61: Chapter 61 The Interrogation Begins

Despite Ji Hongwen's domineering and steady voice, Shen Zhentao could still hear the hidden panic within it.

Sever ties and clear themselves? How?

There was simply no way to do it; they were all grasshoppers on the same string.

Unless that string was cut.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Zhentao fell into deep thought.

When he set up the frame-job back then, he had gone to Guo Mingkai.

Guo Mingkai had arranged for one of his subordinates to find Zhou Zhiqiang, saying that a policeman would be more professional and leave no traces.

But Shen Zhentao didn't know exactly which subordinate it was.

Only by finding this person and silencing them could the safety of everyone else on the string be guaranteed.

A ruthless look appeared at the corner of Shen Zhentao's mouth as he began to dial Guo Mingkai's number.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently busy..."

He tried again, but the line was still busy.

What the hell!

Shen Zhentao couldn't help but feel extremely anxious, his palms breaking out in sweat.

At this moment, Ji Hongwen was on the phone with Guo Mingkai.

"Mingkai, how could the real culprit of the June 11 Case fall into the hands of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection?"

"Ah?!" Guo Mingkai was clearly flustered. "Wasn't he taken to the provincial capital? I'm currently trying to find a way."

Guo Mingkai heard the sound of a table being slammed on the other end of the line, followed by Ji Hongwen's low growls:

"Bullshit! You've been tricked. The man is now in the hands of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Supervision Group! If you knew something was wrong, why didn't you say so earlier!"

"I was looking for Deputy Director Qi of the Provincial Department..."

Guo Mingkai tried to explain but was interrupted by Ji Hongwen:

"The Ministry of Public Security even sent people down for inspection; what's the point of looking for Qi Pengfei!"

"Go to the Platinum Night Club immediately and get a room to wait for me. We'll talk when we meet!"

The Platinum Night Club was the most luxurious membership-only entertainment club in Tongan City.

If you weren't a member, no matter how much money you had, you couldn't step foot inside.

This club was a property under the Qicheng Group.

Normally, it only received officials and important clients.

Inside, it offered a one-stop service for eating, drinking, playing, and bathing, and the hostesses were each more beautiful than the last.

Ji Hongwen's driver was familiar with the route, speeding all the way and driving straight into the courtyard of Platinum Night.

After getting out of the car, Ji Hongwen waved his hand at the driver:

"Go on, go enjoy yourself."

The driver was overjoyed. He grabbed a hostess by her slender waist in the lobby and headed toward the bathing area.

Accompanied by a greeter, Ji Hongwen had just stepped into the Platinum Member Area when the club's general manager, Bai Fengyin, came to meet him.

"Brother Hongwen, you haven't come to see me in so long!"

Bai Fengyin's delicate voice carried a hint of resentment as her curvaceous body pressed against Ji Hongwen.

She was naturally fair-skinned, and Ji Hongwen liked that best.

It was precisely because of Ji Hongwen's recommendation that she became the general manager here.

As long as Ji Hongwen didn't come, no one dared to touch her.

Seeing Ji Hongwen now, she was like a starving wolf cub that had suddenly found meat.

Ji Hongwen gave her perky backside a squeeze and smiled:

"Look at how greedy you are, but I have serious business to discuss with General Manager Guo."

Bai Fengyin pouted and stomped her feet coquettishly:

"General Manager Guo is in triple-eight. I don't care, you must come see me after you're done talking!"

Ji Hongwen could least resist the coquetry of a sexy and glamorous woman; he felt his heart go soft.

He raised his hand and tapped Bai Fengyin's forehead. "You little hussy, I'll give you something to deal with later!"

He pushed open the door to Room 888 and stepped inside.

Only Guo Mingkai was in the room, sitting on the sofa and smoking.

Seeing Ji Hongwen, Guo Mingkai hurriedly stood up:

"Secretary, please sit!"

Once Ji Hongwen was seated in the center, he quickly offered him red wine and sat down beside him.

"Secretary, since Zhou Zhiqiang is in the hands of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Supervision Group, could he still be in Tongan?"

