EFB Chapter 130 Hou Liangping's Innocence
Chapter 130 Hou Liangping's Innocence
Just as Chen Hai was leading the anti-corruption bureau in its work.
Hou Liangping has been out of work for more than half a month.
Apart from continuing to receive their salary, it's essentially the same as being suspended from their job.
For this reason, he sought help from Sha Ruijin more than once.
The reply, relayed by Tian Guofu, was, "You need to stay focused. If the investigation finds no problems, it's good for everyone."
Hou Liangping then called Zhong Xiaoai for help.
However, after learning about the situation, Zhong Xiaoai advised Hou Liangping to calm down.
Because Zhong Xiaoai understood the seriousness of the situation.
The person who made this report has only submitted the materials to the disciplinary committee so far.
Does he have any more explosive information about Hou Liangping?
If so, would he submit it directly to the media?
These are all unknowns. All the disciplinary committee can do is to investigate Hou Liangping according to procedures. As long as it is confirmed that Hou Liangping did not have any problems in handling the case, the disciplinary committee will have a clear understanding of how to handle similar incidents in the future.
Furthermore, the whistleblower's actions so far are not particularly significant; compared to condemning Hou Liangping to utter ruin, the warning is stronger.
The purpose, of course, was to prevent Hou Liangping from breaking through Liu Xinjian's defenses.
Therefore, following the other party's plan, it would not be too late to temporarily remove Hou Liangping and wait until the situation was clarified before taking further action.
This is the safest approach.
However, Hou Liangping did not think so.
He wouldn't care about the power struggles, tests, and compromises involved; he only felt that he had been unjustly suspended from his post and suffered a tremendous injustice.
But no one came to comfort him.
And so, on the twentieth day of Hou Liangping's suspension.
Tian Guofu led a group of staff members into Hou Liangping's room and said solemnly:
"Comrade Hou Liangping, the investigation into you has concluded, and the results show that there are no problems."
Hou Liangping felt as if he had heard the most beautiful sound in the world. He jumped out of bed and eagerly grabbed Tian Guofu's hand, saying:
"Really?! Thank you, Secretary Tian, thank you, Discipline Inspection Commission..."
Tian Guofu withdrew his hand, patted Hou Liangping on the shoulder, and said:
"Ryoping, although you are fine, you cannot return to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for the time being."
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him; Hou Liangping was dumbfounded and said, utterly dejected:
"Why!"
"Because the enemy's true intentions are still unknown. Think about it, this time he only sent your report to the Discipline Inspection Commission. Whether he has more ruthless information or bigger moves is anyone's guess. But what we can be sure of is that once you reopen the interrogation of Liu Xinjian, new reports will surface." Tian Guofu pulled Hou Liangping down to sit, speaking earnestly:
"Besides, Chen Hai has now found a new breakthrough, so Liu Xinjian isn't as important anymore. To ensure the effectiveness of the anti-corruption bureau's work, your current absence is for the sake of the overall situation... Liangping, can you understand?"
Hou Liangping was stunned.
Chen Hai, it's Chen Hai again!
Why is it that I struggle so much with cases, but Chen Hai seems to handle everything with ease?
Is Liu Xinjian no longer important?
What would it mean if I risked everything to bring him back?
Seeing that Hou Liangping remained silent, Tian Guofu comforted him:
"Okay, I've already spoken to Inspector Ji. February 7th is Lunar New Year's Eve, which is about twenty days away. Consider this time a holiday for you. Take a good rest, relax, and recharge for the coming year!"
Hou Liangping knew that refuting it was useless, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:
"Then... thank you, Secretary Tian."
Tian Guofu left with a smile, and Hou Liangping, accompanied by several discipline inspection officials, saw him off from the hotel where the case was being handled.
Standing on the street, Hou Liangping looked up at the sky and felt homeless for the first time.
He couldn't show up at the Anti-Corruption Bureau, but he didn't want to go home and lie down.
Is it really possible to live a life of debauchery for more than a month, until after the New Year?
By then, the daylilies were already cold.
Hou Liangping was extremely anxious, yet he knew he was powerless to do anything about it.
I don't plan to tell Zhong Xiaoai either.
After all, he had become a target, and the disciplinary committee had confirmed his innocence. However, in order not to affect the anti-corruption bureau, he advised himself to take a break.
In essence, Tian Guofu still cares about himself, and it would be ungrateful of him to ask Zhong Xiaoai to step in again.
Hou Liangping wandered aimlessly down the street, watching passersby begin preparing for the New Year and every household cleaning in advance.
That feeling of drifting and loneliness swept over me even more.
I really want to go back to Beijing and spend time with my wife and kids.
But Hou Liangping knew that now was not the time to back down.
Since they won't let me go to the anti-corruption bureau, why don't I just call them out myself?
With that in mind, Hou Liangping dialed a number.
Half an hour later, at the coffee shop.
Hou Liangping sat in a booth, drinking coffee as he watched the shop door open and a young man rush in, looking around.
Hou Liangping stretched out his right hand and said:
"Zhou Zheng, over here."
Zhou Zheng followed the sound, quickly ran to a booth, sat down, and said with a mixture of relief and extreme caution:
"Brother Hou, are you alright?"
"What could possibly happen to me? The disciplinary committee has already proven my innocence; you can rest assured." Hou Liangping ordered a latte for Zhou Zheng, then leaned closer and whispered:
"How far along is Chen Hai's investigation with his colleagues?"
Zhou Zheng immediately became alert, his face full of embarrassment.
Seeing this, Hou Liangping said with dissatisfaction:
"Zhou Zheng, I am now in my capacity as the deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, ordering you to report on your work progress! What's wrong with you? Are you trying to disobey orders?"
Zhou Zheng was so badly accused that he regretted coming to see Hou Liangping, but he still obediently reported to Hou Liangping.
After listening, Hou Liangping felt envious of Chen Hai's work achievements, and even more envious of Chen Hai's ability to get help from the Audit Department.
He asked in confusion:
"That's not right. Chen Yanshi is in jail for bribery, but Chen Hai is acting like nothing happened?"
"Brother Hou, don't talk nonsense. Chen Yanshi is Chen Yanshi, and Director Chen is Director Chen. Even if they are father and son, it doesn't mean Director Chen knew about it." Zhou Zheng quickly covered Hou Liangping's mouth and added:
"The quarterly inspector has already given instructions not to bring up Chen Yanshi, and everyone is being very careful."
Hou Liangping muttered, "He's a damn prince," then his eyes darted around, and he whispered:
"Hey Zhou Zheng, I can't go back to the bureau for a while. Could you do me a favor? Write down the names of any companies or individuals the bureau finds related to the oil and gas group, especially the names of people. That shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
"Brother Hou! This, this won't do! This is leaking work secrets..." Zhou Zheng said with difficulty.
"Am I the deputy director or are you the deputy director? I need to know the situation. Do you have a problem with that?" Hou Liangping immediately put on his official airs. After thinking it over again and again, Zhou Zheng had no choice but to agree.
"That's more like it."
Hou Liangping patted Zhou Zheng on the shoulder with satisfaction, placed the banknotes on the table, and swaggered out of the coffee shop.