Official statement: Tongwei is dead! You chose Ruijin, didn't you?

After a long, half-minute silence, she took a deep breath, her voice filled with a weary struggle: "He... doesn't know the specific accounts and locations of the offshore trusts."

Zhou Zhengming, a shrewd and experienced hunter, immediately spotted the flaw in the statement and pressed on relentlessly:

"While the specific account is unknown, are they aware that they hold hidden shares in Dafeng Factory? Are they aware that the Zhao family would use these shares to reserve overseas funds for the Chen family as a backup plan?!"

Chen Yang closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembling violently, finally unable to continue to whitewash the stubborn old man: "...He knows it in his heart."

The recorder next to him quickly took notes.

These five short words, like a heavy hammer blow, completely confirmed that Chen Yanshi was not some simple, innocent factory protector.

Rather, they are vested interests who have been deeply bound to the land interest chain in Handong from beginning to end!

Zhou Zhengming pressed his advantage, directly addressing the core truth of the Dafeng Factory incident:

"Therefore, when the workers' rights protection conflict broke out at Dafeng Factory, Chen Yanshi did not hesitate to mortgage his own property to intervene and stop the trouble, claiming to be speaking up for the people."

Essentially, he's afraid that once the factory enters bankruptcy audit proceedings, they'll be able to uncover the bridge financing in Lingang and the entire chain of evidence regarding his hidden shareholdings, right?!

Chen Yang gave a self-deprecating bitter smile, full of helplessness and sorrow: "He firmly believed to the outside world that he was a veteran cadre who petitioned for the people. Perhaps the long-term self-hypnosis made him really believe that rhetoric."

But everyone in the family knew perfectly well that once Dafeng Factory was completely liquidated, all the old scandals—the falsified land appraisals and the bridging loans from Lingang—would be exposed. If that bomb exploded, the Chen family simply couldn't withstand it.

"Since you were aware of the risks, why didn't you dissuade Chen Yanshi from getting deeply involved in the Dafeng Factory dispute?"

"I can't persuade him."

Chen Yang shook his head, his tone full of absurd helplessness. "He lived his whole life in the moral halo of an old cadre. He desperately needed the Dafeng Factory incident to maintain his 'Hai Rui' persona. Even if he vaguely sensed a huge shady deal hidden beneath, he was unwilling and dared not expose the very image he built on. He wasn't greedy for money; he was greedy for fame."

Zhou Zhengming paused for a moment, digesting this chillingly complete chain of interests.

This is the highest level of hypocrisy in officialdom!

He asked again, "Can you provide complete written documentation that thoroughly connects the Lingang project, the Zhao family's offshore trust, and the hidden equity in Dafeng Factory?"

Chen Yang did not answer immediately. After a long silence, he slowly raised his eyes and said, "I can write the truth. But I have one condition: could you consider giving my father a lighter sentence?"

"The final determination will be based entirely on objective facts and the degree of cooperation."

Zhou Zhengming handled official business strictly and never made any empty promises; he was very careful to maintain a proper balance.

Chen Yang nodded slowly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

She reached for the pen and paper on the table, but stopped abruptly just as the pen tip touched the paper.

She looked up at Zhou Zhengming, a resolute determination to uncover the top clues of Handong emerging in her eyes.

"Team Leader Zhou, there's another person. Back then, Zhao Ruilong wasn't the only one leading the effort to set up this overseas funding structure."

Chen Yang spoke slowly and clearly, each word ringing out like thunder in the conversation room: "The financial advisor who was parachuted in from Beijing back then was surnamed Wang. He was the core agent who managed all the gray assets by Elder Zhong's side—Wang Zonghui."

Zhou Zhengming paused.

He looked up at Chen Yang, his tone calm and restrained: "Are you certain that this person is the Zhong family's exclusive middleman for managing overseas illicit funds?"

Chen Yang picked up the water glass, his fingertips firmly gripping the glass, his expression resolute: "Confirmed."

How many times did you meet in total?

"three times."

Where will the meetings take place?

"The first time was at a foreign law firm in Central, Hong Kong; the second time was at a private business club in Shenzhen Bay; and the third time was at an offshore financial office in Singapore."

