After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

The next morning at nine o'clock, in the lobby on the first floor of the city government office.

As soon as Chen Ping came out of the archives, he saw a group of people gathered in the hall.

Several people were carrying a large, two-meter-wide red banner and hanging it on a display rack in the center of the hall. Embroidered in gold thread were sixteen large characters on the banner: "Hero of Attracting Investment, Pioneer in Serving the People."

The section chiefs around them all stopped what they were doing and began to whisper among themselves.

"Who sent this banner?"

"I heard it was delivered by someone from Mayor Wang's office."

"Mayor Wang? He and Mayor Xiao aren't..."

Chen Ping frowned and quickly walked over.

Wang Jianzhong's secretary, Li Mingzheng, was standing next to the banner, holding a document, and clearing his throat in preparation to speak.

Chen Pingfang recognized this person; in his past life, he was a sycophant who did dirty work for Wang Jianzhong.

"Colleagues, I've been entrusted by Mayor Wang to present this banner to Mayor Xiao today," Li Ming said loudly. "At yesterday's investment promotion conference, Mayor Xiao overcame all opposition and acted decisively, making a great contribution to Yunzhou!"

He paused for a moment and glanced at the crowd of onlookers.

"Mayor Wang said that Mayor Xiao's courage and willingness to act without regard for consequences are something we should all learn from!"

The atmosphere in the hall changed immediately after those words were spoken.

Several veteran section chiefs exchanged glances, their faces showing amusement.

"Overcoming all opposition? That doesn't sound quite right..."

"Regardless of everything? Is that a compliment or an insult?"

"Mayor Wang is putting Mayor Xiao in a very difficult position."

Chen Ping stood at the back of the crowd, watching the scene with a cold eye.

Praise to death.

This tactic is common in officialdom. On the surface, it's all praise, but in reality, it pushes the person to the opposite side of everyone else, making them feel that she is autocratic and disregards the big picture.

He had seen this kind of tactic many times in his past life.

Xiao Yuhan walked down the stairs, her face somewhat somber.

She heard Li Ming's words and stopped in the middle of the stairs, not going over immediately.

Upon seeing her, Li Ming immediately went to greet her, holding up the banner with both hands: "Mayor Xiao, Mayor Wang specifically instructed that this banner be hung in the most prominent position in the Municipal Government Office, so that everyone can learn from your decisiveness!"

He emphasized the word "魄力" (poli, meaning courage or boldness).

The section chiefs around him all lowered their heads, and some began to quietly back away.

Sun Zhigang stood in the corner, a gloating smile on his face.

Xiao Yuhan's eyes turned cold, and she was about to refuse—

"Secretary Li, this banner is a wonderful gift."

Chen Ping stepped out from the crowd, took the banner, looked at it, and suddenly smiled.

Li Ming was stunned; he hadn't expected someone to suddenly appear.

"However, I don't think it's enough." Chen Pingfang turned to face the onlookers, his voice not loud but clear, "The success of the investment promotion conference is the result of the collective decision-making of the municipal party committee and the municipal government."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Mayor Wang, as the leader in charge, deserves even more credit."

The chatter in the hall immediately stopped.

Li Ming's face froze.

Several section chiefs looked up, their eyes filled with complex emotions as they gazed at Chen Pingfang.

"This kid..." Sun Zhigang's smile froze.

Chen Pingfang continued, "How about this, I suggest we hold a press conference immediately to announce the results of this investment promotion conference to the entire city. At the same time, I would like Mayor Wang to attend in person and give interviews to the media, so that the people know that this is the result of the collective leadership of the Municipal Party Committee."

Li Ming's forehead began to sweat.

He understood what those words meant. If a press conference were to be held, Wang Jianzhong would have to step forward and make a statement. If he supported it, it would be tantamount to endorsing Xiao Yuhan's actions, and the attempt to flatter him would have completely failed. If he opposed it, it would be to contradict Xiao Yuhan in front of the entire city, directly bringing the conflict to the forefront.

"Well... Mayor Wang's schedule is very full..." Li Ming stammered.

"It's alright." Chen Ping took out his phone and started dialing in front of everyone. "I'll call the Municipal Party Committee Office right now and ask the Municipal Party Secretary if we can use the successful experience of this investment promotion conference as a model for the whole city to learn from."

The crowd in the hall started talking again.

"This kid's got some skills..."

"This is going to drag Mayor Wang into it too!"

"Wow, that was a clever move; they kicked the ball back directly."

Xiao Yuhan watched Chen Pingfang's retreating figure, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.

She immediately chimed in, "Secretary Chen is right. Since Mayor Wang attaches such importance to this, let's strike while the iron is hot and hold a press conference this afternoon."

Her tone suddenly hardened.

"At the same time, I propose launching a second round of reforms, conducting a thorough investigation of all idle land in the city, and reclaiming all land that has remained undeveloped for more than three years for re-tendering!"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent; everyone was stunned.

Li Ming nearly dropped the banner in his hand, his face turning deathly pale.

The senior section chiefs looked at each other, none of them expecting Xiao Yuhan to suddenly introduce such a ruthless policy.

"Are you crazy...? You're going to offend everyone..."

"Investigate idle land? What about Zhao Defu's plots of land?"

"And those projects under Mayor Wang's name..."

The secretary of the executive vice mayor happened to be passing by. Upon hearing this, he immediately stopped and quickly took out his phone to jot something down.

Sun Zhigang plopped down in a chair nearby, muttering to himself, "This is really going to get serious..."

Chen Ping put away his phone and looked at Li Ming: "Secretary Li, please go back and tell Mayor Wang that the press conference will be held at 3 p.m. today in the Municipal Government Press Conference Hall. We will notify all major media outlets in advance."

Li Ming opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word. He turned and left, forgetting even to take the banner with him.

The crowd in the hall slowly dispersed, but everyone wore an uneasy expression.

Xiao Yuhan walked to Chen Pingfang's side and lowered her voice: "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Wang Jianzhong is trying to flatter you to your death, so let's push the issue back." Chen Pingfang's voice was calm. "Investigating idle land is something that has to be done sooner or later. Rather than waiting to be passively attacked, we might as well take the initiative."

"But this way, we'll offend even more people."

"The more people you offend, the stronger your reform efforts will be." Chen Pingfang looked at her. "Mayor Xiao, if you want to gain a foothold in Yunzhou, you have to let everyone know that you are not to be trifled with."

Xiao Yuhan was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Let's go, prepare the materials for the press conference."

The two turned and went upstairs, the murmurs in the hall behind them growing louder.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire municipal government office building.

In Wang Jianzhong's office.

The teacup shattered on the floor, spilling hot tea everywhere.

Wang Jianzhong stood by the window, his face ashen, saying nothing.

Ma Jianguo called: "Old Wang, your trick didn't work, she outsmarted you! Now she's going to investigate idle land, what about Zhao Defu's plots of land?"

Wang Jianzhong stared intently out the window, his voice low and menacing: "Investigate. Have someone investigate Chen Pingfang's background."

"Investigate what?"

"Investigate whether he's really just a lucky newcomer." Wang Jianzhong's eyes darkened. "A recent graduate couldn't possibly have such methods."

He hung up the phone and turned to look at his secretary, Li Ming.

I will attend the press conference this afternoon.

Li Ming was stunned: "Mayor Wang, are you really going to..."

"Since she wants to play this game, then let's play it to the end," Wang Jianzhong said coldly. "I want to see how long she can hold out."