Chapter 1132 - 1129: Died of Illness Abroad
Secretary Liu said, "Although Song Ming honestly explained his issues, the Provincial Committee still initiated an investigation against him, and during the investigation, it was discovered that he embezzled over a hundred million yuan."
Tang Yumeng was already aware of these matters and said, "Secretary Liu, didn't Song Ming already confess to these issues?"
Secretary Liu replied, "Song Ming explained them at your City Committee Standing Committee meeting, but the whereabouts of these funds, these are the nation's money, must be traced and recovered into the national treasury."
As for the over one hundred million yuan embezzled by Song Ming, Tang Yumeng really didn't know the whereabouts and said, "Secretary Liu, you could ask Song Ming about these funds' whereabouts."
Secretary Liu sighed slightly and said, "It would be good if we could ask, Xiao Tang, Song Ming passed away with his spouse two days ago in the United States Los Angeles where they rented."
Tang Yumeng exclaimed in surprise, the news came too suddenly, and Song Ming actually died. This man, who had been influential in Jiangbei City for a decade, just died like that.
After a long silence, Tang Yumeng looked at Secretary Liu and said, "Has the organization found any clues about those funds now?"
Secretary Liu said, "Some clues have emerged, and these funds may be related to a conglomerate company in Jiangbei City."
Tang Yumeng asked, "Which conglomerate?"
Secretary Liu said, "Sichuan University Group."
Tang Yumeng was immediately stunned, how could these funds be related to Sichuan University Group? Lin Chuan and Song Ming were arch-enemies. No matter what, Song Ming wouldn't give these funds to Lin Chuan. Even if Song Ming gave the money to Lin Chuan, Lin Chuan wouldn't take it.
"Secretary Liu, that's impossible. I still understand Sichuan University Group quite well. How could they have anything to do with Song Ming?" Tang Yumeng mused.
Secretary Liu smiled bitterly, "I also hope it doesn't involve Sichuan University Group, as this concerns Lin Chuan. However, based on current investigative results, these funds are indeed related to Sichuan University."
Secretary Liu was well aware of the relationship between Lin Chuan and Tang Yumeng; besides, Lin Chuan's status was quite special. Since Secretary Liu oversaw political and legal affairs for the Provincial Committee, he wanted to inquire about Lin Chuan through Tang Yumeng.
Tang Yumeng also knew Secretary Liu wouldn't joke about such matters with her and said with a furrowed brow, "Secretary Liu, I will investigate this thoroughly and surely provide you with a satisfactory answer."
Secretary Liu nodded, "That's good, I'll take my leave now."
Tang Yumeng hurriedly said, "Secretary Liu, it's already dark. How about staying overnight in Jiangbei City? I'll treat you to dinner."
Secretary Liu stood up and said, "No need, I still need to rush back to the provincial capital. There's an important meeting tomorrow morning."
After seeing Secretary Liu off, Tang Yumeng sat in her office in silence for a while, then picked up the phone on her desk and called Lin Chuan, "Lin Chuan, come to my office immediately."
Lin Chuan was still with Song Xiaojia at that moment. Upon receiving the call from Tang Yumeng and sensing something off in her tone, he quickly got out of bed, dressed, and hurried to the Jiangbei City Committee.
Entering Tang Yumeng's office, Lin Chuan immediately saw her slightly gloomy face and asked, "Yumeng, what's happened?"
Tang Yumeng looked at Lin Chuan and asked, "Tell me honestly, did you take the over one hundred million yuan from Song Ming?"
Lin Chuan was taken aback, these funds were indeed taken by him, and all of it was invested in the Sichuan University Charity Fund, previously managed by Mu Bai.
"Yes, these funds were indeed given to me by Song Ming," Lin Chuan admitted frankly, not intending to hide from Tang Yumeng.
Tang Yumeng was slightly surprised; the funds were indeed related to Lin Chuan, and she asked with a frown, "Where are these funds now?"
Lin Chuan replied, "These funds are the operating funds for the Sichuan University Charity Fund, previously managed by Mu Bai. Since Mu Bai's death, I'm not clear about the status of these funds."
Tang Yumeng said, "Secretary Liu from the Provincial Committee's Political and Legal Committee just came to ask me about these funds, and it has been confirmed these funds are related to Sichuan University Group. Lin Chuan, this money is a hot potato, you must hand it over to the national treasury."
Lin Chuan said, "I'll look into this; as long as the money is there, I'll follow your arrangement."
Hearing Lin Chuan's words, Tang Yumeng's expression improved and she said, "Lin Chuan, do you know that Song Ming and his wife both passed away abroad a few days ago?"
Upon this news, Lin Chuan was somewhat surprised. Song Ming, who was once his archenemy, had turned into a friend after gaining insight, and now hearing of his death, Lin Chuan felt somewhat melancholy.
"Where did Song Ming and his wife die?" Lin Chuan asked Tang Yumeng.
Tang Yumeng said, "Los Angeles, United States, but I don't know the specifics."
Both were saddened by Song Ming's death. After a few minutes, Tang Yumeng said, "Lin Chuan, Secretary Liu also told me something else."
Lin Chuan asked, "What is it?"
Tang Yumeng slowly said, "Secretary Liu said Vice Governor Li, who oversees education, is stepping down soon, and they want me to replace him."
