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

Chapter 105 Unexpected Events

Sha Ruijin jumped to his feet.

His face was full of anger, but he couldn't hide a hint of panic.

"Gao Yuliang! You're slandering me!"

At this moment, Sha Ruijin no longer possessed even a trace of the demeanor of a provincial party secretary.

But his strong emotional reaction forced him to do it.

It seemed that only in this way could he convince others to believe in him and Chen Yanshi.

However, the shrewd and calculating Gao Yuliang naturally wouldn't dwell on this issue too much.

He knew well that the fewer words one used, the better the effect of speaking.

Rather than responding to Sha Ruijin's questions, the discussion shifted to a contest of mutual evidence presentation and cross-examination.

It would be better to stop here and leave room for others to speculate.

Thinking of this, Gao Yuliang feigned helplessness and said:

"Comrade Ruijin! You want me to... sigh, I don't know what to say to you. Why can't you understand my well-intentioned reminder, and instead resort to personal attacks at this meeting?"

"You're being kind? Ha! You know who you are!" Seeing Gao Yuliang's attitude, Sha Ruijin became even more furious. He no longer cared about wisdom or artistry, and instinctively slammed his hand on the table, his tone growing increasingly louder:

"It's clear your political awareness hasn't improved, but your political maneuvering has certainly picked up! Do you really think you can achieve some sinister effect with such irresponsible remarks? Let me tell you, impossible! You say Old Chen is also a shareholder? Comrade Guofu, I order you to arrange for the disciplinary committee to thoroughly investigate Chen Yanshi's shareholding! If there are any violations of rules and regulations, I will not protect him!"

Upon hearing this, Tian Guofu immediately panicked.

Sha Ruijin didn't know, but Tian Guofu did!

More than a month ago, his subordinates had reported to him about Chen Yanshi's shareholding.

Due to certain considerations, I did not report to Sha Ruijin immediately.

But who would have thought that this intelligence would fall into Gao Yuliang's hands, and like a knife, it would cut into Sha Ruijin!

Tian Guofu is largely to blame for creating this situation!

If Sha Ruijin finds out that he knew about a major issue but failed to report it...

Tian Guofu swallowed hard.

Regardless of the circumstances, Chen Yanshi's shareholding is a fait accompli.

Sha Ruijin's statement at this time will likely make things worse.

Once an investigation into Chen Yanshi's shareholding is truly launched.

It really couldn't be salvaged.

Tian Guofu quickly stepped in to smooth things over:

"How could Old Chen do such a thing! In my opinion, launching an investigation is completely unnecessary..."

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! Otherwise, some malicious individuals will accuse me, Sha Ruijin, of showing favoritism! I'd like to see who's more likely to show favoritism!"

Sha Ruijin wouldn't listen to anything anyone said, and slammed his hand on the table again, shouting.

Tian Guofu shut up reluctantly and began to think about how to report Chen Yanshi's shareholding to Sha Ruijin.

Seeing this situation, how could Gao Yuliang possibly let it go?

The goal was to make Sha Ruijin lose his composure and completely destroy his authority.

Gao Yuliang cleared his throat and said:

"Comrade Ruijin, what can I say about you? It was a perfectly good democratic life meeting; you let us speak freely and without reservation, and what was the result? Criticism of you turned into personal attacks! Comrade Ruijin, do you even have a shred of magnanimity to accept criticism? I find it unacceptable that our leader has such a paternalistic and authoritarian style! I sincerely hope that Comrade Ruijin can get closer to the team members and stop treating us like adversaries!"

Sha Ruijin can't hold on any longer.

He tried his best to stay standing, but exhaustion spread throughout his body.

Finally, a wave of intense dizziness washed over him, and his legs went weak.

Sha Ruijin slumped in his seat, motionless, with only his eyes half-open.

This unexpected situation startled everyone!

And Gao Yuliang was the first to react!

"Comrade Ruijin, what's wrong?"

Gao Yuliang immediately stood up from his seat, rushed to Sha Ruijin's side, and instructed the people next to him:

"Secretary-General Wang, notify the medical staff in the compound to come to the conference room in Building 1 immediately."

Once out of the meeting's atmosphere, Secretary-General Wang suddenly realized that Gao Yuliang was still the third-in-command in Handong, so without hesitation he said:

"Understood, Secretary Yuliang, I'll notify them immediately!"

Each member of the Standing Committee gathered around Sha Ruijin.

The democratic life meeting only came to a close in a unique way when Sha Ruijin was carried onto a stretcher and sent to the hospital.

……

The massive machine that is Handong will not stop operating just because some people are not on duty.

Sha Ruijin fainted due to emotional distress and lost control of his blood pressure. He needs to rest in the hospital for half a month.

Governor Liu reacted very quickly, immediately instructing all the Standing Committee members present not to make a fuss and to block the news.

The notification was only given to the top leaders of provincial-level government departments that need to report directly to the authorities, as well as the top two leaders of cities and prefectures.

Of course, they also have to keep it strictly confidential.

This is to avoid a situation where there is no leader in Handong.

While Sha Ruijin was recuperating, various forces began their next moves.

When Xia Qing arrived at Sha Ruijin's cadre ward to report on his work, carrying the commendation issued by the Ministry of Public Security for Qi Tongwei.

Sha Ruijin suggested to Xia Qing that she accompany him for a walk in the neighborhood.

Xia Qing readily agreed.

After a few days of rest, Sha Ruijin's complexion has improved considerably, and the sharp glint in his eyes has returned.

He was wearing a hospital gown with an overcoat over it, which was more comfortable than wearing an executive jacket in the office.

Xia Qing wasn't in a hurry; she simply chatted with Sha Ruijin about things outside of work.

Xia Qing knew that if Sha Ruijin suggested going for a walk, he must have something to say.

Just wait.

After walking for another ten minutes, Sha Ruijin suddenly sighed:

"Xia Qing, since you came, the situation in Handong has become much more complicated."

Xia Qing doesn't shy away from these things. In his view, it's like a boxer fighting in a ring: they give it their all on stage, but can talk about anything offstage.

"Is it because I delayed Secretary Sha from taking down the Handa gang?"

Xia Qing replied jokingly.

"It's not that we necessarily have to get rid of them. I just hope that the group of big shots left behind by the former secretary, who are very influential in Handong, can stand on the same side as me."

Sha Ruijin said earnestly:

"It seems that Li Dakang has accepted it, but Gao Yuliang intends to fight to the end..."

After a pause, Sha Ruijin pointed at Xia Qing and laughed:

"The main reason is that you're there to back him up."

Xia Qing laughed heartily, and then said:

"Secretary Sha, you can't say that. Secretary Yuliang is the full-time deputy secretary. Without his approval, the Organization Department's work can't proceed. As for Secretary Yuliang's opposition to you... I'm afraid it's a matter of stance. You know, Secretary Yuliang... will find it difficult to escape unscathed."

Sha Ruijin sighed deeply and nodded, saying:

"I know... What a pity, such a good reformer."

The two fell silent briefly before continuing to walk forward.

Sha Ruijin suddenly asked:

"Xia Qing, if Qi Tongwei really gets promoted to vice-governor, do you think it's because of your favor or Gao Yuliang's?"