diskusbooks Chapter 87 Independent Commission Against Corruption
Chapter 87 Independent Commission Against Corruption
"This country is a huge bureaucratic collection, and no matter how many bureaucrats there are, we will always face the situation where bureaucrats and businessmen collude with each other, and money becomes the key to power, unlocking the cage that binds it."
Alice stood atop the Red Hall, looking down at the bustling streets below. More and more cars were crowding onto Avenue Trian, and for a moment, she felt as if she had stepped into the rapidly developing era of the early 20th century. Magic wires and electrical wires were connected together on the streets. The Trian urban development plan had permanently changed the appearance of this city. The low brick and wood houses of the past had been demolished and replaced by solid reinforced concrete high-rises. The original dirt roads had been replaced by concrete foundations, and traffic lights set up by the city's transportation department controlled the city's traffic.
Everything was developing rapidly. Under the government's industrial and agricultural support plan led by Alice, various light and heavy industrial plants sprang up like mushrooms after rain. The first large-scale urbanization was quietly taking place. Due to the use of chemical fertilizers and agricultural machinery, the price of agricultural products was falling, making it unprofitable for farmers to grow crops. The population was flowing to the cities on a large scale, and the population structure within Amelansi was permanently changed.
Rapidly expanding cities require a larger administrative workforce, so Alice relaxed the requirements, leading to more people joining the civil service. However, this rapid expansion of the civil service has resulted in a decline in the overall quality of the civil service.
"The replacement of weapons for the entire army in mid-654 is a vivid example. Among the newly recruited civil servants, there were many morally corrupt individuals. We acknowledge that some behind-the-scenes deals often act as a lubricant for the government, but sometimes, too much lubrication can make it lose its true character."
Alice stood there, with three young men behind her. The one in front was Lieutenant Bai Fukang, a demobilized lieutenant of the First Guard Division. He was a half-elf, a hybrid of elf and demon.
"Your Anti-Corruption Bureau exists to curb corruption in public organizations. I authorize your TICAC to investigate all departments below Level 3 Security, reporting directly to me and Alicia. All your equipment is ready. The TICAC building is located at Trian 3."
Bai Fukang nodded. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (TICAC) was originally the Internal Investigation Department under the Secret Intelligence Service. It was established last year, but due to insufficient manpower and equipment, they had almost no control over the overall situation.
“I know the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is newly established. I authorize you to go to Black Carter and request manpower from the National Police Department. Remember, you are the line between darkness and justice!”
"Fight for justice and integrity!"
TICAC immediately proved its worth. Within 14 days, Alice received daily reports from them. In addition to developing agents on the surface, TICAC also cultivated informants within the underworld.
"TICAC agents! Hands up!"
At the Hilla Continental Hotel, an agent held up his issued Colt 1873 revolver in one hand and his identification in the other. Inside the room, a middle-aged man and a young woman were trying to cover themselves, all of which the agent witnessed.
"Mr. Lis Lavitt, while serving as the Purchasing Commissioner of the Amelansie Ordnance Bureau, accepted large bribes from the White House Firearms Company and embezzled a significant amount of state assets. Evidence against you has been obtained by our TICAC agents, and you are hereby arrested in accordance with the Amelansie Integrity Act. You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say next will be used against you in court!"
Such incidents have been repeated throughout the north. Citizens discussed it on the streets. Among the black and white trucks with "TICAC" written on them, the dark blue police carriages and cars, and the police in black uniforms, the figure with a black hood was particularly eye-catching.
"Let me go! I am an Ordnance Bureau commissioner personally appointed by Her Highness Alice! I have contributed to the country and shared Her Highness Alice's burdens! I want to see Her Highness!"
Even the officials appointed early on quickly became corrupt, or rather, it wasn't corruption for them, but simply a return to Alicia's era.
But Alice wanted an efficient modern government. She couldn't tolerate these bureaucrats who were just sitting in their positions without doing their jobs. It was normal for them to seek their own interests, but all of this came with a condition.
"Breaking news! Breaking news! The government is cracking down on corrupt officials on a large scale! 138 criminal suspects have been arrested!"
"Breaking news! Breaking news! The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has taken swift and decisive action to uproot a corrupt gang, including high-ranking officials from the Ordnance Bureau!"
Alice looked at the documents in her hand, all typed out. She nodded. "Send these files to the National Court and tell the judge to impose a severe sentence! The people are watching!"
"Yes!"
Alice opened the liquor cabinet, took out a bottle of wheat-colored beverage, poured it into a stemmed glass, and the beverage bubbled. Her liquor cabinet was full of drinks, and this bottle was a recently released kvass.
This case has had a significant impact on more than just the military industry. After the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was established, civil servants discovered that this department was a powerful force specifically targeting them. It was not under the jurisdiction of the government and was only responsible to the royal family. It was difficult for anyone to reach into this department, which was marked with red letters.
However, bureaucrats with slightly more connections found that all their channels were basically ineffective. When someone announced an investigation into the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), they discovered that the secret intelligence agency had infiltrated their ranks, and they had to abandon the plan immediately.
"Sir, the Independent Commission Against Corruption's backers are not someone you can mess with."
"Oh, damn it, can you tell me who exactly is backing that Independent Commission Against Corruption? Damn it, I can't get in through any of my channels!"
In an unremarkable reception room, two men in modern uniforms, dressed in suits, were talking. One of them was leaning back in his chair, looking relaxed, while the other was sitting up straight, looking somewhat nervous.
The man leaning back pointed to the sky, and the other man's expression changed drastically: "Hiss—you mean?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure that the one standing on top of those black dogs is him."
"But you must understand! The person they arrested was the one who personally promoted him, the one who was smuggled in!"
"Sir, you know that power is bestowed by that one. If one is obedient, the power will naturally remain, but if one rebels, then the bestowed power will vanish!"
"Insubordination?"
"That one thing, sir."
"Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have accepted that money!"
"Now, do you know what to do, sir? That one will always be that one, whether it's the younger one or the older one. But it seems that the younger one is more dangerous than the older one, and her fangs are sharper. You must be careful not to let her find any fault with you, otherwise, even if God comes, he can't save you!"