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

Chapter 82 Slander

Special handling for special cases?

It couldn't be the provincial government, could it?

Governor Liu is focused on a peaceful retirement and would never allow the provincial government to make an exception for this sensitive issue of Crescent Lake.

It's just asking for trouble.

Therefore, it can only be a decision made by the provincial party committee.

Could it be Sha Ruijin?

Why would someone so focused on the fight against corruption get involved in project construction?

Do we still need to handle this as a special case?

There's too little information; we need to gather more.

Thinking of this, Xia Qing asked Kang Le:

Do you have the company's information?

Kang Le nodded and said:

"Yes, it's already been sent to the bureau. I'll have someone deliver one to you. Let me give you a verbal report first. This company is a real estate company in Beijing with a registered capital of tens of billions. The founder is Li Chunfeng, who is both the chairman and the legal representative..."

Xia Qing listened carefully and realized that she had heard of this company when she was in Beijing.

Having built several government projects with few adverse reactions, this real estate company is one that government departments are relatively willing to cooperate with.

Xia Qing pondered for a moment, then said:

"Since it's a provincial decision, you have no choice but to cooperate. But remember, Crescent Lake is a very sensitive issue, and developing this eco-resort is even more sensitive. You must keep detailed records of the entire process, and every decision must be made in a meeting and collectively. Never make a decision by one person alone! If you encounter anything you don't understand, go directly to your superiors for instructions! You come from the ministry, and those people in Luzhou won't disrespect you."

Kang Le was deeply moved by Xia Qing's words of advice. He hadn't expected the minister to care about him so much, and said excitedly:

"Understood, Minister. I will handle it well and report back to you if anything comes up."

After hanging up the phone, Xia Qing thought for a moment, then called her secretary, Xiao Duan, and said:

"Xiao Duan, go and find out if the province intends to continue developing Crescent Lake. I haven't heard anything about it."

Xiao Duan accepted the task.

Xia Qing sat back down in her seat and fell into thought.

Should Crescent Lake be developed at this time?

What is Sha Ruijin up to?

After thinking for a while, I checked the time.

There was very little time left before lunch, and I had to attend a press conference in the afternoon.

Xia Qing first put the matter of Crescent Lake aside and began reading her speech again...

3 PM.

The press conference was a lively and bustling affair.

Many people from the province attended, including representatives from government agencies, universities, mass organizations, and enterprises.

Executive Vice Governor Zhu Zhichao attended the meeting at the behest of Governor Liu.

This is quite a show of respect for the Organization Department.

Publicity Minister Zhou Mei also attended in person to express her goodwill towards the Organization Department.

The three members of the Standing Committee sat on the dais, with Chen Hui, the deputy minister of the Organization Department, and Yan Hong, the director of the Talent Office, sitting on the outermost perimeter.

The press conference has begun.

As the agenda progressed, Xia Qing delivered an important speech, which was well received by the audience.

Then, letters of intent were signed with several senior talents on the spot, amidst thunderous applause.

The scene was noisy. Zhu Zhichao leaned close to Xia Qing's ear and congratulated her with a smile:

"The governor gave me a task: to learn from Minister Xia how to handle talent recruitment. Today has truly been an eye-opening experience. Minister Xia, with so many talented people, don't forget to allocate a few to our provincial government."

Xia Qing was in a very good mood and said with a smile:

"Governor Zhu, rest assured, I will definitely select the most capable people in economics from among them and personally deliver them to the provincial government and hand them over to you."

The two of them burst into laughter.

The agenda culminated in a press conference.

The event promoted Handong's talent recruitment efforts and conveyed Handong's eagerness to attract talent to the whole country through a Q&A session with reporters.

Of course, just in case, the reporters' identities and questions were screened beforehand to prevent any unexpected events from occurring on site.

After a few questions, Xia Qing answered them with ease and naturalness. Her professional and rigorous wording, solid and superb business skills, and a few humorous remarks pushed the atmosphere of the scene to another climax.

