"I know, but the situation you’re facing now is not quite the same as what my friend encountered. There are so many vocational training institutions in Gaozhou, and it’s said that there are quite a few in Mao Ming as well. They even treat it as an industry to develop, which really has driven the local economy."
Vice Mayor Jiang took a deep breath and summed it up: "Therefore, we can’t set the precedent of labeling this as fraud. Once we start, it would lead to a series of lingering issues. Or to put it another way, they can’t afford to lose, and they can’t lose!"
"They are practicing local protectionism."
"So what if they are, Xiao Han, I talked with your sister this afternoon, it seems that you’ve been working at sea or on the river for these years, and you’re not very familiar with the situation onshore. Director Li should be very clear, the power of party committees and governments at the county level is immense, and the weight of the words of key leaders at that level is significant."
"Xiao Han, Mayor Jiang is right, their superiors would definitely consider and even respect the opinions of their City Committee and Municipal Government. It’s actually the same with us. Not to mention other things, just take case handling for example. When it comes to cases involving a larger number of suspects and having significant impact, the final judgment isn’t solely determined by the courts and the Procuratorate, the City Committee and Municipal Government set the tone first."
"Does this mean that what follows is just a verbal battle? They demand our people, and we demand theirs, and in the end, nothing comes of it?"
"It won’t come to nothing, after all, you’ve already arrested a few of the key culprits, and we can impose heavy sentences according to the law. But to catch the three accomplices back and to recover the stolen money, the difficulty is too great, the resistance too strong."
The situation was clear; they were adamantly practicing local protectionism.
Fearing that Salted Fish was unwilling to face this reality, Political Commissioner Ding, who had been silent, raised his head: "Salted Fish, it’s just like the quality issues with the bedding products sold wholesale at Sanxing Home Textile Market. Many people have complained, and even the media has exposed it.
But when it comes to Linghai’s economic development, when it involves so many people’s livelihoods, including the livelihoods of your uncles and aunts, your brother, and sister-in-law, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce always makes a big fuss but takes little action, it’s impossible for them to really investigate."
This was definitely an awkward situation.
Sanxing and several surrounding towns vigorously developed the home textile industry, with both large and small factories and many family workshops, leading to uneven product quality. In order to break into the market and lower prices, they compromised on quality, and media exposure occurred more than once.
And just as Old Political Commissar said, the city always took it seriously, but each time there was much thunder, little rain, and no real action was taken.
Thinking of this, Han Yu asked with a bitter smile, "Are we just supposed to go back ?"
"I just asked Director Li, Director Li said there’s more than four hundred thousand in the bank accounts of a few key culprits, this trip wasn’t a waste for us, at least we haven’t made a loss."
"It’s not about the money right now."
"Salted Fish, I know you and your master share the same temper, but even a mighty dragon cannot suppress the local snake. They’re set on practicing local protectionism, and moreover, they have justified grounds. We can’t do much about it."
Chen Zikun wasn’t ready to just give up and couldn’t help asking: "Director Yu, isn’t Huayuan suspected of illegal fundraising?"
Han Yu responded without hesitation, "We can’t even mention that."
"The illegal fundraising took place in Gaozhou. If we bring it up, they can upgrade the case from illegal business operations to fundraising fraud. The nature of the case would become more severe, and we couldn’t refuse to release the suspects even if we wanted to."
"To transfer them. When they demand the three main suspects involved in the fundraising fraud from us, can we refuse to transfer them?"
Vice Mayor Jiang didn’t expect the young man to remain calm in such a serious situation and couldn’t help asking, "Xiao Han, tell me the truth, do you have any cards left to play?"
"Lin Chunsheng confessed some clues about leadership disciplinary violations."
"What you’re facing now is not any one person, nor just the local police department, but the local party committee and government."
Vice Mayor Jiang paused and then added, "I don’t know if the disciplinary violation clues you mentioned involve Mayor Wang who met with us, but even if it does, it’s no use, because from the moment we sought him out, this Vice Mayor in charge won’t last much longer."
