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

At this moment, Qi Tongwei is sitting here, replacing Governor Liu as the head of the government, but he has not yet officially taken office as governor, so his position is not legitimate.

Qi Tongwei smiled and said calmly, "It's not really a five-person group. I reported to Governor Liu, but he said he had a meeting this afternoon and couldn't leave, so he asked me to report directly to Secretary Sha. We're all sitting here to clarify this matter and clear up any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Sha Ruijin put down his teacup and spoke calmly, "Alright, let's get down to business. This morning, the news about Li Dakang and his ex-wife Ouyang Jing has been spreading like wildfire. Comrade Tongwei suggested we have a discussion, which I think is a good idea. The innocent will clear themselves up, and it will also dispel some rumors."

Although his words were fair, his inclination was already clear—just this morning, when he publicly praised Hou Liangping for "protecting a reform general in Handong," his stance was already there.

Sha Ruijin turned to Gao Yuliang: "Comrade Yuliang, you are in charge of political and legal affairs. This case of Ouyang Jing was also investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate. Tell everyone the details."

Gao Yuliang nodded, put down his teacup, and said calmly, "Yes, Secretary Sha."

His eloquence was always outstanding, and he recounted the morning's events in detail, from Cai Chenggong's report, the bank card investigation, the anti-corruption bureau's plan, to the highway interception—the entire process was well-organized and captivating. Many of those present had already heard about the morning's events, but Gao Yuliang's retelling made the details even clearer.

After Gao Yuliang finished speaking, Sha Ruijin nodded: "Now that everyone has heard the matter clearly, what are your thoughts?"

Tian Guofu spoke first, his tone unhurried: "Our Discipline Inspection Commission is also aware of Ouyang Jing's matter. She abused her power as vice president to seek personal gain. We have already opened a case internally and are currently investigating, but... we are not as quick as the procuratorate."

This statement contains two layers of meaning: first, it limits Ouyang Jing's problem to herself and does not implicate Li Dakang; second, it shows that the Discipline Inspection Commission is not completely unaware of this matter and is not incompetent.

Gao Yuliang immediately followed up, his tone tinged with concern: "Ouyang Jing has already been arrested. The key question now is—did Li Dakang know about it? Was he involved? If so, how much was he involved?"

The atmosphere in the reception room changed slightly.

Sha Ruijin glanced at Gao Yuliang and asked in a calm tone, "Comrade Yuliang, Comrade Chunlin, you have been in Handong for many years and know the situation well. Have Li Dakang and Ouyang Jing really been separated for a long time?"

Wu Chunlin sat up straight and answered cautiously: "Secretary Dakang and Ouyang Jing have indeed been separated for many years, and their relationship has always been strained. Many people in Jingzhou know this."

Gao Yuliang nodded: "I've heard of that too."

Sha Ruijin's tone became more composed, but every word carried weight: "Since the situation is true, would Li Dakang, a capable and willing member of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, break the law for an ex-wife with whom he has no emotional foundation?"

Gao Yuliang raised his eyelids, his tone gentle, but his words were laced with sarcasm: "The separation is indeed true, but... how could outsiders know the inside story of a marriage?"

The implication is self-evident—such superficial harmony is quite common in officialdom.

Sha Ruijin's expression darkened, and his tone carried a hint of criticism: "We cannot speculate without evidence. That's not good; it could easily harm our comrades and create chaos."

The reception room was quiet for a moment.

Qi Tongwei slowly put down his teacup and said, "Secretary Sha, I heard that you approved his divorce from Ouyang Jing?"

“Yes.” Sha Ruijin said calmly, “When I went to Lincheng for research last time, Li Dakang reported to me that Ouyang Jing had already taken early retirement and was going abroad to be with her daughter. If they didn’t get a divorce, Li Dakang would become a ‘naked official’ and would have to resign from his post. I understood the situation and it was true that there was no longer any affection between the couple. I didn’t want such a capable comrade to leave, so I agreed.”

Qi Tongwei nodded calmly: "Based on what I knew at the time, agreeing to their divorce was indeed appropriate. However, I also have a question."

Sha Ruijin said seriously, "Go on."

"Secretary Sha just said that we shouldn't speculate without evidence, as it could easily harm our comrades and cause confusion. That's absolutely right." Qi Tongwei paused, his tone unhurried. "However, the current situation is that the Anti-Corruption Bureau has already taken significant action, and the impact has already been created, and it's an extremely negative one. If our Provincial Party Committee remains silent, what will the people think of us?"

He put down his teacup, his tone becoming even more serious: "A high-ranking official in Handong, along with his trusted subordinates from his time in both locations, have been investigated for corruption. His ex-wife was taken away from his car in public by anti-corruption officials. How can the people believe he's clean?"

The atmosphere in the reception room became even more tense.

Tian Guofu interjected, his tone calm: "Our Discipline Inspection Commission has indeed received quite a few reports about Li Dakang, all sorts of things, from 'one-man rule' to 'autocratic' behavior,' to 'all sorts of things.' But very few of the reports are about him embezzling, and we've verified them; they're all false. Although his reputation isn't good right now, and his situation isn't good either, without solid evidence, we can't very well report to the Central Committee and punish an official who has made outstanding contributions to the economic development of Handong, can we?"

