Nominal: The Handong Game, the Energy System's Counterattack

Overwhelmed by Zhou Chuyi's powerful aura, Hou Liangping nodded stiffly.

"Director Zhou, we possess a valid search warrant in accordance with the law."

"We have the right to search relevant locations without prior notice to the superior authority of the unit being searched."

Perhaps realizing he was showing weakness, Hou Liangping raised his voice a little, emphasizing the legality of his actions.

Zhou Chuyi nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the answer: "Director Hou is right, there is indeed no legal requirement to give advance notice."

"But Director Hou, we all work within the system. Some rules may not be written in the law, but everyone has to abide by them."

"The Ministry of State Resources Security is a key national department, and the Resource Development Department holds a large number of state secrets."

"Your anti-corruption bureau comrades just barged in like this. What if they accidentally uncover classified documents during the search? Who will take responsibility?"

Hou Liangping's smile finally faded, replaced by a serious expression.

"Director Zhou, we have strict search regulations regarding classified information."

"All personnel involved in the search will sign confidentiality agreements with you and will never touch any materials unrelated to the case, so please rest assured."

"Confidentiality agreement?" Zhou Chuyi chuckled softly, a subtle meaning in his smile.

"Director Hou, dealing with classified information is not a problem that can be solved by signing an agreement."

"In accordance with the provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Guarding State Secrets".

"Personnel who have access to state secrets must undergo a strict security clearance review; it's not as simple as signing an agreement and that's it."

"Among you comrades, who has passed our department's security clearance review?"

Hou Liangping fell silent.

The anti-corruption bureau staff behind him exchanged bewildered glances, clearly not expecting to encounter such a tough obstacle.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

Zhou Chuyi didn't intend to make the situation too tense, so he changed the subject and softened his tone.

"By the way, Director Hou said he received a report. When did you receive the report?"

Zhou Chuyi relaxed slightly, seemingly asking casually, but in reality, he was setting a trap for Hou Liangping.

"Just the night before last."

Hou Liangping didn't know what Zhou Chuyi meant by asking this, but he still answered the question.

"The night before last? That means you obtained the search warrant in less than two days?"

"Your anti-corruption bureau is quite efficient."

Hou Liangping couldn't tell whether Zhou Chuyi's words were a compliment or a criticism, so he smiled and said, "We always strike swiftly against corrupt elements."

What he said was quite childish.

Zhou Chuyi smiled dismissively: "Did you conduct a preliminary investigation?"

"Huh?" Hou Liangping was stunned by Zhou Chuyi's question.

"No?" Zhou Chuyi smiled and looked at Hou Liangping.

Hou Liangping stood there, staring at Zhou Chuyi. He didn't notice that the expressions of the people who had come with him changed when they heard Zhou Chuyi's question.

"Now that you have obtained the search warrant, please file the case filing decision with us."

Zhou Chuyi waved his hand, and two staff members from the department's Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office and Confidentiality Office stepped forward and looked at Hou Liangping.

Hou Liangping's face turned pale when he heard the decision to file a case.

The people who came with him were already trembling.

"Hmm? Director Hou?"

"Don't tell me you didn't even bring the case filing order with you when you were on the job?"

Zhou Chuyi's eyes instantly turned dangerous as he scanned Hou Liangping and several anti-corruption bureau staff members.

Everyone who had looked at Zhou Chuyi last week subconsciously lowered their heads.

"Nonsense? Is this how you anti-corruption officials handle cases?"

Zhou Chuyi roared angrily, startling Hou Liangping so much that he trembled.

"Director Hou, I don't mean to make things difficult for you."

"Handling cases in accordance with the law is your duty, and cooperating in accordance with the law is also our obligation."

"But the premise of cooperating in accordance with the law is that your law enforcement actions themselves must withstand the test of procedures and the law."

"Is this how your anti-corruption bureau handles cases? It's utterly absurd."

When Zhou Chuyi got angry, everyone held their breath.

"Xiao Lin, get me in touch with Qin Siyuan, the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau."

"I want to ask them how their anti-corruption bureau is managed; they're treating organizational procedures and discipline like a joke."

Xiao Lin quickly took out his phone and found Qin Siyuan's office number in the internal address book.

A moment later, Xiaolin handed the phone to Zhou Chuyi.

"Director Qin, this is Zhou Chuyi from the Resource Development Department of the Ministry of State-owned Resources Security. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as Qin Siyuan was clearly searching his memory for relevant information.

"Director Zhou, hello. What's the matter so late?"

Zhou Chuyi's voice was unhurried, as calm as if he were reporting on his daily work.

"Director Qin, I'd like to verify something with you."

"At around 9:40 p.m. tonight, Comrade Hou Liangping from your Bureau's Investigation Division arrived at the Project Division of our Ministry's Resource Development Department with a group of people."

"With three search warrants, they were about to search the office of Zhao Dehan, the head of the project department."

"Director Qin, are you aware of this matter?"

Upon hearing the name Hou Liangping, Qin Siyuan felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that Hou Liangping had gotten himself into trouble again.

However, considering the other party's identity, he couldn't ignore it; he hoped the matter wouldn't be too serious.

There was another few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, and Qin Siyuan's voice became more cautious.

"There is a situation... We received a report and are conducting some investigations in accordance with the law... Is there anything wrong with Director Zhou?"

"According to the law?" Zhou Chuyi gently interrupted him, his tone still calm, but each word was pronounced clearly.

"Director Qin, I am not questioning your bureau's right to handle cases in accordance with the law."

"My question is, what evidence did your department have before issuing these three search warrants?"

"As far as I know, Comrade Hou Liangping only has one letter of complaint."

"Three search warrants were issued based on just one whistleblower letter."

"Is it too hasty in terms of procedure to search the office of a division-level cadre in a key department?"

Qin Siyuan's voice became serious.

"Director Zhou, the evidence we have gathered during the initial investigation phase of the case is classified as investigative secret and cannot be disclosed to the public."

"But I can tell you that the materials Hou Liangping submitted when applying for the search warrant should have met the legal requirements, otherwise the procuratorate would not have issued it."

Zhou Chuyi's eyes lit up when he heard Qin Siyuan's words.

Great, Qin Siyuan is also included in the frame.

"Director Qin, I fully respect your investigative rights, and besides, you just said it's a preliminary investigation?"

Qin Siyuan knew things were going wrong when Zhou Chuyi focused on the words "preliminary investigation"—the other party was not someone who didn't understand procedures.

Sure enough, Zhou Chuyi's next words sent a chill down Qin Siyuan's spine.