Han Yu couldn’t help but ask, "Will the city let him take the fall?"
"Since he didn’t do a good job with his responsibilities, he naturally has to bear the leadership responsibility. On the other hand, if you think about it, your trip was not without gains—at least it will lead to the replacement of a responsible leader, the investigation of a fraudulent school, and an ensuing rectification that will make those vocational training institutions a bit more restrained, even to the point where they won’t be coming to recruit students in Linghai or Binjiang anymore."
I want more than just that, I want the money too!
But these words could only be kept in his heart, not to be spoken aloud.
Han Yu fell silent for a moment, then looked up and said, "If nothing goes wrong, Central People’s Broadcasting Station will report on the Gaozhou vocational education chaos tomorrow morning."
Vice Mayor Jiang was stunned for a moment and stared at him as he asked, "Did you talk to a reporter?"
"Yes, our Binjiang’s Reporter Wang."
"Then let’s wait and see their reaction tomorrow. But I would still suggest that you prepare for the worst."
"Mayor Jiang, are you saying they won’t be scared?"
"After the news gets reported, it means they’ll have to fight with their backs against the wall. If they can grit their teeth and endure it, their superiors will believe in their capabilities despite acknowledging issues in their work. If they can’t withstand and endure, the political careers of those few main leaders will be terminated."
This isn’t just a case investigation; it’s clearly a battle of wits and bravery with the local government.
Just as Han Yu was silently contemplating the arduous journey of establishing rule of law, his mobile phone suddenly rang.
"Mayor Jiang, Political Commissioner, it’s Huang Wenhua from the Southern City Police Station."
Han Yu steadied his mind and pressed the answer button.
As soon as the call connected, he heard Huang Wenhua on the other end saying, "Captain Han, sorry to bother you. Our department formed a special task force under the directives of the City Committee and Municipal Government for the illegal operation case of Huayuan, initiating an investigation against Lin Hexiang and several others. Given that Huayuan has so many students currently enrolled, and normal teaching operations must not be affected, we had to opt for bail pending trial for them first."
"I just heard about it; Director Huang, you guys acted swiftly."
"Captain Han, All under Heaven Police is one family, and there’s no need for us to be at odds; we’re just following orders from our superiors."
"Good to understand. Captain Han, do you have time tonight? I’d like to invite you out for a meal."
"No need to be so polite."
Huang Wenhua made this call with a task in hand. Exiting Huayuan’s "headquarters" and getting into a police car, he spoke with profound meaning, "Our department has established a special task force, and the city has also formed a workgroup to address the issues in several vocational schools—I got somewhat bafflingly pulled into that workgroup.
Both groups moved into Huayuan this afternoon. Considering that Lin Hexiang and the others might move and hide their gains from illegal operations, our workgroup just assisted the department’s task force in freezing Huayuan’s financial accounts and sealed some evidentiary materials including student recruitment information."
Are you trying to tell me that you’ve frozen the money, so we should stop worrying about it?
Han Yu retorted inwardly, and then spoke as if nothing was amiss, "No wonder you wanted to invite us for a meal. Director Huang, you really should be thanking us. Without us coming to you, you wouldn’t have had the chance to work on this case."
"I don’t know about others, but I definitely have to thank you. Can you honor us with your presence tonight and help me get the leaders from Zhuangming Police Department and Binjiang City Bureau Water Division together for a gathering?"
"Director Huang, the people we caught have been released by you; do you think we can enjoy this meal? Since we’re all family here, there’s no need for pleasantries. Are you inviting us to dinner because you need something?"
"Huayuan is suspected of illegal business operations, but the main suspects are in your hands. If they don’t return to the case, we can’t continue the investigation."
"Do you want us to transfer them?"
"Captain Han, we won’t let you transfer them for nothing, after all, you’ve done a lot of work previously. Can we meet to talk? As long as your conditions are not too high, I can try to advocate on your behalf to our superiors."