Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 154 A dead pig is not afraid of boiling water!

The alarm blared.

The convoy drove through the bustling streets.

While Cai Chenggong was huddled in the police car, tears streaming down his face.

Inside the minibus, Zhong Zhengguo sat in a comfortable seat with his eyes closed, resting.

It looks like it's asleep.

But at this moment, how could he possibly fall asleep?

Even if they weren't handcuffed, they definitely couldn't escape.

I've worked in the political and legal system for so many years.

He didn't even need to think about it carefully; he knew what would happen next.

You will be taken to a place called a detention room.

There were no windows, no sunlight, and the lights were always on.

The interior walls, floors, tables, chairs, squat toilets, and other surfaces are all covered with soft materials.

We drink water from paper cups and eat with spoons, so there are no fish bones, bones, or any other hard objects in our food.

The pen is shaped like scissors, with guards on both sides and only a tiny bit of the tip showing above.

The detention room is equipped with full-coverage, blind-spot-free surveillance equipment.

There are also people taking turns guarding them 24 hours a day.

Even when they go to the toilet, they'll watch them from the side.

Everything was done to prevent those detained from committing suicide or self-harm.

And in a room like this.

Forget about watching TV, listening to the radio, making phone calls, or reading newspapers and magazines...

Don't even think about eating and sleeping, or just spacing out and wasting your days inside.

When we can eat and sleep depends on the mood of the interrogators.

If they don't voluntarily confess, they will inevitably face relentless, exhausting interrogations and hunger.

Even if someone once held a high position of power, they still wouldn't show the slightest bit of politeness.

Don't even think about faking illness or lying about feeling unwell.

Some are medical personnel who can conduct examinations at any time.

How long can one endure in such a detention cell where there is no freedom, no distinction between day and night, and extreme boredom?

Zhong Zhengguo has never tried it.

But he had handled cases before and sent many people to detention rooms, so he knew that life inside was extremely difficult.

Even those who consider themselves tough and mentally strong can't last more than a month or two.

Some even confessed their problems after only one or two days in jail.

once Upon a time.

Zhong Zhengguo had considered how many days he could hold out before confessing if he were ever detained.

I just thought about it casually back then, but I never expected that it would actually come true.

"After so many years of working in the political and legal system and handling so many people, I never thought that now, in such a high position, I would still be the one to be dealt with!"

"Although I have done a lot of nepotism and abuse of power for personal gain in the past, it was not that serious."

“For example, supporting Liang Qunfeng to fight Zhao Lichun and transferring his son-in-law Hou Liangping to Yanjing are nothing special.”

"Even if I secretly instructed Fan Jian to go to Jingzhou to investigate Huilong Group, it wouldn't be considered a violation of laws and regulations."

"The real problem is that in the past month, when they came to Linjiang to carry out educational rectification, they colluded with Cai Chenggong."

"Should I just be straightforward and explain my cooperation with Cai Chenggong outright?"

"No, if I want Xiao Ai and Liang Ping to be safe, I must take all the blame!"

Zhong Zhengguo knew.

Whether it's the person interrogating you or the person watching over you 24/7.

They could not possibly inform the outside world, nor could they reveal any information to him.

You will be completely unaware of the situation outside.

Have your daughter and son-in-law also been detained for investigation?

Will Cai Chenggong confess all his crimes soon in order to atone for his crimes?

At this moment, the minibus stopped.

Zhong Zhengguo opened his eyes, got up and got out of the car.

Seeing the three-story building in front of him, he suppressed a cold smile.

This building looks ordinary, but upon closer inspection, something seems amiss.

The windows were more like decorations than anything else; they were completely unusable.

"I never imagined that I, Zhong Zhengguo, would one day be brought into a place like this."

Upon hearing this self-deprecating remark, Lu Shengye got off the bus, stopped, and gave it a cold, sidelong glance.

"You don't have to go in."

"Let's go in! We're already here, so we have to go through the proper procedures!"

Zhong Zhengguo knew what Lu Shengye meant.

If you quickly and clearly explain the situation, you won't be locked up in the detention room.

As he entered the building, Zhong Zhengguo moved with unwavering determination and composure.

Strip check, registration before entering the room...

