Episode Summary
Episode 16 focuses on the investigation into Limin Furniture and its associated shell companies. Tax officials visit the factory, raising suspicions about their operations and invoices. Zheng Hao's team investigates, uncovering a complex scheme of tax evasion. Meanwhile, personal relationships intertwine with the investigation, as Zhao Mingda refuses financial help despite his daughter's illness, and tensions rise between business partners. The episode ends with the team tailing a truck driver, Master Ma, who they believe holds key information.
Spoiler Alert
This episode dives deep into the shady dealings and tangled relationships surrounding Limin Furniture and its connections to various shell companies.
We open with Wu Weidong, Feng Dakai, and Zhao Mingda, former college classmates, now entangled in a web of business and personal obligations. Wu Weidong, aware of Zhao Mingda's daughter's illness, offers Zhao a high-paying consultant position at his company. Zhao, however, silently refuses. Meanwhile, Lu Wangshui informs Zhan Yi that their shell companies have been busted, warning him to cut ties to avoid further trouble. Lu Wangshui then meets with Feng Dakai at a golf course, reporting a staggering loss of ten million. Feng Dakai remains confident that the Chang brothers, owners of Limin Furniture, can handle the Tax Bureau's scrutiny, especially since his stake in Limin is relatively small. He instructs Lu Wangshui to advise Zhan Yi and Xiao Si to be less conspicuous in their operations.
Chang, the elder brother, is anxious, fearing that the invoices his younger brother sold to Zhan Yi will cause problems. He immediately calls his brother to confirm. Wang Zhenming, accompanied by Zheng Hao and others, arrives at the Limin Furniture factory. Chang warmly welcomes them, offering tea in his office, but Wang Zhenming insists on inspecting the workshop first. Chang has no choice but to lead the way.
The workshop is equipped with seemingly new machinery, processing redwood furniture. Xiong Yi immediately notices the newness of the equipment. The workers appear clumsy and inexperienced, which Chang explains as a result of upgrading equipment and hiring new staff. Wang Zhenming then requests a visit to the showroom, which displays a variety of redwood furniture. Xiong Yi casually mentions the rampant fraud in the redwood market, prompting Chang to boast that their factory uses imported wood and primarily operates through direct sales. Wang Zhenming then proceeds to the finance department to examine invoices. After the inspection, Gao Peng recognizes a truck driver, Master Ma, but before he can approach, Ma is called away.
Chang, despite managing to see off the Tax Bureau officials, remains uneasy. He immediately reports to Feng Dakai, specifically mentioning that Zheng Hao led the team. Zhao Mingda happens to be in the car with Feng Dakai. Feng Dakai once again offers financial assistance for Zhao Wan'er's (Zhao Mingda's daughter) treatment, but Zhao politely declines. Feng Dakai understands Zhao's pride and knows he won't ask for help unless absolutely desperate.
Feng Dakai drops Zhao Mingda off at home and instructs Lu Wangshui to "take care" of Da Fei, fearing he might be caught. Zhan Yi also seeks out Da Fei, urging him to flee the country.
Zheng Hao convenes a meeting with his team. Xiong Yi and Shi Haifeng believe Chang is cunning. Gao Peng suggests checking logistics information after Chang casually mentioned that Limin Furniture mostly deals in direct sales. Zheng Hao reveals he has already obtained Limin Furniture's delivery records to Lu Lutong Company. The company is located in a congested downtown area, making it impossible for Limin's nine-meter-long trucks to access it. Furthermore, Lu Lutong Company lacks a warehouse. Zheng Hao deduces that Limin Furniture is using Lu Lutong Company to launder invoices, and Lu Lutong, in turn, is using dozens of Xin Dong's shell companies to issue fraudulent invoices and evade taxes.
Zheng Hao dispatches Xiong Yi, Li Xinxin, and Gao Peng to investigate furniture markets in Linzhou. He and Shi Haifeng will examine Limin Furniture's financial chain and logistics to uncover the truth about Lu Lutong Company's capital flow.
Liang Jinqiu goes to see Zhao Mingda. Zheng Tianchou and Chen Xiaoxing are at Zhao's house, Liang Jinqiu does not want to face Zheng Tianchou and waits for Zhao Mingda downstairs. Shen Yue is taking Zhao Wan'er to Nan Hang for medical treatment, and Zheng Tianchou and Chen Xiaoxing have come to see them off. Zhao Mingda sends Zheng Tianchou and Chen Xiaoxing away and meets Liang Jinqiu in the car. Liang Jinqiu offers him 300,000 yuan, money from her mother selling stocks, but Zhao Mingda firmly refuses, asking her to introduce him to job opportunities instead.
Xiong Yi, Gao Peng, and Li Xinxin conduct undercover investigations in the furniture market. Manufacturers are reluctant to issue invoices to customers, offering discounts for transactions without them. Xiong Yi expresses his desire to take the Selection examination for the Inspection Bureau (Audit Bureau). Gao Peng spots Master Ma delivering goods and approaches him.
Zheng Hao and Wang Zhenming obtain Limin Furniture's bank statements. Xiong Yi, Gao Peng, and Li Xinxin report back to Zheng Hao. They share Gao Peng's acquaintance with Master Ma and propose using him as a point of entry. Zheng Hao cautions them to proceed carefully.
Zhao Mingda takes Shen Yue and Zhao Wan'er to the airport and then goes to see Feng Dakai. Wu Weidong and Xiao Yuwei are also present. He sees the three of them discussing business and wants to step aside, but Feng Dakai doesn't treat him as an outsider and asks him to stay. Wu Weidong and Xiao Yuwei argue over business matters. Feng Dakai tries to mediate, but Xiao Yuwei, having suffered a significant loss, demands an explanation from Wu Weidong. Lu Wangshui suddenly enters, announcing that Mr. Zeng has come to see Feng Dakai. Zhao Mingda quickly excuses himself. Feng Dakai urges Xiao Yuwei to calm down, promising to resolve their dispute fairly.
Zhu Xiaofei leads an investigation into the dozens of shell companies, discovering frequent calls between them and Da Fei, who is using the alias Liu Erzhang. Zhu Xiaofei immediately reports this to Li Dongjie, who informs Zheng Hao.
Xiong Yi, Li Xinxin, and Gao Peng follow Master Ma's truck. Master Ma suddenly stops, and Xiong Yi, remembering Gao Peng's comment that Master Ma was a former reconnaissance soldier, suspects they have been discovered.
Master Ma stops at a convenience store. Gao Peng follows him inside. As Xiong Yi suspected, Master Ma was aware of their surveillance. Gao Peng tries to inquire about Limin Furniture, but Master Ma remains evasive.
