Chapter 1038: You Can't Handle It

Wang Jiancheng said, “If you hadn’t come to Dongzhou, neither my father nor I would have paid so much attention to this city. We’re always family. We hope to use our investment to help Dongzhou revive its economy, and in some way, offer you some help too.”

The subtext of Wang Jiancheng’s words was that investing elsewhere is also an option; coming to Dongzhou is to help you, rather than seeking to benefit from you.

Wang Jianming said, “Do you know about Uncle’s acquisition of Jiayue Department Store?”

Wang Jiancheng replied, “Ever since he recovered, I haven’t paid much attention to his business deals. It’s better for you to ask him directly. Brother, I have things to do, so I’ll head out first.”

Wang Jianming said, “Alright, Jiancheng, go ahead and keep busy, get in touch if you need anything.”

After Wang Jiancheng left, He Wanying came out of the room and asked, “Why didn’t you invite him to stay for dinner?”

Wang Jianming said, “He’s busy with business.”

He Wanying noticed his unhappiness and poured a cup of tea, handed it to him gently, “What’s the matter?”

Wang Jianming said, “Uncle’s acquisition of Jiayue Department Store seems to be true.”

He Wanying said, “As long as it’s a legal business action, what’s the impact on you?”

Wang Jianming said, “There was an incident at Jianjie Square recently, I’m worried people might gossip.”

He Wanying laughed, “Gossip about what? You’re upright, just ignore it.”

Wang Jianming shook his head, “Public opinion can be overwhelming, don’t overlook the power of rumors.”

Lu Qi received notice that Tang Jinglun had important information to report and immediately summoned him for questioning.

Tang Jinglun squinted at Lu Qi, “Why is it you?”

Lu Qi replied sarcastically, “A businessman as you are, calculating about everything even in confession, are you picky about who you confess to?”

Tang Jinglun said, “I didn’t mean to underestimate you. You’re too low-ranking; the matter I’m revealing is too big for you to handle.”

Lu Qi laughed, “You don’t need to worry about me. If I can’t handle it, the law can. Are you going to confess or not? If not, I’m not wasting my time here.” He closed the folder and signaled to his partner that he was about to leave.

Tang Jinglun said, “Don’t go, I’ll talk. Do you have a cigarette?”

Lu Qi took out a cigarette, handed it to him, and lit it for him.

Tang Jinglun took a puff and said, “Your focus is wrong. Duan Yuanhong’s destruction of ancient tombs and theft of artifacts happened over ten years ago. Why is it being revealed now? Who revealed it? What was the purpose of revealing this matter? Have you thought about it?”

Lu Qi said, “Stop trying to sidestep the issue. Duan Yuanhong has confessed, admitting that you, as the general manager of Jianjie Square project, ordered the flattening of the Han Tombs and hiding of artifacts.”

Tang Jinglun replied, “That guy will say anything to protect himself. I’m not involved in that matter. You’ve only seen the theft case, but why haven’t you seen the case within the case?”

Lu Qi asked, “Are you referring to Liang Zhigang being run over by a dump truck?”

Tang Jinglun vigorously puffed his cigarette, “Officer Lu, can’t you expand your perspective? Haven’t you noticed from start to finish that someone has been intentionally targeting us brothers, creating debt crises, suppressing stock prices, exposing all sorts of unfavorable rumors, all to reap us? Our superior asset, Changxing Hospital, was snatched away by them, and they won’t stop. They’ve set their sights on Jianjie Square, creating one incident after another, robbing us of all our wealth.”

Lu Qi slapped the table, “Tang Jinglun, stop straying from the topic, you’d best honestly confess your own crimes.”

Tang Jinglun said, “I told you, you can’t handle it, you don’t dare to manage. Even if you see it, you don’t dare investigate.”

Lu Qi said, “Tang Jinglun, you’re probably unaware of what’s happening outside, aren’t you? Tang Jingshui is your cousin, right?”

Tang Jinglun dismissed the notion, “Just a distant relative.”

Lu Qi said, “Tang Jingshui just turned himself in, admitting to organizing and planning the kidnapping case of Qi Shuang’s mother and son. Your older brother, Tang Jingwei, for some unknown reason, disappeared suddenly on the night police successfully rescued the hostages.”

Tang Jinglun looked at Lu Qi in astonishment, “What did you say?”

Lu Qi said, “I don’t need to repeat myself to you; I’ll just remind you, time is running out for you.”

Tang Jinglun flicked the ash into the ashtray, “Did something happen to my elder brother?”

Lu Qi said, “I have no idea. As of now, his fate is uncertain. I advise you to cooperate well with our investigation and tell us everything you know.”

Tang Jinglun said, “Then I definitely won’t say. Speaking would be a dead end for me.”

“You… are truly stubborn!” Lu Qi indeed had no other methods when facing this old fox.

Tang Jinglun greedily finished the remaining cigarette, speaking meaningfully, “Officer Lu, you’re still too young. Do you know why they assigned you to this case? Because everyone knows it’s thorny, nobody dares dig deep. Failing to solve the case means taking responsibility; solving it makes it worse. You’re a good man. If you want to know the truth, it’s simple: see who’s the ultimate victor. Those people are the creators of this series of events.”

