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

Chapter 151 Conversation with Qi Tongwei

After the meeting ended.

The heads of several member units of the investigation team reached a consensus.

I know what I should and shouldn't investigate when I go to Luzhou City.

Only one person seemed out of place.

Deputy team leader Yi Xuexi.

At the meeting, there was a clear sense of resistance towards the investigation guidelines proposed by Governor Liu.

Yi Xuexi believes that since the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has personally come to Handong, the Handong authorities cannot simply give a perfunctory response.

A thorough investigation is necessary; we must uncover the root of the problem and report all issues to higher authorities.

Everyone understood that Yi Xuexi's words were not just empty talk.

This guy really knows what he's doing!

This stumped the attendees.

If we followed the easy-to-learn approach, there would be no need for today's meeting.

You can look up whatever you want directly.

Wouldn't that create chaos?

Therefore, Governor Liu personally intervened at the meeting, persuading Yi Xuexi to reluctantly agree to cooperate with the province's instructions.

As for the extent to which he can cooperate.

Then it's impossible to know.

However, everyone noticed that Yi Xuexi was surprised when he heard that the investigation was about an eco-resort.

He clearly showed an expression of inexplicable excitement.

Then I thought of how Sha Ruijin transferred Yi Xuexi from acting mayor to secretary of the discipline inspection commission for this project.

This is a transfer model that appears to be at the same level but is actually "used as a step back".

Everyone knew that Yi Xuexi was about to unleash the anger he had been holding in.

Gao Yuliang's suggestion to appoint Yi Xuexi as the deputy group leader is truly a hot potato being thrown to him!

After the meeting, Qi Tongwei watched as Xia Qing stood up, walked forward, and respectfully said:

"minister."

Xia Qing smiled and patted Qi Tongwei on the shoulder, saying:

"Tongwei, you're full of energy! How are you feeling? Any difference from before?"

"Reporting to the Minister, my personal feeling is that the position of Vice Governor is more comprehensive than that of Director of Public Security..." Qi Tongwei reported to Xia Qing on his thoughts and feelings after being promoted to Vice Governor. The two walked and talked.

Upon arriving at Xia Qing's office, Xia Qing asked:

"Come in, sit down and let's talk."

Qi Tongwei hesitated.

The thought of the evidence Zhao Ruilong had against him sent shivers down his spine.

He couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if, next time, he were sitting in Minister Xia's office, it was because Minister Xia had something on Zhao Ruilong that he was being talked to.

The scene was so breathtaking that it almost suffocated Qi Tongwei!

While he was lost in thought, he walked into the minister's office and sat down on the sofa.

Xia Qing handed him a cup of tea, which Qi Tongwei accepted with both hands. Looking at the steaming heat in his hands, he almost told Xia Qing everything about Zhao Ruilong's collaboration with him.

But Qi Tongwei held back.

He knew he couldn't mention it until he had dealt with all the leverage over the matter.

But deep down, he was still filled with fear and unease.

Therefore, after hesitating for a long time, Qi Tongwei asked a strange question:

"Minister, do you think... I'm qualified to be the vice governor?"

Xia Qing, who was tidying up his desk, was startled. He guessed that Qi Tongwei was going through something, but the other party was unwilling to tell him, and he was extremely confused.

Therefore, the answer at this moment is crucial, and may just help Qi Tongwei clarify his thoughts.

Thinking of all this, Xia Qing stopped what she was doing and said with a smile:

"Tongwei, I don't know if you're a good provincial governor, but you're definitely a good department head."

As she spoke, Xia Qing took out a document protected in a folder from the drawer, handed it to Qi Tongwei, and said:

"This is the data analysis report that Secretary Yuliang gave me when I first came to Handong. It shows that during your tenure as Director of the Public Security Bureau, the crime rate in Handong Province has dropped sharply, and organized crime has clearly disappeared. You, as Director of the Public Security Bureau, have made great contributions to this, and it also shows how proud Secretary Yuliang is of you."

"Teacher..." Qi Tongwei stroked the data, recalling Gao Yuliang's proud and gratified expression at the time, and murmured:

"However, Zhao Ruilong and Du Bozhong's influence still lurks beneath the surface of Handong, and I still haven't done my job properly..."

"Tongwei, Secretary Yuliang is a big fan of Ming Dynasty history; he should have mentioned Wang Yangming's 'investigation of things to extend knowledge' to you," Xia Qing comforted him.

"To attain knowledge is to attain innate knowledge. As long as you act with a clear conscience and strive for your conscience, that is enough. As for the outcome, only God knows."

Qi Tongwei listened intently, his hand holding the teacup trembling slightly.

Teacher Gao has said this phrase to himself many times: "To attain true knowledge."

As Professor Gao's most admired disciple, can what I am doing now truly be considered "extending one's innate knowledge"?

To cover up evidence of wrongdoing, did they compromise with Zhao Ruilong?

Although Zhao Ruilong wanted the ledgers to expose Du Bozhong, he did also suggest that he delay the audit and investigation of Huilong Group.

I did indeed do as instructed.

If things continue like this, will I go from being Vice Governor Qi Tongwei back to being the Qi Tongwei of the Shanshui Group?

unknown.

Yet, it is fraught with crises.

Qi Tongwei knew that he had truly stood at a crossroads of fate.

This time, it's even more dangerous than when I chose between dignity and future back then.

He wanted to talk to someone, but he only trusted Gao Yuliang and Xia Qing.

But before he could speak to Xia Qing, he backed down.

Perhaps, the person Qi Tongwei truly trusted most was Gao Yuliang.

But Teacher Gao hasn't contacted me for a long time.

After becoming the vice governor, he had less and less contact with Teacher Gao.

It seems that Teacher Gao is intentionally distancing himself from me.

The collapse of the Luzhou City resort project is definitely Zhao Ruilong's doing, and Teacher Gao must know the inside story.

Why didn't Teacher Gao step in to stop it?

Why wasn't Professor Gao, who is the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, invited to today's internal meeting?

Qi Tongwei had many doubts in his mind, but at the same time he sensed the subtle changes in the situation.

What should I choose, and where should I go from here?

For the first time, Qi Tongwei felt the loneliness of fighting alone.

Furthermore, he had a strong premonition.

Perhaps in the future, Teacher Gao will no longer give me guidance, nor will he say that I am "not perceptive enough"?

A huge storm was brewing in Qi Tongwei's heart.

Torn between inner turmoil, Qi Tongwei finally spoke:

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Minister."

Xia Qing wasn't sure if Qi Tongwei had listened, but he had to fulfill his duties, so he reminded him:

"By the way, we have intelligence from the National Security Bureau. They've confirmed that Du Bozhong is hiding somewhere in Jingzhou City. You have to be very careful, because cutting off his source of income is tantamount to killing his parents."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei instinctively asked:

"Minister, aren't you in great danger? I'll immediately arrange for police to protect you 24 hours a day..."

"Haha, I'm right here in the compound. Let him get in first. Besides, he probably can't beat me..." Xia Qing realized she had said too much and quickly waved her hand, laughing.

"Anyway, be careful. If you get any information related to Du Bozhong, remember to discuss it with me... So, Tongwei, do you have any information?"

When Xia Qing asked the last question, her eyes changed, and her smile disappeared. She looked at Qi Tongwei quietly, as if she knew everything.

This was the first time Qi Tongwei had felt immense pressure from Xia Qing, and it made him clearly realize the terrifying gap between this organization minister and himself.

After hesitating for a long time, Qi Tongwei finally spoke:

"Reporting to the minister, no."