On the other end of the phone, Li Ruiqing was clearly stunned for a while before seriously saying, "Zhengyang, if that's really the case, can you find out who the mastermind is?"
"That's easy," Xu Zhengyang replied crisply, while inwardly thinking angrily, "Damn it, which son of a bitch dares to trip me up?"
“I know you want to know who is simple, but… in reality, we need solid evidence, and ideally, we need witnesses,” Li Ruiqing said hesitantly.
Xu Zhengyang sneered, "At this point, you still think about solving problems through legitimate means? Second Uncle..."
“Things are far from simple, Zhengyang. If it were just about killing one person, that would be easy. The problem is, you should know that when someone's status reaches a certain level, the implications are far too broad,” Li Ruiqing said with difficulty.
“Alright, I know what to do.” Xu Zhengyang nodded and said, “I’ll head to Canada. You help me find out exactly which city and area Ding Changri is staying in, and I’ll bring him back when I get there.”
"Zhengyang, is there... no problem?" Li Ruiqing asked with some surprise.
"Don't worry." Xu Zhengyang was getting impatient; he was in a really bad mood.
Li Ruiqing naturally had no more doubts and said, "Then hurry up. I'll make arrangements for you here. I'm worried that if you want to go out in a few days, you might not be able to. We'll also need to monitor you here or directly summon you for quarantine and investigation."
"Second Uncle, I'm heading to the capital tonight. Give me the list of everyone who knew about this back then," Xu Zhengyang said seriously. Inwardly, however, he sneered. He wasn't confident he could dominate those Western countries like Canada, but among the dozens of countries under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Heavenly Court… who could possibly trap him? Unless they directly used their army to mow him down without explanation, who could possibly hold him back?
“Okay.” Li Ruiqing immediately agreed.
Xu Zhengyang frowned slightly, looking at the misty rain over the lake in the distance. Things really weren't going to calm down in the capital.
This is not my fault as a deity, for I am biased and protective of my own, and thus I influence the power struggles in the secular world and officialdom.
Volume Five, Spirit Official, Chapter 276: Rewards Must Be Given to Oneself
It was a little after nine o'clock at night.
A light drizzle washed over the bustling capital city after a long day. Everywhere, lights and neon signs adorned the night scene of this prosperous metropolis. Even the layers of rain reflected the light of various lights, twinkling and shimmering, like countless stars falling from the night sky and dancing and sparkling on earth.
The rain brought a slight drop in temperature to this hot summer, bringing a refreshing feeling.
On Beijing's Fourth Ring Road, a white Audi A4 exited at Jingshishan and drove away.
Xu Zhengyang sat calmly in the back seat.
He wanted a cigarette, but because Li Bingjie was sitting next to him, he refrained from smoking throughout the several-hour journey. This was a minor but commendable quality of Xu Zhengyang, yet it was enough to demonstrate his thoughtfulness.
Li Bingjie knew her husband was troubled, but instead of showing understanding, she offered him a cigarette. It wasn't that Li Bingjie disliked the smell of smoke, but rather that she appreciated Xu Zhengyang's thoughtfulness and care for her, and knew he wouldn't find it difficult. So Li Bingjie agreed. Xu Zhengyang continued to demonstrate this small virtue.
Well, even a country bumpkin has a gentlemanly side.
There are some things that both of them know perfectly well, but they can't say them out loud.
For example, right now, Li Bingjie knows that Xu Zhengyang harbors some dissatisfaction, or rather, reluctance, but the matter still needs to be carried out. Yes, Xu Zhengyang does feel very uncomfortable, as if, intentionally or unintentionally, he has become a tool, a weapon, that the Li family needs to use in their power struggle.
From the very beginning, Xu Zhengyang resented being taken advantage of.
When he returned from the Heavenly Court, he fearlessly stormed into the capital. In Jiang Lan's office at Huatong Company, he arrogantly reprimanded the high and mighty Li brothers and Jiang Lan, and directly pointed out that they should not even think about using him, as this was blasphemy.
The things they're about to do, although both sides know perfectly well that Xu Zhengyang's ultimate goal is to clear his name, will be viewed differently by others afterward. Especially... by the Ye family, and the other two families, who now know Xu Zhengyang's true identity.
Moreover, Li Ruiqing and Li Ruiqing clearly used Xu Zhengyang's identity after their marriage to give a gentle warning and win over those in their faction who were already showing signs of estrangement.
But how can you complain about something like this?
After all, Xu Zhengyang had agreed, and it would be of great benefit to him as well.
The vehicle drove onto that secluded and quiet alley, following the winding cement road to the heavily guarded residential area. Even with a special pass and with Li Bingjie, Qingling, and Chen Hanzhe—three people who could be considered acquaintances—in the car, the security guards still conducted a thorough check and only allowed them to enter the residential area after receiving a clear reply from their superiors.
