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

Qiu Tianhen's throat bobbed.

The sound that reached his ears had completely changed; it had become the whispers of a demon.

With such a perfect plan, what grounds can he possibly have to say no?

"Executive Director Lin, is it dangerous?"

Qiu Tianhen wasn't blinded by greed. After all, the case was initially intended to be handled by Hou Liangping, which turned out to be a complete trap.

"Don't you already know all this? Why are you asking me?"

Lin Zhiyuan rolled his eyes. "This project is so big, who knows who's backing it? If you agree to take it on, it means you'll be facing all the malice from the shadows."

"Including the possibility of death!"

The saying "profit breeds violence" is not just a saying.

"Think it through carefully."

Lin Zhiyuan's voice carried an unusual calmness, "Taking a gamble might endanger yourself and even your family."

"Don't underestimate their ferocity."

"You might not only be facing the dark muzzle of a gun, but also grenades and explosives."

"If we want to play it safe, then we should try to develop in the direction of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission."

After saying that.

Lin Zhiyuan didn't urge him, nor did he even look at the other person. Now, every move he made would be interpreted by Qiu Tianhen as a different kind of hint, thus disrupting his inner choices.

In the event of any unforeseen circumstances during the operation, everything that happened today could very well become the source of hatred.

That's not what Lin Zhiyuan wanted.

"Executive Director Lin, I agree."

Qiu Tianhen's decision came unexpectedly quickly, probably in less than a minute: "My son and daughter are both studying at Longgong University, so I don't need to worry about their safety."

"But my wife and both sets of parents are also there, so I'll have to trouble Executive Director Lin."

Lin Zhiyuan already knew about Qiu Tianhen's family background, which was a key factor in his proposal of this promotion plan.

No one else dared to get involved.

"Sure?"

Lin Zhiyuan patiently confirmed it again.

A word spoken is a word made!

An unnatural smile appeared on Qiu Tianhen's icy face, but his gaze remained firm.

"I am Lin Zhiyuan."

"Director Qi, could you please come to my office? Yes, right now."

Lin Zhiyuan dialed a number on the landline and spoke directly.

Director Qi?

Qiu Tianhen's first thought was Qi Tongwei, but he quickly realized it wasn't; Qi Tongwei was right outside.

And the only one whose name sounds the same as "department head" is that person.

About ten minutes later.

A faint commotion could be heard outside the office.

A burly man, no less imposing than Yang Wanli, knocked on the door and entered, exuding a sharp aura like a drawn sword.

Qiu Tianhen's eyes narrowed; it really was him!

Qi Feng, Director of the State Security Department.

"Executive Director Lin!"

Qi Feng gave a respectful salute.

As a special department of the state, the National Security Bureau must maintain its purity and be under the vertical leadership of higher authorities. Its financial and personnel powers are held by those higher authorities, not by the provincial level.

To be honest, someone at the level of executive vice governor is not qualified to receive special treatment from the State Security Bureau.

But then again.

The name of the Public Security Bureau of Handong Province implies that it is subject to the overall coordination of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, but the current Handong Provincial Party Committee is clearly under the control of Executive Director Lin.

"Comrade Qi Feng, please sit down."

Lin Zhiyuan got straight to the point: "Comrade Tianhen is about to carry out a dangerous mission that may involve strong retaliation from foreign infiltration forces. Therefore, I would like to ask the National Security Bureau to coordinate personnel to secretly protect Comrade Tianhen and his family."

Foreign infiltration? Retaliation?

Yes, yes, yes!

They are the evil foreign forces!

A distinct look of surprise appeared on Qiu Tianhen's perpetually icy face, but as if he had just thought of something, his expression suddenly changed.

When Qi Feng's suspicious gaze swept over, he only saw a worried expression on Qi Feng's face.

"May I ask what kind of mission it is?"

Qi Feng's suspicions only increased.

Although things have been quite turbulent since Executive Director Lin arrived in Handong, there has been no news of foreign forces, and there has never been any mission that required a vice governor to personally risk his life.

"Comrade Qi Feng, the mission is important and needs to be kept secret."

Lin Zhiyuan shook his head naturally, but then changed the subject, "But I can tell Comrade Qi Feng that the dangers Comrade Tianhen may face are not limited to kidnapping, car accidents, shootings, or even explosives."

The first three are okay.

Qi Feng's eyes lit up instantly after hearing that there were two explosives.

"How long does the protection period typically last?"

Qi Feng confirmed again.

This time, Lin Zhiyuan did not overstep his bounds and instead looked at Qiu Tianhen himself.

"At most one month."

Qiu Tianhen gave a specific timeframe, "but my family's protection will need to last for more than six months."

"good!"

Qi Feng nodded. "I will file a mission report with my superiors regarding this matter. If it is not rejected, the protection operation can begin tomorrow."

"However, Governor Qiu needs to coordinate all the travel plans with us and reduce unnecessary visits to other places."

The coordination is complete.

Qi Feng, true to his cold and aloof nature, simply left.

"Executive Director, I have one more thing to report."

Qiu Tianhen hesitated and said, "While Lu Yike and others were detained for investigation by the discipline inspection commission, some cadres within the procuratorate violated the confidentiality agreement and passed the information to Chen Hai."

This hesitation isn't due to a close relationship, but rather an unspoken rule—a rule of fighting without breaking down.

Now Chen Yanshi is in jail, Chen Shan has been discharged from the army, and Chen Yang has been demoted and returned to Handong.

It can be said that everyone else in the Chen family is useless.

If Chen Hai is sent in now, it will inevitably touch a nerve with some people and may become the fuse for a revenge war.

"Tell Secretary Sha this message. Um, it's getting late today, let's talk about it tomorrow morning."

Lin Zhiyuan glanced at his watch; it was already past ten o'clock. He decided to be kind and let the rat poison get a good night's sleep.

"Have any informants been found yet?"

"I also handed it over to Secretary Sha, to convey my message, and to handle it in accordance with the law and regulations."

Qiu Tianhen nodded to indicate that he understood.

This was a way for Secretary Sha to personally deal with his own people, and it was also a chilling warning to Chen Hai.

You only get one chance to be dishonest, but you'll pay the price for it this time too.

After Qiu Tianhen finished his work report, he saw that Li Dakang, the Overlord of Jingzhou, and Qi Tongwei, the Marquis of Handong, were deferring to each other, each saying that the other should go in first to report.

"Director Qi, Executive Director Lin wants to see you."

Qi Tongwei immediately stood up, straightened his wrinkled clothes, nodded to the two men, and strode into the office.

"Executive Director Lin..."

Qi Tongwei quickly stepped forward and saluted.

But Lin Zhiyuan remained silent for a long time, his eyes, bloodshot from exhaustion, fixed intently on the smug Director Qi.

"Lin... Executive Director Lin..."

Qi Tongwei's smile vanished instantly, and he called out again uneasily.

"You went to see Chen Yang?"

Lin Zhiyuan spoke, seemingly without meaning.

Three days ago, Chen Yang was transferred back to the provincial propaganda department, to work in the same department as Yan Yan.

Qi Tongwei's expression changed abruptly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Yes, Executive Director Lin."

"Comrade Chen Yang returned to Jingzhou after twenty years. She was inevitably unfamiliar with the place and the people. Out of consideration for our old classmate and local cadre relationship, I went to visit her."