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. . . . .
Zhong Zhengguo's decision to secretly travel to Handong undoubtedly added more complexity and risk to his subsequent actions.
He knew that this trip was not only to understand the whole picture, but also to do his best to protect his son-in-law Hou Liangping, and most importantly, to prevent Hou Liangping from making any reckless remarks or attacking Zhong Xiaoai and himself.
To put it bluntly, Zhong Zhengguo was just trying to protect himself.
The plane landed at Luzhou Airport.
Zhong Zhengguo, wearing a mask and sunglasses, was followed by his trusted secretary. The two quietly and discreetly left through the VIP exit and got into an Audi A4.
"Hello, Xiao Ai. It's Dad." Zhong Zhengguo snapped out of his daze, took out his phone, and dialed Zhong Xiao Ai.
Zhong Xiaoai was extremely anxious: "Dad, what should we do? Hou Liangping has been detained and secretly imprisoned by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."
Zhong Zhengguo said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Xiao Ai. I'll figure something out. You need to stay calm and not let your emotions affect your judgment."
Zhong Xiaoai nodded, her voice choked with emotion, feeling a slight sense of comfort.
Zhong Zhengguo hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and instructed the driver, "Let's go to the Handong Provincial Procuratorate first."
"Okay, Secretary Zhong."
. . . . .
Meanwhile, inside a secret, secure room belonging to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Hou Liangping, wearing a jacket, lay on the bed without saying a word.
All four walls are equipped with cameras for comprehensive surveillance, and two bailiffs stand guard outside the door.
He was certain that Ding Yizhen had framed him; someone was trying to frame him.
204. Qi Tongwei was sentenced to ten years in prison.
204. Qi Tongwei was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Meanwhile, Song Long, the fifth deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, led an investigation team to stay at the Jingzhou Hotel, booking the entire top floor.
Immediately, Song Long, along with four subordinates, a recorder, and a camera, headed straight for the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection's safe house.
They are going to conduct a full investigation into Hou Liangping and verify Ding Yizhen's allegations.
With a serious expression, Song Long stepped into the safe house, looked around, and then looked at Hou Liangping.
Zhao Dagong, the secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission, accompanied him all the way: "Secretary Song. This is Hou Liangping's temporary safe house."
Song Long nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized Hou Liangping. A tense atmosphere filled the air, but Hou Liangping remained calm, meeting his eyes without flinching. The investigation team quickly began their work; the recording device was activated, and the camera was pointed at Hou Liangping's face.
"Hou Liangping. On behalf of the organization, I am here to interrogate you."
Hou Liangping glanced at it: "May I ask your identity and position?"
Song Long said solemnly, "Song Long, the Fifth Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection."
Hou Liangping nodded, his tone calm: "I understand. Is there a problem?"
Song Long pressed further, "Ding Yizhen reported you for bribing you with as much as 50 million."
Hou Liangping's emotions began to fluctuate, and he retorted, "Ding Yizhen's words cannot be trusted at all. He is clearly framing me."
Song Long responded coldly, slamming his right hand on the table: "The evidence is conclusive, Hou Liangping. We, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, searched your home and found a large amount of cash."
"We also called in bank staff to count the money on the spot. The amount was a huge sum of 50 million."
"This matches many details in Ding Yizhen's whistleblower report. How do you explain this?"
Hou Liangping took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and looked at Song Long: "Secretary Song, this is definitely a deliberate frame-up. I, Hou Liangping, have always adhered to the principles of fairness and integrity in my work. How could I possibly accept such a huge bribe?"
"I have no idea what happened to that cash and valuables."
Hou Liangping became agitated and retorted, "Secretary Song, I, Hou Liangping, was transferred from Beijing to Dongping City, Handong Province, to serve as the Chief Prosecutor of Dongping City six months ago."
"These are all documented and can be verified."
"Besides, am I, Hou Liangping, that stupid? To keep fifty million at home?"
"Isn't that just plain stupid?"
"Any normal person wouldn't do that," Hou Liangping said confidently, trying to prove his innocence.
Song Long fixed his gaze on Hou Liangping, his eyes blazing, and began to intimidate him: "Hou Liangping, you can't just say you don't know now."
Since we've launched an investigation, it means we have some leads. You'd better tell the truth and try to get lenient treatment.
“You are also a deputy chief prosecutor, and you have worked in the public security, procuratorial, and judicial system for so many years. You should know that accepting bribes exceeding 10 million yuan is an exceptionally large amount. If you are sentenced, the minimum sentence will be 12 years or more.”
Hou Liangping firmly responded: "Secretary Song, I have indeed not done these things. I am willing to accept further investigation by the organization, and I believe that the organization will clear my name."
At this moment, a member of the investigation team took out a document and handed it to Song Long: "Secretary Song, this is our preliminary summary of Hou Liangping's recent cash flow."
Song Long took the document, quickly glanced at it, and then looked at Hou Liangping again: "Hou Liangping, there are also many suspicious points in this record of fund flows."
"Could you explain the source and destination of these large sums of money?"
Hou Liangping frowned, thought carefully, and then said, "Secretary Song, some of these fund flows are my normal salary and bonuses, and some may be normal loan transactions between friends. I can provide relevant supporting documents."
Song Long nodded and slowly stood up: "Okay, then think about it as soon as possible and provide the relevant evidence. Before the results are in, you must cooperate with our investigation and must not leave the safe house without permission."
Hou Liangping nodded: "I understand, I will fully cooperate with the investigation."
The investigation team then put away the recording equipment and turned off the cameras before leaving the safe house.
