In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong!

Upon entering, one can see that although Chen Yanshi has been retired for a long time, the staff of the procuratorate still recognize him.

After all, the reputation of the Second Procuratorate of Handong is not just for show.

They arrived at the chief prosecutor's office, but with both arms in casts, Chen Yanshi couldn't open the door and could only stand at the entrance and call out.

"Ji Changming, open the door!"

Upon hearing Chen Yanshi's voice, Ji Changming had no choice but to open the door, even though he was dissatisfied. After all, Chen was an old comrade, and he had to be given the respect he deserved.

As soon as the door opened, Chen Yanshi walked straight in.

"Mr. Chen, aren't you recuperating in the hospital? If you come out like this, the hospital will be worried."

Ji Changming intended to steer the conversation a little further away.

However, Chen Yanshi was not buying it at all.

"Ji Changming, stop with the nonsense. Let me ask you this: you know my son Chen Hai's personality. Without orders, how could he dare to secretly follow and investigate the family members of a provincial party committee member?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Changming frowned.

"Old Chen, regardless of whether it was ordered by someone, it is a fact that Chen Hai investigated the family members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee without authorization."

"Facts? So what? Does that mean we can't investigate and collect evidence if a member of the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee's family members violate discipline or the law?"

This was clearly sophistry, so Ji Changming took a deep breath and decided to be more direct.

"Old Chen, there's no point in arguing here. Chen Hai is at the procuratorate right now. I can let you see him. You can always believe what he says."

Chen Yanshi did not refuse.

A few minutes later, in the interrogation room, Chen Yanshi looked at his son's pale face and bowed head, feeling extremely distressed and angry.

"Hai Zi, tell Dad, who exactly gave you permission to investigate Li Dakang's wife without authorization?"

Chen Hai remained silent, perhaps because he didn't want his father to see him in his current disheveled state. But after hearing his father's repeated questions, Chen Hai finally spoke.

"Dad, don't ask anymore, it's Hou Liangping!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yanshi suddenly turned around and looked at Ji Changming. The meaning in his eyes was very clear: Did you hear the truth?

Ji Changming simply shook his head calmly.

"Old Chen, Chen Hai said it was Hou Liangping's instruction, but what's the evidence? Without evidence, I, as the chief prosecutor, can't just arbitrarily slander a deputy director-level official!"

Chen Yanshi was stunned when he heard this.

"Dad, please don't make things difficult for Chief Prosecutor Ji. I was foolish and didn't see Hou Liangping clearly. There's no way there's any evidence. I accept this! You should rest and recover in the hospital. Don't worry about me."

Hearing Chen Hai's blunt words, Chen Yanshi was moved to tears. In the end, he, Chen Yanshi, who had been hard his whole life, couldn't hold on to his son...

As Chen Yanshi stepped out of the procuratorate, he looked around and felt as if there was no one left in the entire Handong who could help him.

Chen Yanshi truly experienced the meaning of the phrase "when people leave, tea cools down," but his hatred also deepened. His resentment towards Hou Liangping had surpassed that towards Huang Weimin and Sha Ruijin!

............................................................

Ji Changming completed the report on Chen Hai's violation of discipline and regulations in just two days and delivered it to Chen Luo.

After reading the report, Chen Luo handed it over to the Provincial Party Committee.

The Standing Committee convened at 9:30 a.m. the next day.

Of course, the agenda of this meeting could not be limited to Chen Hai alone. A deputy director-level cadre is not worth the Standing Committee's special discussion; he is merely a starting point.

"Comrades, the work in Handong is complex and requires meticulous attention. We should learn from the events that have occurred recently and draw inferences from them."

Comrade Dakang, please tell us about your situation first.

The main point is actually about Li Dakang's wife.

"Secretary Sha, Governor Liu, Secretary Yuliang, comrades, I would like to first make a self-criticism to the Provincial Party Committee!"

I'm sure everyone knows about what happened to my ex-wife, Ouyang Qing, these past few days. I, as the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, was not vigilant enough! Before Secretary Sha came to Handong, I was only focused on the economic development of Jingzhou City. I feel very guilty about the corruption problems that have occurred among Ding Yizhen, my ex-wife, subordinates, and people around me.

As soon as Secretary Sha arrived in Handong, these problems around me gradually came to light.

Just as Secretary Sha said, we leading cadres must not neglect things outside of our work.

I will definitely pay attention from now on!

Sha Ruijin was very satisfied with Li Dakang's words, especially since they highlighted his own role.

"Secretary Dakang, while a lack of vigilance is certainly part of the reason, being busy with work is also an excuse. However, whether someone as perceptive as Secretary Dakang truly doesn't know or is pretending not to know, it's difficult for all of us to know the truth!"

Gao Yuliang spoke up; after years of fighting with Li Dakang, he habitually started nitpicking.

Li Dakang's expression was rather unpleasant.

"Secretary Yuliang, I believe Secretary Dakang truly didn't know. After all, Ouyang Qing was very cooperative with our Discipline Inspection Commission's investigation and even turned herself in. Secretary Dakang's party principles are still sound!"

Tian Guofu took over the conversation, clearly intending to help Li Dakang clear his name.

Since the Discipline Inspection Commission had said so, Gao Yuliang had no choice but to give up. He couldn't very well doubt the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission, could he?

"A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. Some of our cadres have succumbed to temptation and made mistakes. Should we punish them? Yes! But for cadres who are cooperative and willing to turn themselves in, if it's not a big problem, we should give them a chance to reform themselves."

"Gold has no bare feet, and no man is perfect!"

Chen Luo smiled and said that this was not only about helping Li Dakang and repaying a favor, but more importantly, about protecting the reputation of the Handong Provincial Party Committee. It wasn't a matter of principle, so there was really no need to make a big fuss, except, of course, for political struggles...

"Comrade Chen Luo's words are very insightful!"

That makes a lot of sense. People should be given a chance to correct their mistakes, especially if it's their first offense. If it doesn't involve matters of principle, they should be properly disciplined.

So, in the few months I've been in Handong, we haven't held a single democratic life meeting. Next week, we'll hold one so everyone can have a good talk and get some feedback.

Let's be more vigilant!

With Sha Ruijin's decisive action, the issue of Li Dakang's wife, Ouyang Qing, came to an end.

The next topic was raised by Tian Guofu: the selection of the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jinghai City. Everyone agreed on this topic, and Tian Guofu's recommendation was unanimously approved.

One by one, the Standing Committee members carried out their work-related matters that needed to be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting, and Chen Luo finally brought up Chen Hai's matter.

"Secretary Sha, Governor Liu, Secretary Yuliang, Comrade Changming has already submitted the report on Chen Hai's unauthorized stalking and investigation of Ms. Ouyang Qing. Chen Hai chose to do this himself, and this matter has a very negative impact!"

The crowd perked up and began to offer their criticisms.

"The word 'Secretary Chen' is well-chosen; it's awful!"

If they can investigate Secretary Dakang's wife so easily, does that mean they'll dare to follow and investigate us tomorrow? Or even investigate the families of Secretary Sha and Governor Liu?

Such behavior is unacceptable! It must be dealt with seriously!

The first to fire was Secretary-General Lao Qian.