Qi Tongwei at the start: Not relying on Liang Lu, but winning by a single move against Heaven.

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, Qi Tongwei appeared on time at the Organization Department of the Bianxi Provincial Party Committee.

The conversation took place in a small conference room on the third floor.

When Qi Tongwei pushed the door open, there were already three people sitting inside.

In the center is Shen Yuanchao, the deputy minister of the Organization Department. He is in his fifties, with a buzz cut, dark complexion, and a ramrod straight back.

On the left is Zhao Maoli, the office director, and on the right is Liang Sansi, the director of the first cadre section.

This display of force made Qi Tongwei's heart tighten slightly.

The assignment interview for a recent graduate at the deputy section chief level actually involved a deputy minister.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "Is this specification a bit too much?"

Shen Yuanchao raised his hand to signal Qi Tongwei to enter.

"sit."

Qi Tongwei bowed slightly to the three of them, then pulled out a chair and sat down.

Aside from a moment of surprise upon entering, his expression and movements were very calm and measured.

Shen Yuanchao spoke first, setting the tone.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was very serious.

"Comrade Qi Tongwei, the organization highly commends you for giving up the generous conditions in Handong and voluntarily going to the arduous frontier."

He glanced around, softened his voice, and smiled.

"The fact that the three of us representing the organization are speaking with you today shows how much the organization values ​​you... Why don't you tell us first, what are your plans for your future work?"

"When I chose to come to Bianxi, I was prepared to overcome difficulties. There's not much to say; I will resolutely obey the organization's arrangements."

Qi Tongwei's expression was calm, but his voice was firm.

Shen Yuanchao nodded, his eyes filled with appreciation.

He was a veteran and was very satisfied with Qi Tongwei's tough demeanor.

He smiled, tapped his fingers on the notebook, and continued speaking.

"Now, the organization gives you two options."

"First, you are a former student union president with experience in party and mass work, so you could consider staying in the organization department or going to the publicity department."

"Secondly, you have a background in law and political science, which is a relevant field, so you can also work in law and political science."

He paused slightly and looked at Qi Tongwei.

"What are your thoughts? Don't be shy, let's talk."

Qi Tongwei smiled faintly, a slight upturn to his lips.

He spoke loudly, without the slightest hesitation in his voice.

"Minister Shen, now that I'm here in Bianxi, I'm well prepared."

"Please send me to the most difficult place."

Shen Yuanchao was taken aback, and he exchanged glances with Zhao Maoli and Liang Sansi.

When he looked at Qi Tongwei again, the admiration in his eyes had turned into approval.

Shen Yuanchao nodded slowly and flipped through the resume in his hand.

"He's a good comrade, willing to take responsibility..."

He put down his resume, his voice becoming serious.

"However, I still have to remind you. Bianxi is not inland, and the situation is very complicated."

"To put it more seriously, his life could be in danger at any moment."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, a very bright smile.

In his past life, he infiltrated a drug den, was shot three times, and nearly lost his life at Lone Eagle Ridge.

Life-threatening?

Is Qi Tongwei afraid?

He feared living a life of mediocrity, feared his ambitions being buried, and feared his dignity being trampled upon...

He was fearless of death! Otherwise, there wouldn't have been that shot on Lone Eagle Ridge.

He stood up abruptly, his expression solemn, and gave the three men a standard military salute.

His voice was loud and clear, and his expression was unwavering.

"Please send me to the most difficult place!"

Shen Yuanchao's eyelids twitched, and he was secretly moved.

This young man has a tough backbone; in times of war, he would be a formidable opponent.

He nodded and waved to Qi Tongwei.

"No need to be so serious, sit down and talk."

"We have received your feedback. Go back and wait for further instructions. We will consider it."

After the conversation ended, Qi Tongwei also sensed something amiss.

The political environments of Bianxi and Handong are completely different worlds.

The political environment in Handong is relatively mild, seemingly harmonious on the surface, but rife with intrigue and backstabbing behind the scenes.

On the other hand, the western side is wild and brutal, basically a patriarchal one-man show.

Take the organizational talk we just had, for example.

Shen Yuanchao did most of the talking, while Zhao Maoli and Liang Sansi merely echoed and took notes.

The top leader sets the tone, and everyone else follows.

Thinking of this, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but sigh.

It's true that different places nurture different people; even the political environment is related to local customs.

Back at the guesthouse, Qi Tongwei thought he would have to wait a day or two.

Unexpectedly, he received the notification that afternoon.

However, it wasn't an appointment notice, but rather a notice for a welcome banquet.