Everything felt so familiar, yet somehow strange.

After all, this was the first time he had been detained as a criminal suspect.

I sat down in the chair, which was upholstered in soft leather. It felt quite comfortable at first.

I just don't know if I'll still feel comfortable sitting for more than ten hours a day in the future.

Seeing Zhong Zhengguo being so proactive, Lu Shengye couldn't help but laugh.

"You're quite self-aware! Did you expect this day would come?"

Zhong Zhengguo smiled faintly and placed his hands folded on the table.

“I believe that everyone who has worked in discipline inspection and supervision or political and legal affairs has imagined being detained and interrogated, including you.”

Lu Shengye nodded with a smile.

"Yes, I have also thought about what it would be like if I were detained and interrogated one day."

"But the more I thought about it, the more scared I became. I felt ashamed of the organization that nurtured me, and ashamed of the motherland and the people."

"Of course, what I fear most is the devastating impact of my own crime on my entire family."

"That's not just about ruining your reputation, it also affects your job and income..."

It would have been better if Lu Shengye hadn't mentioned it.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhengguo felt a pang of anxiety.

Over the years, I have worked hard and climbed to the top no matter what.

They endured so much hardship and exerted so much effort.

It was not easy for him to climb to a high position that was admired by countless people.

Even if someone holds a position without doing anything, just waiting to retire, enjoy their grandchildren, and live a peaceful old age, no one will criticize them.

Moreover, after retirement, one can enjoy a very high retirement pension and excellent welfare benefits.

For example, when hospitalized, patients can stay in a private room and enjoy free expert consultations and dedicated care.

However, later...

Having been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office, and sentenced to prison, I have nothing left.

What will I do to support myself when I get out of prison?

If you don't want to be destitute in your old age, you must protect your daughter and son-in-law at all costs!

Zhong Zhengguo secretly made up his mind.

Try to delay as much time as possible.

Wait until you can't hold on any longer before proactively confessing your problems.

But he also took all the blame upon himself, trying his best to ensure that his daughter and son-in-law were safe and sound.

In any case, it was he who took advantage of the education rectification campaign to amass wealth with Cai Chenggong.

The money from their share of the spoils was not deposited into the bank accounts under the names of their daughter and son-in-law.

As long as they don't admit it, they'll definitely land safely.

After all, even a high-ranking official like himself had voluntarily confessed his crimes.

Even disregarding Mr. Ge's feelings, according to convention, they wouldn't pursue the matter further or harm his family.

"what are you thinking?"

Lu Shengye frowned and looked at Zhong Zhengguo.

"You're not thinking that someone might rescue you, are you?"

Zhong Zhengguo chuckled.

"How can this be?"

"At this age, how could I still be so childish?"

Lu Shengye nodded slightly.

"That's true. People who have reached this level can't possibly still be so naive and immature."

"But I still don't quite understand. Since you know you've reached a very high level, why do you still want to make that little bit of money? Are you short of cash?"

"But as far as I know, your family isn't short of money, nor do you urgently need it, right? Your son-in-law, Hou Liangping, works in the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and your daughter, Zhong Xiaoai, works in our Discipline Inspection and Supervision Bureau—both have secure jobs!"

"Does having reached this level mean you still want to make money to buy luxury cars, mansions, and other luxuries, to eat, drink, have fun, and keep a mistress? If you have such thoughts, why didn't you act on them when you were younger?"

Zhong Zhengguo laughed and said, "Do you think I'm too old and useless?"

"..."

Lu Shengye was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright, I'll assume you're alright."

"My spouse has been gone for too many years, and I can't stand the loneliness."

Zhong Zhengguo gave a soft "hmm".

You have to find a suitable reason for your crime!

Being unable to bear loneliness and succumbing to temptation are also valid reasons.

You can't exactly say that you were coerced and lured by Cai Chenggong, who was desperate for money, and that you felt hopeless about advancement and wanted to make some money while you still had some power to save for the future.

"I know you won't give a straight answer right away. You'll definitely try to stall for time, and the longer you drag it out, the more unpredictable things will become..."

At this point, Lu Shengye suddenly turned his head and looked at the staff member next to him.

"Go find an ashtray!"