Everyone was impressed by this well-rounded organization minister.

The viewers of the live broadcast also gained a better understanding of the image of the Handong cadre team represented by Xia Qing.

Sha Ruijin was also watching the live broadcast in his office, nodding occasionally.

It must be said that Xia Qing is indeed capable and knows how to get things done.

That really brings honor to the province!

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

Until a reporter asked:

"Minister Xia, as far as I know, the organization department is also conducting a special investigation into officials, bureaucrats, and public officials. What are your expectations for this work?"

Upon hearing this question, Chen Hui was immediately taken aback.

Then, without thinking, he turned on the microphone, snatched the words, and said sternly:

"Are you a reporter from Hantong Weekly? Please answer the questions strictly according to the pre-submitted instructions, and do not improvise!"

Chen Hui played the bad cop, and Xia Qing quickly switched to the good cop role:

"Dear reporter, please follow the procedure."

The reporter seemed to have expected this, and calmly took out a magazine from his bag and turned to a certain page.

Speaking into the microphone, under the watchful eyes of everyone, and with the entire event being broadcast live.

He asked a question that shocked the entire audience:

"Minister Xia, this issue of *Mirror Weekly* says that although you are married and involved in the investigation of officials whose spouses and children have emigrated abroad, your wife and children are not with you, and their whereabouts cannot be found. Therefore, you yourself may be an official whose spouses and children have emigrated abroad. What is your opinion on this?"

The reporter's question was immediately broadcast live and spread across the internet.

Chen Hui felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

There has been an accident.

This is a serious accident!

This might be my last day as a vice minister!

Chen Hui immediately stood up, intending to activate the emergency plan, and directed the police officers in charge of security, saying:

"Shut down the live stream and detain this reporter!"

Just as the police were about to do it, Xia Qing raised her hand and said:

"Wait a minute."

Then, he looked at the reporter and said with a smile:

"Dear reporter, since you've asked a question, I will answer it. But before that, I must point out your mistake. The rules for press conferences require questions to be submitted in advance; otherwise, if everyone asks what they want to ask, what's the point of the press conference? What's the effect of the publicity? I know you're not following the rules to attract attention for your magazine, find selling points, and try to make more money. But I must tell you, your behavior violates journalistic ethics, brings a negative impact of sensationalism to your magazine, and is a desecration of all the professional journalists present! I strongly disapprove of your behavior!"

Xia Qing's words successfully put the situation under control.

This put the reporter on the opposite side of everyone else.

The reporter tried to refute the claim, only to find that the microphone had been turned off.

Chen Huiqian's.

Xia Qing gave Chen Hui a thumbs-up under the table and continued righteously:

"As for your question, I understand it very well. The investigation into the three officials is intended to improve the well-being of the people and reform the environment of the cadre team in Handong. Naturally, this will touch upon the interests of some people. I boldly speculate that someone is behind you, instructing you to use your profession and dignity as bargaining chips to launch such a vicious attack on a cadre in Handong in such a serious setting! I hope you will think twice and not insult the bottom line of being a journalist."

After saying that, Xia Qing waved her hand:

"Please continue asking questions."

At this moment, Xia Qing gave Chen Hui a look.

Chen Hui understood immediately and instructed the police officers:

"Block all exits from the venue and send people to follow this reporter. After the meeting, detain him outside. If you let him escape, you will be held accountable."

Several police officers saluted and said:

"yes!"

The controversy subsided temporarily, and the live broadcast was not interrupted.

Sha Ruijin, who was in the office, was quite satisfied with Xia Qing's handling of the situation.

Arresting people on the spot or shutting down the broadcast immediately would undoubtedly leave room for malicious smear campaigns and speculations by those with ulterior motives.

Only by broadcasting the entire process live and directly addressing the problems can the situation be effectively salvaged.

Even so, Sha Ruijin still had some doubts.

Is Xia Qing really a "naked official" (an official whose family members have emigrated abroad)?

His wife and children seem to be of unknown origin.