Chapter 834: Pulling the Firewood from Under the Cauldron (Part 1)

Time seemed to have been fast‑forwarded, and in the blink of an eye two and a half months had passed.

The weather in Wuzhou was unbearably hot; walking down the street you could feel the heat waves rising from the asphalt. But even hotter than the weather were some people's hearts.

In the conference room on the third floor of the Municipal Audit Bureau, smoke lingered.

Audit Group Leader Yan Wenbin sat in the seat of honor, with a stack of files about a foot high in front of him.

He was in his early fifties, his hair neatly combed, his eyes behind the gold‑rimmed glasses showing fatigue, yet also a hint of ease.

"Comrades."

Yan Wenbin cleared his throat and looked around the room.

He spoke slowly: "The audit work on Zhao Group's seven projects has been going on for seventy‑six days up to today. Thanks to the efforts of all our auditors, it is basically finished."

Low murmurs rose in the conference room.

The young auditor sitting in the corner, Lu Hanshan, frowned and wanted to speak but held back.

He was a graduate student who had just passed the entrance exam this year.

His professional ability stood out.

But because of that he failed to understand many things.

For example, why do some accounts clearly have problems, yet the group leader keeps saying we need to double‑check?

For example, why is the overseas fund of over two hundred million yuan merely described in the audit report as normal business dealings with an overseas subsidiary?

"Xiao Lu." Yan Wenbin suddenly looked over and asked, "Do you have any other questions on your end?"

Lu Hanshan gritted his teeth and stood up: "Group Leader, regarding Zhao Group's overseas funds, I think we need further verification. I pulled the records from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and found that before entering the country this money had passed through at least three layers of intermediaries, which does not match the characteristics of normal trade, so I suspect……"

"Xiao Lu."

Yan Wenbin interrupted him, his tone gentle but unquestionable: "Your caution is good, but audit work must also consider the actual situation. Zhao Group is Wuzhou's leading enterprise; it has only just resumed work and production, and we cannot let a few procedural hiccups disrupt its normal operations."

"But……"

"No buts."

Yan Wenbin waved his hand, firm: "Like this, put your doubts into a written document, attach it after the report as a note."

But the main conclusion will stand as we discussed.

Although Zhao Group's seven projects have some procedural irregularities and financial flaws, no major violations were found; we recommend rectification within a deadline, and it will not affect future operations.

These words amounted to setting the tone.

Lu Hanshan still wanted to say something, when an old auditor beside him quietly tugged at his sleeve.

He glanced at the old auditor, who gave a slight shake of the head.

Lu Hanshan fell silent and slowly sat down.

He knew.

That saying anything would be useless.

After the meeting adjourned, Yan Wenbin returned to his office, closed the door, and let out Along sigh.

He took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Wang Qigang: "Secretary Wang, the audit report can be released tomorrow, and the interrogation results are fine."

A few seconds later, Wang Qigang replied: "Thank you for your hard work. At tomorrow afternoon's Standing Committee meeting, I will propose a recommendation to unfreeze the assets."

Yan Wenbin looked at the message and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He felt that this time his gamble had paid off.

As long as Zhao Group's assets are unfrozen, Secretary Wang will surely credit him with a merit; I heard the position of Municipal Finance Bureau Director is about to become vacant—a lucrative post.

The next day.

Mayor's office, three o'clock in the afternoon.

Lin Dongfan had just finished signing a few documents when the desk phone rang; it was Xu Shiyuan, director of the Municipal Audit Bureau, calling.

"Mayor Lin, the preliminary report on the special audit of Zhao Group's seven projects is out." Xu Shiyuan's voice carried a hint of caution: "The audit team over there…… the conclusion is relatively mild."

Lin Dongfan put down his pen and said, "Give me the specifics."

"The conclusion is—no major violations were found; we recommend lifting the relevant measures in a timely manner, combined with the company's rectification." Xu Shiyuan paused, then added: "Yan Wenbin just came to see me and said that if the city has no objections, the audit team can issue the formal report tomorrow and proceed with closure."

