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

Secretary Luo Xuejun knocked and entered, whispering a report in his ear. Gao Yuliang's expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded.

"understood."

Luo Xuejun left and gently closed the door behind him.

Gao Yuliang put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes for a while.

Liu Xinjian. Zhao Lichun's secretary. Chairman of Handong Oil & Gas.

He went through those words in his mind, over and over again.

Then he opened his eyes and picked up the red phone on the table.

"Secretary Sha, this is Gao Yuliang. I have something I'd like to report to you. Is this a convenient time for you?"

Sha Ruijin was waiting for him in his office.

When Gao Yuliang came in, Sha Ruijin was standing by the window, looking out.

He seems to really enjoy looking out from this spot.

“Secretary Sha.” Gao Yuliang stood at the door, not moving forward.

Sha Ruijin turned around and smiled: "Comrade Yuliang is here, please sit down."

The two sat down on the sofa. Secretary Bai Jingwen came in, made tea, and then left.

The office was quiet for a while.

Gao Yuliang took a document out of his briefcase and handed it over with both hands.

"Secretary Sha, this is my written self-criticism to the Provincial Party Committee regarding the Luzhou Crescent Lake Food City project."

Sha Ruijin took it, but didn't look at it immediately; he placed it on the coffee table.

Gao Yuliang continued, "The Crescent Lake Food City project was approved during my time working in Lüzhou. Over the years, the public has had many complaints about pollution. As the decision-maker at the time, I bear an unshirkable responsibility."

He paused, his tone becoming even more somber.

“I talked about it at the last democratic life meeting, and I also wrote about it in this self-criticism. The situation at that time had historical limitations. But in the end, it was my own problem—I trusted the judgment of my superiors too much, relied too much on the promises of investors, and failed to anticipate the potential problems. I accept these responsibilities.”

Sha Ruijin picked up the self-criticism and flipped through it.

Well written. Clearly organized, insightful analysis, neither evasive nor exaggerated. It's evident that it was written by a skilled person, and that someone who has thought about it for a long time.

He closed the self-criticism and placed it on the table.

"Comrade Yuliang, I have read your self-criticism." His tone was very calm. "It is very well written and insightful. This shows that your understanding of this matter is accurate."

Gao Yuliang bowed slightly: "Thank you, Secretary Sha."

“But,” Sha Ruijin changed the subject, “what do you plan to do with this self-criticism?”

Gao Yuliang paused for a moment, then said, "According to procedure, it should be reported to the Provincial Party Committee, and then forwarded to the higher authorities by the Provincial Party Committee."

Sha Ruijin nodded and remained silent for a while.

Then he said something that surprised Gao Yuliang:

"Comrade Yuliang, let's leave this self-criticism at the provincial level for now."

Gao Yuliang raised his head and looked at Sha Ruijin.

Sha Ruijin's face remained expressionless.

“I have read everything you wrote in your self-criticism,” Sha Ruijin said. “Your understanding of the problem is accurate. Your acceptance of responsibility is also sincere. However, the Crescent Lake issue is, in the final analysis, a legacy of history.”

He paused, his tone becoming more composed.

“I’m not trying to cover for anyone. I’m considering the bigger picture. What Handong needs right now is stability, unity, and the ability to focus its energy on development. We’re already working on resolving the Crescent Lake issue. The food court is being demolished, and the people’s demands are being addressed. That’s enough.”

Gao Yuliang remained silent for a long time.

He certainly understood what Sha Ruijin meant. Once this self-criticism was submitted, it would become "ironclad evidence," but the damage would be limited. Sha Ruijin was suppressing it now not because Gao Yuliang was innocent, but most likely because—now was not the time.

Or perhaps, it will never be the right time.

How things will develop depends on how things go.

“Secretary Sha,” Gao Yuliang’s voice was a little hoarse, “I…”

"That's all for now." Sha Ruijin waved his hand. "Go back and get back to work. Also, keep an eye on the follow-up rectification of Crescent Lake. Report any problems to the Provincial Party Committee in a timely manner."

Gao Yuliang stood up and bowed slightly: "Thank you, Secretary Sha."

When he turned to leave, his steps were lighter than when he came, but his shoulders seemed heavier.

Qi Tongwei learned of the news in the afternoon.

He sat in his office for a long time, staring blankly out the window.

Liu Xinjian was arrested. Gao Yuliang wrote a self-criticism. Sha Ruijin suppressed the self-criticism.

These three things together are like a set of dominoes; when the first one falls, the rest follow.

He went through the three things in his mind, then picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number.

"Secretary Tian, ​​this is Qi Tongwei. There's something I'd like to discuss with you in person. Is now a convenient time?"

Tian Guofu naturally agreed.

When Qi Tongwei came in, he was holding a kraft paper envelope.

"Secretary Tian, ​​I'm sorry to bother you." He sat down on the sofa and placed the envelope on the coffee table.

