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

Chapter 61 Progress

"Is there no law in Handong anymore?"

Zhao Ruilong downed the red wine in his glass in one gulp, picked up a piece of meat from the exquisitely arranged plate, and chewed it fiercely, as if venting his anger on the meat.

"Ruilong, eat slowly, don't choke."

Sitting opposite Zhao Ruilong, Gao Yuliang, with a gentle expression, handed him a tissue and said:

"Is things not going well with the food court?"

Zhao Ruilong took the tissue, wiped his mouth, and said angrily:

"When Yi Xuexi was the director of the development zone, he wasn't even qualified to sit across from me. Did he dare to say anything about demolishing the food court? Now that he's hooked up with Sha Ruijin, guess what? He's all high and mighty now, daring to use his position as deputy secretary to pressure me into demolishing the food court!"

Gao Yuliang smiled gently, but didn't respond to Zhao Ruilong's words, which made the latter feel even more frustrated and unable to vent his anger. His eyes darted around, and he looked at Gao Yuliang, saying:

"Professor Gao, you are the deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Handong. Can't you help put some pressure on the food court issue?"

Gao Yuliang had anticipated that Zhao Ruilong would say this, including the lunch meeting today, which was also because Zhao Ruilong needed his help.

However, at this sensitive time, Sha Ruijin and Tian Guofu have launched an offensive from two directions: the food court and the oil and gas group, with the Zhao family as their target.

If he rashly intervenes at this point, not only will he be unable to suppress the food court, but Gao Yuliang himself may also suffer.

Therefore, Gao Yuliang said earnestly:

"Ruilong, the environmental inspectors are ostensibly checking the food court, but their real target is me. How can I pressure them? If I speak up, things will only get more complicated. In these times, stability is paramount. Whoever can remain calm will..."

"Alright, Teacher Gao, there's no need to preach these grand principles to me." Zhao Ruilong rudely interrupted Gao Yuliang, still feeling that Gao Yuliang didn't want to get involved and was no longer wholeheartedly working for the Zhao family.

So Zhao Ruilong sighed and said sarcastically:

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do about it. You're Secretary Gao now, the third-in-command in Handong. How could someone as insignificant as me possibly get you to step in? If the old man were still in office, things would be so much easier..."

Upon hearing Zhao Ruilong's words, Gao Yuliang, usually as calm as a still pond, showed a rare hint of anger. He stood up, pointed to the table full of dishes, and said sternly:

"Zhao Ruilong, what are you saying? Let me tell you, stop bringing up our old boss! Go back and ask him if it was right or wrong for me, Gao Yuliang, not to speak up for the food court, and whether I was doing it for myself or for someone else! Do you know how sensitive things are right now? I only came to this meal today because of our old boss! If someone takes a picture of us meeting, everything will be in a very awkward situation! Do you understand?!"

After Gao Yuliang finished speaking, he subconsciously smoothed the collar of his shirt under his wool cardigan, pulled his executive jacket from the back of the chair and draped it over his shoulders, then walked straight to the door, still seething with anger, and said:

"Excuse me. Ruilong, you'd better take care of yourself."

"Hey, Secretary Gao, Teacher Gao! That's not what I meant..." Zhao Ruilong realized that Gao Yuliang was really angry and hurriedly chased after him, but Gao Yuliang had already left in his car.

Zhao Ruilong was left standing there stunned for a few seconds, stomping his feet in anger:

"Damn it, what kind of mess is this!"

……

On the other side, at the Handong Procuratorate, the Anti-Corruption Bureau Command Center.

The technicians, wearing headphones, stared intently at the screens, their fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboards.

Lu Yike moved around the room, occasionally discussing the case and analyzing the materials with Lin Huahua and Zhou Zheng.

Hou Liangping stood in the commander-in-chief's seat, one hand supporting his chin, without uttering a word.

