“The equity dispute between Dafeng Factory and Shanshui Group, haven't I been advocating for Dafeng Factory all this time?”
“Without resolving the equity dispute, Shanshui Group won't be able to demolish Dafeng Factory. This matter has been dragging on for half a year.”
“Now it's finally been resolved. Li Dakang made Shanshui Group pay 60 million yuan to settle the equity dispute.”
Chen Yanshi said. He had little contact with Li Dakang after retirement, except for this matter.
Yesterday, when he met Li Dakang at Dafeng Factory, Chen Yanshi felt that there was a hint of a hidden knife in Li Dakang's smile.
At the time, Chen Yanshi didn't pay much attention to it. After all, he was a retired official, not seeking promotion or anything, what could Li Dakang do to him?
Unexpectedly, Li Dakang's revenge came quickly. He didn't target Chen Yanshi himself, but his son, Chen Hai.
Chen Hai was surprised, “The equity dispute between Dafeng Factory and Shanshui Group has dragged on for so long. It's a good thing that it's been resolved. Why would Li Dakang want to retaliate against you?”
Chen Yanshi sighed, “Hai, you can't just look at things on the surface. You need to see the essence through the phenomenon. Why didn't Li Dakang resolve this matter with Shanshui Group earlier?”
Chen Hai was even more surprised, “Dad, what do you think? Is it because Governor Liu is nearing retirement, and Li Dakang wants to succeed him, so he's eager to make achievements?”
Chen Yanshi nodded slightly, “Yes, you're able to think of this, it's quite remarkable. This is the reason why Li Dakang made Shanshui Group pay 60 million yuan to settle the equity dispute.”
Chen Hai was still completely baffled, “It's understandable if he wants to advance. A soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier. Moreover, this has brought benefits to the workers of Dafeng Factory.”
Chen Yanshi sighed, “If it were just for advancement, it would be that simple. I think Li Dakang may have an affair with Gao Xiaoqin from Shanshui Group.”
“Ah?” Chen Hai widened his eyes. “Dad, that's impossible, right?”
Chen Yanshi shook his head, “Nothing is impossible. Think about it, before, Shanshui Group's attitude was very tough, refusing to give any compensation, they insisted on demolition. Why did Shanshui Group soften their stance once Li Dakang intervened?”
Chen Hai said, “Dad, this doesn't prove anything. Li Dakang is always strong, and he's the Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee. Even if Shanshui Group is tough, they have to bow to him.”
Chen Yanshi didn't agree, “Shanshui Group dared to seize property with such audacity. They must have some backing. Ding Yizhen has a close relationship with Shanshui Group, and Ding Yizhen is someone Li Dakang trusts. Perhaps Li Dakang is the real backer of Shanshui Group.”
Professional instinct made Chen Hai's face turn serious, “Dad, do you have any evidence?”
“No.” Chen Yanshi said casually, “If I had evidence, I would have reported Li Dakang long ago.”
Chen Hai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He rubbed his forehead and complained, “Without evidence, it's just spreading rumors. Dad, don't go around talking nonsense.”
Chen Yanshi was unhappy, “How can it be nonsense? Tell me, why did Shanshui Group agree to pay 60 million yuan to resolve the dispute right after Ding Yizhen disappeared? If Shanshui Group was willing to pay, the problem would have been solved long ago. Why drag it out for so long?”
Chen Hai didn't know what to say. His dad was like this, he loved to take hearsay and speculation as facts to report, which made him laugh and cry. Usually, he just tried to avoid his dad as much as possible.
Seeing that his son didn't take it seriously, Chen Yanshi was even more unhappy, “Don't disbelieve me. When Xiao Jinzi comes back from his investigation, I will definitely report Li Dakang's problems to him. Li Dakang definitely has an affair with Gao Xiaoqin.”
Chen Hai complained, “Dad, just spare me. There's also a rumor that Gao Xiaoqin is Secretary Gao's niece. Are you going to report it to Secretary Sha too?”
Chen Yanshi shook his head, “That rumor is unfounded. I've already verified with Gao Yuliang, and he's an only child, he doesn't have a niece.”
Chen Hai said, “Then isn't the relationship between Li Dakang and Shanshui Group also something you imagined, with no factual basis?”
Chen Yanshi stubbornly shook his head, “According to my intuition, Li Dakang definitely has a very close relationship with Shanshui Group. He is the protective umbrella of Shanshui Group.”
Chen Hai retorted, “If Li Dakang had a close relationship with Shanshui Group, why would he let Shanshui Group pay 60 million yuan to resolve the equity dispute with Dafeng Factory? 60 million yuan is no small sum.”
Chen Yanshi said, “This is called not being willing to part with a child to catch a wolf. The land of Dafeng Factory is worth billions, what's 60 million yuan?”