Zhao Dagong, the secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission, remained silent throughout, his face serious as he scrutinized Hou Liangping.
Then, he turned and left.
． ． ． ． ． ． ．
Hou Liangping lay on the bed, murmuring to himself, "Xiao Ai, I believe in you. You will definitely come to save me."
Xiao Ai... Xiao Ai, if you don't save me...
Don't blame me for exposing the dirty deeds of the Zhong family.
A sinister look appeared on Hou Liangping's face.
Over the years, after marrying into the Zhong family as a son-in-law, he secretly recorded all the shady things Zhong Zhengguo confessed to him.
All of it was recorded in a notebook.
. . .
Meanwhile, in a budget hotel in Luzhou City, Handong Province.
Zhong Zhengguo was anxiously flipping through the documents when the phone suddenly rang. He quickly answered, "Hello, what's the situation?" A hurried voice came from the other end of the line.
Zhong Zhengguo frowned and said in a deep voice, "Things are more complicated than we thought, Dad. We need to deal with this quickly and not let Hou Liangping say anything reckless."
"This must have been Zhao Lichun's doing behind the scenes. He's specifically trying to retaliate against our Zhong family."
"Hou Liangping is nothing more than a pawn."
Old Zhong's voice was deep and powerful: "Yes. The waters in Handong are getting deeper and deeper."
"The eldest grandson of the Lin family has completely established himself in Handong. He has taken control of the National Security Bureau and the Public Security Bureau."
"It's all because of that bastard Hou Liangping. He arrested Zhao Lan behind our backs, which angered Zhao Mengsheng and led to this."
. . . . .
Two days later, the Criminal Division of the Handong Provincial Higher People's Court held the first trial for the Qi Tongwei case.
The atmosphere inside the courtroom was solemn and dignified. The gallery was packed, and media reporters' cameras were all pointed at the judge's bench. Qi Tongwei was led into the courtroom by bailiffs. He looked haggard, but his eyes revealed a stubbornness.
The trial officially began as Judge Zhou Xiao struck the gavel.
Prosecutor Zheng Yaping read out the indictment, listing in detail all of Qi Tongwei's crimes, from embezzlement and bribery to illegal money laundering, each of which was supported by conclusive evidence.
"The defendant, Qi Tongwei, colluded with Ding Yizhen in 20XX to conduct overseas money laundering and transfers..."
"Qi Tongwei committed job-related crimes by helping the sister of Chen Qingquan, the former vice president of the Intermediate People's Court, to get promoted and providing her with convenience."
"According to Chen Qingquan's testimony, Qi Tongwei misled him in the Dafeng Factory equity dispute..."
Qi Tongwei's legal aid lawyer attempted to defend him, emphasizing the possible misunderstandings and misleading factors involved.
During the court investigation, prosecutor Zheng Yaping presented a series of key pieces of evidence, including bank statements showing Qi Tongwei's acceptance of bribes and recorded phone conversations with Ding Yizhen.
There are even video recordings of Ding Yizhen's testimony.
Faced with this evidence, Qi Tongwei stood there, saying nothing.
"Qi Tongwei, do you have any objections to this evidence?" Judge Zhou Xiao asked sternly.
Qi Tongwei lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I plead guilty, I plead guilty. I have already signed the plea agreement. My attitude towards admitting guilt is good."
Presiding Judge Zhou Xiao nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Qi Tongwei: "Since you have pleaded guilty and your attitude in doing so is good, the court will take that into full consideration. However, the court still needs to inquire about some details to ensure the fairness and accuracy of the verdict."
Qi Tongwei raised his head, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Your Honor, please ask, and I will answer truthfully."
"Qi Tongwei, what were the specific steps you took in colluding with Ding Yizhen to launder money overseas? How much money was involved?" Judge Zhou Xiao asked.
Qi Tongwei took a deep breath and slowly said, "At that time, Ding Yizhen approached me and said that he had a sum of money that needed to be laundered. He promised me certain benefits. So I transferred the money to an overseas account through some channels. The specific amount... was probably tens of millions."
"In the equity dispute of Dafeng Factory, you caused Chen Qingquan to make a wrong judgment. What was your purpose in doing this? Was it to seek personal gain?" Judge Zhou Xiao continued to press.
Qi Tongwei was silent for a while, as if recalling something: "At that time, I did have some selfish motives. I wanted to use the Dafeng Factory incident to seek some benefits for myself. Moreover, Ding Yizhen... was a person of a certain leader."
"I'm doing this out of respect for this leader."
"What do you have to say about how you helped Chen Qingquan's sister, the former vice president of the Intermediate People's Court, get promoted?" Judge Zhou Xiao looked sharply at Qi Tongwei.
Qi Tongwei lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly: "This is the worst thing I've ever done. I abused my power to provide convenience to people (Li Li Zhao) who shouldn't have been given it. I betrayed the organization's trust and hurt other hardworking people."
As the trial progressed, prosecutor Zheng Yaping presented new evidence, further confirming Qi Tongwei's crimes. The audience members showed expressions of anger and disappointment, while reporters diligently took notes.
Finally, presiding judge Zhou Xiao adjourned the court, and the collegial panel will deliberate and announce the verdict at a later date.
Qi Tongwei was led out of the courtroom by bailiffs, his back view looking particularly lonely.
Two weeks later, the court hearing resumed.
"Defendant Qi Tongwei is guilty of money laundering, bribery, and abuse of power; the sentences will be combined for all three crimes."
With a stern expression and a loud voice, Judge Zhou Xiao pronounced the verdict: "Sentenced to ten years imprisonment, deprivation of political rights for life, and a fine of 5 million yuan."