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

Chapter 230, First Round of Confrontation

During the investigation team's questioning of relevant personnel involved in the whistleblower's report.

Zhao Lichun's offensive on the economic front in Handong has not stopped.

These moves left Sha Ruijin breathless.

As Sha Ruijin was directly promoted from secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission to secretary of the provincial party committee, he was good at handling cases, but he was really overwhelmed by the complex situation across the province.

While busy directing and coordinating, he also had to prove his innocence in Liang Yuan's questioning.

Sha Ruijin is constantly on the go.

Finally, in the latest monthly economic indicators report...

When Sha Ruijin saw the various economic indicators of Handong over the past month, as well as the final economic trend, it showed a downward trend.

His composure and restraint eventually crumbled.

He can withstand any situation.

Only economic indicators matter, and the existence of Handong Province cannot be compromised.

An economic downturn means the foundation is shaken, the bottom line is breached, and all work is vetoed.

Sha Ruijin's mind was in complete chaos.

In front of Zhao Lichun, the veteran Party Secretary who has been running Handong for decades.

Sha Ruijin was practically a greenhorn in the position of provincial party secretary.

Zhao Lichun's counterattack, the target of his attack, and the coordination of his offensive were all precise and perfect.

How could Sha Ruijin possibly handle this?

Moreover, Sha Ruijin did not have much prestige in Handong Province.

As a provincial party secretary who has been parachuted in for a short time, whose position is unstable and who has not yet achieved anything,

To have lasted this long is truly an exceptional performance.

However, the decline in economic indicators is a given fact.

If we cannot turn the tide this month.

It seems likely that the higher authorities will hold the leadership team of Handong accountable, and may even reorganize them.

Helpless, Sha Ruijin reported the bad news of the economic downturn to Grandpa Ni.

After listening to the conversation on the other end of the phone, Old Master Ni said gravely:

"There's no other way... I'll go talk to Zhao Lichun."

That very evening, Mr. Ni met with Zhao Lichun for a discussion.

However, Zhao Lichun accepted the negotiations as a victor.

The two sides reached an agreement on some points.

After all, once Sha Ruijin obtained the account book, he obediently handed it over to Old Master Ni, who also kept his promise to Zhao Lichun and did not report it.

It was Hou Liangping who actually leaked the account books.

That's why Zhao Lichun was still willing to give the Ni family some face.

Of course, Zhao Lichun also gave his conditions.

They demanded that Sha Ruijin interfere with the investigation team's work in order to preserve the Zhao family's remaining assets.

Grandpa Ni frowned and exclaimed that it was impossible.

There are two reasons.

First, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) established a joint investigation team with a specific mission; they will not rest until all the people and matters related to the accounts are thoroughly investigated. For Sha Ruijin, as the provincial party secretary, to interfere and obstruct this is bound to backfire.

Secondly, Liang Yuan also has his own mission. Old Master Ni cannot yet know who is behind Liang Yuan, but what is clear is that Liang Yuan will not cooperate.

In other words, it is completely impossible to preserve the Zhao family's assets under these circumstances.

After hearing this, Zhao Lichun understood that Handong had to be abandoned.

The demise of the Zhao family's power in Handong is only a matter of time.

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Lichun proposed...

The Han Dong level, led by Sha Ruijin, must ensure Zhao Ruilong's safety.

Zhao Ruilong is currently hiding on Hong Kong Island.

But you can't stay on Hong Kong Island forever.

After a moment's thought, Mr. Ni made a suggestion.

The Zhao family's trusted confidants in Handong broke down the Zhao family's tangible assets into smaller parts, took them out of Handong, and brought them back to Zhao Lichun.

Zhao Ruilong was directly handled by the Ni family and extradited back to Beijing.

This way, at least the losses can be stopped.

This can be considered the greatest sincerity the Ni family has shown.

Zhao Lichun thought about it carefully.

Liang Yuan will inevitably take action against Zhao Ruilong once he finishes investigating the accounts. Everything he's doing now is a prelude to that step.

While Liang Yuan is still observing the situation, why not ask the Ni family for help to bring Zhao Ruilong back?