Lu Qi finished the interrogation, looked at the time, and remembered he had a dinner party tonight. Fan Lidada had organized it to celebrate his big brother Lu Ming’s temporary appointment as the Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau.

It was dark when Lu Qi left the office, unsurprisingly the last to arrive.

Lu Ming, Fan Lidada, Xu Chunliang, and Qin Zhengyang were playing cards.

Upon seeing him, Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but complain, “You’re something else, always the last one. Come take my place for a couple of rounds.”

Lu Qi waved his hand, “I’ve had a long day, you all play first, I need some water.”

Lu Ming said, “My younger brother is busier than I am now.”

Qin Zhengyang laughed, “Being busy is good. It shows taxpayers’ money isn’t being wasted.”

Everyone laughed, and Fan Lidada said, “Secretary Qin is right, we must live up to the public’s trust.” Out of the group, he was the most relaxed, mainly because Fan Lidada didn’t have any authority.

But that might soon change. With Lu Ming taking over work at the Culture and Tourism Bureau, and being both the Deputy Director and Lu Ming’s close friend, Fan Lidada would need to fully support him. Fan Lidada was genuinely happy for Lu Ming. He also knew that Lu Ming’s promotion had the backing of Xu Chunliang and Qin Zhengyang; otherwise, Secretary Wang wouldn’t have picked Lu Ming from so many candidates.

Lu Qi gulped down two cups of tea and stood behind Xu Chunliang to help him with his cards.

Xu Chunliang asked, “Haven’t solved the case yet?”

Lu Qi replied, “Do you think it’s child’s play? Those guys are all sly, tight-lipped.”

Xu Chunliang used four Jacks to beat Qin Zhengyang’s four 8s, and Lu Ming added five 5s, while Xu Chunliang countered with a big flush.

Qin Zhengyang said, “Your cards are too good. I’m not playing, it’s boring.”

Fan Lidada laughed, “Chunliang, playing like this isn’t right; you’re making the leaders unhappy.”

Qin Zhengyang laughed, “Exactly, always targeting me. When I play with leaders, I dismantle my bombs.”

Everyone laughed, realizing that playing cards and chess also often reveal some political strategies.

Lu Ming said, “Time to eat, Lu Qi, go arrange the dishes.”

Once the five sat down, Lu Ming first asked Lu Qi if he could drink, to which Lu Qi shook his head.

Fan Lidada said, “How boring, never drinking. Lu Qi, are you abstaining for work or for fertility planning?”

Lu Qi laughed, “Both.”

Xu Chunliang said, “I don’t even like dining with him anymore. Not only doesn’t he drink, he starts talking about cases just a few words in, really dull.”

Qin Zhengyang said, “Don’t pick on Lu Qi; being work-focused isn’t wrong. Without our diligent police officers, we wouldn’t have this stable and united environment.”

Lu Qi said, “See, see how Secretary Qin thinks on a whole different level than you all.”

Qin Zhengyang said, “Alright, don’t praise me too much, Old Lu, you take the head seat.”

Lu Ming was now the rank of a proper director, the highest among them all. In bureaucratic circles, there’s an unwritten rule to sit according to rank, especially today when the theme was celebrating Lu Ming’s promotion.

Lu Ming smiled, “No, you have to take the head seat.” After some polite pushing between them, Lu Ming finally pressed Qin Zhengyang to the main seat. Nowadays, not just Lu Ming, but most directors across Dongzhou would defer to him.

After Qin Zhengyang took his seat, he said, “Let’s agree first, in private drinking sessions no more using titles, we’re all friends. Call me by name, or Little Qin, and if you respect me, call me brother if you’re younger.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Anyway, you’re all my big brothers.”

Seeing the scene, Fan Lidada pondered whether to propose a sworn brotherhood. But after thinking about it, he realized it wasn’t appropriate. Even though he was a deputy director himself, being the oldest and having the least potential for career advancement, others might think he was trying to gain favor through this, or even that he had ulterior motives. Moreover, forming cliques in this way was not allowed in the bureaucracy now.

Today’s theme was Lu Ming, so after the customary three drinks, each person toasted him.

Lu Ming drank a bit tipsily and said to Qin Zhengyang, “Zhengyang, although the command center has been separated from the Culture and Tourism Bureau, I think we should still collaborate. Weishan Lake is also a key focus for Dongzhou Culture and Tourism.”

Qin Zhengyang smiled, “Old Lu, there’s a reason Secretary Wang made the command center independent. Although he didn’t say explicitly, I think it’s to promote healthy competition. The command center for the national resort construction has its scope on Weishan Island, but Weishan Lake is big, and without the Culture and Tourism Bureau’s cooperation, the command center’s work can’t proceed.”

Lu Ming said, “I don’t have any previous experience in Culture and Tourism work, Zhengyang, you have to help me.”

Qin Zhengyang said, “We’re all not outsiders, so I won’t hold back. I’m just holding a nominal position in the command center; my work is busy enough as it is, no spare energy to manage that. That’s why back then Secretary Wang specifically asked Xu Chunliang to help.”

Everyone turned to Xu Chunliang, who said, “Brother Zhengyang, there’s no way Secretary Wang named me; it was surely you who recommended me.”