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

The provincial capital, at the foot of Cuiping Mountain.

There is no hustle and bustle of the city center here, nor the traffic of the high-tech zone. There are only lush ancient trees and a few Soviet-style buildings with red bricks and gray tiles, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere, nestled among the pines and cypresses.

Armed police officers stood guard at the entrance, armed with live ammunition.

The huge, gold-plated plaque bears the words "Party School of the CPC Jiangnan Provincial Committee," which gleam in the sunlight and exude an aura of power that is almost overwhelming.

This place has a more resounding and alluring nickname in the officialdom of Jiangnan Province—"Whampoa Military Academy".

For those within the system, crossing this threshold signifies a qualitative leap in their political career. It's the cradle for promotion to department-level officials, the essential path to higher power, and the "dragon gate" that countless division-level officials desperately want to squeeze through.

A black Audi A6 slowly pulled up at the gate.

The car window rolled down, and Liu Ming handed over her admission notice and identification documents.

The young armed police officer took the certificate and carefully checked it for a long time. His eyes scanned back and forth between Liu Ming's overly young face and the "department-level" position on the certificate several times, his eyes full of disbelief.

Only after confirming that everything was correct did he snap to attention, give a quick salute, and let them pass.

As the car entered the campus, its unique, serene, and profound atmosphere immediately enveloped us.

People walking along the roadside, even those in casual clothes, all walked with steady steps and exuded an air of authority. Any one of them could easily be a county party secretary or a powerful department head in a provincial government agency.

Here, division-level officials are as common as dogs, and department-level officials are everywhere.

Liu Ming parked the car, picked up the simple suitcase, and followed the signs to find the student dormitory building – "Qingfeng Building".

Although it's called a dormitory, the conditions are comparable to a four-star hotel. Each room is a private room with a study and a private bathroom. After all, those who come here for further studies are all "princes" from various regions, so their living conditions naturally cannot be lacking.

"Hey buddy, you're... delivering something?"

Just as she reached the door of room 303, the door to room 304 next door opened. A slightly overweight middle-aged man with a receding hairline, holding a purple clay teapot, poked his head out and sized up Liu Ming with a smile.

Looking at Liu Ming's young face and casual clothes, he subconsciously assumed he was some leader's driver or secretary.

Liu Ming smiled, took out her room card, and swiped it to open the door with a "beep".

"No, I'm here to go to school."

"go to school?"

The fat man froze for a moment, almost dropping the purple clay teapot he was holding. His eyes widened as he watched Liu Ming enter the room, as if she were an alien. He then quickly followed, clinging to the doorframe, and asked:

"Dude, are you kidding me? This is a training program for young and middle-aged cadres! A refresher course for division-level officials! Are you... are you even an adult?"

"Just turned twenty-seven."

Liu Ming put down the box, glanced back at him, and extended her hand. "Liu Ming from Ningzhou High-tech Zone. Nice to meet you."

"Ningzhou...High-tech Zone..."

The fat man muttered it twice, then suddenly his pupils contracted sharply, and his expression instantly changed from surprise to shock, followed by fervent joy.

"Holy crap! You're Liu Ming?"

"That Liu Ming, who brought down the executive vice mayor, secured 10 billion yuan in investment in a month, and was known as 'Number One Ruthless Person in Ningzhou'?"

The fat man's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, causing people in other rooms in the corridor to peek out.

Liu Ming touched her nose with a hint of helplessness.

It seems that even in this provincial capital, my reputation has already become utterly infamous.

"I wouldn't call myself a ruthless person, I'm just a worker."

"Oh dear! My apologies! Seeing is believing!"

The fat man rushed in excitedly, grabbing Liu Ming's hands tightly and shaking them vigorously. "I'm Zhang Dapao, the director of the Investment Promotion Bureau of Linjiang City! I've heard so much about you, it's legendary! I originally thought you were some kind of fierce Zhang Fei with three heads and six arms, but I never expected you to be such a handsome little white dragon!"

Zhang Dapao.

As his name suggests, he has a loud voice and a very outgoing personality.

In the next half hour, through this "know-it-all," Liu Ming quickly found out the details of this training program for young and middle-aged cadres.

There are fifty students in this cohort.

They are all the elite of the elite from all over the province.

There are county heads and district heads from various prefecture-level cities, division chiefs from provincial government departments, and even top officials from national-level development zones like Liu Ming.

It can be said that half of the political power in Jiangnan Province in the future will be held by these fifty people.

"Brother Liu, let me tell you, this training program for young and middle-aged cadres is fraught with difficulties."

