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

Chapter 70 Xia Qing's Wrist

Shortly after Chen Hai left, Qi Tongwei also came to the Organization Department to report to Xia Qing.

"Minister, I have roughly outlined the operation of the foreign organization. The good news is that no foreign force has directly established itself in Handong. It is more likely that they have set up their subordinates in Handong."

Qi Tongwei opened the folder and began to report in detail:

"This network is not to be underestimated; it is a sizable organization that acts as an intermediary between foreign forces and officials who have emigrated overseas or are potential emigrants. After making contact, they will use coercion and inducement to force these officials to transfer assets, purchase properties overseas, or, in the most serious case, sell state secrets."

Xia Qing listened attentively, then asked the key question:

"Thank you for your hard work, Tongwei. I have a question. Besides targeting officials with family members residing abroad, has this middleman organization targeted other officials? I don't think their business is limited to targeting officials with family members residing abroad."

Qi Tongwei nodded admiringly and said:

"Minister, you are right. This is the second point I wanted to report. This intermediary organization is engaged in espionage. Officials with family members abroad are one of the types they are most likely to target. Other important positions, key departments, or officials with health problems that they have caught will also become their prey."

"We haven't yet found any crucial clues about this middleman organization. Please give us some time. I promise to find this organization as soon as possible and eliminate it!"

Xia Qing pondered for a long time, never expecting that the investigation of the three officials would lead to such a shocking case.

This group of organizations, acting as foreign forces, is now brazenly entrenched in Handong, harassing the cadres of Handong.

What a terrible threat this is to the country and the people!

Xia Qing couldn't help but wonder, how long had this organization been operating in Handong? If so, why hadn't anyone discovered it? Why hadn't anyone reported it? Why hadn't anyone taken action?

How many people has this organization infiltrated, and how much national property and secrets has it stolen?

Handong was already deeply entrenched by Zhao Lichun, so could their infiltration also be intricate and complex?

Could the cadres they infiltrated in Handong include high-ranking officials? Could there be anyone willing to act as their protector?

If there really is a protective umbrella, what level is it? Is it something I can handle on my own?

And most importantly, is this organization related to Zhao Lichun, and even the cadres he left behind?

If high-ranking officials in Handong have already colluded with this organization, or even become its shareholders...

The investigation team fears that one day they might encounter a situation where someone is "forced to commit suicide."

Xia Qing felt increasingly terrified as she thought about it.

At the same time, I feel even more fortunate.

Qi Tongwei is now on our side, and the power of the Public Security Bureau is under our control.

This gives us the confidence to conduct a thorough investigation!

Thinking of this, Xia Qing said to Qi Tongwei seriously:

"Tongwei, I'm now requesting that you dispatch elite personnel from the Public Security Bureau to be stationed at the hotel where the investigation team is staying, ensuring 24-hour high-level security. Furthermore, the investigation team's travel and evidence collection must be accompanied and protected by police. I'm certain that as the investigation deepens, this organization will retaliate. You must guarantee the personal safety of all members of the investigation team, including your own!"

Qi Tongwei also saluted with utmost solemnity:

"Yes, Minister! Rest assured, I will arrange it immediately!"

"Okay, you go ahead and get busy. I need to report the progress to Secretary Sha and Secretary Yuliang." Xia Qing made a "please" gesture and was about to pick up the phone when she saw Qi Tongwei still standing there, head slightly lowered, looking uneasy.

It's like going through a huge internal struggle!

Xia Qing looked at Qi Tongwei and said with a hint of concern:

"Tongwei, is there anything else?"

As if he had made up his mind, Qi Tongwei gritted his teeth, took a file folder from his briefcase, and handed it to Xia Qing with both hands, saying:

"Minister, I voluntarily admit my mistakes. I was also a sick official before, and I received contact from this organization! After I firmly refused, they cut off contact with me and I can no longer find them. Here is a written statement I wrote, including all my previous issues. Please take a look!"

Seeing Qi Tongwei's serious expression, Xia Qing thought for a moment, stood up, took the file bag, walked to Qi Tongwei's side, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile:

"Tongwei, have you been watching too many political dramas? I employ you because you are capable of great things. There's no need for you to deliberately give me any dirt on you to gain my trust."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, and quickly explained:

"Minister, I'm not..."

Xia Qing extended her left hand, signaling Qi Tongwei to stop talking, and then continued:

"Sitting in the office for too long is tiring. Come out for a walk with me."

After saying that, Xia Qing walked out of the office on her own, carrying Qi Tongwei's file bag in her hand, without waiting for Qi Tongwei's reaction.

Qi Tongwei had no idea what Xia Qing was up to, so he could only bite the bullet and follow her.

Xia Qing led Qi Tongwei out of Building No. 2 and they strolled around the courtyard.

Qi Tongwei was suddenly startled:

Minister Xia, are you perhaps planning to hand over my materials to Sha Ruijin and Tian Guofu?

Should we still hand it over to Teacher Gao?

Minister Xia, are you trying to distance yourself from me?

But he just assigned me this job!

Wait, maybe they're using me to gain merit?

Qi Tongwei's mind was in complete chaos, and his face had turned deathly pale.

He never expected that his initiative to get closer to Xia Qing would result in this outcome.

"arrive."

While Qi Tongwei was lost in thought, Xia Qing had already stopped somewhere in the courtyard.

This is a corner of the parking lot, with no flowers, trees, or shrubs around.

Qi Tongwei was puzzled when Xia Qing took out a lighter from his pocket, pressed it, and the flame flickered.

Then, in front of Qi Tongwei, Xia Qing brought the file bag to the lighter.

ignite.

The dry autumn weather caused the file folder to be quickly engulfed by flames.

Qi Tongwei was shocked and exclaimed:

"Minister, what are you doing... Let go, the fire's rising!"

Qi Tongwei quickly reached out to grab it, throwing the file bag that was burning Xia Qing's fingers to the ground, and prepared to stomp out the fire with his foot.

"Let it burn completely."

Xia Qing calmly spoke up to stop him. Qi Tongwei was taken aback and stopped beside her, watching as the statement he had written, along with the file folder, was burned to ashes.

After all that remained were ashes and scraps of unburnt paper, Xia Qing smiled and said to Qi Tongwei:

"Tongwei, thank you so much. You really let me experience being Cao Cao today."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei felt a lump in his throat.

He was well-read and of course knew what allusion Xia Qing was referring to.

Qi Tongwei wanted to say something, but felt at a loss. This feeling was awkward, yet warm.

It felt like the trust that Teacher Gao had shown me along the way, guiding and caring for me.

After a long silence, Xia Qing spoke:

"Tongwei, remember this: you are now an indispensable general in my investigation team, the Director of the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province. You've already told me about the previous issues; the rectification is enough. There's no need to leave me any written documentation. I trust Secretary Yuliang will also oversee things for me."

"Investigating the three officials and dismantling the dangerous organization is enough to earn you merit. I'm looking forward to it, so I can speak up for you with Secretary Yuliang."

Qi Tongwei was a man of strong emotions, and after Xia Qing said that, his eyes were already a little warm.

He was never inherently bad; he simply endured too much injustice. To change his fate, he traded dignity for dignity and pain for pain.

Now, in addition to Gao Yuliang's kindness to him, he also has Xia Qing's trust.

Qi Tongwei had thought he would eventually reach the edge of a cliff, but now, he saw the sunrise on the edge of the cliff!

Xia Qing then said seriously:

"Keep up the good work! And don't forget, you're a drug enforcement hero who was shot three times!"

Qi Tongwei stood frozen for a few seconds, finally regaining his composure, saluted, and roared, choked with emotion:

"yes!"