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

"Secretary Li is really lucky."

Qi Tongwei watched Li Dakang's absent-minded departure and sighed enviously.

"Are you envious that he has a Jingzhou-style hairpin on his forehead?"

Lin Zhiyuan glanced at him upon hearing this.

"Executive Director Lin, that's not what I meant."

Qi Tongwei chuckled, his wrinkles around his eyes distorting. "Outsiders only know that you have the Midas touch, but they never imagined that this Midas touch is not just in one place, but also in one person."

"Standing Committee Member Fang, Secretary Li, Secretary Yang, Minister Wu, Minister Wen, and even Secretary Tian have all returned to the right path under your guidance."

"Moreover, I heard that Governor Liu's spirits have been exceptionally high lately. His legs no longer hurt, his back no longer aches, and his heart no longer feels uncomfortable. He's been going to the development zone in Jingzhou every day."

"Presumably, it was under Director Lin's guidance that they found the elixir of immortality to live a second life."

Qi Tongwei had clearly put in the effort, recounting in detail the changes in the pillars of the provincial government system, demonstrating his profound understanding.

"They dare to say anything!"

"You have quite the nerve to inquire about the work schedule of a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee."

Qi Tongwei waved his hands repeatedly, "I wouldn't dare, I just heard it from others."

"oh!"

Lin Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow and asked, "So you want to improve again?"

I want to, but I don't want to.

Qi Tongwei nodded and then shook his head. "Executive Director Lin, I have been learning from you and Governor Qiu recently, and I have realized many of my shortcomings and know that I do not have the ability."

"They really made it up."

"It may not be a good thing."

"However, I really want to improve. I will definitely let Executive Director Lin see my work performance and the improvement in my personal qualities in the next two years."

"At least he said something sensible."

Lin Zhiyuan finally revealed a hint of a teachable smile.

The rising sun broke through the dark winter sky and shone into a car parked outside a construction site.

The phone in my pocket buzzed and vibrated.

It woke me from my sweet dream.

Hou Liangping opened his eyes, which were sore and swollen, and bloodshot from staying up all night. He glanced at the time.

6:30!

I slept for an hour and a half.

"Hey, Captain Xie!"

Hou Liangping answered the phone, his voice hoarse, almost like a duck's quack.

"Not asleep?"

Xie Huai'an's equally weary voice came through the microphone.

"I slept for two hours."

Hou Liangping was now fully awake and instantly got into work mode. "Captain Xie, have you made an important discovery?"

"right!"

Xie Huai'an affirmed, "Director Hou must have noticed as well! Chuzhou is a tough place to deal with, like an impenetrable wall."

"However, our Economic Crime Investigation Division is not to be trifled with either."

"We investigated a group of people overnight. They were people who had fallen from their positions in recent years due to poor company management. I believe this is an important breakthrough."

"But just then, Director Qi called me and asked us to take charge of another task."

"I wonder if Director Hou has any thoughts on this?"

Hou Liangping didn't reply, but instead laughed, "Oh, what a coincidence."

"I also rushed to construction sites in various districts and counties of Chuzhou overnight, and found that some second-level, third-level, and even fourth-level subcontractors were downgraded due to labor wage issues and project payments being deliberately delayed by their superiors."

"And I discovered something very interesting."

"That means that although there are fewer companies and individuals every year, the overall number at each level has not changed, which means that new people have taken their places."

New addition?!

"Director Hou, you mean..."

Who is Xie Huai'an?

The captain of the Economic Crime Investigation Division of the Provincial Public Security Bureau, with over twenty years of police experience and having solved countless cases, understood the implications almost immediately.

"Yes, outsiders."

Hou Liangping gave an affirmative answer, his voice becoming louder and more excited, "This means that the Chen family is no longer satisfied with just Chuzhou and is constantly expanding outwards."

"Or rather..."

"There are criminal gangs of similar size to the Chen family in other places, and we have formed an alliance with them."

"But that's unlikely."

"The risks are too high. First, it could easily lead to a power struggle with the Chen family, and second, it could easily attract the attention of superiors."

"Therefore, my guess is more inclined to be that the Chen family is absorbing small and medium-sized enterprises and family power in batches."

Hou Liangping's argument was well-reasoned and irrefutable.

hiss!

Xie Huai'an on the other end of the phone gasped. "My goodness! It took the entire provincial department team to find out this so quickly."

But what about Hou Liangping?

He gathered so much information all by himself in one night, relying solely on inspecting construction sites, his personal experience, and his deductions.

As expected of someone who is known as one of the Three Heroes of Handong alongside Qi Ting, his professional skills are beyond question.

"I personally agree with Director Hou's speculation."

Xie Huai'an's tone became more sincere, no longer the awkwardness that came from interacting with his superiors because of the tasks assigned to him.

"But this case involves the former chairman of the provincial association, which is of great importance. The evidence must be solid, not just our personal experience and conclusions."

"Director Hou, I have sent the information we have gathered to your mobile phone."

"The situation is urgent."

"I can only entrust this to you."

Xie Huai'an said solemnly.

"Um?"

Hou Liangping frowned, clearly dissatisfied, and said, "What exactly did the senior student assign you? Why aren't you investigating such an important case?"

"I cannot tell you at this time."

Xie Huai'an admired the case, but remained steadfast in his stance: "I can only say that we are still investigating this case, and the provincial department will never be a deserter at this critical moment."

"Okay, I understand."

Hou Liangping softened his tone.

In Chuzhou, a place he knew no one, he still needed to rely on the channels and support of the provincial economic investigation department, and he couldn't afford to offend anyone.

"Director Hou, the list of new additions you just mentioned will be sent to your phone by noon today at the latest."

Xie Huai'an continued, "At the same time, I'll tell Director Hou some news."

"Besides our provincial department and you, Qin Zhuofeng, the deputy secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, led a team to officially enter the municipal government yesterday afternoon. They will conduct a comprehensive review by using the bidding projects involving real estate and urban construction companies under Hanyuan Group as a breakthrough point, creating opportunities for us."

"If something unpredictable happens."

"If the provincial department's support cannot arrive in time, Director Hou can go to the municipal government for assistance."

"Secretary Qin's contact information has just been sent over along with the documents."

clear!

Hou Liangping nodded.

Going to the municipal government is the last resort.

Once he goes past it, it means his hidden blade will be fully exposed, and he absolutely cannot do it until the very last moment.

"Chief Hou, this case is closed."

"When we get back to Jingzhou, I'll treat you and Director Qi to drinks."

Xie Huai'an smiled.

"Absolutely delighted!"

Hou Liangping smiled.

He also had a very good impression of Captain Xie.

But now…

Investigate!