Official excuse: I've put you on patrol in Handong, and the whole province is in a panic.

Yang Can stood to the side and flipped through two pages of the transcript.

"Team leader, the phone is ringing off the hook. People from the Zhao family, the Zhong family, the provincial government, and even several veteran comrades' offices are all asking about this."

Changshan closed the door and turned back to say.

"Some people even asked directly whether Zhao Ruilong would release him."

Su Zhe didn't look up.

"I won't go back yet."

Li Chengyang said, "The announcement has been sent out, Zhao Ruilong has been criminally detained, and everyone outside is watching to see what happens next."

Su Zhe put the pen cap back on.

"Let them see, let them see clearly."

Xiao Yang handed over the internal phone.

"Team leader, it's Mr. Sun on the phone."

The room fell silent for half a second.

Su Zhe took it, his voice softening slightly at first.

"Old Sun."

The person on the other end of the phone didn't beat around the bush and asked right away.

"You arrested Zhao Ruilong."

"Yes."

"You were the one who asked the announcement to be issued."

"Yes."

Old Sun paused for a moment on the other end, as if he was suppressing his emotions.

"You little rascal, you're still so bold."

Su Zhe smiled.

"The person has already been detained; we can't just cover it up."

Old Sun asked, "What do you have on hand right now?"

Su Zhe unfolded the tax investigation letter and pressed his other hand on the table.

"The initial investigation into tax evasion, the thorough examination of bid-rigging projects, the accounting books of Shanshui Manor, and the text messages just intercepted from Crescent Lake all lead to the Huilong Group's official account. The moment Zhao Ruilong himself entered, the evidence was exposed."

After listening, Old Sun did not speak immediately.

Su Zhe continued speaking.

"Old Sun, I know what you want to ask. Zhao Lichun is definitely still closing in. If Zhao Ruilong is released now, outsiders will only think the inspection team is making a feint. But if we don't arrest him, the Zhao family will think I'm afraid."

Old Sun finally spoke.

"So what do you want to do?"

"Keep it for now."

Su Zhe steadied his voice.

"Once we've gotten everything we're entitled to, we'll decide how to release it. The announcement has already been made, and Zhao Ruilong has lost face outside. The Zhao family will also think I'm really after the economic crime. As long as I have enough leverage, they won't immediately put everything away."

A soft laugh came from the other end of the phone.

"You're trying to use Zhao Ruilong as bait."

"right."

"Then I'll try to hook Zhao Lichun."

"right."

Old Sun said slowly, "You're putting yourself right next to the fire to roast."

Su Zhe replied crisply.

"I came here specifically to handle this case."

Old Sun remained silent for a moment before asking.

"Have you already thought of your terms?"

Su Zhe did not deny it.

"I've made up my mind."

"explain."

"First, tax and economic issues should follow procedures. The fines should be substantial enough to make Huilong Group feel the pinch, but not fatal. Second, the land at Crescent Lake and the food court must be demolished, with Huilong Group covering both demolition and ecological restoration costs. Third, Zhao Ruilong cannot be allowed to speak recklessly outside; he must be made to shut his mouth."

Old Sun gave a soft hum on the other end of the phone.

"You mean you don't want to torture someone to death."

Su Zhe said, "If I were to destroy him now, Zhao Lichun would act prematurely before we have all the evidence."

Old Sun didn't answer immediately, and spoke after a while.

"Okay, you can keep it for now, but don't keep it for too long."

Su Zhe asked, "Why?"

"When you arrest someone, you need to make it look like you're genuinely investigating a case, rather than just targeting Zhao Ruilong."

Su Zhe replied softly, "Understood."

Old Sun seemed to smile slightly.

"You don't understand anything. If you really understood, you wouldn't have called me so directly."

Su Zhe twirled the pen halfway between his fingers.

"Old Sun, do you want me to release the man, or do you want me to continue fishing?"

"Let's fish first."

Mr. Sun answered very quickly.

"Let's put Zhao Ruilong's case on hold for now. You've spread the word that the case is still under investigation and the procedures are still in progress. The specific results will depend on the verification. If we drag this out, the Zhao family will get anxious, and the Zhong family will get anxious too."

Su Zhe asked, "The Zhong family has already made their move."

Old Sun paused for a moment on the other end.

"Someone from Zhong Zhengguo's side passed me a message. The meaning was very clear: they want you to handle Hou Liangping's matter."

Su Zhe's eyes turned slightly cold.

"It can't be stopped."

"I know you can't stop."

Old Sun's tone softened somewhat.

"I'm not surprised that the Zhong family wants to pull Hou Liangping back and give him a way out. But you have to remember, if you back down, someone like Hou Liangping will only become more arrogant. Privilege is something that can be ceded inch by inch today and then inch away tomorrow."

Su Zhe did not respond.

Old Sun continued.

