Chapter 845

Mortal Group Wuzhou branch, CEO office.

Standing behind her, the Chief Financial Officer was reporting to Ye Jiaying: "Ms. Ye, the asset audit of Zhao Group is seventy percent complete. The problems found are far more than expected, especially the 'Cloud Peak Mountain Villa' item—illegal land use, inflated costs, bribery records..."

The materials have been prepared; as per Mayor Lin's request, they have been simultaneously transferred to the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Audit Bureau.

"Hmm." Ye Jiaying responded: "What about Zhao Tianyu's personal assets?"

"We're still tallying; the domestic portion is basically frozen, and there are several overseas properties and accounts—we've applied for freezing through our cooperating law firm. However…" The CFO hesitated: "Action might be slow; there are signs that some funds were transferred before Zhao Tianyu's death."

"Recover as much as possible."

Ye Jiaying said: "Also, issue a statement to the other side, saying that after we take over Zhao Group, we will fully cooperate with government investigations, proactively disclose historical issues, and actively assume social responsibility."

"Understood."

After the CFO left, Ye Jiaying opened her computer and pulled up an encrypted file.

Inside were some "special" account transactions of Zhao Group over the past few years, involving several names she was familiar with—not from Wuzhou, but from the province.

She looked at it for Along time, backed it up, then deleted the original file.

Some things are not yet ready to be brought out.

Although Zhao Tianyu is dead, the anti-corruption and anti-crime storm in Wuzhou hasn't ended. Ye Jiaying knows very well that against a true powerhouse, she only has one chance to act.

But this opportunity still requires watching and waiting.

Meanwhile.

The Criminal Investigation Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau also had a somewhat subtle atmosphere at the moment.

The news of Zhao Tianyu's killing had already spread.

The one who killed him was the detachment leader—Zhou Zheng, that usually stern, iron-faced Zhou Team; logically this should be a great merit, yet no one in the detachment dared to speak loudly about it.

Deputy Detachment Leader Gao Yicheng knocked on Zhou Zheng's office door and saw him sitting at his desk writing a report.

"Zhou Team."

Gao Yicheng placed a document in front of Zhou Zheng.

He then reported: "The on-site inspection report shows no issues with ballistic comparison, bloodstain analysis, or trace evidence. The bureau has already classified the case: Zhao Tianyu resisted arrest with a gun, and your use of weapons was lawful and fully compliant."

"Hmm."

Zhou Zheng didn't even lift his head, nodding naturally.

Gao Yicheng hesitated, then said: "However, Zhou Team, there's something… the technical section says the angle of the shot to Zhao Tianyu's abdomen is too 'straight,' not like a shot fired during a fierce struggle."

"Gao Team."

Zhou Zheng stopped writing and finally lifted his head.

He calmly gazed at Gao Yicheng: "Write the technical report however it should be written, and file it accordingly. The case is closed; don't stir up trouble."

"Understood."

Gao Yicheng gave an embarrassed laugh, not daring to say more, and turned to leave the office.

Zhou Zheng continued writing the report, the pen tip scratching softly on the paper.

When he reached the "Experience and Lessons" section, he wrote without hesitation: "When facing armed criminals resisting arrest, one must remain highly vigilant, act decisively, and protect the public and oneself!"

With that stroke, the model officer's image leapt onto the paper.

…

At seven in the evening, a private room at a riverside homestyle restaurant.

Lin Dongfan and Yang Qing sat opposite each other, with several home-cooked dishes on the table, a bottle of baijiu opened, but neither of them drank much.

"What do you think of Zhou Zheng?"

Lin Dongfan picked up a peanut and asked casually.

Yang Qing was dealing with a piece of braised pork ribs, eating and chatting: "Five years ago, Old Zhou once collaborated with me in a cross-provincial manhunt for the main suspect in the '1123' armed robbery case..."

"Are you two close?" Lin Dongfan asked.

