How many?
According to Ding Changri's own confession, in addition to having over 20 billion in cash deposits in numerous personal accounts overseas, he also owned real estate in Hong Kong, Vancouver, and several other countries. Based on current market prices, these assets combined would far exceed 10 billion.
When they were in Vancouver, Ding Changri honestly told Xu Zhengyang all about his background.
Although Xu Zhengyang was in a terrible mood because of the disgusting things he had encountered, he was still incredibly envious of Ding Changri's assets. Damn it... so much money, plus the money he couldn't take with him from China that had been confiscated by the state, plus the assets and deposits of the officials he had bribed—how much was that in total?
When Li Ruiqing was in the office, having a serious discussion with Xu Zhengyang about some confidential matters and the progress of the case, Xu Zhengyang said, "To be frank, Ding Changri has transferred half of his cash deposits to my account."
Pfft... Li Ruiqing couldn't help but spit out the mouthful of tea he had just taken a sip of.
"Don't be surprised, consider this a salary and compensation I received." Xu Zhengyang curled his lips, speaking with self-righteousness and a calm expression, as if the half of cash he mentioned was just enough to buy a few bottles of expensive wine.
“Zhengyang, you’re not short of money, and… given your status, there’s no need for you to care so much about these things, right?” Li Ruiqing said somewhat nervously, “Right now, neither we nor the Wan family can get involved in Ding Changri’s case. If it’s found out you took money, and such a large amount at that, it will have a significant impact…”
Xu Zhengyang said dismissively, "Ding Changri won't tell."
“This money should be confiscated by the state and put into the national treasury,” Li Ruiqing said, his tone becoming serious. On matters concerning national interests, Li Ruiqing was absolutely strict and upright.
"If you give it to me, I can do some practical things for the people." Xu Zhengyang snorted.
This statement carries a deeper meaning; it may imply that the money was given to you, but it won't be used to do anything practical for the people.
Li Ruiqing was both amused and helpless, because who could stop Xu Zhengyang from doing what he wanted? Besides, with his abilities, the special task force probably wouldn't be able to find anything out.
What are you going to do with so much money?
"Second Uncle, if you want to spend money, why worry about where to spend it? What I'm worried about is whether when I spend this money, you people will rip me off layer by layer and pocket too much of it." Xu Zhengyang waved his hand, indicating that he didn't want to continue the topic, and said instead, "Tomorrow I'll go to Minggang and bring Gong Xinhao back."
Li Ruiqing's expression turned serious, and after a while he nodded and said, "Be careful."
...
These past few days, Wan Yun's anxious mood has finally calmed down a bit.
Someone in such a high position like him is usually unfazed even by a collapsing mountain. His composure is a state of mind honed through years of trials and tribulations. In fact, from the moment Xu Zhengyang called him in Vancouver with a somewhat threatening remark, to the call Xu Zhengyang made from his car on the night he returned to China, Wan Yun had been trying his best to suppress an unprecedented sense of tension.
Why exactly did it happen? Wan Yun couldn't explain it.
Based on his personal thoughts, methods, and current status, he was confident that things wouldn't get worse, and that his position or even... his life wouldn't be affected. However, it seemed he had no choice; he had been keeping a close eye on what was happening over there these past few days, and what Xu Zhengyang was doing.
It seemed as if every move Xu Zhengyang made could pose a great threat to him.
However, after a few days of calm, Wan Yun finally regained her composure with a wry smile. She had indeed been too anxious, too preoccupied with fame and fortune. Alas, Xu Zhengyang was young and impulsive, but the Li family would certainly not allow him to do anything excessive, much less support him.
The phone rang, and Wan Yun picked it up:
"how's it going?"
"We can't get in touch with Gong Xinhao, and Minggang can't find him either." The voice on the phone sounded anxious and worried. "Could he be..."
Wan Yun frowned and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "That old fox has probably gone abroad. He's afraid the Li family might retaliate against him."
"But his family is still here."
"Go find his family. Tell Gong Xinhao that everything will be alright, don't hide it," Wan Yun said with a smile.
"good."
After hanging up the phone, Wan Yun leaned back in his chair, gently massaging his temples. He hadn't been getting enough rest lately and was feeling mentally exhausted. As for Gong Xinhao, he wasn't really worried. Gong Xinhao wasn't stupid; he knew perfectly well what to say and what not to say, what he could and couldn't do.
That's why this guy was being overly cautious and ran away to hide, trying to avoid the limelight, right?
A cautious fellow.
Wan Yun smiled dismissively. In his eyes and those of similar status, what was Gong Xinhao? Wan Yun knew that someone like Gong Xinhao must be hiding something he thought he could use to save his life, but just like the evidence in Ding Changri's hands, it could never truly save his life, and it wouldn't threaten anyone in a truly high position.
It's just a clever trick.
