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

The weather is getting drier.

Time flies like water, passing by silently. Handong has officially entered May, and the three-day holiday has passed in a flash.

Iwata team played three matches this month, including the opening ceremony, and failed to win a single one:

They first drew 1-1 at home against the formidable Luzhou team, giving them hope, but then lost 0-1 to the second-worst Luzhou team, completely shattering those hopes.

Could it be that the players played poorly?

Can't seem to.

Both his skills and physical fitness have improved. In the home game against Luzhou, his defensive tactics made Luzhou suffer. He only broke the deadlock by drawing a penalty kick after drawing a foul.

However, in the subsequent counterattack, Iwata desperately chased the score, and the full-back unexpectedly broke through the defense with a "curved slash" and smashed into the opponent's goal, turning the score around.

It's still the goal of the month.

It could crash into the hanging state...

Two teams at the bottom of the league put on a grueling match, each employing a defensive strategy and dragging out the game.

The Yantai team lads had never seen anything like this before. Even in training matches, Diaozhou always dominated Yantai, but this is what happened in the actual game.

Moreover, they drew with the strong opponent Lüzhou in the last match...

Some players inevitably became complacent, believing that they and Diaozhou were no longer on the same level.

If you don't attack me, I will attack you.

However, their severe lack of offensive experience dealt them a heavy blow, causing them to lose their composure in attack and allowing Diaozhou to seize the ball and score a goal.

Finally, at the suggestion of the fans, everyone experienced the extreme roller coaster and the space drop tower.

You like floating, right?

Do you enjoy making the fans anxious and uncertain?

Then you can float away!

The situation on the field can change in an instant, and some players have suffered just as much as Lin Zhiyuan and the Yantai team.

These words refer to Yang Wanli.

Before the game, they boasted and shouted slogans, acting as if they were invincible. But once they got to the field, they were completely outmatched.

Luzhou will play one more game, for a total of four games.

They were crushed 1-3 at home by Lincheng, and were mercilessly crushed 0-2 away by Jingzhou and Tongzhou.

With one draw and three losses, they secured the top spot on the Hanchao championship team.

A certain Yang was easily shattered, and upon meeting Li Dakang, who was ranked first in Tongzhou, he was severely mocked.

The "Bragging King" rose to fame and became a major topic of discussion in the Hanchao League, second only to Yantai.

Yang Wanli appeared pitiful on the surface, but behind the scenes, he didn't hesitate to convert the popularity into visible tourist numbers and GDP growth.

The same applies to Li Dakang.

Under the Hanchao League, Handong quietly completed the follow-up handling of Jiangdong.

The newly appointed municipal party secretary was personally facilitated by Sha Ruijin, who transferred a scientific research-oriented cadre from a higher-level ministry to set the tone for Jiangdong's future development from the top down.

Sha Ruijin mobilized five or six projects that aligned with the development plan, totaling tens of billions of Lighthouse Coins, thus solidifying the authority of the new municipal party secretary.

But after the project passed through the hands of Zhuang Chi, the vice governor of the province, his constant reporting finally paid off, and Zhuang Chi started reporting even more frequently.

Sha Ruijin straightened his back again, his arrogance shining through the eyes of Lin Zhiyuan and the provincial government faction.

Someone surnamed Lin!

I, Lao Sha, am not the kind of person who holds grudges but forgets kindness. I've given you what you wanted, and we'll wipe the slate clean.

Those who should fight, should continue to fight.

Lin Zhiyuan rolled his eyes. "I helped you get all the project resources back, what are you talking about!"

The executive vice mayor was transferred from a deputy director of the Economic and Information Technology Commission; the candidate was strongly recommended to the provincial organization department by Li Dakang.

Hou Liangping ultimately failed to escape the procuratorial system.

After the results came out, I took leave during the May Day holiday to go home. I don't know if it was because I missed my wife or because my father-in-law had given me instructions.

But the provincial government has some good news.

The free trade zone, personally overseen by Liu Changsheng and combined with the gradually maturing online government service platform, has achieved great success after two months of promotion. Restrictions on foreign investment in China have been greatly reduced, port clearance efficiency has been improved, and trade has been facilitated. Furthermore, it has innovatively incorporated a science and technology innovation reform component, allowing advanced projects and scientific research achievements to be incubated and implemented within the zone through approvals for Chinese-funded, Sino-foreign joint ventures, and wholly foreign-owned enterprises.

With approval from higher authorities, licenses are expected to be issued by the end of the year, making it the second province after Shanghai to be approved as a free trade zone.

"Congratulations, Governor. This is a genuine achievement."

Lin Zhiyuan offered his congratulations.

"Ha ha!"

Liu Changsheng was overjoyed, his shadow cast by his son's involvement in the case gone. "Zhiyuan, I should thank you. The Free Trade Zone and the Science and Technology Innovation Pilot Zone were both your ideas. Moreover, Secretary-General Xiang clearly told me that although Handong's economy is strong, it was not originally in the second batch of the Free Trade Zone, and was even placed quite late."

"This is a combination of economic and geostrategic considerations."

"But it was the online government affairs platform that you spearheaded and promoted, and the major tasks that the United Front under your guidance accomplished, that gave Handong a higher-level mission, which led to the current changes."

"And Ryan..."

"Actually, Secretary Lü of the Discipline Inspection Commission talked to me. His affair with Shi Bocheng has been under investigation for a long time."

"Without you, I don't know what I would have done. I would have had a hard time even getting a safe landing, and I would probably have ended up in a miserable old age."

Liu Changsheng's eyes were slightly red.

He fought his whole life, fearing nothing but the infamy that would follow his decades of hard work.

No, it won't.

Lin Zhiyuan shook his head and said affirmatively, "Those who remain calm amidst turbulent waves are worthy of great responsibility; those who are gentle and serene in the face of a clear breeze are worthy of high regard."

"The organization will not fail to reward a hardworking and meritorious cadre."

Okay! Okay!

Liu Changsheng laughed even more heartily. These two sentences affirmed the value of his life and were more important to him than anything else.

"Zhiyuan, sit down and let's talk."

Liu Changsheng suppressed his smile and his expression became serious. "On the 1st, Elder Yan spoke with me on behalf of the organization. My next direction has been decided: Deputy Director of Finance."

I'm sorry, I can't help you any further.

"The provincial government will now be handed over to you and Deng Gao."

"The time should be around the middle of the year."

There was a hint of melancholy in his words.

He ultimately failed to reach Zhao Lichun's level, but given Liu Ruian's misdeeds, he managed a dignified exit.

"So fast?"

Lin Zhiyuan was shocked. He had guessed the current situation when he discovered that Liu Ruian had entered the game, but he did not expect him to be in such a hurry.

"Not just Ryan."

Liu Changsheng shook his head and pointed with his finger. There was a map of Handong spread out on the table.

Lin Zhiyuan understood.

The provincial government bears an unshirkable responsibility for the series of crises that have occurred in various cities in Handong, but Liu Changsheng has taken all the responsibility upon himself.

Lin Zhiyuan felt extremely heavy-hearted.

Don't look back, keep moving forward.

Like a father, Liu Changsheng patted the back of his hand and said in a deep voice, "What you did is right in my opinion. Don't feel pressured, keep moving forward."

"Right and wrong..."

Time will tell, and the people will judge.

"I'm just taking responsibility for my own mistakes; it has nothing to do with you or anyone else."