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

Looking at Xia Qing's reaction, Hou Liangping felt a sense of vengeful pleasure.

They were both cadres parachuted from Beijing to Handong.

Hou Liangping felt displeased after hearing about Xia Qing.

He checked Xia Qing's cadre appointment and removal approval form and was surprised to see that the other party had become a vice ministerial-level official at just over 40 years old.

It was an inexplicable anger that flared up.

Hou Liangping believed that even without the help of the Zhong family, he was still among the most elite.

In his early forties, he became a division-level cadre enjoying the treatment of a deputy director-general.

Besides having a promising future, his case-handling abilities, professional qualities, and even his image are all top-notch.

Before knowing Xia Qing, Hou Liangping's confidence was unparalleled.

Until last time.

Having just arrived in Handong, I was eager to make a name for myself.

He set his sights on officials whose accounts had been frozen, intending to gain fame in one fell swoop.

As a result, Xia Qing tricked him!

If it weren't for Zhong Xiaoai's mediation, I would have really been suspended from my job to reflect on my actions!

It's all Xia Qing's fault for being too cunning.

But after seeing Xia Qing in person today.

Hou Liangping's resentment grew even stronger!

Why is this organization minister in front of me?

And he's damn handsome?

No, I'm going to teach you a lesson today.

Hou Liangping made up his mind and shook hands with Xia Qing.

He then went back to his seat without a second thought.

Xia Qing and Ji Changming were left standing awkwardly in front of the desk.

No one spoke, and even Xia Qing's smile froze on her face.

Ji Changming just felt that Hou Liangping must have gone mad.

Why should the organization minister stand while he sits?

Did he think this was still the capital city, where he could act arrogantly?

Just as Ji Changming was about to erupt, Lin Huahua, who had been observing from outside, reacted quickly, pulling Zhou Zheng over to bring two stools. She placed them behind Xia Qing and Ji Changming, and said with a forced smile:

"I'm so sorry, Minister Xia and Chief Prosecutor Ji, we took the chairs in this room to sit on and forgot to bring them back. We're really sorry."

Xia Qing smiled and said:

"It's nothing, thank you for your help."

He then sat down and nodded to Lin Huahua and the other person to express his gratitude.

Seeing this, Ji Changming refrained from making a scene and sat down as well.

Hou Liangping glared at Lin Huahua, then put on his usual nonchalant expression, leaned back in his chair, and said:

"Minister Xia, please speak quickly, I'm very busy."

Xia Qing has shown remarkable composure and has not expressed any obvious dissatisfaction so far.

Ji Changming, on the other hand, kept silently praying to Xia Qing not to be angry.

Xia Qing didn't intend to beat around the bush with Hou Liangping, and said:

"Alright, then I'll get straight to the point. The situation at Dafeng Factory is very unstable right now. There's a lack of leadership in key positions, and if this continues, the Guangmingfeng project will really fall through. I'm here to ask Director Hou for help. If the directors in Guangming District are all in good health, please let them return to their posts. Guangming District needs them."

Hou Liangping gave a cold laugh.

They really came for those people from the Bright District.

They are my breakthrough point in investigating the Guangmingfeng project and the Shanshui Group.

How could we possibly release them!

Hou Liangping deliberately made an exaggerated expression, frowning as he said:

"Oh dear, this is unfortunate. They are all important witnesses, and I haven't gotten any information from them yet. I'm afraid I can't comply."

Xia Qing remained calm and said:

"Our organization department has already contacted the discipline inspection commission to check their resumes, and they are all very clean, so there is no way there could be any problems. Moreover, they are also key targets of our recent promotion and evaluation. Detaining them in the anti-corruption bureau for too long will have a significant impact on their political careers. They are all good cadres who can get things done, so Director Hou should consider this carefully."

Hou Liangping was taken aback.

Political career?

Influence?

It sounds strangely familiar.

Oh, I heard that from Zhao Dehan.

At the time, Zhao Dehan firmly refused to let us go to his office, saying it would affect his political career.

But it was this Zhao Dehan who, after I, Hou Liangping, changed locations three times, and finally found hundreds of millions of yuan in cash!

How can you, Xia Qing, say that there are no problems with these bureau chiefs in Guangming District?

If you delay my chance to earn merit, no one can compensate me!

Hou Liangping crossed his arms and said disdainfully:

"A political career isn't so easily affected. If there are no problems, I'll naturally let them go back. It's not like the Anti-Corruption Bureau can just stop investigating with a single word from Minister Xia, is it?"

Ji Changming, listening from the side, felt that Hou Liangping's words were becoming increasingly absurd. Just as he was about to stand up and reprimand him, Xia Qing gently placed her hand on his shoulder, her gaze remaining calmly fixed on Hou Liangping, and said:

"If their wrongful arrest affects their work and delays their promotions, their careers might truly be over. They've dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the development of Handong over the years. Director Hou, how can you bear to see that?"

Hou Liangping chuckled, recalling a sentence his wife, Zhong Xiaoai, had once told him.

When he heard that, he didn't dare say a word.

