351: Chapter 350 The Li Bing case implicates the Chu Tian Group

Meanwhile, at the Security Bureau Modu Branch.

After Ye Qingcheng drove there, she went straight to the interrogation room without any delay.

The lights in the interrogation room were still deathly pale. Huang Hansheng sat on the iron chair, his hands unconsciously wringing together.

He stared at the stainless steel table in front of him. The surface reflected the panic in his eyes. Every time footsteps echoed in the hallway, his shoulders would instinctively tense up.

When the door lock turned with a "click," he jerked his head up. The moment he saw Ye Qingcheng push the door open and enter, his heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, and even his breathing became sluggish.

"Captain Ye..." Huang Hansheng stood up hurriedly and greeted Ye Qingcheng, looking at her with some trepidation.

Ye Qingcheng closed the door behind her, the heavy door panel cutting off the outside noise.

She reached out and pressed the switch for the surveillance equipment, and the screen instantly went dark. This action made Huang Hansheng's heart beat even faster—he didn't know what she wanted to ask him alone. Was there something he hadn't confessed yet? Or was there a problem with his family? It wasn't until Ye Qingcheng signaled for him to sit down that he sat stiffly, his hands still tightly clutching the hem of his shirt.

"Huang Hansheng, do you have anything else to say regarding Boss Lei of Hongmen?" Ye Qingcheng's voice was calm but carried an unquestionable sense of pressure. "If there's anything left out, it's better to confess proactively than to be found out."

"Everything that needed to be confessed, didn't I already confess it back at the underground Safe House?" Huang Hansheng snapped his head up, his eyes full of surprise as he asked in return.

"Fine. Since you won't speak up on your own, I'll ask." Ye Qingcheng didn't want to beat around the bush with him any longer. After a pause, she said bluntly, "Four years ago, before Li Bing was promoted to the head of the Security Bureau Modu Branch, did Boss Lei of Hongmen come to Modu?"

"Huh?" Huang Hansheng's pupils dilated suddenly, as if he had heard some shocking secret. He shook his head violently, his chair making a harsh scraping sound on the floor. "I'm not sure about that! I swear to God, I haven't seen him once since I returned from Australia!"

His voice rose sharply in an urgent defense. "We've always been on a single-line contact. He would contact me when he needed me to check on someone or pass a message. At other times, I didn't even have his contact information. How could I know if he came to Modu or not? Even the fact that Li Bing was one of his people was something I only found out during the last interrogation!"

As he spoke, fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Fearing that Ye Qingcheng wouldn't believe him, he added, "Captain Ye, I'm really not lying to you. I've cooperated actively to this point; there's absolutely no need for me to hide anything. If I knew, I would have said it long ago!"

Seeing that the panic in Huang Hansheng's eyes didn't seem faked, Ye Qingcheng frowned. She replayed the blurry fragments from the recording in her mind—could it be that Huang Hansheng really didn't know, or was there some other secret connection between Li Bing and Boss Lei?

She remained silent for a moment and then asked: "Before Li Bing was promoted to the head, did he attend any banquets? Or which officials and businessmen was he close to?"

This question sent Huang Hansheng into deep thought. He frowned and muttered to himself, "Four years ago... let me think..."

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said urgently, as if grabbing a life-saving straw: "Oh, right! I remember now! At that time, Li Bing was in charge of a major case. It was because of that case that the people who were originally competing with him for the top position lost ground, and the post finally fell into his hands!"

"What case?" Ye Qingcheng leaned forward, her gaze sharpening.

"I remember it was a case related to Chutian Group." Huang Hansheng's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "I don't remember the exact details, I only have a vague understanding. At the time, Chutian Group had taken on a national-level project. The manager in charge of the project used illegal means to steal classified data, and it seemed to involve foreign intelligence agencies."

He paused, trying hard to recall. "Back then, Li Bing was running to Chutian Group every day and was very close to the chairman, Chu Weiguo. After the case was closed, Chu Weiguo even treated him to a meal. Many people in the bureau knew about it. Captain Ye, you can definitely find it if you pull the files from back then. That's really all I know!"

"Alright, I understand. Thank you for the information." Ye Qingcheng nodded and stood up to leave.

But just as she turned around, Huang Hansheng stood up in a hurry, his voice filled with pleading: "Captain Ye, about my matter... has the leadership given any instructions on how to handle it?" He clenched his hands tightly. "I know I was wrong, but my wife and son are innocent. They..."

When mentioning his family, his voice choked up, and his eyes turned bloodshot. He wasn't afraid of being sentenced; he was afraid that his mistakes would implicate his wife and child, making them live under the judgment of others.

