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

In late autumn, Ningzhou is blessed with clear skies and gentle breezes.

Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor of the High-tech Zone Management Committee building, Liu Ming held a cup of freshly brewed Da Hong Pao tea in her hand, lazily looking down at the land below that had been completely transformed.

The once unfinished "Jinxiu Tiandi" building has now been transformed into the "Ningzhou International Financial Center," its glass curtain walls gleaming in the sunlight, frequented by smartly dressed urban professionals. Inside the Braun Group's super factory, the roar of machinery never ceases, and long lines of container trucks loaded with goods continuously head towards the highway exit.

Everything was in perfect order and full of vitality.

"Director, this is last month's economic performance analysis report."

Chen Momo pushed open the door and entered, her steps light and her face beaming with a confident smile. She placed a thick file on the table, her tone filled with undisguised pride.

"Our GDP growth rate is once again leading the city, and we're a full five percentage points ahead of second place. We've already achieved 150% of our annual investment target. And there's more..."

She paused, looking at Liu Ming with admiration.

"According to the public security bureau's security bulletin, there have been zero criminal cases in the High-tech Zone for three consecutive months, and the number of public security cases has decreased by 98% year-on-year. Even thieves don't dare to come here anymore."

Liu Ming casually flipped through the near-perfect report card, but her face didn't show much joy.

He closed the file and sighed softly.

"MoMo, don't you think...life is getting a little too boring these days?"

"Huh?" Chen Momo was stunned, blinking her big eyes. "Bored? Director, all the cadres in Ningzhou are envious of our High-tech Zone! High bonuses, great environment, and none of those messy troubles. Everyone says it's a 'Shangri-La.' How can you find it boring?"

"If the water is too clear, there will be no fish."

Liu Ming stood up, walked to the map, and gently traced the map of Ningzhou with her finger.

Since annihilating the "Blood Wolf" mercenary group at Phoenix Mountain that night, and thoroughly intimidating the demons and monsters hiding in the shadows with that top-secret file, he has managed to clear up the murky waters of Ningzhou.

In officialdom, he was a favorite of the municipal party secretary and mayor, and no one dared to trip him up; in the business world, the Nangong Group held a dominant position, becoming the stabilizing force of the high-tech zone; as for the underworld…

Heilong is now more obedient than a cat, busy with landscaping and road repairs every day. He's even removed his tattoos and hands out business cards to everyone he meets, calling himself a "city builder." Longdun Security has become Ningzhou's "Imperial Guard," and when those veterans stand on the street, even thugs and hooligans have to give them a wide berth.

There are no rivals.

There is no challenge.

Every day, besides signing documents and attending meetings, all I do is listen to various "good news".

For a soldier accustomed to dancing on the edge of a knife and breathing in the smoke of gunpowder, this kind of comfortable life, where the end is predictable, is practically a form of slow suicide.

"This pool is too small."

Liu Ming murmured softly, his gaze crossing the border of Ningzhou and landing on the even larger and more unfathomable city to the north—the provincial capital.

There, a real dragon dwells.

There, the enemy who killed his father was hiding.

That was his final battlefield.

"Prepare the car."

Liu Ming suddenly turned around, a resolute glint flashing in her eyes.

"Go to the municipal party committee and find Mayor Lu."

……

Half an hour later, in the mayor's office.

Lu Chen looked at Liu Ming, who was sitting opposite him and calmly asked to "take a break from work to study," and the pen in his hand fell to the table with a "clatter."

"You're going to the provincial Party School?"

Lu Chen took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and said with a wry smile, "Xiao Ming, do you know how many people are eyeing your position right now? The High-tech Zone has just achieved some success; it's time to reap the rewards. If you leave now, aren't you afraid of being forgotten?"

"I've picked most of the fruit; the rest can be left for future generations to enjoy."

Liu Ming refilled Lu Chen's teacup, her tone relaxed.

"Senior brother, you know my ambitions lie elsewhere. I've already made my move in Ningzhou. I've cleared the way and paved the way. As long as the established rules are followed, even if a dog were in the director's position, the High-tech Zone won't capsize."

"That's one thing..."

Lu Chen sighed, his expression turning serious.

"But going to the provincial capital at this time is like throwing yourself to the wolves. That old fox Luo Binwang has been operating in the province for decades, and places like the Party School are within his sphere of influence. If you go there, you'll be operating right under his nose, and if you're not careful..."

"Senior brother, the most dangerous place is the safest place."

Liu Ming interrupted him, her eyes flashing with the cunning and confidence unique to hunters.

"When I was in Ningzhou, he couldn't reach me from a distance and could only resort to petty assassinations. But when I went to the provincial capital and entered the Party School, it was like standing in the spotlight."

"He was the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee; he cared about his reputation and the rules. In that environment, he actually didn't dare to do anything underhanded to me."

"and……"

Liu Ming stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the surging clouds on the northern horizon.

"How can you get the tiger cubs if you don't venture into the tiger's den? How can you figure out how big his net is, and how can you find his weak point if you don't go to the provincial capital?"

"I've reached my ceiling in Ningzhou. Staying here will only leave me stagnant. Only by moving up to his level will I be qualified to truly challenge him."

Looking at his young junior brother and his tall, straight back, Lu Chen felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

There was worry, there was reluctance, but even more so, there was admiration.

He knew Liu Ming was right.

A dragon hidden in the abyss will eventually soar into the sky. This temple in Ningzhou truly cannot contain this true deity.

"All right."

Lu Chen put his glasses back on and took out the document from the bottom of the drawer, a "Notice on Selecting Outstanding Young Cadres to Participate in the Training Program for Young and Middle-aged Cadres at the Provincial Party School," issued by the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department.

"This spot was originally reserved for you by Secretary Chu of the Provincial Party Committee. Since you've made up your mind, I'll do you a favor."

He picked up his pen and solemnly signed his name in the recommender section.

"However, you must remember this."

Lu Chen raised his head, staring intently at Liu Ming.

"The Provincial Party School is not only a place for learning, but also an arena for the province's elite officials. It brings together the province's smartest, most well-connected, and most ambitious group of people."

"Once you go there, you'll no longer be the infallible 'Liu Qingtian' of Ningzhou. You'll just be an ordinary student, or even... a thorn in many people's side."

"You must be patient, you must hide, you must learn to... play dumb to outsmart others."

"Don't worry, senior brother."

Liu Ming took the thin form, a familiar, reassuring smile appearing on her lips.

"I'm an expert at playing dumb to outsmart others."

"I'm going there to 'learn.' Whether it's good or bad, black or white, I'm going to learn it all properly."

"And while we're at it, let's add some spice to that stagnant pool in the provincial capital."

……

Stepping out of the municipal party committee building, the sun was shining brightly.

Holding the registration form in her hand, Liu Ming felt more relaxed than ever before.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Lone Wolf, who was waiting at the base:

Packing my things, getting ready to move.

[Destination: Provincial capital.]

After sending the message, he glanced back at the majestic municipal party committee building behind him, and then at the bustling high-tech zone in the distance.

His legend remains here, as does his team.

But he couldn't stop.

Because the flames of revenge still burn ahead.

Because the ultimate goal called "justice" is still far away.

Goodbye, Ningzhou.

Liu Ming muttered to herself, opened the car door, and got into the black Audi.

"Master, go to the registration office at the Provincial Party School."

The wheels rolled, kicking up a cloud of dust.

A new journey has begun.