Power and Wealth

Afternoon.

Nan Shan District.

An Audi with City Commission for Discipline Inspection registration plate entered the district slowly. Dong Xuebing had finally returned to his former 'battleground' after more than one month. He looked at the buildings, which were being rebuilt quietly. He had fond memories of the people here but did not expect to return here for an investigation. Within two months, his position had changed.

Inside the Audi.

Fei Fan was driving, and Zhu Zhu was in the front passenger seat.

"Director." Fei Fan asked. "We are in Nan Shan District. Where should we go first?"

Dong Xuebing looked in front. "Go to the District Guesthouse to settle our lodging first. We might have to stay here for a few days."

Zhu Zhu turned to Dong Xuebing. "Director Dong, do we need to inform the local Commission for Discipline Inspection?"

"Ok." Dong Xuebing nodded. "Call them. We need them to help with our investigation."

"Ok. I will call them now." Zhu Zhu took out her phone. "Hello, is this Nan Shan District Commission for Discipline Inspection? We are from the City Inspection First Office."

The Audi continued forward.

Dong Xuebing had brought two staff with him and did not tell them their real purpose for coming. He only told them they were here to follow up on the Deputy District Mayor bribery case. He did not go to the District Party Committee Building directly because he wanted to give Geng Yuehua time to be prepared.

The District Guesthouse.

The car stopped, and Zhu Zhu quickly opened the door for Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing waved her off and opened the door himself. "You don't need to do this. Let's go."

Dong Xuebing knew he was currently in a special department and could not behave the same way as the other department leaders.

Outside of the guesthouse, Dong Xuebing saw someone familiar.

"Haha…. Director Dong." Nan Shan District Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Wu Liang and his staff were there to receive them. "We welcome the City Commission for Discipline Inspection leaders to Nan Shan District for inspection."

Dong Xuebing smiled and shook his hand. "Secretary Wu, why are you here?"

Wu Liang laughed. "I am here to coordinate with the City Commission for Discipline Inspection work and arrange your lodging. Come on in. I had prepared the rooms."

Dong Xuebing smiled. "Sorry to trouble you all."

"It's alright. Don't mention it."

The District Discipline Inspection staff respectfully walked into the guesthouse with Dong Xuebing, Zhu Zhu, and Fei Fan. Dong Xuebing did not like this feeling. Secretary Wu Liang scolded him more than once when he was the Subdistrict Office Director. The District Commission for Discipline Inspection had investigated him several times. But two months later, it was the opposite. He had become Wu Liang's Leader, and Secretary Wu had to follow him around politely.

Upstairs.

An executive room.

Dong Xuebing looked at Wu Liang. "Secretary Wu, you should know we are here to investigate Comrade Zhang Huo's case. Although the investigation was almost completed and we secured the evidence, the amount was too large. Secretary He is very concerned about this case and has ordered me to watch it closely. I was tasked to conduct a more thorough investigation and find all the involved staff in this case. I hope the District Commission for Discipline Inspection can assist us."

Wu Liang replied sternly. "This is our duty. I will leave a few of my staff with you. Just tell them what to do."

Dong Xuebing waved his hand. "You don't need to leave your people with us. I will contact you all if we need to look into something."

"Ok."

Dong Xuebing nodded and looked at Zhu Zhu and Fei Fan. "Bring your luggage to your rooms."

Zhu Zhu and Fei Fan immediately leave the room.

Wu Liang turned to his subordinates. "You all can go back too."

The staff left and closed the door.

Dong Xuebing stopped his pretense after everyone left. He laughed. "Secretary Wu, it's been a while since we met. How come you look sick?"

Wu Liang smiled wearily. "Stop talking about it. I almost become bald because of Zhang Huo's case."

Dong Xuebing laughed. "I heard someone had been making threatening calls to your house every day."

Although the City's Inspection First Office investigated Deputy District Mayor Zhang Huo's case, the Nan Shan District Commission for Discipline Inspection gathered the evidence. Dong Xuebing and his men were only in charge of checking the bank accounts.

