The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 1100 - 1069: Splashing Dirty Water

Chapter 1100: Chapter 1069: Splashing Dirty Water

Everyone had their own thoughts!

"If only that dirty water were actually dirty," said a relatively young middle-aged man. They had thought of this strategy and understood that the Huo Family’s wealth was not a result of Huo Zhekun’s corruption or bribery.

"Yeah, but Huo Yingjie married a golden girl. One person earning money can relieve the entire Huo Family from worrying about money," said an older man with a long face, his tone filled with envy. Tiantian’s parents were overseas tycoons, after all.

When the family lacked nothing financially, who would still resort to corruption and bribery!

"Envy, jealousy, and hate," the last of the elderly men remarked.

"Old Zheng, your family suffered the most at the hands of the Huo Family. What are your thoughts?" the round-faced elder asked. "We are now allies with the Huo Family, not the same faction. Speak freely, and we will help you as much as we can."

This Old Zheng was none other than Old Master Zheng who had almost capsized the Huo Family in the past.

Back then, the Zheng Family suffered a great loss, but because they had someone to back them up, the Huo Family couldn’t completely annihilate them, thus giving the Zheng Family a chance to breathe.

But the Zheng Family couldn’t swallow this humiliation and always thought of revenge, so they joined this small alliance against the Huo Family.

Although there were those who wanted to use the Zheng Family as a tool, Old Master Zheng also wanted to leverage their strength to fight the Huo Family together.

"With all the money and industries the Huo Family has, even if there were inspections, it would take a long time. We could use this period to spread rumors widely. Some people know the truth, but it doesn’t matter. The idle common folk don’t know, and many of them are resentful of the rich. Even if the Huo Family is innocent, their reputation will be ruined and they will be hampered in their dealings, certainly not as thriving as they are now," Old Master Zheng said coldly. He had waited too long for the day he could strike back.

The current Zheng Family had recovered its vitality but could not yet compare to the Huo Family at this time.

Fortunately, there were still several capable juniors in the family; the Zheng Family still had a fighting chance.

Only by toppling the Huo Family could the Zheng Family ever stop being overshadowed by them.

"Hehe, Old Zheng has a point," the third elder remarked. "This time, let’s start a smear campaign against the Huo Family, followed by some leaking tactics. With this combination of blows, we’ll see big results."

"Yes, we need to think this over thoroughly," the round-faced elder said, before starting a new round of discussions.

The Inspection Team that was coming down would be viewed as an Imperial Inspector in ancient times.

Inspectors would focus on both the good and the bad, which was related to the local officials’ performance.

Last year, as the province with the highest tax contribution in the country, Su Province became the target of the inspection.

Huo Zhekun and Li Qiang had already instructed their subordinates to carry out all their duties well, and everything else was to proceed as normal.

Last year, due to huge progress in economic development, environmental protection, cultural heritage conservation, as well as various livelihood projects, officials who were relatively clean did not worry.

Huo Zhekun and the others were waiting for good news.

But instead of good news, they received a shock.

Li Qiang came to Huo Zhekun’s house quietly one night.

"Why have you come to my place at this time?" Huo Zhekun, unaware of the situation, greeted his old partner with a smile.

Li Qiang gave a somewhat forced smile and said, "I have some matters to discuss. Let’s talk in the study."

Huo Zhekun was taken aback, somewhat perplexed, but still led Li Qiang into the study.

Jiang Lifang personally came to serve tea and helped close the door.

"Old Huo, I’ve just received some news, someone has reported you for abusing your position, engaging in corruption and accepting bribes, and amassing a huge fortune," Li Qiang said, revealing that there was a letter of accusation from the Inspection Team, and it was an accusation made in somebody’s own name.

The whistleblower is now under protection, and he doesn’t know who it is.

That friend was also trying to do the Huo Family a favor through Li Qiang, but he didn’t know much about the specifics either.

Huo Zhekun was stunned, then let out a bitter laugh, "Ah, I really haven’t engaged in corruption or accepted bribes."

Li Qiang looked at Huo Zhekun, having worked with him for several years; he knew him well.

Not only was he extraordinarily capable, but he was also a rare and incorrupt officer who didn’t take bribes.

However, the practice of smearing someone’s reputation has been common since ancient times.

This time, it might not deal a substantial hit to Huo Zhekun, but it would affect his reputation.

"Ah, I’ve always had a sense of unrest because it’s been too smooth lately, and now it has finally happened," Huo Zhekun said. "My family does have money, but that’s all earned by my daughter-in-law. Compared to what she earns, the salaries Lifang, Yingjie, and I receive are insignificant."

"Heh, you married a golden girl," Li Qiang said enviously. "This matter could be big or small, but you don’t have to worry. We are here for you. You should quickly send a message to Yanjing, ask the Huo Family there to help you manage the situation, and prevent these rumors from spreading and damaging your reputation."

Huo Zhekun nodded, "Thank you, Brother Li. If it weren’t for your warning, I wouldn’t have known in advance and wouldn’t have been able to respond."

"In a day or two, I suppose I’ll have to cooperate with the investigation team and won’t be able to contact you," Li Qiang said. Those people were too despicable; to achieve their goals, they employed such tactics to slander an official who dedicated himself to doing good for the common people.

"Mm, I’ll be careful," Huo Zhekun nodded, quickly considering what to do next.

After Li Qiang left, Huo Zhekun remained in the study, silent for a long time.

No need to fear, he had faced countless dangers on his career path and had come through them all safely.

This time would be no different.

If you do nothing guilty, you fear no ghostly knocks on your door.

If he were guilty, he could proudly say that the officials of Country H would probably all be guilty.

Seeing that Li Qiang had left and her husband wasn’t yet out, Jiang Lifang entered to find her husband staring out the window with a forlorn look.

"Old Huo, what’s the matter?" Jiang Lifang asked, concerned as she approached her husband.

Since his wife would find out in a couple of days anyway, Huo Zhekun didn’t hide anything from Jiang Lifang and told her, "Someone has reported that our family has amassed a great fortune through corruption and bribery... "

"What?" Jiang Lifang was stunned. "Who would do such a vile thing?"

"I don’t know for now, but there’s no need to worry too much; it’s just mudslinging, a common trick in officialdom," Huo Zhekun said. "Over the New Year, Yingjie also reminded me that it’s my last year in office, I should be extra careful, but I didn’t expect something like this would really happen."

"Do we need to send a message to Yanjing?" Jiang Lifang asked, realizing the issue wasn’t just related to Su Province, but also to the Huo Family in Yanjing.

"Mm, I’ve already phoned Father; he’ll know what it means," Huo Zhekun said. Although it was just a casual greeting on the surface, he used their old codes. As long as the keywords he mentioned were matched with the corresponding code, the meaning would be clear.