Chapter 169 She dares to hoard oil? Is that even possible?!
"What? Infringing on national interests? Illegal business operations?" Ning Jinli asked in surprise.
She was just about to ask if there was any misunderstanding when Sister Ying and two bigwigs from relevant national departments were there, and the issue could be resolved once the misunderstanding was cleared up.
But Ning Yao interrupted with a mocking laugh: "Oh, my poor, stupid cousin, you really have no idea where the problem is. Let me teach you a lesson this time, so you don't actually think you're cut out for business."
"Oh? You went to all this trouble just to teach me a lesson?" Ning Jinli said with a smile.
"You can still laugh?" Ning Yao's eyes flashed with a sinister light as she lowered her voice and leaned closer, "You ignorant fool, let me tell you, today is your death day!"
Ning Jinli blinked her big, innocent eyes, "Really?"
Ning Yao gave her an expression as if she were looking at an idiot. "These three people, one is the special commissioner of the city's police force, who is leading this investigation, one is from the city's anti-smuggling headquarters, and one is from the city's regulatory headquarters. It is a joint investigation by multiple city-level departments. Moreover, all three of them are my friends."
"The reporters from the other news media were also specially invited by me."
As Ning Yao spoke, she flashed her signature smile, turned around and waved to the reporters, then looked at Ning Jinli again, "Cousin, I am now the most sought-after and youngest well-known entrepreneur in Xinghan City. The Ning Group is about to take off in my hands. I will use your fall from grace as a memento of my soaring to the sky, and as a way to settle all past grudges!"
Ning Jinli smiled enigmatically, "I've been busy with my own things lately and haven't had time to pay attention to you. I didn't know you were so amazing. Congratulations!"
"Heh, you've even learned to be sarcastic now, but I don't care," Ning Yao sneered, boasting smugly. "The Lu family's first investment earned the Ning Group a billion yuan. Then the Lu family increased their investment fivefold and helped attract three other major families to invest as well. In the last few months of this year, the Ning Group will easily earn tens of billions of yuan in net profit. And you, you'll only be able to watch me shine while watching the news on TV from prison."
At this moment, Ning Yao was bursting with confidence, and she felt particularly good just saying these things in front of Ning Jinli.
He acted as if he already controlled the whole world and could crush Ning Jinli like an ant in a heartbeat.
So she wasn't in a hurry at all.
They even hoped that the process of destroying Ning Jinli today would proceed as slowly as possible.
This way, she can fully enjoy the wonderful feeling that the process brings.
It's like a sumptuous feast.
It must be savored slowly and carefully.
Ning Jinli looked at Ning Yao's smug face and secretly sneered in her heart.
Alright, then let's play along with her for a while.
Otherwise, it would be a real shame to have gone to such lengths and made such a grand spectacle of it.
“It’s not that I can’t cooperate,” Ning Jinli said to the special envoy leading the investigation. “Are you planning to take me away for interrogation, or are you going to search the factory behind me?”
The special envoy stated, "Search the factory first, then conduct interrogations."
“Oh…” Ning Jinli nodded. “Sure, where is the search warrant? According to relevant laws, you need to show a search warrant to conduct a legal search. Of course, you are all professionals, so I don’t need to remind you.”
Ning Jinli was certain they didn't have that thing.
Because once they submit a search request for this location, the relevant higher-level departments will report the situation to the head of the national-level headquarters.
These are the two big shots who were present this time.
Therefore, they will not only not receive the search authority approved by their superiors, but they will also know that this is not a special area they are not authorized to trespass on.
Now they've arrived, helping Ning Yao conduct a search in a very professional manner.
"Wow, I didn't realize you knew anything, cousin. You've made some progress." Ning Yao said sarcastically.
The special envoy's face was serious, and his tone was laced with warning, "This is a joint investigation by multiple municipal departments. It's a special operation and doesn't require a search warrant. If you dare to obstruct us, we won't be polite."
Ning Jinli spread her hands and said loudly, "Then you have to tell me where I have infringed on national interests, where I have engaged in illegal business operations? Do you have any evidence?"
The reporters from the news media not far away couldn't hear the conversation clearly because of the distance, but they all heard Ning Jinli's loud words, so they widened their eyes and pricked up their ears.
The photographers all pointed their cameras at Ning Jinli.
The group of reporters initially only received the time and location from the anonymous source, along with an announcement that something big was going to happen and that Ning Yao, the current head of the Ning Group, would also be there.
So they all arrived on time.