He avoided directly mentioning Zhao Lichun and the Zhong family's names throughout the presentation, repeatedly emphasizing that cross-border funds must be subject to risk isolation, and the identity of the actual beneficiary cannot be registered in mainland China.

"Who facilitated this connection between you?"

"Zhao Ruilong took the lead in making the recommendation."

Zhou Zhengming abruptly shifted the subject, directly addressing a core blind spot in the Chen family's knowledge: "Does Chen Yanshi know of Wang Zonghui's existence?"

Chen Yang remained silent for several seconds, weighing the pros and cons repeatedly in his mind, before finally speaking:

"My father was unaware of Wang Zonghui's identity, the various meetings, and the entire offshore structure. But he knew that Dafeng Factory's hidden shares were backed by high-level connections, and the Zhao family would arrange overseas assets as compensation. He never delved into the details of the funds, only confirming that it would not affect his own reputation."

"My father was always good at comforting himself."

Chen Yang lowered his voice a few decibels, "As long as he has not personally accepted cash, he deliberately chooses to turn a blind eye to others paving the way for his own benefits, and maintains the public image of an upright veteran cadre with a clear conscience."

The recorder remained silent throughout the entire process and recorded all statements.

Zhou Zheng closed the thermos lid and looked at Chen Yang: "Are you willing to include all of the above in your written statement?"

"I wrote."

"Does this include the fact that Chen Yanshi knew about Dafeng's hidden stock?"

"Write."

"Is the entire chain of connections—including the Lingang old city redevelopment funds, Zhao Ruilong's transfer of benefits, and Wang Zonghui's establishment of offshore trusts—completely and truthfully listed?"

"Write."

Zhou Zhengming nodded slightly and gave the standard requirements for evidence collection:

"The writing objectively records only the time, place, people, amount of funds, account information, and communication process, without mixing in subjective emotions or personal judgments."

Chen Yang forced a bitter smile: "Your rules for handling cases have always been to only talk about facts and not human feelings, which is a bit too cold."

Zhou Zhengming responded calmly: "What's cold is never the system or rules, but those who hold the rules but arbitrarily circumvent them for their own benefit."

After saying this, he put away the original transcript, got up and left the interview room.

...

Qin Yuanzhou stood by the window in the corridor, his hands behind his back, looking at the night view of Jingzhou outside.

"How much of the evidence has been substantiated?"

Qin Yuanzhou didn't turn around, but spoke calmly.

"Wang Zonghui's peripheral fund chain with the Zhong family has been verified and confirmed, and we can compile the materials and report it directly."

Zhou Zhengming lowered his voice, a hint of excitement in it, "But Team Leader Qin, we can't just investigate the overseas trusts of the Chen family. Since Dafeng Factory was a cover for bridging funds, the loopholes in the handling of the mass conflict at Dafeng Factory back then must be investigated and those responsible held accountable!"

Qin Yuanzhou turned around and said, "So you've thought of Zhao Dong too."

"He's the one who has to pay this price."

Zhou Zhengming clearly outlined the sequence of events: "Back then, factory workers gathered with gasoline, and flammable and explosive hazards were right there on site! The police, fire department, and law enforcement agencies all arrived, yet such a huge mess ensued, and afterwards, no major leader took responsibility for their dereliction of duty! Combining this with the current clues about the Chen family's shareholding and Lingang's capital—what seemed like a simple 'stability maintenance failure' back then was essentially a deliberate cover-up by multiple layers of forces protecting each other and deliberately delaying the process!"

Qin Yuanzhou strolled slowly toward the elevator: "During this time, Zhao Donglai has been cooperating with the investigation of the Liang family and Hou Liangping's cases, running around and being very proactive."

"Meritorious service cannot offset past oversights in the performance of duties."

Zhou Zhengming stood firm, saying, "If we set aside the legacy of Dafeng Factory just because he's taken the initiative to come to our side, what will the grassroots cadres think? They'll think our supervisory team is 'playing favorites,' and we'll lose credibility in handling cases!"

Qin Yuanzhou paused, his gaze deep: "The handling of this matter requires careful consideration; we cannot act rashly. The Jingzhou Public Security Bureau has already been through multiple rounds of investigations, and morale is already unstable. Taking direct action against Zhao Donglai could easily trigger systemic turmoil. We can first initiate an internal special interview and include him in the scope of the investigation into the Dafeng old cases."

