Chapter 294: Temporarily Untouched

"Advisor Zhou, can you tell me which side you're on?" Before leaving, Xing Yuan suddenly asked Zhou Ming this question. Zhou Ming replied, "I'm just on my own side."

Xing Yuan wanted to ask more, but Zhou Ming preemptively said, "Alright, don't ask too many questions. Just honestly confess your crimes. The amount you're dealing with won't lead to a death sentence, and the prosecution will give you a reduced sentence based on your attitude. I can only tell you that some matters are not yet time to reveal. If you want to redeem yourself, organize your thoughts, and I will come back to see you later."

Xing Yuan silently nodded. "I understand. I will do as you say."

Zhou Ming smiled and patted his shoulder. "You're a smart person. I believe you'll make the right choice."

Zhou Ming then left the room and went downstairs to the lobby. Shen Xin was waiting there. Since Xing Yuan was the mastermind of a massive illegal fundraising case involving ten billion yuan, he was held in secret confinement, and Zhou Ming needed special permission to visit. Shen Xin had a hard time, especially since she was a journalist from Hong Kong, which was very sensitive domestically. She could only wait downstairs.

Seeing Zhou Ming come out, Shen Xin immediately approached him with concern. "How did it go?"

"Everything went very smoothly," Zhou Ming said. "Xing Yuan will honestly confess all his criminal activities. He also understands what to say and what not to say."

Although Shen Xin had always been confident in Zhou Ming, she still breathed a sigh of relief at this moment.

Zhou Ming found Shen Xin's reaction amusing. "Why does Reporter Shen seem so lacking in faith?"

"It's not a lack of faith. It's just that I think Xing Yuan might have the same doubts as I do. Why did you only make him confess his crimes and not talk about anything else? In a case involving ten billion in illegal fundraising, it's bound to involve a much larger case, and there must be many exciting details yet to come," Shen Xin said.

"That's exactly why I didn't want him to say more!" Zhou Ming sighed.

"Why is that?" Shen Xin asked, surprised and not understanding Zhou Ming's logic.

Zhou Ming explained, "It's simple. If Xing Yuan was involved in a hundred billion yuan case this time, I would have let him spill everything—every fact, all the hidden forces behind him, and all the corrupt officials who paved the way for him. It would have been a huge scandal. But since the amount is only ten billion, it's a bit tricky."

Shen Xin thought for a moment and then said, "I understand. Zhou Ming, you think ten billion is not enough to truly bring down the high-level officials behind it?"

"Exactly. Ten billion sounds like a lot, but sometimes power is even more complicated. Right now, Xing Yuan's illegal fundraising is still in full swing and hasn't had a severe impact. It's hard to truly get to some people," Zhou Ming said.

"But this is only temporary. Zhou Ming, you're just hiding Xing Yuan as a piece on the board. Sooner or later, it will come in handy, right?" Shen Xin said.

Zhou Ming was surprised. "Why do you think that?"

"Because I see you, Zhou Ming, as a general commanding a great battle. This victory over Xing Yuan is just a part of the overall campaign," Shen Xin said.

Shen Xin's praise was heartfelt. She even recalled the scene five days ago at Yun Tian Hotel.

That day, Xing Yuan had initially attacked Zhou Ming. No matter how much Xing Yuan ridiculed Zhou Ming, Zhou Ming remained unshaken. Eventually, Zhou Ming took decisive action, and police officers and armed police rushed in to arrest Xing Yuan.

To Shen Xin, these scenes were like the most perfect movie, with Zhou Ming as the main character. From behind, Shen Xin felt that Zhou Ming was like a strategist, having calculated everything. No matter how much Xing Yuan struggled, he would eventually fall to Zhou Ming.

It was also because of this confidence that after Xing Yuan was taken away by the armed police, Zhou Ming didn't gloat like Xing Yuan. He simply continued discussing highway matters, avoiding any mention of Xing Yuan's case, as if it were just a dream. Such calm and demeanor, in Shen Xin's view, were the hallmarks of a true general facing thousands of soldiers on the battlefield.

Shen Xin's praise made Zhou Ming a bit embarrassed. "I'm no general on the battlefield. It's just a part of the great campaign. If I told you I wasn't thinking that much at the time, would you be disappointed?"

"No, as long as I think so, it's enough. I don't care how you think," Shen Xin said, acting playfully.

Zhou Ming gave her a thumbs up. "Good! Very impressive!"

