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

"you sure?"

“It’s confirmed,” Chen Hai said. “Shanshui Group has a registered capital of 200 million yuan, but the actual controller is said to be Zhao Ruilong. Over the years, Shanshui Group has acquired a lot of projects in Handong—coal mines, gas fields, and land, all of which are high-quality assets, and the prices are ridiculously low. This is a typical case of transferring benefits.”

Hou Liangping leaned back in his chair, his mind racing.

“This is a major case,” he said. “If it can be verified, it’s not just about the loss of state-owned assets, but we can also follow the clues and find the Zhao family.”

“That’s what I think too,” Chen Hai said excitedly. “Although Zhao Lichun has been transferred, he still has people in Handong. Liu Xinjian is one of them. If we can take down Liu Xinjian through this case, we can break the Zhao family’s protective umbrella in Handong.”

Chen Hai took a file folder out of his bag and handed it to Hou Liangping: "These are the materials I've collected. A copy of the transfer agreement, an evaluation report, meeting minutes. I also found several internal personnel from oil and gas groups who are willing to testify."

Hou Liangping took the file bag, opened it, and looked through the documents one by one.

The assessment report is significantly underestimating the data; many key figures have been suppressed.

The transfer process was very rushed, and many approval steps were simplified.

The board meeting minutes show that several directors raised objections, but Liu Xinjian overruled them and forced the resolution.

The key point is that the transfer agreement only bears Liu Xinjian's signature.

Hou Liangping looked up: "According to regulations, such a large project should be submitted to the provincial government for approval, right?"

“I reported it,” Chen Hai said, “but I can’t find the approval document. The people from the oil and gas group said that only Liu Xinjian himself saw the approval document he brought back, and then it was locked in a safe. I suspect that there is something wrong with the approval document.”

Hou Liangping frowned: "How did you get these materials?"

“It was quite a coincidence,” Chen Hai said. “One of Liu Xinjian’s deputies approached me. He said that Liu Xinjian had recently been running the oil and gas group like a dictator, which had caused dissatisfaction among many people. Moreover, many directors opposed the transfer of the Qingshan gas field, but Liu Xinjian had made the decision by force. He suspected that Liu Xinjian had problems and wanted to expose him through the procuratorate.”

"Offering themselves up to us?" Hou Liangping became wary. "Could it be a trap?"

“I’ve considered that possibility,” Chen Hai said, “but the materials are all genuine, I’ve verified them. And those witnesses are indeed employees of the oil and gas group.”

Chen Hai paused for a moment, then said meaningfully, "Do you think the two of us are the only smart ones? People who can become deputy general managers of state-owned enterprises are no simpletons. He must have seen an opportunity to settle scores with the Zhao family and is planning to make a quick buck just like us."

Hou Liangping was silent for a moment, then said, "Chen Hai, you're right. Cleaning up the Zhao family's influence in Handong is our chance to turn things around."

He looked at Chen Hai with a determined gaze: "We will investigate this case."

“However,” Hou Liangping cautioned, “we must be careful. Liu Xinjian is Zhao Lichun’s former subordinate, but he has been operating in Handong for many years and has deep roots. Moreover, the Zhao family’s influence is still there, and they are not to be trifled with. Once we make a move, we must be quick, accurate, and ruthless, and not give them time to react.”

“I understand,” Chen Hai said. “This time we’re going to do something big. We’ll take down Liu Xinjian and, incidentally, uncover the Zhao family’s network of interests in Handong.”

The two people reached out their hands and clasped them together.

Hou Liangping felt his palms were sweaty, unsure whether it was from nervousness or excitement.

This is an adventure.

But this was also his last chance in Handong.

Three days later, at nine o'clock in the morning, the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Provincial People's Procuratorate.

Hou Liangping convened a meeting of the leadership team.

Lü Liang and several section chiefs were present and sitting in the conference room, wondering what Director Hou wanted to say when he suddenly called the meeting.

Hou Liangping took out the materials provided by Chen Hai and placed them on the table: "The case of the loss of state-owned assets of Handong Oil and Gas Group has conclusive evidence, and the case will be formally filed today."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Lü Liang looked at the document and hesitated for a moment: "Director Hou, this case involves Liu Xinjian. Should we report it to Prosecutor Ji first?"

"Let's file a case first, and I'll report it after it's filed," Hou Liangping said firmly. "This is within the jurisdiction of our anti-corruption bureau, so we can file a case first."

Lü Liang wanted to say something more, but when he saw Chen Hai's signature on the document, he swallowed his words.

"Okay, then I'll go and complete the case filing procedures."

The case filing process was completed quickly.

Hou Liangping signed the document, the investigation team was established, and the investigation began.

At 2 p.m. that day, at the headquarters of Handong Oil and Gas Group.

Several vehicles belonging to the procuratorate were parked at the entrance of the building. Hou Liangping led a dozen or so people directly into the building.

"The Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating a case; please cooperate!"

Investigators sealed up financial documents, transferred files, and detained several key witnesses.

