At Rongcheng Yongle Airport, CA1233, a flight from Beijing, landed smoothly. Passengers noticed something different: instead of stopping at the jet bridge, a mobile boarding bridge arrived, and three Audi sedans on the tarmac stood out conspicuously.
A middle-aged man in a white shirt and black trousers, accompanied by four entourage, strolled off the plane through the first-class cabin door. A group of officials warmly greeted him and escorted him and his entourage into their respective Audis.
With police cars leading the way, the Audi convoy, hazard lights flashing, left the tarmac. Only then did shuttle buses arrive, taking the other passengers to the terminal.
This middle-aged man was Han Ming, director of the Seventh Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, who had come from Beijing.
Fang Hongda had taken the report from Guan Weiping the previous night very seriously. Given Zou Jian's emphasis on confidentiality during the phone call, Fang Hongda ultimately decided to have He Mingyi, a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, personally escort Guan Weiping to the airport to greet Han Ming.
Fang Hongda had pondered Han Ming's intentions for a long time. Considering the sensitivity of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's work, although he couldn't figure it out, he didn't make any further inquiries.
He was at least certain of one thing: the Han family was currently preoccupied with their own problems and certainly wouldn't be making any moves against the Fang family at this time. Fang Hongda judged that Han Ming's visit to Southeast Province was definitely not aimed at the Fang family.
After leaving the airport, the convoy drove directly to the Provincial Party Committee compound. Along the way, Guan Weiping kept glancing at Han Ming, who was resting with his eyes closed in the back seat.
Han Ming was about the same age as Guan Weiping and had been a full-fledged department-level official for several years, while Guan Weiping, if his recent transfer to a lower-level position went smoothly, had only just been promoted to the same rank. The speed of promotion for scions of powerful families was unparalleled.
After getting into the car, Han Ming, aside from politely greeting Guan Weiping, kept his eyes closed, resting. His expression was quite calm, his hair was meticulously combed, and his clothes were crisp and serious—the standard attire of a high-ranking government official.
Upon arriving at the provincial party committee compound, the vehicles carrying the other entourage drove directly to their accommodation, the Lakeside Hotel, while Han Ming's car drove into the provincial party committee compound.
After getting out of the car, Guan Weiping said:
"Director Han, this way please! Secretary Fang is already waiting for you in his office!"
Han Ming nodded politely and said:
"Thank you, Director Guan!"
Guan Weiping led Han Ming to Fang Hongda's office. Guan Weiping first placed his briefcase on his desk in the outer room, then went to the inner room door, gently knocked, and opened the door, saying:
"Secretary, Director Han from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Fang Hongda slowly put down the documents in his hand, took off his reading glasses, and said:
"Oh! Quickly, please let him in!"
Guan Weiping slightly stepped aside to make room for Han Ming and said:
"Director Han, please come in!"
Leading Han Ming into Fang Hongda's office, while the two greeted each other, Guan Weiping quickly made a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of Han Ming. At this time, Han Ming and Fang Hongda were still exchanging pleasantries. Han Ming sat upright, his expression respectful, maintaining a high degree of deference. Guan Weiping closed the office door and returned to his desk in the outer room, pondering Han Ming's true intentions.
The Seventh Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was far too sensitive!
Every time they visited a local area, it caused a major stir in the local officialdom. Was something big about to happen in Southeast Province again?
Guan Weiping listened intently, but no sound came from Fang Hongda's office. About half an hour later, the door to Fang Hongda's office suddenly opened, and Guan Weiping stood up reflexively.
Fang Hongda personally escorted Han Ming to the office door and said to Guan Weiping:
"Weiping, put aside your work for now and take Director Han back to his hotel!"
"Yes, Secretary!" Guan Weiping replied.
Han Ming turned back and shook hands with Fang Hongda, saying humbly,
"Secretary Fang, I'll take my leave now. I apologize for the trouble I've caused you this time!"
Fang Hongda laughed heartily and said,
"Director Han, what are you saying? Cooperating with your work is our bounden duty!"
Guan Weiping carefully observed Fang Hongda's expression. Although it seemed no different from when Han Ming first entered the office, Guan Weiping had a hunch that Fang Hongda seemed somewhat relieved.
Impossible. Could it be a misperception? Director Han from the Seventh Inspection Office personally coming to the Southeast must mean there's a major case at play. How could Secretary Fang be relaxed?
However, Guan Weiping didn't show it on his face. He simply led the way, guiding Han Ming out of the office.
Watching Han Ming's receding figure, Fang Hongda wore a thoughtful expression. He turned back to his office, picked up the phone, and dialed the office number of He Mingyi, the Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. ...
The next morning, Chen Yang got up early as usual and went to exercise by the elegant lake. After returning sweaty, he took a shower and changed into dry clothes. When he came downstairs, Wu Ma had already prepared breakfast.
