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

After being thoroughly berated, Hou Liangping could only slink away. Secretary Bai, who was waiting outside, heard everything clearly, given Sha Ruijin's intense anger.

Seeing Hou Liangping fleeing as if he were about to escape, Secretary Bai shook his head slightly. A person like Hou Liangping wouldn't last long.

Having finally returned to the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate, Hou Liangping was still somewhat frightened. He immediately called Zhou Zheng over to arrange work, directly publicizing the problems of the director of the Guangming District Demolition Office, while releasing the real estate developer and pinning all the blame on the director of the Demolition Office.

Even if he was unwilling, he had no choice but to do it.

From the moment Yi Xuexi called Sha Ruijin to the moment the matter was resolved, only a few hours had passed.

When Chen Hai learned of this result, his gaze toward Yi Xuexi was incredibly complex. Was this the power of having someone behind him?

Looking back at myself, I saw no one behind me.

Once bitten, twice shy. This real estate developer originally intended to make a quick buck by selling inferior goods, but he ended up failing in Guangming District.

The company's initial investment was essentially wasted, and coupled with shoddy workmanship, the thought of having to redo the work led the construction company to file for bankruptcy. As a limited liability company, and with the legal representative being the owner's father, it faced strong legal resistance and decided to cut its losses.

This put Chen Hai and Yi Xuexi in a difficult position. Although no payment had been made upfront, the delay in the project was still financially costly. Yi Xuexi decided to let Wang Dalu's team take over the project.

Having learned their lesson the hard way, Chen Hai and Yi Xuexi were afraid that such a problem would occur again if they let a small company handle things.

And what about Darren Wang?

They were naturally willing to take advantage of the business that came to them. After some haggling, they signed the contract and took over two renovation projects in old residential areas. Work continued, and everything seemed to be going very smoothly.

Chen Luo was unaware of these things; his work in Lüzhou during this period had been anything but easy.

After some housing was sold, the municipal government recovered some funds, which was not a shortage. In particular, after Chen Luo asked Sun Liancheng to issue an announcement to improve the treatment of public officials, some voices from the public began to rise.

Specifically, there are two issues: one is the gap in pension indicators between rural villagers and urban residents, and the other is the demand from retired cadres for an increase in their retirement pensions.

The problem isn't scarcity but inequality. The former is somewhat better, as we hope the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government will pay attention to it. The latter is different. Some retired public officials, relying on their age, openly defied the law and gathered in the center of the municipal government square to carry out a so-called "petition."

Chen Luo originally didn't want to pay any attention to them, since these people's retirement pensions were quite high to be honest. But they just took advantage of his kindness and became more and more aggressive every day.

At this point, we can't ignore it anymore.

The city government square, which is usually a place for Luzhou citizens to stroll and relax, is now completely occupied by retired elderly people.

Chen Luo's car was parked in the center of the square.

Next to arrive were a group of members of the municipal party committee.

Meanwhile, reporters and media personnel arrived to record and film, and Chen Luo stood on a high place with a gloomy face.

The first thing he said after taking the microphone was to show no mercy.

"Are you old comrades trying to blackmail the municipal party committee and government? I admire all of you here for your contributions to the country and the people, but ask yourselves honestly!"

Has the country wronged you all?

Some of the older comrades present had retirement pensions that were much higher than the average income of young people in Lüzhou City.

Do you not have enough money?

Or are you older colleagues saying that since the treatment of younger public servants has improved, you want your retirement benefits to increase as well? Do you feel you're losing out if you don't?

Chapter 185 Xiao Gangyu's case comes to light, leading to his confession of Liu Xinjian.

These consecutive questions silenced the previously arrogant older comrades.

But Chen Luo wasn't finished yet.

"To be honest, your retirement pensions are not low, and of course, you all deserve them."

However, the increase in retirement pensions is determined according to policy, and you are all veteran Party members.

You know best that the elderly in rural areas are the ones who most urgently need improved pension benefits.

The Luzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government will never forget every Luzhou resident, and we will do our utmost to resolve the pressing issues raised by everyone!

If the Luzhou municipal government can support the pension issue for rural elderly in the future, we will gradually increase the funding, including pension funds for urban residents, and of course, for you senior citizens.

"One must walk one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time. That's all I can say. It's best if you understand, but we can't possibly satisfy everyone indefinitely if you don't."

After saying that, Chen Luo left without caring what these retired cadres thought; they were just bored and had nothing better to do.

As for being scolded?

What do media reporters do?

The best way to deal with public opinion is to introduce new public opinion. When reporters and media published Chen Luo's speech, a large number of rural people and urban residents who were not in retirement units cheered. Finally, someone paid attention to them instead of raising the salaries of retired public officials without limit.

The east wind prevails over the evil wind; such a situation is inevitable. Chen Luo is well aware that reforms or policy adjustments will inevitably affect the interests of some people. There will be great resistance, that's for sure, but Chen Luo is confident that he can suppress these troublemakers.

Back in the Party Secretary's office, Chen Luo had just sat down to take a sip of water when the phone rang.

I picked it up and saw it was Lüliang!

"Hey, Comrade Lü Liang."

"Secretary Chen, I apologize for bothering you at this time."

"It's okay, go ahead and say it. You're not the kind of person who makes baseless accusations."

Chen Luo still trusted Lü Liang's composure.

"It's like this, Secretary Chen. Recently, our Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection discovered some problems with Comrade Xiao Gangyu, the Chief Prosecutor of the Municipal Procuratorate, based on clues reported by the whistleblower."

