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

Chapter 167 Liu Qingzhu

"An account book? Do such things really exist?"

In the office of the provincial Party committee's organization minister, Xia Qinggang listened to Chen Hai and Lü Liang's reports and was quite surprised.

According to the report, the Anti-Corruption Bureau's secret investigation into the Shanshui Group has yielded significant results.

In addition to some officials who have been identified as having improper dealings with the Shanshui Group, as well as some state-owned enterprises that have cooperated with the Shanshui Group to embezzle state-owned assets, such as the Oil and Gas Group.

Most importantly, the Anti-Corruption Bureau proposed the idea of ​​a "ledger".

According to the investigation, there is likely an internal ledger within the Shanshui Group that records the state-owned enterprises and officials with whom the group has engaged in the transfer of benefits over the years.

The ledger records must be very complete and detailed. If they can be found, they will be of great significance for advancing the comprehensive anti-corruption work and seizing the initiative in the hands of the Zhao family.

Xia Qing repeatedly confirmed the authenticity of the ledger.

They received affirmative answers from Chen Hai and Lü Liang.

Furthermore, Chen Hai, the holder of the ledger, has also been identified.

Liu Qingzhu, Director of the Finance Department of Shanshui Group!

Xia Qing took the information about Liu Qingzhu that Lü Liang handed over, and after carefully reviewing it, nodded and said:

"The idea is reasonable. The problem now is how to contact him and find out the location of the account books without arousing his suspicion?"

Chen Haidao:

"We are studying Liu Qingzhu's daily activities and expect to be able to contact him within three days."

Xia Qing smiled and said:

"Very good, it seems the next step is to fight over the ledgers."

"Struggle?" Lü Liang asked, puzzled.

"Minister, why do you say it's a struggle? Is someone eyeing the ledgers?"

Xia Qing stated that in such private accounts, the person recording them often unintentionally favors their own side and exaggerates the other side's actions.

In other words, when keeping accounts for oneself, one tends to downplay major issues and let minor issues go unresolved, but when keeping accounts for others, one goes into great detail and meticulousness.

The accounts kept by the Shanshui Group have even more entries; whose problem is that?

After Xia Qing's prompting, while Lü Liang was still pondering, Chen Hai blurted out:

"Huilong Group definitely has the most problems. Because in this chain of interests, Huilong Group is the ultimate beneficiary, and it has benefited the most times and in the largest amount."

Xia Qing said with satisfaction:

"Exactly right. If I'm not mistaken, this private account kept by the Shanshui Group is aimed at the Huilong Group, which is Zhao Ruilong. Thinking about it further, if they get the list of officials in the account book, wouldn't they have obtained…?"

Now, Lü Liang realized what was happening and excitedly said:

"This means we've obtained a detailed list of the Zhao family's influence in Handong, cultivated over so many years!"

"Absolutely correct." Xia Qing looked at the two of them, crossed her arms, and smiled with satisfaction.

Chen Hai and Lü Liang, however, did not experience the joy of guessing the answer.

The ledger is essentially a list of forces under the Zhao family.

This constitutes evidence of crimes committed by the interest group headed by Zhao Ruilong.

Anyone would have thought of such an account book.

What to do with it after obtaining it is also very tricky.

It's a real hot potato, but I can't let it fall into someone else's hands.

Xia Qing reiterated that there is probably only one copy of this ledger.

After all, keeping private accounts under Zhao Ruilong's nose is inherently a very risky business.

The Shanshui Group dared not keep too many backups, and the fewer people who knew about it, the less likely it was to be discovered.

Regardless of whether Gao Xiaoqin knew where the ledgers were, Liu Qingzhu was determined to keep them under surveillance.

Also, to prevent Zhao Ruilong's side from finding out the whereabouts of the account book and killing them to cover it up.

Chen Hai and Lü Liang carefully recorded Xia Qing's instructions.

They also assured that they would monitor and protect Liu Qingzhu immediately.

"Oh, right, there's something else about Tongwei..."

As soon as Xia Qing opened his mouth, Lü Liang immediately stood up and said:

"Minister, excuse me, I urgently need to use the restroom..."

