Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

Gao Yuliang paused, his hand holding the cigarette still.

Chen Yanshi.

These three words are not as simple as just an old man in the officialdom of Handong.

"Secretary Sha will go." Gao Yuliang stubbed out his cigarette. "Let's see how it goes with Secretary Sha's persuasion. Old Chen is the kind of person who responds better to gentle persuasion than force, and more to reason than emotion. If we go too early, it might not be appropriate."

Qi Tongwei understood.

Gao Yuliang did not want to preempt Sha Ruijin's initiative.

He didn't want to put himself in front of Chen Yanshi and take the first hit for Chen Shan.

"Teacher, I understand."

"It's good that you understand." Gao Yuliang looked up. "Tongwei, the weather in Handong changes quickly. When you're standing in the rain, think about the umbrella first, not the thunder."

Qi Tongwei smiled and said, "Teacher, someone has to hold the umbrella. We can't all hide under the eaves and watch the people get soaked in the rain."

Gao Yuliang looked at him for a while, then said nothing more.

That sounds nice.

It's also painful.

Qi Tongwei left Gao Yuliang's office and took a special car back to the provincial government.

Secretary Cai Xiaofei followed behind, while Qi Tongwei took a mobile phone.

Leave everything else to the secretary.

After being informed by Governor Liu's secretary, Qi Tongwei entered Liu Changsheng's office.

"Governor Liu."

"Tongwei's here." Liu Changsheng looked up, took off his glasses, and said, "Sit down. You've been coming around a lot today."

Qi Tongwei sat opposite Liu Changsheng and said, "We can't be careless about Chen Shan's matter."

"Being diligent is a good thing, but don't run around aimlessly." Liu Changsheng pushed the documents aside. "I heard you're going to contact Interpol?"

"Yes. Du Bozhong and Li Shiya are both out there, and Chen Shan might be out there too. We have to go through the proper channels."

Liu Changsheng nodded. "We need to use the official channels, but we also need to find ways to make a living. It's right that you're keeping an eye on Chen Shan. But Chen Shan has already been pushed to the forefront. The one who can actually move the money and arrange for people to escape may not be him."

Qi Tongwei leaned back in his chair. "Du Bozhong?"

"Start with Du Bozhong." Liu Changsheng picked up his teacup. "He's a businessman, and businessmen have a problem: they say they don't care about money, but they're closer to their accounts than their wives. He's more anxious than anyone else about the money frozen at Shanshui Group."

"It's said that Tian Guofu has already made a phone call. Du Bozhong isn't taking the bait." Qi Tongwei heard this from his secretary.

"The Discipline Inspection Commission called, of course he didn't answer," Liu Changsheng chuckled. "Tongwei, if it were you, would you answer?"

Qi Tongwei smiled faintly, "I don't do anything against my conscience."

Liu Changsheng tapped the table with his finger. "If you say that at a meeting, it'll make the news. But I'll pass."

Neither of them laughed anymore.

In official circles, jokes can either lighten the mood or flip the table.

Liu Changsheng stopped short of making a move.

"There's one more thing," Liu Changsheng said in a low voice, "The selection of the Director of the Public Security Bureau can't be delayed any longer. Every day the position left by Chen Shan remains vacant, chaos ensues below."

Qi Tongwei asked, "Sir, who do you think is suitable?"

Liu Changsheng's idea was to stabilize the public security sector. "Given the current situation, Xia Changfeng is the most suitable candidate."

Qi Tongwei did not immediately express his opinion.

Xia Changfeng is qualified, skilled in his work, and in a good position.

The smoother things go, the more people tend to overthink.

Some might say Liu Changsheng is supporting his own people, others might say Qi Tongwei is using this opportunity to reshuffle the deck, and still others might say Sha Ruijin is using the Chen Shan case to consolidate power.

A department head is more than just a chair.

It's the head of dozens of lines.

Liu Changsheng saw his reaction and said, "Tongwei, don't overthink it."

At this time, what's needed are people who can do the work, not people who just put on a show.

I'll handle the communication with Minister Hao. You should focus on the Hong Kong connection.

Finding Du Bozhong, and if possible, starting with that guy, is the shortcut.

"I understand." Qi Tongwei stood up. "I'll take care of it immediately."

Liu Changsheng picked up his glasses. "We need to hurry. Otherwise, the fish will be gone, the hook will be gone, and we'll only be able to look at the water."

