Chapter 68: Struggling Under a Three-Month Deadline

What meeting are we having today? Why the rush?

The footsteps on the hotel corridor were brisk; Lin Dongfan walked ahead, with Jian Sining holding materials, Tang Xia, and Zhang Xiaoguang closely following.

Jian Sining's eyesight wasn't great; she had always worn contact lenses.

Because of her dry-eye problem, she is no longer suited to wear contact lenses; yesterday she got a new pair of glasses.

This is her first time wearing glasses, and she still seems a bit unaccustomed.

When glasses slip down, people usually push them up with their middle finger on the nose bridge.

She hasn't yet realized to push with the middle finger; she adjusted the side of her glasses.

Her reply was crisp: "I don't know; this morning Prosecutor Liu called Boss Leng, and it seems there's a new directive from the province."

A new directive?

Could the province's wind have shifted?

Lin Dongfan's heart tightened, and he quickened his pace.

The Prosecutor General of Jianglan Province's Prosecutorate, Liu Yishou, known by the nickname "Keeping One Hand". Although Lin Dongfan has experienced two lives, he still can't figure out which faction Liu Yishou belongs to.

In his previous life, he was lowly and could only look up to the province's power struggles, unable to reach them.

The atmosphere in today's meeting room is somewhat tense.

The task force's section chief, Leng Chuan, was already seated at the head of the long table, waiting. On the left side of the table sat the solemn He Yanqing and his three investigative team members.

Lin Dongfan led his three subordinates and took their seats on the right side of the long table.

"Dongfan, you're late."

Leng Chuan pointed to his left wristwatch, though he still wore a faint smile. For someone with his icy face, a smile is a luxury.

Lin Dongfan apologized: "Sorry, traffic held me up; from now on I'll leave a few minutes earlier."

"Captain Lin's work ethic is still commendable." He Yanqing suddenly spoke with a smile, unsure whether he was genuinely praising or being sarcastic.

Never mind; Lin Dongfan gave a light smile without replying, turning his gaze to Leng Chuan.

Leng Chuan said: "Everyone's here, let's get to the point. As soon as the re-evaluation results of the 9·28 forest fire came out, the province split into two voices—some approved, some didn't. The approving side doesn't want us to continue investigating and demands our task force wrap up the case quickly."

Hearing this, everyone's faces grew considerably gloomier.

Lin Dongfan asked: "What does Prosecutor Liu mean?"

Leng Chuan looked at everyone present: "Prosecutor Liu has bought us three months; we must conclude the case within that time."

There's an inside matter that Leng Chuan didn't mention.

It's Secretary Liang, the top provincial committee secretary; his term has only three months left. During his term, no one can halt the investigation. After he steps down, Prosecutor Liu surely won't dare to confront the higher-ups head-on.

Xiao Yunce isn't a lone wolf either; he has backers above him.

Leng Chuan then asked Lin Dongfan and He Yanqing:

"Your ranks are still dueling; we'll see the outcome in three months. If neither of you can uncover the big tiger behind the scenes, then this battle will be indecisive."

He Yanqing pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "Whether I win or lose, I don't really care."

Doesn't care?

You bastard, you've probably forgotten already? Back when you wanted to win, you once burst onto the scene midway to ruin my scheme, even leaking my whereabouts to Yin Qiuhong!

Lin Dongfan concealed his inner scorn.

On the surface he remained affable and proper, replying: "Section Chief He is right; winning or losing is secondary. Now our time is short; uncovering the big tiger is what matters most."

"It's rare that your opinions are so unanimous."

Leng Chuan rarely showed a hint of a smile, then asked He Yanqing: "Old He, how's your investigation progress on your end?"

"My investigative focus is mainly on the Hengsha Group side."

Saying this, He Yanqing glanced at Lin Dongfan sitting opposite, seemingly intending to keep some clues, avoiding discussion of the investigation's progress.

He only added: "Compared to Yin Qiuhong, Hengsha Group's boss Wang Minjuan is the truly tough nut to crack."

As soon as he said that, it instantly sparked the collective anger of the four people opposite.

"What the hell can you do?!"

"Are we just making up the numbers?"

The perpetually silent Tang Xia couldn't help but retort: "Section Chief He, Yin Qiuhong is a wielding-real-power figure, a nuclear bomb on Nanzhou's officialdom! How is her backbone not as tough as Wang Minjuan's? Wang Minjuan is merely a businessman; no matter how capable, he ultimately still has to look at the faces of those in power."

"Wang Minjuan isn't an ordinary businessman."

He Yanqing kept a calm smile, seemingly pleased to see the four opposite erupt collectively.

Lin Dongfan gestured for Tang Xia to swallow his words, then calmly replied to He Yanqing: "Whether it's Yin Qiuhong or Wang Minjuan, they're just pawns; uncovering the big tiger behind them is true skill."

Leng Chuan nodded deeply in agreement:

"Dongfan is right; our time is short, we need to speed up progress—once the big tiger is firmly in place, moving him will be even harder."

"This 'firmly in place' refers to the upcoming election congress of Nanzhou's Municipal People's Congress in April."

"By then, Xiao Yunce is very likely to shed the acting mayor's hat, firmly take the second seat in Nanzhou City, rise to deputy ministerial level, shifting from provincial to central management cadre."

"Just as Lin Dongfan lowered his head, desperately thinking of a breakthrough point."

"He Yanqing suddenly asked with a smile: 'Captain Lin, you've had Yin Tiesheng in custody for three days, right? Still haven't gotten a confession?'"

Leng Chuan also shifted his gaze onto Lin Dongfan.

Earlier, He Yanqing had deliberately concealed the investigation's progress; how could Lin Dongfan be foolish enough to blurt out the truth? Who knows whether He Yanqing has ever slept with Yin Qiuhong.

Lin Dongfan returned the smile with a counter: "Yin Tiesheng's mouth is indeed tough; I really can't pry it open. I have no ideas, and I can't use torture to extract a confession. Why don't you give me a suggestion?"

He Yanqing, who had been smug, saw his smile gradually freeze.

As a veteran with over a decade of anti-corruption experience, He Yanqing has dealt with all kinds of corrupt officials and indeed has a way to make Yin Tiesheng talk.

But he never thought of helping Lin Dongfan.

He shifted his gaze to Leng Chuan: "Section Chief Leng, if there are no further instructions, I'll withdraw for now; I still need to make a trip to the Hengsha Group today."

Hmm.

Lengchuan nodded silently.

After He Yanqing left, Lengchuan asked Lin Dongfan again: 'Are you really unable, or just pretending? This matter cannot be delayed.'

Don't worry, Chief Leng, since I've already caught Yin Tiesheng, he can't even think of getting out; his next stop can only be prison. Lin Dongfan was full of confidence.

Lengchuan pondered for a moment.

He added: 'The reason He Yanqing directed the investigation toward the Eternal Sand Group instead of acting against Yin Qiuhong here is because there are too many people protecting Yin Qiuhong, making the resistance great and the danger high.'

I know. Lin Dongfan nodded.

Lengchuan again warned solemnly: 'The situation in the province is unpredictable; we must win this battle within three months, or else... you, I, and Secretary Chu could all be purged.'

Understood.

This was the second time Lin Dongfan had seen Lengchuan's face so grim.

The first time was at the hospital in Qingyang County, when Lengchuan's wife died in a car accident and his daughter was seriously injured and hospitalized, casting a shadow over his entire life.

Today was the second time, as if a deadly sword hung over his head.