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

Zhou Zhengming didn't rush to reply. He simply picked up his ever-present thermos and slowly blew on the goji berries floating on the surface.

The recorder behind him, Kobayashi, immediately sat up straight, ready for anything.

The interrogation in front of us involves the political circles of both Beijing and Wuhan. Every statement we make is enough to trigger a level twelve political tsunami.

Looking at Hou Liangping's distraught appearance, Lao Liu from the Supreme People's Procuratorate felt a mix of emotions.

He took a half step forward, raised his hand as if to pat Hou Liangping on the shoulder to comfort him, but ultimately his hand fell limply to the side.

He gently pushed the special-supply boxed lunch, covered in white grease, aside on the table, and lowered his voice, his tone weary yet solemn: "Liangping, it's good that you've thought it through. The organization will not wrong a good comrade, nor will it protect any opportunistic political brokers. Now is your last window of opportunity to seek leniency."

Hou Liangping ignored him, his empty eyes fixed on the pale white incandescent light on the wall.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Before I came to Handong, my father-in-law had a private talk with me in his study."

Hou Liangping twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that was more like a grimace: "When high-ranking officials speak, they never leave any written evidence. He didn't give me any hard orders; he just brewed a pot of Da Hong Pao tea and talked to me about the overall situation in Handong."

He said that the achievements of Handong's decades of reforms are the mainstream, and although Zhao Lichun has fallen from power, the basic foundation of local development cannot be completely negated.

Sha Ruijin was parachuted into Handong with the mission of the Central Committee to break the deadlock and establish its authority. They needed a sharp, clean, and faction-free sword, and that sword was me.

Hou Liangping closed his eyes, a bitter taste of years of drinking Da Hong Pao spreading between his lips: "He specifically instructed me that the situation in Handong is far more complex than it appears on the surface. Comrade Chen Yanshi is a highly respected elder, a role model for veteran cadres in Handong, and must not be smeared by those with ulterior motives. He told me to distinguish between primary and secondary issues when handling cases, to protect the reputation of veteran comrades, to safeguard the flame of reform, and to handle any matters involving the Chen family with utmost caution, without digging too deep."

Zhou Zhengming and Xiaolin exchanged a quick glance, both of them startled.

While the Zhong family's words seemed selfless and aimed at protecting the reputation of veteran cadres, they were actually extremely clever in their approach. They subtly drew a line in the sand, effectively removing all the old debts associated with the Chen family, especially the long-standing shady issues related to the Lingang project, from Hou Liangping's investigation scope.

"He also mentioned the Lingang project from 23 years ago."

Hou Liangping spoke calmly, as if reciting a eulogy, "He said it was a compromise made under the limitations of the times, a historical legacy of reform exploration. To bring up the past is to deny the reform achievements of several generations in Handong. He told me to find relevant clues and to take the overall situation into consideration and handle the matter appropriately."

What is camera processing?

Zhou Zhengming put down his thermos, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"Sever the leads and seal off the evidence."

Hou Liangping spoke softly, “He said that the best outcome for these kinds of historical problems is to bury them forever in the dustbin of history, never to see the light of day again.”

Upon hearing this, Old Liu's heart sank, and he gasped.

This is not a normal case-handling operation or grasp of the overall situation. It is clearly instructed by higher authorities to send Hou Liangping to Handong under the guise of anti-corruption justice to clean up old messes and destroy old evidence for the factions.

"So after you arrived in Handong, you relentlessly attacked Gao Yuliang, Qi Tongwei, and the Shanshui Group."

Zhou Zhengming incisively pierced through all the pretense: "The Liang family gave you advance notice, informing you that Gao Xiaoqin was Zhao Ruilong's front man. Your desperate efforts to dismantle the local political and legal faction in Handong and to make the Shanshui Group case an ironclad case were essentially to complete your mission. Chen Hai's grudge was only one aspect of it, not your entire purpose in coming to Wuhan?"

"Yes."

Hou Liangping readily admitted it.

"What about Sha Ruijin? How many paths did he pave for you?" Zhou Zhengming continued to press.

"Smooth sailing all the way, unlimited autonomy."

Hou Liangping gave a wry smile and mocked himself.

"Sha Ruijin pressured Ji Changming to release me unconditionally. Whenever there was procedural obstruction in the investigation, as long as I made a phone call to his secretary, Director Bai, all the rules would give way."

