Chapter 848

From the receiver came Zhao Jian's voice: "Just got word—Zhao Xiang has been formally investigated."

Meng Tong Huai Zhi snapped fully awake, a smile tugging at his lips: "When are you coming back?"

"I'm heading back tomorrow morning," Zhao Jian said wearily. "These past two days have worn me out—I need a good sleep when I get home."

Meng Tong Huai Zhi said generously: "When you get back, I'll treat you to drinks—any place you pick."

"Oh!" Zhao Jian teased. "Old Meng, you say you'll treat me to drinks and I'm instantly energized. Rare to see you this generous—I absolutely can't refuse."

"Of course!" Meng Tong Huai Zhi laughed heartily. "My window screen's broken, and I won't even replace it—but I'm treating you to drinks just this once. Miss this chance, you won't find it again."

Zhao Xiang, head of the provincial bureau, publicly cultivated the image of an exemplary leader, but privately acted like a gang boss.

I'm the chief of this bureau, representing state authority—everything is decided by me. I often boast of loyalty and righteousness, yet forget my own position.

He treated his work circle like a criminal underworld, his subordinates like underlings, businessmen like brothers, and imported the habits of street gangs into his job.

For the sake of brotherhood, he ignored national law and acted recklessly.

He was most famous for his love of alcohol—no fine liquor on the table, no banquet dismissed until someone was drunk under it.

Rumor had it he drank tea during the day and wine at night.

He loved being called Boss, Big Brother, or Brother Zhao by friends and subordinates, taking it as praise.

He treated his Fenguan departments as his personal fiefdom—no one could intrude, no water could seep in.

Leveraging his authority and influence, he formed cliques, built personal power for his own benefit, promoted only those close to him, drew lines based on loyalty to himself…

This local emperor, whose every step shook the ground, had powerful backers behind him—even under "liang gui," he still had a chance to turn things around.

So, until the very last moment, neither Zhao Jian nor Meng Tong Huai Zhi felt truly confident.

Even if they arrested Sun Hexin and Sun Hewen, if Zhao Xiang turned things around, Qí City's public order would still not improve.

But fortunately, the final outcome was good—once formally investigated, even heaven's own lord couldn't save Zhao Xiang.

Moreover, from "liang gui" to formal investigation took less than ten hours—such speed proved the higher-ups had resolved to crush Zhao Xiang, this corrupt worm.

Meng Tong Huai Zhi stood by the window, tea cup in hand, the full moon hanging bright, its white light like flowing water.

Distant streetlights glowed with dim yellow light; in the night, insect chirps came intermittently.

Tonight's night in Qí City was no different from usual—seemingly tranquil and peaceful.

But only Meng Tong Huai Zhi knew that this tranquility had always been an illusion—beneath the darkness, countless crimes had been hidden.

But from today on, darkness could no longer conceal crime—law would restore order.

………………

At dawn, the municipal bureau sent people to Arong Banner to bring back Scarface, Bucktooth Monkey, Erping, Dashan, and nearly two hundred others.

Around eleven, Zuo Zuo Xingqing arrived at Zhenxing Village, accompanied not only by the city's lead official for investment promotion but also County Magistrate Hong Hong Xinmin.

Man Master had returned too, along with Wang Huichang, general manager of the county construction company.

The general contractor for the water plant project was naturally Yin Yin Jisheng's Hongyin Construction, which then subcontracted to the county construction company.

Little Yin was no longer the same man as two months ago. Hongyin Construction had been founded with a joint investment of 2.8 million from Xiangjiang Qiudongfang and Yuxi Real Estate.

Yuxi Real Estate held fifty percent, Xiangjiang Qiudongfang held eighteen percent, and Yin Yin Jisheng held thirty-two percent.

Afterward, some urban Zongheti infrastructure projects were given to him—now the title "Director Yin" carried far more weight than before.

Assigning him the water plant construction was a genuine surprise.

He had expected to spend at least two years doing odd jobs until the company's departments were fully staffed before being entrusted with construction.

Now that the chance had come, even if the company was still incomplete and talent scarce, he wouldn't let it slip.

Because there was Zhang Zhang Jianquan—Jian Construction was a big enterprise, lacking in everything except talent.

He didn't want active staff—he only wanted retired ones.

And over these two months, he hadn't stopped cultivating ties with Zhang Zhang Jianquan—couldn't he just "borrow" a few retired senior engineers?

"Director Zhou!" Zuo Zuo Xingqing gripped Zhou Andong's hand. "I failed in my duties and caused you trouble—I've come here personally to apologize."

"Leader!" Zhou Andong smiled. "You came all this way to apologize—it makes me a little uneasy."

Zuo Zuo Xingqing laughed heartily: "With this much sincerity, what are you afraid of?"

Zhou Andong joked: "The higher the leader, the more sincerity they show, the more they want from you—of course I'm uneasy."

Zuo Zuo Xingqing looked wounded: "I've always treated you as a friend—how can you think so little of me? It hurts."

"If you were an ordinary person, I'd believe you'd put friendship first—but as mayor of this city, what comes first in your heart is the people."

Zhou Andong's words stunned Zuo Zuo Xingqing, who then nodded in quiet agreement.

"I can't refute that—and I have no way to refute it—but I'm here today for one purpose only: to apologize to you."

Zhou Andong blinked: "But such a high-ranking leader travels hundreds of kilometers just to apologize to me—if I don't invest something, I'd feel guilty."

"Huh?"

Zuo Zuo Xingqing was momentarily stunned, but one of the officials accompanying him reacted quickly.

"Director Zhou, if you have any investment projects, the city will support them without hesitation."

At that moment, Zuo Zuo Xingqing snapped back to reality—he hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise today.

"Director Zhou, what are you thinking of investing in? Tourism?"

It seemed he still resented Zhou Andong's refusal to invest in tourism.

Zhou Andong waved his hand: "Mining—I want to invest in limestone mines and a cement plant."

"No problem!" Zuo Zuo Xingqing said without hesitation. "Our city is rich in mineral resources—tell me your ideas."

At this, Hong Hong Xinmin couldn't hold back: "Mayor, what's there to discuss? Our Arong Banner's mineral reserves—especially limestone—are among the best in the autonomous region, even nationwide."

Zuo Zuo Xingqing smiled: "Then you should ask Director Zhou which mine he's interested in."

"That limestone mine in Guzhen."

To others, Zhou Andong's words meant nothing—but Hong Hong Xinmin frowned, though he said nothing, his expression thoughtful, as if deep in contemplation.