Nominal: The pinnacle of power began in the sixth province of Handong.

Chapter 280 Sharp Blade Drawn

Everyone was taken aback and quickly looked at Xia Qing.

Sha Ruijin sighed and said:

"Comrade Xia Qing's performance in the province is evident to all, but this time, I have to say a few words to you. Combat command is not something anyone can do. Isn't it a bit too eager for quick success to take charge of the entire operation by yourself? You clearly have comrades like Qi Tongwei and Chen Hai who are more suitable for combat command by your side, but you insisted on not letting them get involved and instead took command yourself. Now look what's happened, the operation failed, and Ding Yizhen, who fled overseas, is dead. How are we going to explain this to our superiors? Comrade Xia Qing, I hope you will write a self-criticism."

Xia Qing stood up, bowed her head, and said sincerely to Sha Ruijin:

"I apologize, Secretary Sha, and I apologize to all my comrades. I will offer a profound self-criticism regarding this matter."

Sha Ruijin waved his hand and said:

"Alright, meeting adjourned."

Everyone could see Sha Ruijin's dissatisfaction with Xia Qing.

Everyone got up and left, their eyes filled with regret as they looked at Xia Qing.

A barely perceptible smile flickered across Li Dakang's lips.

Luo Jian patted Xia Qing on the shoulder and then swaggered away.

Xia Qing was the only one left in the conference room.

That scene was very similar to Gao Yuliang's situation back then, when he was driven to the brink of despair and abandoned by everyone.

Xia Qing chuckled self-deprecatingly, stood up, and dialed her secretary, Xiao Duan's, number.

After going downstairs, Xia Qing got into a private car and headed towards a certain place.

Handong Prison.

Solitary confinement cell.

Hou Liangping was reading a book and taking notes.

The door to the room opened, and he looked up at the person who had entered.

It's Xia Qing.

In an instant, a thousand emotions surged into Hou Liangping's heart.

Finally, he stood up, bowed, and said:

"Hello, Secretary."

Xia Qing laughed heartily:

"Ryoping, your aura has changed, and so has your temperament. Look, you've even grown a beard."

Hou Liangping stroked his thick beard and smiled sheepishly:

"In the past six months here, I have learned a lot and gained a great deal of knowledge. Secretary, I apologize for any offense I may have caused you in the past."

After speaking, Hou Liangping was about to bow again when Xia Qing quickly helped him up, patted him on the shoulder, and said:

"Let's not dwell on the past. Actually, both Secretary Sha and I know you were wronged. However, we had no better option than to put you here."

Hou Liangping said sincerely:

"At first, I felt indignant when I got here. Now I understand, this solitary confinement cell and these treatments, it's not like confining prisoners, it's more like a different kind of cadre training. Thinking about it carefully, during my time in the capital and Handong, I offended a lot of people. The Zhong family abandoned me, and the Zhao family saw me as a thorn in their side. If they hadn't locked me up here, I probably would have died in the street long ago. It's more like protection than imprisonment."

Xia Qing said with satisfaction:

"It's great that you think that way. Secretary Yu Liang's suggestion is correct. He told me that Hou Liangping is a sharp knife, but he doesn't have a sheath. As long as there is a suitable opportunity for Hou Liangping to figure things out on his own, we can put a sheath on this sharp knife and make him invincible and invincible. Liangping, your treatment here is all arranged by Secretary Yu Liang."

"Teacher, for my sake?" Hou Liangping found it hard to believe. He never expected that Gao Yuliang would still remember his good-for-nothing disciple, who was almost abandoned by everyone, before retiring.

Hou Liangping felt a lump in his throat, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Xia Qing poured Hou Liangping a glass of water and said:

"Now that you've become a truly fine sword, are you willing to draw your blade once more for Handong, for our common purpose?"

Hou Liangping was taken aback, then said with emotion:

"I'd like to hear more details!"

After a moment's thought, Xia Qing informed Hou Liangping about the personnel changes at the Guangming District Procuratorate, especially the appointments of Lu Yike and Zhou Zheng as the procurator general and the anti-corruption bureau chief, respectively.

Meanwhile, he was secretly observing Hou Liangping.

Hou Liangping had lost his usual impulsiveness.

