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

Chapter 94 Negotiation

While Zhao Ruilong was setting off to find Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei is already at Gao Yuliang's house.

At this moment, Gao Yuliang was sitting on the sofa.

With a solemn expression, he slowly flipped through the evidence brought by Qi Tongwei.

Evidence of Zhao Ruilong's involvement in Du Bozhong's overseas business dealings with officials who have emigrated abroad.

This is an extremely serious matter.

Once leaked, the Zhao family is finished.

Zhao Lichun couldn't be saved either.

Inside the room, the only sound was the rustling of pages turning.

a long time.

Gao Yuliang took off his glasses and rubbed his temples with both hands.

He asked in a weary tone:

"Tongwei, who else knows about this evidence?"

Qi Tongwei dared not hide anything from Gao Yuliang and whispered:

"Only the two of us know about the place that Cheng Du showed me."

Gao Yuliang nodded and said:

"Chengdu is a clever person."

Then came silence.

Qi Tongwei knew that Gao Yuliang was making a decision.

This is a fantastic opportunity, but it also carries enormous risks.

A decision must be made after careful consideration of all factors.

After a long silence, Gao Yuliang asked:

"Tongwei, do you think the extent of this is believable?"

Qi Tongwei hadn't expected Gao Yuliang to ask such a question, and answered without hesitation:

"Teacher, what are you saying? The degree of credibility is certainly believable."

"Do you think that this dirt on Zhao Ruilong might be something Cheng Du deliberately wanted to reveal to you?" Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei with a deep gaze.

Qi Tongwei was stunned.

He really hadn't considered that possibility.

According to Gao Yuliang's speculation, if Cheng Du intentionally revealed it...

That means that Cheng Du is still Zhao Ruilong's man.

This so-called "handle" was a trap set by Cheng Du and Zhao Ruilong, just waiting for him and Gao Yuliang to fall into it.

But Qi Tongwei refused to believe this speculation.

He has always regarded Cheng Du as a younger brother and has been willing to mentor him.

He led the team to participate in various important tasks.

He introduced Cheng Du to Gao Yuliang.

Even the positions at the top have been arranged.

There's no reason for Du Fu to betray him at this time.

Seeing the conflicted look on Qi Tongwei's face, Gao Yuliang slowly spoke, saying:

"Tongwei, if Chengdu had been Zhao Ruilong's man from the beginning, the situation would be completely different. Believe me, he's more deeply involved and his situation is more complicated than yours."

At this point, a hint of pity flashed in Gao Yuliang's eyes.

Qi Tongwei remained silent for a long time, then shook his head and said:

"Teacher, I believe in Cheng Du's character."

"Alright. In that case, remember your judgment. No matter who asks you a similar question in the future, you must remain steadfast." Gao Yuliang smiled with relief, stood up, picked up his phone, and said to Qi Tongwei:

"I'm going inside to make a call. You wait here."

Qi Tongwei responded with an "Eh," and Gao Yuliang walked into the study on his own and closed the door.

He looked at the number on his phone that he hadn't dialed in a long time, hesitated for a long time, and finally made up his mind.

The call connected, and Zhao Lichun's gentle and calm voice came from the other end:

"Hello, Yuliang?"

"My old leader, I'm reporting to you." Gao Yuliang composed himself and carefully uttered each word in a tone as calm as possible:

"Handong... has been in trouble again."

Zhao Lichun on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then said:

"What's wrong?"

Gao Yuliang then reported to Zhao Lichun the whole story of how the Provincial Public Security Department, under the coordination of the Organization Department, participated in the special operation to investigate the three officials, then targeted Du Bozhong, and finally took down Bozhong Intermediary Company.

Zhao Lichun listened quietly on the other end of the phone, without saying a word.

Only after Gao Yuliang finished speaking did Zhao Lichun slowly begin to speak:

"The Xia family is quite something. Yu Liang, you've found a great new backer for your student."

How could Gao Yuliang not understand the probing question?

He replied with a smile:

"Old leader, the work of the Public Security Bureau is all based on the decisions and plans of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. The investigation of the three officials is a major event. Minister Xia personally mobilized the resources of the Public Security Bureau, and Qi Tongwei could not refuse. As the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, I should also give my full support."