Faced with absolute strength and power, these petty tricks and schemes are nothing but fleeting clouds.
Wan Yun drank the slightly cold tea in her cup and got up to go for a walk when her phone suddenly vibrated.
Wan Yun frowned. Under normal circumstances, no one would call his cell phone.
After checking the caller ID, Wan Yun pressed the answer button and held the phone to his ear:
"What's up?"
"Xu Zhengyang is at the airport; he's going to Minggang."
Wan Yun's heart skipped a beat, his thick eyebrows furrowed, and he said indifferently, "I understand."
After hanging up, Wan Yun paced hurriedly around the room, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.
Gong Xinhao has been missing for several days. Where is he hiding? And now, Xu Zhengyang is suddenly going to Minggang... Could it be related to Gong Xinhao's disappearance?
What exactly is the Li family planning to do? Are they really going to recklessly stir up a storm?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Wan Yun paced back and forth. Suddenly, his expression darkened, and he strode to his desk, picked up the phone, and dialed a number:
"Xu Zhengyang went to Minggang. Keep a close eye on him and see who he contacts."
"Find Gong Xinhao's family and find out where he went! Also, find Gong Xinhao at all costs..."
"etc."
Wan Yun took a deep breath and said, "If Xu Zhengyang and Gong Xinhao meet, let's leave them in Minggang."
...
A few days ago, when Xu Zhengyang was still in Vancouver, he had a brief phone call with Gong Xinhao.
Gong Xinhao was a smart man. Things had indeed turned out exactly as he had feared; he had walked into the turbulent currents of the power struggle between the two factions, and was now swept into the heart of the undercurrents, unable to extricate himself. Therefore, after much deliberation, Gong Xinhao did not inform Wan Yun's side about Xu Zhengyang's contact with him; similarly, he did not heed Xu Zhengyang's advice to be a smart man and proactively side with the Li family.
He knew that no matter which side he stood on, the outcome would be disastrous.
The best course of action is to hide, sever all contact with the outside world, and quietly conceal himself deep within, hoping that after the turbulent currents above have subsided, he can cautiously and respectfully surface again. Given his current status and reputation, coupled with the highly sensitive special zone of Minggang, once things calm down, the two factions in the capital should no longer do anything to him.
In Minggang, he believed that hiding would be a very simple matter for him.
As for running abroad, he never even considered it, because if he were to flee the country, he would have no chance of returning in the future.
Volume 5, Spirit Official, Chapter 292: Each Displays Their Supernatural Powers
Ming Kong International Airport is located on Hong Lie Island, more than 30 kilometers from the city center.
At 2:10 p.m., Xu Zhengyang, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and black trousers, stepped out of the No. 1 passenger terminal. Accompanying him were Zhu Jun and Li Chengzong, both wearing black T-shirts, black trousers, and black leather shoes.
I glanced casually at the huge floor-to-ceiling glass next to me and saw three people's faces reflected in the glass, though they weren't very clear.
Xu Zhengyang curled his lip. Goodness, they really look a bit like gangsters.
They were all wearing black sunglasses, their faces cold and serious, their postures ramrod straight. Xu Zhengyang was slightly disappointed that he was much shorter than Li Chengzong and Zhu Jun, who were clearly the kind of people with extremely muscular builds. They had broad shoulders and thick bodies, their black T-shirts stretched taut, revealing obvious muscle lines. Although they weren't exactly bodybuilders who looked impressive but were actually just bulky, their cold and resolute faces made them the epitome of manly men in the eyes of countless young women and married women.
Xu Zhengyang thought to himself, if Chen Chaojiang were by his side, the contrast would make things even more perfect.
At least their height and build are... about the same.
After the three of them got into a black Mercedes that had come to pick them up, Xu Zhengyang took out his phone, turned it on, and called Li Bingjie to let her know that he had arrived safely and to reassure her. Then he turned his phone off again and closed his eyes, pretending to doze off.
The black Mercedes-Benz was driving smoothly, having already been arranged to stay at a hotel.
Xu Zhengyang asked in his mind, "He didn't move, did he?"
“Guo Li has been keeping an eye on him,” Su Peng replied, leaning forward.
"Okay, keep a close eye on them." Xu Zhengyang replied calmly, and then stopped talking to the ghost messenger.
While in Vancouver, Xu Zhengyang learned from Chu Shousheng that Gong Xinhao was the mastermind behind the incident. After making that phone call with Gong Xinhao, Xu Zhengyang immediately notified Li Haidong, who was in charge of investigating all the incidents in Beijing, to arrange for a ghost messenger to go to Minggang.
Although the City God Temple has not yet been established in Minggang, and the ghost messengers there do not have the same level of authority as they do in the City God Temple's territory, tracking and monitoring a person is still a very easy task.