Lin Dongfan said nothing.

He picked up another phone on the desk and sent a text to Yang Qing: "The audit results are out—fire under the heels, get back to me on the covert investigation progress!"

A few seconds later.

Lin Dongfan received the reply: "I've just obtained the full set of photocopies of the loan contract—annualized 36%, three‑month term, secured by six overseas properties! Photos and the money trail are all there."

Seeing this, Lin Dongfan finally let out a breath of relief.

Lin Dongfan put down the phone and said to the person on the other end: "Director Xu, hold the report for now. Seal all the original materials of the audit team—without my signature, not a single sheet may leave the Audit Bureau!"

Xu Shiyuan was visibly stunned: "Mayor Lin, this……"

"Carry out the order!"

Lin Dongfan hung up the phone directly.

He pressed his temples, thought for a few seconds, then pressed the internal line: "Xiao Chen, have Shi Liantang come to my office right now."

Five minutes later.

Shi Liantang of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission hurried over; this disciplinary heavyweight, always swift and decisive, entered and asked: "Mayor Lin, any news?"

Lin Dongfan pushed the photocopy of the loan contract that Yang Qing had sent over toward him: "Take a look at this."

Shi Liantang quickly flipped through the pages; as he read, his face grew solemn: "Zhao Tianyu borrowed this? An annualized rate of 36%—this is usury!"

"Not only that."

Lin Dongfan pushed over a few more photos: "This overseas financial institution has a money‑laundering background. Zhao Tianyu is desperately grasping at straws, putting his entire fortune on the line."

Shi Liantang furrowed his brow slightly and waited quietly for Lin Dongfan's next instruction.

Lin Dongfan added: "The preliminary audit report from the Audit Bureau concludes that no major violations were found, recommending that the relevant measures be lifted in a timely manner, combined with the company's rectification. In plain language, that means basically let it be, release the funds when it's time."

Speaking of this, Lin Dongfan's mouth curled into a sarcastic smile.

Shi Liantang also chuckled: "Looks like some people in the Audit Bureau think their current life is too comfortable."

"Now it's your turn to act, Discipline Inspection Commission." Lin Dongfan said: "Dereliction of duty, issuing audit reports in violation of regulations! This is sufficient grounds for action! First, detain Yan Wenzhen of the audit team."

"This Yan Wenzhen, the suspicions against him are no small matter." Shi Liantang laughed: "According to our preliminary understanding, his son studies in the UK, with annual expenses of at least 500,000. But the couple's legitimate income totals less than 300,000. Where does the extra money come from? That's the question."

"To dare to jump about on the tip of the storm—if we don't catch him, heavenly principle cannot tolerate it." Lin Dongfan further instructed: "Act quickly; after detaining the person, report to me immediately."

"As for Secretary Wang..."

Shi Liantang suddenly revealed a hint of worry.

Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation: "I will personally call Secretary Wang Qigang to report this matter, and suggest forming a new audit team to re-audit the Zhao Group project."

"Understood."

Shi Liantang nodded, as if suddenly realizing something.

"This is about creating a time lag!"

"Before Secretary Wang Qigang reacts, we'll detain the person, secure the evidence, make the facts irreversible! By the time Secretary Wang Qigang gets the call, the Discipline Inspection Commission personnel will already be on site—too late to intervene."

"Moreover, Lin Dongfan personally making the phone call to 'suggest' shows respect for the Municipal Party Committee Secretary on the surface, but actually turns the tables on Secretary Wang Qigang—you want to protect the Zhao Group? No way!"

"Mayor Lin, please rest assured; I guarantee to have the person under control within half an hour."

"Thank you for your hard work."

After seeing Sun Yongwen off, Lin Dongfan leaned back in his chair and glanced at the time.

"Wait until five o'clock in the afternoon."

Only then did Lin Dongfan pick up the red desktop phone on the table and dial the Municipal Party Committee's phone number.