Chapter 85

Chapter 41: Confrontation

Xie Limin immediately put on a bitter face and said, "Sigh, my poor father, born at the wrong time, suffered all his life, and even chose a bad day to die. The county is so busy, but he had the leisure to die. I just finished the funeral and rushed back. Chief Li, I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting."

By right, Xie Limin, as a full-section chief, should be treated with respect by Li Yi, who is only a deputy-section chief. Li Yi should at least invite him in and offer him a cup of tea. However, Li Yi just sat in the middle with a stern face, not saying a word, and coldly watched Xie Limin.

Xie Limin paused for a moment but quickly forced a smile, walked in, and closed the door. He sat on the sofa to the right of Li Yi and said sincerely, "Chief Li, please ask your questions. I will answer everything I know."

Li Yi said with a dark face, "Good! I hope the rest of our conversation will be as straightforward!"

"Of course!" Xie Limin sat up straight, looking like a diligent student ready to accept criticism.

However, Li Yi was not in a hurry. He picked up a cigarette from the coffee table, put it in his mouth, and Xie Limin immediately took out his lighter and lit it for Li Yi, smiling flatteringly.

Li Yi chuckled, "I can't accept that! You are the bureau chief, a higher rank than me. I feel unworthy." Although he said this, there was no trace of guilt on his face, only a sense of righteousness.

Xie Limin smiled, "It's my honor to serve Chief Li. Chief Li, how about we go to a restaurant and talk while we eat?"

Li Yi said with a cold face, "Do the officials in Lianshui like to discuss work over drinks?"

"Thump!" Xie Limin's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm. "Hehe, Chief Li, you really know how to joke. You are the envoy from above, and we dare not be negligent. We are just being considerate. If it were someone else, I wouldn't bother."

Li Yi slowly exhaled a smoke ring and said, "Director Xie, you are quite honest! Since that's the case, I'll ask you, why is there only 30 million left out of the 55 million? Where did the other 20 million go?"

Xie Limin didn't expect Li Yi to get straight to the point so quickly. He pretended to think for a moment, reviewed the prepared explanation in his mind, and then said, "Chief Li, you are also in the political arena, and I believe you understand the intricacies."

Li Yi interrupted him, "I'm sorry, Director Xie, I don't understand. I just graduated and know nothing. Please teach me, Director Xie."

Xie Limin opened his mouth wide, revealing his yellow, decayed teeth. His mind raced, and he couldn't help but look at Li Yi with newfound respect. If the previous flattery was due to Li Yi's envoy status, now his respect was genuine. A recent graduate, promoted to deputy-section chief in just a few months, and handling such an important case—this young man was clearly no ordinary person.

Li Yi's words also disrupted Xie Limin's clear train of thought, making him feel a bit flustered. However, with years of experience in the political arena, he quickly adjusted and said with a bitter smile, "Chief Li, you have had a smooth career, so you may not understand the intricacies. Let me explain: when the funds were in the provincial water bureau's account, there were indeed 55 million. But when they reached our county's finance department, there were only 50 million left."

Li Yi feigned ignorance and asked in surprise, "Why? Where did the 5 million go? Could they have been deducted?"

Xie Limin shook his head helplessly, a mocking smile on his lips, unsure if he was laughing at Li Yi's naivety or the reality of the world. "Chief Li, you may not know, but as the saying goes, 'a bird passing by plucks a feather, and money passing by leaves a tenth.' I believe you can understand. The 5 million was equivalent to the initial investment for the project." A hint of anger and helplessness flashed in Xie Limin's eyes.

"Initial investment!" Li Yi pondered this new term and began to understand.

"The funds reached the county finance department and were further reduced by 15%. This was a collective decision by the county party committee. You can ask the committee members if you don't believe me." Xie Limin again put on a helpless expression.

"Why did the county retain the funds?" Li Yi asked. "Isn't this money for the reservoir project?"

"The county is really poor, and even the basic salaries are a problem. We had to divert the funds to address the immediate needs." Xie Limin, a heavy smoker, wanted to smoke but didn't dare to because of Li Yi's status. He fidgeted nervously, his legs trembling.

Li Yi pointed to the cigarette box on the table, "If you want to smoke, go ahead."

