Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

“That’s settled then,” Sha Ruijin said without comment, instead seeing the guest out. “We’ll discuss this at the next meeting. You can go ahead and get busy.”

Qi Tongwei stood up and bowed slightly: "Thank you, Secretary Sha. I'll take my leave now."

"Go."

Qi Tongwei turned around, walked out of the office, and gently closed the door behind him.

Sha Ruijin sat in his office for a while, then picked up his teacup; the tea had gone cold.

He put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

He did not win this conversation.

Qi Tongwei's logic was too rigorous, and his stance too lofty; it was difficult for him to refute it.

Moreover, Qi Tongwei was very clever. He didn't confront Sha Ruijin directly, but instead spoke very softly, with a sincere attitude and very good reasons.

Each of his words, taken individually, is perfectly fine.

Li Dakang does have family problems, although he himself has not violated any rules.

There were indeed procedural issues at Guangming Peak, although they can be rectified.

Bringing it under the supervision of the provincial government can indeed mitigate risks, although it also involves decentralization.

Every single sentence is correct, but when put together, they undermine Li Dakang's authority.

Moreover, Qi Tongwei gave himself a perfect reason: "To be responsible to the people of Jingzhou."

Most importantly, he pointed out that Sha Ruijin had no need to take unnecessary political risks for Li Dakang.

From beginning to end, Qi Tongwei dominated the conversation. His prepared explanation regarding Li Dakang's personal issues was completely useless.

This is not what he wanted to see.

That's why he ended it hastily and carelessly.

Sha Ruijin was caught in a dilemma. At this moment, he even regretted accepting Li Dakang's surrender too easily in Lincheng and agreeing to his divorce.

Chapter 151 Trap

Hou Liangping sat in the office of the anti-corruption bureau chief, looking at the empty case file shelf on the table, feeling an indescribable sense of frustration.

Outside the window was Jingzhou in November; the weather had already turned cool, and sunlight streamed through the glass, casting bright patches of light on the floor. But this light couldn't penetrate his heart.

The secretary knocked and came in, holding several documents: "Director Hou, these are the documents to be signed today."

Hou Liangping took it and flipped through it; it was all routine stuff—an application for office supplies for the Anti-Corruption Bureau, revisions to the annual summary report, and a case closure report for a minor case.

It's all trivial and insignificant.

"What about the case files for major cases?" Hou Liangping asked.

The secretary lowered his head and said, "Director Lü said that he is handling those cases and that you don't need to get involved for the time being."

Hou Liangping nodded without saying a word. The secretary left and gently closed the door behind him.

He turned on his computer, wanting to check the progress of several important cases. After entering his username and password, the system prompted: "You do not have sufficient permissions to access this module."

Hou Liangping was taken aback for a moment, then tried a few more cases, all of which gave the same prompt.

He leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed.

Permissions have been restricted.

He can't find a lot of information; things he could see before, he can't see now.

This was Ji Changming's arrangement, and also Zhong Zhengguo's intention. He was given the title of head of the anti-corruption bureau, but the actual work was handled by Lü Liang. He will return to the Supreme People's Procuratorate next year when the leadership reshuffles.

The situation was now a foregone conclusion.

Hou Liangping thought he could accept it calmly. After all, returning to the Supreme People's Procuratorate was a good option, and there was still a long road ahead.

But when he actually faced this cold treatment, he still felt frustrated and upset.

He had a smooth and successful life, and when he was parachuted into Handong from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, he was full of vigor and thought he could make great strides. But in less than three months, he was marginalized and became a mere figurehead.

At 10:00 AM, the Anti-Corruption Bureau held a business meeting.

Hou Liangping arrived at the conference room on time and found that everyone else was already there. Deputy Director Lü Liang was sitting in the host's seat, with several section chiefs sitting on either side. When they saw Hou Liangping enter, they all stood up to greet him: "Director Hou."

Hou Liangping nodded and sat down in his seat.

The meeting began, chaired by Lü Liang.

"Today I'll mainly report on the progress of several key cases," Lü Liang said, opening a folder. "First, the bribery case of Vice Mayor Yantai, which has now entered the review and prosecution stage; second, the embezzlement case of a district head in Jingzhou, the evidence is basically solidified; third..."

He kept it very simple, only saying a few words about each case without going into detail.

After listening for a while, Hou Liangping asked, "How much money was involved in the case of Vice Mayor Lin Cheng? Were any other people implicated?"

Lü Liang paused for a moment: "The preliminary estimate of the amount involved is eight million yuan, and no other individuals have been found to be involved in the case so far."

