ABT ### Chapter 60: Proving Innocence
The TV station's reporters and cameramen were stunned. This leader, who was rumored to be the most likely candidate to become the next mayor, indeed had a lot of courage!
Since the leader had spoken, how could they not comply? Moreover, as reporters, they had a burning passion for uncovering juicy stories deep in their hearts.
Pan Qiang was squeezed by the surrounding crowd. Despite his skills, it took all his effort to make his way to the front.
At this moment, Cheng Gang had already looked through all the photos, and his heart was burning with anger.
Because from the photos, the situation was indeed as the man in front of him had described; the cars provided by Zhengxin Company were in terrible condition! To be blunt, they were only slightly better than scrapped cars.
No matter how much these cars were repaired, how long could they last? Grassroots police officers had to drive these cars every day for their duties. If they were all in such bad condition as shown in the photos, where did Zhengxin Company place the safety of the police officers?
What would happen to police and traffic officers equipped with such cars when they encountered criminals? Would they just watch the criminals escape, or would they lose their lives in a car chase due to vehicle failure?
A series of questions and scenarios made this vice-ministerial level leader, who was just past forty, almost want to curse.
Although he chose to restrain himself in front of the camera, he had already made a decision in his heart—to severely punish Zhengxin!
He looked down at the stage and happened to see Pan Qiang squeezing his way over.
He pointed and said, "Someone from Zhengxin Company, come over here!"
Pan Qiang grabbed the edge of the podium and swiftly stepped up, standing firmly in front of Fang Xingnan.
His smooth and fluid movements impressed several senior police officers in the crowd—what great skill!
Cheng Gang snorted coldly, handed him the photos, and said, "These are the pieces of evidence. Look and see if they're from your company."
Pan Qiang took the photos and carefully examined each one. After looking through all of them, he calmly replied, "Yes."
Wow! There was a low murmur from the crowd on and off the stage.
"He actually dares to admit it!"
"My goodness, is he not afraid of the consequences?"
"What a swindler! Daring to scam the government and the police!"
"This is outrageous, absolutely outrageous!"
Cheng Gang's expression hardened. "So, what he reported just now is true?"
Pan Qiang remained expressionless, giving Fang Xingnan a contemptuous glance, and said, "These cars were indeed previously purchased by us and delivered to the police unit."
Arrogant! Simply arrogant! In front of everyone, having his secrets exposed, yet he remained calm and collected!
What kind of backing or confidence did he have to be so brazen?
Cheng Gang could no longer hold back. He snatched the photos from Pan Qiang's hands and slapped them hard against his chest.
"I know you secured this contract through strong internal recommendations. But I don't care what connections you have or which leaders you know! We won't use a single one of these problematic cars! All pre-paid funds must be recovered! Every lapse in the process will be investigated, and everyone involved will be held accountable! Starting with me!"
The crowd erupted.
"Good! Well said!"
"Those are strong words! That's how it should be!"
"I've always been skeptical about anti-corruption efforts, but now that Director Cheng has spoken, I believe it!"
"Such companies must be investigated! If they dare do this to the government, what about the average consumers, the weaker groups?"
On stage, Fang Xingnan felt a wave of satisfaction; Zhengxin, oh Zhengxin, this time, you're finished.
After his powerful speech, Cheng Gang snorted coldly, turned around, and was about to leave.
### Chapter 60: Proving Innocence
With a stern face, Pan Qiang bent down and began picking up the photos one by one. Just as Cheng Gang was about to step off the stage, Pan Qiang spoke up.
“When my company initially purchased the cars, they were indeed in this condition. However, the vehicles delivered to the police units were not in this state.”
Pan Qiang forcefully shoved the photos into Fang Xingnan’s arms, walked over to Cheng Gang, and looked down at him, enunciating each word: “All the vehicles we delivered are of the same standard as the ones parked here today.”
