In name only: The land of Handong, I shall rule its fate.

The provincial party committee compound in Handong Province.

Police Chief Qi Tongwei drove to Courtyard No. 3 late at night.

He was too eager to improve.

Gao Yuliang was practicing calligraphy in his study, the tip of his brush hovering above the Xuan paper, a drop of ink about to fall.

"Tongwei, what's the matter that's so urgent?"

Hearing footsteps, Gao Yuliang asked without looking up.

"Teacher, news from the organization department."

Qi Tongwei could not hide his excitement: "Lin Zhiyuan, the deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, has been transferred to serve as the executive vice governor of Handong Province."

Gao Yuliang paused, his pen still.

The drop of ink finally fell, spreading into a dark cloud on the rice paper.

Gao Yuliang slowly put down his pen and turned around.

He was dressed in navy blue home clothes, with reading glasses perched on his nose, exuding the air of a refined scholar.

But the eyes behind the lenses were gleaming with a sharp light.

"Lin Zhiyuan..."

Gao Yuliang murmured the name, "I already know."

"Governor Liu has reached the age limit; he can only hold on for another six months at most."

Qi Tongwei leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Teacher, according to the unwritten rule, two high-ranking officials from the same province won't be parachuted in at the same time. Now that Lin Zhiyuan is here, what about the position of Provincial Party Secretary..."

Gao Yuliang waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more.

He certainly understands this implicit principle.

If both the provincial party secretary and the provincial governor are parachuted in from the central government, local factions will inevitably rebel.

Now that Lin Zhiyuan has taken the position of executive vice governor, he is clearly aiming for the governorship. According to convention, the position of provincial party secretary should be promoted from among the local cadres.

Gao Yuliang, the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee and secretary of the political and legal affairs commission, was a close associate of Zhao Lichun, the former leader, and was the most powerful competitor.

"I personally saw the recommendation letter from my former boss."

"Who in the entire Handong region is more suitable for that position than the teacher?"

Qi Tongwei carefully ground the ink for his teacher.

If a teacher becomes the provincial party secretary, how far away can his position as vice governor be?

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang's lips curled up slightly.

But it quickly subsided.

Gao Yuliang walked back to his desk, took out a document from the drawer, and found Lin Zhiyuan's resume:

He entered Peking University at the age of 14, graduated with a doctorate at the age of 20, and was admitted to the State Planning Commission at the same time. At the age of 22, he was transferred to a post outside the province and promoted to deputy director. At the age of 25, he became a director. At the age of 27, he became a deputy director-general. At the age of 29, he became a director-general. At the age of 31, he became the mayor of a provincial capital city. At the age of 35, he became the executive vice governor. At the age of 37, he was transferred to a lateral position. At the age of 39, he was transferred back to a ministry as a deputy director. Now, at the age of 41, he is about to be transferred to Handong.

A few thin pages, yet they weigh a ton.

"Tongwei, this Governor Zhiyuan is no ordinary man."

"A 31-year-old deputy provincial-level official, the youngest provincial-level leader in the country."

Gao Yuliang's voice was deep.

"His resume is impressive, but he has a nickname in the industry. Do you know what it is, teacher?"

Qi Tongwei leaned over to take a look, his expression complicated.

"Um?"

Gao Yuliang turned around and looked at his eldest disciple with curiosity; he really didn't know this.

"Leader of the Son-in-Law Gang!"

"He married Yan Lao's daughter when he was thirty, and the following year he was promoted to deputy provincial level."

A hint of undisguised jealousy flashed in Qi Tongwei's eyes.

Both were sons-in-law who married into their wives' families, but he proposed to Liang Lu, who was ten years older than him, in public on the playground of Handong. Later, he worked like a slave for the Zhao family before he became the current director of the Public Security Bureau.

But what about the other party?

Lin Zhiyuan achieved his long-desired deputy provincial-level position at the age of just over thirty.

How unfair! Just because Lin Zhiyuan's father-in-law is more capable than him?

Gao Yuliang did not respond.

He stared at the lines of text on the resume. It wasn't the first time he'd seen it, but the more he looked, the more alarmed he became.

Bamboo Forest Project, Logistics Project, Sky Eye Project, Online Project, One Belt, Multiple Projects... each project has left a deep economic imprint on the local area where it is governed.

Of course, the protection and support of Elder Yan were indispensable in this process.

"He's not on our level."

Gao Yuliang took off his reading glasses and rubbed his temples. "After being transferred to a local position, he was promoted almost every two years, each time by exceptions. That shows how many people had high hopes for him. His achievements can stand the test of time."

"Bamboo manufacturing in Nanshan City and logistics in Tianhu District, Negeri Sembilan, remain important economic pillars for the region."

Gao Yuliang walked to the window, gazing at the flickering lights in the provincial party committee compound, his voice becoming distant: "Rather than saying he became Elder Yan's son-in-law, it would be more accurate to say that Elder Yan chose him; the father-in-law and son-in-law complement each other."

