Protect Our Chief

Chapter 1051 - 66: Trending Everywhere! The Immortal Lord Sets the Stage for Turmoil

Even if the Wang Family strictly manages their own industries and keeps their accounts meticulously, what about those joint ventures established with their in-laws?From the Shouda Trading Company, to the Changning United Manufacturing Department, to the Qingluo Development Headquarters, and so on, the Wang Family and their in-laws have established quite a few industries together. Members of the in-law families hold positions in each of these ventures, and it’s clear that the Wang Family cannot manage them as strictly as they do their own clan.

Such joint ventures have always been hotspots for tax evasion. As long as one investigates them casually, issues are bound to be found.

At that point, they could simply report it, and the credit would be as good as picked up for free.

And whenever taxes are paid, a detailed account copy is required, something the Changning Wang Family certainly has. So, as soon as Zheng Hongwen received the order from Meng Yuanbai, he promptly and eagerly fetched the detailed tax records of the Changning Wang Family from the treasury and brought them to the secret station in Longzuo County.

He even brought over colleagues from the Inspectorate and Criminal Law Department to collaborate on the case.

The aim was that once evidence of tax evasion by the Wang Family was confirmed, they could immediately send people to seize the Wang Family’s various industries and freeze their assets.

After all, speed is of the essence.

If they were a step too slow, the Wang Family might secretly transfer their assets.

However, although he thought of various details and even planned what to say when Director Meng praised him, he never expected that the Wang Family’s accounts would turn out to have no issues.

After nearly a month of investigation, not only did they fail to find any evidence of tax evasion by the Changning Wang Family, but they repeatedly confirmed that the Changning Wang Family was a model noble family, law-abiding and timely in paying taxes.

What’s wrong with this Changning Wang Family?

Are they not even taking advantage of such benefits right at their fingertips?

Zheng Hongwen cursed quietly to himself, his hand trembling as he skimmed the tea froth, nearly hating the Changning Wang Family to death.

He was now on the hot seat; if nothing could indeed be found on the Changning Wang Family, he would lose both face and reputation. Even this joint effort by the Three Ministries would become a joke!

Fortunately, it was not yet the final moment.

And the tax officers sent out for undercover investigation hadn’t returned yet.

The tax officers dispatched for this undercover investigation were all veterans. No matter how impeccable the Changning Wang Family’s accounts might appear, it’s challenging to keep everything clean behind the scenes. Even if there was just a tiny loophole, the undercover investigation had a high chance of uncovering it.

At present, they could only hope they would bring back some good news.

"Commander, the undercover tax officers have returned."

Suddenly, a figure in a green official robe flew up from below, quickly approached, and whispered in Zheng Hongwen’s ear.

Zheng Hongwen’s eyes lit up: "Oh? Quickly bring them over."

The official immediately went down.

Shortly after, several figures were led into the basement from outside.

These people were dressed as traveling merchants, loose cultivators, or wealthy young masters. Their attires varied, representing all sorts of professions, and they all looked dusty, clearly having traveled all night to return.

The tax officers dispatched by the Three Talents Department naturally were not just these few, but they were the first batch to return.

Previously, both the old and young tax officers were also among them.

"Subordinates Liu Bingrui/Zhang Dehai/Zhou... greet the Commander." Including the elder and younger tax officers, several people bowed in unison, showing respectful attitudes.

"No need for formalities. You’ve all worked hard."

Zheng Hongwen first expressed some cordial remarks and then promptly asked about their findings from the trip.

Upon his inquiry, the tax officers exchanged glances.

After quite a while, an older tax officer spoke up with difficulty: "Reporting to the Commander, during our trip to the Changning Guard, we worked diligently without a hint of negligence, but... my humble self, being of limited ability, truly could not find evidence of tax evasion by the Changning Wang Family."

"Please forgive us, Commander."

The other tax officers also quickly cupped their hands in apology, full of shame.

Seeing this, Zheng Hongwen’s heart sank.

He instinctively looked at the oldest tax officer in the group: "Lao Liu, you are known as the ’Tax Inspection God Eye’, did even you fail to find any issues?"

"Reporting to the Commander, regarding the size of farmland, the years of cultivated land, and other taxable aspects where fraud is easy, indeed, no issues were found with the Changning Wang Family." The old tax officer cupped his hands and replied.

Zheng Hongwen’s expression immediately showed signs of faltering.

However, before his heart could completely sink, the old tax officer continued, "But I have discovered another major issue. If proven, the Changning Wang Family would be completely finished, with no chance of recovery."

Upon hearing this, the other tax officers all looked at him in surprise. Only the young tax officer remained calm.

Zheng Hongwen’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "What is it?"

"Reporting to the Commander, I discovered that the Changning Wang Family is suspected of smuggling refined salt, iron ingots, grain seed, and other contraband goods to Southern Qin, with suspicions of treason!"

"What?!"

Hearing this, Zheng Hongwen nearly dropped the tea cup in his hand.

Beside him, Qiao Hongbo and Zhou Lide, the two Commanders who were pretending not to care but were actually eavesdropping, also changed their expressions, becoming extremely serious.

"Inspector Liu, this matter is no small affair. Do you have the evidence?" Inspectorate Commander Qiao Hongbo set down his tea cup and asked solemnly, "You should know that falsely accusing a Sixth-Grade Noble Family of treason is a grave crime."