Don't make things difficult for me, you can resign voluntarily.

Provincial Party Secretary Sha Ruijin nodded. "Minister Zhou is very busy, so let's not take up any more of his valuable time. Let's go now."

Sha Ruijin behaved with utmost respect. Although he was also a ministerial-level official, and the difference in rank compared to Zhou Lifeng, the deputy minister of the Organization Department, wasn't significant, the crucial point was that Zhou Lifeng's uncle was...

As the group walked out, they ran into Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping, who had just received the witness's testimony and were preparing to hand it over to the inspection team leader.

Upon seeing Zhou Lifeng approaching, Hou Liangping's eyes lit up, and he immediately went to greet him, bowing slightly in front of Zhou Lifeng: "Uncle Zhou, this is the witness testimony regarding the illegal and criminal activities of Gao Yuliang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of Handong Province."

"Witness testimonies regarding Gao Yuliang's illegal and criminal activities?"

Zhou Lifeng didn't immediately take the evidence. Instead, he glanced at Lin Qicheng beside him, then looked at Hou Liangping thoughtfully and asked, "You're Comrade Zhong Zhengguo's son-in-law, Hou Liangping, right?"

Seeing that Zhou Lifeng actually remembered him, Hou Liangping's eyes lit up, and he excitedly asked, "Uncle Zhou, do you remember me?"

"I have some impression of him," Zhou Lifeng said casually. He had never actually met Hou Liangping before. Although he received an invitation from Zhong Zhengguo when Zhong Xiaoai got married, he was working out of town at the time and did not come back.

As for being able to recognize him, it was entirely because of his investigation of Gao Yuliang. Hou Liangping and Gao Yuliang had a close relationship. It can be said that Hou Liangping's success today is inseparable from the help he received from Gao Yuliang at school back then!

Thinking of the teacher-student relationship between Hou Liangping and Gao Yuliang, Zhou Lifeng's gaze softened considerably, as if he were looking at a younger family member. "Liangping, I remember you were also Comrade Gao Yuliang's student, right? From your perspective, what do you think of Comrade Gao Yuliang?"

"I?"

Hou Liangping was taken aback. He didn't expect Zhou Lifeng, the deputy minister of the Organization Department, to ask Gao Yuliang a question, and to first remind him that he was Gao Yuliang's student, and then ask him to analyze Gao Yuliang from his own perspective.

You can't just say Gao Yuliang has problems and belittle him. After all, the leader said that you are also Gao Yuliang's student. How can a student belittle his teacher to nothing?

Praising him directly is also not an option, as Zhou Lifeng, the deputy director of the Organization Department, wields too much power. If he were to confidently assert that Gao Yuliang is innocent, and Zhou Lifeng actually believed him and let Gao Yuliang go, wouldn't he be shooting himself in the foot?

After a moment's thought, Hou Liangping praised, "In my eyes, Professor Gao is gentle and refined, speaks eloquently, and is full of knowledge. Whether it was when he was at the Hebei Provincial University of Political Science and Law, or when he was handpicked by Secretary Liang Qunfeng to embark on his political career, Professor Gao has always been my role model!"

Hearing Hou Liangping's praise, Zhou Lifeng smiled as well, and in his heart he affirmed Hou Liangping even more. At this critical moment when Gao Yuliang was found to have problems, he was still able to firmly support his mentor. He knew how to be grateful and was not afraid of power. He was a promising young man!

Unexpectedly, Hou Liangping's tone changed drastically, making a complete 180-degree turn.

"Oh...what a pity."

"It's a pity that after entering politics and gaining power, Teacher Gao failed to stay true to his original intentions and forgot his original purpose as an official. He formed a clique in Handong Province, established the Handong University Clique, and used his position to help Shanshui Manor embezzle state-owned assets. He also orchestrated the political scandal of Ding Yizhen's escape."

"Sigh..." Hou Liangping sighed again, his face full of regret and heartache. "What a pity for my Professor Gao. If only he could have continued teaching at the university, perhaps he would still be that learned and upright university professor!"

Hou Liangping was so engrossed in his heartfelt performance that he didn't notice Zhou Lifeng's brows furrowing slightly and his expression gradually turning displeased.

