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

Twenty minutes later.

Lu Wuwei, director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, was the first to knock on the office door of the executive vice governor.

Lu Wuwei was a middle-aged man in his fifties with slicked-back hair. As soon as he entered, he greeted everyone with a beaming smile: "Governor Lin, I've heard so much about you. I'll definitely work under you from now on..."

"sit."

Lin Zhiyuan interrupted him, "Director Lu, please report on the current industrial layout and key projects of Handong Province."

Lu Wuwei paused for a moment, then opened the folder and began to read from the script: "Currently, the industrial structure of our province is dominated by the secondary industry, accounting for 52.3%, of which heavy chemical industry, equipment manufacturing, and real estate are the three pillars..."

"stop."

Lin Zhiyuan suddenly interrupted, "You said real estate is one of the three pillars, what percentage does it account for?"

"This... is around 10%."

"About?"

Lin Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. "Director Lu, you're the director of the National Development and Reform Commission. You have all the economic data for the province in your hands. I asked you about the proportion of real estate, and you just gave me an approximate figure?"

Lu Wuwei's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Governor Lin, I'll verify the exact figures when I get back..."

"No need to go back."

Lin Zhiyuan pulled a document from his drawer and threw it on the table. "This is a preliminary statistic I made before coming to Handong. The real estate and related industries account for 18% of Handong's GDP, not 10%. Moreover, this does not include the hidden revenue that the local government obtains through land sales."

Lu Wuwei's face turned deathly pale.

"Let me ask you again, what is the investment scale of the Guangming Peak project that you quoted?"

"Two...two hundred and eighty billion."

"What about the actual funds received?"

"this…"

"Less than eight billion."

Lin Zhiyuan said coldly, "The remaining 20 billion is in the planning stage, in the intention stage, and in the verbal promise stage. Director Lu, is this your work style to treat intentions as actual plans and implementation?"

Lu Wuwei opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

"Go out."

Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand, "Go back and compile a list of the province's real economic data for the past five years. No exaggeration, no embellishment, I want to see the real Handong."

Lu Wuwei felt as if he had been granted a pardon and retreated in a disheveled state.

Next up are the Director of the Finance Department, the Director of the Human Resources and Social Security Department, the Director of the Audit Department…

Everyone who came in was sweating profusely from Lin Zhiyuan's questions.

Lin Zhiyuan's understanding of the economy of Handong far exceeded their expectations.

Often, as soon as the presenter begins speaking, Lin Zhiyuan can point out the flaws in the data and the logical deficiencies.

By the end of the afternoon, the news had spread throughout the entire provincial government that the newly arrived young executive vice governor had a keen eye for talent, and everyone who came out patted the person behind them heavily on the shoulder, full of sighs.

But there was one person who was even more panicked than they were.

Qi Tongwei!

Qi Tongwei sat on the waiting sofa, watching people from other provincial departments come and go, his fingers almost turning white from gripping so tightly.

He is the director of the provincial public security department, so logically his ranking shouldn't be so low.

Could it be that he has been disliked by the newly appointed executive vice governor?

Qi Tongwei suddenly realized that he had always reported directly to Gao Yuliang, who also served as the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and had very little contact with the provincial government. His face grew even paler.

The provincial department officials finished their reports and left one by one.

Qi Tongwei felt like he had a thorn in his side, making him restless and uneasy. However, he didn't dare to ask Lin Zhiyuan about the arrangements, or even inquire about the meeting order in Zhou Han's hands.

The provincial department officials were all cunning old foxes. As soon as they saw Qi Tongwei's situation, they all sensed something and quietly distanced themselves from him.

This disregard made Qi Tongwei increasingly upset.

Previously, he had the backing of Gao Yuliang, the full-time deputy secretary, and the support of the Han University clique. Among his peers, he was the only one who looked down on others.

"Director Qi, please get ready, you're next."

Zhou Han came over and reminded him.

He was indeed the last one.

His words were concise, but Qi Tongwei quickly forced out a perfect professional smile, not daring to reveal the slightest anxiety or unease.

