Director Yang lights a cigarette and thinks carefully.

What's certain now is that Zhu Qiushui is causing trouble behind this incident.

He's instructing me to do this, clearly to intimidate these companies.

But she won't let me intimidate for no reason.

Obviously, she wants to profit from this!

This setup is actually very simple.

I play the bad cop, tell the reported companies how serious the situation is.

There are fines and prison involved.

Once I've done the intimidating, Zhu Qiushui will approach them and tell them she can help them resolve it.

To put it plainly, it's exploiting an information gap.

If only a couple or a few companies were reported, I would think her goal is to use my position as Tax Bureau Chief to help carry out her plan effortlessly.

But now, hundreds of companies have been reported.

This isn't normal!

After finishing a cigarette, Director Yang stood up and walked outside.

He's decided to investigate personally!

Currently, only one company has been dealt with, and that's Futong Company!

He plans to find Chairman Peng of Futong Company to ask if anyone has approached him recently.

And what their purpose was!

While heading downstairs, he makes a call to Peng Xingrong.

...

Futong Company.

Mr. Ruan visits for the second time, currently sitting in Peng Xingrong's office.

They haven't talked much when suddenly his phone rings.

"Mr. Ruan, apologies, I have to take this call."

Peng Xingrong apologetically explains, "It's a call from Director Yang of the Tax Bureau."

"Please go ahead."

Mr. Ruan smiles, unconcerned.

Peng Xingrong answers the call, "Director Yang… I'm here, okay."

After hanging up, Peng Xingrong suddenly frowns and says, "Director Yang is coming over to see me now."

Mr. Ruan is a bit surprised, "Now?"

Peng Xingrong nods, he's puzzled too.

Mr. Ruan thinks briefly, why is Director Yang coming over at this time?

Futong Company's issue has already been resolved.

Moreover, with so many companies reported, why isn't he handling them and coming here instead?

"No problem, let's talk to Director Yang when he arrives."

Mr. Ruan seems calm on the surface, but inwardly he's cautious.

About half an hour later, the secretary enters the room, "Chairman Peng, Director Yang is here."

"Alright, let him wait a moment."

Peng Xingrong apologizes, "Mr. Ruan, I'll have to trouble you to wait for a bit."

"It's alright."

Mr. Ruan smiles slightly, stands up, and walks outside.

Before leaving, he deliberately leaves a recording pen under the chair.

He wants to know why Director Yang is visiting Peng Xingrong at this time!

As soon as he leaves, Director Yang comes in less than two minutes later.

After the secretary serves tea and leaves, Director Yang's expression immediately turns serious and he says, "Chairman Peng, who has visited you these days?"

Peng Xingrong is stunned for a moment, his expression slightly unnatural, though he quickly covers it up, Director Yang has been watching him and catches this fleeting unease.

"What is Director Yang talking about?" Peng Xingrong pretends not to understand.

Director Yang sighs softly, opting not to press him but instead playing the sentiment card.

"Chairman Peng, we've known each other for several years, haven't we?"

"Four, maybe five years."

"During these years, would you say I've treated you well?"

Director Yang says, "Whenever inspections are scheduled, do I not notify you prematurely? Did I not help suppress previous reports against you?"

"The gifts you've given me each year, I haven't taken them in vain, I've spent them where it counts!"

"You only need to give gifts to me, but I have to handle things up and down."

"How much really ends up in my hands?"

"This time… I can't tell you too much, but in short, this time, there's no way to help."

Peng Xingrong wouldn't easily be swayed by a few words.

Everyone's seasoned, relationships are built on mutual interests.

"I know someone has contacted you."

"They surely promised to handle your subsequent troubles."

"Chairman Peng, no need to deny it, we both know, you don't have to play games."

"I came here today just to clarify one thing."

Peng Xingrong frowns and thinks for a few seconds, asking, "What does Director Yang want to know?"

Director Yang asks, "What's the purpose of their contact?"

Peng Xingrong doesn't answer.

Director Yang uses a process of elimination, "Money?"

Peng Xingrong nods slightly.

Director Yang immediately asks, "How much did they want?"

"Unclear."

"Unclear?" This answer is unexpected, "You haven't paid them after everything's done?"

"It's not done yet…" Upon saying this, Peng Xingrong immediately shuts his mouth.

Director Yang is more confused.

Not done yet?

What exactly is Zhu Qiushui trying to do?

Director Yang feels increasingly uneasy and anxious.

Although he doesn't understand Zhu Qiushui's real intent, judging from the current information, it seems somewhat severe.

"Chairman Peng, you need to clearly tell me today, what does the other party want from you?"

"Director Yang, this matter isn't related to you, it's an internal issue of my company."

Peng Xingrong doesn't trust him at all.

"Not related to me?"

Director Yang laughs in disbelief, wanting to use his position to threaten, but ultimately restrains himself.

He's afraid that doing so might backfire.

He takes a deep breath to stay calm.

His mind racing, analyzing rapidly, he then asks, "You said it's not over yet? Did they tell you the Tax Bureau will continue to penalize your company?"

Peng Xingrong simply stops speaking.

Director Yang continues, "Do they want shares in your company?"

No matter what he asks, Peng Xingrong remains silent.

No matter how good Director Yang's temperament, facing Peng Xingrong's silence, he's starting to get impatient.

"Chairman Peng won't speak, right?"

"Fine, then don't speak ever!"

"I'm going to the City Committee to see Secretary Lu, see Secretary Wu, and then go to the City Government to meet Mayor Zheng, I'll tell them about this."

"Then, let the leaders come and talk to you personally!"

"If you want to keep it to yourself, then keep silent forever!"

Throwing out these harsh words, Director Yang got up and left.

"Yang Lang!" Peng Xingrong called his name with a deep voice.

Director Yang stops his steps and turns around, "Anything?"

Peng Xingrong looks displeased, "My company was fined over two billion, and you still want to mess with me? Fine, go to the City Committee, go to the City Government, I die, you die right along with me!"

Director Yang sneers, "Using that to threaten me? Do you think I care about this position? If you don't speak today, I'll go to the City Committee and City Government now! Like you said, we'll both perish together!"

He's not afraid at all; in his view, what Zhu Qiushui plans to do might greatly impact him too.

Since early or late, death is inevitable, he's truly not concerned.

"You…" Peng Xingrong almost loses his breath.

The two stared fiercely at each other through the air for a few seconds, finally, Peng Xingrong gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll talk!"

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