It all started when we received Tian Guofu's invitation to join the joint investigation and obtained clues about the Handong Provincial Oil and Gas Group.

Hou Liangping has uncovered numerous clues through evidence such as fund flows and bank accounts.

The criticism is directed at Huilong Group.

What puzzled Hou Liangping was that even if he could find out about abnormal financial transactions, it was difficult to find evidence against key figures within the oil and gas group.

In particular, Liu Xinjian, chairman and general manager of the oil and gas group.

Hou Liangping's intuition told him that this person had a serious problem, a very serious problem.

Lacking direct evidence, the anti-corruption bureau could only conduct investigations along the periphery of Liu Xinjian's activities, and could not directly question Liu Xinjian.

But Hou Liangping would never let Liu Xinjian go.

We will definitely find a breakthrough by talking to him.

Once it is proven that Liu Xinjian directly handled the transfer of funds, he can be arrested immediately.

This time, I must make a contribution and completely wash away the stain of the major demerit!

Hou Liangping's eyes shone with determination. Just then, Lu Yike came over to report to the leader:

"Director Hou, we have expanded the scope of the investigation, but all the improper fund flows can only be traced back to the middle management of the oil and gas group, not to the top leader, Liu Xinjian."

Hou Liangping pondered for a moment and said:

"Continue the investigation, steer the investigation towards Liu Xinjian, and try to find a connection. But remind your comrades, before finding conclusive evidence, do not alert him!"

Lu Yike nodded and went back to her work.

Hou Liangping fell into deep thought again. He appeared calm, but in reality, he was extremely anxious.

He was parachuted into Handong, but instead of achieving merit, he was burdened with a major demerit.

Anyone would be anxious!

The command center was in a flurry of activity, but no one noticed that the door to the side was being slowly pulled open from the outside.

Chen Hai quietly walked into the command center, looking at his colleagues who were working hard on the case, his eyes revealing envy.

He walked up to Hou Liangping and was about to pat him on the shoulder when he suddenly remembered that his position was no longer what it used to be, so he quickly withdrew his hand.

Chen Hai adjusted his expression and smiled somewhat awkwardly:

"Monkey... Director Hou."

Hou Liangping turned around, saw Chen Hai, and said with slight surprise:

"Huh? Chen Hai? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to give you some advice," Chen Hai said, scratching his head.

"I've already heard about the case from Lu Yike, and I've been thinking about it for a long time. Based on my many years of experience in anti-corruption, focusing solely on the oil and gas group isn't enough..."

Hou Liangping seemed not to have heard what Chen Hai said at all. He deliberately frowned, glared, and began to speak in a high-pitched tone:

"How could Lu Yike have told you such confidential case details? Chen Hai, you're no longer with the Anti-Corruption Bureau..."

"I know, I know, I just came to remind you." Chen Hai quickly waved his hands to appease Hou Liangping, smiling apologetically:

"The oil and gas group will definitely be heavily guarded, making it impossible for you to find any loopholes. You need to make it appear as if you're investigating the oil and gas group, while also investigating the Shanshui Group at the same time. I'm certain that the relationship between them is not that simple."

Hou Liangping became even more furious and said sternly:

"Director Chen! I have my own plans for the oil and gas group's case, and everything is under my control! On the contrary, you not only investigated the case privately but also trespassed into the command center. According to regulations, I can detain you and hold you accountable."

"No, no, no, I'm leaving right now," Chen Hai said repeatedly, leaving the command center before Hou Liangping caused a commotion and was surrounded by his former subordinates.

After Chen Hai left, Lu Yike belatedly came over and asked curiously:

"Chen Hai is here? Why don't you let him sit down for a while?"

"Why are you sitting? This is a command center investigating a case, not a game!" Hou Liangping said with his hands behind his back, extremely serious.

Finally, as if remembering something, he added to Lu Yike:

"Oh, right, I just realized we should expand our investigation and continue monitoring the Shanshui Group!"