Night fell.
Zhao Daming picked up the phone and dialed a number in his office on the second floor of the police station.
Xiao Xing pushed open the door and came in, putting down a cup of hot water and saying, "Chief, it's so late."
Zhao Daming hummed in agreement, and the call connected.
"Guoyang, Zhang Cheng will be attending the bidding for the department store tomorrow. Make the necessary arrangements."
"no problem!"
Zhao Daming hung up and dialed another number, which rang for more than ten seconds before someone answered.
"Zhang Jingtao, tell me the truth, what exactly do you guys in Jiaxing want?" Zhao Daming lit a cigarette.
Zhang Jingtao's voice on the other end of the phone was tinged with helplessness: "Old Zhao, how many times have I told you? I'm just asking Zhang Cheng to come over and cooperate with the investigation. Why are you so worried?"
"Cooperate with the investigation?" Zhao Daming sneered. "Can't cooperate in Funing County? Do you have to bring him all the way to Jiaxing?"
“The case occurred in Jiaxing, so of course the person should be taken to Jiaxing for questioning.”
"Bullshit! We've slept in bunk beds for eight years, do you think I don't know what you're up to? Are you guys planning to pin those two murders on Zhang Cheng? Don't deny it, I know all the tricks of the trade."
Zhang Jingtao remained silent.
“Zhang Jingtao, let me tell you, Zhang Cheng has a solid alibi. If your people dare to cause trouble in Funing County, don’t blame me for being impolite.”
"A solid alibi? Ha, Zhao Daming, you really know how to lie through your teeth..."
Zhao Daming hung up the phone before he could finish speaking. He was just confirming his guess and didn't have time to argue with Zhang Jingtao.
Zhang Jingtao, from the Jiaxing Public Security Bureau, nearly slammed down the phone in anger as he listened to the busy tone. "You started this whole thing, and now you're hanging up on me?" he thought. He had a decent relationship with Zhang Cheng, and out of respect for Zhao Daming, he'd help with small favors. But now the municipal party committee had issued a strict order to solve the case within half a month—it was a matter of his future. His shallow friendship meant nothing.
Nothing was said that night.
The following morning, the conference hall of the Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau was bustling with activity. The bidding for the Lanzhou Department Store was being held there. Businessmen from Funing County, other counties and cities, and even other provinces had come.
Zhao Guoyang was about to take over as the department store manager, and he was in charge of this bidding process. He scanned the room but didn't see Zhang Cheng.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the bidding for the Lan City Department Store is about to begin. Please take your seats!" Zhao Guoyang announced loudly.
The long wooden benches with backrests were full of people.
Zhang Da Nao, dressed in a sharp suit, tugged at his tie, which felt a little tight around his neck, his palms slightly sweaty. He couldn't afford to mess up the task Cheng Ge had entrusted to him.
"The bidding process for the Lanzhou Department Store was conducted in an open manner..."
"Now, please welcome Mayor Sun to the stage to speak!"
Zhang Da-Nao, sitting in the second row, listened to Mayor Sun's speech, his eyelids starting to droop. He'd gone to bed around 7 p.m. last night, so why was he still so sleepy?
Meanwhile, outside the gate of China Merchants Group.
Yin Zhengguo and three Jiaxing police officers were stopped by the security department because their names were not on the invitation list.
Xie Kan was so angry that he stomped his feet.
"Just wait here!" Yin Zhengguo said expressionlessly.
Half an hour later, the bidding officially began.
"Next up, the auction will be for Shop No. 1 in the Lan City Department Store. Located at the main entrance... Total area of 63 square meters, 50-year property rights, starting price of 2,000 yuan!"
"Ten thousand!"
Whoosh! All eyes turned to Zhang Da's head, who was holding up the sign.
This location, this size, it's worth ten thousand. But the starting price is only two thousand? Who offers such a low price? Don't they know the rules? Bidding increases little by little!
Zhang Da Tou, with a stern face, held up sign number 69, his heart pounding.
Zhao Guoyang recognized him and smiled: "Number 69 bid 10,000. Are there any higher bids?"
"Ten thousand two hundred!" someone shouted.
"Fifteen thousand!" Zhang Da Nao raised his paddle again.
Everyone wanted to curse.
Zhao Guoyang asked several times, but no one added anything, so he struck the gavel.
"Next up is shop number two..."
"Ten thousand!" Zhang Da Nao said without hesitation.
The middle-aged man next to him leaned over and said, "Young man, there's no need to ask for ten thousand right away. This second shop is worth at most seven or eight thousand. Funing County is just starting to develop; I don't think it'll be easy to make money in the first five years..."
Zhang Da Nao ignored him, holding the sign steadily.
Zhao Guoyang struck the gavel again.
"The bidding for shop number three will now begin..."
"Ten thousand!"
Damn it! Everyone glared at Zhang Da's head.
"Twelve thousand!" a voice laughed. "Since this young man is so optimistic about Lan City Department Store, then I'll trust his judgment this time."
"Fifteen thousand!" Zhang Da Nao's heart trembled. Fifteen thousand yuan could buy so much rice!
Zhang Cheng instructed last night that any shop should immediately quote 10,000. If someone else agrees, raise the price to 15,000. If it exceeds 15,000, give up. This is to give money to the municipal party committee leadership and, incidentally, act as a shill.
On the left side of the stage, Vice Mayor Sun looked at Zhang Da Tou with great interest and asked Director Wang of the Investment Promotion Bureau next to him, "Who invited that young man?"
Wang Yang was taken aback; he really didn't know. He quickly signaled his secretary to check.
A moment later, the secretary whispered, "Director, that person was invited by Director Zhao Guoyang, representing Yangcheng Hardware Store."
Vice Mayor Sun raised an eyebrow. He was familiar with the brand "Yangcheng." From herbal gift boxes to clothing stores, and then to hardware stores that brought electricity to rural areas.
Zhang Cheng! Vice Mayor Sun squinted, pondering the name.
Outside the China Merchants Group building, Yin Zhengguo listened to the repeated bids of "ten thousand" and "fifteen thousand" inside. He gave Xie Kan a wink: "Something's not right. The person we're waiting for has probably arrived." Xie Kan perked up.
"Ten thousand!"
"Fifteen thousand!"
Zhang Da Nao raised his sign again and again, and the crowd went from anger to surprise, and then to shock.
"Who is that? That's incredible!"
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