He didn't know what craziness Director Yang was on about today.

After all, he held some dirt on Director Yang.

Dirt that was enough to get him fired and prosecuted!

Yet, even that didn't scare him.

This meant the situation he faced might be more severe than being sentenced.

From this point of view, he and himself should be on the same side.

Peng Xingrong said, "That person said, if Futong Company wants to survive, it can only leave Lingjiang."

Leave Lingjiang?

Director Yang didn't understand its meaning for a moment.

Peng Xingrong then meticulously relayed what Mr. Ruan had told him.

After listening, Director Yang remained puzzled.

This Mr. Ruan... No, it's Zhu Qiushui!

What exactly is this Zhu Qiushui trying to do?

He asked suspiciously, "That's all?"

Peng Xingrong replied irritably, "What else?"

"Alright, I got it."

Director Yang nodded and turned to leave.

On the drive back, he kept pondering over what Peng Xingrong had said.

At a traffic light, he suddenly jolted in realization.

He finally understood.

Zhu Qiushui's goal was indeed trying to gain something for nothing.

But she wasn't after money, she was after these companies in Lingjiang!

She wanted to move these companies out of Lingjiang!

Director Yang looked somewhat dazed.

Zhu Qiushui... why do this?

No, it's not Zhu Qiushui.

She couldn't be doing it for herself.

Let me think, let me think...

Director Yang felt his mind was in chaos.

His thoughts were tangled and hard to sort out.

Beep beep!

The light turned green, but he didn't move, and horns blared impatiently behind him.

He quickly collected himself and quietly pressed the accelerator.

He returned to the Tax Bureau, and upon entering his office, he had his secretary cancel all visits, locked the door, and thought carefully.

He was now sure of Zhu Qiushui's objective.

He just wanted to know, who was behind Zhu Qiushui?

First of all, it could be determined that Zhu Qiushui's fundamental base should be in Lingjiang.

Because he had been dealing with Zhu Qiushui for more than two years.

She had always stayed in Lingjiang, liaising with various departments.

From what he knew, she was involved with the Industrial and Commercial Bureau, the Commerce Bureau, and other city departments.

A lone woman, if she had no support, couldn't have achieved what she has today.

Recalling this, he was startled to realize that in these two years, Zhu Qiushui had never revealed the identity of the person behind her.

But he could narrow it down to a general range.

It's either Secretary Lu, Mayor Zheng, or Mayor Jiang.

Or perhaps, the retired He Sen.

Wu Qiangwei was excluded by him.

Because Wu Qiangwei had only come to Lingjiang more than six months ago, the timing didn't match.

Of course, she couldn't be completely ruled out.

After all, Wu Qiangwei's connections in the province were strong, and it's hard to say if she arranged for Zhu Qiushui in advance.

For these big figures, planning ahead and making moves casually is common.

Moreover, this time the complaint was made in the name of the Civilization Office.

This was obviously to avoid detection.

And the Civilization Office was under Wu Qiangwei's responsibility.

But he heard that the Civilization Office was assigned to Wu Qiangwei by Secretary Lu.

Was it Secretary Lu's plan to use a borrowed knife for murder?

Or was Secretary Wu taking advantage of the situation?

If it's Secretary Lu, it makes sense.

Secretary Lu had been in Lingjiang for three years without major achievements.

If he wanted to advance further, moving to another city while carrying Lingjiang's resources could propel him to the level of a Provincial Committee Member in one leap!

If it's Wu Qiangwei, it also makes sense.

Wu Qiangwei had a strong background and provincial connections.

She's been the Deputy Secretary for more than six months, and according to the plan, the next step is Mayor.

But what if she didn't want to follow the plan?

If she wanted to ascend in one step?

Then concentrating Lingjiang's resources and moving them to another city to make it one of Nanjiang Province's top three economic cities.

This achievement would be enough to make her one of the youngest Provincial Committee Members in a leap!

There's also Mayor Zheng, with the same reasoning.

For a moment, Director Yang was deeply troubled.

He didn't know which leader was behind Zhu Qiushui!

Everyone had a motive.

And what this mysterious leader was doing, for Lingjiang, was a devastating blow!

Once these companies are moved, Lingjiang's business environment would plummet.

Economically, there wouldn't be issues in the short term.

But at most, it can only sustain for a year.

After a year, Lingjiang's economy will collapse dramatically.

Furthermore, this phenomenon would trigger a chain reaction.

Other companies not moved would also find ways to leave.

In two or three years at most, Lingjiang could degrade to a county-level city... or even become a ghost town ignored by all!

Here, real estate prices would drastically fall.

The population would drain away furiously.

The officials here would no longer have any promotion opportunities.

In this wave of corporate relocation, no official can be spared.

All the citizens will become the price paid for this mysterious leader's political career!

Thinking of such terrifying scenes, Director Feng's face turned pale, and the cigarette in his hand burned down to his fingers, scalding him to drop it.

"Damn it, who is it in the end!"

Director Yang was grabbing his hair, looking tormented.

He knew the truth, yet he dared not speak recklessly, not knowing who to tell.

In the entire Lingjiang's officialdom, he didn't know who to trust!

Mayor Jiang?

Secretary Zhang?

No, what if they were also part of this plan?

This kind of terrifying plan that could destroy a city involved too vast an interest.

Before ascertaining if the other side could be trusted, he absolutely couldn't speak, nor dared to!

If those of the mysterious leader knew, the only outcome awaiting him would be death.

Going to the provincial leaders?

But, he feared there were also provincial leaders involved.

He clutched his hair hard, and after a long time, he calmed down.

He knew the most crucial thing right now was figuring out who was behind Zhu Qiushui.

He suddenly thought of Director Feng from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau.

Like himself, Director Feng was also held at bay by Zhu Qiushui's dirt and threats.

He didn't dare tell others but could trust Director Feng.

Three unskilled men are better than one Zhuge Liang, more people always bring more ideas, and perhaps something might spark from their discussions.

He immediately called Director Feng: "Hey, Director Feng, do you have time? Let's have lunch together, my treat, haha, I do have a matter to discuss with you."

"Alright, it's settled then, see you at noon."

...

After Director Feng left, Mr. Ruan waited two minutes before entering the office.

He didn't inquire about what Peng Xingrong and Director Yang talked about.

He discussed some specific matters with Peng Xingrong and arranged a meeting date with the Nanyuan County Mayor.

Before leaving, Mr. Ruan said, "Here's a piece of information for Chairman Peng."

Peng Xingrong asked, "What?"

Mr. Ruan said, "The city is preparing to establish a joint enforcement agency between the police and the tax office, to conduct a tax investigation on all companies in Lingjiang City."

Peng Xingrong's pupils contracted: "A tax investigation?"

Damn, have the leaders in Lingjiang gone mad?

Are they aiming to destroy Lingjiang's enterprises?

A tax investigation!

This means checking this year's accounts for last year, the year before that, and even further back.

Even without reports of tax evasion, they plan to investigate!

As long as issues are found, not only will they make you pay back taxes, but they'll also fine you!

It's known that although there's no legal regulation against backdating in tax matters, it's traditionally not practiced!

But now, Lingjiang intends to break this convention!

Peng Xingrong felt a chill in his heart, how desperate was Lingjiang for money?

To even resort to such near-sighted tactics!

This place truly can't be stayed in any longer!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.