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

Chapter 221: 1 peach kills 3 soldiers

Everyone present understood Gao Yuliang's meaning.

Regardless of the power struggles at the top, Hou Liangping's act of submitting the account book was tantamount to stabbing Zhao Lichun in the back.

If Zhao Ruilong is punished for this, Hou Liangping will essentially be the enemy who killed his son.

How could Zhao Lichun possibly let him leave alive?

The thought that this powerful figure with connections throughout Handong would target Hou Liangping, a mere deputy division-level official, was terrifying.

Words like suicide and accidental death, which send chills down their spines, quickly flashed through their minds.

"In short, the situation is already set in stone. All we can do now is to fully cooperate with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation after they move in."

Sha Ruijin pondered for a moment and said:

"Comrade Guofu, you'll have to work hard again during this period. Comrade Xia Qing, too, the account books involve a huge number of cadres. How to flexibly and flexibly fill the cadre vacancies during the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation and avoid work coming to a standstill will require your attention."

Tian Guofu and Xia Qing nodded together.

"Comrade Yuliang, we need you to oversee stability even more. If any serious incidents occur in society during the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's stay, it will be bad for us."

Sha Ruijin then looked at Gao Yuliang and said seriously.

Gao Yuliang nodded, understanding what Sha Ruijin meant.

With the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's arrival, retaliatory actions from the Zhao family will follow one after another, and their criminal gangs will certainly not stand idly by and will definitely find something to do.

Thinking of this, Gao Yuliang casually mentioned it:

"There's no need to worry about maintaining stability. Vice Governor Tongwei launched a new round of anti-gang campaigns a few days ago. Now, most of the criminal gangs in the province, especially in Jingzhou City, have been dismantled and won't cause any trouble in the short term. In fact, it was Minister Xia who instructed Vice Governor Tongwei to do this."

Sha Ruijin had no choice but to follow Gao Yuliang's lead and say to Xia Qing:

"Good for planning ahead."

Xia Qing smiled noncommittally.

"In short, during the period when the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) is stationed here, all leaders must take the lead in setting a good example, stick to their posts and perform their duties, and strictly prevent other violations of discipline from occurring within the unit. After all... what the CCDI wants to see is the overall atmosphere of the cadre team in Handong."

Sha Ruijin gave a final summary and then adjourned the meeting.

Gao Yuliang and Xia Qing left the office, walked out of Building No. 1, and came to the courtyard.

Xia Qing then asked:

"Secretary Yuliang, is your real intention to have Hou Liangping hand over the account books?"

Gao Yuliang turned around and smiled:

"Is there anyone more suitable than him?"

Next, Gao Yuliang explained to Xia Qing everything about how he handed the account book to Sha Ruijin and how he encouraged Zhao Lichun to negotiate with Old Master Ni behind Sha Ruijin.

Xia Qing listened attentively, her brows relaxing further.

A number of inexplicable emotions flashed in his eyes.

He vaguely sensed that from the ledger, many interwoven lines of light and shadow extended, intertwined and branching out in all directions.

These lines will eventually converge, and then we will be able to see the full picture of Gao Yuliang's plan.

Xia Qing sensed that she was about to uncover Gao Yuliang's true purpose.

But something crucial was always missing.

"In this way, at a higher level, it becomes a three-way power struggle between Zhao, Zhong, and Ni, who is behind Secretary Sha," Xia Qing said with a sigh as he pondered.

"But the Xia family can remain inactive, observe from the sidelines, and strike at the most opportune moment to clean up the mess," Gao Yuliang said calmly, gazing at Xia Qing.

Xia Qing raised an eyebrow.

The inexplicable emotion in his eyes vanished instantly.

Instead, it sparkled with brilliance.

Is that so? So that was Gao Yuliang's real purpose.

With a ledger that's like a hot potato.

By having it handed over to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection through someone else, the responsibility of the Handong level for knowing but not reporting could be avoided.

The main purpose was to drag the Ni and Zhao families into this mess.

Then bring the Zhong family, who have been hiding behind the scenes, to the forefront and have them participate in this three-way battle.

The Zhao family is going to counterattack, the Ni family is going to defend, and the Zhong family is going to withdraw.

Upon closer examination, however, the results of the three companies were not significantly different.

