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

Chapter 128 A Different Approach

After Xia Qing finished speaking, she asked a concluding question:

"What are your thoughts on these matters as the chief prosecutor?"

Ji Changming was already extremely uneasy.

Asking these questions is like slapping yourself in the face.

And then they'll ask you if you're convinced.

But what can be done? The Organization Minister spoke up personally. Even if he doesn't have the authority to conduct assessments, he can still say a few words to the Central Organization Department.

It's a small matter if it affects my retirement, but it's a big problem if it indirectly affects the procuratorate's annual performance evaluation.

That's related to getting paid!

Ji Changming didn't want to be scolded behind his back by his subordinates.

Thinking of this, Ji Changming forced himself to give a self-criticism, which Xia Qing listened to attentively.

After finishing, Xia Qing leaned back and asked:

"But this year, your Director Chen Hai's work has been quite good. The Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission is preparing to give him a timely reward, which can be considered as a way to salvage the situation somewhat."

How could Ji Changming not understand Xia Qing's implied meaning? He immediately praised Chen Hai, while each compliment focused on Xia Qing and the Organization Department.

Xia Qing smiled and shook her head, revealing the main purpose of the conversation:

"The quarterly inspection team has done a very good job in training young cadres, which is excellent! This spirit should be promoted and passed down!"

To the average person, these words sound like a template summary, just polite formalities.

However, to Ji Changming, a seasoned veteran, every word Xia Qing said was loaded with meaning.

This affirmation of Ji Changming's cultivation of young cadres implies that I am satisfied with your care for Chen Hai.

Promoting Chen Hai more means giving him more attention. My organization department wants to assign him tasks to achieve results, and you can't refuse.

Passing on the torch means ensuring that even after you, Ji, retire, the team members do not cause trouble for Chen Hai!

There's so much information!

Although Ji Changming didn't quite understand why Xia Qing thought so highly of Chen Hai, he still knew how to say nice things and immediately agreed.

For Xia Qing, Chen Hai was the best candidate to completely take control of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate in the future.

Chen Hai is exceptionally capable and of impeccable moral character, making him a man of both talent and virtue.

Xia Qing pulled Chen Hai up, and Chen Hai was already completely devoted to Xia Qing.

Supporting and nurturing such individuals requires a significant investment, but the returns are extremely high.

Rather than choosing someone less familiar from among the members of the procuratorate's leadership team to support, it's better to do so.

It would be more in line with the current situation and Xia Qing's goals to gradually push Chen Hai up.

In addition, Xia Qing made a deal with Zhong Zhengguo a few months ago, in which Xia Qing selected a candidate for chief prosecutor.

While it's impossible to help Chen Hai achieve his goals immediately, a suitable candidate can be appointed to the position of chief prosecutor to further support him.

Once Chen Hai was able to take charge on his own, Xia Qing gained a trusted confidant at the level of a chief prosecutor.

This investment is absolutely a sure-fire way to make money.

As for the others, like Lü Liang and Lu Yike.

Xia Qing didn't even consider it; either the person's abilities were lacking or their background was too complicated.

None of them work well.

Therefore, Xia Qing chose Chen Hai because no one was more suitable than Chen Hai.

Then, Xia Qing remembered something and said:

"Are there any discordant voices in the courtyard?"

Ji Changming was taken aback. What was Xia Qing saying?

Then, by combining the context, one can quickly realize the answer.

Oh, you're asking about Chen Yanshi's arrest, and whether he's been badmouthing his son Chen Hai behind his back.

That's definitely not the case.

Even if it existed before, it won't exist from now on.

Thinking of this, Ji Changming patted his chest and assured him:

"Please rest assured, the entire organization is united as one, and there will be no dissenting voices that could undermine unity."

Xia Qing nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile:

"That's settled then. The colleagues in the department can continue with the assessments. I'll take my leave now."

Ji Changming felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly smiled apologetically.

Xia Qing shook hands with Ji Changming, ending the conversation.

