Nominal: The pinnacle of power began in the sixth province of Handong.

The time for the banquet arrived quickly.

Xia Qing walked out of the compound, where luxury cars from the Shanshui Group were already waiting.

Beside the car stood Qi Tongwei and a woman with a beautiful figure and elegant demeanor.

It's Gao Xiaoqin.

In the afternoon, Xia Qing also did her homework on this legendary female CEO and learned about her entrepreneurial journey.

Xia Qing naturally remembered Gao Xiaoqin's appearance, so when she first saw her, she didn't have much of a surprised reaction.

This surprised Gao Xiaoqin.

It's no exaggeration to say that with Gao Xiaoqin's talent, she's more than qualified to be a child actress.

In the past, when government officials met Gao Xiaoqin, they would be immediately impressed and would try to talk to her for a while by asking her questions.

Or he'd put on airs, pretending to be indifferent to women, only to be swayed by Gao Xiaoqin's gentle advances at a dinner party until he blushed, and after a few drinks, the matter would be settled.

This has always been Gao Xiaoqin's usual tactic.

But now, facing Xia Qing.

Gao Xiaoqin felt a sense of confusion.

She couldn't sense any extraneous emotions from Xia Qing.

The other party's natural and indifferent attitude made it seem as if they really just intended to have a casual meal.

Gao Xiaoqin gave Qi Tongwei a wink.

Qi Tongwei understood and said with a smile:

"Minister, I'd like to ask you something. If you think this car is too conspicuous, you can ride in my private car, which is parked less than 200 meters away."

Xia Qing waved her hand and smiled gently:

"No need. I only came to Shanshui Group because of Dafeng Factory. If I'm being secretive, people will think I'm up to something else."

After saying that, he got into the luxury car that Gao Xiaoqin had prepared.

Seeing this, Qi Tongwei and Gao Xiaoqin exchanged a glance, then greeted Xia Qing before driving off to their own car.

Xia Qing understood that this was also a small detail.

He wanted to have the elegant and sexy Gao Xiaoqin ride in the same car with him, creating a space for solitude.

On the way, beauties sat side by side, and a few more sweet words were exchanged, accompanied by the fragrance and music in the car, and a few coquettish complaints.

Even the hardest stone would probably melt.

Sure enough, after the car started...

Gao Xiaoqin brought out the red wine she had prepared beforehand and poured it for Xia Qing in a gesture that perfectly showcased the beauty of spring.

Xia Qing sneered inwardly.

Is that all you've got?

Gao Xiaoqin handed the wine to Xia Qing with both hands, but the latter simply waved her hand and said:

"Mr. Gao, there are regulations from above that prohibit drinking alcohol on weekdays."

Gao Xiaoqin had heard this line countless times, so she feigned a coquettish tone and said:

"Minister, Xiaoqin has heard Director Qi talk about your glorious deeds before. Today, I have the honor of meeting you in person. I feel like a student seeking guidance from a teacher. Would you like to have a drink with me?"

Saying this often works.

Beautiful women, luxury cars, fine wine, and flattery.

With four measures in place, it is indeed difficult to maintain control.

But Xia Qing showed no mercy, saying mockingly:

"Mr. Gao, I am actually very grateful to you for creating an opportunity for us to be alone."

Gao Xiaoqin was somewhat stunned.

So direct?

Did you start speaking your mind as soon as you got on the bus?

I've seen lecherous old men, but I've never seen one like this.

But that's fine too; as long as men are lustful, everything is under control.

Gao Xiaoqin placed the wine glass back on the table, deliberately and casually tucking her long hair behind her ear to reveal her beautiful neck, and said even more charmingly:

"What, what did you say? What do you mean by being alone? I'm a little nervous..."

"Being nervous is good." Xia Qing didn't waste any words and went straight to the point:

"I consulted professionals today, and they said that the judgment made by the Jingzhou Intermediate People's Court regarding the equity of Dafeng Factory was itself suspected of being illegal."

Gao Xiaoqin's smile froze.

Why would you speak frankly at a time like this?

This organization minister showed absolutely no respect and completely defied expectations!

Since the other party has already shown their true colors, there's no point in continuing to act.

She sighed softly, leaning back in her seat with a natural and languid posture. The previous admiration and shyness in her eyes were gone, replaced by the shrewdness and sharpness of a businesswoman. Her voice was also no longer so strained.