"Preliminary assessment?" Hou Liangping pressed, "Is there any room for further investigation?"

“This…” Lü Liang glanced at the others, “We will continue our investigation.”

The answer was very official and perfunctory.

Hou Liangping asked a few more questions, but Lü Liang always had the same attitude: touch on the surface and don't go into depth.

After the meeting, several section chiefs surrounded Lü Liang to report on their work and discuss the case.

No one came looking for Hou Liangping.

He stood at the door of the conference room, watching the section chiefs and Lü Liang chatting and laughing, feeling like an outsider.

I ate lunch in the cafeteria.

Hou Liangping carried the tray inside and saw several section chiefs he used to eat with sitting in a corner.

He walked over, and when the group saw him, their conversation suddenly stopped, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

"Director Hou, want to eat together?" a section chief said.

“Okay.” Hou Liangping sat down.

We chatted casually for a few minutes, mostly about trivial things—the weather, weekend plans, and the kids' school.

No one proposed any ideas, no one mentioned work.

Less than ten minutes into the meal, the section chiefs said they were full and hurriedly left.

Hou Liangping sat there alone, watching the small groups of people in the canteen, listening to their laughter and chatter, and slowly eating the rice that had gone cold.

He recalled when he first arrived in Handong, everyone in the cafeteria would vie to sit with him, asking him about the Supreme People's Procuratorate and seeking his experience in handling cases. Back then, he was full of ambition and felt he could make a name for himself in Handong.

What now?

He became a bureau chief without real power, a passerby waiting to return to the Supreme People's Procuratorate next year.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Hou Liangping sat in his office in a daze.

He wanted to do something, but now he couldn't command anyone or access the case files.

My phone vibrated on the table; it was a text message.

He picked it up and saw it was from Chen Hai: "Are you free tonight? Let's go out for a drink."

Hou Liangping stared at the text message, and a thought suddenly came to his mind.

Chen Hai.

Chen Hai had previously mentioned that clues had been discovered at the Handong Oil and Gas Group.

Moreover, that clue might be related to Zhao Lichun.

Zhao Lichun.

This name is like a taboo in Handong; no one dares to mention it openly. But everyone knows that the mess Zhao Lichun left behind in Handong has not yet been settled.

If he could uncover a major case related to the Zhao family...

Hou Liangping's eyes lit up.

This is exactly what he wanted.

He replied to the text message: "Okay, see you at the usual place."

7 PM, a private room at a restaurant near Handong University.

When Hou Liangping arrived, Chen Hai was already waiting in the private room.

"Long time no see, Director Hou," Chen Hai said, standing up to greet him.

"How have you been lately?" Hou Liangping sat down beside him.

“What else can I do?” Chen Hai said with a wry smile. “In the state-owned enterprise’s prosecutor’s office, I’m just a figurehead, bored out of my mind. My dad tried to use his connections to get me the deputy chief prosecutor of Jingzhou, but there’s been no news.”

Hou Liangping smiled bitterly: "I'm pretty much the same. I'm just a figurehead now, I have no real power. Lü Liang is in charge of the work, and important cases don't go through me."

Both men had worked at the provincial procuratorate for many years and were well-informed. Hou Liangping had made a mistake in Ouyang Jing's case and was aware of his current predicament.

There was a moment of silence.

The waiter came in to serve the food, then left again.

Chen Hai picked up his teacup, took a sip, then put it down and lowered his voice: "Liangping, I may have found a lead to settle accounts with the Zhao family."

Hou Liangping immediately became alert and leaned forward: "What line?"

"Do you still remember the mess Zhao Lichun left behind in Handong?" Chen Hai looked at him. "I might have found a breakthrough."

"What breakthrough point?"

Chen Hai took out his notebook and opened it: "Handong Oil and Gas Group, do you know who the current chairman is?"

“Liu Xinjian?” Hou Liangping said, “Zhao Lichun’s former secretary.”

“Yes,” Chen Hai nodded. “Two years ago, there was an unusual asset transfer by the oil and gas group. The Qingshan gas field has proven reserves of about 50 billion cubic meters. According to market prices, the mining rights are worth at least 2 billion. But the oil and gas group only transferred it to the Shanshui Group for 500 million. That’s a difference of 1.5 billion.”

Hou Liangping's eyes lit up: "Shanshui Group? What's their background?"

Chen Hai looked at him and said, word by word, "The Zhao family's white gloves."

Hou Liangping gasped.