Xia Qing smiled and said:

"Haha, go on!"

Lü Liang jogged out, closing the door behind him.

Only Xia Qing and Chen Hai were in the room.

Xia Qing slowly opened her mouth and said:

"Chen Hai, in this secret investigation, is there anything else belonging to Tong Wei within the Shanshui Group?"

"Please rest assured, Governor Qi did not leave behind anything he shouldn't have," Chen Hai said, then hesitated before adding:

"But... I still need to report something to you about Governor Qi."

Xia Qing sat up straight and asked:

"What's wrong?"

Chen Hai reported to the leader:

"The investigation revealed that Governor Qi has recently been frequently seen at Shanshui Manor, and has sent Cheng Du to guard the manor 24 hours a day."

Xia Qing leaned back, lost in thought.

Qi Tongwei went to Shanshui Manor again?

I had clearly told myself to avoid going there recently.

Even if he really missed Gao Xiaoqin, he should have arranged to meet her outside, not at the Shanshui Manor.

Most importantly, Qi Tongwei always took the initiative to report the situation.

But I haven't heard him report about going to Shanshui Manor.

It's like acting in secret, behind your back.

Could it be... that something happened to Qi Tongwei?

Judging from Gao Yuliang's recent actions, it seems that he and his apprentice are once again showing signs of cooperating with Shanshui Group and even Zhao Ruilong.

Have you forgotten the pain once the wound has healed?

Or is there another reason...?

Xia Qing shook her head. She had too few clues and too many unknowns, so she couldn't make any hasty conclusions.

For Xia Qing, he wouldn't force himself to think three or five steps ahead for every step he takes; that would be too tiring and prone to mistakes.

Even the wisest person can make a mistake.

Taking things one step at a time is the safest and most reliable approach, and it's also the best way to recover from mistakes.

This is Xia Qing's style of doing things.

After thinking it over, Xia Qing instructed Chen Hai to immediately begin secret surveillance and proper protection of Liu Qingzhu in order to prevent any unforeseen events.

Also, keep an eye on what Qi Tongwei is doing at the Shanshui Manor.

Chen Hai took notes one by one, said goodbye to Xia Qing, opened the door, and Lü Liang was already waiting outside.

The two left together.

Xia Qing thought of something and called the head of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Inquire about Hou Liangping's situation.

When he learned that Hou Liangping had already taken up his post, he was still doing his work despite his many complaints.

Xia Qing felt somewhat relieved.

He looked out the window and murmured:

"Shanshui Group... we still can't avoid this issue."

……

Beijing, Sha Ruijin's residence.

Inside the huge villa, Sha Ruijin smoked a cigarette in frustration.

After being suspended from his post, Old Master Ni told him to stay here and not go anywhere else.

Although he suddenly felt like he was on vacation, how could Sha Ruijin possibly stay idle?

How could a high-ranking official like to vacation alone?

He wanted the spotlight and cheers from the entire audience!

Sha Ruijin turned the TV on and off repeatedly, but he just couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

Just then, the phone rang.

Sha Ruijin abruptly picked up his phone. Seeing Tian Guofu's call, his blood seemed to surge, and he immediately assumed a proper sitting posture, coughed a few times to adjust his tone, and answered, saying:

"Hey, Guofu."

Tian Guofu greeted Sha Ruijin and reported on the progress of the investigation team in Lüzhou City.

Sha Ruijin felt a little more at ease. Then, remembering something, he suddenly asked:

"How's the comprehensive anti-corruption campaign going? Guo Fu, you'd better use Hou Liangping as a weapon. Let me tell you, he..."

"Secretary Sha, where is Hou Liangping?" Tian Guofu said with a wry smile on the phone.

"They held a meeting, and Hou Liangping had already been demoted. They only informed me after the meeting was over."

Sha Ruijin paused for a few seconds with his mouth half-open, then said in surprise:

"Demotion? Demoted to what extent?"

Tian Guofu was both amused and exasperated.

"He was demoted to deputy division chief level, but... he's already been sent to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles."