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

He glanced at the caller ID, immediately sat up straight, and said, "Team leader, it's Mr. Sun."

Su Zhe put down his pen. "Here."

As soon as the call connected, Old Sun's voice came through first, "I've seen about Zhao Ruilong's matter."

"You're quick to get the news," Su Zhe said.

"I have to be quick." Old Sun paused, "You've made too much of a fuss. Release him for now, don't push Zhao Lichun too far."

Su Zhe didn't answer immediately. He first glanced at the notice on the table and said, "I don't plan to lock him up completely."

Old Sun chuckled on the other end, "If you just wanted to lock people up, you wouldn't have issued a notice first."

"The announcement is for outsiders to see," Su Zhe said. "Once someone is arrested, everyone outside will be watching. If I don't make the announcement first, the Zhao family will think I'm targeting Zhao Lichun and will destroy things in advance."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Old Sun said, "That's what you're planning."

"Arresting him is to make them think I'm only investigating the economy." Su Zhe looked out the window. "If we really try to expose Zhao Lichun all at once, there will inevitably be chaos. If Zhao Ruilong makes the first move, the Zhao family will be busy putting out fires and won't have time to clean up the core evidence."

"You want to use him as a temporary shield?"

"It's not about blocking them, it's about making them bleed." Su Zhe closed the paper. "Fines them, make them rectify, shut down their accounts, demolish the food court. Let the Zhao family think I'm taking advantage of them, not exposing their dirty secrets."

Old Sun laughed, "You've got a pretty good plan."

Su Zhe didn't accept the praise. "Releasing him now is too early. Let's lock him up for a while, put him on hold, and then let him state his own terms."

"Conditions?" Old Sun asked.

"A fine of 1.5 billion yuan, the demolition of Crescent Lake Food City, and the sealing of the Shanshui Manor's accounts," Su Zhe said. "He will choose for himself."

Old Sun paused for two seconds, then said, "Alright, since you know what's going on, I won't say anything more. But there's one more thing you need to know."

"Please speak."

"The Zhong family is also making moves." Old Sun's tone became more serious. "Hou Liangping's father-in-law's family has already sent people to Handong under the guise of an inspection tour. Ostensibly, they're there to assist you, but in reality, they're there to cause you trouble and speak up for Hou Liangping."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Changshan raised his head, and Li Chengyang put down his pen.

Su Zhe asked, "Do they want to bring Hou Liangping back?"

"Pretty much," said Old Sun. "You subdued Hou Liangping earlier, and the Zhong family couldn't swallow that. Now that you've arrested Zhao Ruilong first, the Zhong family will be even more anxious."

Yang Can muttered a curse under his breath, "This is taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble."

Su Zhe didn't look at him, but only said to the person on the other end of the phone, "Mr. Sun, what do you think?"

"I originally wanted you to back down and postpone the punishment for Hou Liangping," said Old Sun. "If the Zhong family really gets involved, the situation in Handong will become even more chaotic."

Su Zhe gave a soft "hmm," and asked, "Do you still think that way now?"

Old Sun did not answer immediately.

Su Zhe leaned back in his chair. "Hou Liangping doesn't follow procedures when handling cases. He led his men and forced his way into Jinghai without checking any of the procedures, formalities, or approvals. If he can get away with it so easily because of his background, how will his subordinates follow the rules in the future?"

"You're pushing yourself into the middle," said Old Sun.

"I was already in the middle," Su Zhe replied calmly. "If I don't step forward, the rules will fall behind."

There was a longer silence on the other end of the phone.

Finally, Old Sun spoke up, "Your temper is just like your father's when he was young."

Su Zhe tapped his fingertip lightly on the table. "Then I'll take that as a compliment."

Old Master Sun chuckled, "Alright. Then I won't try to dissuade you. If the Zhong family wants to come, you can accept them. If you need me to intervene, I'll handle it for you from the central government."

"Your words are enough."

"And another thing," Old Sun's tone grew even more somber, "when the Zhao family and the Zhong family meet, there will be a lot of noise outside. Don't rush to block all the paths; first, secure the evidence. The people can be released first, but the accounts cannot be released, and the materials cannot be mishandled."

Su Zhe said, "I understand."

After hanging up the phone, Li Chengyang pushed the key points he had just noted down to the team leader. "Team leader, does Old Sun mean we should keep Zhao Ruilong calm first, and then keep an eye on the Zhong family?"

"Let them panic first." Su Zhe stood up. "If Zhao Ruilong is arrested, the Zhao family will go to the Zhong family, the Zhong family will go to the provincial government, and the provincial government will go to Secretary Sha. Everyone needs to figure out that whoever reaches out now will leave a trace."

Changshan asked, "Will Hou Liangping's case still be tried?"

"Investigate." Su Zhe picked up the list on the table. "Leave the procedural issues aside for now, and wait for him to reveal the loopholes behind them."

