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

"Comrade Xiao Ai, please speak."

Although Sha Ruijin was inwardly flustered, he maintained a calm demeanor and raised his hand in invitation.

"Did Secretary Sha fully understand the dangers of Chuzhou before sending Liang Ping there? Given that this involves a retired ministerial-level cadre, and the task was to investigate the surrounding security area, why was only Liang Ping sent?"

"Has Secretary Sha considered the risks involved in Liangping investigating the case alone? And have sufficient preventative measures been taken should an accident occur?"

Zhong Xiaoai's questions were increasingly pointed, almost hitting the nail on the head with every single one. But then she changed the subject, saying, "These are questions I'm asking as Comrade Liangping's wife. If Secretary Sha feels that they involve confidentiality issues, he doesn't have to answer them."

It would have been better if we hadn't said anything.

The mere mention of it made the gerbil poison even more painful.

This is a blatant warning!

Zhong Xiaoai is currently consulting as a spouse, but if she is not satisfied, she could become the deputy director of the Twelfth Inspection Office, or even a member of the special supervision team.

But the reality is...

He simply sent Hou Liangping to test the waters and carry out the subsequent sacrificial pawn plan; he never thought about the aftermath. He certainly didn't expect Hou Liangping to dare to venture alone into the enemy's headquarters and stage a solo mission.

"That's right, Comrade Xiao Ai."

Sha Ruijin straightened his expression and gradually regained his composure. "Considering the identity, background, and chain of evidence of the primary suspect, Gu Beilou, the Hantong Provincial Party Committee had already prepared for the worst in the Chuzhou incident."

"The Provincial Public Security Department's Economic Crime Investigation Division was assigned to investigate commercial crimes, and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection's special task force was stationed at the municipal government to investigate disciplinary crimes. The reason I assigned Comrade Liangping to join them alone was twofold: first, I trust Comrade Liangping's professional abilities; second, Comrade Liangping is a unique asset, capable of working with the Economic Crime Investigation Division and the Commission for Discipline Inspection to better penetrate the cases, and even drive the former two to achieve breakthroughs in their special operations."

"At the same time, the Economic Investigation Department and the Discipline Inspection Commission are also strong and powerful support for Comrade Liangping."

"Including the period starting from entering Chuzhou."

"Comrade Liangping had already begun a tacit cooperation with the Economic Investigation Department."

Everything Sha Ruijin mentioned actually happened, but he cleverly shifted the cause, timing, and process of the events, even the points of knowledge he himself was aware of:

"I am deeply saddened by the accident, but thankfully Comrade Liangping survived."

"Comrade Liangping is a seasoned anti-corruption fighter in the organization. This time, he risked his life to protect the lives of other comrades in the Municipal Procuratorate, which is even more commendable. I am sincerely gratified that Handong has such a good cadre as Comrade Liangping."

"I believe that once Comrade Liangping has recovered and returned to work, he will be able to shoulder even greater responsibilities."

Sha Ruijin emphasized the syllables in the last two sentences, while leaning forward to display the assertiveness expected of a provincial party secretary, indicating a clear understanding of the situation.

Tell Zhong Xiaoai clearly that Hou Liangping was not someone I asked for; he was sent by your Zhong family, and now your Zhong family is even dragging us into the pressure.

I gave them the face they deserved.

Promote and give important responsibilities afterward, and know when to stop while you're ahead.

Don't go too far!

Ultimately, Hou Liangping is just a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family, not the real eldest daughter of the Zhong family. The Zhong family won't risk everything for Hou Liangping.

"Comrade Xiao Ai, is there anything else you want to ask?"

Sha Ruijin's words clearly implied that he wanted to see the guest out; his real battle was yet to come, and he couldn't afford to waste too much energy on Zhong Xiaoai.

"oh!"

Zhong Xiaoai's eyes blazed with anger, her words both overt and covert, clearly belittling Hou Liangping, the son-in-law. How come you're so noble? You're just a son-in-law too.

The Zhong family certainly wouldn't risk their lives for Hou Liangping, but the Qin family would risk their lives for you, Sha Ruijin.

But you forgot one thing.

Hou Liangping is my husband, Zhong Xiaoai's husband, and my son's father. As long as he doesn't do something that will reduce the entire Zhong family to ashes, I will never abandon him.

"I have no other questions."

Zhong Xiaoai stood up, a natural smile on her face. "On behalf of Liangping, I thank Secretary Sha for his consideration. Also, please ask Secretary Sha to convey my gratitude to Executive Director Lin."

"If it weren't for the timely rescue by the Chuzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, I'm afraid I would never have seen Liangping again. I'm also grateful to him for rushing to the hospital immediately and keeping Liangping out of danger."

"OK."

Sha Ruijin smiled as he got up to see the person off, but the smile on his face was extremely ugly. If you want to thank Lin Zhiyuan, then go and thank him in person. What do you mean by having me convey your message? Are you trying to disgust me?

Or is it that you're being sarcastic, implying that as the Secretary of the Handong Provincial Party Committee, I couldn't rush to Chuzhou to stabilize the situation immediately? Or that I didn't go to comfort the injured meritorious officials?

Sha Ruijin stood at the window, watching Zhong Xiaoai leave through the main gate, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

wrong!

Expressing gratitude to Lin Zhiyuan... staying by his bedside waiting for him to recover...

Sha Ruijin seemed to be the best inheritor of the art of face-changing, and suddenly a bright smile bloomed on his face. Hehe, the plan to abandon the pawn has been perfectly accomplished, hasn't it?

Starting today.

Hou Liangping, the son-in-law of the Zhong family, will be the sharpest blade in Sha Ruijin's hands, making him invincible.

Explode!

Explode!

Lin Zhiyuan, you like to lift the lid, so I'll do as you wish and lift all the lids that were tightly closed during the Zhao Lichun era of Handong.

In these ruins.

Lin Zhiyuan, let's see how you develop the economy and use your most proficient strategy of leveraging power.

As for Zhao Lichun…

Haha, with so many landmines planted in Handong, is this really economic development?

cancer!

A malignant tumor that can kill everyone!

By then, it will just be a bug that can be easily crushed.

You think you can turn the world upside down?

funny!

And Tian Guofu, Wu Chunlin, Fang Denggao, Li Dakang, Yang Wanli, including Liu Changsheng, you all just wait and see.

The more he thought about the gerbil poison, the more excited he became.

He immediately turned back to his desk, picked up the phone, and said, "Comrade Tong Li, come to my office."

The two plotted in the office for more than half an hour until the time for the provincial party committee standing committee meeting was approaching. Only then, reminded by Xiaobai, did they leave the office.

Sha Ruijin tried his best to keep a straight face, but the smile on his lips was hard to suppress. He strode confidently with Tong Li and Xiao Bai straight to the conference room.

"Yo!"

"It's been more than half a month since I last saw Secretary Ruijin, and he looks to be in good health."

At the entrance to the conference room.

The provincial government faction, led by Lin Zhiyuan and Liu Changsheng, arrived in a grand procession and ran right into them.

"good."

Sha Ruijin glanced at his watch furtively. Damn it, doesn't he even know the rules? Doesn't he know that only the class monitor can make a grand entrance last?!

What level?

They arrived at the same time as me.

"Executive Director Lin went to Chuzhou, and he looks visibly haggard. He needs to take good care of himself!"

Sha Ruijin's dissatisfaction was insignificant in his great excitement; he even patted Lin Zhiyuan on the shoulder and then turned to greet Liu Changsheng.

He took the lead and entered the conference room.

Lin Zhiyuan's eyes were strange. Was this person having a relapse?