Chen Hai couldn't help but sigh silently. Time is a butcher's knife. His father, who was once so rational, has become so stubborn in his old age.
...
At noon, Qi Tongwei went to the Shanshui Manor of Shanshui Group. He was going there for lunch, and also to share some good news with Gao Xiaoqin.
“Xiaoqin, Chen Hai has been transferred out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.” Qi Tongwei beamed with a bright smile, looking very happy.
Gao Xiaoqin was also very happy when she heard this. She smiled and asked, “Really? Where has he been transferred to?”
Since Ding Yizhen's escape, Chen Hai had been closely investigating everything related to Ding Yizhen, and Shanshui Group had become a key target of Chen Hai's investigation.
Although Chen Hai hadn't caught any evidence, if he kept investigating them so intensely, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't find something one day.
Therefore, both Qi Tongwei and Gao Xiaoqin were very happy that Chen Hai had been transferred out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Gao Xiaoqin even breathed a sigh of relief.
Qi Tongwei chuckled, “His destination is not yet determined. Chen Hai has been transferred out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau first. We'll find a suitable position for him later.”
Gao Xiaoqin gave him a wink, “You're amazing. How did you get Chen Hai out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau?”
Qi Tongwei shook his head, “It wasn't me, it was Li Dakang who fired the gun. He blasted Chen Hai and the Anti-Corruption Bureau, saying that the Anti-Corruption Bureau was suspected of deliberately letting Ding Yizhen escape, and he also demanded that Chen Hai be suspended. Teacher Gao stepped in to help Chen Hai, suggesting that he be transferred out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, only then did Li Dakang back down.”
Gao Xiaoqin was surprised, “Why is Li Dakang going against Chen Hai? Is it because Chen Hai wouldn't let go of Ding Yizhen, and Li Dakang is connected to Ding Yizhen, afraid that Chen Hai would uncover something?”
Qi Tongwei considered his words, “I talked to Teacher Gao about this before. She said that Li Dakang couldn't possibly be connected to Ding Yizhen. I believe her judgment.”
Gao Xiaoqin couldn't help but frown, “That's strange. What's Li Dakang's purpose in targeting Chen Hai? It can't just be because he dislikes Chen Hai, can it?”
Qi Tongwei said, “It might be because of the report meeting that night. Ji Changming and Chen Hai both advocated for the Anti-Corruption Bureau to take over the case against Ding Yizhen. Li Dakang might have taken his anger out on Chen Hai.”
Gao Xiaoqin nodded, “This Secretary Dakang is really vindictive, he can kill two birds with one stone, by punishing one to warn others.”
Qi Tongwei said, “Another possibility is that Governor Liu has only 4 months left before retirement. Li Dakang wants stability, and he doesn't want Chen Hai to dig up too many problems through Ding Yizhen, causing a major earthquake in the Jingzhou government.”
Gao Xiaoqin nodded again, “I think this possibility is more likely. As far as I know, Li Dakang is very protective of his reputation and ambitious to climb the ladder. Anyone who hinders his progress is his enemy.”
Speaking of this, she thought of another question, “Tongwei, who do you think will be promoted to take over as the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau? It should be Deputy Director Lü Liang, do you know anything about him?”
Qi Tongwei said, “Ji Changming suggested that Lü Liang take over as the acting director. Teacher Gao also had no objections. If nothing unexpected happens, this acting position should be made permanent soon.”
Gao Xiaoqin's face showed a hint of worry, “That's it? Lü Liang has a strong sense of principle, he's upright, and he handles cases without any personal feelings. Why don't you talk to Secretary Gao about this?”
Qi Tongwei smiled bitterly, “These days, I've been trying to win Li Dakang's favor by showing my closeness to him. Teacher Gao is a bit dissatisfied with me. We'll just have to wait and see. There's also a possibility of a parachuted appointment.”
Gao Xiaoqin's worry grew even stronger, “Tongwei, you need to keep a good balance. You need to win Li Dakang's favor, but you can't make Secretary Gao feel cold. Don't neglect one for the other.”
Qi Tongwei nodded, “I know. What I'm worried about now is Li Dakang's attitude. He doesn't reject my closeness, but he pretends not to hear my probing. I really don't know what he's thinking.”
Qi Tongwei couldn't figure out Li Dakang's attitude at all. Perhaps it's because he hasn't gained Li Dakang's trust yet. Li Dakang is wary. It seems that he still needs to put in more effort, and when the right opportunity comes, he needs to show his worth.
Gao Xiaoqin said, “Tongwei, the equity dispute with Dafeng Factory has finally been settled. Dafeng Factory has already started moving its equipment. Why don't I use this as an excuse to invite Li Dakang to Shanshui Manor for dinner?”
Qi Tongwei chuckled, “Using this reason to invite him is fine, but he might not come. Anyway, give it a try. If he comes, that's great. If he doesn't, we won't lose anything.”
...