Ye Qingcheng stopped and turned to look at him: "A mistake has been made, and the consequences must be borne." Her tone softened slightly. "But considering your active cooperation, I will seek leniency for you in my report."

"Thank you, Captain Ye! Thank you, Captain Ye!" Huang Hansheng was so emotional he almost knelt down. He then asked hurriedly, "Then my wife and son... they won't be implicated, right?"

"As long as the investigation confirms they weren't involved, they'll be fine." Ye Qingcheng's words slightly eased Huang Hansheng's racing heart, but her next words threw him back into anxiety. "However, the money you received will most likely have to be confiscated." After saying that, she opened the door and walked out, leaving Huang Hansheng where he was, feeling both joy and worry—joy that his family was temporarily safe, but worry that their savings were gone and how his wife and child would live in the future.

Leaving the interrogation room, Ye Qingcheng went straight to the Archives Department.

The office was very quiet, with only the "creak" of the filing cabinets being pushed and pulled. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

When the clerk saw her enter, he immediately stood up with a polite smile on his face and a hint of flattery in his tone: "Captain Ye, you're here! Do you need to pull some files? I'll find them for you right away!"

"Retrieve the files for the Chutian Group case that Li Bing was in charge of four years ago."

The smile on the clerk's face froze instantly. He subconsciously rubbed his hands, his eyes darting around, and his voice became hesitant: "S-sorry, Captain Ye. Last night... Director Miao already had someone take away all the files Director Li handled over the years, saying it was to 'organize the workload'..."

"Understood." Ye Qingcheng's voice gave away no emotion, but suspicion rose in her heart.

Miao Fengren had just taken over and was already in such a hurry to take Li Bing's files. Was it really to organize the workload? Or did he want to destroy some evidence before the files could be audited?

She turned and left the Archives Department, with the low whispers of the clerks trailing behind her.

"Do you think Captain Ye is going to clash with the new Director Miao again?"

"Probably not. Yesterday, Director Miao slammed the table at the meeting and repeatedly emphasized that we must cooperate with the Special Operations Department at all costs. He wouldn't just be saying that while continuing to sabotage them behind their backs, right?"

"I don't think so either. After all, with Director Li Bing's example right there, everyone in the bureau knows that Ye Qingcheng is like an imperial envoy holding a royal sword. One wrong move, and you'll lose your position."

"Alright, let's stop gossiping. When the gods fight, as long as we innocent bystanders don't get caught in the crossfire, it's fine."

Before long, Ye Qingcheng arrived at the door of the Director's office on the top floor.

The office door was tightly closed, and the "Director's Office" plaque on the door panel gleamed coldly.

Ye Qingcheng raised her hand and knocked. The sound of her knuckles hitting the door was clear and powerful. Miao Fengren's slightly hurried voice came from inside: "Come in!"

Ye Qingcheng pushed the door open and walked in calmly. Miao Fengren was currently sitting behind his desk, holding a file.

Seeing Ye Qingcheng enter, he immediately stood up, forced a warm smile, and gestured toward the sofa nearby: "Captain Ye is here! Please, sit, sit! I've just brewed some Mingqian Longjing tea, it's still hot, try some!"

"No need, Director Miao." Ye Qingcheng interrupted him, her tone flat but carrying a hint of distance. "Congratulations on your promotion to the head of the Modu Branch. It seems the organization trusts your abilities very much." The underlying meaning in her words made the smile on Miao Fengren's face stiffen, and a flash of unease crossed his eyes.

"Captain Ye, about the previous misunderstanding..." Miao Fengren wanted to explain the failure of the previous operation to smooth over their relationship, but he was interrupted by Ye Qingcheng again.

"I'm here today regarding a case Li Bing handled four years ago." Ye Qingcheng looked him straight in the eye. "The Archives Department said you took all the files Li Bing handled last night?"

Miao Fengren's hands tightened unconsciously. He forced a calm smile. "With Li Bing's situation, and me just taking over, I have to understand his previous work as soon as possible to see if there are any oversights, so I can fix them and not delay the bureau's work." As he spoke, he flipped through the stack of files on his desk. "There are too many files, I haven't finished them yet... You're talking about the case from four years ago? Let me look, it should be in this pile."

Ye Qingcheng stood there quietly, her sharp gaze fixed on him. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she spoke up abruptly with a seemingly random question: "Director Miao, you should know about the Chutian Group case from four years ago, right?"

These words were like a bolt of lightning hitting Miao Fengren. His hand searching through the files stopped abruptly, his fingertips resting on the cover of a file, and he even missed a breath. Although it was only for a split second, Ye Qingcheng saw it clearly.

