the branch's public security brigade took the person away and fined him 5,000 yuan, thus closing the case.

Five thousand yuan was nothing more than a slap on the wrist for Zhao Zhao.

This guy was arrogant. After we left, he even called me, saying in a sarcastic tone that he appreciated the half-day trip, but also warned me that things were complicated in Longcheng, and I should avoid getting involved or I'd get my shoes wet.

Sun Runcai grew increasingly angry as he spoke: "Do you think I'm afraid of him? If I run into him next time, he'll be in big trouble!"

Sun Runcai is assertive, and he also has connections; his father-in-law is Qin Tianlai, the deputy secretary of the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

"Runcai, let's put Zhao Zhao's matter aside for now; he can't cause any major trouble."

Next time I get the chance, I'll kill him.

Among the several letters of complaint, Wu Zhiyuan noticed a Boss Zhao who was giving money to Chen Zhenglei through special means.

Wu Zhiyuan doesn't know if the whistleblower made a mistake or misheard, writing "Zhao Zhao" instead, but he feels that this person is Zhao Zhao.

Of course, there is not enough evidence yet. If there is evidence, Zhao Zhao can be detained in the future. It's not just problematic officials who can be detained; anyone can be detained.

Back at their unit, Wu Zhiyuan and Liu Guobin went to Ding Yiyi's office to report.

Just before he was about to leave work, Lin Xue called and asked him to come to her office.

"Zhiyuan is here, please sit down." Lin Xue gestured for Wu Zhiyuan to sit down and went straight to the point: "The situation that you and Comrade Guobin reported to Comrade Yiyi this afternoon has already been told to me by Comrade Yiyi."

Such great results achieved in such a short time are truly commendable.

But remember, don't fight alone; make full use of the team's strength.

Next, we will file a case when appropriate, establish a special task force, and work together to ensure this case becomes airtight.

Lin Xue started by talking about work, then changed the subject: "By the way, Zhiyuan, do you have any plans after get off work tonight?"

Wu Zhiyuan was slightly taken aback, then answered truthfully, "There are no special arrangements."

Lin Xue hesitated for a moment and then said, "If it's convenient for you tonight, could you come to my dorm?"

I've always felt that the layout of the study in my dorm room is not very reasonable, and I'd like to adjust it.

Some of the bookshelves and tables and chairs are quite heavy, and I can't move them by myself. I'd like to ask you for help.

However, be careful not to be seen by acquaintances when you come, as gossip can be a powerful force.