"I've been watching what you did in Handong. Whether Zhao Ruilong can be let go is a matter of timing, not principle. You have to stick to the principle, but you can decide the timing yourself."

Su Zhe said.

"I will not back down."

"Then don't return it."

Old Sun changed his tone and said again.

"But if the Zhong family really sends someone, don't be too stubborn."

Su Zhe responded steadily.

"I only recognize procedures and evidence."

Old Sun chuckled on the other end of the phone.

"What you're saying is just like your approach to handling cases—it sounds tough, but it's based on solid principles."

Just as Su Zhe was about to speak, Old Sun added another sentence.

"There's something else. Hou Liangping's father-in-law's family is already making moves in Beijing. They want to set up an inspection team for you, specifically to cause trouble in Handong. If you want, I can block them for you."

Su Zhe didn't even think about it.

"No need to block it."

Old Sun was taken aback.

"You want to confront them head-on."

"It's not a head-on collision."

Su Zhe looked at the project information for Crescent Lake on the table.

"Their arrival is just the right time to lay the rules out on the table. If Hou Liangping relies on his connections to handle cases, then let him see that nobody in Handong is someone else's backyard."

"You have the same temper as your father."

Su Zhe's tone softened.

"If my dad knew how I handled the case today, he'd probably tell me not to hold back."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone before Mr. Sun spoke.

"Alright, since you insist on doing it this way, I'll keep you in check. Just follow the procedures. I'll handle things with the Chung family for now."

Su Zhe said, "Thank you, Elder Sun."

Old Sun didn't let the "thank you" linger for too long.

"Don't thank me. If you really get things going, you'll have to take the blame yourself."

Just before hanging up, Old Sun mentioned it again.

"Su Zhe, remember this: whether Zhao Ruilong can be released or not is not currently in the hands of the Zhao family or the Zhong family, but in yours."

"I know."

"Then don't disappoint me."

After the call was disconnected, the room was quiet for a while.

Yang Can spoke first.

"Team leader, what Old Sun means is that we should fly kites first."

Su Zhe placed his phone face down on the table.

"Yes, keep the line taut for now, don't let it break."

Changshan asked, "What should we do if the Zhong family sends someone?"

"Come on then."

Su Zhe looked up at the group of people.

"If Hou Liangping still wants to rely on his family to intimidate others, let him see what it means to follow the rules. Don't give anyone face. Present the evidence and the procedures. If he's truly clean, he won't be afraid."

Li Chengyang nodded. "Understood."

Xiao Yang asked, "What about Zhao Ruilong? Is he still being held tonight?"

"Keep it on."

Su Zhe stood up and picked up his coat.

"Tell the interrogation team not to let him sleep too comfortably. Give him plenty of water and food, and show him the documents page by page, so he'll panic on his own."

Changshan chuckled.

"He probably won't be able to sleep tonight."

Before Su Zhe raised his hand to turn off the light, he added a sentence.

"It's good that he can't sleep. We'll start setting our terms when he begins to think about who can save him."

The light in the interrogation room remained on. When Zhao Ruilong entered, the forced composure on his face had almost completely dissipated.

He sat down in the chair, glanced at the materials on the table, and then turned his gaze to Su Zhe.

In the provincial party committee compound, Sha Ruijin turned to the last page of today's briefing, his fingertip pausing on the words "Shanshui Manor sealed off".

Standing by the table, Xiao Bai saw that he didn't speak, so she added the rest of the information: "Su Zhe didn't use people from the provincial department, but mobilized police forces from the Jingzhou Municipal Bureau. Qi Tongwei didn't show up when the park was sealed off either."

Sha Ruijin raised his eyes. "The provincial department wasn't involved?"

"No." Xiaobai flipped through her notes. "The cooperation from Jingzhou was also strange. Zhao Lidong's men didn't rush forward, as if they knew about it in advance."

Sha Ruijin put down the document, his palm resting on the edge of the table. "That's right."

Xiao Bai was taken aback for a moment. "What's right?"

"Su Zhe is cutting the line." Sha Ruijin stood up and walked to the window. "He deliberately bypassed Qi Tongwei to remove this connection from the provincial department first. Qi Tongwei is involved with Shanshui Manor. Once the province gets involved, it will become a mess that no one wants to touch."

Xiao Bai whispered, "He's incredibly audacious. Zhao Lichun is still in the central government, and Zhao Ruilong is his son."

"That's why I said he made a cut, not smashed the table." Sha Ruijin turned around. "He first sealed off the Shanshui Manor, then deployed the power of the Jingzhou Municipal Bureau. From the outside, it looked like an economic investigation, but in reality, he was forcing people to take sides."

Xiao Bai handed over another document, "There's one more thing. The base just sent back a message: Zhao Ruilong has been arrested."

When Sha Ruijin took the materials, his hand stopped.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Zhao Ruilong." Xiaobai handed over his phone as well. "The official report has been released. He is suspected of tax evasion, bid rigging, and collusion, involving an exceptionally large sum of money. Criminal coercive measures have been taken against him in accordance with the law."

