Chapter 3298

As soon as he returned, he said repeatedly to Su Xinghui, "I am truly sorry, Mayor Su."

Su Xinghui said, "It's nothing. Everyone has their needs. However, you still need to explain this report to me."

Liu Zhaoyun subconsciously wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to Su Xinghui, "Mayor Su, we discovered that the abnormal fluctuations in housing prices over the past month or so have a great deal to do with those house-flipping groups. They have large amounts of capital in their hands; one group will buy dozens of properties at a time. By flipping houses like this, they naturally drove the prices up."

Su Xinghui said, "Then did you not discover such abnormal trends before?"

Liu Zhaoyun said, "Because this is a new trend, we lacked experience, and the time was too short—only a month or so. However, in the last few days, we have noticed this anomaly and were just preparing to investigate. But our sense of smell is still not as sharp as yours, Mayor Su; you perceived that something was wrong before we did."

While explaining, Liu Zhaoyun also subtly flattered Su Xinghui. However, Su Xinghui naturally wouldn't fall for such flattery. Su Xinghui asked again, "Then how do you plan to handle this matter?"

Liu Zhaoyun said, "I suggest voiding the purchase contracts of those house-flipping groups. That should stop the abnormal rise in housing prices, right?"

Su Xinghui said, "Under what clause would you void their purchase contracts? And which law or regulation have they violated?"

Liu Zhaoyun was instantly rendered speechless. That's right—is there any law now that says they cannot buy houses? And Su Xinghui's words made him even less clear about what Su Xinghui actually meant. He looked at Su Xinghui with some confusion.

Su Xinghui said, "Director Liu, I also have an investigation report here. You can take a look at it."

Su Xinghui handed the investigation report that Liang Zhiyi had given him to Liu Zhaoyun. Liu Zhaoyun's heart skipped a beat, and he had an ominous premonition. His hands trembled slightly as he opened the report. After reading a few pages, his face began to turn pale.

With trembling hands, he finished reading the report. His heart was in turmoil. Who gave this investigation report to Su Xinghui? It was written in such detail, clearly laying out the dishonorable roles played by those real estate development companies and the improper means they employed.

Liu Zhaoyun was, of course, all too aware of these matters. He knew that everything written in this report was fact. Su Xinghui was too terrifying—how did he investigate these facts so clearly? Since he already had this report, why did he still make him investigate?

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through Liu Zhaoyun's mind. He instinctively felt that he was in big trouble this time.

However, Liu Zhaoyun was not the type to sit and wait for death. He still had to try to save himself regardless. He looked up and said, "Mayor Su, where did you get this investigation report?"

Su Xinghui said, "Don't worry about where I got this report for now. I'm asking you: is what is written in this report the truth?"

Liu Zhaoyun said, "I'm not too sure about that yet, because I had the staff below me write this report, and they were the ones who investigated it. Mayor Su, I admit that I have fallen into the trap of bureaucracy; I didn't verify the report they provided before handing it to you. Please criticize me."

Liu Zhaoyun's face was full of sorrow. This attitude was very necessary; when making a self-criticism to a leader, attitude is paramount. With a good attitude, the leader will feel more comfortable.

Su Xinghui said, "I do indeed intend to criticize you, but we can talk about the criticism later. First, I ask you: if this investigation report is true, how should this matter be handled?"

Liu Zhaoyun said, "First, we must make them immediately stop this illegal behavior of driving up housing prices. Second, we must confiscate their illegal gains. Third, we must impose fines on them. Fourth, they must bear whatever legal responsibility is required."

Su Xinghui said, "Fine, your mind is still quite clear. Then go and re-investigate to see if the situation in this report is true. If it is true, handle it as it should be handled."

Liu Zhaoyun nodded, sweating profusely, and said, "Very well, Mayor Su. I will go and re-investigate immediately. As long as the situation is true, I will definitely handle them strictly."

Su Xinghui waved his hand, and Liu Zhaoyun picked up the two investigation reports and went out.

Watching Liu Zhaoyun's retreating back, Su Xinghui fell into deep thought. Liu Zhaoyun had not passed his test this time. How could Su Xinghui not know what role Liu Zhaoyun had played in this? However, he couldn't just take Liu Zhaoyun down over this one matter.

If that were the case, there might not be many cadres left in all of Baozhou who wouldn't be taken down.

Today could be considered a warning from Su Xinghui to Liu Zhaoyun, to see the strength with which Liu Zhaoyun handles this matter. As long as he can handle it well, he will be judged by his future performance.

Liu Zhaoyun gathered the heads of several real estate development companies together and told them about the matter. He said that this time, he was afraid their illegal gains would be confiscated, they would be fined, and someone would likely have to come forward to take responsibility.

As soon as Liu Zhaoyun's words were out, these bosses exploded. This was unacceptable! Wasn't this cutting off their path to wealth?

If they followed the standards Liu Zhaoyun mentioned, wouldn't they lose everything?

These bosses were considered figures in Baozhou, but they were all sent to Baozhou by their parent companies to be in charge of projects here and were accountable to those parent companies. If this project lost money, the parent company would hold them accountable, and they would instantly fall from their high pedestals, perhaps even ending up worse than ordinary people.

Moreover, listening to Liu Zhaoyun, it seemed someone had to come forward to take responsibility. Could they stand up and take that responsibility? They certainly knew what taking responsibility meant—it meant going to jail! How could they endure life in prison?

Such consequences were something they absolutely could not bear, so they exploded.

Boss Pan looked at Liu Zhaoyun with a ferocious expression and said, "Old Liu, this is too disloyal of you. We brothers haven't treated you poorly, have we? How can you justify doing this now? If we do this, won't we lose everything? Aren't you ruining us brothers?"

Someone else said, "That's right, Old Liu. Whatever money you want, just tell us brothers; we will absolutely satisfy your demands. But if you make us do this, no one can take it!"

"Old Liu, if you don't let us brothers have an easy time, we won't let you have an easy time either!"

"Old Liu, no matter what, you have to help us brothers smooth this over. We all know you have the ability. As long as you help us, we brothers will absolutely not treat you poorly!"

Some of these people played the good cop, some played the bad cop; in any case, they refused to accept such punishment. And rightly so—who would want to accept such punishment?

Liu Zhaoyun knew they were truly desperate, but the problem was that Liu Zhaoyun himself had no good solution. He was only a division-level cadre, and Su Xinghui was his immediate superior. Furthermore, Su Xinghui's background was overwhelming. What could he do?

Liu Zhaoyun said, "Bosses, don't be anxious yet. If it comes to that, the most I can do is spit out the money and go to jail. But I estimate that before long, you all will be inside keeping me company."

Hearing Liu Zhaoyun say this, Boss Pan and the others knew that Liu Zhaoyun was also desperate. Naturally, they didn't dare push Liu Zhaoyun too hard. They were only doing this to get Liu Zhaoyun to think of a way for them. Therefore, they all shut their mouths and stared at Liu Zhaoyun, waiting to see what else he had to say.