Chapter 1698: Mutual shirk
Francis quickly made an inference about his situation. No matter who the other two betrayed him, it was even possible that they had confessed to Qiu Yuan about the activities they had done in the past, but Qiu Yuan did not immediately order his arrest. Instead, he was sent to confront him, which shows that Qiu Yuan has not yet made a final decision in his heart. Although he was at fault, it was not serious enough to be immediately arrested and imprisoned. As long as he dealt with it properly, he still had the opportunity to minimize the impact of these things.
Francis didn't dare to hide anything from Qiu Yuan, because he couldn't be sure how much the other party knew. Moreover, Qiu Yuan's personal involvement in the matter meant that he had no room for maneuver. If he said the wrong thing, he might just retaliate. His career ended here. The best coping strategy that Francis could think of was to tell Qiu Yuan honestly, and then try to shift the responsibility to the other two people in the process. The lighter your guilt, the smaller the punishment you will receive afterwards, and you may be able to escape smoothly.
In this small group formed by Ding Feng, Francis, and Qin Huacheng, Francis is actually the most famous and influential, but precisely because of his special status, the actual role he can play in this small group is the smallest. of. Kong has the title of director of the Western Management Bureau, but the power he can actually use is not even as high as that of Qin Huacheng, a grassroots police officer. As for financial resources, Francis, whose family is basically just an empty shell, cannot compete with the Ding family. That's why the security farce that made Qiu Yuan so angry happened earlier, otherwise Francis might still be a mere mascot until now.
Unlike Francis, Ding Feng did not leave immediately after receiving the summons from the Provisional Management Committee. Instead, he first called his three children together and explained the family affairs to them.
It’s okay for the youngest daughter Ding Ping’er to be inexperienced in world affairs. The two brothers Ding Pingsheng and Ding Pingcai are not fools. It’s definitely not a good sign that their father summoned them for no reason to start explaining family affairs. Ding Pingsheng couldn't help but ask: "Father, is there something going on?"
Ding Feng's attitude was very calm: "Some things may happen, so I have to explain it to you first, so that if my father cannot come back for a while, the family will not be in chaos."
The two brothers looked at each other and saw the panic look on each other's faces. Although the Ding family is headed by Ding Pingsheng to the outside world, the family has always regarded the old man Ding Feng as the backbone, and all major decisions are made by Ding Feng. Although the Ding family has encountered some setbacks in recent years, the momentum of development has never stopped, and the scale of the business has grown larger and larger. Even this year when Haihan and Spain went to war and the ownership of the local area completely changed hands, it did not fundamentally shake the Ding family's influence in Manila.
The three siblings have long been accustomed to having such a calming figure in the family. No matter what storms or waves they encounter, as long as Ding Feng is there, they will be able to get through it safely. Before this, Ding Feng had never acted like this. Although the two brothers didn't want to think about the bad things, the current situation really seemed like they were explaining the funeral arrangements, which made them feel quite panicked.
Then Ding Feng continued: "You may also know that my father had some cooperation with Mr. Francis before, but these things are not all in compliance with Haihan law. If the official wants to pursue it, the two of us must bear the responsibility." . Just now, someone came from the management meeting and asked me to meet with Chief Qiu Yuan. This big shot will not summon me for no reason. After thinking about it, maybe the things I did earlier have come to light, and I need to start investigating the responsibility! If my father goes here, he may be imprisoned, so I have to explain it to you three brothers and sisters first.”
When the three Ding brothers and sisters heard these words, they were like a thunderbolt from the blue, and Ding Ping'er even burst into tears immediately. If Haihan wants to convict Ding Feng, the Ding family will inevitably be implicated to a certain extent. Without Ding Feng in charge, it may be difficult for the Ding family siblings to cope with subsequent changes in the situation.
Ding Pingsheng said: "Would you like to invite your brother-in-law to come over?"
Although little Francis has restored his relationship with the Ding family after being released from prison, he has not taken Ding Ping'er home to live for the time being. This is also Ding Feng's intention, allowing Ding Ping'er to live in her parents' home for a while until the situation stabilizes. Let’s talk later. So Ding Feng summoned his children to discuss matters, but his son-in-law Francis Jr. was not present.
