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

Sha Ruijin roughly understood that Gao Yuliang was calling him to report on his work in order to tattle on Li Dakang.

He found it amusing, watching Gao Yuliang speak calmly with a smile on his face.

"Ms. Ouyang Jing, the vice president of Jingzhou City Bank, who is also the wife of Comrade Dakang, has recently been reported by name for suspected bribery."

"The amount is as high as two million. The whistleblower, Cai Chenggong, is currently detained in connection with the Dafeng Factory case."

He paused for a moment to observe Sha Ruijin's reaction.

Sha Ruijin's expression remained unchanged, only his gaze tightened slightly.

"This involves Comrade Dakang's wife; this matter could be a big deal or a small one."

Gao Yuliang continued, "According to the information we have, Comrade Dakang was not entirely unaware of Ouyang Jing's financial situation."

"At least during the period when Cai Chenggong was bribing people, Comrade Dakang and Ouyang Jing were still living under the same roof."

"If Ouyang Jing's allegations are proven true, Comrade Dakang will likely find it difficult to completely prove his innocence."

Gao Yuliang looked regretful.

Hearing that Gao Yuliang only mentioned Cai Chenggong's report on Ouyang Jing's bribery, Sha Ruijin breathed a sigh of relief.

"You mean," Sha Ruijin tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, "that Comrade Li Dakang might also have problems?"

Sha Ruijin smiled, wanting to see what Gao Yuliang really meant.

Gao Yuliang shook his head slightly, his posture extremely cautious.

"I don't have that conclusion, nor do I think so."

"But what I mean is that Comrade Dakang is a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and an important leading cadre in our province. This matter must be thoroughly investigated."

"Ouyang Jing has recently been planning to travel abroad. Once she leaves the country, the chain of evidence may break."

"Therefore, I suggest that the investigation into her should proceed to the formal stage as soon as possible."

"As for whether Comrade Dakang was involved, I personally do not believe it."

"But since it has happened, it must have had some impact on him, so we must find out the truth. This is also a way to protect him."

Hearing Gao Yuliang say that he believed Li Dakang was alright, Sha Ruijin found it amusing and smiled as well.

"Secretary Yuliang, Comrade Dakang already reported this situation to me when he was in Lincheng."

"What he meant was that he knew absolutely nothing about Ouyang Jing's affairs."

"Although the two are husband and wife, they have been separated for many years."

Sha Ruijin roughly knew Gao Yuliang's purpose, but unfortunately others had already approached him first, so Sha Ruijin certainly wouldn't listen to Gao Yuliang's words casually.

"Of course, when it comes to corruption, an investigation is definitely necessary, and this is also Comrade Dakang's own requirement."

"That would be perfect. I was worried that Comrade Dakang might have some reservations about this."

Hearing that Sha Ruijin already knew about this situation, Gao Yuliang was somewhat disappointed, but could only go along with what Sha Ruijin said.

"This matter is fine once it's been investigated thoroughly, but another thing Hou Liangping mentioned is something that really worries me."

Since you, Sha Ruijin, know about the report against Li Dakang's wife, Ouyang Jing, do you know about another matter?

Since Gao Yuliang was going to report Li Dakang, he certainly wouldn't just talk about Ouyang Jing.

"Any other questions?" Sha Ruijin also put away his smile and let Gao Yuliang speak.

Then, Gao Yuliang brought Hou Liangping to his house.

Finally, the two analyzed and reported on the suspicions surrounding Li Dakang in Ding Yizhen's escape case.

Of course, he wouldn't say that he was the one who led Hou Liangping to suspect Li Dakang; he would only say that these were conclusions drawn from Hou Liangping's own analysis.

"You mean, Ding Yizhen's escape was most likely due to information leaked by Li Dakang?"

After listening to Gao Yuliang's story, Sha Ruijin was deeply impressed.

According to Gao Yuliang, Li Dakang is indeed highly suspicious.

He had just accepted Li Dakang, and now there might be problems, which made Sha Ruijin feel a bit dramatic.

After listening to the entire report, Sha Ruijin leaned back in his office chair, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, his expression turning serious.

He knew in his heart that Li Dakang had just expressed his stance to him in Lincheng and taken the initiative to side with him.

He also proactively revealed his own affairs with Ouyang Jing, as his plan was to win her over, since she was now someone he could use in Handong.

Now, Gao Yuliang immediately suggested that it might be related to Ding Yizhen's escape, which made it impossible for him to completely trust Li Dakang.

However, the doubts raised by Gao Yuliang are debatable. As the provincial party secretary, Sha Ruijin could not openly ignore them.

In this matter, he must make his position clear on the surface and maintain fairness.

After a moment of silence, Sha Ruijin spoke slowly, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable seriousness.

"Comrade Yuliang, since the clues are true and there are doubts, let's continue the thorough investigation in accordance with the law and regulations."

"We will never compromise on matters of principle, and we will never lower the bar for discipline."

"I will arrange for comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Procuratorate to investigate thoroughly. This matter has a significant impact, and the facts must be clarified."

However, upon seeing the smile on Gao Yuliang's face, Sha Ruijin's tone suddenly changed, becoming cold and serious.

"Our provincial party committee will never tolerate or cover up any acts of shielding, condoning, or conspiring to protect others."

"Those who should be held accountable will be held accountable, and those who should be punished will be punished. We will never bend the law for personal preference."

"But if the investigation turns out to be just a personal problem of the family members or someone else being implicated and trying to take advantage of the situation."

"Li Dakang himself is clean and innocent, so no one can frame him out of thin air, use this as an opportunity to suppress him, or escalate the matter indefinitely."

"As a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Comrade Dakang is an important leading cadre in Handong, and we must also maintain a certain level of respect for him."

Sha Ruijin's statement was fair, appropriate, and watertight, both silencing Gao Yuliang and subtly protecting Li Dakang's bottom line.

Upon hearing Sha Ruijin's words, Gao Yuliang understood the other party's attitude towards Li Dakang and sighed inwardly.

As soon as Secretary Zhao left, Li Dakang sided with the newly arrived provincial party secretary, which made Gao Yuliang feel somewhat uneasy.

He sighed inwardly, but his face remained calm as he nodded in agreement: "I understand what Secretary Sha means."

"This matter must be investigated impartially and in a fact-based manner. The investigation must not exaggerate the problems, nor let any doubts go unaddressed."

The conversation between the two seemed calm on the surface, but Gao Yuliang had already discerned Li Dakang's stance from Sha Ruijin's attitude.

Sha Ruijin's current attitude also shows that the balance between him and Li Dakang has completely tipped.

Gao Yuliang took his leave and left, the door closing behind him, leaving the corridor empty.

He slowed his pace, mentally reviewing every detail of the conversation they had just had.

Sha Ruijin's words of praise for Li Dakang stood like a barrier in front of his report.

His intention was to make Sha Ruijin face up to the potential problems with Li Dakang.

But Sha Ruijin's reaction made him realize that the new secretary had already developed a certain trust in Li Dakang—or rather, a certain decision regarding personnel.

So what are Gao Yuliang's thoughts on himself, the new provincial party secretary?