booktalesy Chapter 84 Oscars Owe You an Oscar
Chapter 84 Oscars Owe You an Oscar
At 4 p.m. the next day, Tao Sizhong climbed out of his office window and jumped from the 17th floor, dying instantly.
Someone immediately called the police, and the police quickly cordoned off the scene.
In Tao Sizhong's office, the police found two bottles of medication for treating severe depression on his desk, one of which was already half-empty.
There was a medical record in the drawer, dated several months ago, from a hospital, diagnosing a patient with "major depression";
The most conspicuous item was a suicide note with somewhat illegible handwriting.
It was Tao Sizhong's own handwritten will:
By the time you read this letter, I will already be gone. Choosing this path was a decision I made after much deliberation, but ultimately out of necessity.
I am suffering from depression, extremely exhausted both physically and mentally, suffering from chronic insomnia, and experiencing immense mental stress, which has reached a point where I can no longer bear it.
In my entire life, I am most grateful for the organization's nurturing and trust.
From an ordinary police officer to my current position, it is the organization that gave me the platform and opportunity.
Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I am unable to continue serving the Party and the people, and unable to complete the tasks assigned by the organization. This is my greatest regret and source of great sorrow.
Please keep all my funeral arrangements simple. Do not cause trouble for the organization or burden my family.
Farewell.
Tao Sizhong's Last Words
……
Inside the city hall's conference room, Mayor Ai Kun sat upright, presiding over a special meeting themed "Deepening the Construction of a Clean Government and Building a Clean Government."
He was speaking passionately on the stage, emphasizing the importance of strengthening work style and strictly abiding by discipline and rules, his tone forceful and resounding.
"...Comrades, the journey of building a clean government is never-ending!"
We must have the courage to scrape the bone to remove poison and the determination of a warrior cutting off his own arm to resolutely eliminate all corrupt elements and create a clean and upright political environment…
Before he finished speaking, Iain's secretary went up on stage and handed him a small note.
Ai Quan unfolded the note, his eyes quickly scanning it, and an expression of extreme shock appeared on his face.
Well-informed attendees have already learned that Tao Sizhong committed suicide by jumping off a building.
Ai Quan's expression shifted from shock to sorrow, and tears welled up in his eyes.
He took out a tissue and wiped away his tears.
After a few minutes' pause, Ai Kun choked up and said, "Comrades, I have just received extremely sad news. Our good colleague and brother, Comrade Tao Sizhong, has just passed away due to severe depression caused by long-term work pressure!"
He wiped away his tears with a tissue and continued, "Just last week, I noticed he looked unwell and repeatedly urged him to go to the hospital for a thorough check-up. No matter how busy he is at work, he should take care of himself and get some rest."
But he said, "These days, with the crackdown on organized crime and maintaining stability, which task can be accomplished without people? My little problem is nothing; I can just tough it out!"
That's just the kind of person he is; his heart is only filled with work and responsibility, and he never thinks about himself!
Ai Kun said with a heavy heart: "Comrade Tao Sizhong devoted himself to the political and legal work in Longcheng. He worked hard and fell ill, and passed away suddenly!"
His passing is a great loss to the political and legal system of Longcheng!
I propose that everyone stand and observe a minute's silence in memory of Comrade Tao Sizhong!
……
Wu Zhiyuan immediately reported the news of Tao Sizhong's suicide by jumping off the building to Xu Youwei.
Xu Youwei was shocked; he never expected Tao Sizhong to commit suicide.
"Zhiyuan, you said Tao Sizhong committed suicide because of depression?"
Wu Zhiyuan cautiously said, "Tao Sizhong is very active and energetic in various situations, and there is no sign of severe depression at all."
More importantly, he chose to commit suicide in his office, leaving behind a complete suicide note, medical records, and medication for depression, as if he wanted everyone to know that he committed suicide due to illness.
This doesn't fit the typical psychology of someone truly tormented by depression and contemplating suicide; rather, it seems more like a deliberate cover-up.
Xu Youwei remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Although there are many doubts, Zhiyuan, politics sometimes cannot only be about 'truth,' but also about 'momentum.'"
Tao Sizhong is dead. Respect for the dead is a traditional Chinese concept.
If we fixate on the cause of death and launch a high-profile investigation, how will the outside world view it? How will Iain and his ilk portray it?
They would say that I, Xu Youwei, am narrow-minded, cold-blooded, and ruthless, not even sparing a dead person, and that I am "settling scores after death" and "desecrating corpses to establish authority"!
