Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 541: Chapter 498: Shi Yiwu’s Suicide (Third Update, Calling for Monthly Tickets)_1
 

As the special task force began their investigation, the Eastern Sea Group was also in disarray. In just a few days, while the task force hadn’t arrested any higher-ups in the company, quite a number of middle managers had been taken away.

Within the Hongyun Building, where the once bustling headquarters of the Eastern Sea Group resided, there was now only silence. Outside the large doors, the grand parking lot was eerily quiet.

At the top floor, Lin Zhengxing’s office was dark, with no lights on. Slumped in the bulky boss chair behind the spacious desk, Zhengxing’s chubby figure sank deep. At this moment, Zhengxing was reflecting on his own life. Despite his limited education, he wasn’t stupid. On the contrary, if he hadn’t been smart, he wouldn’t have built such a vast family business or committed such a massive crime.

He reminisced about the times when more than two hundred officials came to celebrate his birthday, each receiving a red envelope with a hundred thousand yuan. A birthday celebration that cost tens of millions in cash gifts alone, along with the costs for drinks and venues, easily reaching hundreds of millions. For Lin Zhengxing, it was a small expense.

And now, the Eastern Sea Group, was close to its downfall.

“Brother Star, based on the current situation; we can’t handle this anymore. I suggest you leave,” said Chang Jiu, who had just walked in.

Even in such a predicament, Chang Jiu remained undyingly loyal. As a privately educated teacher, he owed his status and wealth to Zhengxing’s appreciation. His stubborn scholar-like loyalty made him stay.

“Leave? Haha, Jiu, where in the world can I, Lin Zhengxing, find refuge?” Lin Zhengxing looked grim.

Lin Zhengxing’s tone then shifted, his voice becoming fierce, “I refuse to leave in such a manner, I refuse completely. The accounts of Eastern Sea Group have been temporarily frozen. We only have a small sum of less than three billion yuan in Swiss Bank. I refuse to leave just like that. After all, we are not completely done for. Cheng Fang and Director Wang are still on our side.”

In Wanghai City, Lin Zhengxing held power over both the lawful and the unlawful, and he wasn’t ready to accept defeat just yet. At this moment, he still dreamed of a last stand.

Chang Jiu’s face showed some worries as he whispered, “Brother Star, the special task force has started to monitor us and they seem to be restricting us from leaving the country. If we don’t leave now, it will be too late.”

Lin Zhengxing waved his hand and said solemnly, “Jiu, don’t worry. We still have one last chance. The two sessions are about to be held soon. This is our opportunity. Success or failure will be determined at this meeting.”

…

Wanghai City Military Region

Even though it was late at night, the lights were still bright, and the members of the special task force were not resting. In fact, night-time was when they were busiest. All members of the task force worked in shifts, without rest for twenty-four hours. This was a common tactic of exhaustion during interrogations.

At this moment, in the room where Liu Sicun had confessed everything, Liu Bin’s face was somewhat gloomy. Huang Lasheng quietly said, “Director, this is the blank paper from Shi Yiwu’s room. He hasn’t written a word.”

Indeed, Shi Yiwu was still hoping for the best. These were the kind of people who wouldn’t give up until the last moment. This tactic was common during investigations. A stack of blank paper, a pen, and no questions, were simply provided for him to write. Often, this approach could lead to unexpected results.

After a moment of silence, Liu Bin said slowly, “Lasheng, bring in Shi Yiwu.”

Upon hearing Liu Bin’s orders, Shi Yiwu soon arrived, escorted by two soldiers. Comparing his current state with his previous vitality as the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, it was a shocking sight. After several long days and nights, Shi Yiwu looked extremely haggard, his eyes sunken and his hair in disarray. His previously jet-black hair now had numerous strands of white. Under immense mental pressure, Shi Yiwu’s days had been excruciatingly difficult.

“Shi Yiwu, don’t you want to say something about the Bentley car matter?” Liu Bin started the conversation in a rather low-key manner.

This was Liu Bin’s strategy, start with the easier issues before moving on to the tougher ones. If he began by asking Shi Yiwu about his relationship with the Eastern Sea Group, or how much bribe he had taken, Shi Yiwu would undoubtedly remain silent. It was clear from his behavior over the past few days. He hadn’t written a single word in three days and had clearly made up his mind not to say anything.

However, starting from such a trivial matter as the Bentley, it could induce a certain inertia of thinking and following his own rhythm. It must be said that after years of training and refinement in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Liu Bin’s experience in this field is quite rich.

“As for the Bentley, it was donated by the Eastern Sea Group to the reception office of our Wanghai Municipal Party Committee. Many people in Wanghai have overseas connections. Coupled with the economic development of these years, there are many foreign guests. Having a good car for picking up foreign guests is part of our image. Later, my own car had a few small problems, and I didn’t have a car to use, so the municipal office temporarily let me use this one.” Shi Yiwu glanced at Liu Bin indifferently, maintaining his calm even in such a situation.

