Chapter 66: Leniency Through Confession

Corruption is a grave offense, especially now that the country is actively promoting integrity and cracking down on corrupt officials. This left him deeply uneasy; if the matter were exposed, he would surely lose his position. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Noticing the worried look on Li Dalü's face, Jiang Xiaofei became even more spirited and laughed, "Looks like a whole bunch of corrupt officials are about to fall this time."

"You seem to be enjoying this," Lan Lianshuang communicated telepathically.

Jiang Xiaofei replied in the same manner, "If we don’t play our parts convincingly, how can we make certain people feel afraid enough to tell the truth?"

"Very well then," Lan Lianshuang played along with a smile. "Indeed, it’s said that Secretary Li of the Municipal Party Committee absolutely despises corruption. If he learns of the situation here, I’m sure he’ll investigate to the end. This is the doomsday for corrupt officials."

Jiang Xiaofei exclaimed with delight, "If that’s really the case, that’s wonderful—truly a blessing for the people!"

Lan Lianshuang nodded in agreement. "Yes! Then the villagers of Fengtai Village could finally live good lives."

At this point, the more Li Dalü listened, the more frightened he became. He quickly said, "Professor Jiang, Miss Lan, you talk about corruption, but our planning here is perfectly reasonable—where could there be any corruption? That’s impossible."

Jiang Xiaofei smiled faintly. "You say there’s no corruption, so where did the national poverty alleviation funds go?"

Li Dalü feigned composure, shaking his head. "Poverty alleviation funds? I’ve never even heard of them. Professor Jiang, where did you get that information?"

Jiang Xiaofei smiled. "But I know Fengtai Village is a key target for national poverty relief. Yet you tell me there are no such funds—did they disappear along the way, or did you, the village head, pocket them?"

Struck right at his weak spot, Li Dalü’s expression changed instantly. Flustered, he stammered, "Professor Jiang, please don’t falsely accuse an honest man! How could I do something so immoral? Besides, I really have never heard of any such funds."

Jiang Xiaofei’s voice turned cold. "Village head, stop hiding the truth. You should know that embezzling state poverty alleviation funds is a capital crime. If you confess now, you may be dealt with leniently. Otherwise, you’ll face the court and rot in prison."

Li Dalü, now thoroughly panicked, could barely speak. In a low voice, he said, "Since you’ve made things so clear, Professor Jiang, I won’t hide it anymore. But if I confess, will I really be treated leniently?"

Jiang Xiaofei pointed at Lan Lianshuang. "This is Miss Lan—she’s Secretary Li’s niece. Ask her yourself."

"What? Secretary Li’s niece?" At this, Li Dalü was so shocked he nearly fainted. Looking at Lan Lianshuang, he pleaded, trembling, "Miss Lan, I was wrong. Please, give me another chance."

Lan Lianshuang spoke coolly. "That depends on whether what you say is of any use."

"Very well, I’ll tell you everything I know." Li Dalü nodded slightly, as if finally making up his mind. "Here’s how it is: as soon as the poverty alleviation funds arrived, they were held back by Liu Xingchen."

Jiang Xiaofei frowned slightly. "Who is Liu Xingchen?"

Li Dalü replied, "He’s the district chief. He loves to rub shoulders with wealthy tycoons and always rides around in Mercedes and BMWs."

"That makes things even more serious than I imagined," Jiang Xiaofei exchanged a glance with Lan Lianshuang, then asked Li Dalü, "How much was the total amount of poverty relief funds?"

Li Dalü thought for a moment. "I think it was about ten million."

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. "Be more specific."

"Oh, I remember now. Including several impoverished villages to the east, the total was thirty-five million."

"And how much of that ended up in your own pocket?"

At this, Li Dalü hurried to explain, "Not a penny! Truly, not a single cent. I actually wanted a share, but Liu Xingchen is so stingy—he wouldn’t give me anything. I despise him for it."

Jiang Xiaofei nodded slightly. "I see. So, since you didn’t get any money, why not take the chance for revenge and report him?"

Li Dalü shook his head vigorously. "Report him? I wouldn’t dare! He’s the district chief, a big shot. I’m just a lowly village head—my words mean nothing. I fear I’d be dead before I even reached the city."

Jiang Xiaofei nodded. "Very well. What you’ve told us, Miss Lan and I have already recorded. I hope everything you said is true, otherwise, slandering others is an aggravating crime."

"It’s definitely true, absolutely true. I wouldn’t joke about something that could cost me my post," Li Dalü said, then looked to Lan Lianshuang and asked in a low voice, "Miss Lan, I’ve told you everything I know—does the leniency for confession still stand?"

Lan Lianshuang smiled, "Of course it does. If an investigation proves your claims are accurate, then congratulations—promotion awaits you."

Hearing this, Li Dalü felt as if happiness had come too suddenly, so unreal that it was like dreaming in broad daylight and biting into a chicken drumstick. "Really? Miss Lan, you mustn’t joke about this—it’s not something to play with."

Lan Lianshuang smiled, "It’s true. But if you fail the people and the country, you’ll still be removed from office."

With righteous determination, Li Dalü declared, "Miss Lan, you must be joking. If I’m promoted, I’ll surely work for the people’s benefit and help everyone achieve a better life. Even if I have to slaughter my family’s old sow, I’ll do it so the villagers can have some pork."

Lan Lianshuang didn’t respond, but her opinion of Li Dalü changed for the better, as did Jiang Xiaofei’s. Perhaps Li Dalü was not beyond redemption and could become a qualified official.

At that moment, Li Xiaofang returned with the students. She said to Jiang Xiaofei, "Professor Jiang, I’ve distributed the poverty relief funds as you asked. The villagers are delighted and very grateful. They even wanted to thank you with their homemade corn liquor, but I turned them down. I hope you’re not upset?"

Jiang Xiaofei laughed, "I’m not fond of spirits anyway—why would I be upset? You did well. When we return, you’ll definitely receive a small pennant as a reward."

Li Xiaofang said lightly, "One of those five-hundred-yuan ones?"

Jiang Xiaofei said nothing.

As dusk approached, Li Dalü offered, "Professor Jiang, why don’t you stay at my house tonight?"

Jiang Xiaofei shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Village Head, but with so many students, I can’t just leave them. We’ll camp outdoors tonight."

Li Dalü nodded. "Very well. I know a spacious place where you can pitch your tents."

"Then please, lead the way."

"Follow me."

Under Li Dalü’s guidance, Jiang Xiaofei and the others arrived at the foot of a mountain. Before them was a small grove of tall trees, with few branches, making the ground below open and spacious, exuding a unique sense of wilderness.

After a brief conversation with Li Dalü, Jiang Xiaofei instructed the students to organize themselves and start setting up camp.

With everyone working together, a dozen tents were quickly erected.

At the same time, the elite class, under Lan Lianshuang’s command, had also set up their tents. However, as there was some distance between the groups, they didn’t interact.

Li Xiaofang walked over to Jiang Xiaofei and said, "Professor Jiang, we’ve already pitched your tent. You can rest now."

Jiang Xiaofei nodded. "Very good. You should get some rest too—everyone’s worked hard today. Let’s all have an early night."

"Good night, Professor Jiang," Li Xiaofang said, then turned and walked toward a tent.

After she left, Jiang Xiaofei entered his own tent. Just as he lifted the flap, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the small grove behind him.

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