This will chill the hearts of many cadres who are unaware of the truth, and they may even be used by Ai Kun to muddy the waters and launch a counterattack, putting us in a passive position.
Therefore, my attitude towards Tao Sizhong's death can be summed up in eight words: express condolences and respect the conclusion.
You should immediately arrange for the establishment of a funeral committee for Comrade Tao Sizhong in the name of the municipal party committee, with me personally serving as the director and Ai Kun and Zhang Xiaotian serving as deputy directors.
The farewell ceremony for the deceased must be conducted in accordance with relevant regulations, and must be solemn and dignified.
……
The Yong'an Hall, the largest farewell hall at Longcheng Funeral Home, was filled with mournful music, creating a solemn and somber atmosphere.
A banner with black background and white lettering hung high: "Deepest condolences to Comrade Tao Sizhong."
Black mourning couplets hung on both sides of the banner. The first line read: "He devoted his life to upholding the rule of law and working tirelessly for it." The second line read: "He served the people with integrity for half his life and his noble spirit will live on forever."
Wreaths were placed all around, and white and yellow chrysanthemums surrounded Tao Sizhong's portrait—a standard photo of him in a police uniform with a serious expression.
In the center of the farewell hall, Tao Sizhong, in his crystal coffin, looked serene, as if he were simply asleep, thanks to the meticulous work of the funeral home's makeup artist.
City leaders such as Xu Youwei, Ai Kun, and Zhang Xiaotian came; representatives of police officers from the political and legal system came; the subordinate whose front tooth was knocked out by Tao Sizhong came; and the female auxiliary police officer who had slept with Tao Sizhong also came.
There were also many cadres and ordinary people who came "spontaneously".
Tao Sizhong's lover and illegitimate child also "spontaneously" came as members of the public.
Wu Zhiyuan also came.
He came with Xu Youwei.
Tao Sizhong's wife, son Tao Yong, and "daughter-in-law" Lin Keke stood at the front of the family procession.
The cries of Tao Sizhong's wife and children were sincere, a heartfelt expression of sorrow.
Without Tao Sizhong, their lives were not as good as before.
After a moment of silence, Ai Kun, the vice chairman of the funeral committee, slowly walked to the podium at the front of the farewell hall.
His face was grave, his eyes red and swollen. Before he could speak, he gently wiped the corner of his eye with a tissue, his voice trembling with obvious sobs.
Comrades and friends! Today, with heavy hearts, we bid farewell to our good colleague, good comrade-in-arms, and good brother, Comrade Tao Sizhong!
Comrade Tao Sizhong's life was one of loyalty, dedication, and struggle!
Comrade Tao Sizhong started as a grassroots police officer and worked his way up step by step, dedicating his life's energy and wisdom to the political and legal cause of Longcheng!
During his long tenure as the city's Public Security Bureau chief, he was determined to reform and crack down on illegal and criminal activities, making great contributions to the continuous improvement of public security in Longcheng!
After assuming the position of member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, he was mindful of the overall situation and dared to take responsibility. He devoted himself to maintaining social fairness and justice in Longcheng and ensuring that the people could live and work in peace and contentment until the last moment of his life!
As everyone has seen, Comrade Tao Sizhong is always energetic and decisive.
But little did anyone know that he had been under immense work pressure for a long time and was silently suffering from severe depression!
He gives smiles to others and keeps all the pressure to himself! He dedicates his time to work, but neglects his own health!
Last week I advised him to go to the hospital for a thorough check-up, but what did he say?
He said: "With such a heavy task of cracking down on organized crime and maintaining stability, I can just tough it out with this little problem!"
That's just the kind of person he is; his heart is filled only with work and responsibility, and he never thinks about himself!
His sudden passing is a great loss to the political and legal system of Longcheng and a great loss to the people of Longcheng!
When he got emotional, Ai Qun choked up again, tears streaming down his face. He had to pause again and wipe his tears with a tissue.
Ai Kun raised his voice at the end: Although Comrade Tao Sizhong has left us, his spirit will live on forever!
His dedication to his duty and selfless devotion will forever inspire us!
We must turn our grief into strength, carry on his legacy, continue his unfinished work, and build Longcheng into an even better place!
Comrade Tao Sizhong, may you rest in peace! May you have a safe journey!
Comrade Tao Sizhong will live forever!