Zhao Lichun didn't respond. Knowing that Gao Yuliang was a Tai Chi master, he changed the subject and asked:

"You called me here just to say this?"

"Not only that. Old leader, Ruilong... he's in trouble." Gao Yuliang took a deep breath and then told Zhao Lichun everything about Zhao Ruilong's dealings with Du Bozhong, especially his collusion with foreign forces and his involvement in the business dealings of officials with family members abroad.

As expected, upon hearing Zhao Ruilong's various accusations, even the usually composed Zhao Lichun could not contain his anger and said:

"That bastard! How dare he get involved in something like this! Yuliang, do you have any good ideas?"

While Gao Yuliang was talking, he was also trying to catch Zhao Lichun's reaction.

Judging from the other party's attitude, they seemed completely unaware of Zhao Ruilong's involvement in the business dealings of officials whose spouses and children are abroad.

So it seems that Cheng Du did not cooperate with Zhao Ruilong.

This evidence was indeed left by Du Bozhong at the agency and discovered by Cheng Du.

That makes things much easier.

It was a close call, but no real danger.

Gao Yuliang breathed a sigh of relief and then replied:

"Old leader, I will definitely help Ruilong with his matter as much as possible. How about this: I'll think of a way to push all the business he did with Du Bozhong, as well as all the things Qi Tongwei did for him, onto Du Bozhong."

Zhao Lichun remained silent.

He understood what Gao Yuliang meant.

Helping Zhao Ruilong get off the hook is possible.

On the condition that all of Qi Tongwei's incriminating evidence be wiped clean.

All the blame was placed on Du Bozhong, and then Qi Tongwei was just Qi Tongwei, no longer a member of the Zhao family.

Gao Yuliang is helping Qi Tongwei find a new path.

This road is most likely associated with the Xia family.

Zhao Lichun was naturally dissatisfied with this. Without the Zhao family, Qi Tongwei could not have reached the level of the provincial public security director.

Then, Zhao Lichun said in a slightly mocking tone:

"Yuliang, are you trying to get Qi Tongwei to distance himself from us? What, is the Zhao family really that despicable?"

Gao Yuliang had anticipated Zhao Lichun's move and laughed it off, saying:

"Old leader, what are you saying! It's just that Qi Tongwei did discover these things about Ruilong himself. He was very conflicted, so he came to ask me for instructions. This is what I told him: Secretary Zhao has been very kind to you, and Zhao Ruilong is like your own brother. You should help him! So, I think it's reasonable to pin all the blame on Du Bozhong."

Zhao Lichun fell silent again.

He understood the weight of Gao Yuliang's words.

If I take a step back, Qi Tongwei and Zhao Ruilong will be like brothers, living in peace.

If he insists on making trouble, Gao Yuliang will hand over Zhao Ruilong's evidence.

Use Zhao Ruilong's safety to get Qi Tongwei off the ship.

After much deliberation, Zhao Lichun, having determined that he had to relinquish Qi Tongwei as a pawn, sighed helplessly:

"In that case, let's do as you say, Yuliang."

Gao Yuliang was pleased inside, but his expression remained unchanged as he calmly said:

"Thank you for your understanding, senior leader! I'll make the arrangements right away."

After hanging up the phone, they were both lost in thought.

Undeniably, this negotiation also marked the beginning of the Zhao family's internal disintegration.

Gao Yuliang chatted with Qi Tongwei for a few more minutes, and seeing that it was getting late, he told Qi Tongwei to go back first.

Gao Yuliang went to the study, opened a drawer, and took out several photos.

Xia Qing delivered this to Qi Tongwei before he arrived.

Looking at the woman in the photo, Gao Yuliang's usually calm eyes revealed a rare tenderness and affection.

Gao Yuliang was grateful for Xia Qing's act of sending him the photos.

He understood that Xia Qing had told him to handle this himself.

He also believed that Xia Qing was thorough and would definitely have kept the news of the photos a secret.

It's simply a matter of making your own decision.

Gao Yuliang walked to the window, gazing at the alluring moonlight, and murmured:

"Tongwei, this is a fundamental difference between you being able to leave the Zhao family's ship and me being forced to sink with it."