Ji Hongwen mused, "The conditions at the Century Sunshine Hotel aren't very suitable for handling cases..."

At this point, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Guo Mingkai:

"Since Jiang Yunheng took office in Tongan, has he ever come here?"

Guo Mingkai shook his head. "A White Gold membership card was given to him, but he hasn't come once."

Platinum Night was divided into four areas according to membership level:

The Platinum Member Area mainly received higher-level leaders.

The White Gold Member Area mainly received members of the Municipal Committee Standing Committee and officials at or above the level of department head.

The Gold Member Area was responsible for receiving important merchants.

The Elite Member Area received lower-level officials and the nouveau riche.

The White Gold and Gold Member Areas had surveillance cameras installed in the places where customers rested.

As long as these officials and important clients came, none of them failed to leave behind some leverage.

Jiang Yunheng had never been here, which meant Guo Mingkai didn't have any 'action movie' recordings of him.

This man was not easy to control.

Hearing this, a flash of disappointment crossed Ji Hongwen's eyes.

But he still took out his phone and called Jiang Yunheng.

After the call connected, Jiang Yunheng's voice was polite and formal:

"Secretary, please give me your instructions."

Ji Hongwen gave a dry laugh and asked:

"Yunheng, the reporting hotline for the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Supervision Group has been announced. Do they need a dedicated place to handle cases?"

"This..." Jiang Yunheng hesitated for a moment.

But he still said, "Yesterday, Team Leader Lu temporarily requisitioned the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's Integrity Education Center."

Such a large area, guarded by Armed Police soldiers, couldn't be hidden at all.

"Oh?" Ji Hongwen forced a bit of delight. "It seems the reporting hotline is truly useful. Do you know what kind of case is being handled there?"

Jiang Yunheng answered truthfully, "I really don't know about that. The case has already been placed under the designated jurisdiction of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. They didn't ask for cooperation, so our Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection has no right to interfere."

Ji Hongwen feigned composure. "Very well. Whatever requirements the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection has, our Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection should cooperate well."

Hanging up the phone, he looked at Guo Mingkai beside him:

"The Zhou Zhiqiang you mentioned should be at the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's Integrity Education Center."

Guo Mingkai thought for a moment and slapped his thigh:

"Tonight, I'll have someone set a fire to burn down the Integrity Education Center, so they'll have no evidence left!"

"Nonsense! Why don't you just go and smash the Jade Emperor's throne!" Ji Hongwen glared fiercely at Guo Mingkai.

"If something happens there, I, as the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, would have no choice but to resign in blame. Before I resign, I'll be the first to destroy you!"

...

In the small building that Guo Mingkai had threatened to burn down, Jiang Peng had already arrived by car.

Zhao Yang and Zheng Beichen didn't have time to greet Jiang Peng and Jiang Nan. They jumped out of the car and ran quickly toward Lu Zheng's room.

Although they had already reported in detail on the way, Zhao Yang still wanted to hear Lu Zheng's opinion in person.

Lu Zheng waved his hand. "Hurry up and try to achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible!"

Entering the isolation interrogation room, Lu Zheng sat down at the interrogation desk, with Zhao Yang sitting beside him.

Zheng Beichen stood behind the two of them.

Opposite them, Zhou Zhiqiang sat in a chair with a fixed partition in front of him, his hands firmly secured.

Of course, everything visible in the room was padded with soft materials.

Even if he wanted to die, he couldn't.

Seeing the familiar hardbound notebook placed in front of Zhao Yang, he couldn't help but look stunned.

The interrogation room lights were bright, shining on Zhou Zhiqiang's face.

Zhao Yang accurately captured the change in his expression and spoke up:

"We already have a grasp of your situation. If you take the initiative to confess now, it can still be considered a meritorious performance. Don't refuse a polite offer only to be forced into a harsh one!"

Zhou Zhiqiang's Adam's apple bobbed, and the veins on his temples bulged.

His firmly secured hands began to tremble uncontrollably.