297: Chapter 297 This is a little money for tea

Upon hearing that his movements would be restricted and he could not leave Xilin City, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun was initially a bit panicked. However, he soon relaxed because he had already thought of a solution and had made some preparations for it.

"Director Qin, rest assured, I will strictly follow your requirements and won't take a single step out of Xilin City. You've all worked very hard. This is just a little tea money; everyone can go have some tea and relax during their time off."

After saying that, he placed a bank card in front of Qin Chuan.

"What is the meaning of this..."

"Director Qin, it's just a little tea money, not much. The password is six eights. Everyone has come down from the capital; you should relax a bit in your spare time."

Qin Chuan wore a serious expression. "Mayor Zhou, this isn't right."

"What's not right about it? It's not much, just a little tea money. Director Qin, give me, Zhou, some face and accept it with peace of mind."

This was an inducement.

He wanted to use wealth to drag people down with him. As long as this bank card was accepted, then everything would be smooth sailing.

In Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun's dictionary, there was no cat in the world that didn't like fish. There was no reason not to accept benefits placed right before one's eyes.

To his relief, Qin Chuan pushed back a few times but finally accepted the bank card "with great reluctance."

Why did he accept it?

Mainly to lull Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun into a false sense of security.

If he didn't accept and refused sternly, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun would think the investigation team was determined to investigate to the end. In that case, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun might destroy evidence or even push out a small fry to take the blame.

By accepting the bank card, it was different. Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun would think Qin Chuan was a greedy person who took money to help others avert disaster. Since he took the money, he would have to help Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun handle this matter. Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun's vigilance would drop significantly, making the investigation much easier.

Having successfully delivered the bank card, Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun was clearly much more relaxed. He even warmly invited, "Director Qin, are you free tonight? Let's have a few drinks. I can introduce a few friends; everyone wants to meet you."

"I'll pass on the drinking. It wouldn't look good if word got out. Let's keep it low-key."

"Right, right, Director Qin has thought of everything. Then in a few days, I'll be the host, and we'll have a good few drinks."

Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun left very happy because Qin Chuan had taken the money, which meant he wouldn't hold onto his issues. He had basically passed the hurdle.

Little did he know that just a few minutes after he left, Qin Chuan went to check the bank card. Good heavens, it was incredible!

This was no 'tea money'; it was a full twenty million!

This Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun really went all out, giving twenty million in one go.

Well, another charge was added to his list: bribery. After checking the bank card, Qin Chuan took the initiative to call Party Secretary Qian Gang and report the matter.

After dinner, Qin Chuan organized a briefing for all members of the Joint Investigation Team to hear the progress of their investigations.

"Director Qin, you're amazing. Investigating according to your guidance, every lead is a hit!"

"Director Qin, it's basically confirmed. Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun has accepted huge amounts of property from others. The largest single sum is over fifty million, given by a business owner."

"Following your requirements, we checked several accounts. The total deposits amount to over two hundred million."

"Zhou Chun used coercion and trickery. We can basically prove he was the mastermind behind the scenes, setting up Li Zhongtu and plotting to seize Dongfang Dairy Group."

"..."

After hearing everyone's reports, Qin Chuan said, "I also have something you all need to know. Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun came to see me today..."

Qin Chuan briefly recounted the events.

After hearing it, everyone's expressions changed slightly. This Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun was far too bold, actually bribing the leader of the Joint Investigation Team, and with a full twenty million at that.

"Director Qin, I think we can proceed with arresting Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun!"

Qin Chuan said, "Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun will definitely be arrested, but more importantly, we must clarify the matters in Li Zhongtu's real-name report. The ins and outs of the situation, the detailed process, and which personnel were involved—everything must be investigated thoroughly."

"Public opinion is very strong right now. It has already been reported online that the Joint Investigation Team has entered Xilin City. The general public has placed great hopes in us, so we cannot let them down. We must investigate the matter as quickly as possible and then release an investigation report to the public."

After all, this was a hot-button issue with high visibility. Releasing an investigation report to the whole society was necessary. Only through openness, fairness, and transparency could the doubts and suspicions of the vast number of netizens be eliminated and the truth of the matter be restored for everyone.

Xilin City, a high-end club.

In the private room, cups were being toasted. The table was covered in delicacies from the mountains and seas, and the liquor was vintage moutai. One could estimate that this single table could consume one or two years' worth of an ordinary person's salary.

Extravagant, far too extravagant!

Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun sat in the seat of honor, high-spirited. He felt he had already made a safe landing. Since the other party had accepted the twenty million, there wouldn't be any major problems.

Others noticed that today's Mayor Zhou seemed a bit different, appearing to be in a very good mood. Someone couldn't help but say,

"Mayor Zhou, what's the great news? You look like you're in a good mood."

"Right, right, Mayor Zhou, why don't you share it with us?"

Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun laughed heartily. "Your noses are really sharp, and your eyes are keen. You even noticed that. You should all know about the Joint Investigation Team, right?"

Quite a few people nodded.

They all knew that the Joint Investigation Team had come down to investigate Li Zhongtu's real-name report, and some were even a bit worried.

Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun said, "I'll tell you some good news. The Joint Investigation Team will leave in a couple of days, and Li Zhongtu's report will come to nothing."

Really?!

This was truly wonderful news!

They were all in the same boat. If something happened to Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun, they would all be affected to some extent. Seeing that things were basically fine and he had made a safe landing, the atmosphere became lively.

Xilin Municipal Committee Guesthouse.

After the meeting, Qin Chuan returned to his room. He thought to himself that with his guidance, everyone was essentially taking an 'open-book exam.' Perhaps in another day or two, the matters in Li Zhongtu's real-name report would be investigated clearly, and the relevant evidence would be very sufficient.

When should he officially arrest Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun...

While he was thinking about these things, there was a knock at the door. Qin Chuan raised his hand to check the time; it was already after ten o'clock at night. Who could it be this late?

"Who is it?"

An unfamiliar young woman's voice came from outside. "Director Qin, I'm from the Municipal Party Committee Office. I have something to discuss with you."

From the Xilin Municipal Party Committee Office?

Qin Chuan opened the door. A young woman stood outside, appearing to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. She was wearing a white shirt, a black short skirt, and black stockings—the standard attire of a professional woman.

However, she was very beautiful.

Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a great figure, like a ripe peach. With this beauty and figure, ninety-nine percent of people would feel a surge of heat in their hearts upon seeing her.

The young woman was very polite. "Director Qin, I am Zhang Wanning from the Municipal Party Committee Office. You can call me Xiao Zhang or Wanning. May I come in?"