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

The following day, Chu Shijun, Zhao Zhi, and their group led their team away from Baijiang.

The entire Baijiang region seemed to have pressed a button, and in accordance with the meeting arrangements, everyone became strict.

Hu Daoheng, the full-time deputy secretary, stayed at the provincial party committee around the clock, keeping his phone accessible 24 hours a day, and carefully reviewed all matters, big and small.

And so, a few days passed peacefully.

On this day, in Zhencheng City, at the Municipal Party Committee...

Li Dakang looked gloomy, holding a document in his hand, rubbing it up and down with his fingertips.

In the past few days, after Chu Shijun and others went to meetings, he took charge of all matters, big and small, in the city, as planned in advance.

At the same time, I also maintained close communication with Liu Yuchen and Sima Shenhe.

Just now, Sima Shenhe sent over some documents.

It all involves Zhu Yang's issues; there are photos and detailed data.

This includes three core plots of land in Zhencheng New District. It is clearly stated that although the bidding was nominally open, Zhu Yang had already colluded with local real estate developer Xu Dong and others in private, leaking the bid price in advance and setting preferential qualification thresholds to exclude several competitive out-of-town companies. They were just going through the motions and awarding the land to their own people at a low price.

Even more troublesome are the several blurry but recognizable photos in the materials, which show Zhu Yang meeting with Chairman Xu late at night at a private club, where the two personally handed over documents and did not return home that night.

These clues were far more solid than the "traces" he had previously observed in secret.

Li Dakang's eyes were clouded, and his mind was filled with many thoughts.

Before leaving, Chu Shijun repeatedly told him to keep the overall situation stable and not to act rashly. But Zhu Yang was going against the grain and was about to make the land project's hole bigger and bigger. If they waited any longer, there would probably be even bigger trouble.

If it weren't for Sima Shenhe, as the Director of the Public Security Bureau, discovering it immediately, Zhencheng would have been completely blind.

He then picked up his phone, instinctively wanting to call Chu Shijun for instructions. His fingertip hovered over the dial button, but after glancing at the time, he slowly lowered it and then sent a message to Ye Wentao.

At this time, Chu Shijun should be in a meeting and should not be disturbed.

He was waiting for a reply when there was a gentle knock on the office door. His secretary, Xiao Hu, came in and whispered, "Secretary Li, Mayor Zhu is here. He wants to report to you on the preliminary preparations for the land bidding in the new district."

Ok?

So impatient?

A cold glint flashed in Li Dakang's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and ordered in a deep voice, "Let him in."

There wasn't even a formal title; they just called him "him".

Soon, Zhu Yang pushed open the door and entered, a slight smile on his face. He held a bidding proposal in his hand and stepped forward, saying, "Comrade Dakang, I'd like to report to you on the progress of the bidding for the three plots of land in the new district. The proposal has been initially drafted."

"Please take a look. If there are no problems, we will prepare to start the public bidding next week."

As he spoke, he handed the proposal to Li Dakang, a hint of probing in his eyes.

In the past few days, he had vaguely sensed that Li Dakang had been secretly paying attention to land projects, which made him feel uneasy.

But the other side was pressing him hard, and he had already gotten what he was supposed to get. Chu Shijun and the others had all left, so he mustered up his courage and wanted to push things forward quickly.

As long as the plan can be implemented, Li Dakang cannot be easily touched unless he has solid evidence.

As for what to do next, we can discuss it.

Li Dakang took the proposal, didn't even flip through it, looked up at Zhu Yang, and said in a calm but very confident tone: "There's no rush for the land bidding in the new district."

Zhu Yang's smile froze for a moment, and he quickly asked, "Secretary Li, what do you mean?"

"You're new here, you don't know, these plots of land are key projects for the city. If the progress is delayed, it might affect the city's annual development targets..."

*Slap*

Li Dakang slammed his hand on the table.

"Indicators are important, but rules are even more important!"

"Mayor Zhu, stop using my newness as an excuse. What kind of work haven't I, Li Dakang, done? I've worked in government and organization departments for years, at the county and city levels. I don't need you to teach me how to manage economic development or how the whole city operates!"

He immediately put down the plan and tapped the table with his fingertip.

"Furthermore, I've heard that some companies have already 'colluded' with each other before the bidding process for these plots of land. Mayor Zhu, the land in the new district is Zhencheng's most valuable resource. Openness, fairness, and impartiality are the bottom line. There can be no underhanded dealings or collusion. Do you understand?"

Zhu Yang's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface, even with a hint of anger, and said, "Secretary Li, what do you mean by that? All the procedures were followed according to the rules, there was absolutely no behind-the-scenes manipulation. It's possible that someone is spreading rumors and misleading you."

"Whether it's a rumor or not needs to be investigated."

Li Dakang looked at him coldly, "Now I will only say one thing: all projects must be handled with caution. This was clearly stated by Secretary Chu at the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee meeting before he left. I have seen the land in this new district, which involves the flow of hundreds of billions of yuan, so we must be cautious."

"The bidding process will be postponed for a week. We need to review the procedures, check the eligibility requirements, and ensure there are no biased practices. If problems arise, no one can afford to take responsibility."

Zhu Yang felt relieved. Recalling Li Dakang's previous style as the top leader in Jingzhou, it seemed that this was just a matter of his attitude, and that some of his previous actions had displeased him.

However, some of the rumors the other party mentioned also served as a reminder to him.

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. Although he had contact with several departments in the city, even the most meticulous plans can have oversights. If someone discovered something and reported it to Li Dakang, it would be too late.

Moreover, this matter cannot be delayed; the longer it is delayed, the more likely problems will arise.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yang gritted his teeth and said firmly, "Secretary Li, this project has been in the works for a long time, and our government has been following up on it. It might be inappropriate to postpone it for a week."

"I disagree in one word."

Li Dakang stared straight at him and said coldly, "I'm the top leader. When it comes to economic matters, I'm responsible. I'll set the direction, and you, as the mayor, are responsible for implementation. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yang could no longer hold back; it was practically a blatant insult. "Secretary Li, in my capacity as mayor, I have the right to request a Standing Committee meeting to discuss and decide on this bidding issue, don't I?"

"Report it!"

Li Dakang stretched out his palm, gesturing towards the office door.

"Okay, I'll write a report when I get back."

Zhu Yang stared at him intently, then turned and strode out of the office, slamming the door shut behind him.

Outside, the staff dared not breathe; another argument had broken out.

After arriving downstairs and getting into the car, Zhu Yang told the director of the municipal government office about requesting a meeting, and then made a phone call.

After the call connected, the voice sounded irritable: "Chairman Xu, there's been a problem with the bidding process."

"What?"

A gasp came from the other end of the phone.

"Brother Zhu, what's going on? Can't you just sign something? I've already contacted the bank for the loan."

"Li Dakang hasn't passed the test yet, and it seems someone has gotten wind of it and told him, so he hasn't investigated for the time being."

Zhu Yang's voice was filled with anger.

"The main thing is that I think this person is targeting me everywhere just because I offended him. I think he just wants to make a one-man show."