Nominal: Energy sector enters Handong, breaking the deadlock

Hou Liangping stared at him. "Baozi, you care about your pride, but I care about my principles."

"Principles, principles, you keep talking about principles all the time. When you were a kid, you stole my family's steamed buns, why didn't you talk about principles then?" Cai Chenggong was going all out.

If you can't send the goods out, how can you ask the monkeys for help?

"I was seven years old then." Hou Liangping wanted to laugh.

However, when acting, you have to go all the way.

Cai Chenggong retorted, "Even a seven-year-old monkey is considered edible."

"Stop talking nonsense." Hou Liangping pointed to the box. "Take it. If you don't, I'll call the Discipline Inspection Commission, confiscate the items, and you might even be investigated for bribery."

Cai Chenggong panicked, "Monkey, are you serious?"

Hou Liangping crossed his arms. "See, I was just joking with you?"

The driver was holding the box, unsure whether to move it or not.

Cai Chenggong gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, fine, I'll have the driver move it."

"Now that you're a section chief, things are different. When friends come over, they don't even get a sip of water before being scolded."

Hou Liangping felt that Cai Chenggong's performance was just right. "Baozi, don't blame me. The closer the friends are, the less you should do this. If you give gifts today, what will people say about me tomorrow? They'll say that Hou Liangping talks about fighting corruption but keeps accepting cigarettes and alcohol at home."

Cai Chenggong muttered, "Monkey, who dares to say that about you?"

"It's scarier when nobody says it than when someone does." Hou Liangping reached out to help move it.

He deliberately stood in the middle of the corridor, speaking so that those around him could hear, "Nothing can come in, not a single thing."

The driver carried the boxes toward the elevator.

Cai Chenggong picked up another box, still protesting, "Monkey, this is just a small token of my appreciation. We've been friends since childhood. Don't jump to conclusions."

"If you have something to say, come inside and talk. Take your things with you."

"What about the tea leaves?"

"Tea leaves won't do either."

"Surely the fruit can stay?" Cai Chenggong was about to go crazy.

Hou Liangping insisted, "Take the fruit too."

"You're absolutely amazing."

"If I don't kill them, someone else will kill them for me sooner or later."

In the stairwell, Qin Siyuan nodded upon hearing this.

Hou Liangping is really capable; he's quite astute.

At least he didn't make a foolish mistake at the crucial moment.

They upheld their principles and withstood the test.

He is the most suitable candidate for the position in Handong.

They wished Hou Liangping would go to Handong overnight.

After all the boxes were moved to the elevator, Hou Liangping turned to Cai Chenggong and said, "Baozi, we've been friends since childhood. Sending me these things is a disservice to me."

I'm telling you this: as long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll help you if you encounter any difficulties.

But using things to clear a path won't work.

Cai Chenggong sighed, "Monkey, thank you."

Hou Liangping pointed to the front door, "Baozi, have the driver take him away. Come inside. Have some water."

"Alright!" Cai Chenggong entered the house empty-handed.

The door closed.

The hallway returned to silence.

Qin Siyuan came out of the stairwell, glanced at the closed door, pushed up his glasses, and stepped downstairs.

He didn't knock.

That's enough for tonight.

Was Hou Liangping's performance for someone else, or was it genuine?

He dared not believe it completely.

It's a skill to be able to pull off a convincing performance at crucial moments.

When Qin Siyuan got home, he called Zhong Zhengmian.

I gave a general overview of the situation.

Both men were quite satisfied with Hou Liangping's performance.

After Hou Liangping closed the door, half of the tension on his face vanished.

Cai Chenggong sat down on the sofa, picked up a water glass and drank. "You almost scared me to death just now. Monkey, I really didn't expect you to be so ruthless now."

Hou Liangping sat down opposite him. "Who gave you the idea to come to my house tonight with cigarettes and alcohol?"

"Nobody offered any ideas," Cai Chenggong wiped his mouth. "I did it myself."

