Chapter 349 I'm Not Lazy
“I was truly not wrong, and everyone else was wrong.
I am right! Everything I do is for the future of Handong Province and for the happiness of the people.
You don’t understand my good intentions at all.”
However, his roar received no response.
The investigator just looked at him quietly, his eyes full of pity and disappointment.
Zhao Lichun gradually calmed down, he knew that his defense was so weak.
But the obsession in his heart still could not be dispelled, and he still believed that he was not wrong.
“Perhaps, in your eyes, I am a corrupt person.
But in my heart, I am always the one who fights for my ideals.”
Zhao Lichun sat down slowly, looking ahead with empty eyes.
"I have given everything for Handong Province, but this is what happened. Why?"
Zhao Lichun fell into deep thought, memories flooding back like a tide.
He thought back to his years in politics, starting as a grassroots civil servant when he was full of passion and ideals.
During his days at the grassroots level, he did help many elderly and infirm people.
Thanks to his efforts, those people who lived in poverty have embarked on a relatively stable life.
He fought for their welfare and solved their practical difficulties, and thus won the support and praise of many people.
“At that time, I was devoted to the people.”
Zhao Lichun murmured to himself, "When I see those poor families, those elderly people and children who need help, I want to do my part.
I run around to apply for assistance for them and solve their problems in life. I feel that what I am doing is meaningful.”
As time went by, Zhao Lichun was promoted step by step with his own efforts and abilities.
He gradually moved up from a small grassroots position to a leadership position.
However, the growth of power also made him gradually lose himself.
"Power is something that people both love and hate."
Zhao Lichun sighed, “After I became a leader, I found that things became more and more complicated.
Various interests are intertwined, making me overwhelmed.
I want to achieve greater results and make Handong Province more prosperous.
But in the process, I gradually lost my direction.”
In order to pursue greater political achievements, Zhao Lichun began to adopt some improper means.
He colluded with some unscrupulous businessmen and provided them with convenience in exchange for his own interests.
He knew it was wrong, but he consoled himself that it was all for a greater purpose.
“I told myself it was only temporary.
Once I achieve my goals, I will come back and get back on track.”
Zhao Lichun's eyes revealed a trace of regret, "But I didn't expect that once I embarked on this wrong path, there would be no turning back."
Zhao Lichun shook his head and continued, "I am not a heinous person.
I just got off track in the pursuit of my goal.
I thought that as long as my intentions were good, I could do whatever it took.
But I forgot that power must be constrained and behavior must conform to legal and moral norms. "
He was filled with resentment. He didn't understand why he had given so much but ended up like this.
“I have made so many contributions to Handong Province, why can’t I be given some tolerance?
I just made some minor mistakes, why should I be punished so harshly?"
Zhao Lichun became emotional again. He felt that he was misunderstood and wronged.
"I have worked my way up from the grassroots to where I am today. How much effort have I put in? How many difficulties have I gone through?
Do these mistakes negate all my efforts?"
His heart was full of contradictions and pain.
He knew that his behavior was wrong, but he was unwilling to admit that he was a corrupt element.
He tried to find excuses for his behavior, trying to find some comfort in his heart.
“Maybe I was really wrong.”
Zhao Lichun's voice gradually became lower, "But I didn't mean to do that.
I just lost myself in this complicated world.
I thought I was in control of everything, but in reality, I was controlled by power and profit.”
He raised his head and looked at the ceiling of the interrogation room, his eyes full of helplessness.
"It's too late to say anything now. I can only accept this reality and take responsibility for my actions.
But I hope people can understand that I'm not a completely bad person.
I once had ideals and pursuits, but I made mistakes in the process."
Zhao Lichun was filled with resentment. He felt that he was misunderstood and treated unfairly.
In his opinion, although he acted radically and engaged in corruption, he considered himself much better than those lazy and inactive cadres.
"Those people do nothing all day long. They just eat public money and do nothing for the people."
Zhao Lichun gritted his teeth and said angrily, "They try to smooth things over every day, and shirk responsibility and quibble when encountering problems. They have no sense of responsibility at all.
They don’t take bribes, but what’s the point? They are the cancer of society because they don’t do anything.”
Zhao Lichun became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he wanted to vent all the resentment in his heart.
“Corruption is not a terrible thing, what is terrible is corruption and not doing anything.
Those people receive salaries from the state but make no contribution to the country or the people.
They are like parasites, only knowing how to take and not how to give.”
There was a flash of contempt in his eyes, “There is another kind that is even more hateful, that is, neither corruption nor work.
They spend their days idling around, doing their work perfunctorily and turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people.
Such people are just wasting the country's resources, enjoying the country's subsidies, but doing nothing. They are the most disgusting. "
Zhao Lichun paused, as if recalling what he had done.
“Although I made mistakes, I at least did something for Handong Province.
I introduced projects, promoted economic development and created employment opportunities for the people.
I am working hard to make Handong Province better, instead of doing nothing like those lazy politicians. "
His voice rose a few degrees, “I admit that I embezzled money, but I was also working hard to achieve my goals.
I want to make Handong Province a prosperous place, and I want the people to live a good life.
My intention was good, but I went astray along the way.”
Zhao Lichun showed a painful expression on his face, "I know I was wrong, but I don't think I am more hateful than those lazy and inactive people.
They are the real sinners and they should be punished more severely.”