But things are different now.

As the deputy director of the anti-corruption bureau dispatched by the Supreme People's Procuratorate's Anti-Corruption Bureau to the local area, I stood before this group of deputy division-level cadres from Guangming District.

I certainly have the right to say that.

So, Hou Liangping braced himself, and with an extremely disdainful look in his eyes, slowly began to speak:

"I once heard a saying: 'A little bit of power abuse can cause the beliefs of a fine young person to vanish in the wind.'"

After saying that sentence...

Xia Qing's body trembled almost imperceptibly.

Ji Changming, who was standing to the side, could no longer bear to listen. He suddenly stood up and angrily said:

"Hou Liangping! What nonsense are you spouting in front of Minister Xia!"

Hou Liangping didn't care about Ji Changming's reaction. He knew that as long as he didn't make any mistakes, saying a few words wouldn't be a problem at all, since Zhong Xiaoai and the Zhong family were there to protect him.

But he didn't notice.

A hint of danger flashed in Xia Qing's eyes.

That's the look a hunter gives when he sees a foolish prey.

In Xia Qing's view, let alone Hou Liangping.

Even the Zhong family, what are they compared to the Xia family?

Xia Qing had always presented himself as gentle and refined, someone who didn't want to cause trouble in Handong.

They are unwilling to get involved with any party or cause trouble; stability is their top priority, and doing their job well and achieving results is their top priority.

By tempering their brilliance and proceeding with measured pace, they perfectly presented the image of the Xia family as a prominent and powerful clan to the outside world.

But these things may have given Hou Liangping a false impression.

He had the illusion that he could provoke Xia Qing.

Xia Qing originally intended to use Ouyang Qing's information to exchange with Hou Liangping.

Tell him not to make things difficult for those bureau chiefs.

But now, Xia Qing doesn't want to do that anymore.

If Ouyang Qing's information were leaked to Hou Liangping through other channels...

He was led to believe that he discovered it through his own abilities.

They will definitely launch an investigation into Ouyang Qing.

Without the approval of the Standing Committee, a private investigation was conducted on the family members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee members.

This is a procedural violation and a serious breach of discipline.

Xia Qing believed that Hou Liangping would be happy to take the bait.

Once the bait is taken, the subsequent punishments will be so severe that even the powerful Zhong family in Handong will not be able to easily appease Hou Liangping.

Only this kind of punishment can make the Zhong family feel pain and make Hou Liangping never forget it.

At the same time, no loopholes could be found in Xia Qing's scheme.

As for his outburst on the spot, his angry rebuke of Hou Liangping, or his use of his authority to punish Hou Liangping.

Xia Qing could do it, but there was no need for her to.

Within the bounds of rules and procedures, Hou Liangping should be given sufficient punishment.

That's the kind of thing a cadre of Xia Qing's caliber would do.

If someone also relies on their powerful background or superior position to launch a major attack while violating the rules.

Wouldn't that make him the next Hou Liangping?

Besides, we already know Hou Liangping inside and out.

This person's skill level is really nothing to write home about.

Chung Jung-gook, Chung Jung-gook.

The son-in-law you sent doesn't seem to be very good.

What should I do after that?

But that's my freedom.

Thinking about all this, Xia Qing almost burst out laughing.

But he still had to maintain appearances of harmony, after all, it would be shameful and disgraceful to lose his temper with Hou Liangping.

"It's alright, I understand."

Xia Qing stood up, patted Ji Changming on the shoulder again, then looked at Hou Liangping with an indifferent gaze and said softly:

"I've learned a lot."

After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the deputy director's office without looking back.

Ji Changming quickly chased after him, turning back to say to Hou Liangping:

"I'll settle the score with you when I get back!"

"Really, who cares..." Hou Liangping felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction seeing Xia Qing, like a defeated rooster, get up and leave after only a few words in the face of his offensive.

He felt that at this moment, he was the victor.

They achieved a complete crushing defeat in front of the so-called Minister of Organization.

Although Xia Qing's last look made him a little flustered.

But, it doesn't matter at all.

Xia Qing, what can you do to me, Hou Liangping?

Is his family as powerful as the Zhong family?

Hou Liangping became increasingly pleased with himself and couldn't help but whistle.

Outside the procuratorate, Ji Changming kept chasing after Xia Qing, praising her incessantly.

Xia Qing solemnly said to Ji Changming:

"Chief Prosecutor Ji, my dissatisfaction is not with Director Hou's attitude towards me, but with his attitude towards his staff."

"That last sentence shocked me and terrified me."

"If someone like that were in a high position on our team, that would be a really scary thing."

"I know you're in a difficult position, so there's no need for further words. Farewell."

Ji Changming watched as Xia Qing got into the car and drove away.

He murmured to himself:

"Oh no, oh no, I hope it doesn't involve the prosecutor's office..."

After leaving the procuratorate, Xia Qing called Gao Yuliang and asked:

"Secretary Yuliang, I have a question. A newly appointed cadre received a major demerit in less than two weeks. Do you think this will affect his political future?"