Siheyuan: After becoming a traitor, first let the Huai Ru River overflow its banks.

Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao, who were walking ahead, had smug smiles on their faces.

After entering the room, Liu Haizhong pointed to the large iron box and said to Director Yang.

"See that? Director Yang, that's the big tin box. It's full of things that other people gave to Li Jianjun."

"To put it bluntly, this is embezzlement and bribery."

A group of people completely surrounded Li Jianjun's office; Liu Haizhong really has a knack for it.

The people here include leaders in important leadership positions as well as factory workers.

Liu Haizhong himself also served as the director of the third workshop, so it was very easy for him to call over a few people.

It's estimated that Liu Haizhong thought this was a sure thing, which is why he called so many people over.

In Li Jianjun's office, there was only Ma Sijiu.

Xu Damao gave Ma Sijiu a look.

Because when the box is opened later, Ma Sijiu will need to act as a witness to prove that these things were given to Li Jianjun by Ma Hua as a bribe.

Ma Sijiu also gave him a knowing smile.

Xu Damao simply couldn't understand that smile.

Director Yang could no longer suppress his anger.

"Xiao Li, someone has reported you for accepting bribes and doing favors for people in private. Is that true?"

When recommending a head chef last time, Director Yang felt that Li Jianjun was a bit too eager.

Li Jianjun directly recommended Ma Hua.

As far as he knew, Li Jianjun and Ma Hua were completely unrelated people.

The two people were neither related nor particularly close friends.

Why would Li Jianjun work so hard to secure the head chef position for MCA?

There is only one answer: Ma Hua must have privately believed that after becoming the head chef, he sought benefits for Li Jianjun.

Li Jianjun slowly stood up and coldly glanced at Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong.

"Director Yang, don't listen to what others are saying. Since I became deputy section chief, I have been conscientious and impartial, and I have never had any selfish motives, let alone accepted bribes from others."

Liu Haizhong knew that Li Jianjun wouldn't give up until he was completely convinced of the situation.

"Li Jianjun, you're as stubborn as a cooked duck. Do you dare to open that big tin box in front of everyone?"

"That big metal box contains the evidence of your crimes."

Li Jianjun deliberately appeared flustered.

"Director Yang, don't open this big iron box. It contains classified information."

The more Li Jianjun said this, the more suspicious Director Yang became, and the more certain he was that the box contained something shady.

Li Jianjun appeared very flustered.

“Alright then, since Team Leader Liu is so interested in this box, I can open it.”

"But you have to tell me what to do after you open the box."

Li Jianjun had to ensure that the box wasn't opened in order to put some pressure on them.

It also reveals one's guilty conscience.

This convinced Liu Haizhong that the box definitely contained something unusual.

"Director Yang, this box must contain things that Li Jianjun received as bribes. If not, I'm willing to resign from my position as the leader of the workers' picket team."

That's exactly what Li Jianjun wanted to hear.

"Okay, this is what you said."

"I'll swear a solemn oath here that if you want anything from here, I'll resign from my position as deputy head of the security department."

The two seemed to be competing, but because Liu Haizhong was so brave, Li Jianjun seemed a little guilty.

"Alright, I'll be your witness."

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and find a sledgehammer to smash this big lock open. I want to see if there is any incriminating evidence inside."

Two workers stepped forward, took two large iron hammers, and smashed them against the large iron gate with two loud bangs.

With a loud crash, the large iron box was smashed open.

With that loud bang, everyone involuntarily looked up at the box and were immediately stunned.

Chapter 96: Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong's Crushing Defeat

The huge metal box was completely empty.

For a moment, Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong almost doubted their eyesight, because when they looked into the box again, they couldn't find anything.

Especially Liu Haizhong, who ran straight to the box and frantically started rummaging inside.

"No way, this is absolutely impossible."

"Xu Damao, are you playing a trick on me?"

"Didn't you say this was filled with things that Li Jianjun had embezzled and profited from? Why is there nothing here?"