I haven't reported this news to Secretary Dakang and Secretary Tian yet, after all, Comrade Xiao Gangyu is a department-level cadre and also a cadre in the political and legal system.

Lü Liang's meaning was simple: tell Chen Luo the whole story. As for how Chen Luo would play the game, that was up to the higher-ups. Lü Liang was clear about his position.

When Chen Luo heard the name Xiao Gangyu, he remembered that this person hadn't been dealt with yet. It wasn't that he had forgotten him, but Xiao Gangyu's problems, apart from being greedy, weren't as serious as Chen Qingquan's. Now that Lü Liang's case had been resolved, it was time to deal with him.

"I understand, Comrade Lü Liang. Please report this matter to Secretary Dakang and Secretary Tian in accordance with regulations. As for how to handle it, just follow the requirements of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"Okay, Secretary Chen, then I won't bother you any longer."

After hanging up the phone, Lü Liang didn't wait; he first called Tian Guofu, and then went to Li Dakang's office in person to report the matter.

After all, he was a cadre at the level of a department director. After learning about the situation, Tian Guofu ordered Zhong Xiaoai to lead a team to conduct a double-regulation investigation on him.

As for Zhong Xiaoai? She was initially reluctant to accept the offer, as she was busy investigating Liu Xinjian, but Tian Guofu made the decision without giving her a chance to refuse.

Helpless, Zhong Xiaoai could only bring her people to Xiao Gangyu's house, knocking on the door and grabbing them.

He was then taken away for investigation. Xiao Gangyu was completely unprepared for the arrival of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

He confessed to all his embezzlement activities in a very thorough and transparent manner, including those involving Liu Xinjian, although the amount was not large.

Nobody really cared about the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection's actions. Li Dakang thought Xiao Gangyu was part of the Handa gang, Gao Yuliang's mind wasn't on these people, and Tian Guofu was just letting Zhong Xiaoai do whatever she wanted, except for Liu Xinjian!

Liu Xinjian received the news less than two hours after Xiao Gangyu was taken away by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. After all, he was the head of a state-owned enterprise and had noticed that someone was investigating the oil and gas group, but he just didn't know who was doing it.

The situation now seems to be becoming clearer.

Liu Xinjian immediately made a phone call to Zhao Ruilong.

"Hey, Ruilong, are you in Handong?"

"Hey, Brother Liu, what's up?"

Zhao Ruilong's attitude towards Liu Xinjian was completely different. It can be said that the person the Zhao family in Handong trusted the most was neither Gao Yuliang nor Qi Tongwei, but Liu Xinjian!

"We just received news that Xiao Gangyu, the chief prosecutor of the Jingzhou Municipal People's Procuratorate, has been taken away by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

I've dealt with Xiao Gangyu before and given him some benefits. Will he betray me?

Also, there's been an investigation into the oil and gas group lately, and I suspect it's the newly appointed deputy secretary of the provincial discipline inspection commission, Zhong Xiaoai.

Liu Xinjian told Zhao Ruilong everything, big and small. Zhao Ruilong, who was initially feeling a bit cocky, immediately changed his expression upon hearing it.

He said in a somber tone, "I understand, Brother Liu. Just wait for my news."

After hanging up the phone and pondering for a moment, Zhao Ruilong decided it was time to meet with Zhong Xiaoai.

The call was dialed, but it took a long time to be answered.

"Why are you calling again? I'm warning you, don't push your luck!"

Zhong Xiaoai's anger was genuine. Last time, when Chen Hai tormented her, Zhong Xiaoai almost couldn't hold back anymore, and now only a few days have passed.

A proud smile appeared on Zhao Ruilong's lips.

"Secretary Zhong, it's me, Zhao Ruilong!"

In an instant, Zhong Xiaoai's breathing became rapid.

"We don't know each other, do we?"

Zhong Xiaoai clearly wanted to play dumb, but Zhao Ruilong didn't give her the chance.

"Secretary Zhong, let's get straight to the point. Why beat around the bush like this? How about this, I'll be waiting for you at Shanshui Manor at eight o'clock tonight. It's better to clear things up!"

After saying that, Zhao Ruilong hung up the phone, confident that Zhong Xiaoai would come.

Zhong Xiaoai stared at her phone in silence. This was a direct and explicit statement. Taking a deep breath, Zhong Xiaoai decided to attend the meeting.

At 7:30 p.m., Zhong Xiaoai arrived at the Shanshui Manor, a hall specifically used to entertain guests. The various rich dishes on the table did not arouse Zhong Xiaoai's interest at all.

Just as Zhong Xiaoai sat down, Zhao Ruilong, who had changed into a well-fitting suit, arrived upstairs.

The two stared at each other, each seeing hatred deep in the other's eyes.

"Secretary Zhong, please forgive me if there is anything I have done poorly in my hospitality since this is our first meeting."

Zhao Ruilong spoke first, while Zhong Xiaoai shook her head.

“These dishes are already very abundant, and may even violate the regulations.”

Zhao Ruilong did not deny it.

"Secretary Zhong, the reason I called you here is to have a frank and straightforward talk with you."

"I don't think we know each other, so there's nothing to talk about, right?"

"Secretary Zhong, why pretend to be ignorant? I know perfectly well what you've been going through lately. Chen Hai is having a good time, isn't he?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai stood up in a flash!

Chapter 186 Zhao Ruilong's Warning, Zhong Xiaoai's Madness

"What do you mean? I don't understand!"