Nominal: The pinnacle of power began in the sixth province of Handong.

Uncle?

Then wouldn't Zhou Zheng be...?

Zhou Wen's older cousin!

That's awesome!

While the group was still sorting out their family relationships, Lin Huahua looked at Zhou Zheng with a strange expression in her eyes.

Xia Qing sorted things out in her mind. Since Zhou Zheng was a member of the younger generation of the Zhou family in the capital, and the biological son of the eldest son of the Zhou family, she realized that Zhou Zheng was indeed a member of the younger generation of the Zhou family in the capital.

Why are you being so low-key, coming to the grassroots level to gain experience?

Is it...

The words "illegitimate child" flashed through Xia Qing's mind, and he felt that the possibility was very high.

Even if he is an illegitimate child, Zhou Zheng is still the son of the eldest son of the Zhou family.

Over the years, the eldest son of the Zhou family must have been secretly paying attention to, or even providing financial assistance and care for, him.

It's just that I can't go home.

Thus, when Zhou Zheng occasionally returned home, he saw the artworks that his own father had displayed in the house.

That makes sense!

Xia Qing had already thought it through, and he glanced at the others without making a sound.

Experienced veterans Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai had seen it all. They quickly figured it out and remained silent.

Xia Qing was a little worried that Hou Liangping might ask something thoughtless.

When he saw Hou Liangping remain silent and deep in thought.

Xia Qing felt at ease.

Hou Liangping has indeed grown up.

In the past, he would have asked questions that would have embarrassed Zhou Zheng.

Thinking this, Lu Yike suddenly pointed at Zhou Zheng, as if she had discovered a new continent, and said with delight:

"Oh, I see. You're not an illegitimate child, are you?"

"Cough cough cough cough!" Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai coughed violently at the same time.

But it was too late.

Embarrassment was written all over Zhou Zheng's face.

Xia Qing watched with great interest. As a bystander, I wasn't embarrassed; it was others who were!

Hou Liangping then stood up and changed the subject:

"Well, since the artwork is fake, did the foundation simply misjudge it, or did they have ulterior motives for spending so much money to buy it? Shouldn't we investigate this foundation?"

After Hou Liangping came to the rescue, everyone returned to the main topic and began discussing the foundation's affairs.

Xia Qingdao:

"Hold on."

After saying that, he went outside and made a phone call.

For Li Jue.

When Xia Qing asked Li Jue to provide relevant information about the Zhong Yi Foundation.

Li Jue understood immediately, praising Xia Qing for her keen eye while assuring her that her secretary would deliver the package to the Guangming District Procuratorate as soon as possible.

I waited for two hours.

The secretary from Baifei Group rushed to the scene, put down the file bag, and hurriedly left.

The group opened it.

Inside were the things Li Jue had prepared.

One is a list of major donors, showing the companies or individuals who have generously contributed to the foundation.

The other document was a list of artists. After careful investigation, it was found that they were all artists who had been promoted by the foundation and then quickly marginalized. Their works had all been sold for exorbitant prices by the foundation.

Xia Qing looked at the two lists and smiled:

"Well done, Li Jue! You're really well-prepared."

Looking at the list of donors, Qi Tongwei understood the situation and said:

"I'm familiar with this scheme. Huilong Group and Shanshui Group have done the same thing. If you investigate these donors, you'll find that they are all shell companies controlled by Changlong Group or related personnel who donate large sums of money to the foundation under the guise of charity to launder their gray income."

Chen Hai also picked up the list of artists and said:

"Governor Qi was talking about money laundering, so this list is probably about making money. They buy large quantities of works by young or niche artists, and then use auction houses and critics they control to hype up the prices of the works to astronomical levels. Then, the foundation sells these appreciated artworks to pre-arranged designated recipients, donates them to public museums, or uses them to offset taxes, thus completing the legal transformation of the assets."

Lu Yike crossed her arms and sneered:

"Those who will buy it are probably trying to bribe the Zhou family! How shrewd! They know that ostensibly a donation won't hold water, so they've switched to trading art!"

Hou Liangping, who had remained silent, stood up and said in a somewhat sorrowful tone:

"Xiao... Zhong Xiaoai has studied abroad, pursues romance, and loves art and charity. With the backing of the Zhong family and this kind of persona, it's no wonder the Zhou family accepted her as a daughter-in-law and let her manage such a foundation..."

Hou Liangping paused, took a deep breath, and said bitterly:

"It is actually a huge underground asset kingdom."

Chen Hai patted Hou Liangping on the shoulder, nodded, and said:

"In that case, everything makes sense. I have a feeling that taking over the foundation will allow us to defeat the Zhou and Zhong families in one fell swoop. Liangping can also be exonerated."

"The key is who to send," Qi Tongwei reminded him.

Xia Qing pondered for a moment, then gave the instructions:

"Tongwei and Chen Hai, you two are the backbone. You must stay at the command center at all times and keep a close eye on the Guangmingfeng project, Changlong Group, and Luo Jian. At this time, the only people we can send out are probably the 'Sword in the Dark'."

Xia Qing looked at Hou Liangping and smiled:

"Ryoping, would you be willing to make the trip?"

Hou Liangping was taken aback. The fleeting joy on his face betrayed his true feelings. At the same time, he also understood that his trip to the capital might not be so reassuring.

Therefore, Hou Liangping tactfully said:

"Well... I might not be able to handle this task alone; I'll need a few comrades to accompany me."

Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai understood the unspoken meaning in Hou Liangping's words.

This was a deliberate request for someone to follow and monitor him, so that Xia Qing could feel at ease.

Unexpectedly, Xia Qing waved his hand and said:

"I trust you completely, there's no need for this kind of surveillance. You can choose whoever you want to bring. But let me make this clear first, you'll definitely need to find a way to infiltrate the Foundation this time; having too many people will only make you more vulnerable."

Zhou Zheng raised his hand and said:

"I'll go with Brother Hou. I know quite a bit about art."

Hou Liangping looked at Zhou Zheng with gratitude.

In his view, Zhou Zheng's initiative to volunteer at this time was tantamount to giving him a good way out.

Zhou Zheng himself possesses the background to enter the foundation and identify artworks. In addition, Zhou Zheng is the illegitimate son of the Zhou family. If anything happens, the Zhou family will probably be lenient and not make things too difficult for him.

Hou Liangping was overjoyed to have such an assistant, and immediately looked at Xia Qing with his eyes full of pleading.

Xia Qing waved his hand and said:

"Then it's settled. But you'll have to disguise yourselves. Zhou Zheng looks fine as he is; I'll get you a custom-made suit. Liang Ping, keep your beard and put on some simple makeup. You don't want Zhong Xiao Ai to recognize you at a glance, do you?"

Hou Liangping touched his beard and smiled sheepishly.

Chen Hai also laughed:

"Go ahead and do it, just don't go overboard and actually buy some junk."

Everyone burst into laughter, then Zhou Zheng suddenly said:

"Speaking of which, we really need Brother Hou's help."

Hou Liangping and the others were taken aback, and asked in confusion:

"Zhou Zheng, what's wrong?"

Zhou Zheng said with a mournful face:

"Could you please pay me back for the meal you skipped out on the other day?"