But what exactly will happen is unknown beforehand.
Upon hearing Ning Jinli's words, the reporters sensed a major breaking news story and became extremely alert, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.
"There's oil stockpiled in the factory behind you! And quite a lot of it!" Ning Yao raised her voice. "That's the best evidence! Don't even think about denying it!"
These words caused an uproar among the reporters.
Oil?!
Is it true or false?
The importance of this thing to the country goes without saying, so it must be controlled by state institutions and operated exclusively by the state; private operation is strictly prohibited.
The factory under Ning Jinli's name is clearly not a state institution.
She dares to hoard oil?! Is that even possible?!
"So what if I have oil?" Ning Jinli said calmly.
The reporters were even more stunned, and a flurry of chatter erupted as they discussed the matter.
"No, did I hear that right? She... she actually admitted it?"
"Is she genuinely ignorant of the law, or is she just not very bright?"
"It's fortunate that the Ning Group didn't fall into her hands, otherwise it would definitely have collapsed!"
"..."
Hearing the whispers behind her, Ning Yao couldn't help but smile.
“Ms. Ning Jinli,” the special investigator said solemnly, “you are suspected of smuggling and selling crude oil and illegally processing and producing it. The nature of the incident is extremely serious. I order you to open the factory gates immediately!”
Ning Jinli grinned, "I was just kidding you guys. How could I have such a thing? There are factory secrets in the factory that are not suitable for display. I'll say it again, if you want to search, produce a search warrant, and I strongly suggest you apply for one."
"Secrets that shouldn't be revealed? Heh, isn't that just oil?" Ning Yao waved her hand and ordered the bodyguards, "Smash the door! As long as it protects national interests and rids the people of this scourge, I'll take the blame even if I'm held accountable afterwards!"
"Well done, Miss Ning Yao!" the reporters couldn't help but praise.
"No wonder he single-handedly saved the Ning Group, he really has guts!"
Dozens of bodyguards reacted immediately upon hearing the commotion and rushed towards the factory gate.
Shangguan Ying and the two high-ranking officials from the national departments had been watching the show silently. Upon seeing this, Shangguan Ying made a gesture to her entourage.
The entourage of a national-level leader is certainly not composed of ordinary people.
Even when dressed in plain clothes, with no distinctive features and no apparent difference under normal circumstances, their eyes flashed with a sharp light the moment they received the order to act, and their aura changed drastically.
As soon as the bodyguards approached, a dozen plainclothes officers rushed forward, striking swiftly and decisively, taking down all the bodyguards in a few moves.
Ning Yao looked bewildered.
These bodyguards were all handpicked by her; they were far more capable than ordinary bodyguards, and there were quite a few of them.
How could they be so easily defeated despite having a numerical advantage?
Is this some kind of ghost?!
"A bunch of useless trash!" Ning Yao cursed under her breath, then shouted sharply, "Get up! Keep going!"
The bodyguards, who had been knocked down, got up in a daze and pounced on the plainclothes officers again.
The plainclothes officers looked helpless.
I didn't want to hurt the bodyguards, so I tried my best to hold back.
Are you coming again?
Bang bang bang!
The sounds of fists landing rang out one after another.
Dozens of bodyguards were beaten black and blue and rolled on the ground before they could even see their opponents' movements. Many bodyguards had their arms dislocated by plainclothes officers using grappling techniques and were immediately restrained with their arms twisted behind their backs.
“Thugs…they’re thugs!” Ning Yao shouted hysterically. “Ning Jinli, this is violent resistance against law enforcement!”
"Don't move! Hands up!" The police special envoy pulled out his service pistol from his clothes and shouted.
Shangguan Ying stepped forward, shielding the other two big shots to her sides, and quickly reached for her waist with her right hand.
However, after pausing for half a second, she lowered her hand.
Her action just now was purely a conditioned reflex; under these circumstances, it wouldn't have been enough to make her pull out a weapon.
The plainclothes officers released the bodyguards they were holding, and without changing their expressions, they spread their arms and slowly took a few steps back.
The atmosphere became extremely tense at this moment, and the reporters didn't dare to breathe loudly.
Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of the special police officer, and the two other people from other departments beside him changed their expressions. Ning Jinli shrank back and took a few steps back.
The police special envoy held a gun in one hand, pointing it forward, and took out his mobile phone in the other hand to call for backup.
Fortunately, he was prepared and brought more than a dozen fully armed special police officers with him for this operation, who were nearby at the moment.
