Official excuse: I was sent to work at the grassroots level for training, and Hou Liangping arrested

Page 170

We slept on a large communal bed, surrounded by the smells of sweat and mildew, and there were at least thirty of us.

The worst part is the bathroom. There's no hot water when you take a shower.

Qi Tongwei didn't even have a change of clothes. He also had to live at the mercy of the guards.

Every day, they could only wear dirty prison clothes and endure endless humiliation.

For Qi Tongwei, he was once a high-ranking and glamorous director of the Public Security Bureau, living in a luxurious villa and driving luxury cars, but now he struggles to survive in this cramped environment.

Every clang of the iron gate seemed like a mockery of his past.

Qi Tongwei understood that power was like a dream, and once the dream shattered, there was no way to recover.

The game is like a chessboard; he was once the player, but now he has become a pawn, manipulated by others.

"Disciplinary! I want to perform meritorious service, I want to turn myself in!!"

"I want to see Lin Yunfei, the second deputy secretary of the State Security Department of Handong Province. I want to see Secretary Lin."

Qi Tongwei's psychological defenses completely collapsed. He reached the door and started yelling at the guards.

. . . . .

An hour later, Lin Yunfei arrived at the detention center and interrogated Qi Tongwei.

The camera was turned on and pointed at Qi Tongwei.

Lin Yunfei's cold gaze swept over Qi Tongwei, his tone calm: "Director Qi, I heard you want to see me? You want to turn yourself in to gain merit?"

“I’ve said it before, the conditions in detention centers are worse than in prisons. 99% of people can’t endure it.”

Qi Tongwei trembled, his voice trembling with sobs: "Secretary Lin, I am willing to confess everything, I only ask to perform meritorious service and have my sentence reduced."

Lin Yunfei frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Speak, what do you know? As long as it's useful, your meritorious service will be recorded in the statement."

"That's right. Back then, I, along with Ding Yizhen, Chen Qingquan (Vice President of the Intermediate People's Court), and Zhao Ruilong (Chairman of Handong Huilong Group), conspired to... target corrupt officials."

Qi Tongwei slowly began to speak, bringing up Zhao Ruilong. This key figure was once at the core of power in Handong Province. He was the son of the previous provincial party secretary, Zhao Lichun.

Li Zheng, the section chief, was taking notes with a pen in his hand.

Qi Tongwei: "Zhao Ruilong, taking advantage of Secretary Zhao's influence, colluded with Liu Xinjian, general manager of Handong Oil and Gas Group, to embezzle over 2 billion yuan of state-owned assets..."

Qi Tongwei confessed to almost everything, one case at a time.

The only thing Qi Tongwei refused to talk about was the fact that he had used a sniper rifle to kill Gao Mingyuan.

Because Qi Tongwei was a veteran police officer. He knew in his heart that there were no bullet casings, no witnesses, and no eyewitnesses left at the scene.

As long as you don't get charged with murder, there's a good chance you won't be sentenced to death.

As long as it's not the death penalty, I will get out eventually and be released after serving my full sentence.

Lin Yunfei slowly opened his mouth, looking at Qi Tongwei behind bars, and asked, "Qi Tongwei, do you mean that you colluded with Ding Yizhen to launder money? And helped Zhao Ruilong, chairman of Huilong Group, to act as a go-between and entrap officials in Luzhou City and Jingzhou City?"

"That's right, Mayor Wen Yuan of Lüzhou City, Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Tong of Lüzhou City, and Deputy Secretary-General Qin Ben of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee."

Qi Tongwei nodded: Yes, that's right. I admit it, I'm willing to plead guilty. (He then signed a plea agreement.)

Lin Yunfei's gaze was piercing as he continued to press, "Did you have anything to do with Gao Mingyuan's death?"

Qi Tongwei quickly shook his head: "Secretary Lin, I swear, Gao Mingyuan's death has nothing to do with me. I don't even know this Gao Mingyuan."

