I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

As Li Jing'an entered Diaoyutai No. 9, he heard Zhang Qiuqiao speak with a smile:

"What a rare guest, Jing'an! Why haven't you come to visit even once lately?"

Li Jing'an replied with a wry smile, "You know the situation right now, it's chaotic everywhere, and there's a ton of stuff to do. How could I dare to come and bother you and delay your important business?"

"Haha, it's alright, come and sit down."

Zhang Qiuqiao smiled and pointed to the sofa in the living room.

But Li Jing'an glanced at the orderly standing next to him and didn't go over to sit down at all.

"Brother Zhang, let's find a secluded place. I have something important to discuss with you privately."

Zhang Qiuqiao paused for a moment, then looked at Li Jing'an's solemn expression and the small box he was carrying. He immediately nodded and said, "Alright, come with me to the study."

After saying that, he led Li Jing'an to his private residence on the second floor.

This was Li Jing'an's second time here. Looking at the spacious and bright layout of the building, he couldn't help but sigh in admiration. This place was truly magnificent.

The two entered the study. Zhang Qiuqiao first had the attendant pour two cups of tea, and then immediately had someone close the door and leave.

He offered Li Jing'an a cigarette, and after the other man accepted it, he asked in confusion:

"What's wrong? What happened? Is there a problem with the box you're carrying?"

"Yes, that's why I came here today."

Li Jing'an placed the small box on the table and gently patted it.

Zhang Qiuqiao jokingly said, "Oh? Did you come all this way just to give me a gift?"

"Strictly speaking, it really is a gift," Li Jing'an said mysteriously, "and a very generous one at that."

"Oh?"

Zhang Qiuqiao immediately became interested.

Li Jing'an smiled and opened the box, revealing a box full of gold and silver jewelry, with a brown paper letter on top.

Zhang Qiuqiao's smile vanished instantly, and his brows furrowed tightly: "Jing'an, what's going on with you?"

"Please read this letter first, and you will understand everything after reading it."

Li Jing'an handed the letter over directly.

Zhang Qiuqiao took the letter and looked down at it carefully.

Li Jing'an, standing to the side, smoked a cigarette, inwardly sneering:

My minister, this is not my fault!

If it weren't for me, would you have been able to become a minister sooner? It's one thing to be ungrateful, but it's another to not appreciate it.

With the authorities so strict right now, how dare you defy the rules and give capitalists the green light to escape!

Isn't this just giving me a huge credit for free?

This is a clear violation of discipline and the law, and the evidence is irrefutable.

Even if the wind stops in the future, no one can find fault with this; it will only be considered my achievement.

When I finally need to settle down in the future, this will be a great help to me.

As he was making plans, he noticed that Zhang Qiuqiao's expression was getting increasingly grim.

After a long pause, Zhang Qiuqiao looked up and asked in a deep voice, "Jing'an, is everything written in the letter true?"

Do you think I would dare to joke about something like this?

Li Jing'an said seriously, "The person who wrote the letter is named Lou Xiao'e. She used to live in the backyard of my compound. She was a typical capitalist's daughter."

During the recent investigation into family background and the destruction of the Four Olds, her family was exposed from the very beginning, and the whole family was placed under surveillance and control by the neighborhood committee.

Just a few days ago, Lou Xiao'e secretly entrusted this box of jewelry to a neighbor in our courtyard, who is also an employee of our steel rolling mill.

She asked her neighbor to help deliver the box to a designated location in a few days.

After the items were given to the neighbor, Lou Xiao'e completely disappeared, vanishing without a trace.

The neighbor became increasingly frightened as she thought about it. Coincidentally, I went back to the yard to take care of some business that day, and she told me everything about the box and the whole incident.

I knew something was wrong as soon as I heard that.

At first, I didn't dare to open the box randomly. I asked someone to inquire about Lou Xiao'e's family situation. It turned out that her family had long since moved out.

This is so unusual!

These days, capitalist families are the main targets of control, and they are watched very closely. How could the whole family possibly disappear without a trace?

I was certain there was something wrong inside, so I opened the box. Inside was this box of jewelry and this letter.

After careful consideration, I realized this matter was definitely not simple; it involved far too many people.

Zhang Qiuqiao stared at the letter and pressed, "Then why didn't you call the police back then?"

"I dare not report it." Li Jing'an shook his head. "It's been several days, it's too late now."

Judging from the contents of the letter, they have most likely already arrived in Hong Kong.

And think about it, this big family of dozens of people, with all their assets, were able to travel smoothly from Beijing, by rail, through customs, and to the export port.

This is something that a minister of metallurgy who has long been sidelined and has no real power could accomplish by himself.

This could be a whole, coordinated black chain!

Local governments, railways, and customs—there are people at every level turning a blind eye. If any link is missing, they won't be able to escape.

When Lou Xiao'e's family was imprisoned and criticized, the fact that they were eventually able to escape safely must have been due to the intervention of one or more very influential people.

I don't know exactly which level it is, but the power behind it to mobilize so many links is immense.

Zhang Qiuqiao's expression was solemn as he slowly nodded.

"You're right. That Minister of Metallurgy is probably just a middleman running errands; he can't handle these things at all."

The real big fish may be hiding in a higher place.

The fact that so many capitalists could be smuggled out of the country with huge sums of money right under Beijing's nose suggests that at least the Municipal Revolutionary Committee, or even higher levels, are involved.

Luckily you didn't call the police; if you had made a fuss, you would have alerted them immediately.

This case is too complicated and involves a wide range of people. I need to call a meeting immediately to discuss countermeasures.

Jing'an, this time you've truly made a great contribution.

Li Jing'an quickly waved his hand and said modestly, "Hey, what credit is this? I just kept an eye out for things."

"Don't be modest," Zhang Qiuqiao said seriously. "Everyone talks about being vigilant, but when it comes to something this serious, how many people dare to investigate or report it? Very few!"

The reason you were being watched by the procuratorate recently was because you have a strong personality and don't tolerate any wrongdoing, which offended some people.

You've been featured in the People's Daily and been a role model; your awareness and courage are unmatched.

"Please stop praising me," Li Jing'an said with a wry smile. "If you keep praising me, I'll get too cocky."

Zhang Qiuqiao stood up: "This matter is too crucial, I need to deal with it immediately. You sit here for a while, I'll call you if I need anything else."

"I won't wait any longer." Li Jing'an stood up. "I don't have any other clues here, just this letter and this box of evidence."

With these documents in hand, the organization can easily investigate and find out everything.

Li Jing'an knew it perfectly well:

They will definitely take this opportunity to stir up trouble and cause a ruckus; I absolutely must not get involved.

You must never become their confidant or crony; once you're completely tied to them, it'll be difficult to extricate yourself later.

The best state is to maintain a distance that is neither too close nor too far, so that one can leverage external forces when advancing and protect oneself when retreating, allowing for flexibility in both.

Anyway, he definitely won't get any credit for this.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Li Jing'an took his leave and drove away from Diaoyutai.