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

Chapter 58 One Stands Out

The Standing Committee's agenda shifted from attacking Gao Yuliang to Xia Qing single-handedly intimidating the entire audience.

The main reason is that the reasons given are also very plausible.

Sha Ruijin couldn't possibly prevent the Organization Department from investigating medical cases, could he?

If Xia Qing's plan is rejected, and officials who are promoted despite their problems are exposed, it will reach the ears of those in higher positions.

The first unlucky one was Sha Ruijin, who prevented the Organization Department from investigating the sick officials at the Standing Committee meeting.

Xia Qing took the initiative to investigate sick officials, and even provided a reassuring working environment for the Standing Committee members present.

At least, after a thorough investigation, one no longer needs to worry about these "thunderbolts" from the sick official.

The question is, how will Xia Qing play her role in the investigation?

That depends on Xia Qing's own skill level.

As the meeting veered further and further off course, Xia Qing's proposal became something she couldn't bring herself to reject.

Sha Ruijin grew angrier the more he thought about it, and looked at Tian Guofu, his gaze lingering for a long time.

Tian Guofu immediately lowered his head, refusing to meet Sha Ruijin's gaze!

Are you kidding me? Xia Qing wants to investigate the patient's condition, and I'm going to object?

With so many sick officials left behind by Zhao Lichun, if he were to release any bombshell, none of those who oppose Xia Qing's investigation of these sick officials would escape unscathed.

Tian Guofu would never let himself get into trouble over something like this.

Sha Ruijin knew he couldn't count on Tian Guofu, but he still wanted to make one last attempt, so he tried to speak in a seemingly nonchalant manner:

"Minister Xia's approach is excellent, absolutely correct! We must investigate corrupt officials, and thoroughly investigate them from beginning to end! I propose that after the Organization Department compiles the preliminary leads and determines the list of corrupt officials to be investigated, the Discipline Inspection Commission should send key personnel to form an investigation team with the Organization Department to focus on the issue of corrupt officials. At the same time, I will also send a specialist from the Provincial Party Committee's Supervision Office to participate in this special investigation of corrupt officials."

Sha Ruijin's intention in saying this was all too clear: he wanted to put his own people into the investigation team.

Xia Qing sneered inwardly.

So afraid of losing control? Then put your mind at ease.

Thinking of this, Xia Qing replied:

"Thank you for your support, Secretary Sha. I suggest that in addition to the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Office, the Provincial Government's Inspection Office should also send inspection specialists to join the investigation team and contribute to the special project."

Sha Ruijin's eyes widened, and his pen stopped in mid-air.

Gao Yuliang almost burst out laughing.

Xia Qing's move was truly brilliant; when the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Office sent someone, the Provincial Government's Inspection Office also sent someone.

But Governor Liu of the provincial government is retiring!

It's better to avoid trouble. Governor Liu must have instructed the commissioner of the provincial government's inspection office not to get too involved, so as to avoid getting involved in some complicated matter that could drag the provincial government down with it and delay his retirement.

Once Governor Liu does this, the commissioners from the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Office will have a headache.

If the commissioners in the government's inspection office are indifferent to their work, how can you, as a commissioner in the same level of inspection office, be expected to be more proactive than them?

What are you trying to do? Are you trying to prove that the provincial party committee is superior, or that the provincial government is inactive?

At that time, the commissioners from the provincial party committee's inspection office will definitely be forced to reduce their participation in special projects.

The Organization Department and the Discipline Inspection Commission specialize in their respective tasks, leaving the General Office and the Supervision Office to stare at each other in disarray.

Governor Liu also understood Xia Qing's meaning. He thought to himself that this young man was very interesting. He dared to think and act, and even he had been tricked.

Since that's the case, I'll just do you a favor.

After I retire, I hope Xia Qing will take care of my descendants.

With these thoughts in mind, Governor Liu agreed before Sha Ruijin could:

"No problem, Xia Qing. I will send an inspection specialist immediately to work with the specialists from the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Office to ensure the steady progress of the special investigation."

Sha Ruijin felt a headache coming on; he desperately wanted to end this out-of-control Standing Committee meeting as soon as possible.

When he saw Gao Yuliang's amused and smug expression, he became even more furious.

But there's no way around it; none of Xia Qing's requests are unreasonable, and in fact, they're all quite reasonable.

"Let's do it this way, Comrade Xia Qing. Please keep it in mind."

Sha Ruijin picked up his notebook again, preparing to adjourn the meeting, and said:

"Is there anything else...?"

