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

After all, the reputation of the Second Procuratorate of Handong is not just for show.

They arrived at the chief prosecutor's office, but with both arms in casts, Chen Yanshi couldn't open the door and could only stand at the entrance and call out.

"Ji Changming, open the door!"

Upon hearing Chen Yanshi's voice, Ji Changming had no choice but to open the door, even though he was dissatisfied. After all, Chen was an old comrade, and he had to be given the respect he deserved.

As soon as the door opened, Chen Yanshi walked straight in.

“Mr. Chen, aren’t you recuperating in the hospital? If you come out like this, the hospital will be worried.”

Ji Changming intended to steer the conversation a little further away.

However, Chen Yanshi was not buying it at all.

"Ji Changming, stop talking nonsense. Let me ask you, you know my son Chen Hai's personality. Without orders, how could he dare to secretly follow and investigate the family members of a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Changming frowned.

"Old Chen, regardless of whether it was ordered by someone, it is a fact that Chen Hai investigated the family members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee without authorization."

"Facts? So what? Does that mean we can't investigate and collect evidence if a member of the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee's family members violate discipline or the law?"

This was clearly sophistry, so Ji Changming took a deep breath and decided to be more direct.

“Old Chen, there’s no point in arguing here. Chen Hai is at the procuratorate right now. I can let you see him. You can always believe what he says.”

Chen Yanshi did not refuse.

A few minutes later, in the interrogation room, Chen Yanshi looked at his son's pale face and bowed head, feeling extremely distressed and angry.

"Hai Zi, tell Dad, who exactly gave you permission to investigate Li Dakang's wife without authorization?"

Chen Hai remained silent, perhaps because he didn't want his father to see him in his current disheveled state. But after hearing his father's repeated questions, Chen Hai finally spoke.

"Dad, don't ask anymore, it's Hou Liangping!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yanshi suddenly turned around and looked at Ji Changming. The meaning in his eyes was very clear: Did you hear the truth?

Ji Changming simply shook his head calmly.

"Old Chen, Chen Hai said it was Hou Liangping's instruction, but where's the evidence? Without evidence, I, as the chief prosecutor, can't just arbitrarily slander a deputy director-level cadre!"

Chen Yanshi was stunned when he heard this.

"Dad, please don't make things difficult for Chief Prosecutor Ji. I was foolish and didn't see Hou Liangping clearly. There's no way there's any evidence. I accept this! You should rest and recover in the hospital. Don't worry about me."

Hearing Chen Hai's blunt words, Chen Yanshi was moved to tears. In the end, he, Chen Yanshi, who had been hard his whole life, couldn't hold on to his son...

As Chen Yanshi stepped out of the procuratorate, he looked around and felt as if there was no one left in the entire Handong who could help him.

Chen Yanshi truly experienced the meaning of the phrase "when people leave, tea cools down," but his hatred also deepened. His resentment towards Hou Liangping had surpassed that towards Huang Weimin and Sha Ruijin!

............................................................

Ji Changming completed the report on Chen Hai's violation of discipline and regulations in just two days and delivered it to Chen Luo.

After reading the report, Chen Luo handed it over to the Provincial Party Committee.

The Standing Committee convened at 9:30 a.m. the next day.

Of course, the agenda of this meeting could not be limited to Chen Hai alone. A deputy director-level cadre is not worth the Standing Committee's special discussion; he is merely a starting point.

"Comrades, the work in Handong is complex and multifaceted, and we cannot afford to be careless in any way. The events that have occurred recently are worth learning from and applying to other situations."

"Comrade Dakang, please tell us about your situation first."

The main point is actually about Li Dakang's wife.

"Secretary Sha, Governor Liu, Secretary Yuliang, comrades, I would like to first make a self-criticism to the Provincial Party Committee!"

I'm sure everyone knows about what happened to my ex-wife, Ouyang Qing, these past few days. I, as the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, was not vigilant enough! Before Secretary Sha came to Handong, I was only focused on the economic development of Jingzhou City. I feel very guilty about the corruption problems that have occurred among Ding Yizhen, my ex-wife, subordinates, and people around me.

As soon as Secretary Sha arrived in Handong, these problems around me gradually came to light.

Just as Secretary Sha said, we leading cadres must not neglect things outside of our work.

I will definitely pay attention from now on!

Sha Ruijin was very satisfied with Li Dakang's words, especially since they highlighted his own role.

"Secretary Dakang, while a lack of vigilance is certainly one reason, being busy with work is another. However, whether someone as perceptive as Secretary Dakang truly doesn't know or is pretending not to know, it's difficult for any of us to know the truth!"

Gao Yuliang spoke up; after years of fighting with Li Dakang, he habitually started nitpicking.

Li Dakang's expression was rather unpleasant.

“Secretary Yuliang, I believe Secretary Dakang is truly unaware of the situation. After all, Ouyang Qing has been very cooperative with our Discipline Inspection Commission's investigation and has even turned herself in. Secretary Dakang's party principles are still sound!”

Tian Guofu took over the conversation, clearly intending to help Li Dakang clear his name.

Since the Discipline Inspection Commission had said so, Gao Yuliang had no choice but to give up. He couldn't very well doubt the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission, could he?

"A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. Some of our cadres have succumbed to temptation and made mistakes. Should we punish them? Yes! But for cadres who are cooperative and willing to turn themselves in, if it's not a big problem, we should give them a chance to reform themselves."

"Gold has no bare feet, and no man is perfect!"

