Official statement: Tongwei is dead! You chose Ruijin, didn't you?

The news of Bai Wangshan's serious illness was still top secret among the core members of the provincial party committee last night, but by the next morning, it had spread like wildfire in the small circles of officialdom in Handong.

He was told that his blood pressure had spiked and he had heart problems, so he was admitted to a high-ranking ward in a Beijing hospital overnight.

The illness came at just the right time, precisely when the special task force was about to knock on the door.

The officials in the Han Dong government reacted in various ways upon hearing this.

Some people think that the old leader is too old to withstand the pressure; others think it's a typical "technical illness," a delaying tactic; still others think that, regardless of the truth, the fact that Bai Wangshan was forced to the hospital means that the truth of the matter in Handong has been completely revealed.

Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee Office.

Li Dakang was frowning as he looked at the city investment company's debt statement when his secretary pushed open the door and cautiously reported, "Secretary, Old Bai is in the hospital."

The pen in Li Dakang's hand stopped in mid-air.

He didn't show any deep concern or distress; his first reaction was genuine fear.

Even in this air-conditioned room, a thin layer of sweat had seeped out on my back.

Fortunately, when Bai Wangshan called him that day to hint at taking over as governor, he immediately took Yi Xuexi to the provincial party committee and the supervisory group to record the contents of the call word for word.

Otherwise, now that Bai Lao is hospitalized, people outside will definitely say that Li Dakang has been secretly instructed by his old leader to prepare to take over as governor and protect the old forces.

If this blame is pinned on him, he won't be able to clear his name even if he goes to the Children's Palace to look at the stars all night.

Yi Xuexi, who was sitting on the sofa flipping through documents, looked up and said, "Now you know the benefits of filing a record, right?"

Li Dakang put down his pen and let out a long sigh: "Old Yi, you've saved my life this time."

Yi Xuexi picked up his thermos and blew on the tea leaves: "You're welcome. Just remember to refrain from criticizing the Discipline Inspection Commission for dragging down your GDP in future meetings."

Li Dakang pointed at him irritably: "You, you save a life and then you still have to charge a handling fee on the side."

"It's a professional habit. The Discipline Inspection Commission doesn't show favoritism; it only follows the rules." Yi Xuexi took a sip of tea, looking completely at ease.

...

On the other side, the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse.

Qin Yuanzhou had just received the latest report from the Northern Task Force: Bai Wangshan was not suitable for a long conversation, but a short verification could be conducted.

Zhou Zhengming sneered: "Short-term verification? Back then, he was in good health, talking with people until dawn at the South Bank Sanatorium. Now he can't even listen to a few words?"

Lu Chengzhou, sitting in the main seat, waved his hand: "Don't let your emotions get the better of you. For veteran comrades of this rank, the more rigorous the procedures, the better. We can't give outsiders any reason to suspect forced confessions."

Meng Huaichuan nodded in agreement: "Keep pushing the evidence up the chain of command. The door to the ward can hold back time, but it can't hold back the written evidence."

Qin Yuanzhou took out a thick stack of letters and pushed them to the center of the table.

This is the self-written statement that Gao Yuliang stayed up all night last night. The handwriting is neat and the structure is clear.

"The materials on the legal and political protection chain of the Shanshui Manor submitted by Gao Yuliang are of great value."

Qin Yuanzhou turned to the first page. "It clearly outlines the roles of Cheng Du, Xiao Gangyu, and others, as well as Qi Tongwei's role within them. It's practically a black book for the Handong political and legal system."

Looking at the summary, Zhou Zhengming commented, "This old fox didn't completely shift the blame to Qi Tongwei."

Qin Yuanzhou read aloud a passage: "As the then-leader of the political and legal system, I bear unshirkable leadership responsibility and mentorship responsibility for Qi Tongwei's abuse of power to protect the Shanshui Group. Qi Tongwei's problems stemmed from both personal greed and the long-standing distorted personnel and power environment. I am willing to accept organizational disciplinary action."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Xiaolin stood in the corner, feeling somewhat sentimental.