"That's right…." Wu Liang sighed. "This had been going on for years, and I am used to it. It will happen whenever we investigate sensitive cases. Director Dong, we have known each other for some time, and I will not hide this from you. Sigh…. It's not easy to work in the Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Dong Xuebing nodded. "I understand. Everyone thinks that the Commission for Discipline Inspection is a good department and controls the life and death of every government staff. But they don't understand the pressure we are facing. What we are doing is offending everyone, and our friends and relatives will receive threats. Secretary Wu, thanks for assisting us in Zhang Huo's case. Thank you."

Wu Liang replied. "This is our duty."

"What is the direction and progress of this case?"

"Zhang Huo had been taken into custody this morning, and the ones involved are mostly local companies. We still could not find evidence linking this case with other District Leaders."

"Ok."

Wu Liang suddenly looked at Dong Xuebing. "Director Dong, are you all here to investigate Zhang Huo's case?"

Dong Xuebing blinked. "Haha…. Why are you asking this?"

"Zhang Huo's case had been confirmed and secured concrete evidence. There's no need to… is there any new progression in this case? Can you share it?" Wu Liang worked in the Commission for Discipline Inspection for years and is sensitive and alert.

Dong Xuebing could not tell him about his real purpose there. "It's about something else. Errm…. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Wu Liang paused for a second. "Ok."

Wu Liang left.

Dong Xuebing thought for a while. He still got to do what he was supposed to do. He called Xiao Zhu and Fei Fan over. "Xiao Zhu, the City's Construction Bank's headquarter is in Nan Shan District. Go there and check a savings account."

Zhu Zhu asked curiously. "We had checked Deputy District Mayor Zhang's account and had gotten all the details."

Dong Xuebing interrupted her. "It is not his account. Just check this account, and don't ask so much."

"Ok. I know." Zhu Zhu replied.

Dong Xuebing took out a document with the City Commission for Discipline Inspection's letterhead. He signed it and passed it to Zhu Zhu. "This is the paperwork. Just give it to the bank's person-in-charge. This is confidential and must not be leaked. I want this account's details and checked the source of its funds. I want to know who transferred the money into this account."

Zhu Zhu nodded. "I will do my best."

"Go." Dong Xuebing turned to Fei Fan. "Xiao Fei, verify these Zhang Huo's details and evidence again. Make sure everything is in order."

"Ok." Fei Fan replied.

After everyone left, Dong Xuebing lay in bed and sighed. He finally felt like a leader from the day he entered the government service. But it was stressful and tiring. He was exhausted after this afternoon. Maybe he was feeling uneasy and stressed by Geng Yuehua's case.

Ring… ring… ring…. It was Geng Xinke.

Dong Xuebing quickly answered. "Hello, is this Xinke?"

"It's me." Geng Xinke replied anxiously. "I heard you are in Nan Shan District now."

Dong Xuebing said. "Yes. I just arrived, and I am at the District's Guesthouse. Did you inform you, Sister?"

"Yes. She said she did not know where that money came from. That account was created long ago when he entered the government service. She stopped using it after the government switched to ICBC. She left 1 RMB in that account, and someone might be trying to frame her."

"Does she know who it was?"

"My Sister is not sure, but I suspect it might be Zhang Huo. My Sister initiated the investigation on Zhang Huo, and she was the one who reported him to the Commission for Discipline Inspection.

"Zhang Huo…."

"I think he is trying to drag my Sister down with him."

Dong Xuebing replied softly. "These are not important now. Just ask Secretary Geng to be prepared. This is not a big issue. The investigation will stop if we can prove she did not accept this money." He paused for a second. "I am in Nan Shan District, and my next step is to start investigating her. The most I can do is delay the investigation's start until tomorrow. Ask your Sister to act fast. I cannot delay it for too long."

"I know. My Sister is thinking of a solution."

"Good."

"Director Dong…." Geng Xinke sighed and said. "I don't know how to thank you. You helped us a lot this time. My Sister asked me to thank you and tell you not to worry."

"Good to hear that your Sister has a solution. Alright, stop thanking me. Oh, how are you and Lin Pingping? Her son…."

Geng Xinke felt slightly embarrassed to talk about this. "Her son is mine, and we are living together now. We might hold our wedding sometime later."

"Haha…. Congratulations."

"This is because of you. Pingping and I are grateful to you."