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

Chapter 39 End of the Incident

Hou Liangping was taken aback, then glared angrily at Lu Yike and said:

How dare you speak to me like that?

"Didn't you dare to yell at Inspector Ji? Is there a problem with me treating you like this?" Lu Yike wasn't buying Hou Liangping's act at all. After all, the Lu family was a family with some status in Handong, and they really had no reason to be afraid of Hou Liangping.

"You!" Hou Liangping stood up abruptly, about to say a few words, when the door to the reception room was pulled open from the outside.

Ji Changming, clutching his report materials, stood outside the door, his face ashen, and said in a low voice:

"What are you doing? Haven't you embarrassed us enough? This is the provincial government compound, not a marketplace!"

"I!" Hou Liangping knew he was in the wrong, and now was not the time to have another conflict with Ji Changming, so he could only swallow his anger and clench his fists until they were red.

Ji Changming gave Hou Liangping a meaningful look, then waved his hand dismissively:

"Let's go back to the procuratorate."

Everyone was eager to know the Standing Committee's decision, but Ji Changming looked very unwell, so they wisely refrained from asking further questions.

On the return trip, Ji Changming and Lu Yike rode in the same car.

Hou Liangping rode in a separate car.

On the bus, Ji Changming revealed the Standing Committee's decision to Lu Yike.

Upon hearing that Chen Hai had been demoted, Hou Liangping only gave him a major demerit.

Lu Yike was immediately furious.

I felt deeply indignant on behalf of Chen Haiming.

Ji Changming reassured him:

"Minister Xia of the Organization Department still cares about us. He specifically pointed out that the technicians involved in this matter were only following orders and would not be affected or held accountable."

Lu Yike mentally gave Xia Qing a thumbs up, then, remembering something, said:

"What should we do about Ouyang Qing?"

Ji Changming said solemnly:

"Ouyang Qing has handed it over to the Discipline Inspection Commission; the handover will be completed this afternoon."

Lu Yike sighed deeply and said:

"Ugh, I just asked for trouble..."

Ji Changming was actually quite agitated. After the Standing Committee meeting, Secretary Yuliang approached him again and gave him a stern warning.

This time, the main responsibility was simply placed on Chen Hai, and no action was taken against Ji Changming, but that doesn't mean Ji Changming is without fault.

If a similar situation occurs again, Ji Changming will probably really have to be reassigned!

The thought of this made Ji Changming's heart pound.

If something really goes wrong at this critical juncture, a peaceful retirement will become a pipe dream!

Once I get back, I need to quickly convey the provincial party committee's resolution!

After returning to the procuratorate, Ji Changming and others immediately convened a meeting of all staff members.

The resolution of the Standing Committee was conveyed, and arrangements were made for the internal self-examination and self-correction work of the procuratorate.

When Ji Changming read out the results of the investigation into Chen Hai and Hou Liangping.

He felt a dryness in his throat, especially when he talked about Chen Hai, a feeling of pity welled up inside him.

The soldiers he himself had trained would encounter such a mishap.

But it was also his own fault.

After all, no one was pointing a gun at Chen Hai and Hou Liangping for breaking the rules together.

"Chen Hai has been demoted to the rank of division chief in the Political Department..."

"Hou Liangping, deputy director position unchanged, will receive a major demerit."

As soon as Ji Changming finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar!

The expressions on the faces of every cadre and employee.

From surprise to disbelief.

Finally, there was anger!

Everyone has heard about Hou Liangping's background to some extent.

I have very little goodwill towards this newly appointed deputy director of the anti-corruption bureau!

Now, my former colleague Chen Hai has been demoted.

Hou Liangping only received a major demerit?

Will the deputy director position remain unchanged?

Why should I?!

Immediately, some people disregarded meeting rules and started complaining on the spot!

"Weren't they involved in the same incident? How come Director Chen was demoted while Hou Liangping got away scot-free? That's not fair!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Director Hou is an official from Beijing! How could he be punished in our Handong?"

"We demand an explanation from the Party Leadership Group of the Procuratorate!"

The doubts coming from all around reached Hou Liangping's ears, making his face flush red and then pale.

He never expected that these people would dare to speak ill of him behind his back during a meeting!

But now he was powerless to refute, and could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger, then cast a pleading look at Ji Changming.

Ji Changming didn't even glance at Hou Liangping, but deliberately let the discussion ferment before slowly speaking:

"Silence. Do not say anything that could undermine unity during the meeting."

By this time, everyone had vented their anger and shut up.

Looking at Hou Liangping again, he had already lowered his head into his arms.

"The work of the Anti-Corruption Bureau must continue. Comrade Lü Liang will temporarily assume the duties of Director. In addition, our institute's self-examination and self-correction will soon begin, and each department must prepare supporting materials..."

Ji Changming continued to assign tasks, but Chen Hai was no longer listening.