Cheng Gang, infuriated, laughed in disbelief. “You’re trying to argue at this point? Isn’t it a bit late for that?”
Pan Qiang smirked. “I never lie. I vouch for this with my honor.”
Fang Xingnan laughed loudly, “Ha! What’s your honor worth?”
Pan Qiang turned, giving Fang Xingnan a cold glance—just one look, but it instantly wiped the smile off Fang Xingnan’s face.
He saw a hungry wolf's gaze, seemingly filled with pity for its prey. Panic-stricken, Fang Xingnan took two steps back. When he finally regained his composure, Pan Qiang had already turned away, no longer giving him any attention.
“I invite you to Zhengxin Company right now to inspect the vehicles. The cars waiting to be delivered are parked in our company's lot, already painted with police colors and markings—impossible to fake.”
Cheng Gang, seeing his determined eyes, fell into deep thought. After a long while, he looked up and said sternly, “Fine! I’ll give you the chance to prove your innocence. But if you’re deceiving us, you know the consequences!”
Pan Qiang nodded calmly, “Feel free to inspect.”
More than half an hour later, a grand convoy arrived at the gates of Zhengxin Company. Among the convoy were government officials, police unit leaders, TV reporters, various regulatory officials who had rushed over upon hearing the news, and a large crowd eager to see the outcome.
The convoy stopped at the entrance, and as the car doors opened, Cheng Gang and Pan Qiang led a group of over three hundred people out.
This spectacle startled the customers and salespeople in the parking lot. Seeing the reporters with cameras and the familiar local leaders, they all thought: Could this be a leadership inspection?
They put aside their car-buying activities and joined the crowd to watch.
The parking lot was divided into east and west sections. The eastern side displayed the company's vehicles for sale. On the western side, over four hundred blue and white police vehicles, painted with police markings, were neatly parked.
Cheng Gang walked closer, quickly surveying the vehicles and feeling a bit puzzled. These cars looked great! In fact, not just great—after being painted, they gleamed in the sunlight, looking almost new!
“These cars...” Cheng Gang began, hesitating.
His secretary quickly understood and asked the surrounding crowd, “Who knows about cars? Come check these out.”
Immediately, over a dozen police officers volunteered—these were seasoned drivers who knew cars inside and out. Others might be fooled, but not them.
The group methodically inspected the vehicles—lifting hoods, checking engines, starting the cars, and examining the undercarriages.
After a while, they excitedly returned to Cheng Gang, standing at attention and saluting.
“Report, Director Cheng! The cars are in perfect condition! They’re practically flawless! If it weren't for the odometers, I’d say they’re brand new!”
“Yes! I specifically checked several engines at random, and they’re in excellent condition. I’d believe it if you told me they just came off the production line!”
Cheng Gang was dumbfounded. He turned to Pan Qiang, who smiled slightly.
Fang Xingnan, hiding in the crowd, jumped out, rushing to the police cars, hitting and slapping them. “Impossible! Impossible! I saw them purchase junk cars! There’s no way they could restore them to this condition! There must be some trickery, something’s definitely wrong!”
In his panic, he grabbed the receiving officers. “Did you check properly? Go check again! I watched them all night; I swear it’s true!”
His frantic movements caused his mask and hat to slip off. The crowd, still digesting the dramatic turn of events, instantly recognized him.
“Hey! Isn’t that the guy who fell into the cesspit a few days ago?”
“Hahaha! It’s that idiot!”
“Wasn’t one of the guys who fell into the pit diagnosed with depression? Could it be him?”
“No, the one with depression is already in treatment. This isn't him. But judging by his behavior, I think he has some issues too.”
“Hey, he’s a car dealer! I recognize him—he’s the boss of Longbao Used Cars!”
“Oh my god, this is terrifying! This guy orchestrated the whole thing, almost bringing down Zhengxin Cars!”
“Yeah, now that you mention it, it’s clear—this was malicious competition, slander, and false accusations!”
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