The siege of Qi Tongwei at Guying Ridge was conducted without proper procedures and was carried out in violation of regulations, which he personally approved. He said that dealing with vicious and corrupt officials should not be bound by rules and regulations, but should be done with swift and decisive measures.

Zhou Zhengming nodded slightly, indicating that Xiao Lin should record every word.

Every word confirms that Sha Ruijin "used the anti-corruption campaign to conduct political purges, abuse his power, and circumvent procedures." His political accusations are already firmly established.

"I'll ask you again."

Zhou Zhengming tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, then abruptly changed the subject, "Regarding the Dafeng Factory case, are you seeing the surface or the underlying issues?"

Hou Liangping was visibly taken aback, his thoughts struggling to keep up with the other person's pace, his face full of doubt: "Dafeng Factory is a well-known model of factory protection throughout the city. Old Master Chen Yanshi mortgaged his own property to desperately protect the workers' equity, and then Secretary Li Dakang finalized the resettlement plan, bringing it to a smooth conclusion. Isn't this a perfect solution for people's livelihood?"

"Perfect?"

Zhou Zhengming's smile was chilling and sharp. "Hou Liangping, you call yourself a sharp blade, but you've been blindfolded and your blade has been covered. Do you really think Chen Yan's protection of the factory is purely selfless?"

Hou Liangping was completely stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Isn't that right?"

"You can access the land records from that year."

Zhou Zhengming's gaze was like a knife, each word piercing the truth.

"Before the restructuring of Dafeng Factory, the original assessment report for that core plot of land was forcibly suppressed and the data was falsified. It was a key private intermediary in the money laundering chain of the Lingang project back then."

When Chen Yanshi stepped in to protect the factory, he was never protecting the workers' jobs.

What he feared was that after Dafeng Factory went bankrupt and was liquidated, the judicial audit would conduct a thorough investigation, uncovering the entire shady financial chain behind the Lingang project.

"He mortgaged his property, appeased the workers, and stabilized the situation. He seemed to be sacrificing himself for the people, but in reality, he was stabilizing public opinion, silencing dissent, and protecting the last fig leaf for the Chen and Zhao families."

With a loud bang.

These words exploded in Hou Liangping's mind like a thunderbolt.

His long-held beliefs, his respect for the integrity of the older generation, and his unwavering commitment to fighting corruption shattered and collapsed completely at this moment.

It turns out that the justice he pursued throughout his life was merely a sophisticated facade for the power struggles and the division of spoils among the elite.

"In the end, you've been nothing more than a tool to be manipulated by others from beginning to end."

Zhou Zhengming stood up and dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes. His tone was indifferent yet precise and piercing. "You wiped out the people your father-in-law's faction wanted you to fight; you didn't touch the black accounts they wanted you to protect, and you even foolishly erected a 'serving the people and the public' facade for them."

He walked to the door, turned back to look at the distraught Hou Liangping: "Write down everything you know—all the inside stories, all the instructions, all the shady dealings—into a written document, word for word. This is the last time in your life you will truly write the word 'justice'."

The heavy iron gate slammed shut.

The room was deathly silent, with only Hou Liangping and Lao Liu remaining.

Hou Liangping sat there for a long time, then slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with desolation and sorrow, his voice hoarse and broken: "Director Liu, was I... just a joke from beginning to end?"

Old Liu felt a lump in his throat, a thousand words stuck in his throat, but he found all attempts at comfort pale and laughable.

He could only step forward, unscrew the pen that Hou Liangping had previously used to write self-criticisms and explanations, and slam a stack of brand-new manuscript paper down in front of him.

……

Meanwhile, at the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse, the temporary command post of the supervisory team was located.

Zhou Zhengming rushed back upstairs and truthfully reported Hou Liangping's complete confession and the process of his psychological breakthrough.

Qin Yuanzhou's face remained calm and expressionless, but deep within his eyes surged a storm powerful enough to shake the political landscape of Handong.

"Hou Liangping has completely collapsed; his usable value has been completely squeezed dry."

Qin Yuanzhou stood with his hands behind his back in front of the map of Handong Province, pacing slowly.

"But this line at the top absolutely cannot be touched at this stage, as it would trigger a nationwide political earthquake and disrupt the overall rectification. We need to clean up the local areas first, and then look at the top. When beating a dog, you don't need to consider its owner; when beating a tiger, you must be careful with the timing."

