Chapter 44: Forced onto Mount Liang

  Ji Zheng slightly tilted his head back, not backing down under the warm and piercing gaze, coldly smiling: "Little classmate, don't be too self-righteous, last night's conversation came out of his mouth and into my ears, how would you know what we were talking about?"

  Wen Ze laughed loudly, straightened his body from leaning forward, walked out from behind the table to Ji Zheng's side, and patted him lightly on the shoulder: "Originally I wasn't quite sure, but seeing you so eager to deny it, I'm even more convinced of my judgment. Director Ji, let's not beat around the bush, what conditions did Mu Ze give you? You and I both know what's going on in each other's minds. Instead of wasting time with empty words, why not take some time to think carefully about whether you want to trade your daughter's happiness for a simple freedom, or cooperate with me and walk out of here openly and honestly to pursue the bright future that's within reach?"

  Ji Zheng fell silent, unable to determine where Wen Qian's overflowing confidence came from. After all, yesterday's incident shouldn't have been leaked out. But it couldn't be denied that after these brief exchanges, Ji Zheng no longer dared to underestimate Wen Qian in the slightest.

  Heroes emerge in their youth!

  "Who are you?" Ji Zheng felt a sense of defeat, within just two days, he had been shattered by two men in different ways. But this wasn't to say that his abilities were inferior to those of Mu Ze Chen and Wen Qian, only that in this game which required courage, audacity, strength, background, connections and confidence, the chips he held were simply too few.

  Wen Qian let out a breath of relief and smiled: "My name is Wen Qian, I'm Ji Su's classmate. Uncle Ji, nice to meet you."

  From Ji Changzhang to Ji Shu, the change seems to be just two different words, but the intrigue and struggle in between have consumed the hearts of both men. Ji Zheng gazed at the warm and tender face, asking in a low voice: "I don't understand, Mu Zechen came to help me, at least there's a reason that can be explained, but what about you two? What do you want me to do? Don't try to deceive me with the same old tricks Left Bureau Chief used earlier, there's no such thing as...

  "A free lunch at noon, gains and risks are always proportional. Everyone is smart, so let's not talk nonsense."

  As soon as the words came out, Ji Zheng had a real intention to cooperate. Wen Ze clapped his hands together, making a crisp sound: "Great! What I want you to do is not as difficult as you think, and you might even be very happy when you hear it - let's join forces and overthrow Yuan Dazhu, how about that?"

  Ji Zheng didn't show any surprise, instead he furrowed his brow and carefully observed Wen Qing's expression. Unfortunately, this young man was like a sculpture carved out of solid ice, and it was impossible to touch even a hint of his true inner heart from the outside. Ji Zheng rarely had such feelings towards people, even when facing Mu Ze Chen, his intentions, his demands, and even the conditions he wanted to set were all within Ji Zheng's grasp. But this young man in front of him was different, which words were true, which words were false, and what deeper meaning lay behind each action, were all unpredictable and left no trace.

  Pull down Yuanda pillar?

  How can this condition be beneficial to oneself, Wen Liang and Zuo Yu Xi rushed overnight, is it just to rescue oneself, and then take the opportunity to bully Yuan Da Zhu for revenge?

  This world may have Lei Feng, but the man and woman in front of him are absolutely unrelated to good people. Ji Zheng has too little information to grasp, and he cannot provide enough decision-making. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Wanting to overthrow Yuan Dazhu is difficult! You must be aware of the current situation in the city, Zhou Yuanting will not let Yuan Dazhu get into trouble at this time, and the negotiations with Fan Hengan are all under his full responsibility. Director Zuo, Wen... Wen Ze, it's not that I don't trust your abilities, usually you want to deal with Yuan Dazhu, I won't say a word, but now he is involved in Zhou Yuanting's overall layout, just like having an immunity card, wanting to overthrow him is harder than ascending to heaven!"

  A faint smile spread across his face, and an eerie glow flickered in his eyes as he said in a low voice, "Then let's take down Zhou Yuanting together, shall we?"

  All the previous talk was just a prelude, this sentence is where all his plans are, and also the biggest difficulty in persuading Ji Zheng. So from the moment he entered the door, Wen Ze was like a hypnotist, slowly and carefully guiding him step by step, making it easier for Ji Zheng to accept, and reducing the possibility of him being scared off to the lowest degree.

  This was the ultimate that Wen Cang could achieve in a limited time. But unexpectedly, Ji Zheng, who had always been calm and collected, with an unfathomable mind, was also shocked on the spot, staring blankly at Wen Cang, unable to say another word.

  The room suddenly turned icy, the atmosphere was so depressing that it could make flying geese break their wings. After a long time, Ji Zheng's hoarse voice sounded: "Are you serious?"

  "Does it look like I'm joking?"

  "Cough...cough...cough..." Ji Zheng suddenly started coughing violently, as if his lungs were going to come out. "Director Zuo, what do you say?"

  "What he says is what I say!" Zuo Yuxi was undoubtedly the best partner for a straight man, her light tone and cold demeanor could inexplicably exert great pressure on the other person.

