Nominal: Who isn't a son-in-law?

However, after swinging the hoe a few times, Chu Shijun heard the voice of the guard at the door.

Along with that came the voice of a slightly reserved middle-aged man.

"Xiao Hu, what's going on?"

Immediately, he leaned on his hoe and shouted.

At this moment, outside the courtyard.

Sima Shenhe, dressed in a police uniform, gave a dutiful report.

"Director Sima, please wait a moment."

One of the guards raised his palm, turned, and jogged into the courtyard to report, "Secretary, it's Director Sima from the Public Security Bureau. He said he has an appointment with you, but it was only reported at the entrance; we haven't received it. What do you think?"

"Oh, Comrade Shenhe, is that so? Let him in."

Chu Shijun remembered that Ding Long had called him before he came over and told him about this.

"yes!"

After saluting, the guard turned back and, together with another person, conducted a relevant check on Sima Shenhe before letting him in.

Upon entering the courtyard, Sima Shenhe looked around and, seeing Chu Shijun, immediately jogged over, saluted, and said, "Secretary Chu, hello! I am Sima Shenhe!"

His voice carried a hint of nervousness, sounding even more reserved than when he had met Xia Qiusheng before.

After all, he was promoted by Ding Long, and before that, whether he moved or not, it was Ding Long who pushed him.

Now that the other party and Xia Qiusheng have left, he is somewhat uneasy about whether Chu Shijun will accept him, as he has been instructed by Ding Long to visit him.

"Oh, Comrade Shenhe, hello to you too."

Chu Shijun stood still and extended his right hand.

After shaking hands, he asked with a smile, "Comrade Shenhe, Comrade Ding Long called me earlier and recommended you. Wasn't it all scheduled for tomorrow? Why did you come over now?"

Upon hearing this, Sima Shenhe scratched his head and said, "Secretary Chu, I thought you had just arrived, so I came to see if there was anything I could help with. Also, there will definitely be a lot of people tomorrow, and the governor and the others will have to give their reports. I took the liberty of coming to see you first and give you a verbal report."

After saying that, he rolled his eyes, stepped forward and took the hoe from Chu Shijun's hand. "Secretary Chu, you just arrived. You've been on a plane and attended meetings. You must be tired. Let me do the hoeing. I just ate, so it's good for you to exercise and digest."

Then, he looked around, ran into the house, brought out a chair, and placed it next to the vegetable garden. "Please sit down and rest, I'll do it."

"What can we do? I haven't even had a chance to do much, and you, the director, have done it all. What will people think if word gets out?"

Chu Shijun said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Hey, Secretary Chu, labor is the most glorious thing, labor is good, I love to work! I even have my own vegetable garden at home, I'm pretty good at it, just you wait and see!"

After saying that, Sima Shenhe walked into the garden, rolled up his sleeves, and began to vigorously wield his hoe.

To be honest, it actually looks quite convincing; it's not like he's just putting on a show.

Little did anyone know, Sima Shenhe was secretly relieved. Fortunately, he had honed his skills by following Ding Long over the years. After all, Ding Long also had a habit of growing vegetables. He was the one who turned over the land at home and even took care of what vegetables to plant in what season and what seeds to buy. Now he was finally putting his skills to good use.

Is it shameful?

Sima Shenhe can say definitively that it's not shameful at all. Others wouldn't even have the chance to come and hoe the fields. And this door outside isn't one that just anyone can walk through!

"Hehe, then thank you for your trouble, Comrade Shenhe. Please take off your coat."

After saying that, Chu Shijun turned around and went into the small building to make tea.

Although he had just arrived, and according to his request, apart from the guards, the corresponding staff were not yet in place, but everything that needed to be provided was there, and the water was hot.

Then he found a small stool, put it outside, and placed two cups of tea on it.

"Comrade Shenhe, if you're tired, have some tea and take a rest."

"Secretary Chu, I'm not tired. Don't worry, I have plenty of energy."

Eager to prove himself, he swung the hoe vigorously. Coupled with his advancing age, beads of sweat had already appeared on Sima Shenhe's forehead, and his breathing had become heavier.

Even so, he still said he wasn't tired.

How can I be tired?

If you're already tired from hoeing such a small plot of land, how can you take on more responsibilities and serve the people?

"Secretary Chu, please sit down and rest. Also, if you have any questions about work, please ask me. I can report back to you now if I know the answer."

That was also the purpose of his visit.

He knew the deeper meaning behind it, and Chu Shijun naturally knew it as well.

The work he's talking about certainly goes beyond Sima Shenhe's position in the Public Security Bureau or his role as vice governor.

It refers to the provincial level.

Sima Shenhe has been deeply rooted in the provincial political and legal system for more than ten years, with a solid foundation and extensive network of connections. He is a core cadre born and raised in the local area.

The person who facilitated this arrangement was none other than Ding Long, the former governor who was transferred from the province.

Ding Long had been in charge of this area for many years. Before leaving office, he specifically instructed his trusted ministers to take the initiative to visit and curry favor with him. His intentions were all too clear.

It's nothing more than offering a pledge of allegiance, actively aligning oneself with the new leader, easing the gap between the old and new leadership, leaving a way out for those around them, and preserving a legacy for oneself.

"Hmm, that's fine."

Chu Shijun nodded slightly, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette.

"Comrade Shenhe, then you can give a brief overview. To be honest, Comrade Ding Long's departure was ill-timed. I was hoping to work with him again, since he's an old acquaintance."

Sima Shenhe continued wielding his hoe, already knowing where to begin, and immediately said:

"Secretary Chu, Governor Ding also told me about the acquaintance between you two before. He expressed his regret that he could not work with you, but he also said that he thought the new Governor Zhao would be able to cooperate with you and do a good job."

"Oh, shall we talk about Comrade Zhao Zhi?"

Chu Shijun continued the conversation.

"Governor Zhao was previously the full-time deputy secretary and secretary of the Zhencheng Municipal Party Committee. Before Secretary Xia left, there was a reshuffle of the leadership team, and he was recommended a year ago and served as acting secretary for more than half a year."

"He is a local cadre born and raised in Xinjiang. He climbed up from the grassroots townships and has been deeply involved in the local area for more than 30 years. He has a very deep network of personal connections. Most of the top leaders in various cities are his former subordinates whom he promoted and trained, especially in Zhencheng City."

"To be honest, I'm a little afraid of him."

Sima Shenhe said unintentionally at the end.

"You're the vice governor and the director of the public security bureau. It's unreasonable for you to be afraid of him, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Sima Shenhe turned around, his expression slightly hesitant, but finally gritted his teeth and said, "Secretary, I'll muster up the courage to tell you today."

"Back when I was just the Director of the Public Security Bureau, Governor Zhao was the Deputy Secretary. He blocked my appointment as Deputy Governor several times. Also, during the Tazhai incident two years ago, Vice Minister Qi was the first to discover it and took control. As the local Director, I was brought up by Governor Zhao many times at meetings. At one point, he even wanted to remove me from the position of Director of the Public Security Bureau. If it weren't for Governor Ding speaking up, I might have already gone to applaud. How could I have the opportunity to visit you today?"

As he spoke, Sima Shenhe's face showed annoyance. Seeing Chu Shijun smoking, and considering the other man's personality, he boldly took out a cigarette as well and gestured, "Secretary Chu, may I smoke?"

"Take mine, and drink some water if you get tired."

Chu Shijun pointed to the cigarettes and tea on the small stool.