Rebirth of Corrupt Officials

Jiang Xiaochuan fell silent for a moment. He sat in his seat for a long time, then raised his head, and the corners of his lips curled up, “Does the deputy director think people like me have any beliefs?”

“Yes, Mayor Jiang. You know better than me.” Lian Cheng glanced the corner of Jiang Xiaochuan’s lips and said with a smile.

Did he?

Belief was too sacred and serious, and it was not something Jiang Xiaochuan could afford now.

Jiang Xiaochuan just sat up straight, crossed his fingers together, and said: “Whether I have faith or not has nothing to do with my question. Deputy Director, please don’t change the subject.”

Lian Cheng was slightly surprised by his sensitivity, but after looking into Jiang Xiaochuan’s eyes, he understood. It was the situation of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was very complicated. Some things could be said and some could not.

It was okay for others, but for people like Jiang Xiaochuan, this issue obviously couldn’t be fooled. He could only admit very briefly: “No department is 100% perfect, and it is inevitable that the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection will make omissions.”

Jiang Xiaochuan quickly grasped the situation, furrowing his eyebrows once again. He pressed his fingers on his eyebrows for an extended period, grinding them.

Then, he remarked, “This omission is too significant, given the current situation…”

He didn’t continue, but Lian Cheng interjected, “It’s still safe here, only us, and there is no monitoring equipment.”

As the future head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Lian Cheng still retained some influence.

Jiang Xiaochuan completed his thought, saying, “If we don’t address the verification work, I fear another tragedy like Zhang Xiaoli’s might occur, though I don’t know who the next victim will be.”

In fact, he had guessed Qian Qiming had been silenced.

Qian Qiming’s ability to thrive in the corrupt officialdom’s dark and dangerous environment indicated he wasn’t naive enough to wait for harm. Consequently, Jiang Xiaochuan surmised that Qian Qiming was likely to go into hiding out of fear of persecution.

Remaining composed, Lian Cheng remarked, “Danger exists anytime and anywhere, sometimes appearing big when it’s small, and vice versa. Mayor Jiang is well aware of this. Moreover, a team was specially assembled to scrutinize the self-examination letter Mayor Jiang provided, along with a formulated treatment plan. This decision was sanctioned by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Mayor Jiang, take a look.”

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned.

“Set up a special group?”

It was just a self-examination letter; how could it lead to the establishment of a group? Jiang Xiaochuan felt an unexplained sense of foreboding.

Lian Cheng handed a thin document to Jiang Xiaochuan, holding a teacup and quietly observing him. Although it was generally impolite to stare at someone for an extended time, Lian Cheng’s gaze was not offensive.

When Jiang Xiaochuan saw the document’s contents, he easily ignored Lian Cheng’s assessing eyes.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was playing a significant game.

.

“Deputy Director, have you read this resolution?” After reading it, Jiang Xiaochuan placed the document’s front page back and asked.

Lian Cheng nodded, “I’ve seen it, but I hope Mayor Jiang can cooperate with me.”

“If you want me to become an informant for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, I hope it’s not like some movie spy,” Jiang Xiaochuan said, a bit perplexed.

His tone sharpened, but he remained outwardly gentle, and his eyes showed no change. However, his words carried a hint of ridicule.

Lian Cheng had expected Jiang Xiaochuan’s reaction and was not too surprised. He explained, “The situation in Chengzhou is too chaotic, and many things cannot be handled by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection alone. Your situation is also unique. You may have unknowingly become entangled in a power transaction, making it challenging for the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to handle. Verifying whether there were any shady secrets during your campaign is also difficult. This is the approach devised by us.”

“So, is it ‘lenient if you confess, strict if you resist’?” Jiang Xiaochuan suddenly smiled bitterly. He leaned back, tapped his fingers on the table, and fell into thought.

Lian Cheng allowed him to contemplate, half-jokingly saying, “The government has preferential policies for the repented, with particularly high political consciousness.”

“I’m afraid I’ll die before I can enjoy those preferential policies,” Jiang Xiaochuan replied, very straightforward this time.

Jiang Xiaochuan had started to realize that his adversaries were a group capable of extreme actions to protect themselves.

Lian Cheng assured, “I’m with Mayor Jiang.”

Lian Cheng’s implication was clear: if Jiang Xiaochuan was in danger, and so was Lian Cheng. If Jiang Xiaochuan, as the mastermind, faced trouble from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s covert activities in Chengzhou City, Lian Cheng would likely be the next target.

Jiang Xiaochuan, recognizing Lian Cheng’s risk, said appreciatively, “You are very open-minded.”

“I can see clearly,” Lian Cheng responded lightly.

Jiang Xiaochuan smiled and requested, “Bring me a pen.”

Lian Cheng handed him a pure black silver-inlaid pen. Jiang Xiaochuan examined it before signing at the designated position on the document.

After signing, he felt a sense of commitment, perhaps becoming a man of conviction.

Once committed, there was no turning back.

He suddenly inquired, “What happened with Zhou Qian? He might know the whereabouts of Qian Qiming.”

Lian Cheng’s eyes lit up, but then he shook his head, “The tone is too tight.” In other words, the current investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was still incomplete.

“You can inform him about Zhang Xiaoli.”

As he said this, a complex mix of emotions filled him.

Not all corrupt officials lacked humanity. Jiang Xiaochuan, despite being a corrupt official in his previous life, still held genuine feelings. Had he not lost his humanity weeks ago, he would have reacted empathetically to Zhang Xiaoli’s miscarriage.

Lian Cheng gave Jiang Xiaochuan a deep look and said, “As expected of Mayor Jiang. Although I’d like to discuss things with you further, your prolonged presence here may raise suspicion. I hope after everything is resolved; we can find an opportunity for you to join me for a meal.”

Jiang Xiaochuan shook his head, saying nothing. He walked out of the door, suddenly feeling a heavy weight on his shoulders.