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

In late autumn, a chill hung in the air in Ningzhou. But the atmosphere inside the High-tech Zone Management Committee building was hotter and more tense than in the height of summer.

Several black Audis with provincial capital license plates were parked quietly downstairs. Their bodies were spotless, reflecting a solemn sheen in the sunlight. There were no police escorts, no flowers or banners, and even the welcoming party consisted of only a handful of people.

But the appearance of these vehicles caused the atmosphere in the entire High-tech Zone and even the Ningzhou Municipal Party Committee to freeze instantly.

The provincial Party committee's organization department inspection team has arrived.

Leading the team was Han Wenzheng, the executive deputy minister of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department. He was a veteran organization worker known in the Jiangnan Province's officialdom for his "eagle eyes," and it was said that none of the cadres he selected were wrong; they all later became high-ranking officials.

The inspection team went straight to the High-tech Zone with only one purpose—to investigate Liu Ming.

……

The small conference room was filled with the aroma of tea, but it couldn't mask the suffocating sense of oppression.

Liu Ming sat opposite Han Wenzheng, his back straight and his expression calm. He did not appear uneasy in front of this "high-ranking official" who held the power of life and death over cadres in the entire province, nor did he show any smugness because of his recent series of dazzling achievements.

He is like a piece of warm, smooth jade, having concealed all his sharpness.

"Comrade Liu, don't be nervous, we're just having a casual chat."

Han Wenzheng picked up his teacup, gently blew on the floating leaves, but his gaze, sharp as a knife, scrutinized the young man before him through his glasses.

"I've reviewed your file and heard about your 'heroic deeds' in Ningzhou." Han Wenzheng's tone was unreadable. "You brought down an executive vice mayor, humiliated a director of the Development and Reform Commission, and even managed to create a multi-billion-yuan project and achieve the highest GDP in the province. Some say you're like 'Sun Wukong,' here to wreak havoc in Heaven. What do you think?"

This is a trick question.

If you don't answer well, it's considered arrogant or disrespectful to elders.

Liu Ming smiled slightly and calmly replied, "Minister Han, Sun Wukong wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace because he wanted to become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. As for what I'm doing, it's to remove the obstacles blocking Ningzhou's development. Once the obstacles are removed, the road will naturally widen, and the cars will naturally move faster. Whether I'm the one who moved the obstacles or not is not important."

"Moving stones?"

Han Wenzheng put down his teacup, leaning forward slightly, his oppressive aura increasing sharply. "But what if this stone is your superior? What if it's the rules of the system? Can you disregard the rules, even overturn the table, just to move this stone?"

"Rules are meant to make things better, not to prevent people from doing their jobs."

Liu Ming met Han Wenzheng's gaze, her voice not loud, but firm and resolute.

"If rules become a shield to protect backwardness and a breeding ground for corruption, then those rules should be changed. As for superiors..."

Liu Ming paused, a hint of frankness flashing in her eyes.

"I respect all leaders, but I respect Party discipline and national laws even more, and I respect the interests of the people even more. If anyone goes against this, then he is not my superior, but the enemy of the people. There is no need to be polite when dealing with enemies."

Han Wenzheng stared at him for a full half minute.

The meeting room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Suddenly, Han Wenzheng smiled.

The previous scrutiny and oppression were gone from that smile; in its place was a heartfelt appreciation and...surprise.

"What a nice 'no need to be polite'!"

Han Wenzheng nodded and wrote several lines heavily on the notebook in front of him.

"Young cadres these days are either obsequious or shrewdly self-serving. People like you, with your principles, backbone, and ability to uphold your moral bottom line, are too few and far between."

He closed his notebook and said meaningfully:

"We have verified your situation. Whether it's the crackdown on organized crime or attracting investment, it can withstand scrutiny and examination. Secretary Chu of the Provincial Party Committee specifically instructed that cadres who are truly willing, capable, and successful in their work should be used boldly and without being bound by convention."