Qi Tongwei's expression froze on his face, and he dared not say another word.

Old Yan was in charge of official hats.

He may not be able to decide whether someone can sit down, but he can decide whether you are qualified to sit at the table.

"Teacher, do you mean...?"

Qi Tongwei's upright posture bent down.

"The political landscape in Handong is about to change."

Gao Yuliang turned around, his eyes piercing. "Governor Zhiyuan is not Governor Liu. He is young and energetic, with plenty of time and energy. Even if I could get my wish, I could only serve one term at most."

"The Provincial Public Security Department is under the leadership of the Provincial Government, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and the Ministry, but only one person can decide whether you can be promoted. After Governor Zhiyuan arrives in Handong, remember to report to him as soon as possible."

Qi Tongwei swallowed.

Suddenly I felt a chill in the night breeze.

Tonight is long.

Lin Zhiyuan sat upright on the sofa, opposite an elderly man with gray hair and a thin face: Zhou Tingyuan, deputy minister of the organization department.

"Comrade Zhiyuan, you are already aware of the organization's decision."

Zhou Tingyuan's voice was gentle yet firm: "Your transfer to Handong as Executive Vice Governor is a decision made after careful consideration by the higher authorities."

"I see."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded. "Thank you for the organization's trust."

"Don't rush to thank me."

Zhou Tingyuan waved his hand, "The situation in Handong is rather complicated. Although Zhao Lichun has been gone for four years, the Zhao family gang's influence is deeply entrenched. Gao Yuliang from the Handong University gang, Li Dakang from the Secretary gang... these people are deeply entrenched, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences."

"Of course, the higher-ups didn't transfer you there to do these trivial and unpleasant tasks; that would be a waste of your talent. Handong is an important economic center, and the organization has only one requirement for you: the economy must not decline."

"Zhiyuan understands."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded solemnly.

"Mr. Wang wants to see you."

Zhou Tingyuan paused, his gaze suddenly sharpening.

Lin Zhiyuan felt a chill run down his spine.

It seems that the higher-ups' attitude towards Handong has indeed reached the point of urgent need for radical reform.

Ten minutes later.

Lin Zhiyuan stood in a simple office.

"Zhiyuan is here, please have a seat."

Mr. Wang was looking at a document when he saw him come in and waved him over.

His attitude was mild.

But Lin Zhiyuan knew that this old man had ruthless methods at his disposal.

"Handong's GDP has consistently ranked among the top three in the country."

Mr. Wang cut to the chase, "But in recent years, along with steady economic growth have come shocking levels of corruption, a flawed economic structure, lagging industrial transformation and upgrading... and problems in the south..."

"Everything has reached a point where it has to be dealt with."

Lin Zhiyuan listened quietly.

"I know your capabilities."

"I have only one request: stop doing the same thing as Hanjiang Province."

Mr. Wang put down the documents and looked directly at Lin Zhiyuan.

Lin Zhiyuan was silent for a moment.

Han River Province...

Four years ago, he was transferred from the position of Executive Vice Governor of Donghai Province to Hanjiang Province, where he faced a prosperous yet impoverished situation.

This led to the "One Belt, Multiple Plans" initiative, which mobilized the entire province to develop the provincial capital. It also attracted two major projects in energy and display screens, and GDP growth once soared to the forefront of the country. However, the cost was that other cities were drained of resources, the wealth gap widened, and opinions within the organization were divided, with some even jokingly referring to it as the "Power Bank Plan."

"President Wang, the economy of Hanjiang Province has taken off."

Lin Zhiyuan corrected.

"Yes, you've made the provincial capital's pie bigger, but what about the people below?"

Mr. Wang glared at the ignorant young man and said with a wry smile, "But I have no face to go back to Jiangdong and face my fellow villagers. I'm afraid the people will beat me up!"

Silence fell over the office.

Lin Zhiyuan knew that President Wang's criticism was correct.

The "One Belt, Multiple Countries" plan did have problems, but he doesn't regret it.

At that juncture, what Hanjiang Province needed was a breakthrough, a bright spot that could give the central government hope. As for the side effects, they could only be gradually absorbed in subsequent developments.

"Mr. Wang, Handong and Hanjiang are different."

After careful consideration, Lin Zhiyuan said, "The Han River region is poor and needs to concentrate resources on a decisive battle. The Handong region is wealthy, and I will not bring the Han River approach there."

"Have you got an idea?"

Mr. Wang asked curiously.

"After receiving the notification during the day, I made a plan."

Mr. Wang stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "You're the kind of person who always has to make a plan, no matter where you go."

"Planning is my life."

Lin Zhiyuan smiled too.

"Okay, let's go home."

Mr. Wang stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Remember to talk to your dad when you get back."