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

"Because...because I hate."

Qi Tongwei defended himself.

"I always thought that it was my crying at the grave that dragged Teacher Gao into the Zhao family's scheme, but when I hacked into the video that day and saw the recording time, I realized... I realized that he was the one who dragged me into this mess."

"He and Gao Xiaofeng had been having an affair for a long time."

"Hehe, Professor Wu is a professor of Ming Dynasty history, but the reason he fell in love with Gao Xiaofeng was because she understood Ming Dynasty history."

"Moreover, he is a refined and noble professor with the integrity of a scholar. There are some dirty things he would not and would not touch. He needed a black glove to introduce me to Zhao Ruilong."

Qi Tongwei's hands, resting on the table, trembled slightly, as if he had undergone a reshaping of his worldview.

"But in the end, it was he who took good care of me when I was studying, it was he who pulled me out of the Liang family's quagmire, and it was the Zhao family who promoted me step by step because of him. Apart from the video incident, I was very obedient."

"He's helping to win over students from Wuhan University."

"Help him organize a social event."

That's how the Han University gang came to be.

Qi Tongwei recounted his personal journey.

Lin Zhiyuan gave the other person a deep look, not interested in whether it was true or false. He tapped his fingers on the table, seemingly deep in thought.

"You mean, only Du Bozhong has the videos and photos right now?"

Lin Zhiyuan asked.

"Yes, Governor Lin."

Qi Tongwei replied affirmatively.

"Send someone to Hong Kong to deal with Du Bozhong and bring back the video and photos."

Lin Zhiyuan took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down a Hong Kong city number. "After your people arrive in Hong Kong, call this number, and they will help you."

"I see."

"We will definitely not let outsiders know."

Qi Tongwei carefully folded the piece of paper and put it in his pocket.

"How's things going with you?"

Lin Zhiyuan felt annoyed, but Qi Tongwei was just like Zhao Ruilong's nickname for him: Qi the Donkey. He needed to be whipped to do many things.

"Xiaoqin... Xiaoqin agreed."

Qi Tongwei lowered his head again. "I've dealt with all my relatives and friends who were involved in irregularities and crimes, but I don't know how to explain things to my hometown."

"Explanation? What explanation do you want!"

Lin Zhiyuan scoffed coldly. Did he really want to put on a show where one person's success leads to the rise of their entire family?

"First, bring your parents to live with you. If it's inconvenient at home, find a better nursing home and cut off all contact with your hometown."

"What I'm saying isn't a suggestion, it's an order."

"Secondly, with your status and influence as the Director of the Public Security Bureau, why do you have to make them work for the government? Instead, you can use the village committee's name to help a single company with equipment and real estate projects related to public security. Which of these can't make money? They've made money in the past few years, so they won't bother you anymore. After that, they can be responsible for their own profits and losses."

"Third, if they still don't know what's good for them and try to blackmail you with the kindness of a meal, then use your power to send them in for a few days in accordance with the law and regulations. They'll be able to clear their heads in jail."

Lin Zhiyuan's words were almost indifferent.

Every word exudes the coldness of a seasoned politician regarding interests and severance, as well as an absolute sense of principled correctness.

Hearing this from Qi Tongwei, the police chief who dared to fight drug dealers to the death, chilled him to the bone.

"Where is the Liang family?"

Lin Zhiyuan continued, "Liang Qunfeng graduated from the Department of Political Science and Law of Handong University. He was one of the first batch of veterans of Handong University after the founding of the People's Republic of China. He also served as the full-time deputy secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Even now, Handong University has no shortage of his students and followers. You must keep Liang Lu in check."

"Only when Liang Lu is stable will you be qualified to gradually take back the Liang family's resources from Gao Yuliang, and only then will you have the opportunity to advance."

"Otherwise, you'll only ever be a police chief until you retire and die."

"Do you really think that just because you've cleaned up the obvious filth, you're a clean person? Every goose leaves a trace. You may be a rotten orange for a day, but in the eyes of those in power, you'll always be a rotten orange."

"If you want others to turn a blind eye, you need to have enough leverage."

"Judging from the current situation, you can't possibly have it yourself. If you don't have it yourself, then you can only borrow it from the Liang family."

"Do you understand?"

Lin Zhiyuan's voice wasn't loud, but to Qi Tongwei it sounded like a series of thunderous explosions.

"I...I understand."

Qi Tongwei looked at Lin Zhiyuan with a deep sense of fear, as if he were facing a real politician for the first time.

This feeling is wonderful.

He hadn't seen it on Gao Yuliang or Li Dakang. In Handong, he had only seen it on three and a half people: Zhao Lichun, Liu Changsheng, Tian Guofu, and the remaining half was Wu Chunlin, the current Minister of the Organization Department.

I don't know how to describe it.

Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs. It seems that everything around us is a pawn to be calculated and used. Even a useless brick can be precisely placed to build a wall.

"If you understand, then do it."

"If you feel you can't do it, then turn yourself in to the provincial discipline inspection commission."

Lin Zhiyuan said in a low voice, "My time in Handong is precious, I don't have time to play house with you kids."

Qi Tongwei seemed to have received a pardon; he immediately stood up, saluted, and quickly left the office.

A young man walked in; it was Gao Sheng, Zhou Han's newly appointed secretary who had been with him for a few days.

"Xiao Gao."

"Please arrange a meeting with Secretary Gao for me. I'll be visiting him in half an hour."

Lin Zhiyuan gave the instructions.

"Okay, boss."

He immediately accepted the order.

After news of Ding Yizhen's investigation spread, the investors of the Jingzhou Guangmingfeng project were in an uproar.

The Guangming Peak project represents a significant investment for them. Now that the project manager has been imprisoned by the disciplinary committee, can the project continue? Will the government default on its debts? Will the money already invested be wasted?

The most important thing is whether Ding Yizhen will expose their bribery, which would not only prevent them from making money but also land them in jail.

For a time, the hotels in Jingzhou were filled with anxious investors.

Some people started transferring assets, some were preparing to flee, and others were trying to find out inside information by pulling strings everywhere.

Li Dakang sat in his office, listening to his secretary's report, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"Currently, three investors have submitted withdrawal applications, and five others are observing. If not handled properly, the Guangming Peak project may become a failed project..."

Secretary Jin reported with trepidation.

That's enough.

Li Dakang frowned and shouted, waving his hand, "Has Sun Liancheng arrived?"

"Secretary Sun has arrived."

Xiao Jin was taken aback; he was still somewhat unaccustomed to Sun Liancheng's rise to power.

When Sun Liancheng entered the office, he was carrying a thermos and a stack of documents.

"Secretary Li, you wanted to see me?"

Sun Liancheng's numb face now showed a renewed vitality, more so than usual.

"Sun Liancheng, you are now fully in charge of the Guangming Peak project. What are your plans?"

"What methods do you have to reassure investors?"

Li Dakang got straight to the point.