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

Hearing this, Secretary Aimin sighed heavily, then tapped his fingertips lightly on the table and said quietly, "This businessman Xu Yin has really given us a difficult problem. If we don't bail out Hengda, the entire real estate industry will be affected once it collapses. If we bail out Hengda, it will only create a vicious cycle, and others will follow suit."

Chen Luo didn't respond, but looked at Secretary Aimin with a calm gaze until he was sure that the other party was being sincere before he spoke: "Secretary Aimin, Hengda has come to this point not only because of the company's strategic mistakes, but also because of human factors."

Some people in the financial system are too greedy.

They'd lend out any amount of money just to get a cut.

Some cadres' relatives cleverly acted as material suppliers, supplying materials to Hengda at prices higher than the market rate.

Everyone regarded Xu Yin as a fat pig.

Treating people like food on a chopping board, constantly sucking their blood and eating their flesh, Secretary Aimin, who do you think is tacitly condoning this behind the scenes?

As soon as he said that, the office became so quiet you could hear a pin drop; it was eerily quiet!

Secretary Aimin slowly raised his head and looked at Chen Luo. Their eyes met, and they both understood each other's meaning.

Chen Luo still had doubts. Hengda Group didn't suddenly become heavily indebted. Secretary Aimin had been in Guangdi for almost four years. Did he really know nothing about it?

Faced with Chen Luo's suspicion, Secretary Aimin did not evade the question. Instead, he exhaled a breath of stale air and said calmly, "Comrade Chen Luo, I know what you're thinking, but I can answer you directly: I have no knowledge of this!"

For the past few years, economic affairs have been overseen by former Governor Ma; you can completely trust me!

Chen Luo just smiled and shook his head. "Secretary Aimin, you misunderstood. Of course I believe you!"

Furthermore, if the Hengda scandal were to actually happen, it would be a major national event.

Ultimately, all we can do is pass the problem up the chain of command, and we'll handle whatever the higher-ups require.

Whether or not the higher-ups investigate is not something we can decide.

I've come to report to Secretary Aimin, hoping you can directly contact the higher-ups and buy some time to decide on a solution for Hengda University.

After all, things get more complicated as time goes on.

Upon hearing this, Secretary Aimin simply rolled his eyes. He didn't believe Chen Luo's nonsense, but it was normal to be suspected...

"Alright, alright, you're right about one thing: we can't drag this out any longer. I'll report the situation to my superiors later. Comrade Chen Luo, you should also think carefully about whether there's a good solution."

"Okay, Secretary Aimin, thank you for your help!"

If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now.

After leaving the provincial party committee building, Tang Ning and Qiu Kai remained silent behind Chen Luo.

At this moment, Chen Luo turned around and looked at the two of them.

"You all seem so uneasy. Just say what you have to say!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning spoke first: "Provincial Governor Chen, what Secretary Aimin just mentioned about the former Provincial Governor Ma..."

Chen Luo waved his hand, "Comrades Tang Ning and Qiu Kai, you weren't involved, were you?"

Upon hearing this, the two quickly shook their heads.

"No, not really. The province of Marshall doesn't really trust us."

Although we weren't on the same page, they didn't make things difficult for me and Comrade Qiu Kai; it's just that they wouldn't assign us some key, specific tasks.

"As long as it's none of your business, just wait and see. The higher-ups won't stand idly by..."

After saying that, Chen Luo got into the car, and the two exchanged a glance before following closely behind.

These are turbulent times; troubles never seem to end.

The Hengda Group issue isn't over yet, and now the Li family from Hong Kong is causing trouble again.

Still trying to drag Tianlong Group down with no other options besides the provincial government, Li Jiachen released several audio recordings as evidence in front of several Hong Kong television stations and media outlets. These recordings contained evidence of bribery and differential treatment during her years-long struggle with Tianlong Group.

Even at the end of the press conference, Li Jiachen, fearless as ever, publicly asked which high-ranking official was behind Tianlong Group that granted her special treatment.

Even though the Li family has released evidence, the provincial government is still choosing to play games and wait for the investigation to be completed.

Unlike letting the news media spread information, personally attending the press conference and publicly questioning others undoubtedly puts the conflict on the table.

At Tianlong Group, Pei Yun was furious as he watched the video of the press conference. Under the current circumstances, it was impossible for Tianlong Group to remain silent.

If no response is made, the criticism will only grow louder.

A response can be made... Some things really can't be hidden.

Disturbed and confused, Pei Yun could only call Old Qin in the end.

A dozen seconds later, the call was connected.

"Godfather!"

"What's wrong, Xiaoyun?"

"Godfather, the Li family in Hong Kong is still relentless, clinging to our Tianlong Group and trying to drag us down with them."

This guy even publicly attended the press conference and questioned who was behind Tianlong Group.

Will this affect you, Godfather?

Upon hearing this, Old Qin fell silent for a moment.

"Some people still won't learn their lesson... They need to be taught a lesson. You don't need to worry about this."

"Yes, godfather! I'll do whatever you say!"

That evening, at the Li family's residence in Hong Kong.

Just after finishing dinner and sitting down in her study, Li Jiachen's phone rang.

Upon picking it up and taking a look, Li Jiachen immediately stood up straight.

"Commander Lin!"

"Mr. Li, your family has been quite active lately."

"Oh? Commander Lin, no, our family has been keeping a low profile in Hong Kong lately, and hasn't caused any trouble at all!"

"I didn't do anything wrong in Hong Kong, but... someone asked me to pass on a message to you."

"Commander Lin, please speak!"

"Tianlong Group did not provoke your family. Dragging them into this mess for no reason will bring retribution, and the consequences will be severe. You'd better watch yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiachen turned pale. His suspicions had been confirmed. Sure enough, the person behind Tianlong Group was no ordinary person.

"Commander Lin, the person who asked you to deliver this message... compared to you..."

"They are at the same level, but they have decision-making power!"

Do you understand?

If Li Jiachen still doesn't understand what he's saying, then she might as well find a block of tofu and smash her head against it.

He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead and assured them, "Yes, yes, Commander Lin, thank you for passing on the message!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Jiachen slumped into his chair. He had been jumping around for so long, thinking he had a firm grip on Tianlong Group and could drag them down with him. But reality was cruel.

With just a single sentence, someone could render all his efforts futile, and the worst part is that he didn't dare to resist.

"Hehe, you didn't lose unfairly!"

After sighing, Li Jiachen took out a cigar from the table, lit it with trembling hands, and took a deep drag.

His body gradually regained sensation, but his soul became numb. He stared at the magnificent golden wall and the painting of galloping horses hanging on it, unable to calm down for a long time.