However, since the operation was carried out without prior approval, it was inconvenient for him to bring out any more, and since this was already a violation of regulations, he would inevitably be punished later.
But compared to uncovering major cases of smuggled and illegal oil operations, a minor punishment is nothing; in the end, one will receive even greater rewards. Moreover, when dealing with major cases, every second counts. Submitting a search application may delay the process and cause one to miss a crucial opportunity, potentially allowing someone else to claim the chance for a major achievement.
Soon, several police cars sped over, and a well-trained SWAT team filed out, all wearing bulletproof vests and carrying submachine guns.
Ning Jinli initially only wanted to tease Ning Yao, but she didn't expect the situation to develop to this extent, so she looked at Shangguan Ying with an apologetic expression.
Shangguan Ying smiled faintly and gave Ning Jinli a look that indicated she could rest assured.
She then whispered a few words to the two people next to her and made a brief phone call on her cell phone.
"Hands behind your head, get down on the ground!" the SWAT team shouted to the plainclothes officers.
The plainclothes officers had no choice but to comply.
The police special envoy breathed a slight sigh of relief and prepared to lead some special police officers to break down the door and enter the factory.
Shangguan Ying and the other two then strode forward to meet the special envoy.
"Stop right there!" the special envoy warned, brandishing his pistol. "What do you want?!"
Shangguan Ying said calmly, "I just wanted to tell you our identities first."
"Who are you?" the special envoy asked, extremely wary. "I think you guys seem to have some issues too. I don't care who you are, we'll talk about it when we get to the station."
After saying that, he ordered the special police to handcuff the three men.
The three high-ranking officials from different departments exchanged glances. Considering that they had just made a phone call and the situation could be resolved quickly, and that the special envoy from the city's police headquarters was currently under high tension, it was not advisable to escalate the conflict, otherwise, it would be troublesome if someone accidentally discharged their gun. So they all silently extended their hands to cooperate with the special police.
Subsequently, the special envoy personally escorted the three individuals into the police car.
The other two city officials, for their own safety, also moved to the side of the police car.
Just then, the special envoy's phone rang.
He took it out and glanced at it, then quickly answered the phone. After listening for only a few seconds, his face changed drastically, and he said while wiping away cold sweat:
"Yes...the leader..."
"I understand, please stop scolding me."
"Okay, I'll remove the people right away. Please calm down... I'll take all the blame; it's all my responsibility..."
After receiving the call, he felt like shooting himself in the head. He forced an extremely awkward smile, apologized to Shangguan Ying and the other two big shots, unlocked their handcuffs, and respectfully asked them to get out of the car.
At the same time, the two men next to the police car also received calls from their respective superiors, who then offered "warm greetings" to their ancestors.
The special envoy gave the special police team an order to immediately withdraw, and then he and two others prepared to leave in a police car.
"Huh? Wait a minute..." Ning Yao noticed the sudden change in the situation and ran to the police car, banging on the window and shouting, "Why did you leave so suddenly? We haven't finished our business yet!"
The special envoy rolled down the car window, revealing half of his face, which was filled with despair and resentment. He gritted his teeth and said, "Miss Ning, you've really ruined the three of us!"
"Huh?" Ning Yao asked, confused. "What do you mean?"
The other two remained silent, their faces growing increasingly grim.
The special envoy pounded his chest, then took a deep breath. "Sigh... never mind, it's not entirely your fault. If I had been less eager to make a name for myself and had followed the proper procedures to submit the operation approval first... I wouldn't have caused such a disaster."
Ning Yao was completely confused and asked anxiously, "What are you talking about?!"
"Don't contact me unless it's absolutely necessary. Oh no, don't contact me even if it is necessary. Let's end our friendship here." After saying this, the special envoy closed the car window.
Several police cars then drove away.
"Hey! Don't go!" Ning Yao shouted anxiously, jumping up and down, "I swear! There really is some oil of dubious origin in here!"
However, all she got in response was the rear of the police car speeding away.
Ning Yao was dumbfounded and stood there in a daze.
The surrounding reporters were also stunned.
Wasn't it said that Ning Jinli was involved in smuggling, trafficking, and illegally processing petroleum?
Such a serious case, and the investigators just... withdrew?
What was the point of pulling out guns and deploying SWAT teams so much?
Is the big news that was about to break just going to disappear like that?
"Ms. Ning Yao!" The reporters snapped out of their daze and swarmed around Ning Yao. "What exactly happened just now?"
"Is your cousin really involved in oil smuggling? Why are you so sure?"
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