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

three days later.

Zhou Tingyuan personally escorted Lin Zhiyuan to Handong to take up his post, neither making a scene nor losing face.

Governor Liu Changsheng and Standing Committee member and Vice Governor Fang Denggao personally greeted the delegation at the airport.

The provincial government's main hall was packed to capacity.

Almost all the members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, the Vice Governor, and key leaders of provincial departments are present today.

Zhou Tingyuan, sitting in the center of the rostrum, cleared his throat and announced: "By decision of the Central Committee, Comrade Lin Zhiyuan is appointed as a member of the Provincial Party Committee and a member of its Standing Committee, and as the Executive Vice Governor of the Provincial People's Government of Handong."

The applause was enthusiastic and prolonged.

Lin Zhiyuan stood up and bowed slightly to the audience.

His gaze swept across the audience, lingering for a moment on Gao Yuliang's face, then across Li Dakang's tense expression, finally settling on a man in the corner whose expression betrayed unease:

Qi Tongwei, Director of the Public Security Bureau of Handong.

"Thank you for the organization's trust."

"Respected leaders, colleagues, and comrades:

Today, the organization has appointed me as the Executive Vice Governor of Handong Province. This is a great trust and responsibility entrusted to me by the organization and the people of the entire province. I deeply feel the honor of this mission and the weight of this responsibility. Here, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the leaders and colleagues who have long cared for and supported me!

Standing in my new position and shouldering new responsibilities, I solemnly pledge:

First, we must uphold our political stance and faithfully fulfill our duties. We must always prioritize political development, resolutely implement all decisions and plans of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, serve the overall development of the province, and ensure that government orders are effectively implemented and achieve tangible results.

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Second, we will focus on our primary responsibilities and tasks, and work diligently to ensure implementation. We will conscientiously fulfill our duties as Executive Vice Governor, proactively cooperate with the Governor in carrying out our work, coordinate key tasks such as economic operation, project construction, people's livelihood protection, risk prevention and control, and government operations, and work pragmatically and diligently to promote high-quality development throughout the province.

Third, we must cultivate a deep affection for the people and fulfill our original aspiration and mission. We must always adhere to the people-centered approach, focus on the urgent needs and concerns of the masses, earnestly address practical issues related to people's livelihoods, make up for shortcomings in people's well-being, and effectively improve the well-being of the people.

Fourth, we must maintain unity within the leadership team and consolidate our efforts. We must correctly position ourselves, cooperate and support each other, humbly listen to opinions from all sides, unite our efforts, and work together to create a united and pragmatic working atmosphere.

Fifth, we must strictly adhere to the bottom line of discipline and always maintain our integrity. We must strictly abide by Party discipline, national laws, and various regulations on conduct, administer according to law, exercise power impartially, be honest and self-disciplined, strictly discipline ourselves, consciously accept supervision from all parties, and uphold the bottom line of being an honest official and doing things cleanly.

With heavy responsibilities on my shoulders, I must work diligently and conscientiously. I will fulfill my duties with a pragmatic style and full enthusiasm, living up to the trust of the organization, the support of my colleagues, and the expectations of the people of the province. I earnestly request the supervision, support, and assistance of all leaders and colleagues in the future.

Thank you everyone!

Lin Zhiyuan's speech was simple yet powerful.

The appointment and removal procedures have been completed.

Zhou Tingyuan declined the invitation to stay at the banquet hosted by the Hantong Provincial Committee and returned directly to Beijing. Before leaving, he shook Lin Zhiyuan's hand and said meaningfully, "Zhiyuan, Hantong is in your hands now."

"Minister Zhou, rest assured."

They saw Zhou Tingyuan off.

Lin Zhiyuan followed Governor Liu back to the provincial government office building.

Liu Changsheng and Lin Zhiyuan's offices were both on the seventh floor, simply furnished, even somewhat old. On the wall hung a calligraphy scroll that read "Tranquility Leads to Far-Reaching Vision," signed by Liu Changsheng himself.

"Comrade Zhiyuan, I've been waiting for you for so long, and you've finally come to visit."

Liu Changsheng held Lin Zhiyuan's hand warmly, like an old friend who hadn't seen each other for more than ten years. "Back then, you made one big fuss after another in the next province. I was so envious of you."

"I asked the organization for people several times, but they just wouldn't give them to me."

"Governor, I am now a part of Handong."

Lin Zhiyuan was equally enthusiastic; when a leader is enthusiastic, subordinates will certainly be even more so.

