Chapter Thirty-Five: Imprisonment

  Ye Ming heard the phrase "beating a snake without killing it incurs three parts of guilt" and was startled, staring intently at Director Zou, already understanding his meaning.

  However, he didn't want to give Director Zou the impression that he was too clever, so he pretended to be perplexed and asked: "Director Zou, I still don't quite understand what you mean. Could you explain it to me in detail and point out my mistakes?"

  Zou looked at him with a somewhat disbelieving gaze, seeing the confusion on his face, seemingly truly not understanding the meaning of his words. He patiently explained: "Xiao Ye, I know you're an honest and kind guy who yields to softness but not to forcefulness. I reckon that just now Li Li must have said many nice things to you and definitely lowered his posture to ask for your help. But you need to understand one thing: the reason Li Li was investigated this time is precisely because of the conflict between him and you. He's now being humble and lowering himself to you only because he can't defeat you. So, his current softness and humility towards you are just a strategy of his. From my understanding of Li Li, he's a person who remembers grudges and will definitely retaliate. Now, for the sake of self-preservation, he can resort to any means and disregard his own dignity. However, once he regains power, he'll also use any means to take revenge on you. That's what I meant by 'killing a snake without dying from its venom'."

  Jian Ye Ming still looked thoughtful, and Zou Zu Chang continued to explain: "From what I know, Li Li's problems are very serious. Not only did he receive bribes multiple times during the tax exemption approval, pre-tax deduction approval, and tax inspection process, but his personal life is also extremely corrupt. He has kept four or five mistresses. If you go to plead for him, I estimate that Secretary Li of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission will not be very happy. Even if your relationship with Secretary Li is very good, this matter involves a matter of principle and will definitely affect your impression in Secretary Li's mind. In that case, it would not be worth it."

  Ye Ming was shocked by his last sentence: Ah, why didn't he think of that? Secretary Li is a leader with strong principles and a strong sense of justice. If he had agreed to go and speak on behalf of Li Li, what would he have thought? Would he have thought him an immature person who can't tell right from wrong? Or would he have thought that he had received some benefit from Li Li and was now speaking up for him?

  He felt a chill run down his spine and sincerely said to Director Zou, "Director Zou, thank you for reminding me. I will carefully consider this matter."

  After leaving the office of the head of the discipline inspection team, Ye Ming walked downstairs while thinking about the purpose and intention of Director Zou's conversation with him today: It seems that the conflict between Director Zou and Li Li is very deep. Although people in the bureau can't see it usually, at critical moments, Director Zou has no hesitation in wielding a knife towards Li Li, and even stabs his heart directly.

  And himself was the deadly knife in Captain Zou's hand...

  This officialdom is so complicated, on the surface it's calm as water, but underneath it's surging with hidden currents...

  In the afternoon when it was almost time to get off work, Li Li suddenly called Ye Ming and asked him to go to Hai Xian Cheng by the river for dinner, emphasizing that it would be just the two of them, with no outsiders present.

  "Director Li, I'm sorry, but I've already made plans with a friend for dinner today."

  Li Li fell silent for a moment before hesitantly asking: "Xiaoye, did you call Secretary Li this afternoon?"

  Ye Ming listened to his words, full of hope, and his heart began to feel a little unbearable. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Not yet. Director Li, to be honest with you, I'm a bit embarrassed to make this call."

  Li Li let out a disappointed "oh" and said, "I understand. Some things are hard to explain over the phone and need to be discussed in person. Alright, brother, starting tomorrow, I'll give you a few days off. Trouble you to go to the provincial city and have a chat with Secretary Li about my situation. I think it will be more effective that way."

  Ye Ming felt that he had already agreed to help him, and now if he said he didn't want to help him anymore, it would be a bit awkward, so he vaguely murmured "uh-huh" and quickly hung up the phone.

  At this time, almost everyone in the office building had left. Ye Ming tidied up his desk and was about to leave the office when he saw Li Li suddenly standing at the door.

  After confirming that there was only Ye Ming in the office, Li Li rushed in and slammed the door shut behind him. He then pulled out a bank card from his briefcase and handed it to Ye Ming, saying: "Brother, this card has 500,000 yuan on it, the password is six ones. You'll be going to the provincial city for me this time, and I'm sure you'll incur some big expenses. Use this money first, and if it's not enough, just give me a call and I'll transfer more over to you right away... Brother, as long as you can help me get through this tough spot, I won't care how much money you spend!"

  Ye Ming was taken aback, looked at the bank card, and suddenly curled up a sneer on his mouth: "Director Li, what do you mean by this? As the saying goes: If you have no evil intentions in your heart, you can eat watermelon boldly; if you don't do anything shameful, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door at midnight! You told me this morning that you only received some red envelope gifts for the New Year's festival, didn't you? What are you afraid of? Red envelope gifts may not be acceptable either, but if the amount is not large, it's just a disciplinary problem at most. It's not necessary to make such a big move! You took out 500,000 yuan in one hand, and said that if it was not enough, I could ask you for more. I'm really scared by you!"

  Li Li saw that he didn't have a card and got a bit anxious, saying: "Brother, don't misunderstand my intention. You're also clear about it: in today's society, can you do anything without spending money? Although I'm not in big trouble, there's still some problem after all. This 500,000 yuan is just for being prepared and doesn't mean that my problem is very serious. Besides, when you go to take care of things for me, can you still afford to pay out of your own pocket?"

  Ye Ming knew he couldn't make himself clear to him, so he pushed the card in front of him and said: "Director Li, I don't want this money. If you really think your problem is not serious, I suggest you go to the Discipline Inspection Commission or the Procuratorate to explain yourself clearly. That way, you can strive for leniency. These words were what you told me when I was being shuanggui, and now I'm returning them to you verbatim. Take care of yourself!"

  As he spoke, he didn't care about Li Li's face getting paler and paler, turned around and walked out of the office.

  The next morning, at around 8:10, several people wearing suits and badges of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Procuratorate suddenly arrived at the bureau, taking away Li Li who had just walked to the door of the director's office.

  That night, after 11 o'clock, a police car suddenly arrived at the residential building of the local tax bureau, and drove straight to the third building, where several prosecutors escorted Li Li into his home, showing him and his wife the "Criminal Detention Certificate" and "Search Warrant", and then began rummaging through his belongings to collect evidence of his crime.

  While searching him, a prosecutor ordered Li to remove his shoelaces and belt and put handcuffs on him.