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

Gao Yuliang ran out of the executive vice governor's office in a disheveled state.

"Governor Lin..."

Qi Tongwei, who should have left long ago, reappeared at the door with an indescribable strange expression on his face.

He had never seen Secretary Gao or Teacher Gao like that before.

Did you hear that?

Lin Zhiyuan leaned back again.

"The Donglin Party..."

Qi Tongwei closed the office door again.

"You said the Han University clique, doesn't it resemble the Donglin Party of the late Ming Dynasty?"

Lin Zhiyuan stared straight at him.

Qi Tongwei trembled all over. What difference was there between this accusation and a death sentence?

"What are you afraid of?"

Lin Zhiyuan calmly withdrew his gaze. "I'm not talking about your ragtag Han University gang, but rather the elite forces outside your control, like Chen Hai and Lu Yike. That's the real Han University gang, or rather, the local gang that even Gao Yuliang, the nominal leader, can't control!"

Qi Tongwei trembled again, as if struck by lightning.

Local help?

Lin Zhiyuan took out a voice pen from the drawer, and a clear recording of a conversation between a man and a woman began to play:

"Old Ji, Chen Hai's misuse of funds to investigate Chen Yanshi's tip-off has nothing to do with my family."

"She's just an obedient section chief; how could she not investigate after the bureau chief gave the order?"

"Yi Ke must not be implicated in Chen Hai's matter. Yi Ke has a bright future ahead of her and cannot be dragged down by others."

"Yes, yes, senior."

"I will do my best to mediate, after all, Executive Director Lin is still watching..."

"It's not about trying your best, it's not about maneuvering!"

"It is also necessary to remain safe and sound."

The recording is not long.

However, Qi Tongwei clearly identified the two individuals: Ji Changming, the chief prosecutor of the provincial procuratorate, and Yao Xinyi, Lu Yike's mother and Gao Yuliang's former sister-in-law.

"What a magnificent judge!"

"A mere retired deputy director-level presiding judge of the Second Civil Division of the Provincial Higher People's Court actually treated the incumbent provincial procurator general like a dog and trained him."

Lin Zhiyuan's voice was cold and stern.

Before Qi Tongwei could react, another file was taken out, and upon closer inspection, it was another file belonging to a member of the Anti-Corruption Bureau:

Lin Huahua: Female, 27 years old, Chief of the Comprehensive Section of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate;

Lin Zhengfa: Male, 56 years old, Executive Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate;

The provincial organization department confirmed that Lin Zhengfa and Lin Huahua are uncle and nephew.

Lin Zhengfa!

A chilling thought crept into Qi Tongwei's mind: he was also a member of the Han... ptooey, the local gang. No wonder Gao Yuliang could tolerate Ji Changming's attempts to shift blame and shirk responsibility; he had already chosen a successor.

But then came an even greater fear:

A provincial procuratorate was quietly taken over by local gang members—no, maybe the provincial high court as well;

The system of "one government and two courts" inherently places the provincial procurator-general and the provincial court president above him, the provincial public security director who does not concurrently serve as vice governor.

So, who is the real successor to Gao Yuliang?

Qi Tongwei felt as if he were in a sauna, with layers of cold sweat constantly streaming down his face.

Do you know why Gao Yuliang divorced and then married Gao Xiaofeng?

Lin Zhiyuan said.

"Because...because I need to pledge my loyalty to Zhao Jiana."

Qi Tongwei's voice trembled.

"Do you know why Gao Yuliang defied societal prejudices of the time to marry Wu Huifen, who was once his student?"

Lin Zhiyuan asked again.

Qi Tongwei had initially thought it was his teacher's wife's ardent pursuit and their shared love of Ming Dynasty history that made him uncertain.

"Yao Xinyi!"

"That was a college student in the 70s, and of course your teacher's wife also came from a respectable background."

Lin Zhiyuan's expression held a mocking, half-smiling look, and Qi Tongwei understood.

"So, Professor Gao..."

"I have never been my father-in-law's successor, nor am I a member of the Zhao family."

Qi Tongwei's throat felt dry.

"How bad could you, Teacher Gao, be?"

Gao Yuliang was only one year younger than Yao Xinyi, but there was a gap between the Yao and Wu families.

The things Liang Lu had said to him during the confrontation now miraculously came together at this moment.

Qi Tongwei finally understood.

Professor Gao came out with a label, but he fooled everyone, including Liang Qunfeng, Zhao Lichun, and many high-ranking leaders from Han University.

The Chen family, the Yao family, the Wu family, the Lin family…

How many people are still behind?

For the first time, Qi Tongwei felt that Handong, where he had lived for decades, was so unfamiliar, and he was also afraid.

If he has people in the provincial procuratorate and the high court, what about the public security system under his control?

Zhao Donglai!

Qi Tongwei suddenly thought of this old rival.

The former head of the Jingzhou Municipal Bureau, relying on Li Dakang's support, never paid attention to his private hints or even some of his open orders. But now, thinking about it, is Zhao Donglai's confidence really only based on Li Dakang?

I'm afraid not.

To confront Qi Tongwei meant to clash with the Han University clique and Gao Yuliang, but Zhao Donglai seemed never to have been afraid that Gao Yuliang would block his promotion within the political and legal system.

Changes at the provincial level or above require approval from the provincial party committee standing committee. As the secretary of the political and legal affairs committee and one of the three-person group, Gao Yuliang could ruin someone's future with a single sentence.

Qi Tongwei's white shirt was wet and then dried, then wet again.

terrible!

Really scary.

In recent years, this director of the Public Security Bureau has been nothing short of a clown, jumping around and causing trouble.

"So, did Professor Gao never consider promoting me to vice-provincial level?"

Qi Tongwei asked, bewildered.

"Who would promote a ticking time bomb? If he were to be promoted, how many people would have objected when Secretary Liao was in charge?"

Lin Zhiyuan scoffed.

Qi Tongwei smiled, a relieved smile.

"Give this to Lü Liang, and give Secretary Ruijin a surprise when he arrives."

Lin Zhiyuan picked up the recording pen and tossed it over.

Sha Ruijin?

Qi Tongwei was puzzled, but instinctively agreed.

"alright!"

"You should go back first. Minister Jiang will accompany Secretary Sha to take office in two days. Don't cause any trouble during this time."

Lin Zhiyuan gave his instructions.

"Yes, Governor Lin!"

Qi Tongwei saluted, but stopped at the door. "Governor Lin, may I ask why you've been in frequent contact with Secretary Gao lately?"

He had also heard about that new energy project.

It's not so much jealousy as it is.

He has no administrative experience, so if you really put him in charge, he probably wouldn't be able to get a project off the ground.

"Divergence!"

Lin Zhiyuan did not shy away from the question: "The political and legal system is the largest branch in the provincial government, and it must be established smoothly."

"The current political and legal system in Handong is dominated by the Han University faction and the local faction. They can continue to exist, but stability is needed, so I chose you, I chose Li Daxun."

Qi Tongwei remained silent for a moment.

He raised his head to salute again, then opened the door and went out.

"Sharikin!"

Lin Zhiyuan wasn't in the mood to dwell on Qi Tongwei's emotions. He tapped his fingers on the table, then suddenly smiled. "I hope you like the gift I gave you."