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

Chapter 143 Xia Qing's Judgment

Governor Liu reconsidered.

The most urgent task is to sort out the issues and come up with a solution.

More importantly, the actual situation must not be revealed.

We need to use a plausible reason to postpone the project in a way that makes sense, so as to avoid exposing the fact that the funds are frozen.

It is also necessary to appease and coordinate with the developers, construction teams, and relevant departments involved in the project.

Only then can we consider reporting to Sha Ruijin.

Just then, Zhu Zhichao spoke up:

"I just remembered, the deputy director of the Luzhou Municipal Bureau of Land and Resources was transferred from the Organization Department. Governor Liu, should we tell Minister Xia about this? If his people get arrested, it might be difficult to handle."

After careful consideration, Governor Liu nodded and said:

"That makes sense. I'll call him over myself."

After speaking, Governor Liu picked up the red secure phone and dialed Xia Qing's number:

"Comrade Xia Qing, this is Liu Changgeng. There is some urgent work that requires your cooperation. Please come to my office immediately."

Xia Qing was somewhat surprised, but his professionalism prompted him to answer quickly:

"Yes, Governor Liu, I'll be there in ten minutes."

Xia Qing immediately had Xiao Duan drive him to the provincial government building instead of walking there slowly.

Five minutes later, Xia Qing appeared in Governor Liu's office.

When he opened the door, he saw Governor Liu with a serious expression, along with Executive Vice Governor Zhu Zhichao and Finance Director Liu Zhifeng.

Xia Qing immediately realized that something was wrong.

He sat down on the sofa, and then Governor Liu slowly began to explain the situation to Xia Qing.

Xia Qing felt increasingly terrified as she listened, and her palms began to sweat.

This is a big deal.

If things go wrong, it could become a nationwide scandal.

After Governor Liu finished speaking, he said with concern:

"The deputy director of the Land and Resources Bureau, is he someone from your department? You'd better ask him about the situation as soon as possible. The relevant departments in Luzhou City will definitely hold him accountable for this incident."

Xia Qing fell silent.

Although the provincial and municipal leaders know who is responsible for such an incident.

But who can hold him accountable?

The board should be applied starting from the bottom.

The relevant departments in Lüzhou City, and everyone in the project team.

They will all be held accountable.

Kang Le, the deputy director of the Land and Resources Bureau of Lüzhou City, happens to be in charge of the planning and approval of project land use.

We need to prepare in advance.

Xia Qing suddenly remembered that before this incident occurred.

Gao Yuliang had reminded himself of this.

Kang Le must keep thorough records and make proper documentation for every aspect and every step of the approval process for the eco-resort project.

Did Gao Yuliang anticipate that this would happen?

and many more.

Wasn't Gao Yuliang once the Party Secretary of Lüzhou City?

The food court was established under his leadership.

So, this exclusive franchise right...

It is highly likely that it was approved by Gao Yuliang.

Xia Qing concluded.

Gao Yuliang knew about the existence of this operating right, but kept it a secret.

The project was approved and initiated, but ultimately it was not implemented.

Now, the thunder has exploded.

Even if Gao Yuliang didn't say he had direct contact, he at least knew about it but didn't report it!

Xia Qing's expression grew increasingly serious.

Based on his understanding of Gao Yuliang, he knew that Gao Yuliang was definitely not someone who wanted to stir up trouble.

Rather, it would be more accurate to say that Gao Yuliang was a person who paid the most attention to political rules, and every step he took was very methodical, while also carrying the unique integrity of a scholar.

He must have had his own unique plans for keeping this matter a secret.

I just don't know if this plan will involve too much, or if it will affect Xia Qing herself.

Xia Qing thought about it carefully again.

Even if we tell everyone that Gao Yuliang knows about the existence of the exclusive franchise.

In reality, it was all in vain.

The eco-resort was not promoted by Gao Yuliang, nor was the demolition of the food court.

Gao Yuliang simply signed a mutually beneficial agreement under the circumstances at the time.

What did he do wrong?

What responsibility can be assigned to him?

Saying it now will not only not help the situation, but will only make things more complicated!

With his unique and astute political insight, Xia Qing made a decision in his heart.

If we don't raise the issue of Yu Liang, we should pretend we don't know anything and just wait and see.

The most urgent task is to focus on the issues at hand.

Having made up his mind, Xia Qing said to Governor Liu:

"Governor, I think the most important things right now are twofold. First, we must stabilize the situation, provide a reasonable explanation, postpone the start of construction, and temporarily repatriate the construction team. Second, we must immediately initiate an investigation and accountability process. We must take the lead in this step and see to what extent this incident can be controlled. After all, we are very likely facing a series of traps set by Zhao Ruilong. Before he makes his next move, we must prepare our own defenses."

Zhu Zhichao nodded and said:

"I agree with Minister Xia's opinion. This incident is not so simple, and there is a high possibility that it will continue to escalate. If it alerts the higher-ups and they find that we do not have a complete grasp of the situation, it will mean that we have failed in our duties and are unable to handle emergencies."

Liu Zhifeng also quickly expressed his opinion:

"I agree with the opinions of the two leaders. Please give your instructions, Governor."

Governor Liu paced back and forth in his office several times, then sighed deeply and said:

"Let's do as you say. Before that, I'll personally report to Secretary Ruijin. Whether the other Standing Committee members need to be informed is up to the Secretary to decide. As for Luzhou City, Zhichao, call them and tell them to hold firm; there'll be a way. Xia Qing, contact the deputy director from the ministry who's gone out there and find out what's happening on the front lines. Zhifeng, do you think it's possible for the finance department to make an advance payment to settle the construction company's wages for the past few days and let them go back and wait for orders?"

The three nodded.

Liu Zhifeng, in particular, though in a difficult position, still expressed his opinion:

"Although this money was allocated as construction funds, no construction has actually started. What will happen when the central audit comes in…?"

Liu Zhifeng paused, then gritted his teeth and said:

"Never mind that. The most urgent task is to stabilize the market and prevent it from going awry."

Governor Liu nodded approvingly.

His personal report shows that at this critical juncture, he did not choose to protect himself, but rather stood with the others.

This is extremely encouraging.

After all, everyone knows that reporting such a disgraceful matter to Sha Ruijin is simply inviting trouble.

It would be truly necessary for a highly respected and prominent person to report this, so that Sha Ruijin would not be blinded by anger and shame.

This is also why Liu Zhifeng was willing to take the initiative and assume responsibility, even at the risk of potential problems arising from future inspections and rectifications.

With the arrangements made, everyone departed.

Xia Qing returned to her office and used the red secure phone to call Kang Le.

However, the line was busy three times in a row.

Half an hour later, on the fourth call, the phone was finally answered, and Kang Le's tired and helpless voice came from the other end:

"minister……"

"Kang Le, how is it?" Xia Qing asked with concern.

"This is terrible... The project has been abruptly halted, and the construction company is still standing by. Today is the first day of work, and it's turned into this mess. Rumors are already circulating within the construction team..."

Kang Le replied:

"My phone has been ringing off the hook since this afternoon. It's almost time to leave work now, and it's still not stopping..."

After reporting the situation, Kang Le said anxiously:

"Minister, what exactly happened? Why did the finance department suddenly stop the special funds? Isn't this just making things difficult for us?"

Xia Qing said in a deep voice:

"Kang Le, you don't need to ask those questions. I only have one question for you: are all the records and related procedures for the eco-resort project complete?"