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

In the late autumn of Beijing, the wind carried a knife-like chill, but inside the National Development and Reform Commission building, it was as hot as a boiler about to explode.

A Hongqi sedan with a special license plate was parked steadily at the entrance. The door opened, and several officers in sharp suits filed in.

The leader was clutching a sealed document bag tightly in his hand. Anyone with a discerning eye could immediately recognize it as a vehicle belonging to the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the document bag contained a transfer order that could rewrite the fate of countless people.

The air in the entire building seemed to freeze instantly, followed by an uncontrollable murmur that spread like a tide through the corridors.

"They're here, they've finally arrived."

"This commotion is probably even bigger than the last time the Zhao family fell from power."

"Nonsense, Geneva just signed the agreement. How much has that saved the nation's fortune? Add to that the battle on the border, the credit is so great it's almost impossible to hide it."

Liu Ming was sitting in his office, a cup of now-cold green tea in front of him. He was calm, even somewhat nonchalant. Last night, Old Master Lin had called, chuckling on the phone and saying only four words: "Well deserved."

A knock came at the door.

Minister Zhou from the National Development and Reform Commission personally led two comrades from the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China into the room. Minister Zhou's old face wore a complex expression, showing relief, amazement, and even a hint of jealousy that he tried hard to conceal.

"Comrade Liu Ming, comrades from the Organization Department of the Central Committee want to talk to you." Minister Zhou's voice was a little hoarse as he stepped aside to make way for her.

Director Zhang, who was leading the group, walked up to Liu Ming with a serious expression. Without exchanging many pleasantries, he directly opened the red-headed document bag.

"Based on the decision made by the Central Committee," Director Zhang's deep and resonant voice echoed in the small office, "Comrade Liu Ming is appointed as Vice Chairman and Party Member of the National Development and Reform Commission."

He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Liu Ming's excessively young face.

"Administrative rank: Vice-ministerial level."

With a loud bang!

Although there were only four people in the office, those outside the door, who were holding their breath, seemed to hear a loud thud as if a heavy object had fallen to the ground.

Thirty years old.

At the age of thirty, Liu Ming, a deputy ministerial-level official with real power, was directly promoted to deputy director, a feat that was unprecedented in the history of Chinese politics since the founding of the People's Republic of China. However, he is the first person to hold such a powerful position in such a crucial department.

"Director Liu, congratulations." Director Zhang extended his hand, his serious expression finally softening into a complex smile. "The appointment will be announced internally soon. This is a description of your responsibilities."

He handed over a piece of paper, on which it was clearly written: In charge of high-tech industries, international cooperation, and national strategic resource reserves.

This isn't a promotion; it's practically handing the nation's lifeline directly into the hands of this thirty-year-old man.

"Thank you for the organization's trust." Liu Ming stood up, shook hands, and did so crisply and decisively.

His eyes remained unfathomably deep, devoid of elation or smugness, only possessing a reassuring composure. This composure sent a chill down the spines of the veteran bureaucrats present. This was no thirty-year-old lad; he was clearly a cunning old fox.

Minister Zhou walked over, patted Liu Ming heavily on the shoulder, and said with a wry smile, "You kid, I've seen plenty of geniuses in my life, but none have risen to the top like a rocket. Liu, a 30-year-old vice minister, you've really slapped the faces of us old guys in the face."

"Minister Zhou, you flatter me. I just happened to be in a good period." Liu Ming smiled modestly and picked up the teapot to pour tea for the guests.

"No, Director Liu, you can't just drink this tea anymore." Minister Zhou waved his hand and pointed outside. "Once the announcement is made, your door will probably be overwhelmed with requests. High technology and international cooperation—those two areas are full of gold nuggets. Those old foxes are probably searching all over Beijing for your preferences right now."

Director Zhang nodded in agreement: "Yes, Director Liu, you're in charge of these two areas, so the pressure is immense. Especially in the area of ​​high technology, we're currently at odds with the Americans, the responsibility on your shoulders is as heavy as Mount Tai."

