“Teacher, about the car accident in Lüliang, our Provincial Department has carefully reviewed all the details of the incident, and ruled out the possibility of premeditated murder.”
Qi Tongwei came to Gao Yuliang's office to report the car accident investigation. It must be said that the efficiency of this Qi, the Minister, leading the team was extremely high.
In just half a day, they had completed the investigation of the car accident scene and evidence extraction in Lüliang, as well as the collection of witness testimonies, surveillance videos, and other materials.
Gao Yuliang said in a deep voice: “Don't forget, Lüliang was the acting director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate. Therefore, this matter needs to be treated with extra care.”
Qi Tongwei nodded in understanding: “Yes, I have considered that. So I had the materials sent to Chief Procurator Ji Changming, asking him to review them again.”
He was obviously very confident in his emergency handling of Lüliang, not worried about being seen through by the Procuratorate, after all, he was a very professional professional.
Adjusting his glasses, Gao Yuliang sighed long: “Such an outstanding prosecutor, just like that, he's gone. Truly a time of great turmoil.”
Instinctively, Gao Yuliang felt something was off about Lüliang's car accident. However, what exactly was wrong, he couldn't quite put his finger on it for a moment.
Gao Yuliang had just read through the investigation materials of Lüliang’s car accident. The evidence chain was complete, and it was indeed an accidental accident. It didn't look like premeditated murder at all.
Gao Yuliang shook his head wryly, hoping that Lüliang's death was not related to Ding Yizhen's escape. Otherwise, just thinking about it was chilling.
Qi Tongwei probed discreetly: “Teacher, Chen Hai was transferred out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and Lüliang is gone now. The director position of the Anti-Corruption Bureau is vacant now. There's a shortage of successors.”
The director position of the Anti-Corruption Bureau was something Qi Tongwei was most concerned about. He was worried that Chen Hai would return to be the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau again, and would continue to pursue the investigation of the Shanshui Group.
Gao Yuliang shook his head: “It’s not a shortage of successors. The procuratorial system is full of talent. There are quite a few old prosecutors who can handle the director position. If all else fails, we can let Chen Hai go back.”
Qi Tongwei was startled, feigning concern: “Is it appropriate to have Chen Hai go back? Just after transferring him out of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, we’re sending him back immediately. What would Secretary Da Kang think?”
Gao Yuliang glanced at Qi Tongwei, his eyes full of cryptic meaning: “Tongwei, you are so concerned about Secretary Da Kang's feelings, but you don't care about mine and Chen Hai's feelings.”
Qi Tongwei quickly explained: “Teacher, you know, I just care about that vote from Li Da Kang. I really want to advance. I don’t want to miss this opportunity.”
Gao Yuliang shook his head: “You are too impatient. While Li Da Kang's vote is important, Secretary Sha's vote is even more crucial. To trample on Chen Hai for Li Da Kang is a losing proposition.”
Looking at this most favored student, Gao Yuliang felt a complex mix of emotions. As the saying goes, “People climb higher, water flows downhill.” It’s understandable that Qi Tongwei would lean towards Li Da Kang.
Originally, many people thought that Gao Yuliang would take over Zhao Lichun's position and become the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Hanzhong. Even Gao Yuliang himself thought so.
Unexpectedly, Sha Ruijin was parachuted in to be the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Hanzhong. With Gao Yuliang nearing retirement, he clearly wouldn’t be able to outlast Sha Ruijin and take over his position.
Gao Yuliang's room for advancement was blocked by Sha Ruijin. He could at most go to the People’s Congress or the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference to spend his retirement. Therefore, Qi Tongwei would lean towards the more promising Li Da Kang.
“A losing proposition?” Qi Tongwei grasped the key point in Gao Yuliang's words, surprised: “Teacher, do Chen Hai and Secretary Sha have a special relationship?”
Gao Yuliang was a little disheartened, but he still explained: “This morning, when I reported to Secretary Sha, he asked me about Chen Yan’s address, saying that when he returned to Jingzhou, he would go to visit him immediately.”
Qi Tongwei immediately felt a jolt. He hurriedly said: “Teacher, should I go to visit Old Chen now?”
Gao Yuliang said impatiently: “What are you thinking again? Are you going to visit Chen Yan, or are you going to visit the new Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Sha Ruijin? Save me the trouble.”
Qi Tongwei dryly laughed: “Then I’ll be upfront. Since I know about the relationship between Secretary Sha Ruijin and Old Chen, getting to know Old Chen better might not be a bad thing.”
Gao Yuliang said solemnly: “As long as you don't do bad things, no one can do bad things to you. Understand?”
Qi Tongwei did not agree: “Teacher, Secretary Sha Ruijin is a parachuted official. If I don’t get there earlier or take more steps than others, how would Secretary Sha recommend me to the higher ups?”
