RNP Page 182
Page 182
As the gavel fell heavily, the courtroom fell silent, followed by whispers from the audience. Reporters quickly documented the verdict, their cameras focusing on Qi Tongwei.
Qi Tongwei's face was pale, his body trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with despair and regret. He slowly lowered his head, as if he had resigned himself to his fate.
In the gallery, some wore expressions of anger, muttering curses at Qi Tongwei's crimes; others looked on with regret, seemingly grieving for his downfall. Outside the courtroom, the sun still shone brightly, but Qi Tongwei's life had forever fallen into a dark abyss.
205. The top leader of Handong invited the third-in-command of Handong to dinner.
205. The top leader of Handong invited the third-in-command of Handong to dinner.
The Provincial Party Committee of Handong Province, Administrative Building. Office of the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee.
Secretary Xiao He, with a serious expression, held a report in her hand and reported to Gao Yuliang.
"Secretary Gao. According to the latest information, the Criminal Division of the Handong Provincial High Court..."
"Regarding Qi Tongwei... the prosecutor is Zheng Yaping, the director of the first department of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate."
"Qi Tongwei embezzled and accepted bribes totaling 50 million yuan, and participated in Ding Yizhen's illegal money laundering gang..."
“He used his position to help Chen Qingquan’s sister. He facilitated her promotion to section chief in the Public Security Bureau.”
"The facts of the crime are clear and the evidence is sufficient."
"The High Court has delivered its verdict. Qi Tongwei is guilty of money laundering, bribery, and abuse of power. He is sentenced to ten years imprisonment, deprived of his political rights for life, and fined 5 million yuan." Secretary Xiao He spoke slowly, his expression serious.
Gao Yuliang frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded: "Yes, I understand. Xiao He, you can go out now."
Secretary Xiao He nodded: "Okay, Secretary Gao. Please call me if you need anything."
Then, Xiao He turned and left the office.
Gao Yuliang sat alone at his desk, gazing intently out the window. The autumn sunlight streamed into the room through the curtains, but it failed to dispel the gloom in his heart.
He pondered for a long time, the name Qi Tongwei constantly echoing in his mind, his thoughts surging like a tide, difficult to calm.
Ah, what a pity. Tongwei.
A ten-year sentence is a lesson learned. If he reforms himself well in prison and tries to get a reduced sentence through meritorious service, he might be able to start a new life.
Gao Yuliang understood perfectly well that Qi Tongwei's downfall was not a sudden occurrence; the allure of power and the expansion of personal desires had already pushed him into the abyss.
However, Liang Lu has now filed for divorce from Qi Tongwei.
Even if Qi Tongwei manages to get a reduced sentence through meritorious service while in prison, he will already be over fifty, almost sixty, when he gets out.
That past glory and power will ultimately become an indelible mark on his life.
Jingle Bell! !
Just then, Sha Ruijin called.
Gao Yuliang, with a serious expression, picked up the red secure phone: "Hello, this is Gao Yuliang from the Provincial Party Committee."
"Secretary Sha, hello. What instructions do you have?" Gao Yuliang's voice was calm and respectful.
On the other end of the phone, Sha Ruijin's voice came through clearly: "Comrade Yuliang, are you aware of Qi Tongwei's verdict?"
“Yes, Secretary Sha, I am aware of the situation. Qi Tongwei’s (bjah) crimes are indeed serious. Everyone is equal before the law, and I fully support the High Court’s verdict.”
Gao Yuliang spoke slowly, his expression very serious.
Sha Ruijin nodded and continued, “Very good, Comrade Yuliang. We must resolutely implement the principle of governing the country according to law and safeguard the authority and fairness of the law. Qi Tongwei’s case has sounded an alarm for us. We must strengthen the integrity of our cadre team and prevent similar incidents from happening again.”
"Of course, most importantly, Qi Tongwei is your student."
"Chen Hai and Hou Liangping are both my students." Gao Yuliang took a deep breath, his tone firm: "Secretary Sha, I will reflect deeply on this, strengthen the education and supervision of my students, and ensure that similar incidents never happen again."