Xiao Yang handed over the tablet. "Team leader, some people online are starting to say that we deliberately used Zhao Ruilong as a test subject, and public opinion is turning in this direction."

Su Zhe glanced at them. "Let them talk. The sooner they do, the clearer it will be to see who's been feeding the manuscript to them."

"What about Zhao Ruilong?" Yang Can asked.

"Let's leave it for now," Su Zhe said. "We'll let him come back and talk after he's thought through his terms."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the door again.

The duty officer poked his head in and said, "Team Leader Su, the Provincial Party Committee Office called. Secretary Sha wants you to prepare a written report tonight; he needs to see it tomorrow morning."

Su Zhe nodded, "Understood."

As soon as the duty officer left, Yang Can reheated the printer. "Team leader, shall I start drafting?"

"Get up." Su Zhe pulled his sleeve up half an inch. "Focus on writing three things: the basis for Zhao Ruilong's charges, the sealing status of Shanshui Manor, and how Lüzhou and Jingzhou will coordinate next."

Changshan asked, "Should we write about the Zhong family?"

Su Zhe paused for two seconds, "Don't write it out yet. Just bury the wire."

Chapter Seven: Standing Firm Against Privileges, Never Backing Down

The atmosphere in the meeting room at the base was even more tense the next morning than the night before.

Just as Sun Liancheng's materials were placed on the table, footsteps could be heard outside.

Xu Ming strode in and placed a newly delivered notice in front of Su Zhe. "The Zhong family's people have arrived in the provincial capital. Ostensibly, they're here to investigate Hou Liangping's case, but in reality, they're here for you."

Li Chengyang looked up. "So fast?"

"That's not all." Xu Ming lowered his voice, "They also brought people from the Censorate, wanting to use the pretext of an inspection to say that Hou Liangping was handling a case and that procedural flaws could be overlooked."

Changshan stubbed out his cigarette. "This is what I'm here to put on the table."

Su Zhe didn't look up, but first turned over Sun Liancheng's page of tax payment certificate. "Hou Liangping's punishment has already been issued, it doesn't matter who comes."

Xu Ming glanced at him. "The Zhong family is no ordinary family."

"I know." Su Zhe put down his pen. "That's why we can't let them think that connections can trump skills."

There was another call at the door. It was Xiao Bai calling from the provincial party committee. He spoke quickly, "Team Leader Su, Secretary Sha requests that you go to the provincial party committee this afternoon to clarify things with Zhao Ruilong. Also, someone from the Zhong family will be there to hear the situation."

"Attend as an observer?" Changshan scoffed. "To put it bluntly, it's just watching."

Su Zhe took the phone, listened to the call, and only replied, "I understand, I'll go."

Xiao Bai clearly wanted to say something more, but paused before saying, "Secretary Sha also said that you should be more careful."

Su Zhe looked at the page of material in his hand. "I've always been very steady."

After hanging up the phone, Li Chengyang couldn't help but ask, "Team leader, Secretary Sha is asking you to go at this time, so he probably has to take care of both sides."

"He wanted to see how I would respond," Su Zhe said.

Yang Can turned the computer around and said, "Zhao Ruilong just received news that his family has started looking for people. Some people have also asked if Shanshui Manor can resume business first, saying that all they need to do is make a copy of the account books."

"Make a copy?" Changshan sneered. "Dream on."

Su Zhe returned the application letter, saying, "Tell them that Shanshui Manor is not shut down for cooperation, but sealed off for investigation. Everyone entering and leaving must register, and anyone who dares to touch the original documents will be dealt with as obstructing the investigation."

"Understood." Yang Can lowered his head and wrote it down.

Someone knocked on the door again, and this time it was An Xin who came in.

His forearm was still wrapped in gauze. As he stood at the door, he glanced at the materials on the table. "Team Leader Su, the injury records and on-site videos from Mang Village have been completed. The evidence chain of Li Hongwei's assault on the police is solid."

Su Zhe nodded. "How's your wound?"

"It's nothing." An Xin took two steps closer. "I heard that the Zhong family sent people."

"The news came fast enough."

"It's all over Jingzhou," An Xin said. "Some people say you were too tough this time, even arresting Zhao Ruilong. If the Zhong family had pressed things a little harder, things would have gone more smoothly."

Su Zhe looked at him. "You think so too?"

An Xin shook her head. "I don't think so. When Hou Liangping brought his people to Jinghai, their paperwork wasn't clean. If having a powerful background was all it took to get things done, then what's the point of us handling cases?"

"We'll talk about that this afternoon." Su Zhe stood up. "You're coming with me to the Provincial Party Committee."

An Xin responded and added, "I've already made a second copy of the recording from Xu Jiang's side."

"it is good."

In the provincial party committee meeting room, Sha Ruijin sat in the main seat, Tian Guofu was also there, and several unfamiliar faces sat on the other side. They were all quite old and dressed elegantly. They didn't even offer to touch the chairs when they entered.

Sha Ruijin raised his hand, "Su Zhe is here, please have a seat."