Gao Yuliang said earnestly: “Tongwei, in the past, I always advised you to get closer to Old Chen, but you wouldn't listen. You were hypocritical, afraid that getting close to him would affect your career. But after all your planning, you forgot about the will of heaven. This sudden arrival of Sha Ruijin, no one expected it. The relationship between Old Chen and Sha Ruijin is unusual.”
Qi Tongwei nodded regretfully: “It's my fault. This Old Chen is so good at offending people. If I had been in contact with him before, wouldn’t that have unknowingly created many obstacles for myself? You said he loves to sing high-pitched tunes. He's always talking about where we came from and where we are going. But in fact, everyone knows that we all come from the womb and end up in the grave.”
Gao Yuliang smiled. He knew that further persuasion would be useless. Times have changed. Qi Tongwei was no longer so obedient. Let him do as he pleases.
…
As Gao Yuliang expected, after leaving the provincial government, Qi Tongwei bought some gifts and went to the nursing home to visit Chen Yan and his wife.
Chen Yan and his wife, Wang Fuzhen, were sitting in the courtyard chatting leisurely. When they saw a car stop at the entrance of the courtyard, they thought it was Sha Ruijin. Wang Fuzhen excitedly greeted them.
Qi Tongwei got out of the car, carrying the gifts and walked towards the courtyard, shouting: “Old Chen, Aunt Wang.”
Wang Fuzhen chuckled and teased: “Minister Qi, you are a rare sight.”
Qi Tongwei quickly said: “Aunt Wang, please don’t call me that.”
Then he said to Chen Yan, who was sitting on the stool, unmoved: “Old Chen, I’ve come to see you.”
Chen Yan ignored Qi Tongwei completely. He only called to Wang Fuzhen: “Come back.”
Chen Yan had no liking for Qi Tongwei in the first place. Now, with Qi Tongwei siding with Li Da Kang to pursue Chen Hai, how could he give Qi Tongwei a good face?
Wang Fuzhen knew her old man’s temper, so she didn’t say anything and went back to her seat.
Even though Chen Yan was so impolite, Qi Tongwei was thick-skinned. He put down the gifts, dryly laughed, and said: “Old Chen, I’ve been busy with work at the department recently. I haven’t had time to come see you. I finally had some time this afternoon. Don't blame me.”
Chen Yan didn’t want to waste words with Qi Tongwei. He unceremoniously told him to leave: “Alright, alright. You’ve shown your respect. Now go get busy.”
But Qi Tongwei refused to leave: “It’s alright, it’s alright. I'm not busy today. I’ve come to see you and Aunt Wang specifically today. By the way, Old Chen, has Chen Hai come to visit you and Aunt Wang today?”
It was fine not to mention Chen Hai, but when it came to Chen Hai, Chen Yan’s expression turned even worse: “Thanks to you, Minister Qi, I sent him on a trip to relax. He just left today.”
Qi Tongwei didn’t blush at all as he argued: “Old Chen, the Anti-Corruption Bureau is a post where you make enemies. It’s good to be transferred to other positions. I’ll help you sweep the courtyard.”
Wang Fuzhen quickly stopped him: “Don't, why do you want to do that? Don't, don't do that!”
But Qi Tongwei had already taken off his jacket, picked up a broom, and said to Wang Fuzhen who was standing up to stop him: “Aunt Wang, sit down. You must let me do this. You should think about the relationship between me, Chen Hai, and Chen Yang, right? You can order me around just like you order Chen Hai. Don’t be polite.”
Chen Yan laughed, teasing him: “Not polite. If you're not polite, I'll be rude. After you sweep this side, sweep that side too. Once you finish, go get busy. You are busy with work, don't delay it.”
Qi Tongwei readily agreed. After sweeping the floor, he also helped to dig the ground. He was so enthusiastic, but unfortunately, he was met with a cold shoulder. Chen Yan didn’t care for Qi Tongwei. No matter how enthusiastic Qi Tongwei acted, it wouldn’t work.
Sha Ruijin arrived, ignoring Qi Tongwei who was digging in the courtyard, and went straight towards Chen Yan and his wife.
Wang Fuzhen excitedly stood up: “Oh, Xiao Jinzi has come. Xiao Jinzi!”
Chen Yan was also happy, chuckling: “Xiao Jinzi is back.”
Sha Ruijin said with a smile: “Uncle Chen, Aunt Wang, I am so sorry. It has been so long since I last came to see you.”
Chen Yan quickly waved his hand: “It’s alright, it’s alright.”
Wang Fuzhen enthusiastically greeted him: “We were just talking about you, Xiao Jinzi. Come in and sit down.”
Sha Ruijin happily said: “Okay, let’s see how your dormitory is in this nursing home.”
The three of them went into the house happily, chatting and laughing, not paying any attention to Qi Tongwei who was digging in the courtyard.
…