In name only: The land of Handong, I shall rule its fate.

Li Dakang, Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee?

Hou Liangping's eyes lit up. This was a big fish. If they caught him, they could take another step forward in the near future.

"Baozi, are you sure?"

"Is there any other evidence?"

Hou Liangping asked quickly.

"Who is Li Dakang? He's a vice-ministerial level official. How could I, a mere businessman, possibly have direct evidence against him?"

Cai Chenggong shook his head with a wry smile:

"But I guarantee this person is 100% problematic. In his early years, he served in Jinshan County, Yantai City. Someone died while building a road, and he was promoted as a result. When he served as the Party Secretary of Lincheng City, the Deputy Mayor embezzled and ran away, and he was promoted again. Now he is the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, and under him, the Deputy Mayor was arrested for embezzlement, the Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Zhao Donglai, was investigated and arrested for acting as a protector of oil thieves, and the Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, Zhang Shuli, was arrested for extorting investors. Furthermore, the Organization Minister under him is also corrupt and has deep ties with the female cadres under him. I heard that he often takes people out drinking, the kind where they don't leave until they're drunk."

"Most ordinary citizens of Jingzhou know about this kind of thing."

"Besides, Chen Hai is only under investigation now, he hasn't been arrested yet. His men are still usable. You can call Chen Hai and ask them to investigate, and you'll find out."

"I guarantee you'll find the answer right away."

Cai Chenggong spoke with absolute certainty.

Hou Liangping's eyes gleamed, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"I see."

Hou Liangping finally nodded. "Baozi, you're lucky. The General Administration has appointed me as the director of the Handong Anti-Corruption Bureau. If what you said is true, I will catch the corrupt officials and clear your name."

"But now..."

Upon hearing this, Cai Chenggong's expression changed drastically, and he readily lifted himself high in front of him, saying, "I'll go with you to the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau; I'm simply too exhausted to run anymore."

"good!"

Hou Liangping nodded. "Gao Yuliang, the current secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Handong, was my university teacher. After you are transferred to Handong, I will put in a good word for you and give you preferential treatment."

The decision has been made.

Hou Liangping simply called Zhong Xiaoai, explained the situation, and then handed Cai Chenggong over to the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

It took about two hours to get back home, but Zhong Xiaoai sat up against the headboard and, unusually, showed no signs of having an attack. Instead, she tapped the edge of the bed with her chin.

Hou Liangping immediately understood and sat down.

"How credible is your childhood friend's word?"

Zhong Xiaoai's tone was full of disdain.

"If it were a normal situation, it would be one part truth and nine parts falsehood, but now that he's cornered, it's at least eight parts truth."

Hou Liangping thought for a moment and then said seriously.

"idiot!"

Zhong Xiaoai kicked him directly and shouted sharply, "Could a provincial party committee standing committee member who started as the chief secretary of the provincial party secretary have such an obvious flaw?"

"Our inspection team took him down a long time ago."

"He dared to do this because he could ensure that he wasn't involved in the chain of interests. In this era, the higher-ups have a high tolerance for economic talents. Even if you expose them, at most they'll just get a disciplinary action, and they might not even lose their position on the Standing Committee."

"And let me tell you, Li Dakang has already sided with Executive Director Lin. If you take action against him, you are declaring war on Executive Director Lin. Do you think you can withstand his retaliation?"

Hou Liangping rubbed his shoulder where he had been kicked, speechless.

"Just say what you have to say. Who are you trying to impress by keeping it to yourself?"

Zhong Xiaoai kicked her again.

"But didn't you and Dad tell me to get close to Secretary Sha when I went to Handong?"

Hou Liangping felt a little wronged.

You and your daughter have already said both sides of the story, what else could he possibly say?

"Getting you close to Sha Ruijin doesn't mean you have to work for him."

Zhong Xiaoai felt a slight pain in her chest. "In the account book incident, the Qin family only spoke a fair word. They didn't fully support the Zhong family, so there's no need to fight to the death."

"Once you arrive in Handong, whatever Sha Ruijin asks you to investigate, investigate according to the law and regulations."

"But if it's not within the scope of the law, don't even touch it."

"Director Lin values ​​procedural justice the most. As long as you play within the rules, he won't make things difficult for you."

"Because if a member of the provincial standing committee can be investigated and prosecuted by you, a deputy director-level provincial anti-corruption bureau chief, within the rules, it means that he is not qualified to be protected."

Hou Liangping suddenly realized.

Compared to her father-in-law's cryptic and ambiguous conversations, Xiao Ai's was simple, straightforward, and easy to understand.

"Xiao Ai, speaking of which..."

"Our senior, Qi, seems to be working under Executive Director Lin now."

Hou Liangping said it seemingly casually.

"What does that have to do with you?"

Zhong Xiaoai rolled her eyes. "You're going to Handong to work on anti-corruption. Just do your job according to the law and regulations."

"Okay, I'm sleepy."

"Go and submit a report."

While the middle-aged couple went to bed early, Lin Zhiyuan, Li Dakang, Fang Denggao, Fang Wu, and Qi Tongwei were still eating skewers and drinking at a roadside barbecue stall.

I had originally invited Governor Liu and Sun Liancheng as well. Governor Liu is old and goes to bed early, while Sun Liancheng is still working like a dog on the noisy construction site.

When alcohol takes effect.

Fang Denggao and Fang Wu, the two brothers from the Fang family, embraced and wept bitterly, wishing they could become sworn brothers of the same surname on the spot. They even solemnly claimed to be from which town, village, and branch of the family, but were actually found to have no connection whatsoever.

Li Dakang, somewhat embarrassed, used a pile of bones to piece together a map of Jingzhou and spoke at length about future plans, displaying great confidence and eloquence.

Qi Tongwei had just returned from the phone call and sat down again, subtly giving Lin Zhiyuan a wink.

Lin Zhiyuan glanced at his phone, nodded, turned the screen off again, and continued listening to Li Dakang's boasting.

Oh, don't say it.

With his red face and big mouth, Secretary Dakang has a touch of succubus charm. But what's really captivating is his eloquent and passionate manner.

Every now and then a few witty remarks would pop out.

For example, "What is not prohibited by law is freedom; dare to try and dare to venture," "Fairness breeds clarity, integrity breeds authority; only by governing with integrity can one gain the trust of the people," and "I shoulder the responsibility of managing eleven districts of Jingzhou; it's exhausting."

The diners at the next table had already pricked up their ears and were listening intently, with many even taking out their phones to record.

Secretary Jin, who was not far behind, could no longer bear to look. Whether Secretary Li would collapse tomorrow was unknown, but he was bound to collapse.

"Brother Jin!"

He loudly handed a glass of bubbling beer to Xiao Jin and whispered, "As long as you get drunk faster than the boss, he won't be blamed for embarrassing himself."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"We'll take you back."

The other young men exchanged glances and grinned mischievously.

The lesser of two evils.

It's done!

Secretary Jin glared at them fiercely, picked up her beer glass and clinked it with the others. Hey, he's in trouble now. You guys still want things to go smoothly?

Pour it all out!

Half an hour later, when the event ended, only Lin Zhiyuan, Qi Tongwei, and his liaison officer Xiao Cao remained standing on the field.

"Damn! We're so poor!"

Lin Zhiyuan unceremoniously reached into the pockets of the three married men, but the total amount was less than 70 yuan, not even enough for beer.

Li Dakang, who kept insisting on treating everyone, had only five yuan in his entire fortune.

Lin Zhiyuan cursed and took out his phone to pay a fee of 800 yuan.

Huge loss!

I'm never going out to eat with those three poor bastards again.