The entire oil and gas group building was in complete chaos.

When Liu Xinjian received the news in his office, he put down his teacup, a hint of smugness flashing across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

He straightened his suit and walked out of the office.

“Director Hou,” Liu Xinjian met Hou Liangping in the corridor and offered his hand, “If there are any problems, I will definitely cooperate with the investigation.”

His attitude was sincere and he showed no sign of panic.

Hou Liangping shook hands with him, but sensed something was off.

Logically speaking, Liu Xinjian should be nervous.

But he was too calm.

This is not normal.

4 PM, Financial Archives Room of the Oil and Gas Group.

Hou Liangping and Chen Hai reviewed the transfer documents together.

The archivist opened the safe and took out a thick folder: "This contains all the files related to the transfer of the Qingshan Gas Field."

Hou Liangping took it, opened it, and read it page by page.

Transfer agreement, valuation report, board resolution, financial statements...

He turned to the last page and saw the approval documents.

There is a signature on it: Liu Changsheng.

Hou Liangping stopped.

Chen Hai, who was standing nearby, also saw it and his face turned pale.

"Was this transaction approved by Governor Liu?" Hou Liangping asked the records administrator.

“Yes,” the archivist said, “such a large transaction must be approved by the provincial government. We submitted it, and Governor Liu approved it. The approval document is right here.”

Hou Liangping carefully read the approval document.

Approval date: July 2014.

Approval: Introducing private capital to revitalize state-owned assets aligns with the direction of reform.

Signature: Liu Changsheng.

The handwriting is neat and the seal is clear.

Chen Hai whispered, "Liangping, this..."

Hou Liangping took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

“Don’t panic,” he said. “Liu Changsheng’s approval doesn’t mean he’s guilty. He might have been misled. In any case, we need to find out the truth.”

“But Liu Changsheng is the governor,” Chen Hai said. “We investigated the projects he approved, and this…”

“We are investigating the loss of state-owned assets, and we are investigating the Zhao family’s front man,” Hou Liangping interrupted him, “not Liu Changsheng. Even if he approved it, it doesn’t mean he knew about the shady dealings.”

He made a copy of the approval document and put it in a document bag.

But I already felt a vague unease in my heart.

Six o'clock in the evening, in the Anti-Corruption Bureau's interrogation room.

Liu Xinjian voluntarily came to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, his attitude remaining sincere.

Hou Liangping and Chen Hai questioned him together.

"Chairman Liu, did you make the decision to transfer the Qingshan Gas Field?" Hou Liangping asked.

“Yes,” Liu Xinjian nodded, “The board of directors discussed and approved it, and I signed it.”

Why is the transfer price so low?

“Although the Qingshan gas field has large reserves, it is also difficult to extract,” Liu Xinjian explained. “The oil and gas group is short of funds and cannot come up with the initial investment of 3 billion yuan. Introducing private capital is to revitalize the assets. This is the direction of the provincial government’s reform, and Governor Liu has also approved it.”

What is the background of the Shanshui Group?

Liu Xinjian paused for a moment, then said naturally, "It's a private enterprise with experience in the energy industry. After evaluation by the board of directors, they are capable of developing this project."

"What is your relationship with the boss of the Shanshui Group?"

"Normal business relationship, no private dealings."

Hou Liangping stared into Liu Xinjian's eyes, trying to glean something from them.

But Liu Xinjian's gaze was calm and unwavering.

“Okay,” Hou Liangping said, “Don’t leave Jingzhou these next few days and cooperate with the investigation at any time.”

“No problem,” Liu Xinjian stood up. “Director Hou, I believe the organization will investigate and find out the truth.”

He walked out of the interrogation room, went downstairs, and got into his car.

As the car door closed, Liu Xinjian's expression changed.

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

At six o'clock that evening, Hou Liangping's phone rang.

He was organizing materials at the anti-corruption bureau when he saw the caller ID: Zhong Xiaoai.

"Liangping, have you opened an investigation into the project approved by Governor Liu?" Zhong Xiaoai's voice was filled with panic.

Hou Liangping was taken aback: "How did you know? We just opened a case."

“It’s all over the province now,” Zhong Xiaoai said. “They say the Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating Handong Oil and Gas Group, and projects approved by Governor Liu Changsheng are being investigated. My dad just called me, and he sounded very stern, asking if I knew about this.”

Hou Liangping became anxious: "How did the news spread so fast? We are only investigating the loss of state-owned assets, not Governor Liu."

“But there are rumors circulating that you’re investigating Governor Liu,” Zhong Xiaoai said. “Liangping, this matter… is very troublesome. My dad wants you to stop immediately.”

Hou Liangping hung up the phone and said to Chen Hai beside him, "Something's not right. We've only just opened a case, and the news is already spreading like wildfire. And it's saying 'investigating Governor Liu,' not 'investigating the oil and gas group.' Someone's stirring things up behind the scenes."

"Could it be Liu Xinjian?" Chen Hai asked.