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

Inside a luxurious room.

Awakened by his phone ringing, Zhao Ruilong impatiently pushed aside the two women entwined around him, picked up the phone, and held it to his ear without even looking at the caller ID. "Who is it! So noisy this early in the morning."

"Zhao Ruilong, where the hell are you?"

A cold, domineering female voice entered Zhao Ruilong's ears through the microphone. As if awakened by some instinct, he shuddered, all sleepiness gone. His initial irritation was replaced by fawning and a hint of fearful obsequiousness. "Second...Second Sister, what happened?"

"After the Dafeng Factory incident, the Handong Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government have investigated and located the Handong Oil and Gas Group. Liu Xinjian and Ding Yizhen have both been detained."

"The next target is very likely to be the Shanshui Group. You go back to Handong immediately and contact Gao Yuliang and Li Dakang, especially Li Dakang. Find out his current attitude."

Zhao Xiaohui's tone left no room for argument.

"Handong Oil and Gas? Liu Xinjian!"

Even Zhao Ruilong, who was utterly ignorant, realized something was wrong. "That traitor Li Dakang went to investigate Liu Xinjian? And he even wants to investigate my Shanshui Group? How dare he do that?"

"Li Dakang was involved."

"But the one in charge is the newly arrived executive vice president, Lin Zhiyuan! This person has a very deep background. When you return to Handong, don't confront him head-on, or even your father can't protect you."

"There's such a powerful figure in Handong?"

Zhao Ruilong's small eyes revealed intense disbelief.

"Lin Zhiyuan became a vice-provincial leader at the age of 31."

Zhao Xiaohui didn't say much, but her words clearly revealed the other party's abilities and connections.

"Three... thirty-one years old... deputy minister?"

Zhao Ruilong stammered a bit as he spoke. When did he, Zhao Ruilong, become so powerful? It was only when his father, Zhao Lichun, became the Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee, which is a vice-ministerial level position!

"Second sister, I understand."

Even if the business deal falls through, we can still be on good terms. I'll definitely flatter him and make sure he's completely satisfied.

Zhao Ruilong immediately made a guarantee.

He may be arrogant, but he's still a young master from a powerful family, and he understands all too well what Lin Zhiyuan represents: a ladder to heaven! A ladder to heaven that's faster and straighter than his father Zhao Lichun's!

Once you're associated with this kind of person, it's a guarantee for ten or even several decades.

Not only will the leader rise rapidly in rank, but it's also possible that while subordinates retire, the leader will still be promoted, and will not have reached his peak yet.

"Second sister, when am I coming back?"

Zhao Ruilong asked.

"Right now, immediately. The plane tickets are already bought. Go straight to the airport."

Zhao Xiaohui hung up the phone.

Looking at the old man sitting in the main seat, he was tall and slender with a square face, giving people a friendly feeling at first glance, but his narrow eyes revealed a bit of shrewdness and sharpness.

"Dad, will sending Ruilong back now cause problems?"

Zhao Xiaohui felt somewhat uneasy.

Although Zhao Ruilong spoke sweetly and readily agreed on the phone, that person has a mental problem and can turn good things into bad things. He's just my own younger brother, so I have no choice but to spoil him.

"I sent Ruilong back because he's unreliable."

Zhao Lichun nodded.

"Um?"

Zhao Xiaohui was puzzled.

"Xiao Hui, I've been here for almost four years. According to the usual practice, I should either be promoted to a higher position or step down completely, but the organization hasn't spoken to me yet."

"I'm afraid I'm being watched, and so is Handong."

A deep weariness was visible on Zhao Lichun's resolute face.

"Are you referring to Lin Zhiyuan, or Sha Ruijin?"

Zhao Xiaohui frowned.

"Naturally, it's those old guys behind Sha Ruijin."

Zhao Lichun replied without the slightest hesitation.

At his level, how could he not see who the enemy is? "Lin Zhiyuan's strength and background are undeniable; no matter where he is, he cannot be stopped. The organization has been suppressing him because he is too young, and transferring him here now is more like a safety net."

"The organization allows struggle, but it will never allow the economy of Handong to collapse."

"Then why do you still..."

Zhao Xiaohui was puzzled.

"I'm betting."

Zhao Lichun gripped the armrest tightly, veins bulging, with a do-or-die determination. "The organization has always valued human relationships and won't go to extremes. They'll move the top but not the bottom, and move the bottom but not the top. I'm going to send my only son, my only heir, into this struggle. Only if Ruilong is in there can I be safe. Only if I'm safe can I truly protect Ruilong."

"Conversely, if I were the one to go in, Ruilong would probably not be able to hold on."

Zhao Xiaohui was shocked and couldn't believe it.

She knew better than anyone how much her father doted on Zhao Ruilong, to the point of jealousy. But had things really come to this?

We're going to gamble with Ruilong!

"Ruilong has never had much political sense since he was a child. I thought it was a form of protection, so I let it be."

Zhao Lichun sighed deeply and said with a wry smile, "But the survival of the fittest above is beyond my imagination. I don't have a successor, and instead, I've attracted a pack of wolves."

"I regret it so much!"

"Xiao Hui, you are the one who looks most like me out of the three children. If only you were a boy."

Zhao Xiaohui lowered her head.

"If something happens to Ruilong and me, you shouldn't stay in Lingnan. Cut ties with them and settle in the capital with the two children. We can protect you here."

"And your eldest sister too."

"They are a widow and her children, and you will have to take care of them too."

Zhao Lichun spoke in a rambling manner, almost like giving his last words.

"I understand, Dad."

Zhao Xiaohui couldn't help but shed tears.

"Dad is sorry for you sisters."

"I thought I had found you a good home, but your brother-in-law died young, and then your husband's family had that incident."

Zhao Lichun took his daughter's hand and patted it hard in the palm of her hand.

He then retrieved the secure phone.

"Dad, are you going to call Gao Yuliang or Li Dakang?"

Zhao Xiaohui asked.

"Neither."

Zhao Lichun shook his head, dialed an unnumbered number on his phone, and it was answered shortly by a powerful male voice:

"Lin Zhiyuan, from the Hantong Provincial Government, who is this?"

"Governor Zhiyuan, I am Zhao Lichun."

Zhao Lichun forced a smile, but when facing the young man on the other end of the phone, who was only a junior employee, he straightened his back and his breathing became even more powerful.

"Deputy Commander Zhao, what are your instructions?"

"Haha, Governor Zhiyuan, it was I who was being presumptuous in disturbing you."

"I have heard that some bad things have happened at Handong Oil and Gas Group. Chairman Liu Xinjian was my secretary in my early years. I basically recognize Comrade Xinjian's ability and beliefs. I hope that Governor Zhiyuan can handle this matter impartially."

"Of course, if it is proven, I will absolutely not cover it up."

Zhao Lichun's frank attitude expressed both his support and trust for his former subordinates and his commitment to upholding national laws and regulations.

"Understood, Deputy Zhao!"

"The Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government of Handong will definitely handle this matter impartially and in accordance with the law and regulations. If there are any progress from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Audit Department, I will inform Deputy Zhao immediately."

Upon hearing this...

Zhao Lichun's eyes suddenly lit up.