Dong Wei Gang's expression was one of shock, anger, and fear. He suddenly stood up and said, "Are you guys mistaken? Maybe it's someone with the same name?"
He still held onto a sliver of hope.
An Xin said, "Dong Wei Gang, the Chief Justice of Jinghai City Court, it's you."
Hearing his title and name, Dong Wei Gang's face darkened, and he angrily said, "What law have I broken? Why are you arresting me?"
An Xin replied, "Embezzlement, bribery, and keeping a mistress."
Dong Wei Gang was still not convinced, "Do you have evidence? Don't just talk nonsense!"
An Xin said, "We have apprehended your mistress, Zhou Xiao Yun, and found your safe. The cash, gold, and jewels inside total over four hundred million."
Hearing Zhou Xiao Yun and safe, Dong Wei Gang's legs buckled, and he slumped back into his chair.
Everyone saw his reaction and knew the charges were accurate.
Someone secretly glanced at Xu Zhao, trying to read his expression.
Clearly, they had guessed that the arrest wasn't a coincidence.
It was likely arranged by Xu Zhao.
After all, how dare a few junior officers barge into the Municipal Committee without notice or knocking?
And Meng De Hai, he was clearly pretending to be oblivious.
Could he not know about arresting a high-ranking official like Dong Wei Gang?
For a moment, everyone's thoughts were in turmoil.
Deputy Secretary Yan Yang Xue: "Is this enforcing Secretary Sha's directives, or is it retaliation against Dong Wei Gang for not listening?"
Director of Education Hong Wen Shan: "This is clearly a warning to us."
Director of Commerce Lu Zheng Pin: "The food safety case, it's not going to be investigated, is it?"
Director of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhuang Yong Jie: "Over four hundred million, Dong Wei Gang really knew how to embezzle. We couldn't see it at all."
Director of Statistics Han Rui: "This Dong Wei Gang was so careless."
Chief Prosecutor Xu Wu Ping: "This guy really had a problem. It seems like the corrupt official Xu Secretary mentioned to me was Dong Wei Gang."
...
Everyone's expressions became serious.
Xu Zhao pretended to be angry and looked at Dong Wei Gang, "Director Dong, is what he said true?"
Dong Wei Gang was already sweating profusely, "Secretary Xu, I..."
Suddenly, he saw a hint of mockery in Xu Zhao's seemingly angry eyes.
It was like a bolt from the blue.
Dong Wei Gang instantly realized that the anonymous letter was arranged by Xu Zhao.
Xu Zhao deliberately praised him today, intending to lift him up first and then throw him down hard.
To set a negative example for others.
How cruel and cunning!
Looking at Xu Zhao's youthful face, Dong Wei Gang felt a surge of immense hatred and regret.
He hated Xu Zhao for treating him this way.
He regretted how he treated Xu Zhao earlier.
If he knew Xu Zhao was this ruthless, he wouldn't have fought with him for that dilapidated building.
Various thoughts raced through his mind, and finally, Dong Wei Gang gave in, pleading, "Secretary Xu, can you give me another chance? I will definitely reform and become a good official."
Seeing Dong Wei Gang's pale face, Xu Zhao sighed, "If only you knew this would happen."
He said emotionlessly, "We have both physical and circumstantial evidence. How can I give you a chance?"
Hearing this, Dong Wei Gang's already pale face turned ashen. He looked lifeless and slumped back in his chair, weak and powerless.
Many saw his misery and felt a sense of shared misfortune, thinking to themselves: "Our City Party Secretary is young, but his methods are cunning. We have to be careful in the future."
"You truly disappointed me. I was just praising you, thinking of establishing you as a role model for officials in Jinghai, but you went and did this."
"Sigh, take him away. Don't let him embarrass himself here anymore."
Xu Zhao sighed and said.
Two officers stepped forward and, left and right, helped the slumped Dong Wei Gang up and escorted him out.
An Xin did not leave immediately but turned to Lu Zheng Pin and said, "If you could, Director Lu, we'd like you to come to our station for an investigation."
Lu Zheng Pin had been worried, and hearing this, his eyes twitched. He forced himself to remain calm and said, "What does it have to do with me?"
An Xin said, "We received an anonymous letter with pictures, of you, Dong Wei Gang, Mei Xiao Yun, and Cao Xin having dinner together. We suspect you were also involved in the food safety bribery case."
Lu Zheng Pin's expression cracked, "Misunderstanding, I just had dinner with Old Dong. I don't know anything about their business."
Everyone else could see that the charges were likely true again.
They felt both alarmed and pity for Lu Zheng Pin.
The atmosphere in the conference room became very oppressive.
An Xin said, "We will interrogate Dong Wei Gang."
Lu Zheng Pin looked at Dong Wei Gang who could barely stand, and he found it hard to believe he could withstand the interrogation.
Especially since they had photos, it would be difficult to deceive them.
He also realized that this was likely a trap set by Xu Zhao, so he looked at him and said, "Secretary Xu, I truly only had dinner with Dong Wei Gang. Please believe me."
He also had a hint of pleading in his eyes, hoping Xu Zhao would show him mercy and let him go.
Xu Zhao calmly said, "If you are innocent, why are you so nervous? The Public Security Bureau wouldn't threaten you, would they? Just go with them for the investigation. If they got it wrong, let Meng De Hai apologize to you."
Meng De Hai cooperated, "No problem."
Lu Zheng Pin dared not go, and his expression looked somewhat mournful, "Secretary Xu, please give me a chance. I promise to obey your orders from now on."
He was pledging allegiance.
Pledging allegiance in front of so many people would undoubtedly make people look down on him.
But this was the only way he could get out of this situation.
Since the Public Security Bureau hadn't found evidence of Lu Zheng Pin's corruption, if Xu Zhao said a word, they would stop investigating.
After all, if they really started investigating, it would involve too many people.