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

Chapter 114: Shifting the blame

Hou Liangping stood there, stunned.

It means that...

Is the person sitting opposite me a vice governor?

Vice-ministerial level!

Hou Liangping considered himself exceptionally talented and his career progressed smoothly.

But now, the person he despises the most is his senior, Qi Tongwei, who used his knees and a gigolo to advance his career.

In a flash, he became a centrally-managed cadre, creating a chasm that Hou Liangping could never cross!

Damn it!

He thought that by being parachuted into Handong, he could find an opportunity to take over as the director of the anti-corruption bureau and resolve his deputy director-level position.

Who would have thought that Chen Hai would be demoted and then reinstated, while Qi Tongwei would achieve great success in his cultivation and be promoted to the vice-ministerial level.

Now, of the three outstanding figures in the Handong Political and Legal System (Hou Liangping self-proclaimed), only Hou Liangping himself remains alone, stagnating in place.

Hou Liangping felt his throat was dry, and he opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

He knew that this was the best opportunity to flatter Governor Qi.

But his inner pride and contempt for Qi Tongwei prevented him from saying it.

It's alright, I'm a member of the Chung family. If Xiao Ai were here, even these vice-ministerial level officials from Handong would have to treat her with utmost respect.

Hou Liangping said to himself.

Across from him, Qi Tongwei explained with a smile:

"Liangping, my promotion has been approved by the higher-ups. The official document was just issued and hasn't been made public yet. Governor Liu asked me to help with investment promotion, which is why we're having this meal today. Please make yourself at home! I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality!"

After he finished speaking, no one at the dinner table paid any more attention to Hou Liangping.

Only Gao Xiaoqin would occasionally glance at Hou Liangping, then cover her mouth and chuckle, her expression full of disdain.

This must have been the most frustrating meal Hou Liangping had ever had.

After the banquet ended, Hou Liangping sat in his seat looking sullen. Qi Tongwei gestured for Gao Xiaoqin to go out first, and to close the door behind her.

After the two of them were left alone, Qi Tongwei moved a chair and sat down next to Hou Liangping, patting him on the shoulder with a smile, and said:

"Liangping, I've finally become the vice governor! Aren't you happy for me?"

"I don't quite agree. Senior, you're barely qualified to be the head of the Public Security Bureau, but as a vice governor... it'll be hard to convince the public, won't it?" Hou Liangping still didn't recognize his own limitations, and his words were extremely blunt.

To everyone's surprise, Qi Tongwei wasn't angry at all. Instead, he pretended to be unconvinced and said:

"Oh? So you're saying I'm not capable enough?"

Having been snubbed at the dinner party, Hou Liangping wasn't about to let this opportunity pass. He immediately began to mock and ridicule Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei remained completely unperturbed, listening calmly until Hou Liangping finished speaking, then said in a deep voice:

"Sigh, Ryohei, there's something I really don't know what to do. Maybe... never mind, just pretend I didn't say anything."

This statement successfully piqued Hou Liangping's curiosity.

After some questioning, Qi Tongwei reluctantly revealed the truth:

Sha Ruijin arranged for himself to secretly investigate Chen Yanshi's shareholding in Dafeng Factory.

But this matter would offend Chen Yanshi, offend the procuratorate, and the police don't have a good way to investigate.

Therefore, I feel very distressed.

After finishing his story, Qi Tongwei added:

"Sigh, this is a perfect opportunity to impress Secretary Sha, but I... I really don't have the guts to investigate."

Hou Liangping, who had been listening for a long time, was shocked to discover that Chen Yanshi was suspected of holding shares in his company.

Chen Yanshi was a veteran prosecutor and also Chen Hai's father, so he held a very high position in Hou Liangping's heart.

Upright and incorruptible, he spoke out for the people.

He is known as the head of the Second Procuratorate of Handong.

Hou Liangping and Chen Yanshi got along very well. The two often gathered together to comment on the officials and cadres in Handong and to discuss the situation in Handong.

In recent days, Chen Yanshi has been speaking out for the workers of Dafeng Factory.

He even performed the heroic act of using his body to stop a bulldozer.

After all that fuss, it turns out that Chen Yanshi himself is a shareholder!

This matter is indeed very sensitive to investigate.

Hou Liangping hesitated.

Seeing that Hou Liangping remained silent, Qi Tongwei added another sentence without making a sound:

"Sigh, if it turns out that Old Chen really has a problem, Chen Hai will probably be affected too..."

Hou Liangping immediately stopped thinking and said decisively:

"Leave it to me, I'll look into it."

Qi Tongwei deliberately feigned disbelief, waving his hands repeatedly as he said:

"You? No way, you can't handle this!"

Now, Hou Liangping was completely panicked.