Zhang Dapao mysteriously closed the door and lowered his voice, saying, "Although it's nominally a training program, it's actually a 'talent show.' The provincial party committee is scrutinizing us with a magnifying glass. I heard that after this graduation, a third of us will be directly promoted to deputy director level! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"However..."

Zhang Dapao pursed his lips and pointed to the ceiling.

"There are limited spots, and there are too many wolves and not enough meat. These fifty people have been divided into several factions."

"There are 'pragmatists' like us who got promoted based on our achievements; there are 'parachuted-in' people from provincial government; and then there's the most difficult type..."

He held up his little finger and gestured.

"...They're those 'second-generation rich kids' who come here to get a makeshift education and gain prestige. Those people are arrogant and think they're above everyone else; we can't afford to mess with them."

Liu Ming listened, her mind perfectly clear.

Wherever there are people, there is a power struggle, especially in such a center where power converges.

Although there are no swords or spears here, the invisible competition and game are more brutal than on a battlefield. Everyone is carefully weaving their own network of relationships, searching for the ladder to higher levels.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it."

Liu Ming poured Zhang Dapao a glass of water, her tone calm, "We're here to learn, not to fight for seats. As long as we study hard and attend classes well, the organization will naturally take notice."

"Hey! I really admire your attitude!"

Zhang Dapao gave a thumbs up, "Only you have the confidence to back it up. If I had your 10 billion yuan in achievements to back me up, I'd also dare to walk around the Party School with my head held high!"

As we were talking, a commotion broke out in the hallway.

"Oh my, isn't this Director Zhao? Long time no see!"

"Young Master Li! I heard you came from the Provincial Finance Department this time? We should definitely get closer together from now on!"

A group of people escorted several well-dressed, imposing men as they walked over. It was typical of "circle" culture: acquaintances meeting, exchanging information, and that warm atmosphere instantly shut out everyone else.

Liu Ming stood at the door, observing coldly.

He saw several faces that occasionally appeared in the provincial capital's news, and he also saw the scrutiny and calculation hidden behind the small talk.

These are the elites of the entire province.

These are the adversaries who may become his allies or his enemies in the future.

"Brother Liu, the one in the middle, the one in the gray suit."

Zhang Dapao leaned closer and gestured with his eyes, "That's Zhao Ruilong, the section chief from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission. I heard his father is in our province..."

He pointed to the sky, not daring to say his name.

"This guy is a hot candidate for class monitor this time, and he's incredibly arrogant. Let's stay away from him and avoid getting involved."

Zhao Ruilong?

Liu Ming's eyes narrowed slightly.

It's said that enemies are destined to meet.

In Ningzhou, he dealt with Zhao Tai, a collateral member of the Zhao family.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving in the provincial capital, he ran into a member of the Zhao family. Moreover, judging from his demeanor, this Director Zhao clearly regarded himself as the "leader" of this year's training program for young and middle-aged cadres.

Just then, Zhao Ruilong, who was being fawned over by everyone, seemed to notice the gazes directed at him.

He turned his head, his gaze passing through the crowd and landing precisely on Liu Ming.

Eyes facing each other.

Zhao Ruilong's eyes held a hint of amusement, a hint of contempt, and a hint of... a chilling coldness that seemed to see through everything.

He clearly recognized Liu Ming as well.

Or perhaps he had already investigated Liu Ming.

He didn't come over to greet her, but just gave Liu Ming a slight smile. That smile concealed a knife.

Then, he turned around and led the group of people in a grand procession toward the luxury suite on the other side.

"See, I told you, these guys are not to be trifled with." Zhang Dapao shrank his neck.

Liu Ming laughed.

He leaned against the door frame, watching the departing figures, his fighting spirit rising in his eyes.

not to be trifled?

There are no people in this world who are not to be trifled with, only fists that are not strong enough.

"Brother Zhang, you're right."

Liu Ming patted Zhang Dapao on the shoulder, her voice light and cheerful.

"The waters at this Party School are indeed quite deep."

"but……"

He watched the back of the so-called "top candidate for class monitor," a cold smile curving his lips.

"No matter how deep the water is, someone has to stir it up."

"Otherwise, how could a true dragon emerge from this stagnant pool?"

He turned and went into the room, taking out the notebook.

A new instance has been opened.

The monsters here are higher level, have better equipment, and drop more experience points...

"Provincial capital, Zhao family, Luo Binwang."

Liu Ming wrote these names on the first page of the notebook.

Then, he drew a circle heavily.

See you in class.