Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

Three days later, Ningzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone.

The autumn sky was crystal clear, and the sunlight was so bright it was almost dazzling.

On a vast, newly leveled construction site, colorful flags fluttered and drums resounded. Beneath a huge red helium balloon hung a massive banner that read, "Warmly congratulate the successful groundbreaking ceremony of the 'Smart Ningzhou' Big Data Center project."

On the dais, a multitude of dignitaries gathered.

Mayor Lu Chen personally attended the event, along with Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee Zhao Donglai, the Director of the High-tech Zone Management Committee, and other municipal leaders. At the Nangong Group, Nangong Yao, dressed in a white suit, exuded confidence and charisma.

The scene was even more grand than the city's People's Congress.

Among this group of glittering bigwigs, there was one person whose face looked worse than if he had swallowed a fly.

—Qian Wanli, Director of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission.

He was also "invited" today.

Moreover, he was "honored" to be placed at the end of the dais.

He was wearing a suit that was clearly a size too big, which tightly wrapped his fat body. Beads of sweat streamed down his forehead like broken beads, and it was hard to tell whether it was from the heat or from fear.

The smile on his face was even more unsightly than a cry.

Whenever a camera panned over, he had to force a smile and mechanically clap along with the crowd. But behind that smile lay endless humiliation and...fear.

He still hasn't figured it out.

Just three days ago, he held the power of life and death over this project.

How did I go from being a "referee" to a "spectator" clapping in the audience in the blink of an eye? Or even less than a spectator, at most a "clown" responsible for livening up the atmosphere?

How did all of this happen?

"Next, please welcome our special consultant for this project, and also the most outstanding young cadre representative in Ningzhou City—Comrade Liu Ming, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League, to the stage to deliver a speech!"

As the host's passionate voice rang out...

Qian Wanli's heart skipped a beat!

He looked up in disbelief at the young man who slowly walked onto the stage amidst thunderous applause.

Liu Ming!

Why is it him again?

Wasn't he just a figurehead in the Youth League Committee? How did he become the project's "special consultant"?

Today, Liu Ming was dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, looking composed and capable. He didn't bring a speech, but simply walked onto the stage, smiled slightly at the audience, and that smile was confident, calm, and carried a powerful aura of control.

"Distinguished leaders, honored guests."

His voice, clear and powerful, resonated throughout the venue via the microphone.

Three days ago, this project was just a dusty proposal lying in an office drawer.

"Some people say that it is too risky, too energy-intensive, and does not comply with regulations."

"But today, it has stood up."

He paused here, his gaze sweeping almost imperceptibly over the fat man sitting upright at the end of the stage, sweating profusely.

"As it turns out, in this era, there is only one true rule."

That is—**development is the only way forward!**

"Any behavior that uses 'processes' as an excuse or 'risk' as a shield to hinder development and stifle innovation will be crushed to pieces by the wheels of time!"

"Whoosh—!!!"

The audience erupted in thunderous applause!

The young engineers, especially those from Nangong Group, were so excited that their faces turned red.

That was so damn satisfying!

These words are like rubbing the face of "bureaucracy" into the ground!

Upon hearing these words, Qian Wanli felt his face burning, as if he had been slapped hundreds of times in public!

He knew that every word Liu Ming said was an insult to him!

But he didn't dare utter a single word!

……

After the speech, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place.

Liu Ming, as a special guest, stood side by side with Mayor Lu Chen, Nangong Yao, and others.

In his hand, he held golden scissors.

When he passed by Qian Wanli, he didn't even glance at him out of the corner of his eye.

They simply ignored him, treating him like he wasn't there.

That feeling of being completely ignored and extremely humiliated is more painful than being slapped in public!

Qian Wanli lowered his head, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

He felt like a clown jumping around on a beam; all the previous difficulties and scheming seemed so ridiculous and... overestimating himself at this moment.

"Snap!"

With a crisp ribbon-cutting sound and colorful fireworks flying all over the sky.

The "Smart Ningzhou" project has officially been launched!

After the groundbreaking ceremony, a luncheon was held.

Qian Wanli, as the head of the National Development and Reform Commission, should have been one of the main figures at the banquet.

But at this moment, he was like a forgotten ghost, all alone, huddled in a corner.

No one came over to toast him, and no one came over to talk to him.

Not even a glance was given to him.

All eyes were focused on the young man who was surrounded by the mayor and President Nangong, like a star being fawned over.

He looked at Liu Ming, who was chatting and laughing with Mayor Lu, giving him advice on current affairs.

He looked at himself again, at his desolate state, deserted and ignored by everyone.

An emotion called "regret" gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.

He finally understood completely.

What kind of terrifying being have I just provoked?!

That was not an ordinary deputy secretary of the Youth League Committee at all!

That was a truly powerful figure, someone who could reach directly to the provincial level and even influence the mayor's decisions!

And he himself, the director of the National Development and Reform Commission who thought he held the power of life and death, was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at will!

"Director Qian..."

The secretary approached cautiously, her voice trembling.

"Just now... just now we received a message from the mayor's office... saying that Mayor Lu is very dissatisfied with the recent work efficiency of our committee..."

"I'd like to ask you... I'd like you to come over this afternoon... to give a private... private report..."

"boom!"

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in Qian Wanli's head!

Reporting to work separately?

This is the most typical sign of "settling scores after the fact" in officialdom!

He's finished!

He knew he was completely finished!

He looked at the young man in the distance, still chatting and laughing, his eyes filled with endless fear.

He dared not harbor the slightest resentment.

They dared not harbor even the slightest thought of revenge.

Because he was afraid.

He was afraid that he might have another wicked thought.

Next time, it might not just be his official hat that gets cut off.

Rather, it was his... life!

Liu Ming...

This boy is unfathomable!

Never again!