In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

"Alright, summon all the people in the group who have been following Ruilong recently. I want to question them personally!"

"Okay, Sister Hui!"

Chapter 210 Who Lives and Who Dies? No Backing Down

Soon, Gao Xiaoqin called over all the people who had been by Zhao Ruilong's side during this time.

This includes Tang Chuchu.

"Who are you!"

When Zhao Xiaohui saw Tang Chuchu, she instinctively felt a strange sensation.

Where had Tang Chuchu ever seen a character like Zhao Xiaohui?

It would be a lie to say I wasn't afraid.

"I...I've been accompanying the boss during this time..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui finally looked away. She knew her younger brother well; he would never let go of a woman with such alluring charm.

The investigation lasted for three hours, but the result was that there was no evidence at all. Zhao Xiaohui breathed a sigh of relief and immediately called a bus for everyone.

These people cannot stay in Handong, and no matter what they know, they cannot return during this period.

The reason is simple: it's a company benefit from the Shanshui Group, a two-week trip to Hawaii, and as for passports... those are no problem for Zhao Xiaohui.

The Zhao family's actions could not be kept secret from Zhong Zhengguo, but he had been busy taking care of his old man these past two days. Only after his old man's condition improved somewhat could Zhong Zhengguo pay attention to Zhong Xiaoai.

Old Zhong, pale-faced, sat by the hospital bed. He was ninety-nine years old. How many more years could he live?

Holding his son's hand, Old Zhong spoke earnestly.

"Jung-guk, is there any news about Xiao Ai's matter?"

Zhong Zhengguo, engrossed in his work, took a deep breath and told his father everything that had been announced by Handong.

"Oh, Xiao Ai is so foolish! She didn't even explain this to her family. Now look what's happened, they're turning around and accusing her."

Without evidence, Xiao Ai will probably lose her job, and so will our family's reputation..."

“Dad, no matter what, there can only be one outcome: Xiao Ai was forced into it. Whether she works or not, her position as deputy secretary is not important; what matters is the reputation of our Zhong family!”

"Our Zhong family can tolerate Xiao Ai being forced, but we cannot tolerate her doing it voluntarily. Otherwise, our family will never be able to hold our heads high again."

"You handle this matter... By the way, has anything happened these past few days?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhengguo's face stiffened. He really didn't dare to say that his attempt to outmaneuver Chen Luo had backfired. Zhong Xiaoai had only brought shame to the Zhong family, but what he had done almost dragged the entire Zhong family into the abyss. How could he dare to say it?

"No, nothing, Dad. It's just about Xiao Ai. Everything else is going smoothly."

"It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright. I probably won't last more than a few years. Zheng Guo, I know you want to take Zhao Lichun's current position because of the Zhong family's descendants."

But you can't push things too far. If someone gets desperate and resorts to desperate measures, it will only result in a lose-lose situation, and in the end, the other person will benefit.

"Dad, I know what I'm doing and I'm confident in my abilities!"

"Flies don't land on eggs without cracks; the problem lies with Zhao Lichun's own principles. Raising a fine son is such a rare opportunity; I don't want to give it up."

"Alright, you're sixty-seven already, you have your own judgment, so I won't say any more."

After his father fell asleep, Zhong Zhengguo went to the yard, took out his phone and made one call after another. Since a struggle was inevitable, then let's go crazy!

The next morning, Tuesday, Zhao Xiaohui originally planned to send Tang Chuchu and the others out of Handong, but when she arrived at the airport, she encountered a problem: their passports were not approved, and the reason was simply that the procedure had not been completed.

It wasn't until Zhao Xiaohui investigated that she discovered that the Zhao family's contacts at the Handong Provincial Entry-Exit Administration Bureau had been dealt with overnight.

That wasn't the end of it. One after another, some of Zhao's core confidants were investigated and examined by the Discipline Inspection Commission. Among them was even a deputy provincial-level official who was investigated and examined by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The speed at which this happened was quite fast.

Of course, the Zhao family wasn't unprepared. If the Zhao family members weren't clean, were the Zhong family members all clean?

The struggle has shifted from Zhao Ruilong and Zhong Xiaoai to a struggle between the Zhao and Zhong families. Within a day, news of officials being investigated and prosecuted appeared in various places, at different levels.

Those who know the inside story are either just watching the drama unfold or waiting for their chance.

Only Handong, the epicenter of the vortex, seemed unaffected.

That evening, Zhong Zhengguo felt a pang of heartache looking at the soldiers and officers he had lost that day. Some of them were his former subordinates, all of whom were his protégés and former subordinates.

He took a deep breath, took out his phone, and made the call.

"Hey, Zhao Lichun!"

"Tsk tsk, Zhong Zhengguo? It's like the sun rose in the west for you to call me."

"Stop with the nonsense. Your Zhao family has lost several key positions in just one day. You must be having a tough time now."

"It's alright. I'm sitting here calmly. If you want to prune me, go ahead. I'll be retiring in a couple of years anyway. I heard your daughter is seducing my son. Brother Zhengguo, what do you say about us becoming in-laws?"

That's just disgusting.

"Nonsense! How dare you, as the father, mention the things your son, that bastard, did!"

"Well, it's already happened, isn't it? Besides, it's still undetermined. Whether it was forced or voluntary is still up in the air. Brother Zhengguo, what if Handong announces it was voluntary in the end... tsk tsk!"

