Chapter 59: Setting the Strategy

Zhou Xuan glanced around at everyone and smiled faintly. “Esteemed elders, then I shall speak plainly. First, I want to ask: if Mayor Zhou is removed from office, will that person finally cease their scheming, allowing us all to live in peace?”

Secretary Yu furrowed his brow. “Given that person’s domineering nature, if someone they promoted were to be ousted, I doubt they’d simply let the matter rest. Being the highest authority in the province is no trivial matter.”

“Exactly. And with a five-year term, not to mention the initial humiliation, wouldn’t the ensuing battles only grow fiercer?” Minister Wang voiced his concern.

Seeing the weight of their pressure and worries, Zhou Xuan said, “Then why must you all resist so stubbornly? Wouldn’t it be simpler to comply with that person’s wishes?”

Detecting a trace of mockery in Zhou Xuan’s tone, Secretary Yu chuckled, recalling the youthful arrogance before him.

Yu and Minister Wang exchanged smiles, not in anger but with a knowing warmth. “Young friend Zhou, you are still inexperienced and don’t fully grasp the concerns and pressures we bear. We don’t blame you for that. But as you venture into business, you’ll find that commerce is a battlefield where weighing pros and cons sometimes means making compromises or temporary sacrifices—sometimes swallowing bitter pills in silence. We understand your reasoning, but as the saying goes, ‘Those who walk different paths cannot share a common plan.’ How could we ever stoop to unlawful and disorderly acts for personal gain?”

Zhou Xuan knew he had been too bold and apologized, “I spoke rashly. Thank you, Uncle Yu, for your understanding and wise counsel. I will be more mindful going forward.”

Secretary Yu waved his hand. “Enough. Since young friend Zhou has spoken, let’s see if we can secure a small victory first to ease our pressure. Besides, with connections to the Jiang family in the imperial capital, even if that person tries to cause trouble later, they will have to think twice. Zhou Xuan, tell us about your intelligence. You seem so confident, I’m quite curious.”

“In truth, my intelligence comes from a rather secretive channel. I learned that Tengfei Group has close ties with Mayor Zhou. You all know the new mayor came from Yang City, where his reputation wasn’t stellar. Over the years, he’s been deeply entangled with Tengfei Group. No one believes there’s nothing fishy there, but they’ve hidden it well—no evidence has surfaced.”

Zhou Xuan paused, then continued, “By chance, I found out that Liu Teng has stored all evidence of his bribery in a villa he owns in Yudu. If we can locate that villa, we can obtain this crucial evidence.”

This revelation stunned everyone. If true, Liu Teng’s Tengfei Group and its protectors could be swept away entirely.

Yet doubts lingered. Such information seemed improbable. Zhou Xuan was from Rong Province, hundreds of miles away from Tengfei Group’s base. How could he have a lead just because of a conflict involving Liu Ze?

Such secrets were likely known only to Liu Teng himself or his closest circle. Their looks toward Zhou Xuan brimmed with suspicion and curiosity, wondering where he had gotten this information.

Facing their gazes, Zhou Xuan pressed on, “I cannot disclose the exact source, but I assure you it’s true. Liu Teng has a mistress in Yudu who owns two villas—one she resides in regularly, the other where she meets Liu Teng. The evidence is hidden in a secret chamber behind the study room’s wall in that villa.”

Upon hearing such detailed knowledge, Qiao Yingbo suddenly spoke up, “It’s almost as if you’ve seen it yourself. If what you say is accurate, there must be videos and photos of Liu Teng’s bribery, maybe even ledgers. Should this explode publicly, it would shake the entire provincial political scene.”

“Yes, but first we must verify your claims and confirm the evidence exists before taking any steps to disrupt that person’s arrangements and prepare to face what comes next,” Secretary Yu said, understanding that the crux lay in the authenticity and potency of the evidence. Only then could they strike a fatal blow, shattering that person’s dignity and authority.

Zhou Xuan smiled. “If it’s true, Director Qiao, why not send someone to investigate? I know you have experts in this field who can proceed without alerting the enemy.”

Director Qiao glanced at Secretary Yu, awaiting his response.

After a moment, Secretary Yu said, “An investigation is warranted. Yang City’s affairs have been outrageous these past years. We’ve received numerous tip-offs but never found solid proof. According to Qiao’s private inquiries, the problems are indeed severe and the situation grim. Now that he’s come to Rong City, I must take responsibility for the millions of people here. Those who cause trouble must be decisively removed—and sooner rather than later, to prevent greater harm.”

Listening to Secretary Yu’s righteous words, Zhou Xuan couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Factional strife always sounded so lofty and principled; he had to admire their finesse. Moreover, he deeply respected Secretary Yu and the others for refusing to collude with the corrupt forces. The events of later years in his previous life proved those others were true “tigers” in power.

Minister Wang nodded. “In that case, let’s investigate quietly. Let Qiao verify the evidence before we report to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.”

“Yes, that sounds right. Specific matters will be handled between Qiao and young friend Zhou. We look forward to your success,” Secretary Yu concluded.

With the major direction set, Secretary Yu and Minister Wang departed. As powerful provincial figures, they were busy with official duties and could not vanish too long without arousing suspicion.

To avoid over-involvement, Zhou Xuan only gave Director Qiao a brief clue: “Lanyu Jiangshan, Building 35.” Qiao, as police chief, surely knew what it meant and how to proceed.

After parting ways with Qiao, Zhou Xuan returned to the villa with Deng Ting’an, had dinner at the Deng residence, and stayed the night.

The next morning, Zhou Xuan confidently rode in Deng City’s car to the office building of Universal Software, ready to convene an all-staff mobilization meeting.

Since the Thunderbolt Plan had already begun on the other front, Zhou Xuan’s side needed to accelerate their own preparations.

That entire morning, Zhou Xuan meticulously reviewed the company’s new hires over the past two weeks, focusing especially on more than twenty promoters. He examined their performance, sales commissions, and company evaluations.

These individuals would be the core force for nationwide promotion. They would be divided into seven groups and dispatched across the country to recruit local promoters, initiating the rollout of the internet café management system.