Qi Tongwei turned his head slightly to look at Tian Guofu, his tone still calm, but his words became sharp: "Secretary Tian, ​​conclusive evidence is a standard required by the procuratorate when convicting someone and filing a public prosecution. Does your discipline inspection commission wait until conclusive evidence is delivered directly to your hands before you will begin an investigation?"

Tian Guofu's face darkened: "This..."

Qi Tongwei gave him no chance to catch his breath and continued in a calm tone: "In many cases, as long as there is a report, the Discipline Inspection Commission should accept it. The current situation is that there is conclusive evidence of bribery against Li Dakang's ex-wife; Ding Yizhen, Li Dakang's former subordinate, escaped 'accidentally' after a senior official in Handong leaked the arrest warrant issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate. In this situation, can the Discipline Inspection Commission turn a blind eye to such cadres?"

Tian Guofu cleared his throat and corrected, "Not wife, ex-wife."

“She’s his ex-wife, that’s right.” Qi Tongwei nodded, then turned to Sha Ruijin without making a sound, his tone casual. “However, the timing of this divorce is too coincidental. They just divorced this morning, and less than an hour later, Ouyang Jing was taken away. Could it be that Li Dakang received some advance notice and made the hasty decision to cut ties?”

Sha Ruijin's eyes darkened: "Comrade Tongwei, you don't suspect me of colluding with Li Dakang, do you? He reported this to me before, and I made it very clear."

“That’s not what I meant.” Qi Tongwei’s tone was neither humble nor arrogant, and his expression was calm. “It’s just that there are indeed too many suspicious points about Li Dakang. In the face of this situation, we don’t need to report to the central government, but at the very least, the provincial discipline inspection commission should launch an investigation into Li Dakang. If the investigation finds nothing wrong, it can clear his name. It’s much better than just letting things slide like this.”

He paused for a moment, then added, "Furthermore, I believe that the Discipline Inspection Commission should have a formal conversation with Li Dakang on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee to inquire about certain issues. This would also be a way to protect our Provincial Party Committee itself."

That hit the nail on the head.

If we don't even bother to investigate such problematic figures, how will our superiors view them if Li Dakang gets into trouble in the future? Nobody wants to be labeled like that.

Gao Yuliang then spoke up, his tone earnest: "I think Governor Tongwei is right. Launching an investigation is to clear Secretary Dakang's name and also to be responsible to the organization. After all, impartiality breeds clarity, and integrity breeds authority. Without proving his incorruptibility, where does his prestige come from?"

The words sound nice, but the meaning is crystal clear—kicking someone when they're down, all under the guise of "it's for your own good."

This incident, coupled with a formal interview by the provincial discipline inspection commission, will likely further damage its authority.

Tian Guofu pondered for a moment and nodded, his expression complicated: "I also think it would be beneficial to have a talk."

Wu Chunlin didn't speak, but he nodded slightly.

Sha Ruijin glanced at the four people present and already understood.

Gao Yuliang wanted to kick his old rival when he was down, that goes without saying; Tian Guofu wanted to use the meeting with the Standing Committee members to demonstrate the authority of the Discipline Inspection Commission, while also leaving himself a way out; Qi Tongwei's purpose was the hardest to guess, possibly because Li Dakang had already joined his camp, and as fellow economic talents, they were mutually exclusive; Wu Chunlin, on the other hand, went with the flow, following whichever wind blew.

But they have one thing in common—to protect themselves.

With all these things happening, the most important thing is how they will explain themselves to their superiors if Li Dakang really runs into trouble in the future.

They need reassurance, but they also need a shield.

The reassurance was: the Discipline Inspection Commission investigated Li Dakang, and if there were indeed no problems, it would be best if nothing else happened; the shield was: we did investigate, but Li Dakang was too cunning, and we didn't find anything.

In that case, it's at most a matter of ability, not attitude, or a failure of methodology, rather than a mistake in values.

The investigation will only go to the disciplinary committee, and will not implicate the individuals present here.

Whether or not they will be able to catch up with Sha Ruijin depends on whether he interfered with the investigation.

Tian Guofu was actually somewhat reluctant to take on this hot potato, but he also knew that Sha Ruijin would never hand over the investigation power to the political and legal system under Gao Yuliang's supervision.

They might as well take the initiative and use the opportunity to enhance the authority of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Seeing that launching an investigation into Li Dakang was the consensus, Sha Ruijin remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his tone neither too warm nor too cold: "Very well, it's good to investigate. Comrade Guofu, this matter is entrusted to you. Make sure you investigate thoroughly. If Li Dakang is clean, then clear his name."

If he refuses now, and Li Dakang runs into trouble in the future, the responsibility will fall entirely on his shoulders.

Tian Guofu stood up and bowed slightly: "Okay, Secretary Sha, I will definitely do it carefully."