Ding Feng shook his head and said: "No need. If something really happened, then Francis must have also received a summons from the interim management meeting, and maybe little Francis would have to go with him. Besides, it's not possible to confirm whether there are people from the government watching outside. , going to your brother-in-law at this time may be regarded by the government as an attempt to collude, which will only cause more trouble.”
Although there were no signs beforehand, Ding Feng still prepared for the worst-case scenario for everything. If the incident happened as he expected, he would at least be able to prepare his children in advance. There are corresponding methods for other solutions after all. As for Francis and Qin Huacheng, he now has no extra energy to consider their situation. He must first try to save his children and property.
By the time Ding Feng finished briefly explaining what he considered to be more important matters, a long time had passed. Although the Interim Management Committee did not send anyone to urge him, Ding Feng himself did not dare to delay any longer. If the senior officials who are subject to the temporary management committee think that they are deliberately trying to show off, then all their efforts may be in vain. Ding Feng still hopes that after meeting Qiu Yuan, he can get a chance to escape guilt.
Ding Feng had his own special carriage when he went out. He only brought one driver with him and asked his three children to wait for news at home and not to go out for the time being. If you don't get home before the night curfew, you're probably out of breath.
At the interim management meeting, Ding Feng reported his identity and asked to see him, but was told that Qiu Yuan was receiving other guests and asked him to wait outside the office. Ding Feng didn't dare to ask any more questions, so he just waited outside. After waiting for about an hour, the office door opened, and out came Francis, an old acquaintance of Ding Feng.
The two met suddenly in such an environment, and for a moment they didn't know how to greet each other. It is obviously unreasonable to turn a blind eye, but if you say hello, you are afraid that someone with an intention will think you are trying to spread the news. The two people, who had their own ulterior motives, hesitated for a moment, just nodded to each other, and then passed each other in the corridor. There was no conversation, but there was quite a stir in the hearts of both of them.
For Francis, seeing Ding Feng appear here and now, he can once again confirm that being summoned by Qiu Yuan today was no accident. Qiu Yuan wanted to see him and Francis alone. If there were any omissions or omissions in my description just now, I would only need to confront Ding Feng to find out the truth. To put it bluntly, even if Ding Feng did not betray himself and was not even aware of the current situation, Francis would not dare to take the risk to hide anything. After all, he was not sure whether Ding Feng would do anything after seeing Qiu Yuan. Just like yourself, quickly and decisively choose to give up resistance and explain everything. For Ding Feng, Francis arrived before him, met Qiu Yuan, and left here safe and sound. The meaning was even more complicated. If what Qiu Yuan talks to him next involves those gray areas, then it goes without saying that he was betrayed by Francis. Ding Feng could even imagine that Qiu Yuan probably heard Francis tell some things before sending someone to his home to summon him.
For the two people who have fallen into the prisoner's dilemma, mutual suspicion is inevitable. Due to the serious asymmetry of information, they are completely unable to trust each other, and they dare not place their own safety on the other party's confidentiality. In the final analysis, they are just a small group that puts profit first, not even an offensive and defensive alliance. Once the situation overturns, no one can stay out of it. Only by shirking responsibility as soon as possible and throwing the blame on others can they have a chance to escape. crime.
"When you came in just now, you should have seen Francis, right?" After Qiu Yuan asked Ding Feng to sit down, he started to get to the point: "Do you know the reason why he came here?"
"I don't dare to make rash guesses. Please let me know clearly." Ding Feng was not so stupid that he would take the initiative to confess. He carefully observed Qiu Yuan's expression while responding.
Qiu Yuandao: "I already know most of what you have done. I asked you to come here today because I want to hear if you have anything else to add. After all, all the information I have heard before this is Narratives from others may be somewhat different from your actual situation. I still give you a chance to tell you what happened.”
