"You all don't need to wait for me, tell sister-in-law I'll be back soon."

Ling Zhenfei was put in a police car, and soon the police car started and headed towards the city.

Walking along the road, Ling Zhenfei laughed and said to Fan Qiang, "Director Guo must have sent you, right?"

Ling Zhenfei was just testing, but at this moment Fan Qiang said, "Stop making excuses, I have nothing to say to you. You were discovered and reported for damaging the forest environment of Xi Shan, there's no excuse for that."

Ling Zhenfei nodded and said, "Fine, no problem, but have you actually conducted a real investigation before daring to bring me here?"

Fan Qiang said, "The facts are there, what else can I say? Stop making excuses. You just need to suspend business for rectification, then pay the fine, or else I'll detain you."

Ling Zhenfei snorted coldly and said nothing more, sitting quietly in the car, which soon arrived at Jingquan District's Forestry Bureau. Ling Zhenfei was taken into a room.

After a while, Fan Qiang walked in with a document and handed it to Ling Zhenfei, "All right then, let's get started. You sign this document and we'll follow the procedure."

Ling Zhenfei took out the document and looked at it. It described how he had encroached on state property and damaged forest resources. In the end, it decided on a one million fine and a ten-day detention for Ling Zhenfei.

"Do you really think this thing you've brought out is legal?" Ling Zhenfei, holding the document in his hand, asked Fan Qiang, because he could tell that the contents were completely fabricated.

"Of course it's appropriate, what's inappropriate about it? This is a serious crime. Is one million too much? Not at all."

Ling Zhenfei finished reading and sneered, "Can I have someone review this contract before I sign it?"

"Ling Zhenfei, I advise you to give up. Don't expect anyone to save you. You did destroy the forest. We brothers are reasonable, we don't bother with trivial matters."

Ling Zhenfei understood as soon as he heard it; it seemed that Fan Qiang was looking for a benefit.

"Do you mean if I pay the money, I can continue developing in Xishan Manor?" Ling Zhenfei asked tentatively.

Fan Qiang started to laugh, "That won't do, it's not just that price. If you add another half a million, not only can you continue cutting down trees now, but even if you completely clear Xi Shan, we'll turn a blind eye."

"So that's how it is, Guo Ju sent you. How much did he pay you, what benefits did he get?"

"Don't ask such pointless questions, Ling Zhenfei. Just sign here. You run such a big company, you won't miss this amount of money. Once you've paid, we'll be acquainted, and you can come to us if you ever need anything," said Fan Qiang with a smile.

Ling Zhenfei was truly helpless; this was the corruption of the state. With such people becoming pests, it was even more frustrating.

Ling Zhenfei said, "Let me have someone bring some money over, just wait, it'll be right there." He said with great confidence.

"Great, that's perfect. We like cash," Fan Qiang chuckled, as if he could see the one million waving at him.

However, Ling Zhenfei directly dialed Feng Li's number. Feng Li was currently the mayor. Ling Zhenfei had his phone number but had never called him before; now, faced with this situation, he had no choice but to call him.

The phone was quickly picked up on the other end, and Mayor Feng's laughter came through, "Great God Ling, what's up? Why do you think of me now?"

Feng Li's voice was very cheerful, clearly not expecting a call from Ling Zhenfei.

"Big Brother Feng, shouldn't it be your secretary answering the phone? How come you still don't have a secretary?" Ling Zhenfei joked with Feng Li. Logically speaking, at Feng Li's level, it should be his secretary taking his calls.

Feng Li also started smiling, "That's for sure, but you called my personal number which is known by only a few people. Of course, I'd answer your calls myself."

"How's it going, is work still smooth?"

With a somewhat helpless tone, Feng Li replied, "Don't get me started, it's still that Imperial Palace Club incident. The aftermath hasn't been fully dealt with yet. By the way, you've become the village head now, how are you adjusting?"

"My position is way more relaxing compared to yours. I've contracted ninety percent of the village land now. The villagers' livelihood is secured, and they're earning much more than before, everyone's happy..."

Ling Zhenfei briefed Feng Li on the village situation. In terms of official ranks, a mayor and a village head have a great disparity in their positions.

But the relationship between Ling Zhenfei and Feng Li wasn't as straightforward. When Feng Li, Long Hai, and others arrived in Binyang, they were attacked by Oxhead and Horseface. Ling Zhenfei appeared at the critical moment and saved them.

Technically, Ling Zhenfei was their lifesaver. His rescue of the entire carload of people filled their hearts with gratitude.

Moreover, as Long Hai's subordinate, Feng Li knew Ling Zhenfei's special relationship with Long Hai due to the Imperial Palace Club negotiation, which involved both Feng Li and Zhou Xia; thus, Feng Li was very familiar with Ling Zhenfei.

He knew what kind of person Ling Zhenfei was and what contributions he had made to Binyang.

After listening to Ling Zhenfei's introduction, Feng Li said, "If you have any problems, just look for Xu Cai. I've spoken to him personally; he should know what to do."

Ling Zhenfei responded with satisfaction, "I'm already very happy with the arrangement. He has also told me, and I will look for him if there are issues."

As Ling Zhenfei and Feng Li casually chatted, Fan Qiang, who was nearby, grew anxious, "Ling Zhenfei, are you done yet? Don't you know what situation we're in? You're supposed to be calling for money, why are you chatting about household matters?"

Fan Qiang was furious, his voice booming. Ling Zhenfei quickly replied with a laugh, "You guys really, I'm asking for money, an important matter and yet you're not stepping away? How am I supposed to ask for money like this?"

"Do you need to talk behind people's backs for this kind of thing? Is there something that can't be said upfront?" Fan Qiang, still fuming, thought Ling Zhenfei was stalling for time.

"Look at what you're saying. What if the conversation involves the safe's combination? Am I supposed to just discuss that in front of you all? You really have no respect; you could at least have the decency to step aside."

When Fan Qiang and the other two heard this, they figured Ling Zhenfei had a point; after all, it was all about handing over the money.

"Alright then, we'll give you ten minutes. Don't try any tricks. If we come back in ten minutes and you're not done, then you're not going home today," said Fan Qiang.

After saying this, Fan Qiang led his men out of the interrogation room.

It was then that Ling Zhenfei resumed his conversation with Feng Li.

"Sorry about that, Mayor Feng, a little hiccup occurred." Ling Zhenfei had deliberately not covered the phone's mouthpiece while speaking to Fan Qiang, intending to let Feng Li overhear.

"What's happened, I overheard that they were threatening you just now. Being threatened isn't like you, that's not your style," Feng Li said, somewhat surprised.

Ling Zhenfei replied helplessly, "Times have changed. I can't afford to offend these people, I'm afraid that if I do, you might lock me up."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.