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

In the afternoon, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the provincial government office building, dispelling the chill of deep winter.

Zhou Chuyi arrived at Governor Liu's office with a preliminary plan regarding personnel adjustments for several key state-owned enterprises under the jurisdiction of Handong Province.

Before he even reached the door of Governor Liu's office, Governor Liu's secretary, Wu Chao, greeted him from afar in the corridor: "Governor Zhou is here; the leader is waiting for you."

They greeted him all the way to the door of Governor Liu's office, gently pushed the door open, and left after Zhou Chuyi went inside.

Zhou Chuyi walked in and was stunned at first glance.

In the past, Governor Liu had graying temples and a full head of white hair, and a trace of fatigue and weariness always lingered between his brows.

As he approached retirement, he became increasingly conservative and composed, exuding an air of calm and maturity befitting someone who had achieved success and was now retiring.

But Governor Liu, sitting behind his desk, was a completely different person.

Her originally graying hair has been completely dyed jet black, and the neat and tidy hair makes her look ten years younger.

The weariness between his brows vanished, replaced by a vibrant spirit, relaxed eyes and brows, and a gentle smile that was impossible to hide always lingered at the corners of his mouth.

His aura became vigorous and powerful, completely devoid of the weariness he used to feel as he approached retirement.

The atmosphere in the office was relaxed. Governor Liu tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his expression leisurely, and his mood was visibly pleasant.

"Chu Yi is here, please have a seat." Knowing it was Zhou Chu Yi, Governor Liu put down his documents, stood up, and personally poured Zhou Chu Yi a cup of tea.

"Here, try this. It's Jin Jun Mei tea from Wuyi Mountain, brought by an old friend of mine."

Zhou Chuyi took the tea and sat down on the sofa.

He noticed that when Governor Liu stood up just now, his steps were light and quick, unlike before when he had a somewhat heavy and sluggish gait.

Zhou Chuyi's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood seven or eight parts of the situation; this meant there was good news.

Zhou Chuyi gently placed the report he was holding on the coffee table and said with a smile, "Boss, you look so radiant today, you must have encountered some great joy?"

Governor Liu burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the office, carrying a sense of catharsis that had been suppressed for a long time.

"Really? I also feel pretty good today."

He touched his hair. "Look at my hair, I just dyed it yesterday."

"I used to think it didn't matter whether I dyed my hair or not, since I was almost retired anyway."

"But that's how people are; once they have something to look forward to, they want to get everything sorted out."

"Up there?" Zhou Chuyi pointed upwards with his finger.

"Haha, not bad." Old Liu leaned back on the sofa, looking relaxed. "Yesterday, I received a call from Vice Minister Zhang of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China."

"He clearly told me that he would be leading a team to Handong soon to conduct special research and personnel assessment on behalf of the organization."

Zhou Chuyi feigned a look of sudden realization: "Congratulations, boss!"

Governor Liu waved his hand, laughing even more heartily: "Young? What do you mean? He's almost sixty, but..."

He suppressed his smile, looked at Zhou Chuyi with a serious expression, and said, "Chuyi, I have to thank you for allowing me to stay this time."

Zhou Chuyi's face immediately lit up with genuine joy: "This is the organization's greatest recognition of your years of dedication and responsibility in Handong!"

"It's a fair consideration by the organization, and it doesn't have much to do with us."

"I'll be relying on you for support from now on."

Governor Liu laughed heartily upon hearing this, feeling even more pleased, and his tone became exceptionally gentle and sincere.

"Chu Yi, you don't need to flatter me. I know my situation perfectly well."

"I was able to have this opportunity and continue serving in this position because someone pushed me."

Governor Liu picked up his teacup and gestured from afar, saying, "There's no need for formalities between us. From now on, in Handong, just go for it. If you encounter any difficulties, come to me."

"If there's anything, let's discuss it. As for the provincial government, this old man will take care of things."

"Then I'll thank Governor Liu in advance." Zhou Chuyi didn't refuse; he knew that being polite at this time would only seem distant.

"I haven't figured out anything about Handong yet, so I'll be troubling you a lot in the future."

Governor Liu waved his hand: "What trouble? As the governor, isn't it my duty to help the vice governor with his work?"

He laughed again, "Besides, your arrival in Handong is a good thing for me too."

"You're young, full of ideas and drive, while I'm older and sometimes a bit conservative. We complement each other perfectly."

Zhou Chuyi understood, but maintained a calm and humble demeanor: "Thank you for your support and protection, Governor. I will live up to the trust of the organization and the expectations of the Governor."

"I, Zhou Chuyi, will certainly perform my duties diligently, fully cooperate with the work of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, and do my utmost for the development of Handong."

Official jargon and platitudes are something everyone uses casually. The two exchanged a knowing smile, everything understood without a word.

After finishing his report, Zhou Chuyi took his leave and walked down the corridor of the provincial government building, his mind filled with mixed emotions.

He knew that from this moment on, the political landscape of Handong had been completely changed.

The provincial governor who was about to retire in the original drama became his ally and a new peak in the political arena of Handong.

And this mountain peak will stir up a storm in the days to come.

Two days later, Zhou Chuyi had just sat down in his office when his secretary, Xiaolin, knocked on the door and came in.

"Governor, I just received a notification that Vice Minister Zhang from the Organization Department of the Central Committee will be arriving in Jingzhou on the flight the day after tomorrow."

Zhou Chuyi raised an eyebrow: "You arrived so quickly?"

Xiao Lin lowered his voice: "It's all over the provincial party committee and government offices."

"I heard... that Provincial Party Secretary Sha originally wanted to organize all the Standing Committee members to go to the airport to welcome him, but Vice Minister Zhang politely declined."

"Vice Minister Zhang said that this trip to Handong is not to send cadres to their posts, but to carry out specific work, so there is no need to make a big fuss about it."

Zhou Chuyi paused slightly in his teacup; Minister Zhang's behavior seemed to have a deeper meaning.

Vice Minister Zhang refused to allow Sha Ruijin to lead a delegation to greet him—this is a very subtle signal.

Upon hearing Xiao Lin's report, Zhou Chuyi opened the internal system and indeed saw the notification that Minister Zhang had come to Handong.

At this time, Sha Ruijin, as the newly appointed provincial party secretary, is new to the position and his position is not yet secure.

He urgently needs to establish his authority through a series of personnel arrangements.

As the superior authority for cadre management, the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China naturally paid close attention to Sha Ruijin's movements.

Vice Minister Zhang made a low-key visit to Handong, refusing a grand welcome from Sha Ruijin.

This indicates that, at least as the deputy minister of the Organization Department, Sha Ruijin did not fully agree with some of the practices he had taken in Handong, particularly regarding the use of rodenticides.

Zhou Chuyi's speculation was the most direct trigger.

It was Sha Ruijin who, at the first Standing Committee meeting, froze the appointment and removal decisions of 125 officials at the bureau level or above.