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

Chapter 67 Xia Qing's Painstaking Efforts

Upon hearing the name Gao Yuliang, Hou Liangping's brain went blank for five seconds.

Then he suddenly stood up, his voice trembling slightly, and said into the phone:

"Teacher Gao, no, Secretary Yuliang, I didn't..."

"Director Hou, there's no need for further words." Gao Yuliang's tone remained gentle and calm, yet it carried a hint of cold detachment.

"I will never show favoritism to Chen Qingquan for his mistakes. Your anti-corruption bureau did a good job in arresting him."

"Secretary Yuliang, it's me!" Hou Liangping wanted to explain a few more words, but he heard the busy tone of the phone.

He hung up the phone dejectedly, then turned to look at Chen Qingquan, who was lounging asleep in the interrogation room chair on the monitor screen. A surge of anger rose from the bottom of his heart.

After hanging up the phone, Gao Yuliang showed no emotion on his face and handed the phone back to Qi Tongwei.

There was a third person present.

Xia Qing.

He listened to the entire hands-free call, leaned back, and said:

"So, what are Secretary Yuliang's plans? Do you need my help?"

Gao Yuliang said coldly:

"No need. Our political and legal team in Handong cannot be corrupted by cadres like Hou Liangping who do not follow rules and procedures."

Xia Qing nodded knowingly, then turned to Qi Tongwei and smiled:

"Tongwei, your junior isn't very perceptive. He's eager to be used as a pawn."

Qi Tongwei patted his thigh sheepishly, unsure how to respond.

Anyone with eyes could see that something was wrong, but Hou Liangping took credit for it as if it were a gift delivered to his door.

Adding to that, his arrogant tone on the phone just now, even addressing Gao Yuliang by his full name.

Qi Tongwei didn't know what to say.

Gao Yuliang looked very unwell. Hou Liangping was his student, and one he valued highly.

Previously, Xia Qing had arranged for Hou Liangping to receive a major demerit, which Gao Yuliang felt was a bit too much and he couldn't bear to do it.

But judging from Hou Liangping's arrogant attitude during the phone call just now...

Gao Yuliang couldn't imagine what Hou Liangping and Qi Tongwei said about him in private if they talked on the phone like that.

Although Gao Yuliang knew in his heart that Li Dakang had put Chen Qingquan in Hou Liangping's hands to disgust him.

But now that things have come to this, Hou Liangping is someone we absolutely cannot avoid.

Thinking of this, Gao Yuliang called the director of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission office:

"Notify the courts and procuratorates to conduct a rectification campaign on standardizing case-handling procedures in the near future."

Xia Qing listened from the side, and felt like laughing.

Gao Yuliang's move was too ruthless.

To ensure that standardized case-handling procedures are effectively implemented, they must be reflected in the form of ledger records.

Hou Liangping is the kind of person who prefers to handle cases first and then complete the paperwork later.

This time, it includes all the cases that Hou Liangping has handled since arriving in Handong.

From case filing to case closure, all records must be completed to ensure the entire process is flawless and strictly compliant.

Xia Qing could be certain that once this rectification work was carried out, Hou Liangping and the Anti-Corruption Bureau would have to fill in countless ledgers.

As for Chen Qingquan, he was arrested by the Jingzhou Public Security Bureau and handed over to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

The intermediate steps were definitely not recorded.

The task of supplementing the ledger data fell to Hou Liangping.

Of course, the most unfortunate one was the Intermediate Court.

The prosecutor's office took the blame for the trouble Hou Liangping caused.

The intermediate court also needs to be rectified.

After Gao Yuliang had made the arrangements, Xia Qing returned to the main topic and said seriously:

"I'm here today to discuss something with you both. During the investigation of officials with family members residing abroad, we discovered that these officials in Jingzhou City have been targeted by foreign forces and show clear signs of being lured. Currently, they haven't committed any acts of stealing secrets or transferring assets, but that doesn't mean that every official or potential official with family members residing abroad can hold their ground under such long-term and enormous temptations. This is the situation in Jingzhou City, but what about in Handong? And what about the situation nationwide? This is a very serious issue."

"Therefore, I have two requests. First, I request Secretary Yuliang's approval to allow the public security front to provide greater support to the investigation team, and to conduct a more detailed investigation into officials with ties to foreign forces. Second, I request Secretary Yuliang to coordinate with the National Security Department to provide support to the investigation team, and to try to find out the details of these foreign forces. After obtaining preliminary intelligence, I will report to Secretary Sha, and then to higher authorities."

After listening, Gao Yuliang's expression turned unusually serious, his brows furrowed, and he said:

"If that's the case, then this is a very serious issue. Minister Xia did the right thing; this matter must be taken very seriously."

After speaking, Gao Yuliang said to Qi Tongwei:

"Tongwei, mobilize the entire cyber police unit to fully cooperate with the investigation team. I'll handle things with the national security department."

Qi Tongwei immediately stood up, saluted, and said:

"Yes, Secretary Yuliang."

Xia Qing's expression was serious. He had a premonition that this would be the most dangerous job he had ever done since arriving in Handong.

The enemy is a foreign force!

Regardless of the current situation in Handong, everything should be put on hold for now.

We must unite against external threats and resolve the threat posed by foreign forces.

At the same time, Xia Qing also felt worried about a certain person.

Li Dakang.

After the divorce, all he had left was his daughter, who was still studying abroad.

Li Dakang can actually be considered a "naked official" (an official whose family members have emigrated abroad).

If he were also infiltrated by foreign forces, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Xia Qing proposed investigating officials whose family members have emigrated abroad, and even set the first stop in Jingzhou City, which was under the jurisdiction of Li Dakang.

It was absolutely not out of intention to disgust the other party.

Rather, it was a real wake-up call for Li Dakang.

This also gives Li Dakang an opportunity to express his stance.

On Li Dakang's turf, officials with family members abroad were investigated.

This was precisely the best opportunity for him to prove his loyalty.

Xia Qing only hoped that Li Dakang could understand her good intentions.

……

At the same time, at the Zhao residence.

Zhao Ruilong is receiving the most humiliating phone call ever:

"What? Dad, did I hear that right? That's a food court, a huge project that makes hundreds of millions a year! You want me to cooperate with the inspection team to demolish it? And use the compensation money for environmental protection? Dad, I can't listen to you like that..."

On the other end of the phone, Zhao Lichun sighed and gently put down the receiver.

A few seconds later, the receiver was picked up again, and this time, an extremely stern female voice came through:

"Ruilong, there's no room for discussion on this. Just listen to your father and me, and don't let him worry anymore."

"Sister! I'll listen, but... it's so unfair." Zhao Ruilong had always been afraid of his older sister, Zhao Xiaohui. When she spoke up, Zhao Ruilong was already somewhat swayed, but the thought of easily earning a few small goals every year made him feel like his heart was being torn apart.

"There's nothing unfair about it. Sha Ruijin is already sending a strong signal, and also showing it to his superiors, proving that he's capable of getting things done. If we don't give in to him, who knows what even more dishonorable things he might do?" Zhao Xiaohui said calmly, then changed the subject:

"But things belonging to the Zhao family aren't so easy to take."