The World's Richest Man: Start with the Daily Intelligence System

88: Chapter 88 The Vanished Buddha HeadArriving at the car, Zhang Wei took a bottle of mineral water from the trunk and drank it in one go. Then, ignoring the mud stuck to his back, he plopped down into the driver’s seat.

Having just barely caught his breath, his fatigue still hadn’t subsided. He simply reclined the seat and decided to take a short nap in the car.

After lying there for less than an hour, Zhang Wei finally got up and drove back to Jiangnan Garden. He drove with extreme caution the entire way, only because any exertion in his arms now brought a sharp, needle-like soreness. It was probably a strain from overexertion.

Upon arriving at Jiangnan Garden, as soon as he entered, he saw An Xiaoxi playing with Nut in the living room. The dog ran over, sniffed Zhang Wei vigorously, and immediately started licking the mud off him.

An Xiaoxi was a girl who loved cleanliness and couldn’t stand this. Disgusted, she said, ’A grown man playing in the mud? Hurry up and take those clothes off; don’t dirty the floor I just mopped.’

Zhang Wei didn’t think much of it and directly stripped off his upper body. At this moment, An Xiaoxi reacted and let out a scream: ’You pervert! Nobody told you to strip completely!’

’It’s not like you haven’t seen it at the swimming pool. Why the exaggeration?’ Zhang Wei felt she was making a big deal out of nothing.

Meanwhile, Zuo Hemei was frowning as she spoke on the phone with Jiang Yuanan: ’So, we can only rely on ourselves for this matter?’

Last night, after receiving the video evidence provided by Zhang Wei, Zuo Hemei immediately formed an investigation team, arranged for officers to stake out and monitor the Shanghai branch of the Sanlin Group, and contacted colleagues in X City Name for assistance. At first, the other side seemed to take it seriously, but after just one hour, when contacted again, they appeared indifferent, clearly adopting a hands-off attitude.

Zuo Hemei was somewhat unclear about their intentions and could only call Jiang Yuanan for advice, leading to this conversation.

On the other end of the line, Jiang Yuanan said gravely, ’I contacted an old comrade from police academy who is currently working in X City Name. After making inquiries from various sources, it seems the leadership there responsible for investment promotion has significant reservations and isn’t very enthusiastic about this case.’

Jiang Yuanan didn’t want to dampen Zuo Hemei’s confidence. A few minutes ago, his old comrade hadn’t been so diplomatic. The underlying message was for Jiang Yuanan to do him a favor and stop the investigation, as the leadership in X City Name was very displeased. Although Jiang Yuanan was upright and honest, his years of experience had made him a seasoned veteran; he understood perfectly well what the other meant.

This shopping mall invested by the little japanese is a key investment promotion project for X City Name this year. With the project about to be completed and set to open for business next year, many people are waiting to claim credit.

If Sheng City Name uncovers problems here, not only could the project be halted, but there might also be accountability for inadequate supervision and allowing national treasures to be lost overseas. This is clearly a thankless case, so of course no one is willing to assist.

’So, this case still depends on us,’ Jiang Yuanan said after a moment’s thought. ’Currently, we should focus on quickly identifying the individuals involved and conduct a surprise inspection based on reasonable grounds.’

He had a vague, uneasy premonition that the situation with this case might be much more complicated than imagined.

Just then, an officer rushed into the office and urgently reported, ’Captain Zuo, the colleagues on stakeout just sent word. Several Iveco vans suddenly drove into the Sanlin Group’s underground parking lot, and the security guards immediately sealed off all entrances and exits.’

’They’re clearly trying to move the buddha head. Someone must have tipped them off.’ Zuo Hemei slammed her fist on the table. She had underestimated how shameless some people could be.

There’s nothing wrong with attracting foreign investment to stimulate the domestic economy. But some people only see immediate profits and can’t even resist the temptation of sugar-coated bullets. Such people are truly despicable. Besides, the little japanese investing in a shopping mall isn’t running a charity; they’re doing it because they see an opportunity to profit and make money from the domestic populace.

Jiang Yuanan, hearing the officer’s report over the phone, immediately gave instructions: ’Xiao Zuo, immediately notify the officers on stakeout to secure the entrances and exits; no vehicles are to enter or leave. You take people there right now for a surprise inspection. You must be quick; we absolutely cannot let the buddha head be shipped back to the little japanese.’

Zuo Hemei acknowledged and hung up the phone: ’Let’s go. Assemble all officers from Team One and follow me!’

At that moment, on the top floor of the Sanlin Group’s building, Secretary Oda Yuta hurried into the office, bowed to Mitsui Masao, and said, ’Director, the police have sealed off all entrances and exits of our building. Our vehicles cannot get out.’

Mitsui Masao slowly turned around: ’I didn’t expect the Chinese to come so quickly. But they are destined to find nothing today.’

Just then, the office door was pushed open again, and Zuo Hemei walked in with several officers.

’Are you the person in charge here?’ Zuo Hemei asked with a frown.

Mitsui Masao, sitting in his seat, replied calmly, ’I am indeed the person in charge of the Sanlin Group in the City Name. May I ask what we have done to warrant such a large-scale operation?’

’Cut the nonsense. We have received a tip from the public and now suspect you are involved in smuggling our country’s historical relics. Please cooperate with the investigation.’

Mitsui Masao raised his hands exaggeratedly: ’We are legitimate businessmen. There must be some misunderstanding? Officer, you must speak based on evidence.’

Zuo Hemei nodded to her subordinates, and the officers immediately began searching the offices one by one. At that moment, an officer from the parking lot came in: ’Captain, all vehicles have been inspected. The target relic was not found.’

Mitsui Masao sat smugly in his seat, spreading his hands: ’I like having a line of cars following me when I go out for a grander presence. Having a large entourage isn’t illegal, is it?’

Zuo Hemei snorted coldly, ignoring him. The officers searching the offices gradually returned, all without any findings.

’So, Officer, where is this evidence you mentioned?’ Mitsui Masao laughed heartily.

Zuo Hemei pointed to the safe beside the desk and said, ’Please cooperate and open it.’

Secretary Oda Yuta, standing to the side, immediately looked uncomfortable and shouted, ’That contains commercial secrets! You have no right to demand this!’

Seeing his reaction, Zuo Hemei felt a secret thrill. This was a sign of panic; it seemed the relic was still in the safe. She said sternly, ’Please cooperate with my work, or you’ll come back to the station with us for questioning.’

’We are legitimate businessmen and will, of course, cooperate with the officer’s work,’ Mitsui Masao said, still calm and composed, signaling his secretary to open the safe without any sign of panic.

Oda Yuta was clearly uncertain about the situation. However, the strict hierarchical relationship among the little japanese did not allow him to defy his immediate superior. He could only step forward and input the code.

As the safe opened, the glass case was clearly visible inside. But it was empty; the contents had disappeared.

Mitsui Masao stood up and spread his hands: ’Officer, I have a habit of collecting glass cases. That’s not illegal, is it?’