He felt utterly helpless.

His passion has nowhere to go, and his political future may come to an end here.

Not reconciled!

Chen Hai let out a long sigh.

The meeting ended, and everyone left.

Hou Liangping caught up with Chen Hai and said anxiously:

"Hai Zi, listen to me..."

Chen Hai extended his right hand to stop Hou Liangping from speaking, and then said:

"No need to say anything more, monkey. Things have come to this point, and you can't blame anyone else."

"Hai Zi, don't worry, I'll definitely find a way to reinstate you when I get back! I promise!"

Hou Liangping solemnly guaranteed, and Chen Hai gave a bitter smile, saying:

"I hope so."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Hou Liangping was left alone, watching his friend leave, feeling endless loneliness.

He gritted his teeth and roared:

"Damn it, I will definitely continue investigating until I find the flaws in the Shanshui Group!"

Just then, Hou Liangping's phone rang.

Upon seeing the caller ID "Zhong Xiaoai," Hou Liangping's previous bitterness, anger, and resentment vanished.

Instead, there was the joy of grasping at a straw.

He believed that as long as he talked things out with Zhong Xiaoai, he didn't care about being given a major demerit or being gossiped about.

With just a few words, Xiao Ai can punish those who offend her!

Thinking of this, Hou Liangping answered the phone with great joy and said:

"Xiao Ai?"

"Liangping, how's the outcome?" Zhong Xiaoai's voice was unreadable, and Hou Liangping assumed she was concerned for him, so he quickly poured out his dissatisfaction:

"They're bullying me! Guess what they did? They gave me a major demerit! A major demerit, Xiao Ai! I, Hou Liangping, have worked here for so long and haven't even received a warning! Every year I've been rated excellent! I've received so many awards and commendations! I've only been in Handong for two weeks, and they've already given me a major demerit! How am I supposed to hold my head up in the future! Xiao Ai, can you talk to Dad about this...?"

"Liangping, that's enough." Zhong Xiaoai's tone was urgent and cold:

"You think you committed a minor offense? There are some things I can't tell you, but just remember, you can't imagine the price your family paid to protect you! Giving you a major demerit is already the greatest mercy they can show you!"

Hou Liangping was taken aback, then anger surged within him.

Zhong Xiaoai's distant and lecturing tone touched a nerve in him. He felt that Zhong Xiaoai was exaggerating and said with dissatisfaction:

"Xiao Ai, don't tell me that. What can those people from Handong do to the Zhong family? As long as Dad says a few words for me..."

Listening to Hou Liangping's words, Zhong Xiaoai felt utterly exhausted.

She clearly remembers the deep helplessness on her father's face when he told her the price he would pay to save Hou Liangping.

For the Zhong family, the cost of two investment projects from Beijing and a deputy ministerial-level prosecutor's position was too high.

This is all because Hou Liangping, to whom the Zhong family had poured their heart and soul, caused a major disaster as soon as he entered Handong.

Listening to Hou Liangping on the other end of the phone, complaining like a child, and using such arrogant and ignorant words as "Zhong family" and "father" repeatedly.

Zhong Xiaoai sighed and hung up the phone.

……

Office of Gao Yuliang in the Provincial Party Committee compound.

Gao Yuliang looked at Xia Qing, who had just hung up the phone, and asked with a smile:

"Minister Xia, what makes you so happy?"

"It was Minister Lei who called, saying that the several district bureau chiefs from Guangming District who were taken away by Hou Liangping have returned to their posts," Xia Qing said, adding:

"Secretary Yuliang, now that the pillars of these important positions have returned to their posts, the tasks assigned by Secretary Ruijin are almost complete."

Gao Yuliang recalled that Xia Qing's task was to find a suitable candidate to ensure the stability of the Dafeng Factory.

Now that all the cadres have returned, Xia Qing's mission can be considered complete.

Seemingly sensing Gao Yuliang's thoughts, Xia Qing smiled and said:

"Since I'm already here regarding the Dafeng Factory incident, I might as well see it through to the end. After all, nobody wants to see Secretary Dakang using public funds to clean up the mess left by Shanshui Group."

Gao Yuliang frowned slightly, leaned forward, and said:

"What does Minister Xia intend to do?"

"Dafeng Factory is a major event that has attracted national attention. If I withdraw now, it will inevitably affect the image of the cadres in Handong. In any case, we need to push things forward so that the cadres in Guangming District can get things done."

Gao Yuliang nodded and said earnestly to Xia Qing:

"The matter of Dafeng Factory is not easy to handle! Xia Qing, if it really can't be done, you should withdraw as soon as possible, and no one will blame you."

Xia Qing shook her head with a wry smile:

"We can't withdraw! If we withdraw now, we don't know how Secretary Dakang will deal with Dafeng Factory. What if we cause another '116 Incident'?"