"Minister Xia, do you have to be so direct?"

"Wouldn't it have been better to do this sooner?" Xia Qing said jokingly, then changed the subject, saying:

"The person who issued the verdict, is Chen Qingquan? Can I assume that he is also connected to your Shanshui Group?"

Seeing Xia Qing going all out, Gao Xiaoqin no longer backed down and smiled:

"Minister Xia, you can guess however you want, but I can only say two things: First, the verdict back then was reasonable and legal; second, the statute of limitations for prosecution has expired, and that verdict will not be changed no matter what."

After speaking, Gao Xiaoqin looked at Xia Qing with a hint of smugness.

As expected, Xia Qing fell into deep thought.

Gao Xiaoqin pursed her lips, thinking this person was quite resourceful, asking questions directly, but their intelligence wasn't comprehensive enough.

It was easily suppressed; it was a false alarm.

Even so, Gao Xiaoqin knew the importance of knowing when to stop, so she put on a smile and leaned forward, about to say something to comfort her, when she saw Xia Qing suddenly raise his head and say with a mischievous grin:

"I didn't say there was a problem with the verdict. I was thinking, what do you think about revealing Chen Qingquan's matter to Hou Liangping?"

Gao Xiaoqin's beautiful eyes widened.

Hou Liangping?

That fearless deputy director of the anti-corruption bureau from Beijing?

I treated him to a meal last time, and Qi Tongwei and I tried our best to win him over.

Unexpectedly, the other party was unmoved by either soft or hard tactics, and all they could think about was arresting people, investigating cases, and gaining merit.

Even Qi Tongwei repeatedly warned him not to provoke him, as he would bring chaos to the entire group.

But now.

Xia Qing surprisingly suggested that Hou Liangping should know about Chen Qingquan's matter.

Given Hou Liangping's personality, he would definitely pinpoint Chen Qingquan and launch a thorough investigation.

Chen Qingquan knows a lot of things, and the Shanshui Group will also be implicated as a result.

If Hou Liangping's investigation goes deeper and deeper, the case will become increasingly complex.

It touched the solid ice on the seabed.

Hou Liangping will lead the giant ship of Handong to be hit by the solid ice, creating a hole, and slowly sink!

At that time, who among the passengers on board could escape unscathed?

Xia Qing's move was a blatant threat!

Gao Xiaoqin wavered, but her long experience in the ways of the world made her want to put up a final resistance, so she said:

"If Hou Liangping really finds out something, you won't be happy either, will you?"

"What's wrong with me? I can go back to the capital anytime." Xia Qing shrugged, his smiling eyes suddenly turning cold as he stared directly at Gao Xiaoqin and said in a low voice:

"And another thing. Do you think they can touch me?"

Gao Xiaoqin's breath caught in her throat under Xia Qing's gaze.

terrible.

terrible!

This kind of aura can only be displayed when one has a truly strong foundation.

Gao Xiaoqin began to believe that what Xia Qing said was true.

At the same time, she wondered what kind of behemoth was behind Xia Qing.

Xia Qing saw that Gao Xiaoqin's momentum had clearly softened, and knew that her words had worked.

So, striking while the iron was hot, he changed to a more consultative tone and said:

"President Gao, I don't care what tricks you have up your sleeve, or how much money you can make from the Guangming Peak project. These are not things that I, as the head of the organization department, need to care about."

"What I want is a satisfactory resolution to the Dafeng Factory incident, so that there will be no more bloodshed like the 116 incident."

"After that, you guys go ahead with your Bright Peak project, and I'll continue with my work. Let's keep to ourselves. How about that?"

Gao Xiaoqin looked helplessly at Xia Qing, as if acknowledging that the initiative was firmly in the other party's hands, and said with her eyes lowered:

"What does the minister want?"

"I want a promise, and I want some information." Xia Qing clenched his fists, resting his chin on his hands, and said:

"The promise is that when the Dafeng factory needs your help to solve its problems, don't be stingy with a few pennies."

Gao Xiaoqin nodded. It seemed that Dafeng Factory was facing a major financial blow.

But compared to the whole trip, spending a little money is really nothing.

Anyway, once you've spent the money, you can always earn it back.

Xia Qing paused for a moment, then continued:

"The information is that I need to ask you about someone."

Gao Xiaoqin became interested and asked curiously:

"Who?"

"Ouyang Qing".