Yang Qing recalled without hesitation: "Back then, the robbers had a homemade hunting rifle, hiding behind a stack of chemical drums. When I and Old Zhou sneaked up quietly, the robber suddenly rushed out and fired at us. Old Zhou reacted incredibly fast—he shoved me aside and took a bullet in his shoulder. Steel pellets sprayed blood. If he hadn't pushed me away, I would have likely lost my life there."

"Why haven't I heard you mention this before?" Lin Dongfan frowned.

Yang Qing's face instantly fell: "At that time his reaction was faster than mine; I was the one holding him back. Such an embarrassing matter, me telling you today already gives you face."

"Damn it, if that's what you say, do I still have to thank you for your trust?" Lin Dongfan rolled his eyes.

Yang Qing replied solemnly: "There are plenty of things you should thank me for—for example, I've trained your future daughter-in-law to be outstanding; not only is she beautiful, but her academic performance is also remarkable..."

"Enough, let's get back to the matter at hand."

"Fine, then let's drop this and get back on track."

Yang Qing lifted his cup and took a small sip.

With a bit of alcohol.

He then began to recall the past: "Later in the hospital, I asked Old Tong what he was thinking at the time. Guess what he said? He said: 'I didn't think of anything; it was just an instinct.' I felt that was sincere."

"So... you trust him a lot?" Lin Dongfan asked.

"Of course." Yang Qing said relievedly: "Old Zhou is just as his name suggests—upright! He usually does things by the book, his principles are so strong it's headache-inducing. If he wanted to get promoted and make money, he'd have plenty of opportunities. The Provincial Department once wanted to transfer him, but he firmly refused, saying staying at the City Bureau as the head of criminal investigation would give him more case opportunities. Someone who's solely focused on solving cases—what do you think could be wrong with him?"

Hearing this, Lin Dongfan fell silent for a moment.

He analyzed: "Zhao Tianyu resisted arrest with a gun; there were indeed traces of gunfire at the scene. But he only fired one shot, which didn't hit Zhou Zheng."

"While Zhou Zheng fired two shots."

"The first shot hit Zhao Tianyu's abdomen, non-fatal."

"The second shot struck Zhao Tianyu's heart, killing him instantly."

"Logically, after being hit by the first shot, Zhao Tianyu should have lost his ability to retaliate, so Zhou Zheng had no need to fire a second shot. Even if a second shot were necessary, there was no need to kill him with one shot."

Yang Qing laughed, put down his cup: "Pretentious, you little prick, saying this while standing without back pain, being overly idealistic about some things. What kind of person is Zhao Tianyu? That guy is a black‑society boss with several lives on his hands. Facing such a ruthless criminal, any hint of mercy is playing with your own life. In the situation where the criminal opened fire while resisting arrest, I don't think Old Zhou's approach was wrong at all."

"I don't deny your point." Lin Dongfan said, torn: "But I still feel... Zhou Zheng's second shot didn't need to be lethal. I always have the feeling that this wasn't about apprehending a fleeing suspect, but about silencing him."

You can't just randomly talk about this kind of thing.

Yang Qing smiled and said: "This case has already been characterized, it's already been announced in the newspaper. If you keep talking like that, you're not just slapping Zhou Zheng's face—you're also slapping the face of your Wuzhou City Bureau and the face of the Provincial Department. If you go ahead and stab with this spear, I estimate Teacher Luo, who oversees political and legal affairs, will also scold you for looking for trouble when there's none."

I was just speaking offhand.

Lin Dongfan lifted his wine cup and drank slowly, no longer speculating about who was right or wrong.

Yang Qing suddenly said again: "Pretentious one, I guarantee you with my integrity—that upright comrade Zhou Zheng really isn't the kind of person you imagine."

Maybe I overthought it.

Lin Dongfan poured himself another cup and drank it, dispelling the doubts in his chest.

You just arrived in Wuzhou to take office, facing overwhelming resistance—I understand. You're purely under great pressure, so you see everyone as corrupt.

Yang Qing refilled Lin Dongfan's wine.

Then he said: "Zhao Tianyu's death is a good thing for you—one less big trouble, and Wang Qigang's side also lost an arm. Next, you can focus on cleaning up the remnants."