Hou Liangping felt that wasn't enough, and hurriedly elaborated on his contributions: "Uncle Zhou, actually, after I was transferred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Handong Province and discovered that Teacher Gao had problems, I also struggled, felt confused, and was in a difficult position. But for the sake of the Party and the country, I still decided to put aside my own family and act according to the law!"

Unlike Zhou Lifeng, Lin Qicheng, as a leader of the Discipline Inspection Commission, knew the cause and effect of the anti-corruption campaign in Handong and the course of events. He didn't say anything, but just looked at Hou Liangping with a smile and a playful expression!

He was certain that Gao Yuliang had an extraordinary relationship with his former boss, and Zhou Lifeng was his former boss's nephew. If the Zhong family's son-in-law wanted to use Gao Yuliang's problems to gain favor with Zhou Lifeng, wouldn't that be just plain ridiculous?

Sure enough, after Hou Liangping finished speaking, Zhou Lifeng was amused. "Director Hou, don't be conflicted, don't be confused, don't be embarrassed. What the Party and the country need are cadres with strong discipline, strong organization, and strong principles, not cadres who are opportunistic and indecisive."

Zhou Lifeng smiled at Hou Liangping and said, "So, if your current job is causing you a lot of trouble, confusion, or bewilderment, could you resign voluntarily? I believe the Organization Department of Handong Province would definitely agree."

"No..." Hou Liangping was dumbfounded. He only wanted to express his respect for his teacher by saying that he had "struggled, been confused, and felt troubled." Why did his leader ask him to resign? What's going on?

Seeing that things were not going well, Zhong Xiaoai immediately rushed over to defuse the situation, saying, "Uncle Zhou, Liangping didn't mean that. He meant that he has very deep feelings for Teacher Gao, so much so that he felt a little reluctant to do it out of emotion."

Turning her head, Zhong Xiaoai glared fiercely at Hou Liangping, "Apologize to Uncle Zhou now."

"Xiao Ai, there's no need for an apology. From your father's perspective, it's not wrong for you to call me uncle. And from the perspective of the deputy minister of the Organization Department, what I just said wasn't wrong either!"

Zhou Lifeng glanced at Hou Liangping indifferently, "You can consider my suggestion. I believe the Party and the country will not put any leading cadre in a difficult position..."

After saying that, he walked past Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping and headed towards the office of the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee.

Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping were both pale-faced, frozen in place, unsure whether to leave or stay, and at a loss for what to do.

Lin Qicheng slowed his pace, lagging behind everyone else. Once everyone had entered the deputy secretary's office, he looked at Zhong Xiaoai and asked, "Director Zhong, are there any important leads regarding the interrogation of those involved in the case related to Gao Yuliang?"

Zhong Xiaoai quickly composed herself and said, "Director Lin, our inspection team interrogated Zhao Ruilong, Gao Xiaofeng, Gao Xiaoqin, and Chen Qingquan. Although they didn't confess anything, I can sense that they are definitely hiding something."

"Didn't they find anything?"

Hearing this, Lin Qicheng was slightly relieved. In fact, when he learned that his old leader was standing behind Gao Yuliang, he knew that he wouldn't find any problems. The reason he stopped to ask questions was to be on the safe side and to check for any omissions.

Since no problems were found, Lin Qicheng naturally wouldn't let Zhong Xiaoai continue investigating. Better safe than sorry; if some problems were found, they would have to find ways to fix them, which would be quite troublesome.

Lin Qicheng glanced at Hou Liangping, a plan forming in his mind. He kindly reminded him, "Director Zhong, if you haven't found anything, don't continue the investigation. Compared to Gao Yuliang's problem, I think Hou Liangping's problem is more urgent, pressing, and important!"

Zhong Xiaoai was taken aback, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she asked, "Director Lin, I don't quite understand. What's the problem with Hou Liangping?"

"What other problem? This is a huge problem." Lin Qicheng's lips curled up slightly, and he said meaningfully, "Minister Zhou represents the Organization Department of the State Council. Didn't you hear what he just said? He told Hou Liangping to resign voluntarily..."