"I suggest that Secretary Lu Chengzhou take the lead and personally preside over this conversation."

Zhou Zhengming suggested, drawing on his expertise in using leverage in officialdom, "that Zhao Donglai understand that even if he runs himself ragged trying to gain merit, the old debt of his negligence in handling the situation on-site will never be erased!"

Qin Yuanzhou chuckled and pointed at Zhou Zhengming with his finger: "You, you've got the timing just right. You stop short of leaving any room for maneuver; that's called 'striking the mountain to scare the tiger.'"

"I was just following the rules; there was no deliberate targeting involved."

Zhou Zhengming explained, "Zhao Donglai is exceptionally capable, but he carries the common flaw of the Han Dong officialdom—he is accustomed to observing the winds of change. Initially, under pressure, he chose to handle things conservatively and avoid conflict; now that the supervisory team has arrived, he is fully cooperating. If we don't give him a good talking-to now, he will still prioritize personal relationships over legal principles when faced with complex situations involving multiple parties in the future."

"Notify the relevant personnel."

Qin Yuanzhou made the final decision: "At 3 PM, in the small conference room of the Provincial Party Committee, we will hold a debriefing session on the Dafeng Factory incident."

As Zhou Zhengming turned to leave, Qin Yuanzhou added a highly damaging statement: "Make sure the meeting team is fully assembled so that he understands as soon as he walks in that this is no ordinary case discussion, but a 'three-way trial'."

……

At 3 p.m., in a small special meeting room of the Provincial Party Committee.

Twenty minutes before the agreed time, Zhao Donglai arrived ahead of schedule.

But as soon as he pushed open the door and sat down, the hairs on the back of his head stood on end.

The atmosphere was too eerie.

In past meetings to discuss clues, Zhou Zhengming usually sat on the side, while Qin Yuanzhou rarely attended in person.

But today, the newly appointed Provincial Party Secretary Lu Chengzhou sits at the head of the table! Qin Yuanzhou is on the left, and Zhou Zhengming, Tian Guofu, and Lian Yixue are also present.

On the large conference table, there was no tea or fruit platter, only neatly stacked case files.

A solemn and oppressive atmosphere of accountability permeated the air.

Zhao Donglai's heart sank suddenly.

Years of experience as a veteran police officer made him instantly realize: when the leader has prepared a complete set of case files and is waiting for you, this is a signal that they are about to clarify past responsibilities and settle accounts!

"Comrade Donglai, please sit down," Lu Chengzhou said calmly.

Zhao Donglai straightened his back, sat down with half his buttocks on the chair, and waited quietly for the questioning.

"We won't talk about the Liang family or Hou Liangping today. Today, we'll focus on reviewing the Dafeng Factory conflict incident." Lu Chengzhou got straight to the point, without even giving them a chance for pleasantries.

Zhao Donglai swallowed hard, already having anticipated this.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually.

At that time, all parties involved were mutually restraining each other, and everyone pretended to be ignorant; now, Chen Yang's offshore trust and the Chen family's hidden shares have all surfaced. Dafeng Factory is no longer a simple labor dispute, but a fig leaf for the gray chain of land transactions!

As the police chief at the scene, he couldn't possibly remain uninvolved.

Lu Chengzhou opened the case file, his gaze sharp: "Back then, factory workers gathered with gasoline, posing a significant safety hazard of open flames and potential injury. Why didn't the public security department take immediate measures to forcibly isolate and control the hazardous materials?"

Zhao Donglai fell silent briefly, attempting to explain using the "big picture" perspective most commonly used in officialdom:

"The crowd at the scene was extremely agitated. Forcibly confiscating dangerous goods could easily escalate tensions and trigger more serious conflicts..."

"snort."

Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Tian Guofu scoffed indifferently, then pressed on, his words piercingly incisive: "Considering public sentiment justifies allowing flammable and explosive hazardous materials to remain at the conflict site for an extended period? Director Zhao, is this the bomb disposal tactic you learned at the police academy?"

Zhao Donglai pursed his lips slightly, his cheeks flushed, and frankly admitted his shortcomings: "In retrospect, there were indeed obvious oversights in the handling of the on-site risks."