When Qi Tongwei pushed the door open and entered, his smile seemed a little unnatural.

At the appointment and dismissal meeting in the morning, Lin Zhiyuan's gaze made him feel like he had a thorn in his back.

Qi Tongwei didn't know what kind of attitude the newly appointed executive vice governor held towards him, but he was probably dissatisfied.

"Governor Lin."

Qi Tongwei's smile grew even brighter. "I hope you'll take good care of me in the province from now on."

"Director Qi, please have a seat."

Lin Zhiyuan pointed to the sofa, but instead of sitting down, he walked to the window and turned his back to him.

Lin Zhiyuan had nothing to say about this poor but talented young man. He hadn't experienced the other's despair and couldn't offer any criticism.

However, each province has five sharp knives: the procuratorate, the discipline inspection commission, the supervisory commission, the auditing commission, and the public security bureau.

The procuratorate and the discipline inspection commission naturally belong to the provincial party committee and are the swords in the hands of the provincial party secretary. If Lin Zhiyuan wants to mobilize the entire province to develop the economy, he must make his voice heard.

Governor Liu is willing to step down, but the incoming Sha Ruijin may not be so willing. He must have his own knife, and a knife that is sharp enough and plentiful enough.

"Director Qi, how long have you been working in the Handong political and legal system?"

"Twenty-five years. Starting from the Gushanling Judicial Office, I've worked my way up to where I am today."

"Twenty-five years, that's not easy."

Lin Zhiyuan turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Then can you tell me why someone who stood up against the tide of battle despite being shot three times twenty-three years ago, who upheld justice fifteen years ago, and who was a diligent deputy director of the Public Security Bureau eight years ago, has ended up in this state?"

Qi Tongwei's smile froze on his face.

Didn't I make myself clear?

Lin Zhiyuan walked back to his desk, took a folder from the drawer, and threw it in front of Qi Tongwei. "Open it and take a look."

Qi Tongwei's hands were trembling slightly.

He opened the folder, which contained a stack of photos and several pages of printouts.

The photos show him entering and leaving the Shanshui Manor. Some show him alone, some show him walking side by side with Gao Xiaoqin, and some even show him leaving the manor late at night.

There were also his relatives and friends who had been placed in the public security systems of various parts of Handong, as well as his six-year-old son with Gao Xiaoqin in Hong Kong.

Qi Tongwei's face was deathly pale, and his lips moved several times, but he couldn't utter a sound.

The evidence is conclusive and irrefutable.

"Qi Tongwei, do you know why I saw you last?"

Lin Zhiyuan asked.

Qi Tongwei shook his head.

"In the officialdom of Handong, you are not the worst one, but you are the most obviously bad one."

Lin Zhiyuan spoke slowly and deliberately, as if it were a form of slow, agonizing mockery.

"Gao Yuliang is bad, but he's bad because he appoints relatives and friends; on the surface, he's still that refined professor of political science and law. Li Dakang is bad because he's blind to corruption; for the sake of economic development, he turns a blind eye to the corruption around him. And you, Qi Tongwei…"

Lin Zhiyuan turned around and stared into Qi Tongwei's eyes. "Your wickedness is written all over your face. Embezzlement, bribery, keeping a mistress, abuse of power... Do you think you've covered your tracks perfectly? Everyone in the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, and even throughout Handong, knows about these things you've done. You still want to become a vice-governor?"

Qi Tongwei was trembling all over.

"Governor Lin, I...I can explain..."

No explanation needed.

"I have no interest in hearing about your grudges with the Liang and Zhao families; that was your own choice."

Lin Zhiyuan walked back to his desk and sat down. "What I want to tell you is that it's not easy for the organization to cultivate a senior cadre. The organization values ​​curing the disease to save the patient and learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones. Qi Tongwei, can you still be a qualified Director of the Public Security Bureau?"

"Governor Lin, what should I do?"

Qi Tongwei asked with difficulty.

"You are the Director of the Public Security Bureau. We still need you to maintain public order and stability in Handong."

