Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

"Even as the police chief, you don't have the final say."

Zhao Zhi paused for a moment, then said, "You just asked me what instructions I had, so let me ask you, can I give you instructions?"

"As the governor, you can certainly give me instructions."

Liu Zhenwen squinted.

"Alright, immediately cooperate with the lawyer to grant Gu Wangbei bail pending trial. I won't make things difficult for you. His activity area is limited to Zhencheng City. My action is not to protect anyone, but to consider the actual situation and the overall situation!"

"He is the chairman of Nanyun Group, one of the leading enterprises in Tianhe District. We must stabilize this company. He himself has problems. After the investigation is clear, he should be arrested. No one will speak up for him."

Zhao Zhi said in a deep voice.

"Governor Zhao, I have received your instructions. However, Gu Wangbei's case is special and does not currently meet the conditions for bail pending trial. I apologize that I cannot carry out your instructions."

Liu Zhenwen answered firmly.

Wang Hongqing, sitting opposite him, swallowed hard and gave a thumbs up.

"Not up to standard? Liu Zhenwen, what do you mean? I think you've forgotten your place after just a few days as the police chief!"

Zhao Zhi was furious.

"Gu Wangbei is the chairman of Nanyun Group, whose employment involves thousands of people. If he's kept in custody and something goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility? Liu Zhenwen, I'm telling you again, get him released on bail immediately, or you're fired as the police chief!"

"Governor Zhao, I can take responsibility! As long as I handle the case according to the law, even if I am dismissed, I will have a clear conscience. But if I bend the law for personal gain and let Gu Wangbei go, I will be letting down the law, the people of Zhencheng, and my police uniform! I cannot grant this bail, nor can I do it."

Liu Zhenwen took a deep breath, refusing to budge an inch.

"Of course, if this is Secretary Chu's decision, the provincial party committee's decision, or the consistent opinion of Secretary Dakang of our city, Secretary Sima of the Political and Legal Committee and the Public Security Bureau, I will release the person immediately."

"Great! Great!"

Zhao Zhi's voice was cold.

"So you've got a clear conscience, Director Liu. Then proceed according to the law. But I'm warning you, if this causes any changes or impact on the Nanyun Group, you will be held primarily responsible!"

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Then, he picked up another lit-up phone on the table and said helplessly, "Old Gu, things are difficult. I've done my best."

"I'm getting old, I'm getting old, my words don't carry any weight anymore."

Gu Yucai sighed softly, "Let's just leave it at that, as if this rebellious son never existed."

"What is this...?"

『dudu』

Zhao Zhi was about to ask more questions when the other party hung up the phone.

Seeing this, besides being angry at Liu Zhenwen for talking back to him, he felt mostly relieved.

He really didn't want to make that phone call just now.

He was afraid that Liu Zhenwen wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure and would actually release the man.

If he runs away then, Chu Shijun will lower his eyes and he'll definitely be in big trouble.

Although he currently intimidates Liu Zhenwen, he has a plausible explanation if Chu Shijun questions him again.

First, the pressure from Gu Yucai; second, the sheer size of the Nanyun Group—both could serve as excuses.

The former, Chu Shijun, was not afraid; he was. The latter, however, was something both of them had to consider.

Now that the person hasn't been released, he can even boldly estimate that Chu Shijun won't ask him about this matter at all.

"Well, that's settled then. I'll say a few words later, but I won't get involved."

After a soft sigh, Zhao Zhi turned off the light and walked towards the room.

……

Municipal Bureau.

After Liu Zhenwen hung up the phone, he saw Liu Zhenwen take out a cigarette. Wang Hongqing quickly stepped forward, took out a lighter, and lit it for him.

"Chief, there's something else I need to report to you."

"explain."

Seeing how sensible and understanding he was, Liu Zhenwen sat down and offered him a cigarette as well.

"While we were investigating the surveillance footage inside and outside Tenglong Pavilion, we discovered that Deputy Director Liu Jie was also there in the evening, and left not long after Secretary Li left," Wang Hongqing said cautiously.

Liu Zhenwen narrowed his eyes and asked, "He didn't come tonight, right?"

"I didn't call him. You stay here. I only notified the nearest deputy director, Yu, to come and assist. No one notified deputy director Liu Jie."

Wang Hongqing shook his head.

"Okay, don't make a fuss. Tomorrow, inform Comrade Liu Jie to come to my office. Have a few people keep an eye on him from both sides and report to me immediately if anything happens."

After Liu Zhenwen finished speaking, he patted him on the shoulder.

"That's enough, Xiao Wang. You've been busy all night, go and get some rest."

"I'm not tired, Director. You haven't even rested, how can I rest? Everyone is busy. I'll go check on you. You should rest first. You have a meeting tomorrow, and Deputy Director Yu is looking after things at the bureau."

Wang Hongqing was very sensible.

"Hehe, okay, just wake me up if you need anything."

Looking at his retreating figure, Liu Zhenwen felt it was time to promote him.

……

The next day.

Zhencheng Municipal Party Committee, large conference room.

The Standing Committee members sat at the main table, while the expanded staff sat behind them.

In some of the places marked with nameplates, the person who should have been there was replaced by the deputy.

When the time came, Li Dakang strode into the conference room, went to his seat, but didn't sit down. Instead, he stood there, his gaze sweeping across the room, and tapped the table. "Meeting, now."

"Comrades, the core of today's enlarged meeting of the Municipal Party Committee is to address two matters—to investigate cases rigorously and to enforce discipline strictly!"

Li Dakang's face was gloomy.

"Last night, the chairman of Yuanzhong Group came to my door with carefully packaged 'benefits.' On one hand, there were promises of huge, extravagant profits; on the other hand, there was the promise of securing key projects in Zhencheng; and on the other hand, there was the promise of using the influence of certain people to make me go easy on you in bidding projects."

"This is interfering with our normal work and covering up their illegal and irregular activities! I want to make it clear here today that Zhencheng's development is for the benefit of all the people of the city, and it is absolutely not a 'cash cow' for certain capitalists to make exorbitant profits. My bottom line, Li Dakang's bottom line, cannot be bought with money or shaken by threats!"

"What's even more infuriating is that just last night, our police and fire departments launched a swift operation and apprehended Gu Wangbei, chairman of the Nanyun Group, at a highly secluded private club on the outskirts of the city!"

"That's not all. There are actually a few people among them who were supposed to be at the meeting today, and there are more than a dozen others."

"Shocking! Absolutely shocking!"

"I want to reiterate solemnly: Gu Wangbei's arrest, along with the involvement of other officials, is not an isolated case, but rather a clarion call for Zhencheng to comprehensively rectify its work style and rigorously investigate and punish cases of violations of discipline and law!"

"Disciplinary inspection and supervision organs and public security departments must immediately draw on key personnel to form a joint task force, taking Guwangbei as a breakthrough point, to thoroughly investigate and uncover every clue and every person involved!"

"Anyone who colludes with Yuanzhong Group or Nanyun Group, or who abuses their power to pave the way for capital or seek personal gain, regardless of their position or background, will be investigated and severely punished without exception. There will be absolutely no leniency or hesitation!"

After Li Dakang finished speaking, his gaze swept across the entire room. "Any objections?"