"Yes, I'd like to add something." Xia Qing raised her hand again, looked at Li Dakang, and said with a mischievous smile:

"While investigating corrupt officials, I plan to also investigate the other two types of officials listed as 'three corrupt officials' by the central government: those who 'run away from home' and those whose spouses and children are 'naked officials' (officials whose spouses and children are abroad), and deal with them according to policy. Especially the 'naked officials'—this group is extremely dangerous! Look at Ding Yizhen, the former deputy mayor of Jingzhou City who fled. He went to the United States as soon as he got into trouble. Why? Because he was a 'naked official,' meaning he had no wife or children in China, which allowed him to flee abroad when things went wrong! Not only did he flee, but he also took state assets and state secrets with him! Such officials are more despicable and more harmful than those who were promoted while corrupt!"

A slight smile appeared on Gao Yuliang's lips, but he quickly returned to normal.

The propaganda minister, the united front minister, and the military region leaders exchanged smiles, forcing themselves to remain silent.

Governor Liu was dumbfounded. He looked at the executive vice governor, who could only give him a wry smile and shake his head.

Li Dakang's expression was almost as if he had swallowed a fly.

Investigate any corrupt officials you wish to investigate.

Investigating officials whose family members have emigrated abroad?

Don't you, Xia Qingzhen, know who the biggest "naked official" in Handong is?

That's Li Dakang, who just got divorced and whose daughter is abroad.

Xia Qing's suggestion to investigate officials with family members abroad is practically poisoning my mind!

Li Dakang really wanted to roll up his sleeves and fight Xia Qing.

But this is, after all, the Standing Committee meeting room; we cannot lose our composure.

Therefore, he could only try his best to control his emotions and grit his teeth to say:

"Minister Xia, how do we investigate officials with family members residing abroad?"

"Well, we'll discuss the specifics later. If any departments need to cooperate, I'll send a letter on behalf of the ministry," Xia Qing said earnestly, feigning serious consideration.

"However, please rest assured, the investigation of officials who have 'run their way into positions' or whose 'naked officials' are investigated in the same principle as the investigation of officials with medical conditions: no provincial or ministerial level officials will be investigated, and only bureau-level officials who voluntarily admit to their positions will be accepted..."

Li Dakang could no longer control himself and poked a hole in the notebook with his pen.

Seeing that the other Standing Committee members were almost bursting into laughter, Sha Ruijin quickly spoke up:

"Alright, alright, we'll handle the specific procedures accordingly. Minister Xia, just make sure you manage it. If there's nothing else, let's adjourn the meeting!"

After saying that, he glared at Tian Guofu and left the meeting room, with the latter quickly following him.

Li Dakang stood up to pack his things, and when he closed his laptop, he was clearly furious, practically slamming it on the table.

Gao Yuliang offered a timely reminder:

"Secretary Dakang, remember to check if there are any officials with family members residing abroad under your command. Don't let them follow suit."

Li Dakang was taken aback.

What do you mean by "do you still have any subordinates?"

Does this mean that besides Ding Yizhen, I, Li Dakang, have other officials with family members residing abroad?

Does this mean I lack the ability to judge people?

What does it mean to imitate someone else's actions?

Should I follow Ding Yizhen's example, or should I follow mine?

You, Gao Yuliang, you've got some serious nasty words!

Li Dakang gritted his teeth, turned his head, and quickly left the conference room.

The other standing committee members got up and left one after another, discussing Xia Qing's performance at the meeting.

Originally, it was an attack on Gao Yuliang.

The result was that Xia Qing completely crushed Li Dakang in a one-on-one fight.

Incidentally, a special project was also approved.

Governor Liu gestured for the Executive Vice Governor to leave together. The two said goodbye to Gao Yuliang and Xia Qing, and then left.

Gao Yuliang and Xia Qing slowly got up and walked outside together.

On the way, Gao Yuliang said with a smile:

"That's great, Minister Xia. If I had your talent, I could shine just as brightly."

"Secretary Yuliang, you flatter me. I do hope that you will convey the arrangements for investigating corrupt officials to the political and legal teams as soon as possible, especially to the self-examination of department-level cadres," Xia Qing said solemnly.

Gao Yuliang could certainly understand Xia Qing's meaning: he was being asked to go back and give Qi Tongwei a warning, to properly handle some loose ends, and then to proactively admit the problem to Minister Xia.

No matter what, Xia Qing is still Xia Qing, and she doesn't favor anyone.

Gao Yuliang couldn't help but think that he also needed to find a chance to escape from the Zhao family's dilapidated ship.