"That's right."

Zhou Zhengming leaned down to look at the Jingzhou area and said in a deep voice,

"Hou Liangping's confession completely exposed the true colors of Sha Ruijin and the Chen family. Sha Ruijin's parachuting into Handong was ostensibly for anti-corruption and rectification, but in reality, it was political opportunism, aimed at purging local factions, covering up old grievances, and offering his allegiance to the Zhong family in Beijing."

Chen Yanshi's image as a retired cadre is completely untenable; he's merely a beneficiary who maintains a respectable facade and is adept at cultivating a virtuous image. Next, let's talk about Li Dakang, who has entanglements with the Dafeng Factory case.

"The Dafeng Factory case is Chen Yanshi's interface and the best entry point to pry open Li Dakang."

Qin Yuanzhou's gaze was deep. "The investigation clearly shows that after the Dafeng Factory incident subsided, Sun Liancheng of Guangming District was labeled as lazy and negligent in his duties. He was transferred from his position of real power by Li Dakang and Sha Ruijin and sent to the Children's Palace to look at the stars."

"This is too surreal." Qin Yuanzhou sneered, seeing through the truth.

"A district official who had been deeply involved in his career and held real power suddenly realized the vastness of the universe, took a detached view of power, and spent his days at the Children's Palace looking at the stars."

Where was the enlightenment? It was a soft gag. No internal party discipline, no demotion, no investigation; just a transfer away from the core power circle, placed in a sinecure under house arrest. Li Dakang's tai chi move was flawless.

Zhou Zhengming instantly understood: "You mean, Sun Liancheng holds the key cards—the shady dealings surrounding the Dafeng Factory land scandal and the old grievances in Lingang? Sha Ruijin and Li Dakang dare not touch him, dare not deal with him, and can only keep him under their noses to shut him up completely?"

"Keep it, keep an eye on it, and protect it."

Qin Yuanzhou sat back down at his desk, his tone resolute, "As long as he quietly gazes at the stars and doesn't say a word, Li Dakang can sleep soundly every night."

"I'll immediately lead men to summon Sun Liancheng!" Zhou Zhengming volunteered immediately.

"Need not."

Qin Yuanzhou raised his hand to stop him, "It would be too much of a commotion for our supervisory team to get involved, and Sun Liancheng has long been completely disillusioned with officialdom and disgusted with the power struggles at the top. He is naturally opposed to the central supervisory team, so we won't get the truth out of him."

His gaze fell on the medical monitoring report on the table, which contained Gao Yuliang's recuperation records.

"Let Gao Yuliang handle it."

Zhou Zhengming looked utterly astonished: "Gao Yuliang is currently bedridden with his entire body in a cast, practically paralyzed. How can he possibly contact Sun Liancheng?"

"No need to go in person."

Qin Yuanzhou's eyes were shrewd and insightful.

"He only needs to ask someone to pass on a message and communicate privately. Gao Yuliang is the founder of the political and legal system in Handong. He has been deeply involved in the officialdom for decades and has thoroughly understood the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of all officials in Handong. Although Sun Liancheng is not his direct disciple, Gao Yuliang has a firm grip on his lifeline within the Handong officialdom system."

"The safest and most discreet way for a veteran high-ranking official, burdened with serious charges and awaiting retribution, to counsel a disheartened cadre who has given up and holds all the cards in his hand is to offer guidance."

His tone turned serious as he revealed the deepest layer of the scheme: "More importantly, this is an olive branch we're extending to Gao Yuliang. The supervisory team doesn't take a one-size-fits-all approach to cases; they're willing to give convicts a chance to redeem themselves. As long as he can get Sun Liancheng to talk and deliver a sufficiently compelling testimonies, his case is open to negotiation."

Zhou Zhengming suddenly realized: "It kills two birds with one stone. It not only avoids Li Dakang's eyes and ears and pries out the key evidence, but also keeps Gao Yuliang in check and forces him to take the initiative to redeem himself. Brilliant, truly brilliant."

"Go to the hospital." Qin Yuanzhou picked up his teacup, his tone indifferent.

"We'll only subtly reveal our intentions, without issuing orders or leaving a trace. Let's see if this old fox is willing to accept the path to survival we're offering."

"Understood, I'll go right away."

Zhou Zhengming turned and left, his mind perfectly clear.