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

Two years later, it was early winter in the city.

The ginkgo trees lining the street had all shed their leaves, leaving bare branches pointing straight to the sky, exuding a desolate atmosphere.

The National Development and Reform Commission building was as busy as ever. But in a few offices on the upper floors, there was an unusually eerie calm.

"Have you heard? Director Liu is about to make a move."

In the smoking room at the end of the corridor, several department heads were exchanging information in hushed tones and in a mysterious manner.

"How could that be! He's only thirty-two years old, and has just completed two years in his vice-ministerial position. And in those two years, from the mass production of lithography machines to the financial war in Shanghai, he's been responsible for everything, from the biggest problems to the biggest ones. How could the higher-ups easily touch such a crucial national official?"

"It's because he's too ruthless." A director wearing black-rimmed glasses exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes revealing three parts awe and seven parts fear. "Haven't you seen the recent internal reports? In the two years he's been at the National Development and Reform Commission, he's cleaned out all those corrupt officials who take bribes and those old fogies who hold positions without doing their jobs. This knife is too fast, it's frighteningly fast."

"You mean, the higher-ups are going to promote him in name only, but demote him in reality, and marginalize him?"

"Shh! Are you out of your mind!" The man with the black-rimmed glasses quickly covered his colleague's mouth in fright, looked around, and said, "How dare you say such things? I mean, the central government probably feels that this 'sharp knife' is no longer useful in the ministry and wants to let him go out and truly guard a region."

A high-ranking official in charge of a region.

As soon as those four words were uttered, the smoking room fell silent instantly, with only the faint sound of cigarettes burning remaining.

Everyone knows that being transferred from a ministry to a local government is not marginalization, but a necessary step to enter the core of power! Only by accumulating comprehensive governance experience at the local level, proving that one can not only engage in science and technology and financial warfare, but also manage the complex ecology of people's livelihood and officialdom, can one truly be qualified to reach the top.

But he's only thirty-two years old.

At this moment, Liu Ming was sitting behind a large mahogany desk, quietly looking at the official document in her hand.

The document's header bore the unmistakable, bright red seal of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

"Comrade Liu Ming is proposed to be appointed as a senior leader in Shanghai."

This is more than just an appointment.

This is a death warrant, but also an entry ticket to the pinnacle of power.

Shanghai, the leading of China's four municipalities directly under the central government, is a major economic power and a deep-seated area where various forces are deeply entrenched. Historically, the city's Party Secretary has always been a high-ranking official or a senior ministerial-level figure with extensive experience.

And now, the superiors have actually handed this position over to a 32-year-old young man.

"Tap, tap, tap."

A knock sounded at the door, and Minister Zhou pushed it open and walked in. This veteran leader, who had spent his entire career at the National Development and Reform Commission, looked at Liu Ming with an extremely complex expression—a mixture of reluctance and relief.

"Xiao Liu, have you seen the notice?" Minister Zhou sat down opposite Liu Ming and sighed. "To be honest, I'm really feeling very uneasy."

"Minister Zhou, are you reluctant to see me go?" Liu Ming put down the documents, smiled slightly, and personally poured a cup of tea for his old leader.

"Bullshit!" Minister Zhou took the teacup, laughed and cursed, "You've turned the whole National Development and Reform Commission upside down these past two years. The families of those officials you investigated have been coming to my office door crying every day. Now that you're gone, this old man can finally get a good night's sleep."

Despite this, a deep sense of worry flashed in Minister Zhou's eyes.

"But Xiao Liu, Shanghai is not like a ministry." He lowered his voice, his tone becoming more serious than ever before. "In a ministry, we talk about policies and data. But Shanghai is a place where real battles are fought."

"The waters there run too deep; the vested interests are deeply entrenched. Your financial counterattack in Haishi two years ago, while it repelled the foreign capital, also severely offended the local bullies. They'll definitely try to trip you up this time."

"I know." Liu Ming picked up her teacup, blew on the floating tea leaves, and looked as calm as a deep pool. "I went there this time to catch snakes."

"You've got that stubborn streak, never one to bend," Minister Zhou shook his head. "But the higher-ups dared to send you, this knife, to Haishi because they value your ruthlessness. Remember, once you get there, don't worry about any complicated networks of relationships; anything that threatens their interests, chop it down mercilessly!"

"Don't worry, Commander Zhou, my blade, Liu Ming's blade, never strikes the nameless."

Just then, the red secure phone on the table suddenly rang.

Liu Ming answered the phone, and Lin Lao's strong voice came through the receiver.

"Xiao Liu, did you receive the transfer order?"

