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

Since that night that caused such a huge upheaval.

Hou Liangping lived in constant fear, as if standing on the edge of an abyss. He got up earlier than the chickens and went to bed later than the dogs every day, all in an effort to atone for his crimes.

Like today, it's not even eight o'clock yet.

Hou Liangping had already sat down obediently in his seat.

"Ryoping, come in with me."

The second person to arrive was none other than Qin Siyuan, the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, who gave a low shout in the corridor.

"Okay, Director Qin."

Hou Liangping's face drained of color; his verdict was finally about to be delivered.

"Um?"

Qin Siyuan looked at the mischievous boy who pushed open the door and gave him a strange look. "Are you sick? You look terrible!"

"No! Chief!"

Hou Liangping looked like a little monkey who had done something wrong, his hands neatly placed on his stomach, as if waiting for his punishment.

"hehe!"

Qin Siyuan grinned. Even the Monkey King, who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, had a day when he was afraid.

That makes sense!

The leaders Hou Liangping met that night were people he wouldn't normally be qualified to meet, let alone someone as lowly as a division chief. In the end, Zhong Mingde had to grab him by the collar and take him back.

"The Party Group held a meeting and, taking into account the opinions of the National Energy Administration, made new arrangements for your appointment."

Qin Siyuan deliberately dragged out his tone, watching with amusement every moment of fear on Hou Liangping's face. This kid used to rely on the Zhong family's power and often disobeyed his orders, acting arrogantly.

"Director Qin, I really haven't seen it..."

Hou Liangping wanted to argue, but he was abruptly interrupted before he could speak.

"After deliberation by the Party Committee, it has been decided to remove Comrade Hou Liangping from his post as Director of the First Investigation Division of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Supreme People's Procuratorate. Comrade Hou has a firm political stance, outstanding professional competence, and excellent discipline and law enforcement style. He is now being transferred to the position of Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate."

Qin Siyuan shoved a transfer document into the hands of Hou Liangping, who was still dumbfounded and hadn't come to his senses yet.

"Director Qin, I wasn't disciplined, and I was even promoted?"

Hou Liangping himself found it unbelievable, after all, he had clearly felt the anger of the leaders that day, which was why he had been behaving himself lately.

"This is a decision made by the college committee."

Qin Siyuan gave a cold snort with an ambiguous meaning, "If you are unwilling to accept it and insist on a disciplinary decision, I can talk to Prosecutor Cao."

"No, no, no!"

"Thank you so much. It must be because you, Director Qin, withstood the pressure for me that Prosecutor Cao and the other leaders were able to trust me."

Hou Liangping's fear gradually faded, leaving only excitement and exhilaration at his promotion, but the sight of it on his sallow face was truly unsightly.

"Alright!"

A hint of relief appeared in Qin Siyuan's eyes. Finally, this unruly Buddha was gone. It was truly a moment to celebrate.

But the necessary warnings still need to be given:

"Mr. Zhong asked me to pass on a message to you: this is the last time he and Xiao Ai will cover for you."

What does that mean?

Are Xiao Ai and her father-in-law abandoning him?

Hou Liangping's joy froze on his face, and he looked even uglier.

"We've arrived in Handong."

"Observe and learn more, and be less reckless, especially towards Secretary Sha Ruijin, who has just taken office in Handong. You must always show him respect."

Qin Siyuan patted Hou Liangping on the shoulder encouragingly, "And Lin Zhiyuan, the former director of the National Development and Reform Commission, is now serving as the executive vice governor of Handong."

"He's a man who values ​​rules and procedures. Don't bring your Beijing-style way of doing things back with you."

The last two sentences are the truth.

This is the final ripple of an old leader's treatment of his incompetent subordinates.

"Alright."

Qin Siyuan waved his hand, "You're going to take up your post in Handong in a couple of days, and you're not feeling well, so go back and rest."

I walked out of the office in a daze.

Hou Liangping seemed to slowly come back to life, took out his phone and called Zhong Xiaoai, "Hey, Xiaoai..."

The phone rang for more than ten seconds before it was answered.

But her voice was immediately drowned out by Zhong Xiaoai's, which sounded undeniably weary: "Your appointment notice has arrived?"

Hmm? Xiao Ai knows?

Hou Liangping was suddenly overjoyed. Did this mean that things weren't as serious as he had imagined?

"Once you're in Handong, listen carefully to Secretary Sha's instructions."

Zhong Xiaoai gave her instructions.

"Secretary Sha?"

Hou Liangping nodded. He was somewhat reckless and disregarded procedures due to the Zhong family's influence, but he still had enough respect for a high-ranking official.

"Xiao Ai, it seems that Director Lin is also in Handong."

Hou Liangping said.

Zhong Xiaoai had repeatedly warned him not to offend this person easily.

"Keep your distance!"

Zhong Xiaoai's answer was only four words: "Don't let yourself easily become a victim of their power struggle. Find the right balance. Bring Haoran to your parents' place tonight. Dad has something to tell you."

Kyoto University, more than ten kilometers away.

Wu Chunlin, a righteous and stern man from Handong, charmed the old principal in his office, leaving him completely bewildered. "Teacher, do you still have any students who haven't yet found employment?"

"Our Handong is lacking talented young people like our juniors for its development. Could you ask around for me? We'll take care of any number of them."

"Give them official positions and work units!"

It's only the end of October, and there are only about four months left until graduation season. Even among Peking University students, there must be a small number who haven't planned their future yet.

The staffing quota in Handong is quite popular among Peking University students.

"What type do you want? How many?"

The old headmaster opened his eyes contentedly and asked.

"Teacher, please take a look."

Wu Chunlin put down his hands that were massaging his shoulders, pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his suit pocket, and spread it out in front of him. It was a huge pile of papers, with people from administrative management, computer science, and civil engineering, but mostly from various technical personnel.

"What do you Handong need so many people for?"

The old headmaster narrowed his eyes, sensing something was amiss, and looked sternly at this unworthy disciple.

Yes, the last disciple!

The teacher-student relationship between the two is genuine; otherwise, Wu Chunlin wouldn't have chosen his alma mater as his first target after lingering in Beijing for so long.

"Great development!"

Wu Chunlin looked like he was about to cry, and said hesitantly, "You don't know, Lin Zhiyuan is a scoundrel. He wants to build a new energy and government affairs platform in Jingzhou, and a smart city and high-end precision manufacturing in Luzhou. These are all professional laboratories and require countless professionals."

"This is still planned; he intends to visit every one of the thirteen cities in Handong."

"My life is so miserable!"

"Teacher, you must help me."

As they talked...

Wu Chunlin's knees buckled, and he was about to kneel down.

"You unfilial disciple!"

The old principal grabbed Wu Chunlin's arm impatiently. After all, Wu was a vice-ministerial level cadre. If he were really made to kneel down, what would become of his own reputation?

"What kind of place is Kyoto University?!"

"The unemployment rate for undergraduates four months after graduation is less than 3%, and for master's and doctoral students it is 1%. Most of them have their own plans, and I estimate that only 20 or 30 people are truly interested in finding employment."

"That's not enough for your needs!"

The old principal already had the data in mind, and stated it frankly.