This is not only happening in Wanghai, but also in other places across the country: getting high-end luxury cars in the name of reception vehicles, temporarily borrowing them, and actually using them as their own cars. This is an open secret. It can’t be considered as a violation because everyone knows it’s a violation, but nothing can be done about it.

“Why did the Eastern Sea Group donate the Bentley to the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee? Did you provide convenience for the Eastern Sea Group?” Liu Bin didn’t wait for Shi Yiwu to continue thinking and threw out a more sensitive topic.

Originally, Liu Bin thought Shi Yiwu would definitely defend himself. This way, he could seize the opportunity to lure Shi Yiwu further. However, to his disappointment, at this moment, Shi Yiwu suddenly looked up at Liu Bin. After a moment of silence, he calmly said, “Our relationship with the Eastern Sea Group is completely normal. The reason why they donated the car, that’s their own business, I have no idea.”

This sentence blocked Liu Bin’s next plan. But Liu Bin wasn’t discouraged, saying: “Don’t you know? The Eastern Sea Group has nearly six million square meters of land reserves in Wanghai City. How did this happen? Some of the land is even obtained through administrative allocations. Shi Yiwu, as a secretary of the municipal party committee, don’t you know about this?”

At this time, Shi Yiwu didn’t say anything anymore and stayed silent. Liu Bin and Huang Lasheng exchanged a look.

Immediately, Liu Bin slammed his hand on the table and shouted angrily, “Shi Yiwu, you have to stop resisting. This won’t do you any good. What is going on with Li Hong from Hongyun Building? Also, you personally approved three hundred acres of land for Lin Zhengxing. In return, he arranged Australian visas for your family. What’s going on with that? Don’t think we don’t have evidence. Your silence doesn’t mean you’re innocent. If you’re hopeful, you only have a dead end!”

As soon as the voice fell, Huang Lasheng said in a gentle tone: “Shi Yiwu, don’t harbor any ideas. We have already grasped a lot about your affairs. Liu Sicun and Zhang Zusi have spoken, they know the times. You’re resisting like this, have you considered your family? Who are you trying to benefit by doing this?”

This good cop, bad cop combination has always been a powerful tool in interrogation, but at this moment in front of Shi Yiwu, it is meaningless.

Shi Yiwu right now is like a stone in a cesspool, smelly and hard. He looked at Liu Bin indifferently, then said: “Gentlemen, don’t waste your energy. I am falsely accused. If one wants to condemn, there is always a pretext. I know nothing about these. I believe the central government will give me a fair judgment.”

From eight o’clock in the evening until twelve o’clock at night, Shi Yiwu just sat there quietly. Either he closed his eyes to rest or turned his head to look at the wall. He was even humming a Peking opera tune. This attitude made Liu Bin furious. Having a hard mouth is common, but Shi Yiwu’s level of stubbornness is extremely rare.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Bin sneered: “Shi Yiwu, you are still a bit short when it comes to patience with us. I want to see how hard your mouth really is.”

The entire interrogation lasted until the next morning when it was temporarily paused. Then Zheng Gensheng and Tan Xiongbin continued to hammer Shi Yiwu with fatigue. However, Shi Yiwu appeared as if he had made up his mind, completely disregarding everyone.

It lasted a complete twenty-four hours until the following day. Had they not been afraid of causing a fatality, they would not have stopped.

Watching Shi Yiwu, his exhausted body being propped up by soldiers as they walked him out of the interrogation room, a hint of gloom surfaced on Liu Bin’s face.

Zheng Gensheng also spoke from the side: “Director, this Shi Yiwu’s mouth is too hard. He’s not directly answering our questions at all. He keeps repeating the same phrase over and over again, that the central government will give him a fair judgment.”

Liu Bin snorted coldly and said in a deep voice: “Old Zheng, people like him still harbour illusions. Let’s not bother with him for now and start from other aspects. Once we get the evidence he will be unable to resist. Old Zheng, we have been cooling Zhang Zusi for four days. Interrogate him tonight.”

At nine o’clock in the evening, while Liu Bin was interrogating Zhang Zusi, there was suddenly a knock on the door. Zheng Gensheng was standing at the door, gesturing to Liu Bin.

As soon as he stepped out, Zheng Gensheng whispered, “Director, Shi Yiwu has committed suicide.”

PS: Brothers and sisters, Old Cai admires you, I can only say, you guys are awesome!!! 593 votes. Here comes the third update first. The tenth will follow around nine o’clock, and the fifth, around ten forty at night!!! (.)