296: Chapter 296 I'm not discussing this with you, I'm officially informing you.

County Mayor Sheng Huaian had, of course, long since made inquiries. He knew that Qin Chuan had come to Jianning City specifically regarding Li Zhongtu's real-name report and had even done some homework.

Seeing Qin Chuan ask about it, he immediately said, "Over a year ago, when we were both working in Wanshun County, you might not have been following it, but I know a bit."

"At that time, a major incident occurred in Jianning City. Li Zhongtu, the chairman of Dongfang Dairy Group, was investigated on charges of tax evasion, illegal fundraising, and so on. He was detained for over a year and was only released two months ago."

"After coming out, Li Zhongtu ran around appealing for justice and seeking to clear his name. But as a businessman, how could he be a match for people like Zhou Chun? The power dynamic was completely uneven. Being able to get out of prison with an acquittal was already a stroke of immense luck."

But he wasn't resigned to it!

What was originally a healthy enterprise worth billions was gone just like that. The company had already changed its name and become someone else's asset.

Furthermore, because he was arrested back then, his family suffered persecution. His mother died, his wife became mentally ill, and his son's leg was broken, leaving him disabled.

The two of them chatted for a long time while drinking tea.

Qin Chuan obtained a lot of information from County Mayor Sheng Huaian.

His luck was quite good; he hadn't expected County Mayor Sheng Huaian to be in Jianning City. Otherwise, how could he have obtained so much useful information?

After learning about these circumstances, to be honest, Qin Chuan's mood was quite heavy.

A perfectly good entrepreneur and billionaire had actually fallen to such a state; it would be unacceptable to anyone.

As for whether it was tax evasion or illegal fundraising, a simple investigation would reveal the truth; it wasn't hard to check.

The difficulty lay in identifying the masterminds behind the scenes. Qin Chuan worried that if the investigation team continued and truly implicated certain people, those people would definitely push others forward to take the fall.

However, he had the system.

County Mayor Sheng Huaian had just said that the real mastermind might be Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun, even though Xilin City had flatly denied it, claiming the matter had nothing to do with Mayor Zhou.

Whether it was related or not, he would know once he checked through the system.

The discussion was mostly finished, and the tea was nearly gone. County Mayor Sheng Huaian extended an invitation, "Leader, if you have time, come back to Wanshun County for a visit. The comrades all miss you very much."

"Alright, I'll go back and take a look when I have time."

Jianning City and Ningzhou City were adjacent. It wasn't far to Wanshun County—about an hour's drive, all on the highway, taking less than two hours total.

After parting with County Mayor Sheng Huaian, Qin Chuan returned to the Jianning Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse, where all members of the Joint Investigation Team were staying.

Back in his room, the first thing he did was open the system to check Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun's situation, then he began to read quietly by himself.

After finishing, he thought to himself: another massive parasite.

A bit different from other corrupt officials, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun not only accepted huge sums of money and property to facilitate promotions, but he also acted as a protective umbrella for underworld forces. Even more serious was his use of force and trickery to seize property.

Regarding the forceful seizure of property, the system provided a wealth of information, including the case of Dongfang Dairy Group. Through setting traps and trumped-up charges, he framed Li Zhongtu and then snatched Li Zhongtu's Dongfang Dairy Group at a low price.

Impressive, truly impressive!

Qin Chuan was actually starting to feel a bit of admiration.

This guy's methods were very formidable.

Seeing that Dongfang Dairy Group had strong growth momentum and a bright future, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun put on a show of deep concern, visiting the company for research and inspections every few days.

Seeing that Dongfang Dairy Group needed a large amount of capital for development, he specifically acted as a middleman, claiming a provincial capital enterprise could provide financing. However, there were conditions: a Gambling Agreement had to be signed. It required Dongfang Dairy Group to reach an agreed scale and achieve agreed profits within a specified time. Otherwise, the group would have to repay the debt with high interest or be mortgaged to that enterprise at a low price.

Li Zhongtu was somewhat hesitant, but Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun lobbied him, saying that no business was without risk. Ultimately, Li Zhongtu fell into this trap and signed the Gambling Agreement.

The result was predictable. It was hard for Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun to build a company up, but he had a hundred ways to bring one down.

Dongfang Dairy Group, which originally had strong momentum, faced various problems and immense development difficulties after signing this Gambling Agreement.

It couldn't go on like this. Li Zhongtu began borrowing money and seeking financing everywhere, wanting to take one more gamble. Little did he know, he would be arrested directly on charges of illegal fundraising and detained for over a year before being released.

Understanding the entire sequence of events, a cold sneer appeared at the corner of Qin Chuan's mouth. He really played his hand well.

In the afternoon, the Joint Investigation Team held its first meeting since arriving in Xilin City to begin the investigation.

Everyone gave their reports. Initially, it seemed that Li Zhongtu's report was basically true, but gathering sufficient evidence would still take some time.

Qin Chuan was using cheats; he knew the entire process of the matter and how to investigate it. Thus, he carried out a series of task assignments, guiding everyone on how to conduct the investigation and so on.

After the meeting adjourned, the investigation team dove back into the inquiry. With Qin Chuan's guidance, things clearly went much more smoothly.

Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun was starting to get a little anxious.

He came in person to visit Qin Chuan.

"Director Qin, I've come to take the initiative and admit my mistake. I was muddled back then."

Upon meeting, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun struck a very humble posture, acting as if he had done something wrong and began to admit fault and apologize.

Qin Chuan listened quietly.

After listening for a while, a hint of disdain rose in his heart. This Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun was picking himself clean, admitting he had acted as a middleman for Li Zhongtu back then, but claiming it was all to give Dongfang Dairy Group a helping hand.

He claimed he was entirely a well-intentioned person who did something bad; had he known it would turn out like this, he never would have acted as a middleman. At this point, he even put on a regretful look.

It was a pity this guy didn't become an actor.

If he hadn't seen the information queried from the system and understood the entire sequence of events, Qin Chuan almost would have believed him.

After a round of apologies, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun said, "Director Qin, I'm here to state my stance: I will cooperate one hundred percent with the investigation. I hope the investigation team can clear my name soon. This matter really doesn't have much to do with me. I don't know why Li Zhongtu is fixated on me."

Qin Chuan smiled slightly. "Mayor Zhou, we will certainly investigate clearly who has problems and who doesn't. I am now notifying you in the name of the investigation team: before we have fully investigated the matter, you cannot leave Xilin City."

What!

I can't leave Xilin City?

After a brief stun, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun said, "Director Qin, I'm afraid that won't work. As the Executive Vice Mayor, I have to go down for research, I have to go to the province for meetings, and I have to go to the Capital to secure projects. I'm very busy; I certainly cannot agree to this request of yours."

Qin Chuan's expression turned stern. "Mayor Zhou, I’m not negotiating with you, I’m formally notifying you. If there is any violation, you will bear the consequences."

Sensing that something was wrong and that Qin Chuan seemed to be playing for keeps, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun grew anxious. His mind raced, and he immediately thought of a plan.