Lin Yunfei sneered, his gaze sharp: "Qi Tongwei, your explanation is evasive. You've worked under Zhao Lichun for so many years, and he never... asked you to do anything?"

Qi Tongwei gave a wry smile and said in a deep voice, "Secretary Lin. When Secretary Zhao sees me, he never gives me any hints. He just tells me directly what he wants me to do?"

"They all use suggestive methods."

Lin Yunfei pondered for a moment: "Alright, since you're willing to plead guilty and have a good attitude, I'll call the prosecutor to come over and bring you a plea agreement."

. . . . . .

Afterwards, Lin Yunfei left the interrogation room and dialed the Provincial Procuratorate. He spoke to Zheng Yaping, the director of a department.

"Director Yaping, I am Lin Yunfei."

"Vice Governor Lin, hello. What can I do for you?" Zheng Yaping asked, quite surprised.

Lin Yunfei slowly began, "It's like this: Qi Tongwei just confessed and surrendered himself to the authorities, revealing important suspects."

“I think he has a good attitude toward admitting his guilt, and I would like to give him a signed plea agreement.”

"Director Yaping, could you please make a trip here? I'm at the First Detention Center."

Department Director Zheng Yaping paused for a moment, then quickly asked, "Vice Governor Lin, I'd like to ask, what crime did Qi Tongwei commit? What is the charge?"

According to Ding Yizhen's confession, he, along with Qi Tongwei, Tian Guofu, and Wu Chunlin, laundered money and transferred over 100 million yuan overseas.

"Money laundering."

"Furthermore, Qi Tongwei just confessed that he colluded with Ding Yizhen to target officials in Lüzhou City and Jingzhou City..."

"Qi Tongwei himself confessed that he accepted bribes from Ding Yizhen, totaling 150 million yuan."

Zheng Yaping paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then replied, "Vice Governor Lin, I understand the situation. Money laundering, bribery, and colluding with others to swindle officials are extremely serious offenses. I will arrange for someone to prepare a plea agreement and head to the First Detention Center immediately."

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Yaping quickly arranged her work, grabbed the relevant documents and an assistant, and rushed to the First Detention Center. Along the way, her mind was filled with countless thoughts. It was truly lamentable that Qi Tongwei, the former Director of the Public Security Bureau, had fallen to such a state, and that he was implicated in so many corruption cases.

Meanwhile, inside the First Detention Center, Lin Yunfei entered the interrogation room again. Looking at the somewhat dejected Qi Tongwei, he said in a serious tone, "Qi Tongwei, the prosecutor will be here soon with a plea agreement. I hope your subsequent statements are all true. If you conceal anything, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

Qi Tongwei lowered his head, his voice a little hoarse: "Secretary Lin, I have really told you everything I know. I just want to do good and try to get a lighter punishment."

Lin Yunfei sneered: "I hope what you're saying is true. You need to understand that you have no other way out now. Only by telling the truth can you have a sliver of hope."

A short while later, Zheng Yaping arrived at the First Detention Center with her assistant. After a brief exchange with Lin Yunfei, she handed the confession and plea agreement to Qi Tongwei. Qi Tongwei took the document, examined it carefully, and signed his name with trembling hands.

After watching Qi Tongwei sign the papers, Zheng Yaping said, "Qi Tongwei, your attitude of admitting your guilt will be an important reference in sentencing. I hope you can reflect on your actions in the future."

“Our department of the procuratorate recommends a sentence of eight years and six months, with a prison term.”

Qi Tongwei nodded silently, his eyes filled with remorse. He knew that his past glory was gone forever, and he would face the full force of the law.

191. He went to the Provincial Party Committee to report the situation to Gao Yuliang.

191. He went to the Provincial Party Committee to report the situation to Gao Yuliang.

Upon hearing Zheng Yaping's words, Qi Tongwei breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Thank you, thank you, Director Zheng."

"I strongly request that my case be transferred to the court and that I be sentenced as soon as possible."

"I really...don't want to stay in the detention center for even a single day longer."

