“I’ve studied it carefully and found that the key issue is still Hou Liangping. Secretary Sha must have given Hou Liangping a lot of support, which is why he’s so bold and reckless in his investigation.”
“If we had someone like Xiao Gangyu investigating, we wouldn’t be in this much trouble.”
Gao Yu Liang said.
“I agree. What do you plan to do about Hou Liangping?”
Xu Zhao asked.
“Qi Tongwei said they got a bank card belonging to Hou Liangping from Cai Chenggong. I think we can use that card to do something.”
Gao Yu Liang said.
Then he outlined his idea of framing Hou Liangping for corruption.
After listening, Xu Zhao said calmly, “This will only delay things. It’ll be clear eventually.”
Gao Yu Liang said, “What if we send Cai Chenggong’s driver and accountant out of the country?”
Xu Zhao shook his head. “Cai Chenggong is the biggest loophole. As long as he’s around, you’ll be exposed eventually. If you really push him, he’ll abandon his wife and children, you believe me.”
Gao Yu Liang sighed. “Yes, if you don’t look out for yourself, you’ll be punished by Heaven.”
Xu Zhao said, “Your idea of framing Hou Liangping is right, but there’s no need to go for the kill. Remember, Hou Liangping has people behind him. The harsher you go after him, the stronger his supporters will retaliate. I suggest planting some expensive cigarettes and alcohol on him. People like Hou Liangping, even a small blemish can bring him down.”
Gao Yu Liang understood. He nodded. “That makes sense. The purer someone is, the less tolerant they are of impurities.”
Originally, he planned to go after Hou Liangping with everything he had.
He not only wanted to frame Hou Liangping for corruption, but also to pin Chen Hai’s death on him.
But after hearing Xu Zhao’s words, he suddenly realized.
The harsher the frame, the stronger the retaliation.
Conversely, if they only planted a small blemish on Hou Liangping, it might be easier.
The retaliation wouldn’t be as ferocious.
Especially, they couldn’t anger the capital.
If they went after Hou Liangping with everything they had, they would surely anger the people in the capital.
If they sent someone down, it would be a huge hassle.
Xu Zhao said, “First, get rid of Hou Liangping, then you two should cut ties as soon as possible. Sell what needs to be sold, transfer the money, and retire if you need to.”
Gao Yu Liang said, “Retire? You mean…”
Xu Zhao said, “Qi Tongwei, he’s not fit to be an official anymore. He has no choice but to retire, or he’ll face death.”
Gao Yu Liang pondered for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll talk to him.”
He also felt that Qi Tongwei wasn’t fit to be an official anymore.
Staying on would only harm others and himself.
“Even if it’s just a few boxes of cigarettes and alcohol, it won’t be easy to plant them on Hou Liangping. That guy doesn’t accept any gifts.”
Gao Yu Liang said.
“Leave that to me, I have a way to make Hou Liangping accept them.”
Xu Zhao smiled slightly.
“Really? What is it?”
Gao Yu Liang asked curiously.
“Don’t worry about that. You just need to convince Qi Tongwei and Zhao Ruilong, especially Zhao Ruilong. Make him scram.”
Xu Zhao said.
“Okay, I’ll take care of them.”
Gao Yu Liang agreed.
After coming up with a plan, they both felt relieved.
They talked about some other things.
…
Xu Zhao’s mind raced, and he came up with a way to meet Hou Liangping.
He went straight to the Provincial Procuratorate.
“Secretary Xu, what brings you here?”
A prosecutor recognized him.
“Where’s Lu Zhengpin? Where’s that guy?”
Xu Zhao said.
“You mean Director Lu? He’s on the second floor. He was sleeping on the floor downstairs, but our Chief Prosecutor felt it was embarrassing, so he had a room cleared for him on the second floor.”
The prosecutor said.
“Please take me there.”
Xu Zhao said.
“No problem.”
The prosecutor led the way.
They came to a room at the end of the hallway on the second floor.
The prosecutor opened the door.
Xu Zhao was about to enter, but a wave of foul odor hit him, and he quickly stepped back.
He walked to the side to breathe some fresh air.
The prosecutor snickered beside him. “This guy hasn’t showered in a while. He refused to go to a hotel to shower. He said he’d be shot by a sniper if he left the Procuratorate.”
Xu Zhao was speechless. He called out from outside the door, “Lu Zhengpin, get your ass out here.”
Lu Zhengpin was sleeping inside. When he heard Xu Zhao’s voice, he was startled and said, “Xu Zhao, what are you doing here? I won’t go back with you.”
Xu Zhao said, “If it wasn’t for Secretary Sha mentioning you, I wouldn’t even bother coming to see you.”
Lu Zhengpin said, “Where’s Secretary Sha? I want to see him!”
Xu Zhao said, “Do you think Secretary Sha is free? I’m giving you a chance. Go back to Jinghai City right now, or I’ll strip you of your Director position.”
Lu Zhengpin yelled from inside, “Go ahead and strip me, I don’t care. I will expose your true colors.”
Xu Zhao said impatiently, “The Procuratorate has sent people to investigate me. What more do you want?”
Lu Zhengpin said, “A few junior prosecutors? It’s normal that they can’t find anything on you. I’ll wait for Secretary Sha. Only he can order a real investigation and expose you.”
Xu Zhao thought: He wants to see Sha Ruijin? Good, let him come and be a witness.
So he said, “Okay, I’ll help you call Secretary Sha.”
Lu Zhengpin was surprised. He thought: He actually dares to call Sha Ruijin? Is he really not afraid?
Xu Zhao already had his phone out, dialing Sha Ruijin’s number.
The call was answered soon.
“Secretary Xu, what’s the matter?”
Sha Ruijin asked.
“Secretary Sha, I’m at the Provincial Procuratorate now.”
Xu Zhao said.
“Why are you suddenly here?”
Sha Ruijin asked curiously.
“Didn’t Secretary Dakang get beaten up at my place? I feel bad, so I came to see him. And, following your instructions, I’m taking Lu Zhengpin back. He’s disrupting everyone’s work here.”
Xu Zhao said.
“Just take him back. No need to tell me.”
Sha Ruijin said.
“He refuses to leave. He wants to see you. I’m desperate, so I’m calling you.”
Xu Zhao said.
“This Lu Zhengpin… alright, I’ll come over.”
Sha Ruijin said helplessly.