When Ding Feng heard what Qiu Yuan said, he knew that he was absolutely unlucky, and he no longer had any thoughts of luck. He did not believe that Francis would cover for him. Just like when Francis was defeated and arrested, he would not involve himself in order to save the other party.
However, Ding Feng's thoughts coincided with Francis's at this time. He thought that since Qiu Yuan summoned him for an interview instead of sending someone to arrest him directly, it meant that there was still room for redemption. The next step was to See if you can seize the opportunity.
Thinking of this, Ding Feng stood up decisively, lifted up the hem of his clothes, and knelt in front of Qiu Yuan: "I was obsessed with it for a while and made many mistakes. Please punish me, chief!"
How could Qiu Yuan fall for his tricks? He snorted coldly and said: "If I didn't call you here today for questioning, you would probably continue to be obsessed with me, right? Punishment... I think you are working hard." , are you not afraid of any punishment at all?”
Ding Feng didn't dare to answer, he just lowered his head to the floor and lay prone. He didn't know what exactly Francis betrayed him and how he told Qiu Yuan. If he rashly defended it, it would be self-defeating. He could only wait for Qiu Yuan to ask and then answer according to the situation.
As for the things he has done, which ones have violated the laws of Haihan, Ding Feng still has a rough idea. If he really wants to study these past things in detail to punish his crimes, he will be forgiven for the death penalty, and he will definitely be imprisoned for the living crime. There is no way to avoid it. However, Qiu Yuan's attitude did not seem to hold him accountable, which made Ding Feng still have a lingering thought in his heart, thinking that he should still have a chance to escape.
And Qiu Yuan didn't have much dislike for Ding Feng. If it hadn't been exposed by Qin Huacheng this time, he would still have a good impression of this wealthy Han businessman. After Haihan occupied Manila, the Ding family was one of the early gentry who stepped forward to assist the government in restoring social order, and proactively donated a lot of money and food to help the large number of refugees who emerged after the war. Although these actions of the Ding family were somewhat intended to draw a clear line with Francis, the Spanish official who was married to him, objectively they did play a big role in promoting Haihan's takeover of this place.
It is precisely because of the positive attitude shown by the Ding family that Haihan officials did not make things difficult for the Ding family after the war, even though they knew that the Ding family was wearing the same pants as the Spaniards before the war. Although the Ding family's original business has suffered a certain impact due to war and changes in rule, there was indeed no official suppression. Qiu Yuan even recently intentionally relaxed the restrictions on the business scope of local businessmen, allowing the Ding family's business organizations to Being able to enter and operate in a Hispanic-inhabited area as desired.
But after a series of things planned by Ding Feng were exposed, Qiu Yuan certainly knew that this scheming guy was not a kind person. Everything he did had a very clear purpose. On the one hand, he was trying to please the authorities and on the other hand, he was trying to suppress competitors in the market. . If it hadn't offended him, Qiu Yuan would have really wanted to applaud this businessman who had so many ideas in his mind. If he hadn't kicked the iron plate of Chaosheng Commercial Store, the Ding family would have had the chance to gradually control the local area. business lifeline.
However, destroying the Ding family would not bring any benefit to the local social stability. Qiu Yuan knew this very well, so he did not want to hold Ding Feng accountable and tried to deal with it in a low-key manner. However, this lack of accountability does not mean calling Ding Feng in front of him and giving him a few verbal warnings. Real punishment is still necessary. Since Ding Feng did these things for the sake of profit, Qiu Yuan wanted to start with this profit and impose heavy penalties on him.
Ding Feng didn't stay in Qiu Yuan's office as long as Francis, but his face was much uglier than Francis when he left. In exchange for "no accountability" from the interim management committee, the Ding family must secretly pay a huge fine to the interim management committee. The amount of the fine was so large that the Ding family couldn't raise so much cash for a while. In the end, Ding Feng persuaded Qiu Yuan to relent and let him pay it in monthly installments. But even so, this fine was enough to devastate the Ding family. Not only did Ding Feng not dare to complain, he had to thank Qiu Yuan profusely when he left for his "magnanimous" handling. .
(End of chapter)