Lin Chuan exclaimed, "That's great news! It seems I'll soon be addressing you as Governor Tang, hehe."
Tang Yumeng rolled her eyes at Lin Chuan and said, "You don't speak seriously, I'm not talking to you anymore."
Lin Chuan chuckled and said, "I'm being honest, Governor Tang, please take care of me in the future."
Tang Yumeng cursed, "Jerk, get out of here, I need to go back to see if Xiao Ling has returned."
Speaking of the little one, Tang Yumeng had only spent two days with it but had already formed some affection.
Lin Chuan didn't go back with Tang Yumeng; he needed to find Zhou Rui to ask about the money Song Ming had given him. After parting with Tang Yumeng at the City Committee entrance, just as he was about to leave, he saw Song Wen walking over with his signature gait.
Despite the Song family's two simpletons being unsuccessful, they were closely related to Song Ming. Now that Song Ming and his wife died overseas, it's unclear how their affairs were handled. Lin Chuan suddenly felt a bit sorry for Song Ming and called out to Song Wen.
Song Wen had already seen Lin Chuan; he was somewhat afraid of him and was thinking of avoiding him. Hearing Lin Chuan call, he had no choice but to come over and greet Lin Chuan with a smile, "Lin Chuan, long time no see."
Looking at Song Wen's smiling face, Lin Chuan said, "Song Wen, I need to tell you something. Your uncle, Deputy Secretary Song, died a couple of days ago in his rented apartment in Los Angeles, United States."
Song Wen was stunned at first, then tears started flowing. He whimpered and said, "My uncle, my uncle has suffered terribly."
This was spoken from the heart. Song Ming had wielded considerable power in officialdom for over a decade, yet no one expected this kind of ending for him.
Lin Chuan was already saddened by Song Ming's death, and seeing Song Wen cry made him even more sorrowful. He said, "Stop crying. You should hurry to the United States and see how your uncle's affairs are being handled."
Song Wen nodded while sobbing and said, "Lin Chuan, thank you for telling me this. I will notify Song Wu immediately, and we will rush to the United States as soon as possible."
Lin Chuan said, "The two of you head over first. I'll inform my friends in the U.S. They will help you with your uncle's affairs."
Song Wen was too grateful to know what to say, wiping his tears, he went to find Song Wu.
After Song Wen left, Lin Chuan directly went to Zhou Rui's residence. Zhou Rui was staying at her aunt's house at Changlin Factory. Upon reaching the door, Lin Chuan knocked. After less than two minutes, the door opened, and Zhou Rui's aunt appeared at the entrance.
Zhou Rui's aunt was slightly taken aback upon seeing Lin Chuan, then burst into a smile and said, "Kai, why are you here? Come in, quick." After saying this, she called inside, "Xiao Rui, come out, Kai is here."
Zhou Rui was reading in her room. Upon hearing her aunt's call, she jumped up from her bed and ran out.
"Lin Chuan, you, you're here." Zhou Rui came running out, seeing Lin Chuan's smiling face looking at her, her face flushed, and she didn't know what to say.
Zhou Rui's hair was a bit messy. Her aunt looked at her appearance and said, "Xiao Rui, look at yourself, quickly go tidy your hair."
Zhou Rui's face flushed even more, and she turned and ran into the bathroom.
Lin Chuan chuckled inwardly, realizing even the little pepper could be shy.
Once inside, Lin Chuan sat down on the sofa, and Zhou Rui's aunt warmly poured him some tea.
"Kai, haven't seen you for a long time. What have you been busy with?" After pouring the tea, Zhou Rui's aunt sat beside Lin Chuan, smiling as she spoke.
Lin Chuan laughed, "Auntie, you know I just keep myself busy."
Zhou Rui's aunt said, "Kai, if you're just keeping yourself busy, what does that make us old folks? Idlers?"
Lin Chuan smiled and didn't say anything.
Zhou Rui's aunt continued, "Kai, you might not know, but my Xiao Rui really misses you. She can't stop talking about you every day. If you didn't come soon, this girl..."
At that moment, Zhou Rui came out from the bathroom with her hair combed, interrupting her aunt, "Auntie, what nonsense are you talking? When did I miss him?"
Despite saying this, Zhou Rui's face was filled with excitement, clearly pleased that Lin Chuan came to see her.
Zhou Rui's aunt looked lovingly at Zhou Rui and said, "You stubborn girl, always so mouthy in front of me. Alright, I won't disturb your conversation anymore. I have some matters to attend to next door at Kai's place."
After speaking, she stood up, smiled at Lin Chuan and Zhou Rui, and turned to walk out the door.
Zhou Rui, her face still flushed, sat down next to Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan said, "Xiao Rui, how's our group's charity fund running now?"
Zhou Rui said, "I'm not really sure. It's been managed by Mu Bai. After Mu Bai died a while ago, it's been handled by the company's financial director."
Lin Chuan said, "You should call the financial director right now and find out where that billion-plus fund Mu Bai managed has gone."
Zhou Rui looked at Lin Chuan with some confusion and said, "Lin Chuan, why are you so urgent about the money's whereabouts? Has something happened?"
Lin Chuan grimaced and said, "Song Ming gave me that money, intending to use it for charity. But recently, the province investigated and found out that the money was embezzled by Song Ming over the years and must be returned to the state."