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

Chapter 187 Respect for the Dead

This unexpected turn of events plunged the entire hospital lobby into a deathly silence.

All that could be seen was swirling smoke, cigarette butts, shell casings, and blood scattered everywhere.

Fortunately, Governor Liu recovered quickly and hurriedly gave instructions:

"Doctor! Doctor! Help!"

The doctors from the People's Hospital, who had been evacuated to the outskirts, immediately rushed to the triage desk and reached out to check on Cheng Du, who was lying on the ground.

Then, he turned around and shook his head at Governor Liu.

Governor Liu paused for a few seconds, then let out a long sigh and said:

"Notify the family."

Gao Yuliang slowly walked towards Cheng Du's corpse, his mind still replaying the series of images from just now.

Cheng Du took Qi Tongwei hostage, forcing Governor Liu to the scene.

In full view of everyone, he took all the blame, including for secretly releasing Ding Yizhen.

Then, they bravely faced death.

Why is this happening?

Is Cheng Du not planning a fight to the death?

Before coming to the hospital, Cheng Du was Zhao Ruilong's loyal subordinate, even betraying Qi Tongwei.

What exactly happened that caused Cheng Du's mindset to change so drastically, from framing Qi Tongwei to taking the blame for Qi Tongwei with his life?

Now that they are dead, there is no way to verify the facts.

It can be said that even if Zhao Ruilong later exposed the so-called recording of Ding Yizhen's release,

Gao Yuliang could also insist that it was Cheng Du's voice, not Qi Tongwei's.

In any case, Governor Liu, the current top decision-maker in Handong, has already heard Cheng Du's confession.

In addition, the political and legal system of Handong was under Gao Yuliang's control.

Even if Zhao Ruilong produces the recording for authentication and proves it is Qi Tongwei's voice, Gao Yuliang can easily definitively classify the recording, leaving Zhao Ruilong with no leverage over Qi Tongwei.

This recording will only become a joke!

Cheng Du risked his life to save Qi Tongwei from Zhao Ruilong's clutches.

They've been completely saved!

Bringing his thoughts back, Gao Yuliang found himself standing beside Cheng Du's corpse in a daze.

Qi Tongwei knelt beside the corpse, utterly distraught, still muttering:

"He's out of bullets, he's out of bullets..."

As he spoke, Qi Tongwei clutched his head in anguish, wanting to cry, but no tears came; only his eyes were terrifyingly red.

Gao Yuliang squatted down and took the small pistol from Cheng Du's hand.

Retrieve from the chamber.

The magazine was empty.

Gao Yuliang stared at the magazine for a good ten seconds.

After a long while, he slowly got up and made way for the medical staff.

Then, Gao Yuliang pressed down hard on Qi Tongwei's shoulder and turned back to Governor Liu's side.

He wanted to bow three times to Cheng Du, but he knew that even though Cheng Du was Qi Tongwei's benefactor, in the eyes of the outside world, Cheng Du was still a vicious and stubborn criminal.

"Right and wrong, merit and demerit, will be judged by history..."

Gao Yuliang muttered to himself, his eyes somewhat vacant.

The scene of Cheng Du following Qi Tongwei to his home to move the mountain stone involuntarily came to mind.

At that moment, Gao Yuliang seemed to be overcome by some emotion and looked up.

He saw Xia Qing on the second floor, her hands in her pockets, quietly watching him.

Gao Yuliang's mind suddenly cleared.

Could it be that Xia Qing spoke with Cheng Du before she went to Cheng Du's room?

How did things develop to this point?

What exactly did Xia Qing say to Cheng Du?

If Xia Qingzhen could change someone's mind through a conversation, even to the point that he would be willing to die.

So, Xia Qing must be quite a terrifying person.

But Gao Yuliang didn't have time to think about these things, since even if he asked, Xia Qing wouldn't tell the truth.

There are more important things to deal with right now.

Zhao Ruilong, who was detained, is still staying in the provincial department.

I need to go see him.

Thinking of all this, Gao Yuliang looked at Governor Liu and said:

"Governor, I still have some things to take care of... I will arrange for Director Gangxin to handle things here. You should go back and rest early as well."

Governor Liu said solemnly, but with a pointed meaning:

"In the words of my son and his group of young friends, I've come here to be a tool!"

Gao Yuliang was startled and quickly said:

"Governor, what are you saying? Without your personal presence to boost morale, reassure the public, and direct operations, the incident wouldn't have been resolved so smoothly..."

"Alright, alright, there's no need for that. Go and get back to work," Governor Liu waved his hand and said.

"I also need to say a few words to Xia Qing."

Gao Yuliang no longer cared what Governor Liu and Xia Qing wanted to discuss; all he needed to do now was to see Zhao Ruilong as soon as possible and tell him what had happened.

Furthermore, this serves as a warning to Zhao Ruilong.

Do not take any further action against Qi Tongwei.

Thinking of all this, Gao Yuliang hurriedly left the hospital.

Just before he left, Qi Tongwei caught up from behind and said with deep remorse:

"Teacher, I..."

Gao Yuliang extended his right hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more.

Then, with a bittersweet expression of affection, he gave the following instructions:

"Tongwei, it's time for you to grow up."

These words were so powerful and thought-provoking that Qi Tongwei was momentarily stunned.

After saying this, Gao Yuliang left with a meaningful smile and turned away without looking back.

Only Qi Tongwei gazed at his teacher's retreating figure once more, secretly making a certain decision.

At the same time, Governor Liu also came to the second floor and found Xia Qing.

This is an office specially arranged by the dean, with heating and hot tea already prepared.

Seeing that no one was around, Governor Liu frowned and got straight to the point:

"Xia Qing, Ding Yizhen...it was Qi Tongwei who let them go, wasn't it?"

Xia Qing's eyes sharpened slightly, then returned to normal, and she calmly said:

"Governor, Cheng Du has already admitted that he did it. Out of respect for the dead, perhaps it would be better to leave this matter here."

Governor Liu was speechless for a moment, then said helplessly:

"Alright, let's do it that way then. The problem now is, what about the ledgers?"

Xia Qing fell silent.

Yes, the only ledger has been destroyed by Zhao Ruilong.

Where can we find decisive evidence of this comprehensive anti-corruption effort?

The prosecutor's secret investigation team has once again found it difficult to break through the Shanshui Group.

Xia Qing pondered for a long time, then smiled wryly:

"Governor, right now we have to get past the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection first. Secretary Sha is still suspended from his duties..."

Governor Liu nodded heavily. Sha Ruijin was still suspended from his post, and Yi Xuexi had just caused this mess; the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was still waiting for an explanation.

Here, another official at the provincial public security bureau level was shot dead on the spot after becoming a criminal, and Zhao Ruilong destroyed crucial account books.

These are truly troubled times; when it rains, it pours.

Under Zhao Ruilong and the Zhao family's repeated defensive counterattacks, Handong has clearly fallen into a complete disadvantage!

Is this the effect of a counterattack launched by a behemoth that has been deeply rooted in Handong for many years?

Multiple attacks, each one deadly.

The events are tightly linked, and there's just too much to handle!

Zhao Ruilong's wisdom, or rather, Zhao Lichun's strategic vision and micro-management behind the scenes.

It can only be described as terrifying.

This is the capability and foundation that a leading local powerful clan in Handong should possess.

Governor Liu recalled that at the beginning, Sha Ruijin wanted to take down the Zhao family and the Han University gang in one fell swoop using a blitzkrieg.

Now it seems...

That's nothing short of a pipe dream!