  Ji Zheng suddenly realized that everything was just a ruse, and these two people were actually here for Zhou Yuanting. As soon as this thought occurred to him, a chill rose up from the bottom of his heart, but he still managed to say three difficult words: "Difficult, difficult, difficult! I said earlier that even toppling Yuan Dazhu was difficult, let alone Zhou Yuanting?"

  Zuo Yuxi couldn't help but ask, "Since you understand this point, why do you still want to conspire with He Xiaobo and frame Yuan Dazhu?" In the public security system, it was easy for Liu Tianlai to know the cause and effect of Ji Zheng's entry.

  Ji Zheng smiled bitterly: "Even you guys know... That day I just drank too much wine and mentioned a few words to He Xiaobo. I've been collecting some evidence of Yuan Dazhu's crimes, and when the opportunity arises, I'll gather some people to jointly sue him. Unexpectedly, as soon as I turned around, he sold me out... Friends, ah!"

  "Well, since there's evidence..."

  Ji Zheng cut off Zuo Yu Xi's words and said firmly: "Absolutely impossible! The evidence I obtained was just that Yuan Da Zhu withheld three months' wages to do business, which would not hurt his bones at all. As long as the money is put on account before the investigation, at most, a party internal warning penalty will be given. If you are just because of this little thing in my hand and have such a big idea, I must say that this is a path to death!"

  "Or is it just these?" Wen Cheng suddenly interjected.

  "Well, how should I put it?"

  "Uncle Ji, the problem with Qinghua Factory is much more serious than you think. Is it just about Yuan Dazhu embezzling wages? From 1989 to now, they've been using foreign investment and opening up external markets to transfer huge amounts of embezzled funds. The original ion-exchange membrane alkali plant's 75 acres of land were mortgaged to the bank last year and then sold at auction to Yong'an Real Estate Development Company for a price that was over 5 million yuan lower than market value. Where did that money go? And there's more..."

  Ji Zheng had been sitting there quietly since the discussion about "foreign investment" began, but he finally couldn't bear it anymore. With a sudden movement, he stood up and pointed at Wen Qian, his voice trembling: "Who are you, after all?"

  The chair fell backwards with a loud thud, accompanied by Ji Zheng's astonished cry.

  "It doesn't matter who I am, what matters is that Director Ji has spent so many years collecting these evidences with great effort, isn't it to one day expose those corrupt officials who have been eroding state-owned assets and bring them to justice? But such a big thing, you can't do it alone, and I," Wen Jian stood up, saying in an extremely sincere tone: "can help you!"

  In Ji Zheng's mind, countless voices echoed, and in his heart, countless thoughts turned over. This was the most secretive secret hidden deep within him, a secret not even known to his wife or daughter. Yuan Dazhu and Mu Zechen both thought that Ji Zheng was just being marginalized and was resentful in his heart, looking for an excuse to deal with the leader. But all these secrets were thus layered by Wen Jian, step by step, pressing him tightly, stripping him bare.

  Is he cheating or confident? Is he an enemy or a friend?

  Ji Zheng looked at the young man with a complex expression, his eyes hesitant and indecisive.

  Ji Zheng still wanted to resist, but Wen Jian's mouth curled up with a cold smile: "Director Ji, there is nothing in this world that can be permanently hidden in the dark. Since I know, others will also know. By then, Director Ji's best outcome might be to sit at the bottom of a damp and cold small black cell, praying for his life to be spared. If not careful, whether he can keep his good life depends on the mood of heaven."

  This naked threat made Ji Zheng understand that he actually had no other choice, from the moment Wen Qian came in, his ultimate goal was to force himself into this situation, and then he could only choose to surrender.

  "I'm joining you!" Ji Zheng slammed his fist on the table, and he, who had always been perceived as gloomy, suddenly became so bold that Wen Qianhe and Zuo Yuxi couldn't help but look at him sideways.

  Having a decisive mind and being ruthless are the common evaluations of Wen Chao and Mu Ze towards Ji Zheng!

  Wen Qian burst into laughter, walked up and grasped Ji Zheng's hand, shaking it vigorously: "We have a common enemy and common interests. Uncle Ji, you will soon find that the decision made tonight will be the most brilliant one in your life!"

  Ji Zheng asked the question again: "Wen Ze, who are you? You should understand that even if I have what's in my hands, and even if Director Zuo's father uses his influence at high levels, it's still far from enough to take down Zhou Yuanting!" However, this time, his tone was full of respect, no longer daring to show any disdain.

  "I am Wen Ze, and I also have a father, perhaps you've heard of him, his name is Wen Huiming!"

  Ji Zheng was extremely intelligent, and from this sentence alone, it's clear where Wen Hui Ming's confidence came from. As Xu Fu Yan's first confidant, who in Qingzhou didn't know? He was originally worried, relying on Zuo Yu Xi, how could he bring down Zhou Yuan Ting, but now with Xu Fu Yan added to the mix, all of this became no problem. Suddenly, he recalled the first sentence she said when they met:

  I want to give Director Ji a great future, a life of great wealth and nobility!

  (Today is enough with 6000 words, I'm ashamed to ask for votes and run away...)