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

The fervor surrounding the "umbrella of ten thousand people" hadn't yet subsided, but the winds of change quietly shifted within the provincial party committee compound.

The large, bright red silk umbrella stood quietly in the lobby of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission. Every official who passed by would subconsciously slow down and stare at the dense red fingerprints on the umbrella cover.

Some people see it as admiration, while others see it as envy.

But for most people, the fear was unmistakable.

"Have you heard? The lights were on all night at the Provincial Party Committee Building No. 2 last night."

"How could it not be bright? Thousands of ordinary people are blocking the entrance to the provincial government, not looking for the Party Secretary or the Governor, but specifically asking to see Liu Ming by name. This is unprecedented in the history of our Jiangnan Province."

"This is what you call 'merit overshadowing the ruler.' The people only recognize Liu Qingtian (a famous upright official), so where does that leave Secretary Chu? Where does it leave the prestige of our provincial party committee leadership?"

Rumors, like a chilly draft, swirled and darted through the corridors of the provincial party committee compound.

This is more than just gossip.

This is the most deadly tactic in officialdom—using flattery to kill.

……

At 10:00 AM, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee held a meeting.

Today's meeting agenda was originally to discuss the investment promotion plan for the next quarter. But before Liu Ming could even begin to report, Han Wenzheng, the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, put down his pen and looked at Liu Ming with a forced smile.

"Deputy Director Liu, yesterday's event was quite a spectacle."

Han Wenzheng pushed up his glasses, his tone sounding concerned, but every word he spoke was laced with sarcasm.

"Ten thousand people presenting umbrellas—this is a treatment reserved for upright officials in ancient times when they left office. You haven't even left yet, and the people have already elevated you to this level. Tsk tsk, now throughout the entire province, who doesn't know your name, 'Liu Qingtian'? Even we older brothers feel proud walking down the street."

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly turned cold.

All the Standing Committee members stopped what they were doing and looked at Liu Ming with complicated expressions.

That's a really harsh thing to say.

On the surface, it's praising you, but in reality, it's reminding everyone that Liu Ming's influence has overshadowed that of the top leader. He's trying to win over the people, and he's challenging the authority of the provincial party committee.

Liu Ming sat at the end of the table, holding an unlit cigarette in his hand, his expression as calm as ever.

He didn't rush to defend himself.

He knew this tactic all too well. He'd seen it countless times in Qingyun County and Ningzhou.

"Deputy Secretary Han, you've misunderstood."

Liu Ming spoke calmly, his voice neither humble nor arrogant, "The people are not giving me, Liu Ming, as a gift; they are giving the 'new policies' promoted by the Provincial Party Committee. They have felt the benefits, which is why they have come to express their gratitude. I am merely the person responsible for implementation, and I feel unworthy of such a gift."

"You feel unworthy? I noticed you were quite efficient when you caught the umbrella."

Han Wenzheng sneered, turned to look at Chu Tiankuo in the main seat, and spoke in a serious tone.

"Secretary, logically speaking, we should be happy that cadres are recognized by the masses. But public opinion is too complicated right now. Some people are posting online saying things like, 'In Jiangnan, people only know Liu Ming, not the Provincial Party Committee.' This trend is very unhealthy! If it is used by those with ulterior motives to create a personality cult, the consequences would be unimaginable. I suggest that we make a slight adjustment to Comrade Liu Ming's work scope. Let him go back to the Development and Reform Commission to focus more on internal affairs and reflect on his work."

This is an attempt to seize power.

Under the guise of "protecting cadres," they are trying to sideline Liu Ming, the head of the economic reform team.

The meeting room was deathly silent.

All eyes turned to Chu Tiankuo.

The top official of Jiangnan Province was looking down, carefully examining a report in his hands. He seemed completely oblivious to Han Wenzheng's speech, as if lost in deep thought.

one second.

Five seconds.

ten seconds.

The oppressive silence caused fine beads of sweat to appear on Han Wenzheng's forehead.

at last.

Chu Tiankuo slowly raised his head.

He didn't look at Han Wenzheng, but instead took out a box of matches from his pocket, struck one with a "hiss," and slowly lit his cigarette.

"Are you done talking?"

Chu Tiankuo exhaled a puff of smoke, and through the hazy smoke, glanced indifferently at Han Wenzheng.

"I'm done talking." Han Wenzheng felt a sudden jolt in his heart.

"Snapped!"

Chu Tiankuo slammed his hand on the table!

The force was so great that the teacups on the table jumped up and made a piercing, cracking sound!

"I think you've lost your mind!"

Chu Tiankuo pointed at Han Wenzheng's nose, his voice booming like thunder in the conference room, filled with fury.

What does it mean to be "too successful to be a threat to one's master"? What does it mean to be "unhealthy"?

"When ordinary people's lives improve and they spontaneously offer an umbrella, how does that become cult of personality?"