Gao Yuliang wrote this passage very cleverly.

They admitted their mistake, but then shifted the blame to the system and the Liang family's corruption in personnel management back then.

But you can't say he was entirely calculating. After he went to Yantai to pay respects at Qi Tongwei's grave, there was indeed something genuine in his words.

Zhou Zhengming looked up and asked, "What are the recommendations for the interim handling of Gao Yuliang?"

Qin Yuanzhou looked at Lu Chengzhou.

After a moment's thought, Lu Chengzhou gave his assessment: "We will first formulate a phased evaluation. The investigation into Gao Yuliang's suspected violations of discipline and law will continue, but given his significant contributions in solving major cases, securing evidence in old cases in Lingang, and breaking through leads on his Beijing agent, he will continue to be placed under medical supervision for the time being, and will not be transferred to detention."

Meng Huaichuan raised a detail: "How should the report describe the serious impact of his suicide attempt?"

"It must be written; there is no way to avoid it."

Lu Chengzhou said, "It should be stated that he took extreme measures to resist the organization's preliminary investigation, causing serious political repercussions. But it should also be stated that the direct cause was Hou Liangping's serious violation of case-handling procedures, interrogating the leading cadres involved in the case alone without proper procedures or audio and video recording."

Qin Yuanzhou nodded: "You've struck a good balance."

Zhou Zhengming had some concerns: "Will that faction be able to accept this outcome?"

Lu Chengzhou said calmly, "Whether they accept it or not is not important; what matters is that the procedures are sound. We're here to investigate a case, not to try to maintain a balance."

……

10:00 AM, intensive care unit at the hospital.

Zhou Zhengming, accompanied by Xiao Lin, conveyed the phased handling guidelines to Gao Yuliang in person.

After listening, Gao Yuliang leaned back on the pillow and nodded slightly: "No transfer to indwelling, continue medical supervision. This result is better than I expected."

Zhou Zhengming reminded him, "Don't be too happy yet. Your problem still needs further investigation."

"I know," Gao Yuliang said calmly. "I'm not being released without charge; I'm working while I'm sick."

Kobayashi, standing nearby, couldn't help but chime in, "To be precise, it was meritorious service while ill."

Gao Yuliang smiled: "Xiao Lin, your work summaries are getting more and more accurate."

Wu Huifen, who was peeling an apple next to her, visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

It wasn't that she didn't understand discipline; she just knew that as long as Gao Yuliang wasn't immediately transferred to a detention center, there was still room for maneuver.

For someone who jumped from the sixth floor, this is like having a second chance at life.

Zhou Zhengming changed the subject: "Bai Wangshan is seriously ill, and the special task force can only conduct short-term verification. Do you have any way to stop him from pretending to be confused?"

Gao Yuliang glanced at Zhou Zhengming: "Are you using me as a catalyst?"

"You can understand it that way."

Gao Yuliang thought for a moment and then said, "Have Sha Ruijin write a personal statement."

Zhou Zhengming frowned: "Sha Ruijin has already explained everything very clearly; the transcript is available."

"That's different." Gao Yuliang waved his hand. "The transcript of the conversation is organizational material, while a handwritten statement is a psychological weapon. Have Sha Ruijin, as his adopted son, write down Bai Wangshan's instructions before he was parachuted into Handong. The wording doesn't need to be too harsh, just include the sentences 'Don't bring up old grievances in Lingang,' 'Hou Liangping is an outsider,' and 'The Chen family should not be touched.' Then, when Bai Wangshan verifies it briefly, put this paper in front of him."

Zhou Zhengming's expression changed.

Gao Yuliang continued his analysis: "A seasoned veteran like Bai Wangshan isn't afraid of accusations from outsiders, but he's afraid of being betrayed by his own people. Sha Ruijin was someone he personally cultivated, and now that Sha Ruijin has turned against him, there's little point in him feigning illness again."

Xiao Lin felt a chill run down his spine.

That's a really underhanded trick.

The adoptive father and son ultimately became evidence of each other's betrayal.