Sha Ruijin stared at the screen for a long while before putting his phone back on the table.

"He really did it."

"Secretary Sha?"

"Su Zhe isn't investigating the Shanshui Manor," Sha Ruijin said, slowing his pace. "He's uncovering, layer by layer, all the connections the Zhao family and Handong have made over the years."

Xiao Bai swallowed hard. "So what do we do now? Should we contact the central command first?"

"It's too late." Sha Ruijin sat back in his chair, picked up his pen and tapped the edge of the briefing. "The moment Zhao Ruilong made his move, Zhao Lichun's first reaction wasn't to save his son, but to protect the entire supply chain. The Zhao family, the Zhong family, and all those people in the province won't be able to sleep soundly tonight."

Xiao Bai asked softly, "Won't Su Zhe be able to hold on?"

Sha Ruijin glanced at him. "Who do you think he's facing alone right now?"

Xiao Bai didn't respond.

Sha Ruijin capped his pen. "The fact that he dared to arrest Zhao Ruilong first shows that he has more cards to play. Arresting him is just the first step; we'll have to see how he gets the Zhao family to reveal their hand."

Xiao Bai said, "But Zhao Lichun is, after all, an old comrade."

"Even veteran comrades can't be used to shield cases." Sha Ruijin's voice wasn't loud, but his words were firm. "Remember, the most difficult thing about officials and businessmen is that these four words are intertwined. Officials pave the way for businessmen, and businessmen give money to officials. In the end, everyone feels like they're outside the rules."

The phone rang at that moment.

Xiao Bai answered the call, listened for a few minutes, and his expression immediately changed. "Secretary Sha, the Central Inspection Team has posted another update, stating that coercive measures have been taken against Zhao Ruilong in accordance with the law, and the case is under investigation."

Sha Ruijin stared at him. "Sent so quickly?"

"It's already rolled out across the entire internet."

Sha Ruijin slowly leaned back in his chair, his eyes first showing surprise, then calming down. "Su Zhe is trying to show everyone that the Zhao family isn't untouchable."

Xiao Bai whispered, "Then, Handong is probably going to be turned upside down."

"Fine, I'll show myself first." Sha Ruijin raised his hand to his forehead. "I want to see who exposes themselves first."

He had barely finished speaking when someone knocked on the office door again.

"Enter."

The secretary pushed open the door and came in, holding a newly printed report in her hand. "Secretary Sha, several calls have been made to the General Office from the province, asking what exactly happened to Zhao Ruilong. Some people are even trying to get information from others."

Sha Ruijin took the report, scanned it, and only said one sentence, "Tell them to handle the case according to the law and not to ask any questions."

The secretary acknowledged and withdrew.

Xiao Bai looked at Sha Ruijin, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Secretary, did you already anticipate that Su Zhe would head towards the Zhao family?"

Sha Ruijin did not answer immediately.

After a moment, he said, "I thought he would target the Zhao family, but I didn't expect it to happen so quickly. I also didn't expect him to take down Zhao Ruilong first."

"So what's your opinion now?"

"What do you think?" Sha Ruijin flattened the briefing on the table. "He's bolder than I thought, and he's also better at leveraging power than I expected. The Zhao family has been a thorn in Handong's side for far too long; today, finally, someone has taken the hammer to knock it down."

Xiao Bai stood there without saying anything more.

Sha Ruijin picked up the internal phone. "Notify the political and legal departments to keep a close eye on Jingzhou and Luzhou starting tonight. Zhao Ruilong's arrest won't just be news; someone will definitely cover it up."

After hanging up the phone, he looked out the window, his brow furrowed with a deep frown.

"Su Zhe, I'd like to see how far you can go."

Chapter Six: Old Sun's Call – The Balance Between Letting Go and Not Letting Go

In the temporary office of Jingzhou International Hotel, the phone had been ringing non-stop since the afternoon.

Li Chengyang put his phone on the table and rubbed his sore wrist. "Team leader, there were two more calls just now, both asking for favors. They started rambling about Zhao Ruilong's identity before they even finished speaking. It's so annoying."

Yang Can pushed a stack of printouts over, "There are a few more that are testing the waters, asking if we want to investigate the case or use this to establish our authority."

Su Zhe sat behind the table, his eyes fixed on the documents. "Don't answer them. If anyone wants to speak, make them write down their statement, clearly stating where they heard it from and what gives them the right to ask."

Changshan leaned against the door, arms crossed, and said, "This time they've targeted Zhao Lichun's son. It's no wonder there's a huge uproar outside."

"Whether we blow it up or not, it's all the same." Su Zhe turned the page. "Once the Shanshui Manor is sealed off, and Zhao Ruilong comes in, everyone will know that Handong is about to change."

Just as Xiao Yang was about to speak, the secure phone on the table rang.