Su Zhe didn't exchange many pleasantries and directly placed the materials on the table. "Zhao Ruilong has taken compulsory measures in accordance with the law. Shanshui Manor has been sealed off, and Crescent Lake Food City has been ordered to suspend operations for rectification. The next step is to investigate the cash flow and related projects."

A middle-aged man across from them spoke up, "Team Leader Su, Zhao Ruilong is, after all, the head of a company. Haven't you gone too far with your methods?"

Su Zhe looked at him. "And you are?"

"Director Zhou from the First Division of the Censorate."

"Director Zhou," Su Zhe nodded, "did you just say that?"

Director Zhou paused for a moment, then said, "I mean, could we perhaps postpone the procedures for now? Zhao Ruilong is willing to cooperate; there's no need to detain him directly."

"Willing to cooperate?" Su Zhe handed over a notice. "Before he moved into the location, he had already changed the administrative number of Huilong Group. Song Wei transferred the account books outwards, and the recipient of the text messages was noted as General Manager Zhao. Do you think this is cooperation?"

Director Zhou glanced down at it but didn't reply.

Su Zhe continued, "Even earlier, when the Shanshui Manor was sealed off, Zhao Ruilong's first reaction wasn't to supplement the documents, but to request its unsealing. After the unsealing, the account books were transferred, and the staff fled. Could the evidence still be preserved?"

Sha Ruijin looked at the table and didn't interrupt.

Another elderly man spoke up, "Team Leader Su, the Zhong family came this time because they were worried you were going too far. After all, Hou Liangping's matter also involves work enthusiasm."

Su Zhe looked up and said, "Work enthusiasm cannot be traded for procedures."

"Hou Liangping is a good comrade," the old man said again.

"Good comrades should abide by the rules even more." Su Zhe pushed over the page about Hou Liangping's improper use of the official seal. "He used the official seal without the approval of the Party Committee of the Academy and led people to conduct an investigation across cities without even reporting it to Ji Changming. If he can get a lighter sentence because of his status, who will explain to those people in Jinghai whose shops were smashed, who were forced to stop working, and who were injured?"

The meeting room fell silent.

Director Zhou finally said, "Team Leader Su, your attitude today leaves no room for negotiation."

Su Zhe replied decisively, "I leave room for maneuver, but there's no room for maneuver in the rules."

Sha Ruijin finally spoke, "Su Zhe, explain yourself clearly."

"In Zhao Ruilong's case, the economic issues are just the surface. There's also bid rigging, tax evasion, and concealed assets; all of these can be traced back to the main points." Su Zhe looked at Sha Ruijin. "If this line of investigation is allowed to continue, the Zhao family will think that Handong can be delayed any longer, and the Zhong family will think that the procedures can be negotiated again. In the end, there will only be one result: no one will be satisfied with the other."

Sha Ruijin stared at him. "You mean, we can't back out?"

"cannot."

"What happened to the Zhong family?"

"Follow the procedure," Su Zhe said. "If they want to listen, let them listen; if they want to write comments, let them write comments; if they want to come and verify, let them see the evidence. But I won't take on anyone who tries to use their connections to suppress the case."

Director Zhou's face darkened. "Team Leader Su, you're making things worse by doing this."

An Xin couldn't help but speak up, "The situation has been deadlocked for a long time. Those shops in Jinghai that were vandalized, the construction sites that were shut down, the injured people—were all responsible for any of them?"

Director Zhou looked at him and asked, "Who are you?"

"An Xin from the Jinghai City Public Security Bureau."

"Young people should be careful with their words."

An Xin placed the file folder on the table. "I only care about the evidence."

The air in the meeting room tightened.

Su Zhe glanced at An Xin, but didn't stop him. He simply said, "Continue."

An Xin continued, "When Hou Liangping came to Jinghai, he brought the case filing decision and a blank letter of introduction. The gatekeepers stopped him. After he went in, he took An Changlin away first, and then me. He didn't even seal off the surveillance footage or the case-handling area registration. If this can be treated as nothing, then who will follow the gatekeeper rules in the future?"

Director Zhou was speechless.

Sha Ruijin tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice. "Su Zhe, when you get back, give me a copy of the procedural materials for the Zhao Ruilong and Hou Liangping cases. I'll handle things with the Zhong family."

Su Zhe nodded, "Okay."

Before Director Zhou could speak, Sha Ruijin said, "That's all for today."

As the meeting adjourned, someone hurriedly entered through the door and handed a new fax to Sha Ruijin.

After reading it, Sha Ruijin's face darkened.

"What's wrong?" Tian Guofu asked.

Sha Ruijin handed the fax to Su Zhe, saying, "In Luzhou, someone was found transferring account books out at Crescent Lake. The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has already seized them."

Su Zhe took it, his gaze lingering on the last line.

Song Wei has gone missing. The last text message he sent was still addressed to General Manager Zhao.

He closed the paper and looked up out the window.

"Zhao Ruilong will come again."