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

Chapter 132 The Storm Is Brewing

Before a storm arrives, the water is always calm.

As all parties are laying the groundwork for the next step.

Handong entered a relatively calm period.

It's also because the Spring Festival is approaching, and people who have been busy, or rather, fighting all year are eager to participate.

I always hope to spend some peaceful time as the New Year approaches, and to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, embarking on a brand new journey.

The same applies to government agencies in Handong.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, key departments at the provincial, municipal, and county levels remain at their posts.

County-level departments, on the other hand, have almost entered a work mode where people are present in the morning but are running around in the afternoon.

Of course, everyone felt the approaching festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, and their work attitude began to pick up.

And there was one person who was in a state of high spirits, especially since it was a happy occasion.

Qi Tongwei sat in his office, staring at the appointment document for vice governor on the table, a broad smile on his face.

He kept stroking the appointment he had longed for, recalling the hardships of the past years and the despair after being frozen by Sha Ruijin.

Now, the task has finally been completed.

Having taken this position, Qi Tongwei can be considered to have given a satisfactory account of his nearly fifty-year political career.

He wouldn't think about the future anymore.

Now that he has become a centrally-managed cadre, the discipline inspection commission and procuratorate of Handong pose no threat to him anymore.

Next, he should make the most of his position and realize his political ambitions.

From the moment the appointment document is issued.

Qi Tongwei has officially completed that leap over the dragon gate.

From the execution layer.

He has transformed into a member of the core leadership of Handong, capable of sitting at the table to vote and participate in decision-making!

A knock sounded on the door, and Deputy Director Li Gangxin walked into the office.

Looking at Qi Tongwei's beaming face, Li Gangxin jokingly said:

"Governor, you're riding high!"

The saying "A person is in high spirits when he is happy" couldn't be more fitting for Qi Tongwei.

He pulled a pack of good cigarettes from the drawer and tossed it to Li Gangxin, who caught it, smiled, and said, "Thank you, Governor." He then sat down opposite Qi Tongwei and said:

"Governor, this is a preliminary plan for personnel changes after the New Year, drafted by our team. Please provide your feedback and suggestions."

Qi Tongwei took the folder and flipped through the draft of the personnel changes.

When he saw the nomination for the position of division chief, he closed the application materials with satisfaction and handed them to Li Gangxin:

"Okay, let's go with this model. Also, make arrangements for the duty shifts during this year's Spring Festival, and make sure all the necessary benefits are in place. We can't let the brothers suffer."

Li Gangxin said "okay" and was about to get up when Qi Tongwei said again:

"Old Li, I've seen all your hard work over the years. Don't worry, I'll recommend you to the provincial authorities when the opportunity arises."

Upon hearing Qi Tongwei's words, Li Gangxin hurriedly replied:

"Thank you for your concern, Governor! Don't worry, I will definitely do my job well!"

After Li Gangxin left, Qi Tongwei stretched.

The feeling of one person achieving enlightenment and all their relatives and friends benefiting from it is wonderful.

The head of the provincial public security department has taken a groundbreaking step.

The entire public security force will follow suit.

Qi Tongwei's prestige within the entire Handong Public Security system will immediately rise several levels.

He will become a truly authoritative and decisive vice governor in charge of law and political affairs, concurrently serving as the director of the public security department!

Then, Qi Tongwei called Cheng Du over.

Five minutes later, Cheng Du appeared in Qi Tongwei's office. He seemed visibly reserved upon seeing Qi Tongwei and greeted him softly:

"Governor."

Qi Tongwei immediately said with displeasure:

"Chengdu, why are you calling me that too? Just call me Brother Qi, like before!"

Cheng Du then forced a smile and carefully said:

"Brother Qi."

"That's more like it. Come, sit down. I have some good news for you." Qi Tongwei gestured for Cheng Du to sit down and said:

"The personnel arrangements in the department have been finalized. You'll be a full-fledged department head after the New Year!"

Cheng Du was flattered and overwhelmed. This long-awaited progress had come so quickly, greatly exciting him. His face flushed slightly as he said:

"Thank you, thank you, Brother Qi! I definitely won't let you down..."

Qi Tongwei waved his hand and said:

"We don't need to talk about these things, brother. Besides, the Ministry of Public Security has said that apprehending Du Bozhong requires close cooperation from the Handong Public Security Bureau. Cheng Du, we'll be busy next year!"

Upon hearing Du Bozhong's name, Cheng Du couldn't help but think of Zhao Ruilong, and his mood immediately plummeted.

He knew that he could not escape Zhao Ruilong. No matter how much progress he made under Qi Tongwei, Zhao Ruilong was like a leech, always looming over him.

The thought of Zhao Ruilong asking him to find the account book that Gao Xiaoqin had hidden made Cheng Du feel annoyed.