Su He served breakfast to his grandmother, while Ning Qiaoqian, because she worked the night shift, slept in very late every day, and everyone was used to not disturbing her.
"Hmm...this egg is fried well, just right!" Chen Yang wolfed down his breakfast, giving Wu Ma a thumbs up.
Seeing that Chen Yang enjoyed the breakfast she had prepared, Wu Ma smiled happily, her face full of satisfaction.
At this moment, the doorbell rang at the villa entrance.
Wu Ma stood up, walked to the monitor in the hall, looked at it, her expression slightly changing. Turning to Chen Yang, she said:
"Mr. Fang, there are several policemen at the door..."
Policemen? Su He, upon hearing this, also showed a hint of worry and glanced at Chen Yang.
Chen Yang seemed to have anticipated this. He smiled faintly and said,
"Aunt Wu, open the door!"
"Okay..." Aunt Wu nodded and pressed the button to open the door.
Chen Yang looked at Su He and smiled, saying,
"Su He, I might be staying out for a few days, don't worry..."
Su He's eyes were filled with deep worry. She glanced at the two police officers who were entering the yard, then at Chen Yang, and couldn't help but ask,
"Chen Yang, what happened?"
Chen Yang stood up, gently patted Su He's shoulder, and said softly,
"It's alright, don't worry... By the way, don't tell Sister Qian and Xiao Yi, I'll be back in a day or two at most!"
Seeing no trace of panic in Chen Yang's eyes, only deep confidence, Su He was unconsciously influenced by him and nodded involuntarily.
Chen Yang walked towards the door to greet the police. A second-level police inspector said to Chen Yang with a serious expression:
"Are you Chen Yang? We are police officers from the Economic Crime Investigation Team of Zhonglou District. We are under orders from our superiors to summon you for questioning in connection with a bribery case! Please come with us!"
Chen Yang calmly nodded, glanced back at Su He, gave her a reassuring look, and then said to the two police officers:
"Let's go!"
Generally, economic crime suspects pose a relatively low threat to society, so while the police officers were acting in a professional manner, they were not overly aggressive, and they did not use handcuffs or other restraints. They simply escorted Chen Yang, one on each side, towards the police car outside.
The police car quickly arrived at the Zhonglou District Public Security Bureau. The two officers led Chen Yang to an interrogation room, and then one of them pushed open the door and left.
A moment later, the second-level police inspector opened the door again, stepping aside to let in a middle-aged man in plainclothes before following him into the interrogation room.
Chen Yang immediately recognized the man in plainclothes as Lu Xun, deputy secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Zhonglou District. For the past two days, Chen Yang had been studying the files of several close associates of Fan Changtian, and Lu Xun was the direct executor of the Guo Li incident, so Chen Yang was paying particular attention to him.
Lu Xun glanced at Chen Yang indifferently after entering, then walked straight to the chair in the middle and sat down, his face stern. Two police officers sat down on either side of Lu Xun. The second-level police inspector turned his head and asked in a low voice:
"Secretary Lu, shall we begin?"
Lu Xun nodded reservedly, maintaining his upright posture.
The second-level police inspector gestured to his colleague, first routinely asking Chen Yang for his name, gender, date of birth, and other basic information, while the other police officer quickly recorded it on the computer.
Next, the second-level police inspector asked:
"On June 13, 2010, **** purchased a second-hand property in Hengxiang, Zhonglou District. About a month later, the property was included in the old city redevelopment plan. Is this true?"
Chen Yang nodded and said:
"Mostly true!"
Chen Yang didn't know Guo Li at all when he bought the property, so they couldn't do anything about it.
"What did you do on the morning of July 16, 2010?" the second-level police inspector immediately asked.
Chen Yang thought for a moment and replied:
"I received a call from the demolition office the day before, informing me to come to the demolition office the next day to discuss compensation. I went to the demolition office on the morning of the 16th and signed the compensation agreement."
"Is this the one?" The second-level police inspector waved a document in his hand, and another policeman immediately stood up and handed the document to Chen Yang.
Chen Yang flipped through it a few times and nodded in confirmation.
"Can you describe the process of signing the agreement that day in detail?" the second-level police inspector asked immediately. Chen Yang glanced at Lu Xun and said with a smile:
"The process of signing the agreement? There were indeed some minor hiccups that day. Initially, a section chief named Xu Maorong received me. This section chief's attitude was extremely rude, and his work methods were very rough. We had a verbal altercation. Just then, Director Guo Li from the demolition office passed by that office, heard the argument, and pushed open the door to come in.
After clarifying the situation, Director Guo severely criticized Xu Maorong, and then personally received me, explaining the demolition policies and compensation standards to me. Afterwards, I signed this agreement under Director Guo's guidance."
"Hmph! Eloquent!" Lu Xun, who had been silent all along, suddenly glared at Chen Yang with a sharp look and snorted coldly.