The Zhao family launched a counterattack, but with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation, it was only a matter of time before their ship sank. In the end, they could only fight like cornered beasts, ending in a miserable defeat.

The Ni family will defend, but since Handong is the main battlefield for the Zhao family's counterattack, Sha Ruijin will inevitably be drawn into it. At that time, the Ni family will also have to invest a lot of resources to help Sha Ruijin overcome the difficulties, which will severely damage his strength and cause him to never recover.

The Zhong family withdrew, intending to return to the background and reap the benefits. But don't forget, it was the Zhong family's son-in-law who was left to handle the accounts. Even if Zhao Lichun was desperate, he would still drag Hou Liangping and the Zhong family down with him. In order to withstand the Zhao family's desperate revenge, the Zhong family would definitely pull out their long-hidden trump cards, which would ultimately cripple them, leaving them with no chance of competing for the top.

The three mountains looming over Handong will collide and turn to dust under Gao Yuliang's ingenious account book plan!

But the highest mountain remains steadfast, watching the ever-changing winds and clouds with a smile.

When the time is right, he will make a name for himself.

For the Xia family, it was truly a risk-free and highly profitable venture!

Xia Qing looked at Gao Yuliang with a hint of apprehension.

With the body of a deputy minister who is insignificant in the eyes of those in power, he lured three powerful figures into a chaotic battle.

Then let Xia Qing quietly become the winner who laughs last.

What a brilliant move! One peach kills three warriors!

What a wonderful gift for Xia Qing and the Xia family!

Gao Yuliang once again proved his worth to the Xia family with a near-perfect plan.

Thinking of this, Xia Qing couldn't help but shake her head and smile bitterly.

Gao Yuliang's abilities certainly don't place him in a vice-ministerial position.

But it was precisely this excessively excellent yet uncontrollable ability that made it difficult for Gao Yuliang to take another step forward.

Enemy? Friend?

unknown.

Perhaps this is the complexity, multifaceted nature, and charm of Gao Yuliang.

Xia Qing also sighed.

Fortunately, they came to Handong, and fortunately, they helped Gao Yuliang.

Otherwise, Gao Yuliang would have been buried by the times, with his talents going to waste.

Xia Qing will not have the chance to witness this brilliant plan today!

Finally, Xia Qing asked:

"Secretary Yuliang, I have one last question for you."

Gao Yuliang seemed to have already guessed what Xia Qing wanted to ask, and calmly replied:

"Leader Zhao was an outstanding and bold reformer. Although his reputation in Handong was mixed, his achievements were undeniable. The Jingzhou Expressway, the Yanlin Bridge, and the Luzhou Airport—these are all excellent projects that have earned the applause and cheers of the people. They sincerely say that Secretary Zhao has done practical things for the people. In my opinion, we should not judge heroes based on temporary successes or failures. His merits and demerits should be judged by future generations."

Gao Yuliang paused, looked into the distance, and spoke in a deep, resonant tone:

"Secretary Zhao is getting old, and those below him are acting recklessly under his name. He wants to manage them, but he's no longer able to. In my opinion, the best outcome for the Zhao family is to let this ship, which bears Zhao Lichun's name but is not actually steered by him, sink sooner, preserve Secretary Zhao's lifelong reputation, and let him enjoy his later years in peace. This is also my final act of gratitude to the old secretary."

Xia Qing opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him; he felt bitterness, excitement, and loneliness.

He still asked one more question:

"But why were your and Gao Xiaofeng's records erased from the account books given to Secretary Sha, while they were kept in the ones given to Hou Liangping?"

Gao Yuliang slowly closed his eyes:

"I want to see if Hou Liangping will consider our teacher-student relationship. If he will, I'll remind him to cut some names. If not, then I don't have much to worry about. As for other things..."

Gao Yuliang stopped and smiled calmly:

"By handing over the account books, I've betrayed Secretary Zhao. Let me go in with him as atonement. Tongwei, Xiaofeng, and the others... thank you for your trouble."

The fear in Xia Qing's eyes vanished, replaced by awe and disbelief.

This was the first time Gao Yuliang had addressed himself as "you" (formal).

After a long pause, Xia Qing solemnly addressed Gao Yuliang:

"I've learned a lot, Secretary Yuliang."