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

"Your senior classmate is now the director of the provincial public security department, wielding real power."

"There is absolutely no need for this to happen over a businessman or a corruption case."

"At the risk of ruining his career and disgracing himself, he tipped off Ding Yizhen."

"It doesn't make sense from a moral, logical, public, or private perspective."

Upon hearing Hou Liangping's suspicion that Qi Tongwei had tipped him off, Gao Yuliang spoke with apparent ease, subtly clearing Qi Tongwei of suspicion.

"Teacher, since you believe that Senior Qi is not a suspect, given your experience and insight, do you have anyone in mind whom you suspect?"

"I really can't think of anyone else who would dare to take the risk at such a critical moment and leak the news, allowing Ding Yizhen to escape?"

Hou Liangping was naturally dismissive of Gao Yuliang's words.

Gao Yuliang's defense of Qi Tongwei was exactly what he expected.

"If it's not Qi Tongwei, then tell me who it is," Hou Liangping asked, adopting a questioning tone.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang looked up at the student in front of him, a deep light flashing in his eyes, which made Hou Liangping feel uneasy.

"This isn't my job; it's something you need to investigate."

Seeing that Hou Liangping seemed a little nervous, Gao Yuliang smiled and nudged him.

"You should tell the students that this involves high-ranking provincial leaders, so I wouldn't dare to investigate casually," Hou Liangping said with a helpless smile.

"Liangping," Gao Yuliang finally spoke, his voice lower than before.

"Have you ever considered who benefited the most from Ding Yizhen's escape?"

Hou Liangping was taken aback. "The biggest beneficiary? Ding Yizhen ran away, the Guangming Peak project was abandoned, and Shanshui Group was also dragged into it."

"The provincial and municipal governments in Handong are in a complete mess—who benefits?"

"Don't play dumb with me," Gao Yuliang said, and Hou Liangping shook his head.

"The benefits I'm referring to aren't the obvious ones, but the political benefits."

"Or rather, if Ding Yizhen got into trouble, who would least want him arrested, and who would least want him to speak out?"

Hou Liangping's heart skipped a beat; he knew that Gao Yuliang's words had a hidden meaning.

He straightened his back: "Teacher, what do you mean?"

"Coincidences are always just appearances; in officialdom, everything has a cause and effect."

Gao Yuliang's gaze was steady. "I'm asking you, Ding Yizhen has been reported. His corruption allegations are pretty much confirmed, aren't they?"

"We have a preliminary chain of evidence," Hou Liangping replied truthfully.

"That's right." Gao Yuliang's gaze pierced through his glasses as he looked at Hou Liangping, with a sharp insight into the ways of the world.

"Since it's a foregone conclusion that Ding Yizhen is going to get into trouble, then you should think about it carefully again."

"If Ding Yizhen falls from grace, who in the entire Hantong officialdom will be most impacted and suffer the most severe political losses?"

Hou Liangping pondered for a moment: "Ding Yizhen holds great power over key projects, and he has implicated quite a few businessmen and officials."

"Many businessmen and grassroots officials who depend on him will be affected, but I don't know who will be the most affected yet."

Knowing that Hou Liangping wouldn't dare name names, Gao Yuliang smiled faintly, "Have you heard of the claim that he's Ding Yizhen's incarnation since you came to Handong?"

"You mean Secretary Li Dakang?" Hou Liangping suddenly looked up, feigning shock.

"Since you're investigating this case, you should also know about Ding Yizhen's situation."

Gao Yuliang took a sip of tea and placed the teacup on the coffee table.

"You should know that Ding Yizhen is a trusted confidant whom Li Dakang personally promoted."

"He was promoted step by step from the China Merchants Group to the position of Vice Mayor of Jingzhou City and Secretary of the Guangming District Committee."

"In particular, Li Dakang personally appointed him as the chief commander of the Bright Peak project!"

"This project, with an investment of 28 billion yuan, is a key project listed by the province and city."

"It is the most important political achievement project for Li Dakang, which is related to the economic lifeline and the foundation of his political achievements in Jingzhou for the next few years."

"And Ding Yizhen, in Jingzhou and Handong, who doesn't know that he is the 'incarnation' of Li Dakang?"

"It was Li Dakang who promoted him and placed him in this crucial position."

"Ding Yizhen's behavior, to some extent, is an extension of Li Dakang's will."

"If this 'avatar' rots and decays."

"Just think about how much of a blow this would be to the political reputation of Li Dakang, the 'real person'."

Seeing the change in Hou Liangping's expression, Gao Yuliang knew that his words had had an effect, so he continued to speak in a leisurely manner, as if he were recounting a long-ago story.

"Liangping, you left Handong a long time ago, so you probably don't know."

"When Secretary Dakang was the Party Secretary of Lincheng, a similar incident occurred."

"Back when Li Dakang was the Party Secretary of Lincheng, one of the vice mayors he relied on heavily was dismissed due to economic issues."

"That shock was quite significant. Investors were in a panic, which triggered a chain reaction, leading to a mass exodus of their investments and their departure."

"Lincheng's economy was severely damaged at the time and almost collapsed."

"Li Dakang himself was also implicated due to his poor judgment in personnel selection and his leadership responsibility, which almost ruined his career."

Hou Liangping held his breath; he had never heard this story before.

"Fortunately," Gao Yuliang drawled, "the provincial party secretary at the time was Comrade Zhao Lichun, and Li Dakang was once his secretary."

"Secretary Zhao, mindful of past friendships and valuing talent, recognized Li Dakang's abilities and, despite opposition, protected him and continued to entrust him with important responsibilities."

"Otherwise, how could we have the ambitious and enterprising Secretary Li of Jingzhou today?" His eyes behind his glasses flickered.

From Hou Liangping's words, Gao Yuliang roughly understood that Hou suspected Ding Yizhen's escape was related to Qi Tongwei because of his contact with Qi Tongwei and Gao Xiaoqin.

But as Qi Tongwei's teacher, how could he allow Hou Liangping, that monkey, to provoke his senior?

Therefore, Gao Yuliang used his eloquence as a professor to successfully steer Hou Liangping's thinking astray.

Therefore, he had no choice but to sacrifice Li Dakang, so that the monkey could cause some trouble for Li Dakang.

Hou Liangping was Gao Yuliang's favorite student, but Qi Tongwei was also someone Gao Yuliang had used all along.

How can we allow our fellow disciples to fight each other? Anyway, their relationship with Li Dakang's side isn't very good.

Hou Liangping came to visit Gao Yuliang, and Gao Yuliang was very happy.

But if you come with the intention of testing and with suspicion towards your senior brother, then it's no wonder that Gao Yuliang has distorted your thinking.

"Liangping, we should pay attention to the lessons of history. Now, the Guangmingfeng project is much larger than the Lincheng project back then."

"The interests involved are more complex, and the level of attention is also higher."

"If Ding Yizhen, the commander-in-chief, were to fall from grace, would the tragedy that unfolded in Lincheng be repeated in Jingzhou?"

"Will investors withdraw their funds and run away like they did in Lincheng? Who will take responsibility for the overall economic development of Jingzhou?"

"Who will cover for the political impact on Li Dakang?"