Qi Tongwei was in high spirits and naturally didn't notice Cheng Du's change in mood, and said with a smile:

"Oh, by the way, I'm giving you a break so you can go back and visit your elderly relatives. I also prepared some small gifts for you; good food is good for their health, so please take them back with you."

When Cheng Du heard Qi Tongwei's concern, he was immediately moved and thought about how he could do more for Qi Tongwei.

……

Anti-corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate.

There has been some progress in investigating the whereabouts of the special funds paid by the oil and gas group to the Shanshui Group!

The amount paid by the oil and gas group was far higher than the market price.

After the money was transferred to Shanshui Group, Shanshui Group divided the payment into several or a dozen installments and transferred them to several outsourcing companies.

Upon investigation, these companies were found to be shell companies, with identical registered addresses.

It's obvious that it's used for subcontracting.

These funds were subcontracted multiple times within shell companies, significantly inflating the reported expenditures.

Ultimately, several contractors unanimously agreed to settle the accounts as the "final settlement."

These contractors are already located outside of China.

The trail ends here.

Further investigation into foreign contractors is needed.

Based on Chen Hai's experience in handling cases, this so-called contractor who was supposed to be making the final settlement must be part of the whole process.

Although the oil and gas group's acceptance procedures were complete, such obvious audit loopholes and clear-cut fund flows have exposed the improper cooperation between the oil and gas group and the Shanshui Group.

The investigation so far only covers the special manufacturing projects undertaken by Shanshui Group for oil and gas groups.

Many problems have already been discovered from this.

What about the other payments?

Could there be even bigger problems?

Furthermore, this investigation reveals a complete entanglement between the oil and gas group and the Shanshui Group.

What about Huilong Group?

Wouldn't that mean it's been removed from the list?

Judging from the flow of funds, this is purely a collusion between the oil and gas group and the Shanshui Group.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Huilong Group.

This isn't right.

With such a huge business, would Huilong Group not get involved?

After careful consideration, Chen Hai came to a conclusion.

Previously, under the leadership of Hou Liangping, the anti-corruption bureau had been specifically investigating several senior executives of the oil and gas group and found that they did have problems, but it did not yet reach Liu Xinjian.

The financial flows discovered in Chen Hai's possession now provide further evidence through this financial line.

Chen Hai asserted that if the investigation were to conclude here, the only ones they would ultimately catch would be those same few senior executives.

The people and matters that the procuratorate has information about are all things that the opposing side wants the procuratorate to know.

This was a pre-planned clue, deliberately thrown out to cover for someone else.

These clues provided a clear chain of evidence, which was easy to investigate and went so smoothly that it seemed as if someone had deliberately prepared the chain of evidence and laid it out on the table, waiting for the anti-corruption bureau to investigate.

The fact that all the clues abruptly ended with Liu Xinjian is the best proof of this.

If you submit these things, then they'll arrest people.

The result will be that the executives will be arrested and confess.

Liu Xinjian was released due to insufficient evidence.

This is exactly what our opponents want to see!

That's a brilliant pawn-sacrifice-to-rook strategy.

The investigation must not end here.

We must find something; otherwise, Liu Xinjian will still be released due to insufficient evidence.

The anti-corruption bureau will also be punished for making arbitrary arrests.

After all, it was Hou Liangping who proposed a conviction without a confession!

Thinking of this, Chen Hai became furious.

While I was working in the special task force of the Organization Department, Hou Liangping was giving completely nonsensical orders in the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Without any solid evidence, they hastily and forcibly arrested Liu Xinjian.

Are they still thinking of using the method of convicting someone without a confession to force Liu Xinjian to confess?

That's hilarious!

Who taught Hou Liangping how to handle cases? Can this guy be called a skilled investigator?

Or is it that Hou Liangping has always handled cases this way, acting first and reporting later, and making arrests in a gambling-like manner?

Chung Hsiao-ai is really capable that there haven't been any problems for so long.

Chen Hai began to have serious doubts about Hou Liangping's case-handling achievements in Beijing.

At the same time, they were dissatisfied with the Zhong family's unscrupulous protection of them.

However, the most urgent task is to find a breakthrough from the existing clues.

Since the opponent has proactively released some clues to give the anti-corruption bureau something to report.

Then I, Chen Hai, must thank you properly for your "concern"!

Thinking of this, Chen Hai dialed Xia Qing's number.

After a few rings, Xia Qingwen's gentle voice came from the phone.

After giving a brief report, Chen Hai cleared his throat and stated his purpose:

"Minister Xia, I request a comprehensive audit of the oil and gas group, and also a special audit of the Shanshui Group's use of public funds and the public works projects it has undertaken!"