"Don't give me that." Hou Liangping stared at him. "You, Cai Chenggong, have been in business for years. You can't be so ignorant of this rule. Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Cai Chenggong paused, his cup still in his hand.

He had a lot to say.

First, they reminisced about the past, then complained about their troubles, and then slowly laid out the problems at Dafeng Factory.

But Hou Liangping gave me a lecture at the door just now, and my rhythm was completely disrupted.

He looked at Hou Liangping and suddenly laughed, "Monkey, you're still the same as ever, stubborn as a mule."

"Don't hold this against me." Hou Liangping pushed the tissue over. "Get to the point."

Cai Chenggong put down his cup, leaned forward, and said, "Handong has changed. Have you heard?"

Hou Liangping did not answer.

Cai Chenggong lowered his voice, "The new first-ranked official in the province is called Xiao Jinzi. The second-ranked official in the province is called Song Shiyao Hui."

Hou Liangping's brow twitched. "Your information network is pretty good."

"In business, if you can't hear well, you'll be taken advantage of long ago." Cai Chenggong licked his lips. "I'm not here for anything else. The shares of Dafeng Factory, Shanshui Group, Jingzhou Bank, and those people are all entangled together. If you don't help me, I might really be doomed."

Hou Liangping leaned back on the sofa. "You've got the wrong person. I don't work in Handong."

Cai Chenggong stared at him. "Monkey, you have to help me. My shares have been taken by Gao Xiaoqin from Shanshui Group. Those people from Shanshui Group are ruthless. My Dafeng Factory is going to be demolished. I, Cai Chenggong, am going to go bankrupt."

Cai Chenggong became increasingly agitated as he spoke, slapping his knees twice. "I've begged people, given gifts, drunkenly accompanied others, and been scolded before. But things are different now; they're trying to drive me to my death."

Hou Liangping looked at him. "Where's the evidence?"

"Yes," Cai Chenggong said confidently.

"Where?" Hou Liangping pressed.

Cai Chenggong remained silent.

Hou Liangping sneered, "See, you still don't trust me."

"It's not that I don't trust you," Cai Chenggong gritted his teeth, "I'm afraid that if I take it out, someone will come after me tomorrow."

"So what are you doing here tonight?" Hou Liangping had just finished speaking when his phone rang.

Hou Liangping picked it up and saw that it was Qin Siyuan.

His heart tightened.

It really was him.

The call was connected.

"Director Qin."

Qin Siyuan's voice was steady, "Liangping, are you asleep?"

"Not yet, Director Qin."

I saw someone looking for you downstairs just now.

Hou Liangping immediately chimed in, "Director Qin is a childhood friend from my hometown in Handong. He brought some inappropriate items, and I've already had him take them all away. It's a matter of principle, and I can't afford to be careless."

Qin Siyuan hummed in agreement. "Even among friends, we need to maintain proper boundaries. Your second uncle and I are both considering your advancement; it's time for you to become a department-level cadre."

"Yes, I've got it." Hou Liangping was very excited. "Thank you, Director Qin, thank you, Second Uncle."

The phone hangs up.

Hou Liangping stared at his phone, remaining motionless for a long time.

Cai Chenggong leaned closer. "Who is it?"

Hou Liangping smiled. "Leader."

Cai Chenggong was curious, "Why is your boss calling you at this time? Everyone says you rarely work overtime."

Hou Liangping glared at Cai Chenggong, "Baozi, isn't this all thanks to you?"

Cai Chenggong slapped his thigh, "Damn it? Did it affect you?"

Hou Liangping said irritably, "What do you think?"

Cai Chenggong panicked. "Monkey, I really didn't mean it. I just wanted to see you. Should I go now and explain to your boss?"

Hou Liangping waved his hand, "No need to explain, you just did a great job."

Since you're here tonight, make things clear.

What exactly happened at Dafeng Factory, and what about Shanshui Group?

And what exactly do you have in your hands?