Sha Ruijin was very pleased to hear this: "Well said, Comrade Yuliang. Let's have a simple meal together tonight at my house."
Upon hearing Sha Ruijin's invitation, Gao Yuliang was stunned for a moment, then hesitated for a brief three seconds before replying, "Alright, no problem. Secretary Sha, I'll gladly accept your invitation."
He knew that the orders of the top leader could not be disobeyed. Whether he understood them or not, he had to obey.
Gao Yuliang is now in a precarious situation, surrounded by enemies on all sides. He almost had a falling out with Governor Zhao Anbang over the program proposal for "Ask the Government of Handong".
But the result?
Currently, three members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee of Handong Province have been taken away for investigation and placed under investigation because of Lin Yunfei.
In particular, the book on the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee that Gao Yuliang promoted. After being investigated, Gao Yuliang's situation became increasingly difficult.
. . . . . .
That evening, Sha Ruijin hosted Gao Yuliang at Building No. 1 in the provincial party committee's residential compound.
The atmosphere at the dinner was somber. The two ate and talked, and the conversation always revolved around Lin Yunfei and Zhao Lan.
Sha Ruijin: "I really didn't expect that pulling up a radish would bring out the mud. Ding Yizhen's arrest implicated Tian Guofu and Wu Chunlin."
Gao Yuliang frowned and said in a deep voice, "Secretary Sha, I feel that ever since Lin Yunfei and his wife were parachuted into Handong, our Handong Province has been plagued by one accident after another."
Sha Ruijin nodded, his tone heavy: "Indeed, the arrival of Lin Yunfei and his wife has disrupted the original balance."
"From the Dafeng Factory incident at the very beginning, to the night of January 16th, and then to the March 28th bombing, seven people died."
“Li Dakang has betrayed my trust and the trust of the Handong Provincial Party Committee, and has neglected his duties.”
"We must re-examine the cadre selection mechanism and strictly prevent corruption from infiltrating." Sha Ruijin stared sharply at Gao Yuliang.
Gao Yuliang nodded slightly, his expression grave: "Secretary Sha is absolutely right. The selection and appointment of cadres must be strictly controlled. We must not only examine their work ability, but also pay attention to their moral character and integrity. This incident has sounded an alarm for us. We must learn from this painful experience and take effective measures to rectify the situation."
Sha Ruijin gently put down his chopsticks, his gaze deep: "Comrade Yuliang, the situation in Handong Province is currently very complex."
"The Lin Yunfei couple have powerful backgrounds; even I can't afford to offend them."
"But what is certain is that we must remain highly vigilant, resolutely crack down on corruption, and safeguard the political environment of Handong."
"Comrade Yuliang, to be honest, I'm so overwhelmed with work that I'm even getting gray hairs." Sha Ruijin pointed to his temples, where gray hairs had already grown.
With a serious expression, Gao Yuliang solemnly said, "Secretary Sha, I completely agree with your point of view. I will fully cooperate with the Provincial Party Committee's work going forward."
"Conduct a self-examination and review within the entire provincial political and legal system, especially regarding those wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice."
Sha Ruijin nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, Comrade Yuliang. We must unite as one to meet the current challenges. Only by doing a good job in Handong Province can we live up to the expectations of the Party and the people."
The banquet continued in a solemn and serious atmosphere. Both men knew that the road ahead was full of hardships, but for the stability of Handong Province, they had to stick together.
Otherwise, Sha Ruijin might be sidelined by Zhao Anbang.
Gao Yuliang took a deep breath and said firmly, "Secretary Sha, I will personally oversee the implementation to ensure that every measure is carried out effectively."
Sha Ruijin's expression was serious: "If this happens again, and a vice-ministerial level official falls from grace... the consequences would be unimaginable."
"The court will then think that you and I are incompetent and useless."
Sha Ruijin spoke slowly, his words sure to be startling.
206. Hou Liangping was poisoned by Zhong Xiaoai and sent to the hospital to be admitted to the ICU.
206. Hou Liangping was poisoned by Zhong Xiaoai and sent to the hospital to be admitted to the ICU.
Changwu City, Armed Police Corps, confinement room.
