Chapter 348 I'm Not Wrong, I Don't Accept It
Zhao Lichun paused, as if organizing his thoughts.
“Politics is never black and white.
In this complex arena, there is no absolute right or wrong.
Everything I do is to find a balance between various interests so that Handong Province can develop better.”
A helpless smile appeared on his face.
“You said I was seeking personal gain for myself and my family and taking bribes.
But in this real world, who isn’t fighting for their own interests? I’m just trying to get some protection for myself and my family within the scope of the rules.”
"Abuse of power? That's even more nonsense.
As the provincial party secretary, I must have sufficient power to push forward all work.
There are bound to be some disputes in the decision-making process, but this does not mean that I abuse my power."
Zhao Lichun's tone became more and more excited, as if he was looking for a reasonable explanation for his behavior.
"You say I have destroyed the political ecology and economic development of Handong Province, but have you ever thought about whether Handong Province would have achieved what it has today without me? I have always been committed to promoting the development of Handong Province, and every decision I made was carefully considered."
“There is no real good or bad in politics, only different positions.
I stood my ground and in order to achieve my goal, I had to take some measures.
It’s not a mistake, it’s just a way of survival.”
There was a complex light flashing in Zhao Lichun's eyes, which showed both persistence in his past actions and worry about his future fate.
"You people always stand on the moral high ground to accuse others, but you don't know how much helplessness and compromise there are in the real political struggle."
He sighed deeply and continued, “I know it’s too late to say anything now.
But I hope you can understand that I am not a heinous person.
I also have my ideals and ambitions, and I have worked hard for the development of Handong Province."
However, Zhao Lichun's defense was not recognized by investigators.
They looked at Zhao Lichun calmly, without a trace of sympathy in their eyes.
"Zhao Lichun, your behavior has seriously violated the party's discipline and the country's laws. You must be responsible for your actions." An investigator said seriously.
Hearing this, a trace of anger and unwillingness flashed across Zhao Lichun's face.
He raised his head suddenly, his eyes burning with anger, and shouted: "What do you know? There is no absolute good or bad in politics.
From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the present day, the struggle for fame and power has never stopped.
On this stage, there are only differences in stance, not absolute right or wrong.”
Zhao Lichun became more and more excited. He seemed to be lost in his own world and began to expound his views in a torrent of words.
“In my opinion, the essence of being an official is not what you preach, being honest and serving the people wholeheartedly.
In this complex world, if you want to gain a firm foothold, you must understand the art of politics and know how to use the power in your hands to benefit yourself.
Those so-called moral norms are nothing but shackles that bind people.”
His voice echoed in the interrogation room, carrying a hint of madness.
"From ancient times to the present, how many heroes have used all means to gain power and status?
How many people have lost themselves in the whirlpool of politics?
I, Zhao Lichun, am just one of them.
Everything I do is to survive in this cruel world."
The investigators looked at Zhao Lichun quietly, their eyes filled with disappointment and anger.
They didn't expect that Zhao Lichun still didn't realize his mistake at this time.
"Zhao Lichun, you are wrong."
An elderly investigator slowly spoke up, “The foundation of being an official is to serve the people, to uphold the moral bottom line, and to safeguard fairness and justice.
Your so-called political tactics will only lead you into endless darkness."
Zhao Lichun sneered, "That's easy for you to say.
In reality, how many people can really do this? Politics is a cruel game, and only the strong can survive.
I, Zhao Lichun, was once a strong man. I had my own ideals and ambitions. I just chose a different path. "
"A different path?" the investigator asked in return, "Your path is one that violates laws and disciplines and harms the interests of the people.
Do you think you can escape the punishment of the law?"
Zhao Lichun was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "I admit that I went a little too far in some aspects.
But this is also a helpless move. In the political arena, sometimes in order to achieve the goal, some means have to be taken.”
"Methods? Your methods are corruption, bribery, and abuse of power. They are betrayals of the country and the people."
the investigator said sternly.
Zhao Lichun's face turned pale. He knew that he could no longer find a reasonable explanation for his behavior.
He lowered his head and fell into deep thought.
However, a moment later, he suddenly became furious and stood up abruptly.
"I'm not wrong!" Zhao Lichun shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the interrogation room, filled with endless anger and unwillingness. His eyes were red, like an enraged lion.
"Why do you say I'm wrong? I have made so many contributions to this country and this society!"
Zhao Lichun began to recall his past, and those years emerged in his mind one by one like a movie.
"Thinking back to those turbulent years, I went to work in the countryside. How much hardship and fatigue did I endure?
Later, I came to the city and worked hard step by step to achieve my current status.
Do you know how much effort I put in?"
His voice trembled slightly and he became more and more excited.
“I have worked hard for the development of Handong Province. How many projects have I introduced and how many jobs have I created?
I have made contributions to this country and this society, how can I be brought down by the charge of corruption?"
Zhao Lichun took a deep breath and continued, "I embezzled for a reason.
Only if I live a good life myself can I have the ability to help the people live a good life.
I am not a perfect official, but I am definitely not a bad person either.
Everything I do is for the greater good.”
His eyes were full of stubbornness and persistence, as if he was declaring to the whole world that he was right.
"It's the people who don't understand me who are wrong, and it's the rules of this world that are wrong.
I have done so much for Handong Province, but now I have not received the proper rewards and have ended up like this.
I won’t accept it! I won’t obey it! "
Zhao Lichun paced back and forth in the interrogation room with his hands clenched into fists.