He quickly returned to normal, straightened up, and put on a perfectly timed look of recollection: "Of course I know. I was still in the Intelligence Department of the General Bureau back then. Li Bing relied on this case to earn merit and successfully become the head of the Modu Branch." As he spoke, he pulled a folder from the stack, opened it, and quickly scanned a few pages. After confirming there were no issues, he handed it to Ye Qingcheng. "This is the file from back then. Take a look; it should be recorded in great detail."

Ye Qingcheng took the file, her fingers stroking the cover. She didn't open it immediately but looked up at Miao Fengren, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry: "If I remember correctly, Director Miao and the chairman of Chutian Group, Chu Weiguo, were comrades who served in the same period, right? You must have had a good relationship back then?"

"Uh..." The smile on Miao Fengren's face froze instantly, and embarrassment crept onto his cheeks. He coughed, his eyes seemingly dodging her gaze, and continued, "We were indeed in the same period. However, Chu Weiguo had great physical fitness back then, and his training results were always number one. After only six months of service, he was scouted and transferred by Old Master Ye. After that, we didn't have much contact. To be honest, we didn't have much interaction."

"I see." Ye Qingcheng didn't press further, holding the file as she turned to leave.

But just then, Miao Fengren suddenly spoke: "Captain Ye, when will the cases for those taken in connection with Li Bing's case be finalized?"

Ye Qingcheng stopped, turned around, and responded: "The case is still under investigation, and relevant details cannot be disclosed at this time. I hope Director Miao understands."

"Oh, it's nothing, I was just asking. After all, those people also have families. Since last night, many people have already called the branch office."

"Yes, I understand." She paused and added, "I will finalize the case as soon as possible. By the way, Director Xu will be coming to Modu for an inspection this afternoon. If you're free, Director Miao, let's go welcome him together."

"Ah? Director Xu is coming? Since when? How come I didn't receive the news?" Miao Fengren asked in confusion.

"It was a temporary decision this morning. There probably wasn't enough time to notify you, Director Miao. Calculating the time, he should be on his way now. This afternoon, Director Xu will personally go to the branch's Special Training Base to meet with the members requisitioned by the Special Operations Department."

"Then should we go to the Special Training Base first to make some preparations?" Director Miao inquired.

"No need, I've already arranged for Director Wang of the General Office to prepare. I believe he can handle such a small matter." Ye Qingcheng explained.

"Oh, oh, that's good then. I'll head over once I've finished the work at hand."

"Alright, then I won't disturb you further, Director Miao." With that, Ye Qingcheng took the folder and turned to leave the Director's office.

After seeing Ye Qingcheng off, Miao Fengren sat back down at his desk. He picked up his phone, looked at his contacts, hesitated for a long time, and then put it back down.

Before long, Ye Qingcheng was back in the driver's seat of her SUV. However, she didn't start the car immediately. Instead, she placed the file on the passenger seat and slowly opened it.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, falling onto the pages and illuminating the handwriting:

Four years ago, Chutian Group transitioned to the military industry. Leveraging Chu Weiguo's military background, they undertook the "Sharp Blade Project" from a military research institute, which involved the upgrade and modification of various active-duty weapons and equipment.

During the project's progression, Zhang Ming, the project manager assigned by Chutian Group, was bribed by a U.S. intelligence agency. Through money and sexual entrapment, he corrupted several engineers who held core parameters, nearly leaking top-secret intelligence such as weapon parameters.

Although the intelligence was successfully intercepted and Zhang Ming and others were arrested, Chutian Group was banned from participating in military projects for five years due to management negligence, and Chu Weiguo was also summoned for a critical talk.

Looking at the contents of the file, Ye Qingcheng frowned and pondered: "Is there really a connection between Chu Weiguo and Li Bing? Based solely on the contents recorded in this file, no connection can be seen... Could it be that I'm too sensitive and overthinking things?"

Just then, her phone suddenly rang. The name "Han Hao" on the screen made Ye Qingcheng's eyes light up. She immediately answered the phone, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation: "How is it? Did you find the bank card?"

"Reporting to Captain Ye, we found it!" Han Hao's voice was full of excitement. "We checked Li Bing's call logs and dashcam and found the address where he kept his mistress. However, by the time we arrived, the woman had already driven to the airport. Fortunately, comrades from the Modu Public Security Bureau contacted the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration in time and intercepted her at the security checkpoint! The person is now under control, and that Swiss Confederation bank card was also found in her backpack!"

"Very good, well done. Take her to the Modu Public Security Bureau first to be held! Also, send someone to search her residence and find out who tipped her off!"

"Yes!"

Hanging up the phone, Ye Qingcheng's racing heart finally began to settle.

She leaned back against the seat and let out a long sigh of relief. Finding that bank card was the first step toward success!

At the very least, it corroborated that the content mentioned in the recording was indeed true.