Nominal: The Handong Game, the Energy System's Counterattack

After being lectured by Gao Yuliang, Qi Tongwei's forehead was covered in even more sweat.

He bit his lip, remained silent for a moment, and finally defended himself.

"Teacher, it's not that I don't want to go."

"There have been just too many things going on these past few days. The Shanshui Group is constantly urging us to speed up the demolition process at Dafeng Factory."

"Zhao Ruilong came to me, and I... I didn't know how to refuse. I was pulled away by Gao Xiaoqin today to discuss countermeasures, and I haven't had a chance to report back yet. Also..."

He paused, seemingly considering his words, "I think Zhou Chuyi is new here and hasn't yet established himself in Handong."

"If I rush into it, it will make me seem impetuous and lacking in composure."

"Besides, wouldn't it seem like I'm not sincere enough if I went alone?"

"Haven't I always been under the leadership of you, teacher, from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission?"

"I can't just go over and report to you without consulting you first."

"He's an outsider, his background is unclear, I don't know him, and I don't dare to get close to him rashly..."

boom!

"You certainly know how to make excuses for yourself!"

Gao Yuliang slammed his hand on the table, startling Qi Tongwei.

The teacher's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, gleamed with a sharp light, carrying a fiery anger at his son's lack of ambition.

"Qi Tongwei, Qi Tongwei, you've been the Director of the Public Security Bureau for so many years, how can you still be so naive?"

"Zhao Ruilong calls you, so you go? Is his mountain and water estate a place you should be going to?"

"Don't you know who he is?"

"The new Party Secretary, Sha Ruijing, has arrived and is currently conducting research. Nobody can say for sure what the situation is like in Handong right now!"

"At this critical juncture, the attitude of every member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee is of paramount importance."

"Zhou Chuyi is a member of the Standing Committee, your direct supervisor. Instead of reporting to him and building a good relationship, you're avoiding him?"

"As far as I know, all the responsible persons in Zhou Chuyi's respective areas went to report on their work today."

"The provincial Department of Justice, the court, and even Ji Changming, the provincial procuratorate chief prosecutor who is about to retire, all went."

"People from the housing and construction, transportation, and state-owned assets departments also went."

He looked up at Qi Tongwei. "You're the only one who hasn't shown up, the head of the Provincial Public Security Bureau. What do you think Zhou Chuyi is thinking?"

"Are you being stubborn or just showing off?"

"I dare not..." Qi Tongwei's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"What are you afraid of?" Gao Yuliang sneered.

"You think you won't have to see him if I don't agree?"

"That's because you're stupid! I'm in charge of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, which oversees policies, directions, and the thoughts of cadres."

"But I can't control the provincial government's financial allocations, nor can I control the personnel appointments within the provincial departments!"

"Zhou Chuyi holds your official position in his hands, yet you've pushed him to the opposite side. How can I promote you to vice-governor?"

Qi Tongwei was so scolded that he couldn't lift his head.

He was indeed confused, always thinking that Gao Yuliang was the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee and secretary of the political and legal affairs committee, and that Zhou Chuyi wouldn't dare to do anything as long as his teacher said a word.

Moreover, there was indeed an element of spite in his actions.

He had always aspired to become a vice-governor, which generally means concurrently serving as the vice-governor of the provincial public security department, overseeing the judicial and administrative aspects.

Previously, this was handled by an ordinary vice governor, who didn't pay much attention to it.

He thought that once he became a vice-provincial governor, these positions would be assigned to him.

Unexpectedly, the person now in charge of these matters is a member of the provincial party committee standing committee.

He knew how difficult it would be to relinquish power from a member of the provincial standing committee.

Therefore, he subconsciously ignored the overt rules and did not go to the government building.

But he didn't realize that the Provincial Public Security Department is part of the government.

Previously, with Zhao Lichun, the provincial party secretary, indulging in leniency, and with Gao Yuliang, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, he could avoid getting close to the vice governor in charge.

Now that Secretary Zhao Lichun has left, a new secretary has been appointed.

Moreover, the vice governor in charge of their public security bureau is now also a member of the provincial party committee standing committee, so their power is vastly different.

Qi Tongwei's attempt to intimidate others was utterly delusional.

"You haven't even discussed it with me, and you're hesitant to report on your work?"

"You think you're pledging your loyalty to me? You think that just by listening to me, Gao Yuliang, you can guarantee yourself that vice-governor position?"

A mocking smile appeared on Gao Yuliang's lips.

"Tongwei, you're still too naive."

"I, Gao Yuliang, am the Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, but I do not directly manage the administrative affairs of the Public Security Department."

"Your provincial public security bureau's personnel, your funding, your staffing, your equipment—all of it is with the provincial government, and now it's all in Zhou Chuyi's hands!"

"You don't even bother to meet with or report to your direct supervisor. What excuse are you giving me?"

Gao Yuliang sighed and sat back down in his chair.

"Everyone from various departments has reported to Zhou Chuyi now, except for you."

"What will Zhou Chuyi think of you? He might have been indifferent to your promotion before, but now, he will most likely vote against it."

"He doesn't even need to do anything. As long as he remains silent at the Standing Committee meeting, or asks two pointed questions, he won't get away with it."

Qi Tongwei finally panicked, beads of sweat sliding down his face: "Teacher, I'll go report to him right now!"

"Go, go now! There's still time." Gao Yuliang waved his hand, his tone softening slightly, but then he emphasized it again.

"Also, stay away from Gao Xiaoqin and the Shanshui Group during this time."

"I don't know what Secretary Sha Ruijin's attitude is. What if he disapproves of you getting too close to these businessmen?"

"Your behavior has reached Secretary Sha's ears, and you've lost points."

"Go to the mountain and water manor less often, and avoid those fancy banquets. These are critical times, and staying calm is the key to victory."

"Understood, teacher, I'll go right away."

Qi Tongwei hurriedly took his leave, and when he walked out of the provincial party committee building, his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

......

What Qi Tongwei didn't know was that the news of his failure to report on his work today spread much faster than he had imagined.

If he doesn't seize the opportunity, plenty of others will.

Luo Junzhen, a deputy director of the Provincial Public Security Department, received a phone call from Wu Chaoyuan, the secretary of Governor Liu.

Upon receiving the news, he dropped everything.

Accompanied by another deputy director named Wei Pengnan, they went directly to Zhou Chuyi's office.

While his secretary was calling Luo Junzhen, Governor Liu also called Zhou Chuyi.

The phone call mentioned a deputy director named Luo Junzhen, the meaning of which was self-evident. Old Liu laughed and said he would help him cut in line.

Originally, this deputy director was not qualified to report to Zhou Chuyi on behalf of the Provincial Public Security Department.

Since the top leader wasn't here, we couldn't expect the new leader to be completely unaware of the work of the Provincial Public Security Department.

He was exhausted from meeting so many people and wanted to take a break.

Zhou Chuyi quickly told Xiao Lin to make the people behind wait a bit, since he had already met with the heads of all the departments that morning.

Soon after, Luo Junzhen and Wei Pengnan, looking both excited and nervous, were led into the office by Xiao Lin.