Chapter Twenty-Four: Lift Up Your Lid

  Lu Zhengdong suddenly understood what was going on...

  If the investigation team found out that he was the mastermind behind the whole thing in just one morning, then he should have bought a block of tofu and smashed himself to death. This must be Wang Liben's trick.

  Wang Liben couldn't find any evidence of manipulation in the election, which means his future is doomed. The best outcome for him would be to leave Shanhe and spend the rest of his life wandering elsewhere. This is absolutely unbearable for Wang Liben, who was used to being high above and holding great power. Wang Liben will definitely not sit back and wait for death; seeking benefits and avoiding harm is human nature.

  Besides, power is like opium, once you get hooked on it, you can't help yourself and absolutely don't want to lose it, especially for someone like Wang Liben who has an extremely strong desire for power.

  In order not to lose the power in his hands, Wang Liben must have tried his best to cover up the problems that occurred during the election. To achieve this goal, Wang Liben had no choice but to first provide a scope for the investigation team of the county, otherwise the investigation team would investigate everywhere and it is highly possible that even if Wang Liben wanted to cover up, he could not do so. The most suitable person for such a task was none other than him and Wu Zhonghe.

  Two people just had a dispute with Wang Liben at work and have been in conflict for some time.

  From the situation of the investigation team finding people to talk, it is clear that the investigation team found enough weight before talking to him and Wu Zhonghe, the two main culprits. This also indirectly confirms his speculation.

  Lu Zhengdong had thought of these things long ago.

  Lu Zhengdong thought for a moment, but it was just an instant. He saw Ma Lin's sharp eyes staring at him, and he met his gaze, saying calmly:

  "Director Yao, Secretary Ma, I know that you two leaders are lecturing me with good intentions to protect young cadres like me and hope that I won't take a wrong path. I'm also very grateful to the two of you in my heart, but I really haven't done anything, so there's nothing for me to confess."

  Lu Zhengdong's expression was very calm, and he continued in a neither arrogant nor humble tone:

  "I once again solemnly reflect to the two leaders, during the Yang Yuqing incident last time, I also mentioned it to the comrades of the investigation team, but at that time, the Yang Yuqing incident took a turn and did not receive attention. Now, with this opportunity, I once again earnestly request the two leaders to definitely pay attention to this matter. Shanhe is a volcano, the situation has not eased with the end of the Yang Yuqing incident, but has become more severe. If this volcano erupts, it will be no surprise if our Yanghe County becomes famous throughout the city, province and even the country. The consequences are something that even I, a young person, dare not imagine..."

  "If the two leaders think I'm being alarmist, they can go to the masses and make a thorough investigation, truly feel the emotions of the vast masses in the countryside towards the village. Maybe they can find the real answer to the problems that appeared in this election. These words are not pleasant to hear, but since I understand them, not reflecting on them would be a crime! As for whether I really have anything that violates organizational principles, or if what I'm saying is shifting attention, shifting contradictions, and interfering with the organization's investigation, I am willing to accept any investigation and examination by the organization. The clear will be cleared, the muddy will be muddied, and the organization will certainly investigate clearly."

  Lu Zhengdong emphasized that when he said "in reality", he believed that Director Yao and Secretary Ma were both very intelligent people who would understand that the person they were looking for did not dare to say anything bad about Wang Liben, but was actually being isolated.

  Wang Liben desperately wanted to cover the lid, but now that the election is out, this lid has already been lifted, and Lu Zhengdong will absolutely not let Wang Liben put the lid back on!

  Wang Liben was clear that he had some connections in the county, so he also made a few preparations. Firstly, through the investigation team, Wang Liben's cover was completely blown, exposing him fully. If he couldn't convince the investigation team, he still had an ace up his sleeve to force them to investigate.

  It's likely that Wang Liben has connections in the county and may have tipped off the investigation team, who may also be just going through the motions. Lu Zhengdong is prepared for the worst-case scenario.

  If the investigation team is not willing to lift the lid, he has another trick up his sleeve. Let others directly report to the county, and once election problems arise, the county will have to take it seriously. Wang Liben's connections in the county won't be able to cover everything!

  The best way is still to let the investigation team lift the lid on Wang Liben, which would be more beneficial for him. The key lies in how to move the people in the investigation team, especially the two leaders, to make them shake off Wang Liben's arrangement and conduct a real investigation.

  Lu Zhengdong saw Yao Zhi and Ma Lin exchange a look, apparently his words still caught the attention of the two. After exchanging opinions with their eyes, Ma Lin continued to ask:

  "The problems you've reflected, the organization will seriously investigate and verify, but now what you need to talk about is your own problem. I'll give you a bottom line again, someone has already voluntarily confessed, with clear details of time and place! However, it's just a matter of days, you should still remember who you had private contact with, don't hold any illusions anymore, just confess the truth!"

  "Secretary Ma, I didn't have any illusions at all. I didn't do anything. What do you want me to confess? As for private contacts, I don't know if greeting people when running into them or saying hello to neighbors counts as that. If it does count, then yes, there were some."

  "Don't dodge the question, I'm asking you, on the evening of October 21st at around 8 o'clock, where did you go and who did you see?"

  October 21st?

  It was several days after consulting with Luo Jinming. He was quite careful and would run around to see people everywhere, so he felt more at ease in his heart.

  Lu Zhengdong thought for a moment and said:

  "On October 21st, the power went out at night and it was pitch black. I had gone to bed early, and before sleeping, I only went to the bathroom on my floor, nowhere else."

  "Lu Zhengdong, I've already asked you about this before, are you still trying to deny it? I'm asking you, did you go to the banyan tree next to the rural elementary school that day?"

  Lu Zhengdong said bluntly:

  "Absolutely not."

  Ma Lin snorted coldly:

  "Can't you see that there are still people who wronged you? I think you won't shed tears until you see the coffin, and yet you're still not being honest even at this point!"

  "What Secretary Ma said is not necessarily impossible. I've been through something like this before during the Yang Yaqing incident, and the investigation ultimately proved that I was innocent. Moreover, Secretary Ma may not be familiar with the local area, to get to the big walnut tree, one would have to pass by Wang Shipeng's house from behind, Wang Shipeng's house has a vicious dog, even during the day, few people dare to go past, let alone in the dark? And since Wang Shipeng's house is isolated, with the dog barking so fiercely, they will definitely ask who it is. Whether I went there or not can be investigated..."

  Yao Zhi Fei and Ma Lin exchanged a thoughtful glance, clearly they had not anticipated this situation beforehand. Lu Zheng Dong couldn't help but smile inwardly, guessing that some people only thought of the secluded location as suitable for discussing secret matters, without considering the vicious dog at Wang Shi Peng's house would make an appearance.

  Yao Zhi Fei and Ma Lin asked all the questions that might exist again, then recorded all the Q&A, finally, let Lu Zheng Dong sign and approve the conversation record with a red handprint.

  "Comrade Lu Zhengdong, the investigation team will verify what you said. During this period, we hope you can stay in the countryside and be available for the investigation team to contact you at any time."

  Lu Zhengdong nodded:

  "I'll be there at your beck and call..."

  Lu Zhengdong's words had just fallen when he was about to stand up, but the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang. Lu Zhengdong turned his head and saw that his killer had arrived!