Upon learning that Gong Xinhao had left Gongxi District that very night after receiving Xu Zhengyang's call, and moved into a luxury apartment near the Victoria Hotel in Longgang District, Xu Zhengyang thought to himself, "This gangster boss's guts aren't all that great, are they?"
This is what they mean by "the higher you climb, the colder it gets."
Xu Zhengyang, whose status and position are now completely different from before, still hasn't adapted to being the son-in-law of the Li family. He could never have imagined the immense pressure this powerful family exerted on those who were merely local underworld leaders. How so? If you were to think highly of Gong Xinhao and compare him to a dragon in an abyss, then the Li family is the palm of Buddha. With the slightest twitch of a finger, they could stir up a monstrous wave, pull the dragon from the abyss, and then skin it alive.
Xu Zhengyang, who was pretending to be asleep with his eyes closed, instructed Cheng Juan: "Minggang, you must also build a City God Temple."
Cheng Juan naturally didn't say much. Its master was now like a hen that lays eggs wherever it went, and hatches a whole brood of chicks. In the territory of the Northwest Netherworld Court, it dared to establish a City God's Palace and seize territory without any fear of heavenly laws and regulations, let alone in the territory under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Azure Heaven Court.
In Xu Zhengyang's mind, the city scroll flashed with light, collecting all the information and circumstances of Minggang.
Behind the black Mercedes, at a distance of several cars, in a silver-gray Toyota minivan, two men kept a close watch on the vehicle Xu Zhengyang was in, constantly communicating with their own personnel through earpieces, informing them of the target's route.
"Zhengyang, we're being followed," Li Chengzong said softly, glancing at the rearview mirror.
"Hmm." Xu Zhengyang opened his eyes, nodded slightly, and then closed them again.
This was all expected, and Xu Zhengyang wasn't overly nervous. In Minggang, a place far removed from central authority, it wasn't just Wan Yun who could immediately arrange things; the Li family... could too.
The reason Xu Zhengyang chose to stay in Beijing for a few days before going to Minggang was that he hoped Gong Xinhao would be forced to flee abroad under pressure, so that when Xu Zhengyang went to find him, the pressure would be much less.
The reason is simple: Xu Zhengyang felt that no matter how powerful Wan Yun was, he couldn't possibly extend his reach to any country.
Otherwise, Wan Yun wouldn't have stood by and watched as the other side arranged for a group of rookie gangsters to assassinate Xu Zhengyang in Vancouver, Canada, only to later devise a more sophisticated method: poisoning Xu Zhengyang in the hospital. Of course, according to Li Haidong's investigation, Wan Yun had underestimated Xu Zhengyang's group in Vancouver. At the time, Wan Yun, like everyone else, thought that Xu Zhengyang held no official position, and even with the Li family's backing, without official government credentials and following proper channels, it would have been impossible for him to bring Ding Changri back from Vancouver.
Even if the Li family had some unknown influence in Vancouver, it was impossible for them to get things done in just a few days. If anything went wrong later, they could still react accordingly. Unfortunately, on the very day Xu Zhengyang arrived in Vancouver, he managed to persuade Ding Changri to return to China.
That's unbelievable.
Everything happened so fast it was unbelievable, leaving no time to react.
Xu Zhengyang, unlike those cunning old foxes, didn't think as far ahead. So, after a few days, when Wan Yun's vigilance eased slightly, Xu Zhengyang couldn't contain himself any longer, waiting for Gong Xinhao to flee abroad. That damn old bastard! Is he willing to risk his life for his money? Or is he so attached to Minggang that he refuses to leave? Or… does he really think he can control everything in Minggang?
He was absolutely right.
While Gong Xinhao might not be able to claim absolute power in Minggang, the public in the area privately described his influence in this way: from midnight to 8 a.m., Minggang belonged to Gong Xinhao; during the day, Minggang belonged to the government; and before midnight, it was shared by the government and Gong Xinhao.
Before Xu Zhengyang even arrived in Minggang, someone went to Gong Xinhao's family to inquire about his current hiding place and solemnly told them that this was for Gong Xinhao's safety.
Gong Xinhao's family said helplessly that they really didn't know where he was now.
It's not exactly a lie; among Gong Xinhao's family members, only his eldest son, Gong Jia, had contact with him, and the others really didn't know anything about it.
The people looking for Gong Xinhao knew this, but they didn't press him too much. They just said, "If you can contact him, tell him that Yan Wu will arrive in Minggang around 2 PM today. Tell him to be careful and contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure his safety."
Who was Yan Wu? Gong Jia didn't know, but he knew the identity of the person who came to deliver the message.
So after the visitor left, Gong Jia immediately informed his father of the news and asked if he should send a few more people to protect him.
Gong Xinhao knew perfectly well who it was. The fact that Wan Yun was so solemnly informing him to be careful meant he was pretty sure of who it was: Yan Wu, Yan Wu—Xu!
Li's son-in-law, the mysterious and arrogant Xu Zhengyang.