“Any other questions?” Sha Ruijin asked.

"I have another question I'd like to ask Comrade Chunlin," Qi Tongwei said, turning to Wu Chunlin in a friendly tone.

Wu Chunlin turned his head: "Governor Qi, please speak."

“Previously, Secretary Sha approved Li Dakang's divorce from Ouyang Jing to protect him from becoming a ‘naked official’ (an official whose family members have emigrated abroad).” Qi Tongwei spoke slowly and deliberately, enunciating each word clearly. “Now that Ouyang Jing has been arrested, and Li Dakang only has one daughter who lives abroad, wouldn’t you say he’s a ‘naked official’?”

The term "naked official" is not explicitly defined in Party discipline and regulations, but in practice it usually refers to state employees whose spouses have emigrated abroad, or who do not have a spouse but whose children have all emigrated abroad.

Li Dakang's situation skirted the law. The reason he specifically reported to Sha Ruijin and obtained permission was that he offered to surrender in exchange for Sha Ruijin endorsing his ambiguous situation.

Now, with her daughter abroad and Ouyang Jing arrested, the situation is ambiguous again. You can say she's a "naked official" (an official whose family members have emigrated abroad), or you can say she isn't.

Who can say whether he is right or wrong? Naturally, it has to be Sha Ruijin.

Qi Tongwei ostensibly asked Wu Chunlin, but everyone knew that the question was actually aimed at Sha Ruijin.

Wu Chunlin understood, of course, that he had neither the reason nor the authority to vouch for Li Dakang. So he cautiously said, "This situation is rather special. I need to go back and check the relevant cases before reporting to Secretary Sha."

There was a brief silence in the reception room.

Sha Ruijin had been somewhat composed, but seeing the others shirking their responsibilities one by one, he became wary.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke calmly, but his meaning was clear: "Comrade Guofu, when you talk to Li Dakang, could you remind him for me—could you persuade his daughter to return to China to develop her career? Handong is developing rapidly now, and it needs young people like her to come back and build the motherland."

This means they are unwilling to endorse Li Dakang, but given Li Dakang's changed circumstances, they probably won't mind.

Tian Guofu nodded: "Okay, Secretary Sha."

Sha Ruijin put down his teacup and looked at everyone: "Any other questions?"

The group looked at each other and shook their heads.

"That's all for today." Sha Ruijin stood up, his tone carrying a hint of finality. "Everyone, go back to your work. Meeting adjourned."

The people dispersed.

Only Sha Ruijin remained standing in the reception room.

Bai Jingwen came in to clear the teacups and saw Sha Ruijin standing by the window, staring blankly outside, without saying a word.

After a while, Sha Ruijin turned around, his voice calm but his eyes deep: "Xiao Bai, do you know who the smartest person is at today's meeting?"

Bai Jingwen paused for a moment, not daring to answer casually.

Sha Ruijin said to himself, "It's Governor Liu."

Chapter 137 Trapped Beast

The news spread faster than expected.

Although it wasn't a formal five-person group meeting and there was no dedicated meeting recorder, the content of the meeting still spread outwards in ripples.

Unlike Sha Ruijin's praise of Hou Liangping, which became widely known within hours.

This time, the spread of information was more covert, but also more persistent. Within a few days, cadres at the department level and above generally knew the gist of the meeting, and even some well-informed division-level cadres had heard a great deal about it.

This situation was naturally the result of the tacit approval, or even the covert promotion, of the five people attending the meeting.

Qi Tongwei was among them.

Instead of speaking to Sha Ruijin privately, he specifically called Gao Yuliang, Tian Guofu, and Wu Chunlin together for a meeting to show his attitude—he was skeptical of Li Dakang.

The more people who know this, the better.

The same goes for everyone else. Everyone is leaving themselves a way out, preparing for possible accountability.

The day after the meeting, Tian Guofu invited Li Dakang to the Discipline Inspection Commission for a two-hour interview. The Commission's staff also conducted an investigation into Li Dakang.

However, on the one hand, Li Dakang himself had very low material desires and lived a simple life that was impeccable; on the other hand, he did not participate in Ouyang Jing's corrupt activities, and it was a fact that the couple had been separated for many years; most importantly, although Sha Ruijin agreed to let Tian Guofu talk to Li Dakang on behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, his attitude was still to protect Li Dakang.

Therefore, Tian Guofu's conversation with Li Dakang was not in-depth, and the investigation remained superficial, without utilizing the true methods of the Discipline Inspection Commission. The result was naturally a half-hearted effort, ending without any real resolution.

However, this incident still had a significant impact on Li Dakang.

The most direct impact was the erosion of his authority.

The provincial procuratorate stopped the car in public, and the discipline inspection commission held talks with and questioned the driver. Although no punishment was ultimately imposed, many astute officials had already sensed the shift in the political climate.

Li Dakang's authority remained strong, and no one dared to express anything to his face. However, he could clearly sense that his orders were encountering some unseen resistance at the execution level.

This is someone with ulterior motives testing us.