657: Chapter 657 Xiapu Galaxy Group

Initially, the amount wasn't that high—only one or two million star coins a year—which was completely affordable given the company's operating scale at the time.

The man had naively assumed this money was just a temporary deposit that would eventually be refunded once business stabilized and audits were passed. Thus, he had always obediently paid on time, never daring to be even slightly negligent.

But reality dealt him a heavy blow.

After this so-called deposit was handed over, it was like a stone sinking into the ocean; there was never any follow-up.

Whenever he plucked up the courage to ask about the refund, he was always met with vague excuses and stalling.

They would either say the process was still being reviewed, claim the System was being updated, or use various new regulations, documents, and inspections as a pretext. To put it bluntly, they clearly had no intention of refunding it and wouldn't even allow him to ask questions.

What made him even more desperate was that the amount grew larger every year, their appetite increasing with each passing day.

In the ten years since the license was issued, the Ministry of Energy had demanded sums under various pretexts such as deposits, management fees, maintenance fees, and safety inspection fees. The amount had skyrocketed from the initial one or two million to the current twenty or thirty million—a more than tenfold increase that had completely exceeded the limit of what an ordinary transport company could bear.

On the surface, this money was called a "deposit," but in reality, it was blatant extortion and looting. It was the endless exploitation of private enterprises by the parasites entrenched in the industry using their official power.

Ten years of endurance and ten years of concessions had not brought stability, but rather intensified greed. It had finally driven this owner, who had held on for so long, to the brink of desperation.

What made the father and daughter feel even more chilled and angry was that over all these years, the only period the Ministry of Energy hadn't dared to come forward and demand deposits was during the Empire's special crackdown.

During that time, the usually arrogant and domineering staff of the Ministry of Energy suddenly vanished. Not only did they stop coming for money, but even routine inspections became much rarer.

However, instead of restraining themselves, they secretly sent people to issue warnings and use threats and bribes to force everyone at Lingdong Transport Company to keep their mouths shut. They were forbidden from mentioning anything about the illegal fees or forced deposits to the outside world—not even a single word.

Pressured by the other party's power and threats, the father and daughter could only swallow their anger, fuming in silence. Other exploited business owners were the same, all choosing silence to protect themselves.

Yet even so, a few insignificant minor characters were taken away for investigation during the crackdown, which served as a superficial explanation to the public.

At the time, everyone thought this massive crackdown would finally uproot the parasites behind the scenes. But as soon as the news of the crackdown died down, everything quickly returned to the way it was before.

Every cent that was supposed to be collected was taken, and the exploitation continued as usual—even more severely than before.

Anyone with eyes could see that this crackdown hadn't touched the true Foundation at all. It had only taken down a few insignificant small fry, while the big bosses and protective umbrellas hidden in the depths remained as steady as Mt. Tai, completely unscathed.

At this thought, the atmosphere in the office sank to rock bottom again. The father and daughter looked at each other, their faces filled with despair, momentarily unsure of what their next step should be.

Just then, the young girl seemed to suddenly remember something. Her eyes lit up slightly, and she lowered her voice, speaking with a hint of cautious hope.

“That's right, Dad... I've heard people outside saying lately that the Empire has launched another comprehensive inspection. This time, it's an Inspection Team sent directly from the center with great power. It's supposedly no less significant than the last crackdown. Why don't we...”

Before she could finish, the owner's expression changed drastically. Almost reflexively, he reached out and firmly covered his daughter's mouth, his eyes filled with terror and tension.

“Shh... keep your voice down!”

He lowered his voice, his tone urgent and stern. Even the horns on his forehead trembled slightly from nervousness.

“How can you say such things so recklessly! If the Ministry of Energy's spies hear this, not only will the company be lost, but our entire family's lives could be forfeit!”

He knew their methods all too well—ruthless and capable of blotting out the sun.

Once the other party knew they wanted to report them or seek a reversal of their case through the Inspection Team, it wouldn't take a night for the father and daughter to be framed for some Mo Ming and bizarre crime, or even be publicly declared to have died in an “accident” or “committed suicide to atone for guilt.” By then, there would be nowhere left to seek justice.

The girl was startled by her father's sudden reaction. Her eyes widened, and she nodded repeatedly. Only when her father let go did she whisper with a sob in her voice.

“Then... then what on earth should we do? We can't just keep being bullied like this forever...”

The man let out a long sigh and slumped into his chair, his eyes dim and filled with a sense of powerlessness. He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice carrying an unmistakable weariness and hesitation.

“Sigh... let's wait a bit longer. We'll see when the Inspection Team actually enters the Xiapu Galaxy Cluster and is right before our eyes.”

In truth, deep down, he still didn't hold much hope for the Inspection Team.

If even such a massive crackdown last time couldn't shake the true mastermind, would it really be different this time?

He didn't dare to believe it, yet he had no choice but to grasp at this final straw.

This was already their only chance in their state of desperation.

If even the Inspection Team couldn't be relied upon, they would have to spend their lives working like beasts of burden for those parasites, obediently paying money until the company was completely bled dry, their family fortune exhausted, and they finally went completely bankrupt... After several consecutive days of interstellar travel, The 33rd Inspection Team led by Li Yang finally arrived smoothly at the eleventh target of this mission.

The Xiapu Galaxy Cluster... The fleet slowly entered the Galaxy's main spaceport and docked at the designated berth. The markings on the hull were clear and eye-catching, silently announcing the official arrival of the Inspection Team, and the atmosphere of the entire spaceport became solemn as a result.

As soon as the team had settled in, Sa Deli walked quickly to Li Yang with an electronic mission log in hand, stood at attention, and reported with a serious expression.

“Reporting to the Team Leader, we have successfully arrived at the eleventh inspection Galaxy Cluster, the Xiapu Galaxy Cluster. All equipment and personnel are in place and ready to begin work at any time.”

Li Yang stood before the viewing window of the Command Room, gazing at the brilliant star belts and dense interstellar space lanes of the Xiapu Galaxy Cluster. He nodded slightly and then asked.

“In the intelligence gathered before our departure, are there any inside stories worth paying close attention to in this Galaxy Cluster, or any problems that the public has frequently reported?”

Sa Deli immediately pulled up the encrypted intelligence screen and responded with a grave tone.

“Yes, and the clues point very clearly. According to the preliminary secret investigations and anonymous feedback, the Ministry of Energy under the Xiapu Galaxy Cluster Administrative Center has serious, systemic issues such as long-term bribery, illegal fee collection, and power-for-money trading. Multiple clues point to the core personnel of that department, and the citizens have been complaining for a long time.”