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

The city is a place that never lacks rumors. But the wind these past two days has been unusually fierce.

In that city that represents the pinnacle of power and wealth, countless secret circles, private clubs, and even seemingly ordinary mansions are all buzzing with the name Liu Ming.

"Have you heard? The Lin family held a family banquet the night before last, and they even used the special-supply liquor they've been using for thirty years."

"Tsk tsk, this isn't a family banquet; it's a platform for the future successor!"

"What exactly is Liu Ming's background? A 30-year-old director-general at the provincial level—that's a once-in-a-lifetime achievement in the history of the National Development and Reform Commission."

"I don't know, I only heard that he was transferred from Jiangnan Province, and he just took down that old fox Luo Binwang. Some people say he's a distant relative of Elder Lin, and others say he's one of their children left behind... Heh, you know what I mean."

Rumors are like winged insects.

In this circle that values ​​background and seniority, Liu Ming's appearance was like a bombshell. It made these "golden children" born with silver spoons feel unprecedented pressure and... disdain.

……

Located on the East Second Ring Road in the city, is the "Jiudinghui" (Nine Cauldrons Club).

There was no signboard, no advertising, and only two tall, retired special forces soldiers guarding the entrance. Those who could get in were either surnamed Zhao or Lin, or possessed permits that could influence the nation's industrial development.

At this moment, the "Qiankun Hall" on the third floor of the club was filled with smoke, the aroma of fine Cuban cigars mixed with the fragrance of top-grade Pu'er tea.

A man in a gray silk robe was reclining on the sofa. He was toying with two jadeite galls, their surfaces completely green, in his hands. His eyelids were slightly drooping, as if he were dozing off, but the occasional flash of a cold gaze betrayed his inner turmoil.

His name is Zhao Ruihu.

Deputy Director of the High-Tech Industry Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, wielding real power.

He was also Zhao Ruilong's elder brother, whom Liu Ming personally sent to prison, and Luo Binwang's most secretive agent of interest in the city.

"Brother Tiger, say something!"

A young man in a floral shirt next to him couldn't contain himself any longer. He was a rich young master from a third-rate family in the city, and he usually made a living by relying on the Zhao family's connections.

"That Liu Mingming is going to report to the ministry early this morning. He's a director, your direct superior. From now on, he's probably going to take away our share of the high-tech industry."

Zhao Ruihu stopped what he was doing, and the crisp sound of the jade gall bladder striking the other end was particularly jarring in the quiet room.

"What's the rush?"

He slowly sat up, his gaze sweeping over the people present like a venomous snake, his voice hoarse and low.

"This city isn't Ningzhou. The rules here aren't established by fighting and killing. Although Elder Lin is powerful, he still has to maintain a balance. A thirty-year-old kid sitting in that position is a huge joke in itself."

"So we're just going to watch him pee on our heads?" But he completely rearranged everything. This score can't be settled like this!

"never mind?"

Zhao Ruihu sneered, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes.

"My younger brother is still in Qincheng Prison, and my uncle, Luo Binwang, is about to die. If I, Zhao Ruihu, were to 'let it go' with him, how would I ever face anyone in the city again?"

He stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the city's night view was bustling, with neon lights twinkling everywhere.

"Liu Ming is indeed capable. He understands economics, can fight battles, and has Old Lin backing him up. But working in a ministry requires more than just these things. It's a sophisticated machine where every gear has its own way of turning."

"He's some outsider, trying to take over the core hub as soon as he arrives? I'll make sure he can't even open the lid of this machine!"

Zhao Ruihu turned his head and waved to a man in the shadows.

"Go and send an invitation to our newly appointed 'Director Liu.' Tell him that several executives from the city's high-tech association would like to host a welcome dinner for him tomorrow night."

"The location will be 'Star-Picking Tower'."

The man in the shadows nodded slightly and quietly retreated.

The people in the hall were taken aback at first, then they all smiled knowingly.

The Star-Picking Tower.

That was the most famous "disciplinary rod" in the city.

Countless high-ranking officials, both exiled to remote regions and once arrogant and powerful, have lost face, even their official positions, in that building. The wine there has never been any good.

"Tiger, are you planning to give him a 'baptism of fire'?"

"No."

Zhao Ruihu sat back down on the sofa, picked up the two jade galls, and moved more quickly.

"I want him to understand that in this city, without us 'natives' lighting the fire, his lamp won't light up."

"Isn't he hailed as a peerless talent? Isn't he aiming for a breakthrough in chips and semiconductors?"

"At that banquet, I arranged for him to meet several real 'technical experts' and 'international specialists.' I wanted the whole city to see whether this young director was a real talent or just a pretty face with no substance."

……

At this moment, Liu Ming was sitting under the jujube tree in the courtyard.

He held in his hand the list that Old Chen had given him, which recorded the backgrounds and weaknesses of several ringleaders in the city's elite circles.

The moonlight shone on his face.

That calm and unhurried tranquility formed an extremely eerie contrast with the storm brewing over the city.

My phone vibrated.

An unfamiliar text message popped up.

[Director Liu: I admire your reputation. Let's meet at Zhaixinglou tomorrow night at 8 PM. Colleagues from the city's high-tech association will be waiting.]

Looking at the text on the screen, Liu Ming's lips curled into a wild yet confident smile.

He casually deleted the message.

"The Star-Picking Tower?"

He turned to look at Xi Wanqing, who was quietly brewing tea beside him.

"Wanqing, I heard that the Star-Picking Tower in the city offers the most beautiful view in the entire city?"

Xi Wanqing paused slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her clear, cold eyes.

"The scenery there is indeed beautiful. But the steps are also very high. Many people try to climb them, but they all end up falling badly."

Liu Ming burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the empty alley.

He stood up, stretched, and his bones crackled and popped.

"Whether you fall badly or not depends on how hard the step is."

He gazed at the dark clouds surging across the northern horizon, his eyes burning with two chilling flames of war.

"Let's go home and get some sleep. We have to report for duty tomorrow."

"I can't wait to wade through this stagnant water in the city."

Night was falling.

A bloody manhunt for the newly appointed director has begun in the top-tier clubhouse called "Star-Picking Pavilion".

Zhao Ruihu sat in the darkness, muttering to himself:

"Liu Ming, how will you thank me for this 'meeting gift' I gave you tomorrow?"