Before they arrived, Li Ruiyu had just returned home a little over an hour earlier, where Li Ruiqing was already waiting.
After entering the villa, the family chatted warmly for a few minutes, and then Li Ruiyu, Li Ruiqing, and Xu Zhengyang went to the study on the second floor.
Li Bingjie sat with the beaming Wu Ma on the sofa in the living room on the first floor, chatting and watching TV.
Just like any concern from any female elder, Aunt Wu treated Li Bingjie like her own granddaughter, asking with concern if she felt unwell, if she had gone for a check-up, and if she was... well, pregnant? After all, they had been married for three months.
Li Bingjie blushed and shook her head, looking as embarrassed as a little girl who had been caught having a puppy love by her parents.
However, I felt very warm and cozy, and even felt a little uneasy thinking: I should go for a check-up, maybe... I'm pregnant.
The atmosphere in Li Ruiyu's study was serious.
"The person who reported Ding Changri is named Yang Jinwei. He was originally Ding Changri's confidant and business partner, but the two developed a grudge due to disagreements over profit distribution." Li Ruiqing didn't have any materials in his hand, but he was already very familiar with most of the details of the case and the people involved. "Yang Jinwei is currently in New York City, USA. He knows all the connections with Ding Changri's smuggling group. However, in the report, he didn't write down the specific positions and names of two important figures, perhaps they also have a deep relationship with him."
"Is Yang Jinwei willing to return to China to testify?" Li Ruiyu asked.
“Return to China? Heh.” Li Ruiqing said with a wry smile, “Why did he run abroad? Besides Ding Changri and the mastermind behind him wanting him dead, the crimes he committed were no less serious than Ding Changri’s.”
"If you report someone, you may be treated leniently."
Li Ruiqing said, "People like them probably wouldn't want to spend even a day in prison."
After a few brief exchanges, the room fell silent for a moment.
Xu Zhengyang held a list of people and their positions that Li Ruiqing had given him after he entered the room. These were people who were very familiar with all the details and timelines of the preliminary investigation and later preparations for the arrest of Ding Changri's Far East Machinery Group smuggling case.
Of course, in addition to these responsible persons, there were dozens of members of the investigation team.
"Is it possible that it was done by someone below?" Xu Zhengyang asked, frowning.
“No, the members of the investigation team have all cut off contact with the outside world in advance.” Li Ruiqing’s tone was very certain. “The ten people on the list, including you and me, are the most likely to leak information to Ding Changri.”
Xu Zhengyang smiled. Suddenly, he asked, "Has anyone died in this case from beginning to end?"
"Hmm?" Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing both looked puzzled. Why were they suddenly asking this?
After thinking for a while, Li Ruiqing said, "Smuggling is a major crime, and it's inevitable... Moreover, three members of the investigation team we secretly sent over at the beginning of the year are still missing. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that they fled abroad after accepting huge bribes."
Xu Zhengyang nodded slightly and said, "Second Uncle, please make the arrangements. I will go to get Da Jia tomorrow and bring Ding Changri back. Everything will be clear then. It's alright."
"Okay," Li Ruiqing said, unable to hide his joy.
Li Ruiyu solemnly reminded him, "Be careful. In short, don't make a big fuss. After all, we're abroad, so don't cause too much of a stir."
"Don't worry." Xu Zhengyang nodded.
...
Under the deep night and layers of rain, the usually brightly lit capital city seemed much dimmer and more subdued.
Judge Li Haidong of the City God's Palace and Captain Su Peng of the Ghost Messengers sneaked into the deepening night and headed to the destination previously instructed by the City God to monitor and investigate the behavior of certain individuals.
Xu Zhengyang had considered it. He could summon more ghost messengers to screen each person on the list, eliminating the need for tracking and surveillance. He could simply probe their minds and search them to understand everything. Unfortunately… all of this would consume divine power, and what Xu Zhengyang lacked most right now was divine power.
To save money wherever possible, Xu Zhengyang now spends far more frugally on his divine power than he does on money in real life.
The lack of divine power was one reason, but the main reason was that Xu Zhengyang was worried. How much divine power would he need to expend for another promotion?
Even the smallest mosquito is still meat!
However, with Li Haidong, who is most familiar with these high-ranking officials and related matters, and given that the number of people on the list is not large, it should be soon possible to find out who the real mastermind is.
Of course, even if Xu Zhengyang knew who the real mastermind was, he wouldn't go on a killing spree. As the saying goes, one should win people over with virtue and respect. Solving problems through mere violence and intimidation would diminish his divine power and lead to unforeseen consequences, ultimately causing significant negative impacts. Just as Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing had feared.
Xu Zhengyang has always believed that "no one gets up early without a reason."