Given Mr. Ni's influence in the discipline inspection field, Liang Yuan probably wouldn't pursue the matter relentlessly.

Thinking of this, Zhao Lichun raised his teacup and said:

"Brother Ni, then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

Grandpa Ni also raised his teacup and said:

"Brother Zhao's insight is brilliant."

Once the two had finalized the agreement, Old Master Ni relayed it to Sha Ruijin.

Sha Ruijin was greatly puzzled, feeling that this was a surrender to Zhao Lichun.

Furthermore, without arresting Zhao Ruilong, how could we have achieved any results?

I came to Handong precisely to bring down the Zhao family, didn't I?

Grandpa Ni shook his head on the other end of the phone, thinking that Sha Ruijin really lacked understanding.

He patiently explained.

It’s different in the past.

The most urgent task is to stabilize the economy and prevent it from collapsing; everything else must give way to this.

Only by reaching an agreement with Zhao Lichun and getting him to stop his indiscriminate offensive against Handong can we succeed.

Only then will there be a chance to ease the situation and take the opportunity to get economic indicators back on track.

Otherwise, given Zhao Lichun's capabilities, after round after round of offensives, Sha Ruijin would be lucky to even manage to slow down the economic decline, let alone restore it to its previous level!

Sha Ruijin was clearly unconvinced. He believed he was no different from Zhao Lichun, except that Zhao Lichun had been operating in Handong for longer. Given time, he, Sha Ruijin, could achieve the same level.

After a long silence on the other end of the phone, Mr. Ni finally spoke slowly:

"With your meager skills, you think you can bring down Zhao Lichun... you'd better give up."

He hung up the phone immediately after saying that.

Sha Ruijin was sulking in his office, but there was nothing he could do.

Even if he doesn't admit it, he is deeply wary of Zhao Lichun's repeated attacks.

In addition, an economic downturn is already a foregone conclusion.

Let's focus on the most important direction.

Having made up his mind, Sha Ruijin, who was still dissatisfied, carried out Old Master Ni's wishes.

Firstly, the intention was to let the Zhao family manage their assets and not interfere too much.

Secondly, they sent someone to contact Zhao Ruilong and express their intention to extradite him.

After making the arrangements, Sha Ruijin became increasingly angry.

Is it really necessary to beg Zhao Lichun to let me off the hook in this way?

……

On the other side, Xia Qing received the news.

He started thinking in the office.

The latest deployment by Sha Ruijin conveys a message.

The Ni family and the Zhao family have already discussed this.

Grandpa Ni and Zhao Lichun reached an agreement.

Both sides compromised.

It seems that this was indeed the best choice the Ni family could make given the situation that Sha Ruijin was struggling to handle.

But that's how it works.

The nature of it then changes.

Sha Ruijin, you are a provincial party secretary and the initiator of the comprehensive anti-corruption campaign. During the period when the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) investigation team entered Handong to investigate the accounts, you not only failed to cooperate closely, but also bypassed the CCDI and made a private deal with the mastermind behind the accounts incident.

Do you want to settle things peacefully with this?

Should we temporarily reconcile the Ni and Zhao families, turning the three-way conflict into a showdown between the Zhao and Zhong families?

It's not that easy.

This deal must be kept in hand, as a bargaining chip for future use.

Thinking of this, Xia Qing called Chen Hai.

After the call connected, Chen Hai said on the other end:

"Hello, Minister Xia."

Xia Qing instructed:

"Chen Hai, two things. First, keep a close eye on Huilong Group's recent movements and see if they plan to transfer assets. Second..."

"Go and investigate whether the Ni family of the capital has any businesses in Jingzhou City, or in other cities and prefectures in Handong. You will personally conduct these two investigations and report directly to me."

After Xia Qing finished speaking, Chen Hai thought for a moment and then understood what Xia Qing meant:

"Does the minister feel that Secretary Sha's recent arrangements represent a compromise?"

"That's right, the Ni family and the Zhao family have most likely reached a deal," Xia Qing said with relief.

"The Ni family is in such a hurry to shut up that they've probably planted a few money trees in Handong as well!"