In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong!

The bitterness in her heart was different from that of Sha Ruijin.

Chen Luo and Governor Liu left the provincial party committee building together.

"Chen Luo, has Zhou Jianjun's arrival in Handong affected you?"

Governor Liu had not asked Chen Luo this question before; this was the first formal inquiry he had made.

Chen Luo also stopped smiling.

"Secretary Zhou's situation is a bit complicated, but he is a smart man. When I was mayor, he never hindered my work. It's just that Secretary Zhou and Secretary Sha might not get along."

When the top two leaders don't get along, we Standing Committee members can't avoid the issue of choosing sides. Of course, this doesn't affect me much; if I don't take sides, there's nothing they can do about it.

Governor Liu nodded.

"Indeed, your job is to build up Lüzhou. Sha Ruijin and Zhou Jianjun are not fools."

It's impossible for us to make things difficult for you on this major issue, but it will be hard for you to be as comfortable as you are in other aspects.

"Hahaha, Governor Liu, I understand. How can the top two leaders truly get along harmoniously?"

Your case is extremely rare.

Governor Liu didn't say anything more. The two parted ways after arriving at the building. One went to the provincial government building next door, while Chen Luo went straight home.

The next morning, Qi Tongwei went to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Tian Guofu had been waiting for a long time.

Once inside Tian Guofu's office, Qi Tongwei confessed all his problems without any concealment. The higher-ups already knew all of this and were just waiting for Qi Tongwei to turn himself in.

"Director Qi, now that the issue has been clarified, you can stay at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection for the next few days. After all, the procedures still need to be followed."

Qi Tongwei stood up and bowed to Tian Guofu, saying, "Thank you, Secretary Tian!"

"Why thank me? You are the master of your own life. The fact that you received the organization's leniency is a result of the three bullets you were shot with."

Qi Tongwei remained silent, and soon he followed the staff to the detention room.

Similarly, on this day, Zhong Xiaoai came out of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Originally, Zhong Xiaoai had prepared herself for disgrace and even loss of her job, but when she came out, Tian Guofu personally greeted her.

"Comrade Xiao Ai, thank you for your cooperation with the organization's investigation during this period."

Tian Guofu's tone was indifferent, and Zhong Xiaoai lowered her head, somewhat afraid to look at him.

"Secretary Tian, ​​does this mean I... can't stay at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection?"

Zhong Xiaoai is self-aware; regardless of whether this matter is right or wrong, she is no longer suitable to stay in the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Tian Guofu hadn't expected Zhong Xiaoai to be so sensible.

After taking a deep breath, he decided to tell him the truth.

"Comrade Xiao Ai, you guessed right."

boom!

These words struck Zhong Xiaoai like a heavy hammer, extinguishing her last glimmer of life. Zhong Xiaoai collapsed to the ground, limp and powerless.

Seeing this, Tian Guofu frowned and said the next sentence.

"However, Comrade Xiao Ai, you are innocent. It was Zhao Ruilong who forced you into this situation. The organization has already investigated and found out. Although you can no longer stay in the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, the organization will not treat you unfairly."

Yesterday at the Standing Committee meeting, the Provincial Party Committee made a decision regarding your future arrangements.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai slowly raised her head.

His eyes, though dull, held a glimmer of light.

"Go to Jingzhou Procuratorate to serve as the chief prosecutor."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai was instantly moved; it was truly a case of "after the darkest hour comes the dawn"!

She quickly got up and thanked him profusely.

"Thank you, Secretary Tian, ​​and thank you to the provincial leaders!"

"No need to thank me, thank Secretary Chen instead. Secretary Chen originally didn't agree to let you go to the Jingzhou Procuratorate, since you don't have any grassroots work experience, Xiao Ai."

In the end, it was Secretary Chen who decided to give you a chance, so he appointed you as acting chief prosecutor. This is a rare opportunity, so you must seize it and work diligently!

"I understand, Secretary Tian!"

When Zhong Xiaoai walked out of the provincial discipline inspection commission's gate, she felt that the air was sweet, the smell of freedom.

Back home, Zhong Xiaoai plugged in her phone, which had long since run out of battery and shut down. When she turned it on, she found it was full of missed calls from her parents.

Feeling uneasy, Zhong Xiaoai dialed her father's number.

"Feed Dad."

Mr. Zhong was startled when he heard his daughter's voice, then said, "Xiao Ai, you're out?"

"Yes, Dad, Secretary Tian said that there is evidence that Zhao Ruilong forced me, and I am innocent."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhengguo could only smile wryly. What evidence did he have? It was just a small request he made before retiring.

Of course, Zhong Zhengguo didn't want to say these things to Zhong Xiaoai. What would be the point? Would it make his daughter anxious? Or make her feel guilty?

"Xiao Ai, what's your next job? Has Handong made any arrangements?"

"I gave it to Dad. The provincial party committee plans to transfer me to the Jingzhou Procuratorate as the chief procurator, with no change in rank."

"The chief prosecutor? Thank goodness..."

Zhong Zhengguo took a deep breath. It seemed that those people still had principles; once they agreed, they wouldn't go back on their word.

"Xiao Ai, your dad isn't feeling well these days and I'm afraid I won't be able to continue working. From now on, your future depends on yourself. Don't be too willful, understand?"

Zhong Xiaoai was taken aback. She always felt that her father was hiding something from her, but...

"Dad, I understand. After all this, I'm not the same reckless Zhong Xiaoai I used to be."

"There are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding. I understand that. From now on, I just want to do my job well and take care of Haoran. Everything else is none of my concern."

"Yes, it's good that you understand it that way."

Hang up now, come back and visit your grandfather in a while.

After Zhong Zhengguo hung up the phone, Zhong Xiaoai felt a slight sting in her heart, but she didn't know why.

"Forget it, let's not dwell on these things."

"You only get one chance at a new life, Zhong Xiaoai. This time, you can't let anyone fool you again!"

Time flies, and a week has passed in the blink of an eye. Zhong Xiaoai is bored during the public announcement period, and the decision on how to deal with Qi Tongwei and Gao Yuliang has also been issued.

Qi Tongwei's matter was no longer mentioned. He retired early to recuperate due to health problems. Gao Yuliang was given a major demerit by his superiors. He will retire directly when he turns sixty-two.

Gao Yuliang will never have the opportunity to receive ministerial-level treatment in his lifetime, not even at the CPPCC level.

This outcome actually reflects the higher-ups' consideration that Zhao Lichun would take on most of the problems himself.

As for the others...

Gao Xiaoqin will likely be sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, which means it's not a big deal.

Zhao Ruilong, who was right in the center, was in a terrible situation.

Although he is now mentally impaired, he was lucid when he committed the crime. It is impossible for him to be exempt from punishment just because he is now mentally impaired. He will most likely be sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to a mental hospital to serve his sentence.

Liu Xinjian will most likely be sentenced to eighteen years, Xiao Gangyu to five years, and the other minor Kalami are best left unmentioned.

Chen Luolai's first struggle in Handong has come to an end, but other storms are brewing.