"Okay." Qi Tongwei stood up to take his leave.

The door closed.

Liu Changsheng picked up the red landline on the table and dialed a number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Minister Hao, this is Liu Changsheng."

Minister Hao's voice was steady. "Comrade Changsheng, I've heard about Chen Shan's situation. It's a bit of a pity."

Liu Changsheng sighed, "Minister Hao, it's because we in Handong failed to keep a close watch on things."

Minister Hao is also considering the selection of the director of the Public Security Bureau. "It's useless to talk about this now. We need to find the right person, and the team needs to be stable. What does Handong think about the position of director of the Public Security Bureau?"

Liu Changsheng didn't beat around the bush, "At present, Xia Changfeng is suitable."

Minister Hao nodded. "I think so too. They are familiar with the situation and can handle it."

At this critical moment, we can't let things stagnate in the office. Our department needs to expedite the procedures, and your Handong Provincial Party Committee and Organization Department should also speed things up.

"Yes, Minister Hao."

"Furthermore, in the Chen Shan case, we shouldn't just focus on personal grudges. We need to see clearly whether there's a chain of interests behind it, or whether anyone is using the case to stir up trouble."

Liu Changsheng, holding the microphone, said, "Understood."

After hanging up the phone, he sat for a while.

The shadows of trees outside the window pressed against the glass, and were ruffled by the wind.

Liu Changsheng picked up a pen and wrote three names on the paper.

Chen Shan.

Du Bozhong.

Xia Changfeng.

After writing, he tore up the paper and threw it into the shredder.

The paper shredder made a clicking sound.

The person's name may be gone, but the event remains.

Qi Tongwei returned to his office, where his secretary brought in a stack of documents.

He flipped through two pages but couldn't get into it.

Tian Guofu must have contacted Du Bozhong.

The phone call from the Discipline Inspection Commission is more intimidating than humane.

He can no longer use the same key to open the same lock.

Qi Tongwei took out his phone and found a number.

Gao Xiaofeng.

The screen lit up for a few seconds before he made the call.

The call connected, and a woman's voice came from the other end, with a Hong Kong accent.

It's mainly because I've lived there for a long time.

"Same as Viagra."

"Xiaofeng, is it convenient to talk?"

"It's convenient. I'm at home, and Jia Hong is here too. Has something happened in Handong?"

Qi Tongwei stood by the window. "There's something I need you to ask about."

"Tongwei, what is it?"

"Du Bozhong, a merchant from Handong, might be in Hong Kong. I need his whereabouts."

"Um."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Gao Xiaofeng didn't ask why.

She knew very well that Qi Tongwei wouldn't bother her with trivial matters.

He understands even more clearly that the reason he can sit in a luxury mansion in Hong Kong today and be married to Ho Ka-hung, the second son of Ho's Industrial Group, is inseparable from the help that Qi Tongwei gave him back then.

She went from being a poor fisherwoman to becoming the wife of a wealthy family in Hong Kong.

"Tongwei, let me ask my husband."

Her voice came through the phone in a low voice.

"Jiahong, Brother Wei is looking for you."

Soon, a male voice answered with a smile, "Brother Tongwei, what can I do for you?"

"Jiahong, could you please investigate someone for me? Du Bozhong has fled to Hong Kong and is afraid to return to Handong. I need to know where he lives, who he meets, and whether Li Shiya is with him."

He Jiahong did not refuse, "No problem. As long as he is in Hong Kong, he will definitely be able to find him."

We are very confident in this; the He family cannot possibly fail to find the person they are looking for.

Unless you're not in Hong Kong.

Qi Tongwei nodded. "Don't make a big fuss. Investigate first, but don't touch it."

"Understood. Hong Kong has rules and circles. People like Du Bozhong will leave a trail once they spend money. Hotels, yachts, clubs, villas, real estate agencies, banks—there's always someone who knows him."

Qi Tongwei cautioned, "Jia Hong, don't get yourself involved. Thank you!"

He Jiahong smiled, "Tongwei, don't worry."

You're welcome, we're family.

If it weren't for you, Xiaofeng might still be living a hard life in the countryside of Luzhou.

Gao Xiaofeng nudged her husband's arm. "What is Jia Hong saying? He's doing important business for Tongwei. Tongwei is my own brother."

"I'm serious," He Jiahong said without hesitation. "Tongwei, wait for my news. I'll get back to you within 24 hours."