If you had to choose an identity to go undercover, you'd choose a gynecologist.

Xu Tieying personally escorted Cui Zhongshi into the inspection room.

His eyes were fierce, his expression tense, and he remained on guard the entire time, staring intently at Cui Zhongshi beside him.

Zeng Keda looked up at the newcomer, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Why does it take Director Xu to personally escort someone here for a mere routine hearing?"

Xu Tieying's gaze swept over everyone in the room, his posture firm and unyielding: "Cui Zhongshi is involved in a major suspected case of communist collusion, and the Party's intelligence bureau has already opened a case for investigation. I personally brought him here to cooperate with the supervisory office's hearing. After the questioning, I will take him back to the Party's intelligence bureau for detention."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Meng'ao stepped forward, his gaze fixed directly on Xu Tieying: "Xu Tieying, you keep saying he's a communist sympathizer, where is your evidence?"

Xu Tieying remained expressionless, using official jargon to evade the issue: "This is a classified investigation by our bureau, and the evidence cannot be disclosed to the public."

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Chen Qing, who was sitting in the main seat, suddenly spoke up: "Cui Zhongshi, state your name and position."

Cui Zhongshi remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic or embarrassment. He bowed and replied, "I am Cui Zhongshi, currently the Director of the Treasury at the Beiping Branch of the Central Bank."

Fang Meng'ao suppressed his aggression and began his questioning with a serious expression: "I am now conducting a routine hearing in accordance with the law. Please tell me truthfully, how much do you know about the details of Hou Juntang's smuggling case?"

Cui Zhongshi raised his eyes and surveyed the entire room, his gaze finally sweeping over Xu Tieying, whose face was ashen. He spoke frankly: "I personally handled and controlled all the accounts, both overt and covert, of the entire Beiping smuggling case. All the smuggled money in the case was laundered and diverted by me, deposited in batches into the US dollar accounts of the people involved. I am fully aware of everyone's shareholding percentage and year-end bonuses in the case, without missing a single detail."

The room fell silent as soon as he said this.

Xu Tieying's face turned deathly pale, and she sternly stopped him: "Cui Zhongshi! Don't spout nonsense and make baseless accusations!"

Unfazed by his intimidation, Cui Zhongshi calmly replied, "Every word I spoke is true; there is not a single lie. Several days ago, at your instruction, Director Xu, I specifically wired 500,000 US dollars of embezzled funds to your wife. Has Director Xu already forgotten about this huge sum of money?"

"Nonsense! You're framing me!" Xu Tieying roared angrily.

Cui Zhongshi stood firm, completely tearing away all pretenses: "This is absolutely not a frame-up. In the entire smuggling case, you held a 20% stake, and that $500,000 was your annual dividend. I have already submitted all the account books, transaction records, and shareholder lists to Director Chen for filing. Who invested, how much profit they received, and the flow of every penny—it's all in black and white, irrefutable evidence. I, Cui Zhongshi, can sign and seal this confession on the spot."

At this moment, Xu Tieying completely lost his composure, his eyes blazing with fury. He stared intently at Cui Zhongshi, gritting his teeth and roaring, "Cui Zhongshi! I'll kill you!"

Chen Qing abruptly stood up, his gaze as cold as frost, and delivered his final verdict: "The witness testimonies, written evidence, and account books are all readily available. The evidence is irrefutable. Xu Tieying, what else do you have to say in your defense?"

He gave the other party no room for argument and sternly ordered, "Men! Seize Xu Tieying!"

Upon hearing the sound, Gong Shu immediately led his men forward, and several guards rushed forward.

Xu Tieying struggled and resisted fiercely in a fit of rage, but was ultimately outnumbered and pinned to the ground with his arms tied behind his back, completely subdued and detained.

With the dust settled, Cui Zhongshi revealed everything without reservation, detailing the entire process of the Beiping smuggling case, including the names of all the officials involved, the shareholding ratios, and the chain of illicit gains. He laid everything out clearly, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, without any concealment.

Zeng Keda held a densely packed list of implicated military and political officials at all levels in Beiping, his fingertips trembling slightly, his face deathly pale.

The list included high-ranking municipal officials and military and police officers, a deeply entrenched network of corrupt officials who were involved in corruption, sweeping through almost half of Beiping's officialdom—a truly shocking sight.

After a long while, he slowly raised his eyes, his heart heavy with unspeakable emotions.

Chen Qing calmly scanned the list and said in a deep voice, "The evidence is conclusive, the truth of the case has come to light, open a case immediately and arrest all those involved."

"Wait a minute!"

Zeng Keda suddenly spoke up to stop him, his face full of difficulty: "There are too many people involved in the case. If we investigate and prosecute them all, the entire officialdom in Beiping will be almost emptied out, and the consequences will be unpredictable. I need to call Nanjing immediately to ask for instructions."

After saying that, he hurriedly got up from his seat and dialed a dedicated phone line.