Liu Ming put down the teapot and turned her gaze to the window. There lay Chang'an Avenue, bustling with traffic, but beneath the glitz and glamour lurked undercurrents.

"High pressure is a good thing. Only those who can withstand pressure can go further." Liu Ming turned his head and said calmly, "Since the organization has entrusted me with this position, I have to make certain people understand that what belongs to China is not so easy to take."

The conversation ended quickly, less than ten minutes after the people from the Organization Department of the Central Committee left.

A brief announcement has quietly appeared on the official website of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Without any prior warning or preparation, it simply crashed into the deep waters of Chinese politics.

"Liu Ming, male, 30 years old, serves as Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (vice-ministerial level)..."

In an instant, all the telephones in all the government compounds, all the courtyards with red walls, and even the homes of retired cadres in Beijing rang urgently at the same time.

"Feeding? Did you see the announcement? Yes, thirty years old, deputy ministerial level!"

"Investigate! Investigate Liu Ming's background! Two PhDs from Tsinghua University? Or is he from 'Dragon Fang' who came back? Hiss..."

"This is insane, absolutely insane. How did this appointment even pass? No one objected?"

"Oppose it? What makes you object? If you were to sign that Geneva agreement, could you get back the F-119 technology? If you were to guard that mining area on the border, could you hold it?"

Haishi, Ningzhou, and Qingyun County.

Countless people stared in disbelief at their computer screens in the places where Liu Ming had once fought.

Inside the Ningzhou Municipal Party Committee building, Senior Brother Lu Chen stared at the public notice in silence for a full half hour before finally uttering, "Junior Brother, are you trying to reach for the heavens?"

In that quiet courtyard, Lin Xiaoxiao was excitedly jumping around while holding her phone.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Liu Ming has become a vice minister! A vice minister at the age of thirty!"

Old Lin sat in his rocking chair, not even lifting his eyelids, and simply snorted lightly, "Making a fuss over nothing. That brat's abilities are wasted on a vice-ministerial position. His talent has only just been honed."

At 8 p.m., Liu Ming walked out of the building.

At the entrance, the Dragon Fang brothers had been waiting for a long time. Tank looked at Liu Ming, chuckled, and shouted gruffly, "Boss, shouldn't we call you Deputy Minister Liu this time?"

"Screw you, calling me 'Boss' sounds much better." Liu Ming climbed into the car, wearily rubbing her temples. "This place is burning hot."

As Tank started the engine, he glanced at Liu Ming in the rearview mirror and said, "What are you afraid of? If anyone dares to reach out, we'll chop off their hand."

"Don't say things like that again." Liu Ming looked at the lights rushing past the window, her eyes gradually turning cold. "Now I'm sitting on the table playing with them. The rules have changed, and so have the methods."

"So where should we go to celebrate now? Boss Nangong has already booked a table at the club."

"I'm not going to the clubhouse." Liu Ming shook her head. "I'm going to Elder Lin's place. This magnitude 12 earthquake has only just begun; I need to go and avoid the turmoil."

Tank paused for a moment, then chuckled, "That's true. I bet the line of people wanting to treat you to dinner could stretch from Chang'an Avenue all the way to the Fifth Ring Road."

Liu Ming looked at the dozens of unanswered messages on her phone, one of which was from Xi Wanqing.

In short, three simple words: Take care of your health.

He smiled and was about to call back when his phone vibrated violently again. It was an unfamiliar number from Beijing.

"Hello, who is this?"

An aged yet authoritative voice came from the other end of the phone: "Director Liu, congratulations. I'm the old man from the Zhao family. Would you do me the honor of having a cup of tea tomorrow?"

Liu Ming's eyes darkened, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"Mr. Zhao, your information is really well-informed. But unfortunately, I have to go to the Ministry of Science and Technology tomorrow to discuss special funding for lithography machines, so I'm afraid we won't be able to have tea together."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Ming tossed her phone onto the chair.

"Boss, who is it?"

"An old fogey who hasn't given up yet." Liu Ming sneered. "They haven't realized that their era has completely turned the page."