Name: My father is Zhao Dehan, and I hope he will become a dragon!

Meeting room of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee.

On either side of the long conference table, the Standing Committee members sat upright.

Sha Ruijin sat in the main seat, a document titled "Suggestions on Optimizing the Leadership Structure of Cities and Prefectures in Handong Province" spread out in front of him, his tone calm:

"...Currently, some municipal and prefectural leadership teams are aging and have a limited range of professional backgrounds, especially lacking leading talents in emerging industries and financial regulation. I suggest that the next round of cadre adjustments should favor young cadres who are 'highly educated, knowledgeable in economics, and have grassroots experience.'"

These remarks were bland and uninspiring, neither naming names nor involving sensitive personnel; they were purely routine topics.

Gao Yuliang, however, keenly sensed that this was paving the way for Zhao Dehan and Li Dakang's faction.

However, it doesn't feel quite right.

This is the language of Che Gulu.

There are no specific policies or measures in place.

Something's not right.

Gao Yuliang didn't think much of it.

After Sha Ruijin finished speaking...

Gao Yuliang cleared his throat and took the initiative to speak: "Secretary Sha is right. However, the selection of cadres cannot be based solely on education and age."

He leaned forward, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes. "Ability is the only true measure of success."

He paused for a moment, then smoothly steered the conversation toward Qi Tongwei:

"Take Comrade Qi Tongwei for example—three days ago, there was a cross-provincial armed murder case in Yantai City. The main perpetrator had been on the run for three years, and police in many places were at a loss. And what happened? Qi Tongwei personally led the team and solved the case in 72 hours. What is that? That's real-world capability!"

After a pause, Gao Yuliang sensed that the gazes around him were somewhat strange.

Why are Zhao Dehan, Tian Guofu, and Li Dakang looking at me with such strange eyes?

However, having already put things this way, Gao Yuliang could only grit his teeth and continue, "Over the years, he has been on the front lines of public security, solving major cases and resolving difficult problems; his achievements are evident to all!"

"I don't think so!" Li Dakang said.

"Why not?"

Gao Yuliang sensed the tense atmosphere and became agitated. He tapped his fingers on the table, spittle almost flying onto Li Dakang's face: "These days, some people are always talking about 'procedures' and 'rules,' but if it weren't for cadres like Qi Tongwei leading the charge, could the security in Handong have been maintained?"

He took a deep breath: "I suggest that the organization should boldly use comrades like this, and not discourage those who are truly dedicated!"

Sha Ruijin listened quietly, his face expressionless.

Li Dakang lowered his head and drank his tea.

Zhao Dehan stared at the notebook, as if he were writing something down, but in reality, he was hiding a cold smile in his eyes.

Gao Yuliang felt increasingly uneasy.

Just then, Secretary Bai, the director of the Provincial Party Committee General Office, gently pushed open the door and entered. He quickly walked behind Sha Ruijin, leaned down, and whispered:

"Secretary Sha, the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection just sent word that Qi Tongwei has been successfully detained. His confession, physical evidence, and witnesses are all in place. The case file in Luzhou has been delivered in encrypted form."

Sha Ruijin nodded slightly, then raised his hand to interrupt Gao Yuliang's impassioned speech.

"Comrade Gao Yuliang!"

Sha Ruijin's voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable weight: "You just mentioned Comrade Qi Tongwei's abilities...Coincidentally, I have some newly arrived materials here, which are also related to abilities."

He pulled out a stack of files, three centimeters thick, from the folder. The cover prominently displayed:

Preliminary Investigation Report on the "June 18" Heinous Criminal Case in Lüzhou City and Related Disciplinary and Legal Violations by Public Officials

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Gao Yuliang's smile froze on his face.

Sha Ruijin slowly turned to the first page, his gaze sharp as a knife: "This report shows that Qi Tongwei's cousin, Qi Tonghai, has long been using his status as a 'relative of the Public Security Bureau Chief' to run brothels, force prostitution, and illegally detain people in Luzhou!"

