Chapter 1098: Contributing to the Nation?

Cao Jianguo stood up, walked to the window, looked into the distance, clasped his hands behind his back, and said slowly, “Chairman Zhao should know that Chen Shijie is currently in a very dangerous situation.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded: “I know. That Mr. Tong claims to be in the import-export business abroad, but to be honest, I don’t believe it. Based on the information I have and Shijie’s identity, I think his so-called business is definitely not legitimate.”

“Heh, far from it.” Cao Jianguo turned to Zhao Fusheng and said with a smile, “The group behind Tong Zhenbang is the largest drug supplier in the country, and abroad, they are also involved in arms smuggling and a series of other crimes.”

Zhao Fusheng gasped. So after all this, this Tong guy was just a pawn on the surface.

“You know, I hesitated before about whether to come to you,” Cao Jianguo said to Zhao Fusheng after a moment of silence.

Zhao Fusheng was startled: “What do you mean?”

“We’ve been tracking this group for six years. Five of our best colleagues have been killed, and only Chen Shijie has managed to infiltrate them,” Cao Jianguo said calmly, but his words stirred something in Zhao Fusheng’s heart.

He knew well that those whom Cao Jianguo called the best undercover agents were undoubtedly capable, yet they had all died, showing just how brutal this criminal group was.

There is no such thing as fate; it’s just that someone is risking their life for you in the shadows.

Some things are easy to say, but only those who have truly experienced them understand how painful they really are.

“You know, every time I see their photos, I remember how they looked when they left,” Cao Jianguo said, taking a deep breath.

Zhao Fusheng was silent. He was not Cao Jianguo and couldn’t feel that pain, but he knew it couldn’t be pleasant.

“Here’s the situation now: due to the joint crackdown by Interpol and police forces from various countries, this criminal group is in a very dangerous position. They are trying to transfer the organization’s funds.” Cao Jianguo looked at Zhao Fusheng and said slowly, “We have reason to believe that they are transferring funds through your Future Investment.”

Huh?

Zhao Fusheng was instantly stunned. What was going on?

“Director Cao, what do you mean?” Zhao Fusheng hesitated, looking at Cao Jianguo, waiting for his answer.

Cao Jianguo smiled slightly and said calmly, “My meaning is simple: I hope you can help Chen Shijie, or rather, help me.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly. Although he wanted to refuse, he knew that Cao Jianguo was merely informing him; he had no capital to refuse.

Not to mention that Chen Shijie, his old classmate, was involved.

No wonder Dong Chenxi seemed like a different person. If he were suddenly approached by the deputy director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, his reaction probably wouldn’t be any better.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be in any danger,” Cao Jianguo said, seeming to notice Zhao Fusheng’s concern. After a moment’s thought, he explained, “Because we’ve been tracking these people all along. In fact, we already have information on most of the criminals in this group.”

“Then why not arrest them?” Zhao Fusheng asked curiously.

He didn’t understand. If they already knew the criminals’ situation and their hideouts, why not just arrest them instead of keeping them under surveillance?

“Arresting them is easy, but the problem is that these people have hidden all the proceeds from their crimes. Even if we catch them, we can’t bring them to justice,” Cao Jianguo said, spreading his hands helplessly. “These guys are cunning; we can’t find where their funds are hidden.”

Zhao Fusheng blinked, suddenly realizing a crucial point. He tentatively said to Cao Jianguo, “Director Cao, do you mean you want them to invest their money with me, and then you directly…”

“Haha, no, no.” Cao Jianguo laughed and waved his hand. “I think you misunderstand. It’s not that simple.”

Zhao Fusheng looked at him blankly, clearly not understanding.

Cao Jianguo smiled. “Here’s the thing: according to our estimates, the mastermind behind this criminal group has hidden at least $300 million. I heard from Miss Dong that they plan to entrust $60 million to Future Investment’s fund. It seems they’re testing the waters.”

“And then?”

Zhao Fusheng looked at Cao Jianguo, clearly sensing he hadn’t finished.

