Zhang Jingtao was flattered and quickly stepped forward, took the warm teacup with both hands, and carefully took a sip.
"How is it?" Zhao Tianyang asked with a smile.
"It has a slightly astringent taste at first, but a sweet and mellow aftertaste that lingers on the lips and teeth."
"Hahaha!"
Zhao Tianyang laughed heartily, his voice booming, seemingly extremely satisfied with the answer.
He looked at Zhang Jingtao, who was holding an empty cup in both hands, and said meaningfully, "You people always like to believe everything you hear."
"However, you are the first person to come to my door during this period."
It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow.
He changed the subject, his tone becoming casual, "Although, I haven't reached the point where I need someone to help me."
Zhang Jingtao felt a chill run down his spine, lowered his head, and remained silent.
He knew that the old Party Secretary knew everything.
"How many years have you been in the Criminal Investigation Department?" Zhao Tianyang suddenly asked.
"It's been almost six years, Secretary."
"Six years..." Zhao Tianyang nodded gently and said nothing more.
But those two words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Zhang Jingtao's heart!
His blood was boiling at that moment!
You made the right bet!
This time, I made the right bet!
The old Party Secretary would never ask this for no reason!
"It's getting late, go back and rest." Zhao Tianyang picked up his teacup, signaling the guests to leave. "Remember, don't just parrot what others say."
"Secretary's advice is truly wise! I shall take my leave now!"
Zhang Jingtao respectfully placed the teacup back on the desk, bowed, took two steps back, and then dared to turn around and leave quickly.
Watching Zhang Jingtao's disappearing figure, Zhao Tianyang's smile slowly faded, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as a cold pool.
He picked up the teacup, brought it to his lips, and let the scalding tea stimulate his taste buds.
"Oh……"
A soft whisper drifted through the quiet study.
"Even the head of the criminal investigation department smelled it."
"It seems the province is determined to deal with me."
A misunderstanding, created by Zhang Cheng himself but perfectly deviating from his expectations, thus took root and sprouted.
Zhang Jingtao walked out of the study and immediately saw Zhao Shijie sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Upon hearing the noise, Zhao Shijie immediately stood up, his face beaming with a warm smile.
"Section Chief Zhang, what a rare guest you are!"
Zhang Jingtao forced a smile: "It's been a long time since I've heard the old Party Secretary's teachings, so I've come to pay him a visit..."
"Section Chief Zhang!" Zhao Shijie interrupted him with a smile, his gaze fixed intently on him. "Is it because of the rumors that the province is investigating my father?"
Zhang Jingtao's facial muscles stiffened; unsure how to respond, he could only manage a dry laugh.
"Even you've heard about it..."
Zhao Shijie's face instantly darkened, and a hint of irritation and unease showed in his eyes.
"It seems my dad is really going to be in deep trouble this time!"
What do you mean by "even you've heard about it"?
Zhang Jingtao's lips twitched violently, and his contempt for Zhao Shijie grew even stronger.
"Don't worry, Section Chief Zhang!" Zhao Shijie patted him on the shoulder, his tone carrying a condescending tone of reassurance.
"My Zhao family will never forget your kindness. Even if my father falls, my Zhao family will never fall!"
Zhang Jingtao didn't dare to utter a single word in response.
The waters of officialdom are unfathomable; they are all about knowing when to stop and keeping things shrouded in mystery.
Zhao Shijie, on the other hand, was like a reckless man dancing in a minefield with a megaphone.
No wonder he'll never get into the system.
"Young Master Zhao, I'll be leaving now!"
"I send you!"
"I dare not accept such praise!" Zhang Jingtao waved his hands repeatedly and fled from the Zhao family as if he were escaping.
After watching Zhang Jingtao leave, Zhao Shijie took a deep breath, turned around, and strode towards his study.
"dad!"
He pushed open the door and looked at his father, who was still sitting in the chair but looked somewhat tired.
"Should we... give Uncle Yu a call?"
Zhao Tianyang slowly raised his eyelids, looked at his only son, and shook his head almost imperceptibly.
"If Lao Yu really had the ability, why would he have waited until now?"
"Shijie, I'm afraid your father won't make it through this ordeal."
He sighed deeply, "A few years ago, the focus was on cracking down on organized crime. Now, the focus is on combating corruption..."
"Dad! You haven't embezzled a single penny!" Zhao Shijie said urgently.
"hehe."
Zhao Tianyang chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Greed isn’t just about money. Power is also a form of greed.”
“I served as the Party Secretary of Jiaxing for eleven years. The province tried to transfer me away time and time again, but I managed to keep me there no matter what.”
“In the past, Jiaxing was my personal fiefdom, Zhao Tianyang’s private domain.”
He stared at his son and asked, word by word, "Isn't this greed?"
"But you have so much dirt on so many people! Would they dare let anything happen to you?"
Why wouldn't you dare?
Zhao Tianyang shook his head, his eyes filled with a world-weary wisdom.
“If I take those things into the coffin, you and your child can live a peaceful life. But if I break the rules and shake them out…”
"Do you think those people will let you go?"
"Shijie, this is a world of exchanging interests. I'll take on everything in exchange for your wealth and prosperity for the rest of your lives. This is the last value I can leave you."
Zhao Shijie's face turned deathly pale.
"Get rid of the business you have on hand as soon as possible."
Zhao Tianyang's voice was resolute and left no room for argument.
"Go abroad."
"Going abroad?!" Zhao Shijie was struck dumb. "Dad! I... my business is all in Jiaxing, how can I just give it up like that? Besides, you just said..."
"If you stay in China, you'll be a thorn in the side of some people, keeping them up at night."
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