He's now wondering how much he can gain from this hard work.
So far, this case has involved more than two hundred officials of varying ranks, each with considerable savings. However, this money is destined to be confiscated by the state.
Hmm, Ding Changri has quite a bit of money...
Xu Zhengyang curled his lip. The verifiable tax evasion alone exceeded 30 billion yuan. How much more could there be that was impossible to find? Besides, this was the amount of tax evasion. How much of the money he made from doing business was there?
Xu Zhengyang gritted his teeth and said to Li Bingjie, who was lying next to him pretending to be asleep, "Wife, do you think it would be reasonable for me to put all of Ding Changri's money into our pockets?"
"Hmm?" Li Bingjie turned over, blinking her big eyes as she asked, "You're going to accept bribes too?"
After saying that, Li Bingjie suddenly realized that she had been pretending to be asleep, but now she reacted so quickly. She couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and nestled in Xu Zhengyang's arms with a blush on her face.
Xu Zhengyang smiled and said, "What bribe? Even short-term workers have to be paid wages."
"That's too much..." Li Bingjie clicked her tongue.
"Too much? I think it's not enough. If it weren't for my wife, who could afford to hire me?" Xu Zhengyang said shamelessly.
Li Bingjie lightly punched Xu Zhengyang and said, "So much money, and it all ends up in one person's pocket, and the country doesn't get a single penny... It doesn't make sense."
“That’s true.” Xu Zhengyang lay down, looking up at the ceiling, with one arm around Li Bingjie, and muttered with some regret, “Then let’s split it in half when we meet.”
Li Bingjie didn't say anything more, and pressed her cheek against Xu Zhengyang's firm chest muscles.
She found Xu Zhengyang quite endearing at times, possessing a shrewdness and stinginess typical of small business owners, even a touch of insatiable greed. This made Li Bingjie feel grounded and more genuine. Because… although Li Bingjie didn't usually show her inner worries, she was actually quite anxious most of the time.
Because Xu Zhengyang is a god; while he himself is a mortal.
Outside, the rain was getting heavier, the torrential rain pounding against the windowpane, creating a rather noisy din...
Xu Zhengyang was wondering how to spend so much money.
Li Ruiqing, who had just returned home and was still awake, was greeted by several uninvited guests.
There were people even more anxious than him, because he was now under surveillance, especially after he went to Li Ruiyu's house today, where Li's son-in-law, who was the prime suspect, also went.
They met.
Volume 5, Spirit Official, Chapter 277: Let him give it a try!
There's probably nothing more embarrassing in this world than being woken up in the middle of the night by your father-in-law knocking on the door while you're cuddling your wife.
Xu Zhengyang encountered this situation, which annoyed him and also made him somewhat alarmed.
Given Li Ruiyu's personality, he would never knock on his daughter and son-in-law's door in the middle of the night unless it was an emergency.
Besides... there's still Aunt Wu at home! Why not just find someone else?
Xu Zhengyang patted Li Bingjie, who was still looking tired after being woken up, with concern, telling her not to worry and to go back to sleep. Then he got up and walked towards the door.
Li Bingjie must be the happiest woman in the world, because no matter what happens, she doesn't have to worry about a bad ending. The reason is simple: her husband is a god... So, feeling sleepy, she nodded, hummed like a kitten, and closed her eyes, seemingly falling into a deep, sweet, and carefree sleep.
Unfortunately, Xu Zhengyang knew that she wasn't asleep; she was just putting on an act to keep him from getting too distracted.
Li Bingjie knew that her husband was aware of her faking sleep and her current thoughts. Yet, she still couldn't help but do it.
Xu Zhengyang walked to the door, turned the knob, and went out.
Outside the door, Li Ruiyu silently turned and walked towards his study, the sound of his footsteps mingling with the still-pattering rain outside. This only accentuated the extraordinary tranquility of the villa in the early hours of the morning. Xu Zhengyang naturally said nothing, gently closed the door, and then walked towards Li Ruiyu's study.
Logically speaking, a high-ranking official as prominent as Li Ruiqing should not be easily isolated for investigation and questioning.
However, the situation is different, especially as the investigation into the Far East Group's smuggling case deepens and becomes increasingly shocking, drawing greater attention from top figures. Consequently, the investigation has become much more rigorous, with key personnel now involved and specifically tasked with handling the case.
Yes, the brothers Li Ruiyu and Li Ruiqing haven't yet entered the top tier; at best, they're only in the upper-middle tier, close to the top tier. Moreover, there are members of the Li family faction among those in the top tier. It's only been a few years since they entered the circle of only a dozen or so people in the top tier.
Because he wasn't on the front lines, after the case involved Li Ruiqing, he was taken away for investigation through the machinations of certain individuals.