Zhou Ming and Shen Xin then left the hotel together. A car with a Lingnan Provincial Party license plate was waiting for them outside. Zhou Ming and Shen Xin got in, and the car headed directly to Yun Tian Hotel.

The reason for taking the Lingnan Provincial Party's car was to avoid suspicion in such an important location. Additionally, today was the official establishment of the Chu Ling Highway Management Company. As the proposer and implementer of the highway project, Zhou Ming had to attend.

Upon arriving at Yun Tian Hotel, Zhou Ming and Shen Xin got out of the car. Although it wasn't yet time for the ceremony to start, the hotel was already adorned with banners congratulating the company's establishment. The red carpet and flower arch at the entrance were also prepared. Even nearby, two trucks full of fireworks and firecrackers were parked.

From these preparations, it was clear that the establishment ceremony was grand. It was the first truly commercialized highway in the country, setting a nationwide precedent. With over ten billion in private investment, it was significant for Lingnan, Jingchu, and the entire nation. It was no wonder that even Xing Yuan wanted to get a share of it.

Xing Yuan's appearance was just a small episode. Although it caused some trouble for Zhou Ming, it did not have any substantial impact on the highway project.

"Zhou Ming, you arrived quite early! Has the matter with Xing Yuan been resolved?" A voice suddenly came from the side. Zhou Ming turned to see Cao Jianning and several entrepreneurs from Baiyun City approaching. The entrepreneurs also greeted Zhou Ming warmly.

Zhou Ming nodded to the others and then replied to Cao Jianning, "I was just assisting with the investigation, not dealing with other matters, so I came quickly. After all, the highway project is my primary concern. I couldn't let it be delayed."

"That's true," Cao Jianning agreed. "But I heard that Advisor Zhou is quite skilled in dealing with criminals. I heard that Xing Yuan, who was previously very defiant, immediately confessed everything once you took action."

"President Cao is well-informed. Xing Yuan was already on the verge of collapse. After I analyzed it from an economic perspective today, he realized his crimes were unforgivable and had no choice but to confess," Zhou Ming said.

"That's why I said Zhou Ming is all-powerful. You can do anything. Now you've even taken on police work," Cao Jianning said with a smile, joined by other entrepreneurs. After joking around for a while, Cao Jianning sent the other entrepreneurs away and asked Zhou Ming privately, "Zhou Ming, how's the situation with that matter?"

With only himself and Cao Jianning present, Zhou Ming dropped the formalities and said, "President Cao, don't worry. I've stabilized the situation with Xing Yuan. He knows what to say and what not to say."

"But Zhou Ming, if you say that, do you think Xing Yuan might think we're from the other side and are trying to silence him?" Cao Jianning asked.

"Xing Yuan has already asked me this question. I told him clearly that I'm only on my own side. I want him to act according to my plan. What he thinks is his business, as long as he follows my arrangement," Zhou Ming said.

Cao Jianning nodded slightly. "I trust that. Regardless of whether Xing Yuan is guilty or not, having pulled off a ten-billion yuan scam, he's not likely to be foolish."

"I think so too, so I'm very relieved," Zhou Ming said. "But just to be safe, President Cao, you should follow up on this."

"I will," Cao Jianning said.

As time went by, more and more people arrived at Yun Tian Hotel, including entrepreneurs from Lingnan and Jingchu, as well as journalists from across the country and abroad. By 3 p.m., the ceremony officially began.

Compared to previous meetings, today's establishment ceremony was even more significant. The governors of both Lingnan and Jingchu provinces attended in person. They first gave speeches, highlighting the groundbreaking significance of the highway and witnessing the establishment of the highway management company. Then Zhou Ming, representing the entrepreneurs, gave a brief speech.

The governors' speeches were brief, and Zhou Ming's speech was also concise.

At the end of the ceremony, the governors unveiled the plaque for the highway management company, and Zhou Ming was appointed as the company's president, responsible for its main operations.

Receiving the appointment letter, Zhou Ming took the microphone and addressed everyone: "I don't want to say that this is not an honor but a responsibility because that's obvious. What I want to say is, since I've become the company's president, I will not only ensure the road is built well but also make sure that the Chu Ling Highway becomes a model for highways across the country. We will make sure that this road is maintained and managed without worry!"

As Zhou Ming's words concluded, the venue erupted into thunderous applause, and cameras clicked away as journalists took photos of him.