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

The investigation team was stationed directly in Handong. Normally, the Economic Crime Investigation Division of the Handong Provincial Public Security Bureau would be required to cooperate with the investigation team in conducting an investigation of the Handong Oil and Gas Group.

At the same time, the provincial discipline inspection commission also had to send staff.

However, this investigation team was somewhat special. It was formed by the Third Supervision Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which bypassed the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection after receiving a report about Handong Oil and Gas Group embezzling state-owned assets.

According to normal procedures, after receiving a report, the Third Supervisory Office needs to report to the Party Committee, and the Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervisory Commission will then notify the Handong Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, which will then lead the investigation.

Zhong Zhengguo simply didn't trust Tian Guofu, even though it was true that Tian Guofu was unlikely to seriously investigate the matter...

But if you bypass the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and take the lead in the investigation, isn't that a direct slap in the face to the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection? What do you mean? Don't you trust the Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection?

In the office of the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Handong Province, Tian Guofu had already prepared himself emotionally before making a phone call to the higher-level organization.

"Hello, this is Tian Guofu, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Handong Province. Connect me to Deputy Director Wu of the Supervisory Commission."

The call was answered quickly.

"Comrade Guofu."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Tian Guofu was taken aback. The reason was simple: it wasn't Deputy Director Wu, but Director Xiao!

"Hello, Director Xiao!"

Tian Guofu completely forgot the speech he had prepared, while Director Xiao on the other end of the phone seemed to already know why Tian Guofu had called.

"Comrade Guofu, are you calling to inquire about the Third Supervisory Office's investigation team's arrival in Handong?"

Taking a deep breath, Tian Guofu spoke truthfully.

"Director Xiao, you guessed right, it's about this matter. Handong Oil and Gas Group is only a department-level unit, so in principle, the investigation should be led by our Handong Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. But what does the Third Supervision Office mean? They directly sent an investigation team to Handong? And they even asked Handong to provide assistance?"

I have not received any notification from Director Xiao or any other leader, so we at Handong can only refuse to provide assistance for now.

"It's alright. You know the director of the Third Inspection Office is a former subordinate of Director Zhong of the National Development and Reform Commission. There are indeed some procedural issues, but... just pretend you don't know anything about this. As for whether you're willing to provide assistance, that's up to you in Handong."

This statement contains a wealth of information.

Tian Guofu immediately understood that this was an action taken by the Zhong family against the Zhao family, and that the higher-ups had chosen to turn a blind eye.

"Understood, Director Xiao. Thank you!"

After hanging up the phone, Tian Guofu let out a soft sigh. He had already sensed the attention that Director Xiao, or rather the higher-ups, paid to the Zhong-Zhao matter. To destroy someone, you must first drive them mad. The seemingly trivial procedure might be inappropriate. After this matter is over, the director of the Third Inspection Office might be replaced.

"What a feast! It's just a pity that my status is too low; I can't even get to eat meat or drink soup..."

Shaking his head, Tian Guofu ignored him.

The same scene also played out at the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province.

The investigation team wanted the Economic Crime Investigation Division of the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province to cooperate with the investigation, but Yun Haifeng rejected the request outright, saying that he had not received any instructions from his superiors. In short, he said, "If you want to investigate, you can investigate yourselves."

He's even more assertive than Tian Guofu. You're kidding, would he help the Zhong family deal with the Zhao family?

At the center of the vortex, Liu Xinjian received a phone call from Zhao Lichun.

"Old Party Secretary!"

"Xinjian, even you've become distant with me now. You don't call me 'godfather' anymore, you call me 'Old Party Secretary' instead..."

"No, no, no, godfather! You know, I only call you godfather when we meet in private."

Zhao Lichun paused for a moment.

"Xinjian, your oil and gas group is likely to be investigated during this period, and it might even uncover problems directly. You..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xinjian felt a vague unease, but thinking of the kindness the Zhao family had shown him, he made up his mind.

"Godfather, don't worry, I won't say a word. Besides, I'm already fifty-one, I've had my fill of enjoying life."

"Sigh! Xinjian, our family has let you down..."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Lichun walked into the courtyard of the siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). Looking at the old tree with peach blossoms in full bloom, the sense of desolation in his heart grew stronger. If the Zhong family really investigated the Handong Oil and Gas Group thoroughly, his son Zhao Ruilong would probably be in grave danger.

Just as Zhao Lichun was feeling sentimental, Zhao Xiaohui, from Jingzhou Shanshui Group, demonstrated a level of decisiveness far beyond what Zhao Ruilong could match.

Although the Zhong family blocked any possibility of leaving the country, Zhao Xiaohui still managed to use her connections to send all the staff related to Zhao Ruilong to Hong Kong overnight by bus.

At the same time, Gao Xiaoqin was put in charge of keeping an eye on these people, and the Shanshui Group suddenly became an empty shell.

Zhao Xiaohui could sense the approaching storm.

The Zhao family has done everything they should and could do.

On Thursday morning, the investigation team entered Handong Oil and Gas Group, and by the afternoon they had analyzed most of the data on Handong Oil and Gas Group's embezzlement of state-owned assets, and at the same time arrested Liu Xinjian.

In the interrogation room, Liu Xinjian remained silent, unwilling to reveal a single word. In just a few days, the Zhao family had already been besieged on all sides, but the old Zhong family still had its foundation.

However, just when things seemed hopeless, a new path opened up. The energy and finance companies had initially planned to wait and see what the Zhao family would do, but the Zhao family went on a full-scale defensive stance, which was unacceptable!

In one night, the group compiled a list of the Zhong family's weaknesses, which were then exposed by Yun Haifeng.

Hou Liangping was already waiting at the barbecue restaurant outside Hou Liangping's residential area when Yun Haifeng arrived.

"Director Yun, you've arrived! Please have a seat!"

Yun Haifeng nodded and then sat down.

"Liangping, you've done a great job lately, but there's something I need you to do. It's up to you to see if you have the courage. My old boss said that if you succeed in this, you'll be 'one of us' from now on!"

Hou Liangping was immediately tempted. These days, since he and Zhong Xiaoai separated, he not only ate well but also felt incredibly free without any constraints. He didn't want to lose this kind of life.

"Director Yun, just say the word, I'll definitely do it!"

Yun Haifeng smiled and then took a USB flash drive out of his pocket.

Have you heard of Liangping from Zhongfu Group?

The mere mention of that name made Hou Liangping's smile vanish completely.

"Cloud Hall, what's up there...?"

"Just tell me if you know or not."

"Sigh! I know a little!"

After a sigh, Hou Liangping slowly explained, "Zhongfu Group is a sub-provincial level enterprise. The chairman is Lin Manjiang. I have met this Lin Manjiang before. He visited Zhong Zhengguo at the Zhong family during the Chinese New Year two years ago. I don't know the specifics of what they talked about."

However, Zhong Xiaoai had stated at the time that Lin Manjiang was a protégé and former subordinate of the Zhong family, and therefore extremely crucial to them.