It wasn't for any other reason; he simply wanted to gain favor with Sha Ruijin by investigating Chen Yanshi's shareholding and indirectly get back at Chen Hai.

Otherwise, the position of Anti-Corruption Bureau Chief will be a long time coming!

Therefore, Hou Liangping said urgently:

"How could I not handle it? I'm the deputy director of the anti-corruption bureau, and investigating officials' economic problems is my job."

After thinking for a long time, Qi Tongwei reluctantly slammed his hand on the table and said:

"Alright, I'll leave it to you. I can give you some clues, but..."

Qi Tongwei deliberately lowered his voice and said apologetically:

"When you report to Secretary Sha, remember to include me... Just say I provided you with intelligence, and that I was involved in the investigation... Please!"

Hou Liangping readily agreed, but what he was really thinking was:

Do you expect me to share the credit for what I found out with you?

dream!

Once I've investigated and found out the truth, I'll report directly to Secretary Sha.

All the credit goes to me.

As for you, Qi Tongwei, don't even think about getting a share of the pie.

I would definitely portray you as someone who does absolutely nothing and is completely unaware of the situation.

just wait.

Once I, Hou Liangping, resolve this case, I will relieve Secretary Sha's burden.

You, Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai, will not have a good outcome!

Be good and rely on me!

Thinking of this, Hou Liangping eagerly stretched out his hand and said:

"Don't worry about it, I'll report to Secretary Sha. By the way, where are the documents? Give them to me."

Qi Tongwei suppressed his inner joy, walked out the door, and returned five minutes later with a file folder. He handed it to Hou Liangping and said:

"These are documents related to the equity pledge of Dafeng Factory back then, as well as some judgments. If you trace it from here, you should be able to find out some information about Chen Yanshi's shareholding."

What Qi Tongwei gave to Hou Liangping was not the kind of irrefutable evidence that Chen Qingquan gave to Gao Yuliang, but rather some clues that required further investigation.

In this way, Hou Liangping will completely lower his guard and concentrate on investigating Chen Yanshi.

As for those irrefutable pieces of evidence regarding Chen Yanshi's shareholding that only insiders could obtain at a glance, it's best not to hand them over to Hou Liangping.

If Secretary Sha sees this and becomes suspicious, he'll question the source of the evidence, and that would be troublesome.

Why not let Hou Liangping investigate? Whatever he finds, it's all on him.

Hou Liangping, completely unaware of the situation, cheerfully accepted the materials and laughed:

"Alright, senior, once you find the results, I'll report your contribution to Secretary Sha."

Qi Tongwei said solemnly:

"Thank you for your help."

Hou Liangping left Shanshui Manor with the file bag, completely satisfied.

As Qi Tongwei watched his departing figure, his smile gradually faded, and a hint of amusement appeared on Qi Tongwei's lips.

Just then, Gao Xiaoqin silently stood beside Qi Tongwei and whispered:

"Tongwei, in the future... it's best not to come to the manor. After all, you are the vice governor; it's not a good influence."

Qi Tongwei turned around and smiled reassuringly:

"What does it matter? I don't own any shares here, so it's my freedom to pay for meals."

"Tongwei, I know what you're thinking. You came here to intimidate Zhao Ruilong and protect me." Gao Xiaoqin shook her head and continued:

"I'm genuinely happy for you that you've reached a new level. But now that you've finally extricated yourself, don't get involved again... I can handle the rest myself."

Seeing that his plan had been exposed, Qi Tongwei stopped hiding it and said directly:

"Xiaoqin, didn't I tell you to consolidate the business of Shanshui Manor and only do compliant business from now on? Those things that shouldn't be done should be gradually eliminated, and the ties with the oil and gas group and Huilong Group should also be gradually severed... Although you will earn less this way, you will be safe."

"Tongwei, you used to be part of our circle, you should know that Zhao Ruilong's business is easy to start but hard to walk away from." Gao Xiaoqin sighed deeply, then forced a smile and said:

"It's alright. After all, Shanshui Group and Huilong Group are practically interdependent, so there won't be any problems in the short term. But from now on, we can only take it one step at a time..."

Qi Tongwei stopped talking and gently put his arm around Gao Xiaoqin's shoulder. The latter obediently rested her head on his shoulder.

The two of them gazed at the night sky outside the window.

At this moment, Qi Tongwei felt powerless.

Even after becoming the vice governor, he still couldn't easily save the woman he considered his soulmate.

Just like back then, when he was trapped deep in the mountains, unable to reach the woman he loved.

As he thought this, Qi Tongwei tightened his grip on Gao Xiaoqin's shoulder.

He secretly made a vow in his heart.

The things I lost back then.

This time, we will not lose again!