In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

The smiles on Old Zhong and his father's faces vanished the moment Zhong Xiaoai entered, especially when they looked at Hou Haoran standing next to her.

Where's your monkey?

Mr. Zhong spoke first, saying that although he didn't like it, Liangping still had to show up when the time came.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai sighed heavily.

"Dad, something's happened to Liangping!"

When Zhong Xiaoai recounted Hou Liangping's ordeal in Handong, Zhong's father frowned deeply.

"You mean, the Handong side has more concrete evidence?"

Mr. Zhong cut straight to the heart of the matter, and Zhong Xiaoai nodded.

"That's what Tian Guofu from Handong said."

"Hmph! You're good for nothing but causing trouble! I told you long ago that Hou Liangping is not suitable for you. His vision is too narrow and his mind is too narrow. He is destined not to go far. But you just wouldn't listen. Although our Zhong family does not have a rule of forced marriage, tell me how many times we have cleaned up Hou Liangping's mess over the years?"

Accepting bribes? And leaving evidence, what are we supposed to do? If this news gets out, all those who hate him will swarm in. We can't help with this!

Mr. Zhong refused to help Hou Liangping outright. He was joking, saying that the original intention of sending Hou Liangping to Handong was to let him fend for himself, and the Zhong family did not want to continue to waste their energy on him.

“If he’s lucky, you can continue your relationship. If he’s expelled from the Party and removed from his post and transferred to the judiciary, you can get a divorce, have Hao Hao change his surname, and cut off all contact with Hou Liangping from now on.”

"dad!"

Zhong Xiaoai cried out in frustration.

“Your dad is right! He’s a hopeless case; if he continues like this, he’ll only drag our family down.”

When Old Zhong spoke, Zhong Xiaoai immediately fell silent.

"Dad, this is the last time. If Liangping doesn't learn his lesson, I'll listen to you!"

In the end, Zhong Xiaoai decided to give it a try.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhong was furious.

"I really don't know what's so great about that Hou Liangping that he can make you so infatuated. Let's talk about this after the New Year!"

Chapter 147 New Year's Eve, Tears Behind Bars

Mr. Zhong neither agreed nor refused, as he really didn't want to let the New Year affect his mood.

The No. 1 Courtyard of the Municipal Party Committee of Luzhou City, Handong.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, Chen Luo had finished all his work. Every year, Chen Luo would take two days off during the Spring Festival to spend with his family and give himself a break to relieve the stress of work.

"Dad, the fish are so cute, how should we eat them? I want them braised, it looks more festive, but my brother says he wants them steamed, saying that a lighter flavor will help him stay clear-headed. Dad, what flavor do you suggest?"

In a wooden basin in the yard were the groceries my mother-in-law had bought from the supermarket that morning, including a live mandarin fish.

Looking at Chen Zhengxi squatting next to the wooden basin, Chen Luo rubbed her little head and said, "Since the fish is so cute, shall we release it back into the wild? That way, you two siblings won't have to argue about taste anymore."

"Ahem, then let's not do that, Dad. Actually, steamed fish tastes pretty good too..."

After teasing the little girl, Chen Luo didn't rest. He wasn't a landlord, so during the New Year, the whole family had to pitch in to create some festive atmosphere.

The adults were in charge of cooking, while Chen Zhengshu and Chen Zhengxi were responsible for pasting up some "Fu" characters and hanging some small red lanterns on the bonsai in the yard.

We were busy until the afternoon, and the New Year's Eve dinner was ready.

Like any ordinary family, Chen Luo's family also raised their glasses in a toast. However, being from the south, they weren't particularly interested in the Spring Festival Gala. After their New Year's Eve dinner, the family gathered together to play games, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

In Jingzhou.

In the provincial party committee compound No. 1, Sha Ruijin was all alone, with only his secretary, Xiao Bai, to keep him company during the New Year. Tian Guofu, who lived not far away, was in the same situation, as was Li Dakang...

At Chen Yanshi's home, the atmosphere was joyous due to the Chinese New Year and Hou Liangping's arrest.

Even Chen Yanshi, who usually dislikes Tang Chuchu, gave her a red envelope, which was a rare occurrence.

"Dad, Hou Liangping probably won't be getting out this time!"

I heard from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection that in just one day, there were over 800 anonymous reports against Hou Liangping, and each one seemed to contain detailed evidence. Investigating all of these reports would take a year. It seems Hou Liangping has offended someone else.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, Chen Hai told his father the good news, and Chen Yanshi's eyes lit up when he heard it.

"Hou Liangping deserved it!"

To actually launch a sneak attack on an old comrade like me, relying on deception, he's utterly despicable!

Venting their emotions freely, Chen Yanshi and his son felt incredibly satisfied, especially Chen Hai, who not only sent Hou Liangping to the Discipline Inspection Commission but also gained a stunning girlfriend like Tang Chuchu for free. Heaven knows how happy he has been these past few days.

Thinking about the hardships he had endured, Chen Hai felt a surge of pride and triumph.

The protagonist of the story, Hou Liangping, was in a very miserable situation. Although the detention room was not a prison, it was in some ways worse than a prison. There was no one in the empty detention room who could say a word to him.

During the Lunar New Year, all that's available is a standard boxed meal: two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup. For most people, this might not be a problem, but for Hou Liangping, who's used to drinking specially supplied Moutai during the New Year, it's pure torture.