Cao Jianguo chuckled. “Since they want to test, just do your best to help them.”

“What?” Zhao Fusheng was dumbfounded. If not for the fact that Cao Jianguo’s credentials couldn’t be forged, he would have doubted whether this man was really a police officer.

“Director Cao, what do you mean? I may not be a patriot, but I have a conscience and principles,” Zhao Fusheng said seriously. “Don’t worry, no matter what benefits they offer, I won’t agree to help them.”

“No, no, you misunderstand me.” Cao Jianguo laughed and waved his hand. “Chairman Zhao, you’ve got it wrong.”

“Actually, I came here specifically to ask for your help,” Cao Jianguo said, looking Zhao Fusheng in the eye, word by word.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback: “Help?”

“Yes, I hope you can help Tong Zhenbang and his people invest, and try to ensure that this $60 million yields good returns, so they invest more money with you,” Cao Jianguo said calmly.

“And then?”

Zhao Fusheng asked seriously. This question was crucial. Living in China, he knew he couldn’t avoid dealing with the authorities, but he needed to know the next steps in the whole plan.

Cao Jianguo shrugged. “Then it’s simple. Once most of their liquid funds enter Future Investment’s account, we’ll close the net and arrest them. By then, neither the criminals nor the illicit money will escape.”

Clearly, this was a trap. Even Zhao Fusheng had to admit that the person who devised this plan was bold, but it was feasible.

At the very least, if he were Tong Zhenbang or those behind him, he wouldn’t miss such a great opportunity to make money.

For a criminal, especially a large criminal group like this, the biggest headache isn’t how to make money, but how to turn dirty money into clean money without resorting to money laundering.

Yes, money laundering is a painful process for these criminal groups, often costing them a considerable amount to complete.

For example, if a criminal group has $1 million in dirty money, after laundering it, they might get no more than $600,000, which is already a fair deal. With a slightly greedier launderer, they might only get 30-40%.

But there’s no choice. Everyone knows dirty money is easy come, easy go. If you don’t launder it, all your wealth is just numbers on paper.

That’s why Tong Zhenbang approached Zhao Fusheng.

Don’t think criminals are fools. They survive in complex environments not just by fighting, but by using their brains.

These days, without some intelligence, you can’t make it in the underworld.

After listening, Zhao Fusheng finally understood Cao Jianguo’s meaning. His gaze sharpened as he looked at Cao Jianguo. “Director Cao, do you mean you want Future Investment to act as bait to set a trap for those people?”

After thinking it over, Zhao Fusheng felt that although this logic was blunt and might offend the other party, it was the most accurate description.

“Exactly, and not just bait.” Cao Jianguo was honest and sincere. “After learning about your relationship with Chen Zhijie, I became even more confident.”

Confident my ass!

Zhao Fusheng was utterly dismayed. If not for Cao Jianguo’s special status, he might have walked away. What the hell? They wanted him, a legitimate businessman, to be bait? Weren’t they afraid the drug dealers would see through him and wipe him out?

Zhao Fusheng was afraid of death, very afraid. In his view, a wise man doesn’t court danger. This matter wasn’t really his concern, so why should he get involved?

“Director Cao, this is too risky.” Zhao Fusheng didn’t hide his thoughts. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “I can’t gamble with the lives of nearly a hundred people in my company.”

Those criminals weren’t ordinary. Although the police were involved, Zhao Fusheng couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t retaliate. People who help the police are always thorns in the eyes of criminals. When they fail, they think not about the future but about revenge.

“You really are overly cautious,” Cao Jianguo laughed, pointing at Zhao Fusheng.

Clearly, this man harbored many secrets, otherwise he wouldn’t know so much about Zhao Fusheng, who didn’t even attend financial interviews.

It was nearly impossible to find traces of Zhao Fusheng online.

But unfortunately, that didn’t apply to Cao Jianguo. Soon, with a few words from Cao Jianguo, the expression on Zhao Fusheng’s face turned strange.

…

…