Xie Limin chuckled and took a cigarette, smoking it vigorously. His spirits visibly improved. Seeing that it was the same brand of cigarettes that Deng Qiaoqiao had given to Li Yi, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Continue, where did the nearly 10 million go?" Li Yi finished a cigarette, picked up his work diary, and asked while recording the conversation.

"Well," Xie Limin hesitated for a moment before saying, "When the budget was made, only the construction costs were considered, not the compensation for relocation. The 10 million was used to compensate the residents affected by the reservoir. We calculated based on the number of people, about 1,000 people, with each receiving 10,000 yuan."

Li Yi fell into deep thought. He hadn't expected that the truth he had been investigating for days would be so clearly explained by Xie Limin in just a few words.

However, how much of what he said was true?

Li Yi's face darkened, and he said sarcastically, "If what Director Xie says is true, then all the officials in Lianshui must be good officials, not a single corrupt one, but all thinking of the country and the people?"

A flush of red appeared on Xie Limin's dark face, but it was barely noticeable due to his dark complexion.

"Director Xie, is there anything else you want to say?" Li Yi asked coldly, sensing that Xie Limin, despite his respectful demeanor, looked down on him and considered him a naive young man who could be easily deceived with a few lies.

Unfortunately, Li Yi was not naive but rather a shrewd person. In the past few days, he had gathered a lot of information, though it still needed verification. However, it was far from as simple as Xie Limin described.

"Chief Li, I have explained everything I need to." Xie Limin lowered his head, looking like he was deeply reflecting.

Li Yi suddenly sat up straight and slammed his hand on the coffee table, making everything on it jump and scaring Xie Limin into standing up.

Li Yi shouted, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old? Your story might fool a primary school student, but not me! I warn you, our report will be directly submitted to Governor Tang. If I write down the truth, have you thought about the consequences?"

Xie Limin's face turned pale, and he trembled, asking, "What consequences? If you understand the truth, you should report it to eliminate the negative impact on our county and restore normal operations for the county party committee and government."

Li Yi sneered, "You have a good plan! Unfortunately, it won't work."

Xie Limin looked innocent, "Chief Li, you are too profound. I'm not sure what you mean."

Li Yi remained silent, just staring coldly at Xie Limin.

Xie Limin also faced Li Yi with a calm expression.

Their eyes met, like positive and negative electrons colliding, creating a loud bang and a spark of electricity in the air.

Xie Limin feigned distress, "Chief Li, you must believe me. Every word I said is true."

Afraid that Li Yi wouldn't believe him, he raised his right hand high, like in a party admission ceremony, and swore, "Chief Li, I swear by my character and party spirit that every word I said is true. If any of it is false, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death."

Li Yi's sneer deepened, and he stared coldly at Xie Limin, thinking for a moment before saying, "Have you reported to Chief Shao?"

Xie Limin breathed a sigh of relief and answered, "I went to see Chief Shao, but he wasn't there, so I came to report to you."

Li Yi nodded, "I understand the situation. Before the inspection team leaves Lianshui, you can come to me at any time to provide additional information. The final report will be based on your last statement."

This gave Xie Limin a way out. If he regretted and wanted to change his story, Li Yi would welcome him. If he insisted on his current statement, Li Yi would submit it.

Xie Limin was hesitant, unsure how much Li Yi knew. However, he shook Li Yi's hand with gratitude and enthusiasm and left.

Li Yi fell into deep thought.

Seeing that it was still early, Li Yi called the office of the Lianshui County magistrate. It was time to have a talk with the top official of the county government.

The secretary answered the phone and, upon learning it was from the inspection team, did not dare to be negligent. After seeking permission, the secretary replied that the magistrate was waiting for him in the office and welcomed Chief Li to come.

Li Yi straightened his clothes, organized the relevant documents, and then left.

Passing by Shao Guoping's room, Li Yi stopped and knocked on the door. Shao Guoping's voice came from inside, "Come in."

Li Yi pushed the door open and saw Shao Guoping and Xie Limin sitting on the sofa. He smiled and said, "Brother Shao, are you busy? I have an appointment with Magistrate Xue to understand the situation."

Shao Guoping nodded, "Sure, go ahead. There's no need to report such trivial matters to me!" Although he said this, his tone was light and cheerful, clearly pleased.

Li Yi chatted for a few more sentences and then left, calling Ouyang Jinxuan to join him as they headed to the county government compound.

---

The page turned, and the advertisement began.

The page turned, and the advertisement ended.