Director Yang entered the office, and Peng Xingrong warmly shook hands with him.

Each year, the gifts he paid to this Director Yang were in the millions.

"Director Yang, why did you come personally?"

Director Yang's serious expression made him uneasy.

After the secretary left, he took out a document: "Chairman Peng, this time, I can't help you."

Peng Xingrong felt a tremor in his heart; on the document, it said "Punishment Notification."

He maintained a smile and opened it silently.

Upon seeing the penalty standard, his heart immediately sank to the bottom.

Just as Mr. Ruan had said, it's the maximum penalty!

Five times the total amount of tax evasion!

His hands trembled, and his face visibly turned pale.

"Director Yang..."

"Chairman Peng," Director Yang shook his head, "I really can't help you this time, this is the order from above, don't make it difficult for me."

Peng Xingrong was internally agitated, wanting to scold him right to his face.

Can't help me now?

Didn't you swear by your chest when I gave you money every year?

But he only dared to curse in his heart and didn't dare to say it out loud.

He remembered the questions Mr. Ruan advised him to ask and immediately said, "Director Yang, is it just a fine this time? There won't be a criminal prosecution, right?"

If it's just a fine, well, at most, it's just money to avoid disaster!

But if there's a public prosecution...

Then he would strive for imprisonment, dragging a bunch of people down with him!

If I'm not having it good, then you all better not dream of having it good, either!

At worst, I'll sell the company and emigrate!

Who in business hasn't prepared one or two foreign green cards?

Director Yang still said nothing, and seeing his demeanor, Peng Xingrong's heart sank.

He knew that perhaps there really would be a public prosecution!

"This case has gotten quite big, and it's already trending. Moreover, you've had the misfortune to coincide with Lingjiang's cultural initiative, and the order from above is to set an example."

Peng Xingrong took out a cigarette, lit it, and wore a grim expression.

Director Yang felt quite awkward, too.

Under different circumstances, before Peng Xingrong smoked, he would have to offer one to him first.

But now, Peng Xingrong didn't offer a cigarette, and he didn't dare say anything.

He was also afraid.

Afraid that Peng Xingrong, in desperation, would incriminate him.

At such times, he had to appease Peng Xingrong and let him not make trouble, and accept reality.

"Chairman Peng..."

"Director Yang." Peng Xingrong said, "I'll pay the fine, can I avoid jail?"

Director Yang was worried about provoking him, but on such matters, how could he offer guarantees?

"I can't make any promises, but I will definitely help you smooth over some connections."

This obvious excuse could be detected by even a fool.

But Peng Xingrong didn't get angry; he nodded, "Alright, then I'll wait for Director Yang's good news."

"I will quickly gather the fine, submit it, and not cause any trouble for Director Yang."

Director Yang forced a smile, chatted a bit, and then left.

After he left, Peng Xingrong did not immediately call Mr. Ruan.

He pondered alone for a few minutes before asking his secretary to invite Mr. Ruan over.

When Mr. Ruan returned to the office, he saw a few more cigarette butts in the ashtray and smiled, "What did Director Yang say?"

Peng Xingrong said, "Maximum penalty, and a public prosecution."

Mr. Ruan nodded, "Has Chairman Peng thought it through? Need my help?"

Peng Xingrong asked, "How can you help? Even if I want to leave Lingjiang, with my current situation, I can't possibly get away."

Mr. Ruan said, "Leaving Lingjiang is a fundamental solution. But before solving the root issue, you must first address the symptoms."

"Secretary Wu now wants to initiate a prosecution to put you away. The first step, I will help you resolve this matter."

Peng Xingrong was surprised and a bit skeptical.

"Can Mr. Ruan really settle this for me?"

Mr. Ruan smiled faintly, exuding confidence, "If I couldn't handle this, I wouldn't dare to approach Chairman Peng."

Peng Xingrong asked, "How much money is needed?"

Mr. Ruan shook his head, "Money, let's not rush into that conversation. I don't do one-off deals."

"Since the punishment opinion is already out, I won't hide it from Chairman Peng."

"I'm sure Chairman Peng has already guessed my identity."

Peng Xingrong nodded, he had guessed that Mr. Ruan was a political broker.

The average person simply lacks the capacity to know a Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee's punishment opinion on a company in advance.

Only a political broker with immensely powerful connections could manage such a feat.

Mr. Ruan said, "According to the rules in our field, payment is only collected after the matter is resolved."

"If I take money now, Chairman Peng would surely worry that I'm taking this opportunity to cash in."

Indeed, this was Peng Xingrong's biggest internal worry.

"I will first help you avoid criminal penalties."

"During this period, Chairman Peng can start handling some of the company's business."

Peng Xingrong asked, "Where does Mr. Ruan think Futong Company should go?"

The other party was a political broker, with resources and connections beyond his imagination.

Mr. Ruan said, "I currently have three recommended cities, the most suitable for Chairman Peng is Nanyuan County."

"Nanyuan County?"

Peng Xingrong couldn't help but frown; he actually recommended a county?

Seeing Peng Xingrong's concerns, Mr. Ruan said, "Chairman Peng, since you're planning to move the company, naturally you should choose the place most beneficial to your interests."

"Among the options I've prepared for you, the other two cities are prefecture-level cities, economically not too good but not bad either, similar to Lingjiang."

"But these cities have one big issue, which is instability and a rather poor business environment."

"If you are going for the business environment, I'd suggest you go directly to the Provincial City."

"Or go to some major second-tier or first-tier cities."

"The business environment in those cities is absolutely good!"

"However, living costs in big cities are high, and business costs even higher."

"Moreover, Futong Company is of average scale, even if I help you to connect, it won't secure very favorable policies."

"Since you want to relocate, you should choose a place that can provide a fast track for Futong Company."

Peng Xingrong slightly nodded, Mr. Ruan had deep insights into company operations.

He asked, "Nanyuan is just a county, could its business environment really be better than that of a city?"

Mr. Ruan smiled, "Without comprehensive examination, I wouldn't dare to recommend blindly."

"Let me put it this way, within two years, Nanyuan will be upgraded to a county-level city! Within five years, Nanyuan County will surely become a prefecture-level city!"

Peng Xingrong was taken aback, "Is Mr. Ruan serious?"

Mr. Ruan's expression turned serious, "This is my profession, please do not doubt my expertise, Chairman Peng!"

"If Futong Company transfers its industry to Nanyuan County now, I can arrange for the county magistrate in charge of investment promotion to personally discuss favorable policies with Chairman Peng."

"Going there now would be giving them exactly what they need, an act of alignment with greatness!"

"Of course, how to choose is ultimately up to Chairman Peng."

After offering the lure, Mr. Ruan stood up and said, "I'll first help you solve the immediate troubles. Regarding the company's relocation, Chairman Peng should think it over. Next time I come over, just give me a reply."

Upon arriving at the parking lot, entering the car, Mr. Ruan dialed Zhu Qiushui's number and said, "Miss Zhu, Futong Company is basically not a problem anymore."

Zhu Qiushui acknowledged with a hum and said, "You will have to work hard during this period to strive to finalize negotiations with 100 companies before the end of the month. I will have the industry and commerce and tax departments cooperate with you."

"Tsk~ 100 companies, that's a bit challenging. However, I'm someone who enjoys taking on challenges!"

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