Xu Damao's mind went blank; this was completely different from what he had expected.

Xu Damao even thought about the large tin box, which contained gold bars, and that it must have been given to Li Jianjun by his wife, Lou Xiao'e.

If Lou Xiao'e hadn't offered herself to Li Jianjun, why would Li Jianjun have agreed to let her be his secretary?

But now, inside the large metal box that has been opened, there is nothing.

After Xu Damao regained some consciousness, he ran to the large iron box and groped around inside.

However, although this large metal box was bulky, it only had a thin interlayer, making it impossible to hide anything inside.

"No, Ma Sijiu, didn't you say that this contains a bag of flour and 30 jin of beef that Li Jianjun embezzled and accepted as bribes?"

"You also said that Ma Hua gave it to Li Jianjun as a bribe."

Seeing this scene before him, Ma Sijiu was very pleased with himself.

Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao wanted to kill Li Jianjun, but fortunately Li Jianjun had already taken precautions.

Factory Director Yang stared at Ma Sijiu.

"Ma Sijiu, is that so?"

Ma Sijiu looked bewildered, as if he hadn't woken up yet.

"Xu Damao, what are you saying? I have never said anything like that to you."

Ma Sijiu's words completely baffled Xu Damao. Hadn't Ma Sijiu already been bribed by him?

How could he have absolutely no recollection of what he had said? The only explanation is that Ma Sijiu must be deceiving himself.

Realizing this, Xu Damao stepped forward and grabbed Ma Sijiu by the collar.

"You bastard Ma Sijiu! How dare you scheme against me! Was this all pre-arranged between you and Li Jianjun?"

Xu Damao waved his fist, wanting to beat Ma Sijiu in front of Director Yang.

Ma Sijiu immediately sought help from Factory Director Yang.

"I'm innocent, Director Yang! I really never said anything like that to Xu Damao. I don't know why Xu Damao is pinning this on me!"

The scene before them caught both Xu Damao and Liu Haizhong somewhat off guard.

They expected the large metal box to contain some items, but they never imagined it would be empty.

"No, it must be that Li Jianjun got wind of it first and moved the contents of the large metal box out."

Li Jianjun sneered.

"Okay, then go and call the security guard to come and ask."

The gatekeeper, Mr. Zhang, was quickly brought to the scene.

Even in front of Director Yang, Grandpa Zhang dared not lie.

"Old Zhang, tell me, has Li Jianjun been carrying large bags and small packages out these past two days?"

Grandpa Zhang, the gatekeeper, recalled carefully.

"You mean Deputy Section Chief Li? No. Every time Deputy Section Chief Li goes home, he rides a bicycle and carries a small bag at most. That bag is so small that it can't hold much at all."

I learned from Grandpa Zhang that Li Jianjun indeed did not transport the goods out.

Now Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao are left speechless!

Even Director Yang could tell that Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao were feeling guilty.

Li Jianjun seized the opportunity to speak.

"Liu Haizhong, Xu Damao, do you two have anything else to say?"

“Now that the box is open, there’s nothing inside, which proves that you two are making false accusations.”

"Don't forget that making false accusations can land you in jail."

Li Jianjun is right. The criminal law of the 60s is very different from the current criminal law.

In today's world, making a false accusation won't land you in jail; at most, you'll get a reprimand or have to bear financial losses, or apologize.

In those days, false accusations could really lead to imprisonment.

Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao were sweating profusely with anxiety.

"Director Yang, listen to me, this really has nothing to do with me. Xu Damao came to tell me that he discovered evidence of Li Jianjun accepting bribes."

“I was thinking that I was the leader of the workers’ picket team, so I absolutely could not allow such a situation to occur.”

“This is all my fault. I reported it to you, Director Yang, without investigating the situation.”

Liu Haizhong pinned all the blame on Xu Damao, claiming that Xu Damao was merely someone who hadn't investigated the situation properly.

At this moment, Xu Damao also hinted that he had seen through Liu Haizhong's true colors.