Qi Tongwei, a veteran with twenty years of experience in the public security, procuratorate, and judicial system, is very familiar with all the procedures.

He committed money laundering and bribery. Generally speaking, the sentence will definitely exceed ten years.

Because the amount of bribes received was exceptionally large. He demonstrated meritorious service by surrendering himself to the authorities, showed a good attitude towards admitting his guilt, and signed a plea agreement.

Zheng Yaping recommended a sentence of eight years and six months.

That's equivalent to a reduction of one year and four months.

And most importantly, the prosecutor's sentencing recommendations. The courts adopt these recommendations in up to 90% of cases.

Generally speaking, once a criminal case goes through the police and the procuratorate, it's almost impossible for the defendant to be found not guilty once it's brought to court.

If they are found not guilty, it would be a slap in the face to their own comrades.

If the court finds someone not guilty, it's a slap in the face to the police and the procuratorate.

Zheng Yaping was very surprised and put away the confession and plea agreement: "Director Qi... is this the kind of sentence you want to give?"

"Of course, detention centers are not places for humans to stay."

Qi Tongwei's voice suddenly rose to eight decibels: "More than thirty people, sleeping on a large communal bed. The lights are on 24 hours a day, from morning till night."

"I get up at six o'clock every morning and line up to wash up."

"The food was just clear broth and water. There wasn't a trace of oil or fish in it."

"The toilet had no partitions, and the smells of urine, sweat, and feet were all mixed together."

"I don't even have a change of clothes!" Qi Tongwei shouted, his emotions rising.

Lin Yunfei's expression was serious as he slowly spoke: "I told you long ago, Qi Tongwei, you can't stand the environment in the detention center."

"95% of people cannot endure detention centers."

"You used to live in a mansion, frequent golf courses, and wield great power. You were high and mighty."

"Now I'm a prisoner, sleeping in a detention center. I don't even have a single cell, and I can't even turn over in my sleep."

After hearing these words, Zheng Yaping fell silent: "..."

After a long while, Zheng Yaping slowly said, "Director Qi, I understand your current situation and feelings, but the law has its procedures, and the procuratorate has its procedures. It would be best if the first trial could not be held for at least a month."

"Although sentencing recommendations have been made, the subsequent trial and sentencing by the court are still required."

Upon hearing this, a hint of despair flashed in Qi Tongwei's eyes, but he quickly rallied his spirits and said, "Director Zheng, I know. I just really want a result as soon as possible. I've had enough of this kind of life."

Lin Yunfei patted Qi Tongwei on the shoulder and said, "Director Qi, things have come to this point, so just wait patiently for the court's verdict. There's no use in being anxious now."

Qi Tongwei nodded helplessly, muttering to himself, "When will this time in the detention center ever end?"

"Secretary Lin, please. Help me, please top up some money. Let me buy a few changes of clothes and underwear at the detention center's convenience store," Qi Tongwei pleaded through gritted teeth.

Lin Yunfei frowned slightly, thought for a moment and then said, "Qi Tongwei, I can't directly help you with this, but I can talk to the detention center and ask them to provide you with some basic changes of clothes as appropriate. But when it comes to buying things from the convenience store, we still have to follow the rules."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Qi Tongwei's eyes, but it quickly turned into a glimmer of hope: "Well... that's fine too. As long as I can get some clean clothes, life will be a little easier."

Zheng Yaping reminded him from the side, "Director Qi, the priority now is to cooperate with the judicial process. After the verdict is handed down, you can go to prison to serve your sentence."

Qi Tongwei sighed and said slowly, "I know, but every minute and every second in this detention center is unbearable. Thinking back, I've never suffered like this before."

Lin Yunfei patted him on the back and comforted him, "Director Qi, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Now, just accept the reform and you can start over when you get out."

"I still remember you, the anti-drug hero who was shot three times back then."

"It's truly a pity that things have come to this."

Qi Tongwei nodded silently, his eyes revealing endless loneliness and helplessness.

. . . . . .

After leaving Jingzhou City and the First Detention Center.