"Received, Mr. Lin."

"How are you feeling? Do you feel like the burden is too heavy, making it hard to breathe?" The old man chuckled on the other end of the phone, clearly in a good mood.

Liu Ming stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looked at the gray sky outside, and a sharp smile appeared on her lips.

"Whether it's heavy or not, we'll only know after we lift it. But Mr. Lin, you've really given me a big problem this time. Those people in Haishi are probably trying to find out my preferences right now, preparing to set a trap for me."

"Hahaha!" Boss Lin laughed. "If they weren't digging a pit, what would they need you for, 'Shura'? Let me tell you, although Haishi's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, it has also bred a large number of parasites under the banner of 'reform.' They not only monopolize the economy but also form cliques in politics. The central government's intention is very clear: they're sending you there to break the deadlock!"

"Mr. Lin, if I were to smash this big pot in Haishi, could you cover for it?" Liu Ming asked half-jokingly.

"Don't try to trick me!" Old Lin sneered. "Go ahead and do your job. As long as it's for the country and the people, even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you! Remember, you're a national hero, not a politician. A national hero must have the responsibility and integrity of a national hero!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Ming turned around, looked at the transfer order, and her eyes instantly became incredibly sharp.

That afternoon, the appointment by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee was simultaneously released on major official media outlets.

"Comrade Liu Ming has been appointed as a senior leader in Shanghai."

This short sentence was like a nuclear bomb, instantly igniting the entire political and business world of China!

"A 30-year-old high-ranking leader, a 32-year-old high-ranking regional official! That's like they're being promoted by a rocket!"

"Shanghai is a municipality directly under the central government! Every secretary in the past has been a mature and prudent man over sixty. If Liu Ming goes there, can he keep those old foxes in check?"

"What do you know! The higher-ups are determined to crack down on Haishi! Who is Liu Ming? He's a ruthless character who dares to stand up to even the West! Those local bullies in Haishi are going to be in deep trouble this time!"

Online, discussions about Liu Ming are everywhere. Some admire her, some are worried, and some are secretly sneering.

Meanwhile, inside the municipal party committee building in Haishi, a building that symbolized power, the atmosphere was oppressively suffocating.

Shanghai Mayor's Office.

Mayor Zhao Dehan, a local official who has been deeply rooted in Haishi for twenty years, is watching the news broadcast on TV with a gloomy face.

He is fifty-eight years old this year. He originally thought that after the old secretary retired, he would naturally take over as the top leader. But who would have thought that someone would suddenly appear out of nowhere and snatch the throne he had been dreaming of.

"Mayor Zhao, this kid doesn't seem to have any good intentions."

Sitting on the sofa were the heads of several of Haishi's largest local companies. Each of them was worth billions and wielded considerable influence in Haishi, yet they all wore worried expressions.

"What's there to be afraid of?" Zhao Dehan sneered, picked up the purple clay teapot on the table, took a sip, and his eyes flashed with a sinister light. "This is Haishi, not the city, and certainly not his little Development and Reform Commission. Even if he's a dragon, once he's in this Panlong River, he'll have to coil up obediently!"

"But he managed to bring down a big tiger like Liang Qunfeng in the city..." A wealthy businessman wiped away his cold sweat.

"Liang Qunfeng brought this upon himself by colluding with foreign capital." Zhao Dehan slammed down the purple clay teapot. "In Haishi, we're focused on economic development and GDP! Without us, Haishi's economy would be paralyzed! No matter how arrogant Liu Ming is, does he dare to arrest us all?"

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the bustling Bund night view, and spoke in a chilling tone.

"Pass the word: when this young 'Judge Liu' arrives, prepare a grand gift for him. I want him to know who really calls the shots in Haishi!"

In the city, Liu Ming's courtyard house.

It was late at night, and Xi Wanqing was helping Liu Ming pack her luggage.

She glanced at the rows of dark suits in the wardrobe, paused slightly, and asked softly, "How many people are you taking with you to Haishi this time?"

"We're not bringing anyone except Tank and a few others." Liu Ming wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on her neck. "Traveling light is the best way to find out their situation."

"Hai City is different from other places. The people there are very xenophobic." Xi Wanqing turned around, straightened his collar, and looked at him with worry in her eyes. "Going there this time is like venturing into a tiger's den alone."

"So what if it's a tiger's den?" Liu Ming took her hand, kissed it, and his eyes were incredibly deep in the dim light. "Two years ago, when I proposed to you here, I said I would even dare to break through the heavens."

"If those tigers in Haishi dare to block my way, I'll turn this place upside down for them!"