"Young man, your journey has just begun."

……

The third day after the inspection ended.

A top-secret document was delivered to Feng Jiang, the Party Secretary of Ningzhou City, through a confidential channel.

The document was not widely circulated, but its contents impressed even Feng Jiang, a seasoned municipal party secretary who had seen many ups and downs.

That was the feedback from the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department regarding the assessment of cadres in Ningzhou City.

In the section about Liu Ming, there was a comment that could change the fate of countless people:

[Politically steadfast, with an excellent work style, a willingness to take responsibility, and outstanding achievements. It is recommended that this candidate be included in the provincial Party committee's reserve pool of outstanding young cadres (first tier), closely monitored, and given important responsibilities when appropriate.]

Provincial Party Committee Reserve Cadre!

And they're in the top tier!

This is not just a title, but a "VIP ticket" to higher power!

This means that from this moment on, Liu Ming is no longer just a cadre in Ningzhou City, but a "seed player" being cultivated by the entire Jiangnan Province. His personnel file will be directly managed by the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department; every promotion he receives will be subject to the scrutiny of the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee.

In other words, he has obtained a real "get-out-of-jail-free card".

Unless he commits a fundamental error and ruins his own life, no one in this province can touch him easily. Even if Luo Binwang wanted to deal with him, he would have to consider the attitude of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department and Secretary Chu Tiankuo first!

"Good lad, this time it's completely in the bag."

Feng Jiang closed the document, a relieved smile spreading across his face. He picked up the phone and dialed Lu Chen's number.

"Old Lu, I have good news for you. Your junior brother has really 'reached the heavens' this time."

……

Office of the Director of the Management Committee, High-tech Zone.

Liu Ming had no idea that she had been included on that mysterious list.

He stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the thriving industrial park below. The Braun Group's factory was already topped out, and the unfinished buildings of Jinxiu Tiandi were undergoing facade renovations. The entire high-tech zone was like a money-printing machine running at full capacity, continuously supplying the city with vital resources.

"Ring ring ring".

The red phone on the table rang.

It was a call from Sun Hong, the Minister of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee.

"Comrade Liu Ming, congratulations!" Sun Hong's voice was warm and friendly, even more so than during their last conversation. "The Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department just sent a notice that there's a spot for you in next month's Provincial Party School's training program for young and middle-aged cadres."

"The Party School's training program for young and middle-aged cadres?" Liu Ming was taken aback.

He certainly knew what that meant.

That was the "Whampoa Military Academy" for provincial-level cadres to be promoted to the provincial-level. Those who could get into that class were basically powerful figures in their respective regions, or rising stars in provincial government departments.

"That's too fast!" Liu Ming said with a wry smile. "I was only promoted to section chief a few months ago..."

"What's the rush? This is the organization's recognition of you!" Sun Hong interrupted him. "At your age, being able to enter the training program for young and middle-aged cadres is a signal in itself. Prepare well; this is a big stage, and a great opportunity for you to build connections and broaden your horizons."

"I understand, thank you, Minister."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Ming held the receiver for a long time without putting it down.

Looking out at the vast sky, a surge of pride welled up within him.

From a staff member in Qingyun County to a powerful department-level cadre in Ningzhou City, and now he has come into the sights of the Provincial Party Committee.

This is not just a promotion, but an expansion of the battlefield.

He knew that as his position rose, the opponents he would face would become stronger and more elusive.

The Luo Binwang lurking in the shadows of the provincial capital, the "Old K" who has yet to show his face, and the many mysteries surrounding his father's death...

All the clues seemed to point to that higher place.

"provincial capital……"

Liu Ming murmured softly, her eyes becoming deep and sharp.

That's the real den of dragons and tigers.

That is the stage for the final battle.

"Since you've given me this ladder..."

Liu Ming straightened her collar, a confident smile curving her lips.

"Then I will climb to the top step by step."

"Let's go see what the view up there is like."

Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall, casting a long and slender shadow on him.

The future is bright.