Lin Yunfei met Zhao Xiaosheng, whom he hadn't seen for many days.
"Zhao Xiaosheng, why are you doing this? Just reveal your biggest protector, and that will be considered a meritorious act."
"At that time, I will recommend to the court that the sentence be a suspended death sentence."
Zhao Xiaosheng kept his eyes closed and didn't say a word; he looked completely stale.
Lin Yunfei's lips curled into a cold smile: "Fine. This is the Armed Police Headquarters. Let's see who can rescue you."
"Hmph, you old codger."
"They really think that with fifty-four protective umbrellas, they can cover up the whole thing with one hand."
. . . . . .
Meanwhile, Zhong Xiaoai, wearing a loose maternity dress and carrying a takeout box, was being led by a colleague from the investigation team.
Zhong Xiaoai arrived safely at the safe house of the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. There she met Hou Liangping.
"Liangping. Are you... alright?" Zhong Xiaoai's voice trembled, her expression somewhat complicated as she looked at Hou Liangping lying on the bed.
When Hou Liangping saw Zhong Xiaoai, his pupils suddenly contracted, his eyes turned red, and he was filled with grievances.
"Xiao Ai, you...you've finally come." Hou Liangping quickly got out of bed, put on his slippers, took a few quick steps, grabbed Zhong Xiao Ai's hand, his voice choked with emotion.
Tears welled up in Zhong Xiaoai's eyes. She put down the soup bucket and tightly grasped Hou Liangping's hand: "I'm sorry, it's my fault... I've dragged you into this."
"Don't say that, Xiao Ai. The truth will always come out. You have to believe me, I don't know Ding Yizhen at all."
"We found 50 million yuan in cash in our home in Beijing. This must be a setup to frame me," Hou Liangping said, gripping Zhong Xiaoai tightly.
“I know, Liangping.”
"By the way, Liangping. These are the takeout items I bought from Pinduoduo... You must be hungry, so hurry up and eat them while they're hot."
Zhong Xiaoai snapped out of her daze and quickly took out the "extra ingredients" of the takeout.
This is a Yangzhou fried rice. Opening the box, an enticing aroma fills the air. Golden egg flowers intertwine with vibrant green scallions, and each grain of rice is distinct and visually appealing. Hou Liangping, however, frowns, his mind filled with doubt. This sudden act of concern makes him uneasy.
It's worth noting that Zhong Xiaoai never cooks herself, let alone orders takeout.
Zhong Xiaoai urged, "Liangping, why aren't you eating?"
"Only when you're full can you have energy."
"Our baby is ready to be born and enter this world." Zhong Xiaoai said, lowering her head with a loving expression as she stroked her belly.
Hou Liangping came to his senses and began to have doubts. After all, he and Zhong Xiaoai had been living apart for the past six months.
Hou Liangping stared at the Yangzhou fried rice, then glanced at Zhong Xiaoai's protruding belly, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He recalled his previous hospitalization for food poisoning, and now Zhong Xiaoai had suddenly appeared with takeout—it all seemed too coincidental.
"Xiao Ai, you don't usually order takeout, why today..." Hou Liangping swallowed his words. He didn't want to easily suspect his wife, but the current situation made him wary.
Seeing that Hou Liangping was hesitant to eat, Zhong Xiaoai's eyes flashed with a hint of panic, but she quickly regained her composure and said gently, "Liangping, don't overthink it, just eat. Your body needs nutrition right now, don't go hungry."
Hou Liangping took a deep breath. He knew this wasn't the time to act impulsively; he had to remain calm. He slowly reached out, but instead of taking the fried rice, he gently grasped Zhong Xiaoai's hand: "Xiaoai, I believe you. But this matter is too strange; we need to investigate it together."
Zhong Xiaoai's eyes flickered for a moment, then she nodded: "Okay, Liangping, we'll investigate together. But you should eat something first, don't ruin your health."
Looking at Zhong Xiaoai's concerned eyes, Hou Liangping felt a little hesitant, but he still firmly shook his head: "No, Xiaoai. I can't eat right now. We need to figure out what's going on first."