After hearing the news, he pondered quietly for a moment, then said with deep concern:

"Isn't this too hasty? I looked into the Bright Peak project before; it's very complex. Lu Yike is good at going straight for the kill, but when it comes to these roundabout things, she easily gets lost. As for Zhou Zheng..."

Hou Liangping, recalling how he had tricked Zhou Zheng, said somewhat awkwardly:

"He seems a bit unsteady."

Xia Qing was very satisfied with Hou Liangping's analysis and saw that Hou Liangping had indeed become much more composed, so he revealed his plan in detail.

It turns out that Xia Qing hoped to use special channels to send Hou Liangping to the Guangming District Procuratorate under an assumed name, so that he could assist Lu Yike in uncovering the dark secrets of the Guangming Peak project as a "special advisor".

Xia Qing had already spoken to Qi Tongwei about the specific procedures.

As long as Hou Liangping does not reveal his identity, there is no such thing as "the prisoner escaping".

Xia Qing also stated that this would be a great opportunity for Hou Liangping to clear his name.

The Bright Peak project involved three major families.

The person in charge of the Zhou family in Jingzhou City was Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen happens to be the new son-in-law of the Zhong family and the new husband of Zhong Xiaoai.

Xia Qing believed that after the Zhong family made such an unacceptable deal with the Zhao family,

He cut ties with Hou Liangping and then quickly aligned himself with the Zhou family.

There must be another purpose behind it.

Further investigation into the Guangmingfeng project uncovered some clues about the Zhou family.

It might lead to the exposure of the Zhong family, with whom they had a marriage alliance.

The deal between the Zhong and Zhao families to frame Hou Liangping may also be exposed.

Xia Qing stated that he possesses a recording in which Zhao Ruilong personally admitted to making a deal with Zhong Zhengguo and Zhao Lichun.

While this recording may not be enough to affect the overall situation, it is more than sufficient to clear Hou Liangping's name.

However, if this method is used, another way will be needed to defeat the Chung family again.

If Hou Liangping can use the Guangming Peak project to investigate the Zhou and Zhong families and find even more compelling evidence...

Combined with Zhao Ruilong's recording, that will transform into evidence of nuclear-level significance.

At that time, let alone clearing their name.

The Zhong family will also be completely defeated by Hou Liangping.

At this point, Xia Qing said in a deep voice:

"Now that I've said this much, the choice is yours. Do you take the recording to clear your name and regain your freedom, or do you go to the Bright District under an assumed name and look for an opportunity to break through?"

After saying that, Xia Qing added:

"I am very pleased with your change today. I assure you that if you want to choose to record this, I can guarantee you a return to the position of deputy director, a stable job where you can live a peaceful life, and I will ensure your personal safety."

After speaking, Xia Qing waited quietly for Hou Liangping's reply.

Hou Liangping lowered his head and laughed, then continued:

"Secretary, I think I've made my choice."

As he spoke, Hou Liangping stopped, saluted, and said:

"Hou Liangping, former deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Handong Province, requests your instructions!"

Xia Qing also stood up and said seriously:

"Alright! Liangping, from now on you will be my direct subordinate, reporting only to me. Besides me, the only people who know about this are Qi Tongwei and Lu Yike."

Hou Liangping was already eager to try and nodded hurriedly.

He desperately wanted to leave and return to the prosecutorial front.

He will seek justice from those who took everything from him.

For example, Chung Cheng-kuo.

Zhou Wen.

Thinking of this person, Hou Liangping recalled the young master who had come to the prison to provoke him last time.

So that's the story behind it.

Hou Liangping only hoped that Zhong Xiaoai would marry this man with her child, so that the child wouldn't be harmed.

Just as she was lost in thought, Xia Qing said again:

"I'm very interested in your abilities, and your trip to the Bright District is actually fraught with danger. I'm telling you in advance, if you expose your identity, causing public outcry or your plan to fail, I will immediately arrest you and bring you back, charging you with an even more serious crime on charges of escaping from prison."

Hou Liangping joked:

"So, I don't have any more support, right?"

"That's what I mean. Of course, I won't send you there to be killed," Xia Qing said with a smile, walking out.

"Come on, let me introduce you to someone and get some clues."

Hou Liangping followed, puzzled, and said:

"Who?"

Xia Qing's Mysterious Tunnel:

Ding Yizhen.