The news of Hou Liangping arresting Xiao Wenshun quickly spread throughout Hanjin Province, causing a huge uproar.
As the newly appointed top leader of Hanjin, Secretary Sha felt both shocked and furious.
He had never expected that only a few months into his tenure, his subordinates would create such an enormous problem for him.
Not only had they caused him to lose face, but they had also potentially affected his future career.
At this critical moment, any mistake could lead to irreversible consequences, and his political career would be severely threatened.
That was Xiao Wenshun, one of the top geniuses of the Xiao Family's main lineage. Although his personality was eccentric, his strength was unquestionable. If trouble truly broke out, Secretary Sha would definitely be the one sacrificed.
Faced with such a major incident, the usually composed Secretary Sha finally lost his calm and began furiously scolding Ji Changming, the Procurator-General of the Procuratorate.
"Ji Changming, how are you leading your people? Why did you approve Hou Liangping's arrest warrant? Do you understand how serious the consequences will be?"
As Hou Liangping's direct superior, Ji Changming bore primary responsibility for the arrest warrant in Hou Liangping's possession.
After all, only with the Procurator-General's official seal could an arrest warrant take effect. Therefore, if something went wrong, Ji Changming would naturally bear corresponding responsibility as well.
"Secretary Sha, it's not that I wanted to sign the arrest warrant, but I truly had no choice. I couldn't refuse to sign it!"
"Comrade Hou Liangping risked his life undercover and has already obtained all the other party's criminal evidence, along with evidence regarding the entire industrial chain. The money laundering is conclusively proven."
"Xiao Wenshun, as the core figure of this money laundering network, is involved with funds amounting to hundreds of millions. For such a large corruption case, the law absolutely cannot tolerate it!"
"Besides, the Anti-Corruption Bureau only brought him back for a routine inquiry. If Comrade Xiao Wenshun was truly wronged, we will certainly apologize to him and provide compensation!"
Facing Secretary Sha's questioning, Ji Changming forced a smile and explained helplessly.
Secretary Sha angrily slammed the so-called evidence onto the table, allowing the provincial leaders present to examine it, and sternly questioned Ji Changming:
"Is this even evidence? Let everyone here judge whether this can truly be called evidence!"
In fact, any official above the ministerial level knew something about the Xiao Family and understood that the prices of those agricultural products were actually reasonable.
To those familiar with the Xiao Family, this so-called evidence simply couldn't stand up to scrutiny. At most, it could only deceive people who knew nothing about the Xiao Family's internal affairs.
To discerning people, these so-called pieces of evidence clearly looked like a setup carefully arranged by someone with ulterior motives using Xiao Wenshun's identity.
They wanted to drag Xiao Wenshun into trouble and use his identity as a protective umbrella for their industries.
After all, very few people in all of China dared to investigate the flow of Xiao Wenshun's money.
However, those people never expected such a reckless young man to appear.
Not only did he secretly investigate everyone, but after obtaining all the evidence, he directly led people to arrest Xiao Wenshun, completely blowing the matter wide open.
Therefore, from the moment Xiao Wenshun was taken away by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, a large number of people in Hanjin had already absconded overseas with their money.
Those who remained either reacted too slowly or were still preparing to flee.
"Secretary Sha, I understand this very well, but the people below don't!"
"Comrade Hou Liangping risked his life to obtain this evidence and urgently requested the arrest warrant. He completely ignored my instructions and orders. What could I possibly do?"
Ji Changming deliberately emphasized Hou Liangping's name, his expression becoming increasingly conflicted.
After all, neither Xiao Wenshun nor Hou Liangping was someone a Procurator-General like him could afford to offend.
In his eyes, this matter was a power struggle between the Zhong Family and the Xiao Family in the capital.
A small fry like him simply wasn't qualified to participate.
More importantly, the evidence provided by Hou Liangping clearly detailed how Xiao Wenshun and the forces behind him accepted bribes, laundered money, and operated numerous illegal underground industries.
Each piece was shocking, involving dozens of officials in what appeared to be an earth-shattering corruption case.
The old saying still applied: the law is unforgiving.
He had simply acted according to rules and procedures.
Therefore, even afterward, the Xiao Family would have no grounds to settle scores with him.
In any case, he was about to retire.
No matter how dissatisfied the Xiao Family became, they could not do much to a retired old man.
"Alas... just what exactly is going on with this Hou Liangping?"
Secretary Sha looked through the documents in his hands, frowned deeply, and after remaining silent for several seconds, could not help but sigh.
At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder whether this matter had been instructed by Elder Zhong or whether Hou Liangping had acted on his own.
Logically speaking, as the Zhong Family's son-in-law, Hou Liangping should not have been ignorant of the Xiao Family.
Therefore, if Elder Zhong had not given some indication, why would Hou Liangping dare touch someone from the Xiao Family's main lineage—a famous genius of the Xiao Family?
Although Xiao Wenshun was admittedly a bit of a slacker and often hugged paper figures while sleeping, his strength was real.
If the Xiao Family chose not to intervene, Xiao Wenshun alone would be enough to plow the entire Earth from one end to the other.
Trying to suppress such an existence through ordinary means was nothing more than a joke.
Furthermore, even though Xiao Wenshun had never supported Elder Zhong's rise, he had always maintained strict neutrality.
There was simply no reason for Elder Zhong to use such a matter to suppress his own brother.
Secretary Sha truly couldn't understand.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out the reason behind it.
In the end, he gave up thinking altogether.
The matter was too complicated and too dangerous.
He couldn't handle it.
Therefore, he directly put down the documents and chose to withdraw.
The Xiao Family's affairs should be handled internally by the Xiao Family.
He absolutely could not get involved.
Secretary Sha looked at Ji Changming and said,
"Forget it. We in Hanjin won't interfere in this matter."
"Let Hou Liangping do as he sees fit."
"But Old Ji, remember one thing."
"Xiao Wenshun is a strategic-level talent. You must stabilize his emotions no matter what and absolutely must not cause me any bigger trouble!"
Upon hearing the words "strategic-level talent," Ji Changming's face instantly turned pale.
Cold sweat appeared on his forehead as he repeatedly nodded in assurance.
"Yes, Secretary Sha. Please rest assured. I absolutely will not allow such a thing to happen!"
According to internal organizational records, a strategic-level Xiao Family member literally meant a mobile, thinking human nuclear weapon capable of influencing the outcome of a super-large-scale war.
If such an existence lost control, the consequences would be unimaginable.
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSim