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

"dad!"

On his way back, Sha Ruijin dialed the phone number of his father-in-law, Qin Lao.

"What kind of trouble have they gotten themselves into this time?"

Old Qin's tone was full of anger as he launched into a tirade, "Can't you guys in Handong behave yourselves for a few days? If you, as the provincial party secretary, really can't control the people under you, I think you should stop wasting your time and just come back to retire."

"no!"

The rat poison was helpless; he hadn't even said anything yet, so how could his father-in-law be so sure that something had happened to him again?

"Nothing happened?"

The voice coming from the microphone was one of disbelief and utter distrust from Old Qin.

"Dad, I want Senmei's project to be located in Handong!"

The gerbil poison was abandoned, and the purpose was stated directly.

"Now is not a good time."

Old Qin hesitated. It was a huge project with a total investment of over 10 billion Lighthouse Coins. It was a major achievement project that they had worked hard for for years, intending to help Sha Ruijin make a final decision. It was also the last glimmer of their lineage.

But now…

Handong is a mixed bag, with the provincial government faction, represented by Lin Zhiyuan, holding absolute dominance. Once the Senmei project is implemented in Handong, most of the credit will be divided up.

"We can't wait any longer."

Sha Ruijin said anxiously, "After Lin Zhiyuan's repeated attacks, the higher-ups won't have a good impression of me. If this continues, before our plan even starts, I'll be squeezed out of Handong."

What a good-for-nothing!

Old Qin angrily retorted, "I need to think about it some more."

"dad!"

Sha Ruijin became extremely anxious. "Are you going to leave the Senmei project to your younger brother?"

"What utter nonsense are you spouting!"

Old Qin, as if he'd been stepped on, roared angrily, "I said this project was reserved for you, and it really was. But you've made a mess of things yourself! What good will you get if the Senmei project falls through?!"

The phone call was abruptly ended.

As Sha Ruijin listened to the busy tone coming from the receiver, his face showed disbelief, astonishment, and a lingering fear.

The little white car in the passenger seat was trembling, truly regretting that it had been born with a pair of ears.

"I need to go back to the provincial party committee compound to see Tong Li."

Sha Ruijin roared, looking like a ghost abandoned in an endless wilderness.

"Tong Li, come in with me."

As soon as Sha Ruijin returned to his office floor, he saw Tong Li waiting outside.

"Secretary Sha, calm down!"

After hearing the whole story, Tong Li quickly comforted the boss who was on the verge of collapse.

"calm?"

"How can I stay calm!"

Sha Ruijin grabbed the thermos from the table and smashed it towards the door with a loud crash, roaring in a hoarse voice, "He's already abandoning me before I even fall! He's abandoning me!"

"It was clearly Han Dong who asked me to come here."

Tong Li remained silent, cleaning up the tea leaves and cups on the ground, letting Sha Ruijin vent his anger.

You can't reason with someone who's angry.

And to be honest, he actually quite understood Old Qin's thinking. If one doesn't work out, then cultivate another. After all, he's not his biological son, but there's nothing he can do...

His only boss is Secretary Sha.

"Tong Li, tell me your thoughts."

Sure enough, he gradually calmed down, but it was clear that he was only forcibly suppressing it, and the flesh on his face was trembling slightly.

"Are you sure about Elder Qin's thoughts?"

Tong Li didn't answer but asked a question instead.

"No son-in-law is as close as a son."

Sha Ruijin sighed.

Judging from how Qin Lao addressed Lin Zhiyuan and Hou Liangping as "son-in-law," he knew that this adoptive father and father-in-law had never truly respected him.

It's just that my brother-in-law hasn't grown up yet.

We need to go through him, our son-in-law, for a while to make it work.

Why did Secretary Sha suddenly come up with this idea?

Tong Li asked again.

"Firstly, the provincial government faction is pressing me step by step; secondly, when I visited a retired cadre today, Old Li's words enlightened me."

Sha Ruijin stated truthfully:

"To gain a foothold in Handong, we either need to suppress the problems and maintain the rapid economic development of Handong, or solve the problems and open up new growth points. Right now, Handong is full of people from the provincial government system, and there's nothing we can do."

"Then we can only introduce variables..."

"The huge investment in the Sammy project involves many aspects. While it will certainly contribute some of the profits, it is enough to allow me to settle down."

"As long as I can stand firm..."

"Today's Senmei project will be distributed, but Lin Zhiyuan's planning achievements will also be allocated to me. After all, I am the class monitor, and I can have more time to find Lin Zhiyuan's weaknesses."

Sha Ruijin explained his plan, but he was stuck at the first step, blocked by his father-in-law.

"Using one tiger to devour another!"

Tong Li uttered four words.

"Firstly, the Senmei project was not won by Qin Lao's family. It was the result of your adoptive fathers, Kang Lao, Yuan Lao, Tang Lao, and others. Everyone in the family wanted this huge achievement, but no one was willing to accept that someone else would take it. Only you, Secretary, are the most legitimate. You are the thread that connects all the families."

"If Elder Qin doesn't agree, you can talk to Elder Kang and the others again. The chances of Secretary Qin getting it are almost zero."

"If you still disagree..."

Tong Li's voice held a sinister undertone, "If Executive Director Lin finds out that we missed out on such a big project with Handong, won't he be angry?"

Sha Ruijin understood, but he became even more hesitant.

"But the consequences..."

Tong Li continued, "Old Qin will probably hate you, and we will lose our biggest support from above."

Compared to Elder Qin, Elder Kang and his group were ultimately of a lower caliber.

"I'll think about it."

Meanwhile, back at the provincial government building, Lin Zhiyuan, who had just returned, received a call from Li Weiguo. "Little Lin, we've made sure you've conveyed what you asked us to say to your squad leader, Sha."

"Thank you, Mr. Li."

Lin Zhiyuan's expression was strange. "Did you guys criticize Secretary Ruijin? He looked very unhappy when he came back."

"Young comrade, don't wrong us old folks."

Li Weiguo said with dissatisfaction, "Comrade Xiao Sha was very happy when he left us."

"It was my fault."

Lin Zhiyuan smiled apologetically, "I'll come over tonight to have a drink with you and Elder Chai."

"That works!"

Li Weiguo readily agreed.

Their meals were strictly controlled by the healthcare provider, but when Lin Zhiyuan came, it was an extra portion.

Looks like something's happened again.

But I didn't make a move either!

Lin Zhiyuan hung up the phone, his thoughts wandering. Could it be that Secretary Tian Guofu had made his move?

Bang bang bang!

There was a knock on the office door, and Xiao Gao pushed it open and entered: "Boss, Secretary Tian is here and says he has something to discuss with you."

Ok?

No, is this person the reincarnation of Cao Mengde? Why is it that every time I mention him, he comes to me immediately?

"Please invite Secretary Tian in and prepare some tea."

Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand helplessly.

"Executive Director Lin!"

Tian Guofu was all smiles and full of energy, as if he were radiating some kind of light. He also had a thick stack of documents in his hand that made people's scalps tingle and made them instinctively resist.

"Could you please take a look at these plans and see if there are any improvements needed?"