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

Chapter 134 Strengthening Power

After the full audit began, Xia Qing gave Chen Hai specific instructions.

From now on, the results shared between the Audit Office and the Prosecutor's Office should no longer be reported to him.

It was only known internally to the procuratorate and used as a lead in the investigation of the oil and gas group.

In addition, Xia Qing instructed Chen Hai that once the procuratorate made progress through the leads provided by the audit department, he must report to Executive Vice Governor Zhu Zhichao immediately.

Chen Hai said he would always remember Xia Qing's good intentions.

He knew in his heart that Xia Qing had intentionally connected him with the executive vice governor as well.

Now is the best opportunity.

Furthermore, the situation in 2016 will be even more complicated.

Governor Liu and Gao Yuliang will both retire this year, one after the other.

Being able to maintain good relationships with both the executive vice governor and the organization minister is like a fish in water for Chen Hai!

Of course, Chen Hai is a very meticulous person, and through long-term practice, he has made rapid progress.

Even though Xia Qing told him not to continue reporting.

Chen Hai was quite clever; every now and then, he would report the progress of the overall strategy to Xia Qing.

This satisfied the confidentiality requirements while also making Xia Qing feel at ease and satisfied.

They also expressed their gratitude and loyalty to Xia Qing.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, the work of the Audit Office and the Procuratorate is progressing rapidly.

Audits of the oil and gas group and investigations into the flow of funds revealed that a large amount of money was transferred to several high-end holding companies under the guise of "patent licensing fees" and "consulting service fees".

These holding companies all possess patented technologies or can provide strategic consulting services.

Furthermore, they are all registered in offshore jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

The controlling shareholder was concealed under offshore secrecy laws.

At this stage, the difficulty of tracing the funds begins to increase exponentially.

Funds originating from oil and gas groups were broken down into smaller amounts and transferred to overseas companies through multiple rounds of seemingly compliant payment channels.

These companies themselves act as a natural firewall.

With both foreign and private enterprises involved, further investigation would be extremely difficult.

It can be said that the investigation by the procuratorate and the audit department can only go this far.

The special government funds obtained by Shanshui Group also follow a similar circulation method.

After the oil and gas group accepted the application and made the payment.

The Shanshui Group then paid these funds to overseas companies under similar pretexts, primarily for the purchase of overseas patents, products, and equipment.

Registered in an offshore location, they are difficult to trace.

Looking at these results, Chen Hai, who is usually good-natured, was unusually furious.

He angrily threw the results materials on the ground and shouted:

"These bloodthirsty bastards! All the funds flowed to overseas companies; it's blatant money laundering!"

Auditor General Ling Jiang, his face grave, slowly said:

"Even though we can all see what they're doing, according to the law, we have no right to conduct further investigations into these offshore-registered private companies..."

"Director Ling, this is definitely just the tip of the iceberg. Judging from how familiar they are with this, they've been doing this for much longer than a year or two!" Chen Hai stood up, hands on his hips, and said.

"This is just one oil and gas group in Handong. What about other state-owned enterprises? Private enterprises? And what about other provinces? Director Ling, this is truly terrifying to think about, it sends chills down my spine!"

Ling Jiang crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand, saying:

"I think this audit might coincide with the central government's determination to combat corruption across the board. If our two companies can seize this opportunity, using the oil and gas group as a starting point, and provide detailed decision-making evidence to our superiors, it would be a significant achievement!"

Chen Hai was impressed by Ling Jiang's insightful perspective and leaned closer to say:

"In your opinion..."

Ling Jiang made a resolute decision regarding the tunnel:

"Report the situation to Governor Zhu immediately and ask him for a decision!"

Soon, Zhu Zhichao received the report.

With a grave expression, he flipped through the reports brought by Ling Jiang and Chen Hai again and again, finally saying:

"I will report to Secretary Sha immediately."

Upon receiving this series of reports, Sha Ruijin attached great importance to them and immediately issued instructions.

The provincial party committee will step in, unite all forces that can be united, and investigate thoroughly.

With Sha Ruijin's support, the Audit Office and the Procuratorate continued their work.

The audit office continued to investigate the financial chains.

The procuratorate, on the other hand, sought support from overseas judicial institutions.

They felt confident and were determined to investigate no matter who they found or what they discovered, they would pursue the matter to the very end.

……

Just as the comprehensive audit was in full swing.

Gao Yuliang and Qi Tongwei, who had become the vice governor, had a rare meeting.

At that time, Gao Yuliang was pruning his beloved bonsai.

Qi Tongwei, carrying Gao Yuliang's favorite snacks and organic vegetables, entered the room under the guidance of Teacher Wu and came to Gao Yuliang's side.

Seeing Gao Yuliang tending to the flowers and plants again, Qi Tongwei looked closely at the potted plant and said with a smile:

"Teacher Gao, why is it still this same pot?"

"What, you want me to change it?" Gao Yuliang said without looking up.

"How could that be? Old bonsai is good. It has been cultivated for many years and we know it well." Qi Tongwei put the gift on the table and, as usual, stood properly next to Gao Yuliang, quietly admiring Gao Yuliang's gardening skills.

"When did you become interested in these gossipy things? Alright, go sit down and wait for me for five minutes."

Gao Yuliang said, and Qi Tongwei nodded embarrassedly and sat down on the sofa.

Five minutes later, Gao Yuliang washed his hands and sat down opposite Qi Tongwei.

Teacher Wu has already prepared two cups of hot tea.

"Governor Qi is in good shape. Indeed, power makes people thrive."

Gao Yuliang said with a smile.

Qi Tongwei quickly said:

"Teacher, please don't say that. In your presence, I will always be a student. It's like this: the Audit Bureau and the Procuratorate are conducting a comprehensive audit of the oil and gas group, you... are you aware of that?"

"Of course I know. Tongwei, just say what you want to say, no need to beat around the bush," Gao Yuliang said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, then, as if he had made up his mind, he pursed his lips and said:

"Alright, then I'll tell you. Their investigation into oil and gas groups is definitely targeting Shanshui Group and Huilong Group. Teacher, I'm worried about you..."

Gao Yuliang was also somewhat surprised.

He had assumed that the disciple was worried about whether his tail was clean.

I never imagined she was worried about him?

That's quite unexpected.

Gao Yuliang said with a smile:

"Tongwei, you don't need to worry about these things. Your teacher has everything under control."

Qi Tongwei nodded thoughtfully, and Gao Yuliang continued:

"Furthermore, I hope you can also participate in this comprehensive anti-corruption campaign. The Economic Crime Investigation Division will be a crucial force. Sending them to support the Audit Department and the Procuratorate is also a statement from you as the newly appointed Vice Governor."

Qi Tongwei was very puzzled. Why did he want to get involved?

Isn't this a direct declaration of war against the Zhao family?

What if this harms Gao Yuliang?

Seeing Qi Tongwei's puzzled look, Gao Yuliang thought to himself that this student still didn't think things through completely, so he sighed softly and began to explain:

"Tongwei, think about this carefully. The Audit Department is fully involved. Who's behind this? It's the provincial government! Governor Liu is about to retire, so who's in charge? Executive Vice Governor Zhu Zhichao! If you get close to him now, you'll be simultaneously building a bridge with the Executive Vice Governor and the Organization Minister. This is an opportunity that countless people would kill for!"