Chapter 539: Human Ecology, Unpredictable Things in the World

Chapter 539: Human Ecology, Unpredictable Things in the World

Qi Tongwei's eyes flickered with hesitation, but were soon replaced by indifference. "Teacher, it's too late now. My life is already ruined. What's the point of saying this?"

Gao Yuliang shook his head. "As long as you are still alive and have a conscience, it is never too late. The mistakes you made not only hurt others, but also yourself and your family. Don't you want to do something for them?"

When Qi Tongwei heard the word "family", his body trembled slightly. He thought of his elderly parents and the little things he had experienced with his wife. A deep sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

Hou Liangping was touched by Qi Tongwei's change. "Brother, the teacher is right. If you turn back now, you can also relieve some of the pain for your family. The law will also take your remorse into consideration."

After being persuaded by Gao Yuliang and Hou Liangping, Qi Tongwei gradually calmed down. He knew that he had to take responsibility for his actions. Although his heart was still filled with reluctance and regret, he also understood that this was his only choice.

Gao Yuliang fell into deep contemplation. Looking at Qi Tongwei's lonely and stubborn appearance, he came up with a bold idea: let Qi Tongwei return to the political stage of Handong. In his opinion, although Qi Tongwei committed an unforgivable crime, he has rich experience and keen insight in the political field. The situation in Handong is now complicated. Without Qi Tongwei, the key chess piece, the advancement of many things seems to have become difficult.

"Qi Tongwei, I'm thinking, maybe there is another possibility." Gao Yuliang spoke slowly, with a hint of expectation and hesitation in his eyes, "You return to the political stage of Handong, start over, and use your next actions to make up for your past mistakes. You have abilities that others cannot match. As long as you can sincerely repent, it is not impossible to atone for your sins."

Qi Tongwei was stunned when he heard this, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Teacher, please stop fantasizing. I have reached the end of the political path. The crimes I committed are like heavy shackles that lock me forever on the opposite side of justice. I am no longer the young man with lofty ambitions. Now I am just a loser devoured by desire."

Hou Liangping frowned. He was very surprised by Gao Yuliang's idea. "Teacher, how could you have such an idea? Qi Tongwei's actions have seriously violated the law and moral bottom line. Letting him return to the political stage is unfair to those who have been harmed by him, and it will also make the public question our rule of law system."

Gao Yuliang looked at Hou Liangping, and a nameless fire surged in his heart. "Hou Liangping, do you think things are that simple? You only know how to blindly pursue the so-called justice, but have you ever thought that politics is a huge and complex system that requires the balance and cooperation of various forces? If Qi Tongwei can reform himself, his ability can bring many positive changes to Handong. And you, in handling this matter, are too rigid and lack flexibility, which is also a manifestation of being unworthy of your position."

Hou Liangping's heart tightened. He didn't expect the teacher to criticize him so harshly. "Teacher, I understand your concerns about the situation in Handong, but the fairness of the law cannot be questioned. Qi Tongwei must be judged by law. This is the basis for maintaining social fairness and justice. If we give up our principles because of a momentary weighing of interests, then everything we uphold will be meaningless."

Qi Tongwei listened to their argument with mixed feelings. He knew that he was no longer qualified to be involved in politics, but Gao Yuliang's words made him fall into memories of the past. He once had a glorious political career and did whatever it took to gain power and status, but in the end he ended up like this.

"Teacher, Hou Liangping is right. I can't go back to the past. I am willing to accept legal sanctions and take responsibility for my actions." Qi Tongwei's voice was low and firm, and his eyes revealed a relief he had never had before.

Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei and sighed helplessly. He knew that his idea might be too idealistic, but he really couldn't bear to see Qi Tongwei completely sink like this, and he was also worried about the future development of Handong.

"Since you have made your decision, I will not force you. But you must know that the mistake you made will become a profound lesson in Handong's political history." Gao Yuliang's tone was full of disappointment and sadness.

Hou Liangping looked at Qi Tongwei with a hint of respect in his heart. "Brother, although we have different positions, I admire your decision at this time. I hope that during the trial, you can truly reflect on your mistakes and regain your conscience."

When Qi Tongwei heard Hou Liangping mention the word "conscience", a bitter and sarcastic smile appeared on his lips. In his distorted cognition, the so-called conscience had long been worn out in his long journey of pursuing power. Those past experiences entangled him like a nightmare. Every moment of using any means to achieve the goal, every choice of sinking into the abyss of desire, made him feel that the word "conscience" was so far away and hypocritical and ridiculous.

"Conscience? Hou Liangping, do you think conscience can make me get to where I am today in this officialdom quagmire?" Qi Tongwei's voice was a little hoarse and tired, but his eyes were filled with stubborn coldness. "From my initial lofty ambitions to my later helplessness, I faced one cruel reality after another. In the game of power, there are only the strong and the weak, there is no so-called retribution for good and evil, and there is no redemption of conscience as you speak of."

Hou Liangping felt a pang of pain in his heart when he saw Qi Tongwei's expression of near despair and disdain. He knew that Qi Tongwei had gone too far down the wrong path, but he still hoped to awaken even a trace of kindness in his heart at the last moment. "Brother, you are wrong. No matter what you have experienced, conscience is always the cornerstone of human nature. Your fate now is the price of losing it. Even in this dark corner of officialdom, there is always the dawn of justice penetrating the haze, and there are always people who stick to the right path and fight silently."

Gao Yuliang stood aside, frowning, listening to the conversation between the two, and was deeply conflicted. He knew that Qi Tongwei's crimes were proven, and returning to the political stage was indeed against the law and public order and morality, but he was also worried that once Qi Tongwei fell, the complex network of forces involved behind him would cause a violent turmoil in Handong's political landscape, and even lead to a series of unpredictable chain reactions.