"Zhao Lichun! You have no shame!"

"You can't eat your face! I, Zhao Lichun, consider myself fairly decent. My only problem is that I haven't disciplined this brat of mine. But what about you? You actually want my Zhao family to disappear?"

If you want to take my position, you'd better offer something in return! You're trying to get something for nothing and then crush me?

"Hmph! Dream on!"

"Zhao Lichun, don't be so smug. Today was just a small test. You only have one son."

"If Zhao Ruilong spends ten or so years in prison, your Zhao family line will basically be wiped out!"

"Then you should give it a try!"

"Who's afraid of you? Let's try it. I heard that Handong Oil and Gas Group transfers hundreds of millions to your son every year. Over the years, it must have amounted to billions, right?"

I may not find evidence that your son forced my daughter, but this incident is enough to ensure your son's utter demise, and that you and he will be blown to smithereens!

"you dare!"

"At a time like this, who cares? Just you wait!"

After hanging up the phone, both men were seething with anger. Zhao Lichun knew all too well that Handong Oil and Gas Group was a ticking time bomb. Once it exploded, his son would definitely not be able to escape, and even he himself would not be able to get away unscathed.

On Wednesday, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection received a report alleging that Handong Oil and Gas Group had embezzled state assets.

Upon receiving the report, an investigation team was immediately dispatched to Handong. It must be said that although the Zhong family boasts, their strength is equally formidable.

When Zhao Lichun learned of this news, he turned pale. Zhong Zhengguo really didn't care at all!

"Come on, come on! Doesn't your Zhong family have any shady dealings? At worst, we'll all perish together!"

Chapter 211 Matching Teammates, Zhongfu Group

The investigation team was stationed directly in Handong. Normally, the Economic Crime Investigation Division of the Handong Provincial Public Security Bureau would be required to cooperate with the investigation team in conducting an investigation of the Handong Oil and Gas Group.

At the same time, the provincial discipline inspection commission also had to send staff.

However, this investigation team was somewhat special. It was formed by the Third Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which bypassed the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection after receiving a report about Handong Oil and Gas Group embezzling state-owned assets.

According to normal procedures, after receiving a report, the Third Supervisory Office needs to report to the Party Committee, and the Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervisory Commission will then notify the Handong Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, which will then lead the investigation.

Zhong Zhengguo simply didn't trust Tian Guofu, even though it was true that Tian Guofu was unlikely to seriously investigate the matter...

But if you bypass the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and take the lead in the investigation, isn't that a direct slap in the face to the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection? What do you mean? Don't you trust the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection?

In the office of the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Handong Province, Tian Guofu had already prepared himself emotionally before making a phone call to the higher-level organization.

"Hello, this is Tian Guofu, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Handong Province. Connect me to Deputy Director Wu of the Supervisory Commission."

The call was answered quickly.

"Comrade Guofu."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Tian Guofu was taken aback. The reason was simple: it wasn't Deputy Director Wu, but Director Xiao!

"Hello, Director Xiao!"

Tian Guofu completely forgot the speech he had prepared, while Director Xiao on the other end of the phone seemed to already know why Tian Guofu had called.

"Comrade Guofu, did you call to inquire about the Third Supervisory Office's investigation team's arrival in Handong?"

Taking a deep breath, Tian Guofu spoke truthfully.

"Director Xiao, you guessed right, it's about this matter. Handong Oil and Gas Group is only a department-level unit, so in principle, the investigation should be led by our Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. But what does the Third Supervision Office mean? They directly sent an investigation team to Handong? And they even asked Handong to provide assistance?"

I have not received any notification from Director Xiao or any other leader, so we at Handong can only refuse to provide assistance for now.

"It's alright. You know the director of the Third Inspection Office is a former subordinate of Director Zhong of the National Development and Reform Commission. There are indeed some procedural issues, but... just pretend you don't know anything about this. As for whether you're willing to provide assistance, that's up to you in Handong."

This statement contains a wealth of information.

Tian Guofu immediately understood that this was an action taken by the Zhong family against the Zhao family, and that the higher-ups had chosen to turn a blind eye.

"Understood, Director Xiao. Thank you!"

After hanging up the phone, Tian Guofu let out a soft sigh. He had already sensed the attention that Director Xiao, or rather the higher-ups, paid to the Zhong-Zhao matter. To destroy someone, you must first drive them mad. The seemingly trivial procedure might be inappropriate. After this matter is over, the director of the Third Inspection Office might be replaced.

"What a feast! It's just a pity that my status is too low; I can't even get to eat meat or drink soup..."

Shaking his head, Tian Guofu ignored him.

The same scene also played out at the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province.

The investigation team wanted the Economic Crime Investigation Division of the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province to cooperate with the investigation, but Yun Haifeng rejected the request outright, saying that he had not received any instructions from his superiors. In short, he said, "If you want to investigate, you can investigate yourselves."

He's even tougher than Tian Guofu. You're kidding, he can help the Zhong family deal with the Zhao family?

At the center of the vortex, Liu Xinjian received a phone call from Zhao Lichun.

"Old Party Secretary!"

“Xinjian, even you've become distant with me now. You don't call me godfather anymore, you call me old Party Secretary now…”

"No, no, no, godfather! You know, I only call you godfather when we meet in private."

Zhao Lichun paused for a moment.

“Xinjian, your oil and gas group is likely to be investigated during this period, and it may even uncover problems directly, you…”