"How is Professor Yan's health?"

Liu Changsheng suddenly asked a seemingly ordinary question.

"His health is probably better than mine."

Lin Zhiyuan instantly understood: Governor Liu was his father-in-law's soldier, or at least someone who had confided in his father-in-law.

"Zhiyuan, I'm here today to tell you the truth."

Liu Changsheng personally poured Lin Zhiyuan a cup of tea, and facing him, sighed, "I've been in Handong for ten years, rising from vice governor to governor. In those ten years, I witnessed Handong's rise, and I also witnessed its decline."

"When Zhao Lichun was in power, he had the final say in the provincial party committee and government. Whatever project he wanted to implement, he had to implement; whoever he wanted to appoint, could rise to prominence."

"When he was here, I was paralyzed. After he left, it took me years to slowly clean up the provincial government. But every step too late led to another, and by the time I had the time to get things done, it was too late."

"Zhiyuan, I know you have the ability and the courage. Now I'm entrusting this task to you. You must do a good job and live up to the expectations of the 60 million people of Handong."

"I... have six months to protect you."

Liu Changsheng's voice was filled with weariness and dejection; his political life had come to an end.

Unfortunately, I arrived at the wrong time of year, which is probably why...

"Governor, each generation has its own mission. You have suffered too many grievances, but the provincial government and the organization will remember your contributions."

"I won't let you down."

Lin Zhiyuan stood up and bowed deeply.

Along his career, he has seen too many people like Governor Liu, who stand diligently in their positions. They may not have made many achievements, but their perseverance is a contribution, and they are the torch to be passed on to the next generation.

"Good! Well said, each generation has its own mission. Isn't that what our ancestors did?"

Liu Changsheng laughed heartily.

"The Audit Office, the Finance Department, the Development and Reform Commission, the Human Resources and Social Security Department..."

Liu Changsheng said to each of them, "I've spoken to the heads of these departments. From now on, they will be directly responsible to you. If you feel it's necessary, Zhiyuan, come see me in person."

Lin Zhiyuan's heart skipped a beat.

This is not an ordinary transfer of power; it is a trust.

"Governor Liu, you..."

"There's no need to say so much. The fact that you're in the East Sea and on the Han River tells me that I can trust you."

Liu Changsheng stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Lin Zhiyuan: "Zhiyuan, I'm not from Handong, but I've lived here for ten years. This is my second hometown, and I love this land deeply. I hope you remember that no matter how the higher-ups fight, the lives of ordinary people must not be affected."

"Governor Liu, I've got it."

Lin Zhiyuan stood up and nodded solemnly.

Lin Zhiyuan spoke, his voice not loud but clear in the office, "I came to Handong with only one mission: to get things done."

After leaving the governor's office, Lin Zhiyuan met Zhou Han, the secretary-general of the provincial government.

"Governor Lin, there are two more matters that require your decision: one is the selection of your secretary, and the other is the selection of your driver. What do you think..."

Zhou Han stepped forward respectfully to ask for instructions.

With the organized appointment and Governor Liu's endorsement, Lin Zhiyuan was practically a shoo-in for the next governor of Handong Province, and Zhou Han dared not be careless in the slightest.

"Driver, I brought it with me."

"As for my secretary, please help me choose someone who is young, has a clean background, and strong writing skills."

Lin Zhiyuan pushed the documents back, saying, "Take care of them for me for two days, and bring them over when they're ready. Secretary-General Zhou is meticulous, and Governor Liu trusts you greatly and praises you highly."

A look of joy flashed across Zhou Han's eyes.

A secretary is a leader's closest confidant, and the fact that Lin Zhiyuan is willing to let him take care of his secretary for a few days means that the future governor has accepted him.

Perhaps he, as the provincial government secretary-general, won't have to leave with Governor Liu's passing.

"Governor Lin, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."

"I will strictly follow your requirements to select a secretary with strong political integrity, a clean background and resume, and excellent writing skills. Please conduct the interview and make the final decision in person."

Zhou Han solemnly guaranteed.

"Um."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded slightly, stepped into his office, and said, "I'll trouble you to handle the reception arrangements here for the next couple of days."

"It's no trouble at all."

"Governor, this is all part of my job."

Zhou Han's expression became increasingly respectful.

During the transition between old and new leadership, the secretary-general's position is extremely awkward, whether in the provincial party committee or the provincial government. He is not afraid of trouble from the new leaders, but he is afraid of not having anything to do.

A huge, hanging stone quietly fell to the ground.