"Chen Guodong, the director of the Luzhou Public Security Bureau, accepted a bribe of 200,000 yuan to suppress a gang rape case!"

"The victim, Tang Xiaoli, had her father beaten to death in the street, and her younger brother was killed in a car accident caused by drunk driving!"

"And Qi Tongjiang—another cousin of Qi Tongwei—has repeatedly declared in public: 'My brother is the Director of the Public Security Bureau, who dares to touch me?'"

At this point, Sha Ruijin raised his head and looked directly at Gao Yuliang:

"Comrade Gao Yuliang, is the 'capability' you're referring to the ability to 'protect criminal gangs and condone relatives' disregard for human life'?"

Gao Yuliang's face turned from red to white, and then from white to green.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but found his throat too dry to make a sound.

Only one thought was roaring in his mind:

"Qi Tongwei! How many times have I warned you?!"

Don't let your relatives run amok in your name!

You fucking dare to do that!

Now it's all over—it's all ruined!

He suddenly realized: "Sha Ruijin wasn't discussing cadre appointments at all. This is a meticulously planned trap!"

Gao Yuliang shuddered, almost reflexively standing up abruptly. His voice suddenly rose, filled with an urgent desire to distance himself: "Secretary Sha! This case is extremely serious and must be severely punished! I suggest—immediately taking coercive measures against Qi Tongwei, interrogating him overnight, and thoroughly investigating the protective umbrella behind him!"

He spoke rapidly, veins throbbing on his forehead, as if by appearing angry and resolute enough, he could clear himself of any connection to that filthy quagmire.

"This kind of scoundrel dares to commit crimes under the guise of the political and legal system! He is a disgrace to Handong! The organization must not be lenient with him!"

The conference room was deathly silent.

Li Dakang lowered his head, concealing a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth; Zhao Dehan slowly closed his notebook, his eyes fixed on Gao Yuliang as if he were looking at a clown jumping around; Tian Guofu stared coldly at Gao Yuliang, as if he were looking at a house of cards about to collapse.

Sha Ruijin laughed.

That smile was gentle, even showing some compassion, yet it sent a chill down Gao Yuliang's spine.

"Comrade Gao Yuliang!"

Sha Ruijin spoke slowly, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather: "Your realization came a little late."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, and spoke clearly, word by word: "Just as you were praising Qi Tongwei's 'unquestionable abilities,' he was already sitting in the interrogation room of the provincial discipline inspection commission's detention center."

Gao Yuliang was struck dumb, frozen in place.

"Wh...what?" His lips trembled, his voice dry. "They've already...caught them?"

"Not long ago!"

Sha Ruijin nodded, his tone calm: "He was invited to the small auditorium of the Provincial Public Security Bureau under the guise of a 'Criminal Investigation Experience Exchange Meeting.' The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Provincial Procuratorate conducted a joint operation, which was recorded in its entirety. The procedure was legal. He himself has signed and confirmed the detention document."

Gao Yuliang's legs went weak, he staggered back half a step, and fell heavily back into the chair.

He got it.

His own impassioned defense.

Not fair,

Not taking responsibility,

Instead, it was a performance in which he publicly exposed his shortcomings.

The more he supported Qi Tongwei, the more...

This further proves that the relationship between the two is extraordinary;

The more he emphasizes "ability",

The more they turned a blind eye to Qi Tongwei's evil deeds, the more they seemed to condone and even tolerate them.

Now, Qi Tongwei has been apprehended and his confession is in hand.

Gao Yuliang went from being the "Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission" to a "person involved in a major case" in an instant.

He looked around; the Standing Committee members either lowered their eyes, turned their faces to the side, or looked coldly at him, none of them meeting his gaze.

At that moment, Gao Yuliang felt like a clown who had been stripped naked.

Standing under the spotlight,

Full of honest advice,

But all he got in return was a room full of silent contempt.