Chen Luo smiled and said that this was not only about helping Li Dakang and repaying a favor, but more importantly, about protecting the reputation of the Handong Provincial Party Committee. It wasn't a matter of principle, so there was really no need to make a big fuss, except, of course, for political struggles...

"Comrade Chen Luo's words are very insightful!"

That makes a lot of sense. People should be given a chance to correct their mistakes, especially if it's their first offense. If it doesn't involve matters of principle, they should be properly disciplined.

So, in the few months I've been in Handong, we haven't held a single democratic life meeting. Next week, we'll hold one so everyone can have a good talk and get some feedback.

Let's be more vigilant!

With Sha Ruijin's decisive action, the issue of Li Dakang's wife, Ouyang Qing, came to an end.

The next topic was raised by Tian Guofu: the selection of the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jinghai City. Everyone agreed on this topic, and Tian Guofu's recommendation was unanimously approved.

One by one, the Standing Committee members carried out their work-related matters that needed to be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting, and Chen Luo finally brought up Chen Hai's matter.

"Secretary Sha, Governor Liu, Secretary Yuliang, Comrade Changming has already submitted the report on Chen Hai's unauthorized surveillance and investigation of Ms. Ouyang Qing. Chen Hai chose to conduct this surveillance and investigation himself, and this matter has a very bad influence!"

The crowd perked up and began to offer their criticisms.

"The word 'Secretary Chen' is well-chosen; it's despicable!"

If they can investigate Secretary Dakang's wife so easily, does that mean they'll dare to investigate us tomorrow? Or even the families of Secretary Sha and Governor Liu?

Such behavior is unacceptable! It must be dealt with seriously!

The first to fire was Secretary-General Lao Qian.

Chapter 82: Outcome of the Case - Dismissal pending transfer

Following closely behind was Wu Chunlin, the Minister of Organization.

“This is not the first time Chen Hai has conducted an investigation without authorization. He was suspended from his post for not reporting to the Provincial Party Committee last time, and he was only recently reinstated. Now he has committed the same offense again. I think Comrade Chen Hai is not suitable to work in the Anti-Corruption Bureau.”

Wu Chunlin's words weren't too harsh; he was just stating facts and providing evidence.

"I agree with Minister Chunlin's opinion!"

Although Comrade Chen Hai has not committed any other violations of rules or regulations and his party principles are up to standard, he just can't shake his habit of acting in private. What Secretary Sha and Comrade Chen Luo said earlier is very true. For comrades who make mistakes for the first time, our provincial party committee should give them a chance to correct their mistakes and start anew.

But Chen Hai has already committed a second offense, so such a comrade cannot continue to remain in such an important position in the Anti-Corruption Bureau!

"As long as there are kind and benevolent faces, there should also be fierce and wrathful ones; that's my opinion."

After Tian Guofu finished speaking, everyone looked at Gao Yuliang.

After all, everyone knows that Chen Hai is Gao Yuliang's student.

Gao Yuliang had originally intended to stand by and watch, but seeing this, he had no choice but to speak up.

Why is everyone staring at me like that?

Do you think that because I, Gao Yuliang, was Chen Hai's teacher, I will always favor him?

That would be a huge mistake. Hou Liangping was also one of my former students. When Hou Liangping met Secretary Sha, he said, "I love my teacher, but I love the truth more." As a student, I know this principle, and as his teacher, I certainly cannot fall behind.

Regardless of Chen Hai's motives, what he did was wrong, and I support any decision made by the Provincial Party Committee!

Sha Ruijin frowned as he listened. How could Gao Yuliang know what Hou Liangping was reporting?

But now is not the time to talk about these things.

"Comrade Chen Luo, you are the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. What are your thoughts?"

Sha Ruijin relinquished the final decision-making power to Chen Luo, which can be seen as a way of currying favor.

Chen Luo nodded and spoke.

"Comrade Chen Hai is indeed not suitable to continue working in the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but there are currently no vacancies in the political and legal system. The specific decision is still up to you, Secretary Sha!"

Chen Luo pushed the issue to Sha Ruijin in a tai chi-like manner.

Seeing this, Sha Ruijin had no choice but to make the decision himself.

"Therefore, Comrade Chen Hai will be given a major demerit first, and at the same time, he will be removed from his position as deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate."

Hearing this, everyone frowned. Sha Ruijin had shown leniency. However, everyone was also aware of the relationship between Sha Ruijin and Chen Yanshi. As long as Chen Hai was dismissed, everyone would turn a blind eye.

After the meeting ended, Sha Ruijingang returned to his office, and Secretary Bai walked in.

"Secretary Sha, this is a document handed over by Chief Prosecutor Ji."

The document was handed to Secretary Bai by Ji Changming during the Standing Committee meeting. Sha Ruijin nodded and opened the document to read it. The content of the document was very simple. It was about Chen Hai's accusation that Hou Liangping had instigated the incident. Although there was no evidence, Ji Changming still compiled it into a document and handed a copy to Sha Ruijin privately.

After reading the whole thing, Sha Ruijin could guess that it was probably Hou Liangping who secretly instructed Chen Hai, but without evidence, who could say anything?

"Hou Liangping is really... ruthless!"

Sha Ruijin smiled faintly. He wasn't afraid of Hou Liangping's ruthlessness, but rather that Hou Liangping wouldn't dare to do it. Any underhanded tricks or dirty tricks were good as long as they could help him achieve his goal!

Office of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

As soon as Chen Luo returned, his secretary Liu Mingyu told him that Lu Yike had just called, but Chen Luo was in a meeting and didn't have time to answer.

Lu Yike's voice came through after the call was dialed back.

"Secretary Chen!"

"Comrade Yike, you can just say it directly."