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

Executive Deputy Office.

Lin Zhiyuan, whose grassroots inspection was delayed by other matters, now stands before a stranger who should be familiar.

"Executive Director Lin."

The man in front of me, around forty-five years old, spoke with a restrained and cautious demeanor as he systematically reported on his work: "This time, with special approval from my superiors, I led a team to Europe and the Korean Peninsula to attract investment. Despite multiple delays, we successfully completed the 70 billion yuan investment target for Diaozhou International Port, the 10 billion yuan Lighthouse Coin project for Baifu Insulin, and the 25 billion yuan Lighthouse Coin capital increase and production project for Wuzhou SK. This is the sixth capital increase."

Speaking of which...

A flush of excitement spread across the man's previously awkward face. "SK's current estimate is around 25 billion Lighthouse Coins, to be completed over three years. It is expected to become Handong's first foreign investment project exceeding 10 billion. But in my personal opinion, this is far from meeting their needs; it will need to be doubled at least in the future."

"and…"

"The memory industry is of paramount importance to your artificial intelligence planning and development in Chuzhou, and it is undoubtedly in line with the long-term development of Handong."

Ah!

Lin Zhiyuan nodded indifferently, without the satisfaction and approval that a man might expect.

"Comrade Zhuang Chi!"

"Regarding the prediction for SK, I agree with your opinion, and I also acknowledge your and your colleagues' efforts."

Lin Zhiyuan first expressed his approval, "However, SK's capital increase is based on its own business needs, and the main party is the competitor, not us."

"To put it bluntly, this tree was originally planted on our land, but it has grown bigger and is bearing more fruit."

"Instead of true open source."

"As the vice governor in charge of commerce, foreign affairs, and tourism, I hope to see real growth, not just waiting for the fruits to grow bigger and more plentiful."

Lin Zhiyuan returned the submitted work report. "To be even more ruthless, I am dissatisfied with both foreign investment and domestic investment attraction last year. Handong failed to crack a single new project in the fields of chemical industry, new materials, energy, automobiles, and electronic components, both domestically and internationally. Other provinces are not as prosperous as the eastern coastal areas, while Handong is starving."

"The quantity is sufficient, but the quality is seriously substandard."

"If I were to grade your performance last year, the shale gas project in Liancheng would be a solid foundation, 50 points; the Baifu project is not large in scale, but given its special technical barriers and social impact, it would get an additional 10 points; the others, including Sk, would not get any points from me."

"If you don't understand, take a closer look at the reports and business requirements documents you've submitted."

"One of the indicators is the actual amount of foreign investment utilized. This indicator has decreased by nearly 15% year-on-year compared to the previous year. Handong had been number one in this indicator for 12 consecutive years, but it was surpassed by Lingnan Province last year."

Zhuang Chi felt that he had worked hard for a whole year, but Lin Zhiyuan negated his achievements in just a few words. He was so angry that his face turned red and his whole body trembled. But the last sentence made him turn pale.

The ranking of being number one in terms of parameter indicators is neither important nor unimportant.

But the job review was almost fatal, marking his first major setback in twelve years, and his future was hanging by a thread, like a broken light bulb.

The initial excitement and anger transformed into a deep sense of despair.

He also wanted to make a name for himself.

I never imagined I was a clown.

This is his first year as vice governor, and he's already saying goodbye ahead of time?

No!

For the past six months, he's been like a vagrant, wandering overseas with his team. What's the big deal about him shamelessly asking his superiors for special approvals time and time again?

The good news was mistaken for a bad one.

Zhuangchi is somewhat dead.

"Cheer up, the new year has just begun."

Lin Zhiyuan stood up and patted the other man on the shoulder. At least he was satisfied with Zhuang Chi's work attitude, initiative, and passion. He was a top-notch worker. "You probably haven't reported to Secretary Sha yet, have you? If you don't have anything to do, go to the provincial party committee more often. Secretary Sha has a lot of wealth and power. A little bit of his money is enough for you to live on."

Ah!

Zhuang Chi's facial expressions are a bit out of control.

Is it reasonable for a provincial vice governor to bypass the governor, executive vice governor, and standing committee vice governor to report to the provincial party secretary whenever there is a problem?

and…

If the rumors he heard are true, then Executive Director Lin and Secretary Sha should have punched the dog out of its head at the Standing Committee meeting.

Was he sent as an undercover agent? Or was it because they were annoyed that he hadn't mentioned it to Secretary Sha, and then they planned to get rid of him along with the others?

"I heard you, aren't you leaving?"

Lin Zhiyuan glared at him. "Stay here with me, and I'll treat you to lunch?"

Zhuang Chi walked out of the office looking pitiful and dazed, only to bump into a wall as soon as he stepped out.

"Comrade Zhuang Chi, what are you thinking about?"

Liu Changsheng clutched his chest, wondering if he was too old to handle a bump.

"I'm sorry, Governor! I didn't..."

Zhuang Chi quickly offered an explanation.

If this gets out, it could easily be interpreted as him murdering the governor.

"You got scolded?"

Liu Changsheng didn't seem to care. He glanced at the closed office door with interest and patted Zhuang Chi on the shoulder reassuringly, "Don't take it to heart."

"That's just Zhiyuan's temper. He may be a bit low in manners, but he's a good person."

"You're not the first one."

"Many top officials in the provincial department, including Secretary Dakang and Secretary Yuliang, have been scolded to tears by him."

Don't worry about it.

Liu Changsheng offered words of comfort as if he had been through it all, but the door behind him suddenly opened with a click.

The scene was a bit awkward.

"Next time the governor speaks ill of me, don't stand at the door."

Lin Zhiyuan remained silent.

Where are you going?

Liu Changsheng wasn't embarrassed at being caught, and casually asked...

"The first stop of the grassroots inspection tour: Jingzhou."

Lin Zhiyuan turned and left.

"Tsk tsk, Secretary Dakang is going to be in trouble again."

Liu Changsheng sighed softly, but his tone was full of schadenfreude. Other places were fine, but Jingzhou was not necessarily peaceful.

"what?"

Zhuang Chi was completely baffled. He hadn't been back for months, and was Handong really that chaotic now?

"Governor, Executive Director Lin criticized my investment promotion work."

Zhuang Chi decided to avoid bothering two people and pulled Liu Changsheng aside to ask for advice, since the current governor was still the one in front of him. "Executive Director Lin asked me to go to the Provincial Party Committee often to report to Secretary Sha."

"Then let's go."

Liu Changsheng didn't care.

He had already handed over the entire provincial government to Lin Zhiyuan, so what was a vice governor reporting to the provincial party secretary? But he still offered a word of advice:

"Secretary Sha was parachuted in, and he also has several adoptive fathers who once held high positions. In addition, he has an unknown amount of resources in his hands since he was parachuted into Handong."

"Zhiyuan must have received some information."

"We must cultivate a good relationship with Secretary Sha."

"He's the class monitor, but he can't actually do the hands-on work. In the end, it has to be handed over to other comrades to implement it."

"Giving it to anyone is the same as handing it over."

"Why can't that person be you, Comrade Zhuang Chi?"