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

Chapter 152 Understanding the Situation

The investigation team quickly arrived in Lüzhou City to conduct an investigation into the special task force and key departments of the eco-resort project.

First, a meeting was held in the conference room of the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee, where Tian Guofu personally stated his purpose.

After welcoming the delegation at the meeting, Luo Jian, Secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee, expressed his full cooperation with the investigation team. He then changed the subject, saying:

"I want to make an explanation to Secretary Guofu, Secretary Xuexi, and all the leaders of the investigation team. During the operation of the special task force for the resort project, I was attending a two-month training course for leading cadres at Tsinghua University. Secretary Xuexi should be aware of this."

Luo Jian looked at Yi Xuexi and said this, and the latter nodded in agreement:

"That's true. At the time, Secretary Luo wasn't in the city. After I was promoted to acting mayor, I was mainly in charge of the demolition of the food court. Later, according to the province's arrangements, I went to Jingzhou to serve as the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. Mayor Li Shu came to Lüzhou around that time."

As soon as Yi Xuexi finished speaking, Luo Jian's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said:

"Yes, yes, so I really didn't know anything about this project team; I only received related reports. Therefore, I would like Mayor Shuli to give a detailed report on the specific situation, and I would also like Mayor Shuli to arrange the subsequent investigation and cooperate closely."

Tian Guofu and Yi Xuexi exchanged a glance.

This Luo Jian clearly wants a non-stick pan.

But there was no other way; attending cadre training courses was indeed a real thing.

The project team was indeed set up by Zhang Shuli.

You really should ask him about this.

Although Zhang Shuli was weak, he understood Luo Jian's intention to shift the blame.

Even so, he had nothing to say, after all, as the head of the task force, he couldn't avoid it.

Zhang Shuli then gave a detailed report.

After listening, Tian Guofu set the tone:

"Well, after listening to Mayor Shuli's briefing, our investigation team has gained a preliminary understanding of this incident. This incident is quite serious and must be handled with utmost care! Next, our investigation team will split up to inspect the scene, check the records, and interview individuals. We ask for your close cooperation so that we can complete the investigation as soon as possible and give the leaders of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection a satisfactory explanation."

After the meeting, the investigation team moved into the hotel as their base, and posted a hotline for reporting information about the resort project on the perimeter, welcoming anyone with information to come in and provide details in person.

Leaders from various municipal departments in the project task force arrived at the hotel where the investigation team was located as soon as possible to connect and report with the deputy heads of their respective member units.

For example, the director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Luzhou City complained to the deputy director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department who was part of the investigation team.

The director of the finance bureau found the deputy director and swore an oath.

The director of the Land and Resources Bureau then went to the deputy director to explain the situation in detail.

After the leadership team of the Luzhou Municipal Bureau of Land and Resources arrived, the bureau chief spoke with the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Land and Resources in his room.

Deng Qiangming, the director of the Cadre Supervision Division dispatched by the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, approached several deputy directors of the Land and Resources Bureau who were anxiously waiting. He patted one of the deputy directors on the shoulder and said:

"Director Kang?"

Kang Le looked up and saw Director Qiang Ming's kind and familiar face, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

The feeling of being the subject of the investigation but seeing former colleagues with whom you had a good relationship in the investigation team is no less than meeting a fellow villager when you are alone in a foreign land!

Therefore, Kang Le's excited words, tinged with a hint of tears, said:

"Ming-ge! You came in person! That's wonderful, that's wonderful!"

Deng Qiangming quickly helped Kang Le up from the chair and said:

"Brother, it's not easy, you've just come down here and this has happened! You must hold on, trust the organization, and trust yourself."

Kang Le nodded hurriedly and said:

"I know, Ming-ge. Seeing you here puts my mind at ease."

Deng Qiangming smiled and led Kang Le to his room. He closed the door and said seriously:

"Kang Le, the minister specifically sent someone from the ministry to join the investigation team this time, partly to get a better understanding of the situation, and partly for your sake. You should understand that, right?"

Kang Le nodded vigorously and said in unison:

"Of course! Thank you, Minister, and thank you for your concern, Ming-ge!"

"Then tell me now, in detail, down to the timeline, everything that happened at the Land Bureau during the project's implementation! Only in this way can we save you!" Deng Qiangming took out paper and pen.

Kang Le nodded, recalling:

"Understood! Ming-ge, listen to me..."

The two stayed in the room for almost an hour.

When he came out, Deng Qiangming had already gathered a great deal of information. After shaking hands with Kang Le, he comforted him, saying:

"It's not a big problem. I'll report this to the minister immediately."

Kang Le excitedly grasped Deng Qiangming's hand and said:

"Ming-ge, I'm counting on you for everything!"

Having received the intelligence, Deng Qiangming was about to return to his room to report to Xia Qing.

Yi Xuexi suddenly walked in, his face stern.

He took Deng Qiangming's notebook, flipped through a few pages, and frowned, saying:

"Director Deng, the situation cannot be recorded without going through the proper interview procedure."

As a veteran organizational worker, what storms hadn't Deng Qiangming weathered? He immediately smiled and said:

"Team Leader Yi, this was specifically instructed by Minister Xia to have a chat with Kang Le, who is out in the ministry, and then report the situation to him."

"Minister Xia gave the order? Disregarding rules and procedures—that's abusing power!" Yi Xuexi closed his notebook, pointing at Deng Qiangming.

"Minister Xia is an upright and honest person. Director Deng, please don't do anything underhanded, as it will not only damage the image of the Organization Department but also Minister Xia's image! I'm confiscating this notebook for now. If you want to understand the situation, you must go through the proper interview process!"

After saying that, he ignored Deng Qiangming's explanation and left with the notebook.

Watching Yi Xuexi's departing figure, a hint of anger flashed across Deng Qiang's face.

But as a veteran organizational worker, calmness and restraint were almost ingrained in his mind.

He took a few sips of mineral water and took a few deep breaths, trying his best to suppress the dissatisfaction he felt from Yi Xuexi's rudeness.

After calming himself down, Deng Qiangming picked up his phone and dialed Xia Qing's number.

"Feed? Qiangming."

"Good morning, Minister. Sorry to bother you. I have something to report to you..."

Deng Qiangming gave Xia Qing a complete report of everything that had just happened, using a rigorous, objective, and unemotional approach.

After listening to Deng Qiangming's report, Xia Qing pondered for a moment and said:

"Qiangming, I'm sorry to have troubled you. Here's what I'll do: I'll call Comrade Xuexi myself."

Deng Qiangming said:

"Thank you, Minister. You've gone to so much trouble."

After hanging up the phone, Xia Qing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This "easy to learn" persona is truly being carried through to the end.

Before this, Xia Qingzhen really thought Yi Xuexi was an honest and upright cadre.

It wasn't until they discovered the luxurious villa that Wang Dalu had given to Yi Xuexi's wife, Mao Ya, as well as the tea plantations that were outside the designated area and the tea with arbitrarily priced products.

These things are enough to tear away the disguise of easy learning.

It seems it's time to put a tight headband on Sun Wukong.