"We are not here today to pursue post-incident accountability, but to restore the objective bottom line of how things were handled at the time."

Qin Yuanzhou picked up the conversation, his eyes piercingly penetrating. "Gasoline is a highly dangerous and prohibited substance. The police and firefighters were all on duty at the scene; everyone was aware of the potential deadly risks. The initial decision to delay and postpone the operation wasn't simply a matter of 'maintaining stability,' was it?"

Zhao Donglai had no way to refute it.

He was suffering in silence. Back then, multiple high-level officials exerted pressure, and it was a battle of wits. As a mere city bureau chief, he could only choose to compromise.

Lu Chengzhou gave him no chance to breathe, and then threw out the most crucial and fatal question:

"Before and after the incident, did any superiors verbally instruct you to show special leniency towards Chen Yanshi and refrain from taking a harsh approach?"

Zhao Donglai remained silent for a full ten seconds.

He answered truthfully: "There has been a relevant message."

Zhou Zhengming's eyes flashed, and he pressed on, "Who delivered the order?"

"Both Secretary Sha and Secretary Gao had work requirements. They instructed that the on-site handling should take into account the status of the veteran comrades to avoid causing a public opinion storm."

"Are there any written records or audio recordings of the communication?"

"The message was relayed verbally and was not recorded in the official dispatch log."

Zhou Zhengming chuckled coldly, "Over the years, many key decisions in Handong have been communicated verbally without any written record. When it comes to the verification stage, there's no way to trace responsibility. This is truly masterful Tai Chi."

Zhao Donglai's face burned with embarrassment, and he could only silently endure these barbed comments.

Lu Chengzhou pushed a stack of case files in front of him and began to set the tone: "Comrade Donglai, the supervisory team fully recognizes your recent work in assisting the investigation of a series of major cases. However, merits and demerits must be defined separately. Your dereliction of duty at Dafeng Factory is an independent issue and will not be erased simply because you made meritorious contributions later."

"I understand."

Zhao Donglai responded in a deep voice.

"We will make some adjustments to the follow-up work arrangements."

Lu Chengzhou clarified the handling plan: "You will still be in charge of the daily stability maintenance and perimeter security work of Jingzhou Public Security Bureau. However, you will recuse yourself from the entire process of verifying the core case files related to the land and equity of Dafeng Factory! A special team will be formed by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection to carry out the investigation. Issues related to your personal performance of duties will be investigated separately."

Zhao Donglai felt a chill in his heart.

This "promotion in name only" tactic is too ruthless!

While seemingly retaining his authority as bureau chief, this effectively stripped him of his access to core leads, effectively removing him from the core case-handling circle and placing him under constant supervision!

Qin Yuanzhou looked at him, giving him a slap followed by a sweet treat: "Don't be resentful. The organization will still give you the opportunity to fully explain the facts. What's truly unforgivable isn't making a mistake, but deliberately covering up past issues."

Zhao Donglai stood up, solemnly stated, and humbled himself greatly: "I will obey all work arrangements made by the organization."

"Go back and prepare a complete written explanation."

Lu Chengzhou instructed, "Reconstruct the entire process of receiving the alarm, on-site dispatch, verbal instructions from superiors, and the entire handling procedure according to the timeline. Objectively state all the facts; there is no need to embellish yourself or deliberately shift blame to others."

Zhao Donglai nodded in agreement, turned around, and walked towards the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Lu Chengzhou spoke again.

"Comrade Donglai."

He stopped and turned around.

Lu Chengzhou's tone was firm and his words were like iron, revealing the core bottom line for officials: "You are the chief public security officer of the entire city, not some leader's private bodyguard! In the future, when handling public emergencies, uphold the bottom line of the law first, and then consider human relationships!"

Zhao Donglai felt a lump in his throat and replied in a low voice, "I've got it."

The door closed, and the conference room fell silent.

After a moment, Yi Xuexi, the secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection who hadn't said much, picked up his water glass, took a sip, and spoke in a low voice:

"After today's conversation, the verbal instructions have been put into writing. Li Dakang must be feeling uneasy."

Qin Yuanzhou closed the pen cap, a look of determination appearing in his eyes.

"It's normal for him to be restless. The hidden dangers planted by Dafeng Factory back then are finally catching up with the perpetrators."