Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

Inside the study, the violent aura that had risen from the shattered inkstone slowly subsided.

Zhao Lichun's chest was still heaving, but the anger on his face slowly subsided, turning into a deep, unfathomable calm.

He stared at Qian Guodong for a full half minute.

Then he went back to his desk, walked around to the large boss's chair that symbolized power, and sat down.

"You can go out now."

His voice returned to its usual calm and steady tone, devoid of any emotion.

"Yes."

Qian Guodong felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He bowed and slowly retreated from the oppressive room, gently closing the door behind him.

Zhao Lichun was the only one left in the study.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on the armrest.

He had been in charge of Handong for many years, and no one had ever dared to treat him like this.

Anger still churned within him, but more than that, there was a cold rationality.

He realized that his previous judgment about this heavy matter was flawed.

This is not a newcomer who wants to rely on someone or choose a side.

This is not a character who can be won over, suppressed, or divided using conventional official methods.

This is a tough nut to crack.

A tough guy covered in thorns and clutching explosives in his hand.

Going head-on with him will only result in mutual destruction, or even... you'll end up getting blown up and covered in dust.

That ledger was actually high explosives.

That idiot Liu Xinjian has already handed the fuse to the other side.

Zhao Lichun's fingers stopped.

He opened his eyes and picked up the red telephone on the table.

Without hesitation, he connected to the military region's switchboard.

"I am Zhao Lichun, the provincial party secretary. Please escort Shen Zhong, the standing committee member."

The call was quickly transferred.

The young man's calm, unwavering voice came through the receiver.

"Secretary Zhao."

There were no formalities, no greetings, just two words, as if he had expected this call to come.

Zhao Lichun suppressed his displeasure and spoke in a tone befitting a superior instructing a subordinate.

"Comrade Shen Zhong, your actions this time have gone a bit too far."

"To mobilize such a large force in Jingzhou without even informing the provincial party committee is a very bad thing."

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

"Reporting to Secretary Zhao, this operation is a special 'cleaning up' mission within the military region, aimed at eliminating security risks around the garrison area."

A deep, clear, and calm voice came through.

"The entire operation complied with the combat readiness regulations, and all the 'material evidence that obstructed military operations' seized were sealed up by the military security department in accordance with the law. There were no procedural problems."

It's that same flawless excuse again.

Zhao Lichun's eye twitched slightly.

He knew that he wouldn't gain anything by getting entangled in procedures and rules.

He simply spoke frankly and openly.

"That ledger belongs to Liu Xinjian. His personal financial issues should be handled by the local discipline inspection commission; it's inappropriate for the military to keep it."

"Secretary Zhao, in my opinion, this is not an economic issue, but an issue that endangers national defense security."

Shen Zhong refused to yield an inch.

"It would be impossible for the head of a local enterprise to illegally occupy waterways around a military-controlled area on a long-term and large scale without a protective umbrella or the transfer of benefits behind it."

"From this perspective, this ledger is irrefutable evidence of endangering national security."

Zhao Lichun clenched his back teeth.

He found himself completely outmatched.

Every word the other party uttered was from the perspective of the nation, the military, and security, leaving him with no way to refute it.

He finally gave up on nagging and pressuring, and his tone softened.

"Comrade Shen Zhong, let's speak frankly."

"What exactly do you want?"

This question signifies that he, the top official of Handong, has chosen to compromise.

"It's very simple."

Shen Zhong seemed to have been waiting for him to say those words.

"I have three conditions."

"First, the culprit, Li Dacheng, must be expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office, and handed over to the judiciary."

Zhao Lichun's pupils contracted slightly.

"Secondly, the Provincial Party Committee must issue an official document by tomorrow regarding the appointment of Comrade He Xia as the Secretary of the Hexi District Committee, and also publicize it in relevant media."

"Third, Liu Xinjian needs to do me a favor when I need it."

Zhao Lichun remained silent.

He weighed the options for less than ten seconds before making his decision.

"Okay, I promise you."

"But I don't want to see any more leaks related to this ledger!"

"I know you have powerful connections, but I've been able to stay in Handong for so many years because I have my own influence!"

"Don't go too far, or no one will be happy."

"I promise you." In his deep voice, there was finally a hint of emotion, a satisfaction of being in control of the whole situation.

"Secretary Zhao, don't worry, this account book won't be made public. After everything is done, I will send the account book to Liu Xinjian intact."

Zhao Lichun hung up the phone, held it, and remained motionless for a long time.

……

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, at the Beijing Military Region Detention Center.

"Bang!"

A glass was smashed on the ground and shattered.

Hou Liangping's eyes were bloodshot as he paced back and forth in the visiting room like a captive wild beast.

"This is outrageous! This is an absolute disgrace!"

He was locked up for a whole month.

Everything he was so proud of—his identity, his future—became shattered under that slap.

On the sofa, Zhong Xiaoai was calmly peeling an apple, completely ignoring her husband's rage.

"Does throwing a tantrum help? It only makes you look incompetent."

She peeled the apple, cut it into small pieces, picked up a piece with a toothpick, and brought it to her mouth.

"That Shen Zhong has powerful connections and acts without any scruples. Trying to fight him with conventional methods will only humiliate you."

Hou Liangping stopped, panting heavily as he glared at his wife.

"What can we do then? Just keep locking ourselves up like prisoners like this?"

"What exactly are they going to do with me?"

Zhong Xiaoai finally raised her head and glanced at him.

"I've already called Grandpa."

Hou Liangping was stunned.

Zhong Xiaoai's grandfather was a retired leader from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, whose students and associates were spread throughout the government and the country, wielding enormous influence.

"My grandfather used his connections to get in touch with a high-ranking military official."

Zhong Xiaoai's tone was completely flat, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

"Our Chung family has agreed to use our connections at the National Development and Reform Commission to expedite the implementation of a 'large-scale military-civilian integration base' project that the military has been eagerly anticipating."

"In exchange for this, we'll gain the military's understanding regarding your 'collision operation' incident, allowing you to return to the Anti-Corruption Bureau!"