The clock had struck midnight. Usually, Liangping would already be eating the Zhong family's dumplings by this time.

"Are you ever going to stop?! Let me out!"

All the grievances welled up inside Hou Liangping, and he started banging on the closed door.

But there was absolutely no response from any of them; the entire detention room was specially designed.

The disciplinary committee staff weren't worried about Hou Liangping getting into trouble at all; after all, even if he hit a wall, the wall would be soft...

The New Year's bell rang, and New Year's Eve came to an end.

For several days in a row, the whole country was immersed in the joy of family reunion during the Spring Festival.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Chen Luo ended his vacation and started working.

Just after the New Year, Minister Hao Yi of Beijing will retire. Although Yuehu University is still under construction, it is time to promote it so that the whole country knows that such a college worth applying to has appeared in Luzhou!

The call was dialed and answered quickly.

"Happy Chinese New Year, Minister Hao!"

Chen Luo greeted him first, while Minister Hao chuckled and said, "You wouldn't call unless you had a reason. Do you know I've retired?"

"Well..."

"You're the most well-informed. I only found out half an hour ago that the organization approved my retirement application. By the way, I'm not kidding you anymore. I'll be coming to Luzhou in a few days to personally oversee the construction of Yuehu University. I want to ask you and your husband what your professional positioning is for Yuehu University. Is it just about introducing domestic industries or something else?"

After thinking for a moment, Chen Luo replied, "Minister Hao, you are the professional, you can handle the planning."

Minister Hao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"I do want to make Moon Lake University the world's top science and engineering university, that is..."

"Please speak, I'm listening!"

"The initial investment of 40 billion is probably not enough. Building the campus will cost more than 10 to 20 billion. However, if we want to build the world's top science and engineering university, we need to build a bunch of top-notch laboratories. Laboratories are the most expensive part. You understand?"

"Oh, I see."

Chen Luo breathed a sigh of relief; the money issue was now easily resolved.

"Minister Hao, my wife and I may lack other things, but if it's just money, you can rest assured. We will invest as long as the school needs it. If 40 billion is not enough, we will invest 100 billion; if 100 billion is not enough, we will invest 200 billion."

In short, money is worthless; you can spend it all and just keep earning it. But top-tier STEM universities with relative academic freedom are rare and invaluable; they are one of the pillars of a nation's future industrial strength. My husband and I are willing to invest this money!

Minister Hao's heart began to race.

He was all too aware of the predicament of domestic universities. Seniority was one problem, but the key issue was the lack of an environment conducive to innovation. Resources such as funding and laboratories were monopolized by the older generation.

If Yuehu University can truly pour in countless amounts of money as Chen Luo said, it would be a paradise for innovative research for young science and engineering talents eager to make achievements!

"Chen Luo, you guys are awesome!"

Until the very end, Minister Hao could only utter this one sentence; all other adjectives seemed too bland.

"Minister Hao, you flatter me. I'll be waiting for you in Lüzhou!"

"Okay, it's a deal!"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Luo continued with his work.

Hou Liangping refused to confess to the disciplinary committee of Handong Province. The committee staff simply provided evidence and detained Hou Liangping. Only now does Hou Liangping know how he was charged with bribery.

Chapter 148 Zhong Xiaoai's Choice

"Cai Chenggong, I have no grudge against you, and we are brothers who grew up together. Why did you harm me!"

Hou Liangping had only one thought in his mind.

In the interrogation room, the person who came to interrogate Hou Liangping this time was Tian Guofu, the secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission. As for why he attached such importance to it, it was naturally because someone wanted Tian Guofu to convict Hou Liangping!

"Hou Liangping, now I'll ask you a question, and you'll answer it."

"Secretary Tian, ​​Secretary Tian! I was wronged by Cai Chenggong!"

Hou Liangping wanted to continue protesting his innocence, but Tian Guofu's icy gaze made him stop mid-sentence.

"Currently, our provincial discipline inspection commission has received hundreds of letters reporting problems about you. In order of priority, we will first investigate the matter of Cai Chenggong bribing you."

"I'm asking you, Cai Chenggong said you were his protector, and there's ample evidence that he provided you with shares. You own 20% of the shares in the equity structure. What do you have to say about that?"

“Secretary Tian, ​​this is blatant slander!”

I admit that Cai Chenggong and I have been classmates since childhood, and we have never lost contact over the years, but I have never done any of the favors that Cai Chenggong asked me to do!

A few months ago, before I came to Handong, Cai Chenggong brought cigarettes and alcohol to my house, which I refused to accept. I genuinely don't know why my name appeared on the shareholder list.

"Don't know? Hou Liangping, a simple 'don't know' cannot be taken as evidence. You need to understand that!"

Your name isn't something Cai Chenggong can just write on the equity structure or approve at will.

Without the identity information you provided, it has no legal effect whatsoever. Now you're saying you don't know? If every official who accepted bribes said they knew nothing, would that work? That's neither reasonable nor legal!

If you have no other evidence to prove that your name appearing on the shareholder list is a frame-up, then you know the final outcome!

"Secretary Tian, ​​I need to see Cai Chenggong! He must have been threatened to slander me! Yes! He must have been threatened!"

"We'll arrange a meeting when the prosecution is initiated. Since you're unwilling to cooperate, then forget it."

Tian Guofu then got up and left.

Judging from Hou Liangping's tone and expression just now, he probably really doesn't know why his name is on the shareholder list, but does it matter? No, it doesn't matter!