Just as Ji Changming was about to get up, Xia Qing said again:

"By the way, could you please call Chen Hai over, Prosecutor Ji? I just want to chat with him for a bit. Um, I'll just use your office for a moment, Prosecutor Ji. You can listen in here too."

Ji Changming didn't know what Xia Qing was planning to do, but it was never wrong to do it.

After Xia Qing waited in the room for a while, Ji Changming led Chen Hai to appear in front of him, and the latter could not hide his excitement.

"Inspector Ji, Director Chen, please sit down."

Xia Qing greeted them warmly, then got down to business, saying:

"I'm here today because I have something to ask Director Chen. Of course, I'd also like to hear from Prosecutor Ji as well."

Chen Hai, with his keen insight, glanced at Ji Changming, and after receiving a nod of approval from the other party, whispered to Xia Qing:

"Are you asking about Hou Liangping being reported and now under investigation by the disciplinary committee?"

Xia Qing was very satisfied with Chen Hai's reaction and asked:

"Who do you think did it?"

Chen Hai bit his lip and thought for a moment, then said seriously:

"Minister, I don't know if I'm right. It was definitely done by the people behind the oil and gas group. No sooner had Monkey been arrested than Liu Xinjian changed his story, saying he wouldn't confess unless it was Hou Liangping. This shows that someone inside the Anti-Corruption Bureau tipped off Liu Xinjian, and it also shows that Liu Xinjian definitely had very important clues on him. Arresting him was definitely the right thing to do."

Xia Qing said approvingly:

"Excellent, your analysis is exactly the same as mine. Of course, I'd like to add a different perspective. This accusation doesn't seem like it's to save Liu Xinjian, but rather like it's a stalling tactic. By the time things have settled down, whether Liu Xinjian speaks or not will be irrelevant to the mastermind behind it. What do you think?"

Chen Hai's eyes lit up. Xia Qing's analysis was indeed novel and very convincing.

Chen Hai also found it strange. He knew the allegations against Hou Liangping would eventually be verified, and Sha Ruijin, needing Hou Liangping's services, would likely protect him if possible. Such a report wouldn't truly harm Hou Liangping, nor would it force him to leave his prosecutorial post.

Liu Xinjian only told Hou Liangping the truth, which seemed like he was just stalling for time. What's meant to happen will happen eventually. Even if Hou Liangping doesn't come back, the procuratorate has ways to get Liu Xinjian to talk.

Hearing Xia Qing's analysis now, Chen Hai is even more certain of his own thoughts.

This is a plan to stall for time.

The question is, what is the mastermind behind this delaying the inevitable?

Surely we can't be deliberately dragging this out just to have a good New Year?

That's too abstract.

Xia Qing thought for a moment and said:

"Ji Jian, Chen Hai, I have an idea. Let's stop interrogating Liu Xinjian for now and change the direction of the investigation. Target the companies that have financial dealings with the oil and gas group and investigate their fund flows. Don't focus on the individuals; investigate the companies themselves directly. That might yield some results."

Chen Hai immediately applauded Xia Qing's idea. During the time Chen Hai was transferred to the Organization Department to participate in the investigation of the three officials, Hou Liangping, although in charge of the anti-corruption bureau's investigation, kept getting stuck on the details and kept a close eye on several senior executives of the oil and gas group.

But these people had clearly received a tip-off and made preparations in advance, cutting off all leads to these executives.

In other words, if the operation is hastily concluded, at most one senior executive will be arrested, all clues and plans will be wasted, and they won't even get close to Liu Xinjian.

If Hou Liangping hadn't been so confident that he could convict Liu Xinjian without a confession, the anti-corruption bureau wouldn't have dared to touch him!

Xia Qing's idea was precisely a good way to launch an offensive from the outside and besiege the enemy's reinforcements.

They might be able to find something and use it to interrogate Liu Xinjian!

Ji Changming nodded admiringly and said:

"Minister, that's a brilliant plan! I think it's feasible! Chen Hai, what do you say?"

Chen Hai immediately replied:

"Understood. Minister Xia, Inspector Ji, I'll go back and make the arrangements immediately."