In fact...
Things went much as Zhang Hua had expected.
At the very moment the verdict in this case came down...
It was unclear whether the court had communicated with the supervisory department beforehand.
Once the verdict came down...
The supervisory department began to act.
First, it launched a deeper investigation into the law enforcement personnel who had released Li Xiaoguo in violation of regulations.
Second...
It directed its investigation straight at Li Tongwei.
Zhang Hua informed Li Tongwei as soon as the verdict came down.
"Sir..."
"The verdict is out..."
Inside an office...
After answering the phone and hearing Zhang Hua's words, Li Tongwei was visibly unsettled.
After all, Li Xiaoguo's verdict had major implications.
It affected not only Xiaoguo's future, but his own as well.
Li Tongwei asked:
"What's the verdict? What's Xiaoguo's situation for now?"
Zhang Hua hesitated for a few seconds before saying slowly:
"The verdict is very bad. He received a death sentence with reprieve at first instance."
A death sentence with reprieve?
A flicker of astonishment crossed Li Tongwei's stern face when he heard the result.
Xiaoguo had actually ended up receiving a death sentence with reprieve?
What did a death sentence with reprieve mean?
It was only one step below the death penalty!
What Xiaoguo had done in this case fell nowhere near the threshold for the death penalty.
A death sentence with reprieve could be considered the harshest possible sentence!
He had personally put in a word with the Intermediate People's Court, yet they had still handed down this sentence.
They were clearly showing him no respect at all!
At that thought, Li Tongwei could not help feeling angry.
The source of his anger was not the final verdict, but the failure to acknowledge his authority.
He had already put in a