"After you took office as the Director of the Public Security Bureau, the crime rate in Handong dropped significantly, ranking among the highest in the country. This is the main reason I'm keeping you on, but..."

Lin Zhiyuan pointed to the folder on the table: "I hope this is genuine public security in Handong, not just a cover-up of peace."

"Clean up any wrongdoings you should have done. Assess the people you've placed properly, and remove those who don't meet the standards. Those who have committed crimes should go to jail or be fined as appropriate."

"As for the woman, whether you choose to divorce or cut ties is your choice."

"Don't even think about becoming a vice-provincial level official within the next two years."

The sword of Damocles that had been hanging over them finally fell, but Qi Tongwei felt like a drowning man who had regained his breath, as if he had survived.

"By this time tomorrow, you will submit two documents: one is your self-report on the past years, and the other is a plan for a province-wide crackdown on organized crime. You will draft the action plan."

"Alright, you can go now."

Qi Tongwei stumbled out of the office, his back soaked in cold sweat.

It was completely dark outside.

Qi Tongwei drove straight to Building No. 3 of the Provincial Party Committee compound.

"Teacher, something's happened!"

Qi Tongwei didn't even have time to greet his teacher's wife, Wu Huifen, before rushing to Gao Yuliang's study.

After listening, Gao Yuliang remained silent for a long time.

"Tongwei, please sit down."

Qi Tongwei sat down, his hands still trembling slightly.

"Don't be afraid, this is a good thing."

Gao Yuliang said directly.

"Good news?"

Qi Tongwei was puzzled.

"You've essentially made your past dirty deeds public in front of Governor Lin and the organization. No one else can use this to attack you anymore, unless they want to offend Governor Lin, the future head of the Handong Provincial Government, or even Elder Yan."

"But there's a prerequisite: you have to clean off all the stains on your body."

"And that special action plan for cracking down on organized crime, that's your real pledge of allegiance."

Gao Yuliang sighed and shook his head. This eldest disciple was first-rate in his professional skills, but his political acumen was practically at the elementary school level.

Qi Tongwei suddenly realized, but fear still showed on his face. "But Governor Lin still wants my confession."

Do you know why Lin Zhiyuan succeeds at everything he does?

Gao Yuliang didn't answer but asked a question in return.

Qi Tongwei shook his head.

"Besides his abilities and the protection of Elder Yan, he will bring all parties together to work together."

Gao Yuliang took out Lin Zhiyuan's resume again, his voice low and slow, "Stable economic development requires a stable political environment. To achieve political stability, there must be struggle."

"Tongwei, do you think he only intimidated you today? No, what he wants is a sharp knife that can intimidate the entire Handong. The Handong Public Security System has 300,000 police officers. Although it is different from the Procuratorate and the Discipline Inspection Commission, the Public Security System is the sharpest knife."

"He doesn't care about you, but about the person you're wearing. If it were Li Tongwei or Wang Tongwei, he would probably have done the same thing."

"But you're such a disappointment, you have so many flaws."

"Everyone says Li Dakang is domineering. When he was mayor, the mayor was the top leader; when he was the municipal party secretary, the municipal party secretary was the top leader. This Governor Lin is even more domineering than him!"

"From today onwards, you no longer need to come to me frequently except for regular work reports. All your work should be in accordance with the provincial government and Governor Lin's standards."

"Governor Liu has already transferred all his power to Governor Lin. Governor Lin is now the de facto head of the provincial government. You must listen to his instructions and his policies will be your guiding light for the future."

Gao Yuliang spoke calmly, but his attitude left no room for doubt.

"Yes, teacher."

Qi Tongwei nodded, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He suddenly felt that everything had changed, yet nothing had changed; he had gone from being a pawn of the Zhao family to being a pawn of Lin Zhiyuan.

"Alas, these are turbulent times."

Gao Yuliang watched Qi Tongwei leave and sighed deeply, but there was envy in his eyes.

Qi Tongwei got off the bus safely, but he is still waiting for the organization's judgment.