The long half hour passed quietly. The inspection room was deathly silent, with no one speaking and only a stagnant, oppressive atmosphere.

Zeng Keda turned back, looking ashen and utterly exhausted.

Chen Qing looked up: "What is Nanjing's response?"

Zeng Keda's voice was dry as he uttered a cold command: "The instructions from above are to target only the big fish, not the small fry. Only kill Cui Zhongshi, return all the seized assets of the eight companies, and then close the case."

Upon hearing this, a chilling glint flashed in Chen Qing's eyes, and his tone was filled with undisguised skepticism: "I disagree. To selectively punish a few while letting a whole host of corrupt officials go free—how can such a hasty conclusion satisfy the people of Beiping? How can it uphold the law and order of the nation?"

"This is the highest order from Nanjing, there's no room for discussion." Zeng Keda lowered his head and closed his eyes, his tone revealing helplessness.

Fang Meng'ao, who had been unable to contain himself any longer, his eyes blazing with indignation, loudly retorted: "I absolutely disagree! The so-called punishment of only the ringleaders—in the end, will only Uncle Cui be sacrificed as a scapegoat? After the storm passes, the other corrupt officials will still hold high positions, preying on the people. The people of Beiping will still be starving and suffering endless exploitation, and the Yangzi Company will still run rampant and lawless! What kind of justice is being sought in this kind of investigation?!"

Zeng Keda slumped back into his chair, his back hunched, his face filled with dejection and helplessness. He whispered the cruelest truth: "In Shanghai, Kong Lingkan has already been released without charge. It was Madame Chiang herself who went to the Shanghai police station to take him away."

Xu Tieying, who was under tight control, burst into wild laughter.

"Chen Qing! You're finished! You think you've won by bringing me down? Today you've offended half the court's powerful figures, and you've completely ripped apart Nanjing's defenses! Do you really think you can slaughter the entire officialdom of Beiping? Wait until this storm passes! I'll see how you die a horrible death!"

The room was cold and damp.

Zeng Keda lowered his head, his face full of shame and helpless apology: "Chen Qing, I'm sorry, it's my incompetence."

Chen Qing walked steadily to Xu Tieying, who was being held in custody.

His eyes flashed with a chilling light, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Xu Tieying, don't be too smug. This game isn't over yet."

From the very beginning of this anti-corruption storm, he had already anticipated Nanjing's cover-up and was prepared to overturn the table.

He turned abruptly, his gaze fixed intently on Fang Meng'ao beside him: "A general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders! Fang Meng'ao, heed my command! Immediately mobilize all forces to arrest and bring to justice every official on the list involved in the case, leaving no one out!"

Looking at Chen Qing, who was defying orders against all odds, Fang Meng'ao felt a surge of patriotic fervor and pride. He immediately stood at attention and solemnly accepted the order: "Yes! We will resolutely carry out Director Chen's orders! We will investigate thoroughly and show no leniency!"

Zeng Keda, who was standing nearby, suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shock, and exclaimed in a hoarse voice, "Chen Qing! You've gone mad! This is blatant defiance of Nanjing's orders; you're ruining your future and courting death!"

Chen Qing's expression was open and fearless, his eyes as firm as iron, unwavering in the slightest: "I'm not crazy. I made a vow to eradicate corruption in Beiping and restore a bright and clear sky for the people. I will never break my promise. The law of the land comes first, and the people's livelihood is paramount. If any order from above is to bend the law for personal gain, I will not accept it. Where justice lies, I will go even if it means facing a million enemies!"

Zeng Keda hurriedly spoke up to dissuade him, his tone a last-ditch effort: "I disagree! This matter is beyond repair! I will immediately request instructions from my superiors to arrange for you to go overseas for an inspection tour, to protect yourself and leave yourself a way out!"

Chen Qing's eyes remained expressionless as he coldly ordered, "Commissioner Zeng is unwell and should not participate in official duties. Gong Shu, immediately escort Commissioner Zeng back to his room to rest. Without my order, Commissioner Zeng is strictly forbidden from stepping out of his room."

Gong Shu immediately stepped forward: "Commissioner Zeng, please."

Xu Tieying, lying on the ground, was utterly horrified. Looking at the stubborn Chen Qing, she muttered and roared, "You're insane... Chen Qing, you're really insane!"

At this moment, Cui Zhongshi, who had been standing silently to the side, slowly raised his head, his expression calm and indifferent, and took the initiative to extend his hands: "Director Chen, you have great courage. I plead guilty and accept the punishment. If you want to kill someone, start with me."

Chen Qing looked at him solemnly, then turned and ordered Fang Meng'ao in a deep voice: "Take the key witness, Cui Zhongshi, away and detain him properly. Immediately order Wang Puchen that Cui Zhongshi is crucial to the entire case and must be protected 24 hours a day. Tell Wang Puchen that if Cui Zhongshi dies, many people in Beiping will die!"

Fang Meng'ao, with a solemn expression, loudly replied, "Yes! Your subordinate will remember your command!"

.....................