Smoking is not allowed in the detention room.

But who is Lu Shengye?

The head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission.

Therefore, no one dared to disobey his orders.

soon.

They not only delivered ashtrays, but also cigarettes and lighters.

Before leaving, they turned on the ventilation and closed the door.

"Pick it!"

"Otherwise, after I leave, you won't be able to smoke it if you want to."

As soon as Lu Shengye finished speaking, Zhong Zhengguo took out a cigarette, lit it, and started smoking.

There was absolutely no intention of offering cigarettes to Lu Shengye and Zhang Jingchong.

Lu Shengye could not hide his disappointment as he looked at Zhong Zhengguo, who seemed completely unfazed.

"Actually, I've always had a lot of faith in your professional abilities."

"When Lao Zhang was parachuted into Linjiang, he found that the atmosphere here was not good."

"That's why I sent you here to carry out education and rectification, and to properly purify the atmosphere in Linjiang..."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

Zhong Zhengguo spoke in a flippant tone, with a cold smile on his face.

This is hardly an apology.

He knew that Linjiang was going to carry out educational rectification.

Help Zhang Jingchong take down those corrupt officials and unscrupulous businessmen, and clean up one faction after another.

He offended many people but ultimately gained nothing, allowing Zhang Jingchong to reap a huge benefit.

Moreover, with others not in Yanjing, Fan Jian's case cannot be effectively controlled.

and so……

They knew perfectly well that this was nothing more than a power struggle.

Why should he sincerely apologize?

Lu Shengye smiled faintly.

"You don't need to apologize to me; you should apologize to your own conscience!"

Where has Zhong Zhengguo gone, the upright and honest official who was dedicated to serving the people?

"When I raised my fist and swore an oath, I said with great conviction that I would fight for the people for the rest of my life."

"As a result, your official rank gets higher and higher, but the people's status in your heart gets lower and lower."

"You're no longer thinking about how to serve the people or how to strive for prosperity and strength, but rather about seizing power and profit!"

After a sigh, Lu Shengye asked:

"Are you aware of the major event that recently occurred on Longlan Island?"

Zhong Zhengguo gave a contemptuous sneer.

"It's escalated into an international dispute, how could I possibly not know about it?"

"I also know that Zhao Lichun's eldest son-in-law, Yu Xinwang, became a loyal guard and was awarded a first-class merit."

"This kid has a bright future ahead of him; he could at least become a major general and make the Zhao family even stronger!"

Zhang Jinchong couldn't help but say coldly:

"Zhong Zhengguo, can you stop being so sarcastic?"

"You only see that his son-in-law has a promising future, but have you ever thought that this future is something his son-in-law risked his life for?"

"The US electronic reconnaissance aircraft violated our airspace and provoked us maliciously more than once. His son-in-law is risking his life to defend our sovereignty!"

Zhong Zhengguo sneered, "That's why I said his future is limitless! Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Nothing wrong!"

Zhang Jinchong stared coldly at Zhong Zhengguo.

"But Zhao Lichun is trying his best to develop the economy of Handong and benefit the local people."

"His son-in-law is fighting desperately to protect his country and does not back down in the face of arrogant and domineering Americans."

"You, Zhong Zhengguo, came to Linjiang to carry out education and rectification, but instead of cracking down on corrupt officials and unscrupulous businessmen to rid the people of harm, you only wanted to make money."

"With your level of thinking and awareness, it's no wonder you weren't allowed to advance after leaving Handong, because you're simply not worthy!"

That night in the pavilion, Zhong Zhengguo taught Xu Jiye over the phone how to evade investigation and accountability.

Zhang Jinchong was already furious and wanted to start cursing on the spot.

Having held back this long, it's no wonder I've reached my breaking point.

however……

Zhong Zhengguo showed no sign of remorse whatsoever.

"Zhao Lichun's son-in-law is good, and my Zhong Zhengguo's son-in-law is not bad either!"

"is it?"

Lu Shengye raised his wrist and glanced at his watch.

"We'll soon find out what your son-in-law, Hou Liangping, is really like."

Zhong Zhengguo stared wide-eyed.

"What did you do to him?"

"Don't worry, it's just an invitation for tea, a routine inquiry!"