Tian Guofu glanced at the envelope but didn't touch it.

"Governor Qi, this is..."

“Some time ago, I received a letter of complaint.” Qi Tongwei’s voice was calm. “The target of the complaint was the children of Liang Qunfeng, the former deputy secretary of the provincial party committee and secretary of the political and legal affairs commission, who has already retired.”

Tian Guofu's eyelid twitched.

Liang Qunfeng. He was the deputy secretary of the Handong Provincial Party Committee. Although he had been retired for many years, he still wielded some influence in Handong.

The successor who jumped ship, Gao Yuliang, and the disaffected son-in-law, Xiao Gangyu.

“The whistleblower letter says,” Qi Tongwei continued, “that during Liang Qunfeng’s tenure, his children used his influence to obtain improper benefits in multiple projects. The whistleblower letter was accompanied by some materials, which, although not very complete, provided relatively clear clues.”

He pushed the envelope toward Tian Guofu.

"I am here today to formally transfer this letter of complaint and related materials to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. I hope the Commission will initiate an investigation."

Tian Guofu looked at the envelope but did not take it immediately.

He looked at Qi Tongwei with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Governor Qi, why are you only handing it in now?"

Qi Tongwei said with a smile, "Because Secretary Sha said that no matter which gang or faction he belongs to, as long as the evidence is conclusive, he will be dealt with according to the law. Retirement doesn't mean he's 'safely landed'."

“I support Secretary Sha’s speech. Therefore, I cannot cover up the clues I have.”

Tian Guofu stared at him for a long time.

Then he reached out and took the envelope.

"Governor Qi, thank you for your support of the Discipline Inspection Commission's work." His voice was formal, but there was a subtle glint in his eyes. "We will handle this according to procedure."

Qi Tongwei stood up and nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble Secretary Tian."

Chapter 177 Thirty Years of Fortune East

The provincial discipline inspection commission's investigation into the Liang family started faster than anyone expected.

Three days after Qi Tongwei transferred the materials for the report, Tian Guofu gave a special report at the Standing Committee meeting. He did not name names, but only said, "We have received a report about the suspected disciplinary violations and illegal activities of the children of a retired provincial leader. After preliminary verification, some of the clues are specific and credible, and we recommend that an investigation be launched."

Sha Ruijin did not offer any opinion, only saying, "Follow the procedures."

Following procedures is a way of expressing a stance.

Using a program is a common practice for third parties or insignificant individuals who do not want to take sides when faced with a power struggle between two opposing forces; it is also the only option for self-protection.

On the day the investigation team entered the Liang siblings' company, Liang Yu was looking at reports in her office.

He is the eldest son of the Liang family and serves as the deputy director of the provincial procuratorate's office. He has not changed positions for many years and is about to retire. His wife owns a trading company, but he is actually in charge of it.

The company wasn't large, but it was well-known in the industry—everyone knew it was a Liang family business. Over the past decade, he had long been accustomed to this "special treatment." Approvals came faster than others, loans were easier to obtain, and even tax inspections were less frequent.

So when two disciplinary officials in dark jackets stood in front of him, he was stunned for several seconds.

“Comrade Liang Yu,” the leading cadre was young, in his early thirties, and spoke with neither servility nor arrogance, “we are from the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. According to our work arrangements, we need your cooperation in an investigation to verify some information. Please come with us.”

Liang Yu's fingers felt slightly cold. He glanced at the phone on the table, then at the door. The secretary stood there, her face pale.

"Can I make a phone call?" His voice was relatively calm.

"Not for now." The young cadre's tone was polite, but not open to discussion. "Please cooperate with our work."

Liang Yu remained silent for a few seconds. His mind raced, his first thought being—who is targeting the Liang family?

Who else could it be?!

His fingers gripped the bag strap tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"Can I contact a lawyer?" he asked again, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

The young cadre glanced at him and said calmly, "Comrade Liang Yu, this is an organizational investigation, not a judicial process. You will learn about the relevant regulations when you get to the Discipline Inspection Commission."

Liang Yu's heart sank.

He knew this wasn't a routine "assisting in an investigation." If it were just about gathering information, it wouldn't be so sudden or so formal. This was serious business.

He stood up and picked up his bag. The moment he stood up, he suddenly felt his legs go weak and had to lean on the table for support.

"Let's go."

He didn't struggle, didn't resist, and didn't even ask a question. After getting on the bus, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, but his mind never stopped racing.

That young man who was forced to leave Handong by Liang Lu and then framed by Liang Jin is now the Executive Vice Governor.

He had anticipated this day would come sooner or later ever since he returned to Handong.

He tried to console himself, thinking that although his actions back then had crossed a line, they had at least caused some real harm. Besides, his family had done Secretary Yuliang a favor; with his help, perhaps the matter would just pass.

But what's meant to happen will happen eventually.