"Han Wenzheng, you're a veteran comrade now. Ask yourself honestly, you've been sitting in this provincial party committee compound for ten years, has any ordinary person ever given you an egg? Has anyone ever written you a heartfelt letter of thanks?"

Han Wenzheng's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

"You don't! Because all you do is sit in this office and scheme! All you care about is power and position!"

Chu Tiankuo stood up and paced back and forth in the office that represented the highest power in the province, exuding an aura that made everyone afraid to even breathe.

"Let me tell you! The umbrella Liu Ming received wasn't just his personal glory; it represented the face of our Jiangnan Provincial Committee!"

"If the people don't respect our cadres, that's the real danger! If all our cadres are like you, trying to suppress and exclude subordinates for fear of them becoming too powerful, then who will develop the economy of Jiangnan Province? Who will eradicate the root causes of poverty for the people?"

"Didn't you say someone was spreading rumors?"

Chu Tiankuo suddenly turned around, his gaze piercing Han Wenzheng.

"Investigate! Let the Provincial Public Security Bureau investigate! Find out who's stirring up trouble behind the scenes, trying to undermine the unity of our Provincial Party Committee! Trying to ruin the great situation we've worked so hard to achieve!"

"I'm putting my words right here."

Chu Tiankuo spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice low and powerful, as if he were proclaiming a final verdict.

"Comrade Liu Ming's work should not only not be transferred, but should be intensified! The authority granted by the reorganization should be further expanded!"

"As long as it benefits the people, as long as it can turn the economy around, Liu Ming can act first and report later!"

"If any major trouble occurs, I, Chu Tiankuo, will cover for him!"

"If anyone dares to engage in these underhanded tactics behind the scenes again..."

A fierce glint flashed in Chu Tiankuo's eyes.

"...Don't blame me for not showing any consideration for our long-time colleagueship; let him go to the Party History Museum to work on local chronicles ahead of schedule!"

In the conference room.

You could hear a pin drop.

Han Wenzheng slumped into his chair, his face deathly pale, his palms sweating profusely. He knew that his kick had struck the hardest steel plate in Jiangnan Province.

He knew it better than anyone else.

From this day forward, Liu Ming has completely connected with the highest levels of government in Jiangnan Province.

Sitting in the corner, Liu Ming looked at the provincial party secretary who was sheltering her from the storm, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

He originally thought...

At the pinnacle of power, there is only cold-blooded calculation and the exchange of interests.

But he didn't expect it.

This old Party Secretary, who has spent half his life navigating this industry, still possesses such a pure heart and extraordinary courage.

A scholar will die for one who understands him.

Liu Ming silently stubbed out the unlit cigarette in her hand.

he knows.

In the battles to come, he can fight even more fiercely and aggressively.

……

After the meeting.

All the other members of the Standing Committee had left, but Liu Ming was left behind by Chu Tiankuo.

The two stood by the window, looking down at the "Ten Thousand People's Umbrella" that still stood at the entrance of the National Development and Reform Commission.

"Little Liu, were you scared just now?" Chu Tiankuo regained his gentle demeanor and patted Liu Ming's shoulder with a smile.

"Secretary, that slap of yours probably gave Deputy Secretary Han a heart attack," Liu Ming joked.

"Hmph, those guys need to be taught a lesson."

Chu Tiankuo sighed, his eyes becoming deep and distant, as if he could see through the layers of mist surrounding the provincial capital.

"They only see your success, but they don't see the bloodshed behind your back, nor the hope you brought to these tens of millions of ordinary people."

"I'm getting old, and I'll retire in another two or three years. But the foundation of Jiangnan Province cannot be ruined in their hands."

He turned his head and carefully examined Liu Ming, his gaze both that of someone looking at a junior and that of someone looking at a comrade-in-arms about to embark on a long journey.

"Xiao Ming, do you know why I got so angry just now?"

"Secretary, you're just worried about me."

"Feeling sorry for you is one thing. But more importantly..."

Chu Tiankuo gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"I envy you."

"Back in the day, I was just like you, wanting to change the world on my own. Unfortunately, as time went on, my edges were worn away, and my courage waned."

He patted Liu Ming on the shoulder, his tone carrying an unprecedented sense of emotion and a hint of melancholy.

"Do a good job."

"Don't let the lively atmosphere of this compound corrupt your mind."

"I know you'll have to go back to the capital sooner or later."

"This pond in Jiangnan Province..."

Chu Tiankuo looked out the window at the vast sky and let out a long sigh.

"...It's still too small after all."

"I can't keep you, you... true dragon."

Liu Ming stared at the old Party Secretary's somewhat forlorn figure for a long time in silence.

He wasn't being pretentious.

There were no formalities.

He simply straightened his back, like a real soldier, and nodded slightly to the figure's back.

"Secretary, take care."

Done.

He turned around and strode out of the office.

His steps.

More determined than ever before.

because.

He could already hear it coming from further away... the sound of wind and thunder.