The call was from Zhao Maoli, who called directly to the front desk of the government guesthouse.

His voice was tinged with laughter, and he spoke very briefly.

"Xiao Qi, a welcome dinner has been arranged for you tonight. Someone will be picking you up in a little while."

He paused briefly, then added another sentence.

"Minister Shen arranged it personally."

After hanging up the phone, Qi Tongwei stared at the screen with a slight frown.

He couldn't understand why he, a deputy section chief, would receive such treatment.

He thought to himself, and unconsciously muttered to himself.

"A welcome banquet before even starting the job..."

Just as he was wondering what was going on, the waiter next to him chuckled.

The girl was very young, at most twenty years old, just the age when her heart was beginning to flutter with romantic feelings.

She secretly glanced at Qi Tongwei.

He was 1.8 meters tall, with a strong physique and a spirited appearance.

The waitress's face was slightly flushed.

She lowered her head and spoke softly, her voice clear and melodious.

"Either you're a section-level cadre or above, or you have a powerful background..."

The young girl was quite old, but she spent most of her time in government guesthouses.

She understood the intricacies of the matter perfectly, revealing the secret in a single sentence.

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, then smiled at her.

The young waitress blushed even more at his charm.

Back inside, Qi Tongwei's doubts deepened.

The waiter explained it very clearly; it was that kind of courtesy.

The problem is, Qi Tongwei doesn't have the advantage of either.

He had a vague feeling that this welcome banquet wouldn't be so simple.

At six o'clock in the evening, a military green jeep drove into the courtyard of the guesthouse.

There was a knock on the door.

When I opened the door, it was the same young waitress from the afternoon.

She didn't dare look at Qi Tongwei, and blushed as she reminded him.

"Your people are here, waiting for you downstairs."

Qi Tongwei smiled and thanked him, then picked up his coat and went downstairs.

They remained silent on the road.

The military green jeep bumped along the road and drove into a large courtyard.

The courtyard was large, with a huge yurt set up in one corner.

As soon as Qi Tongwei got out of the car, Zhao Maoli came to greet him.

There were also three Kazakh men standing beside him.

The leader was a man in his fifties, his face weathered, but his eyes were bright.

"Xiao Qi, we've been waiting for you."

"This is Uncle Nurman, he's my partner."

"These two are his sons."

Qi Tongwei smiled and shook hands with several people.

Uncle Nurman was very enthusiastic.

He grabbed Qi Tongwei and led him to the sheepfold in the yard.

He pointed to the lambs in the pen and spoke with a smile.

"Cadre Qi, look, which of my lambs is the prettiest?"

Qi Tongwei looked at the flock of sheep and casually pointed to a little white lamb.

"This one looks the best, it's so clean..."

Uncle Nurman waved his hand.

His two sons immediately rushed over.

With swift movements, he held down the lamb and swiftly brought the knife down.

Qi Tongwei was stunned and hadn't reacted yet.

That beautiful little lamb has passed away.

Seeing Qi Tongwei's surprise, Zhao Maoli smiled and explained to him.

"This is a Kazakh custom of hospitality called 'Bata'."

"Kill whichever one you point to."

Qi Tongwei frowned slightly, feeling both amused and exasperated.

He saw Uncle Nurman holding a sheep by the neck and looking at him, as if waiting for something.

Qi Tongwei, puzzled, turned to look at Zhao Maoli.

"You have to say 'Bata.' It means peace and good fortune, and then it will end."

Qi Tongwei suddenly realized, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Uncle Nurman, and spoke solemnly.

"Bata".

As he finished speaking...

The crowd burst into laughter, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.

After this little incident, Zhao Maoli led Qi Tongwei into the large yurt.

There was already someone sitting in the yurt.

It was Liang Sansi, the section chief I had met during the day.

Zhao Maoli gestured for Qi Tongwei to take off his shoes, and the three of them sat down on the ground.

The three chatted for a while longer before Uncle Nurman arrived.

Behind him, his two sons each carried two large silver platters.

The plate was full of meat.

One plate was dark red, like beef.

The other plate was white and looked like lard.

Then several Kazakh women filed in, and one dish of food after another was placed on the table.

The dishes are almost all served.

This welcome banquet, with its exotic flair, has officially begun.

The first to speak was neither Zhao Maoli nor Liang Sansi.

It was the owner of the yurt, Uncle Nurman.

Uncle Nurman pulled out a small dagger.

I cut a piece from that plate of white, fatty oil.

He flicked the knife tip and presented it to Qi Tongwei with a smile.

"Welcome, esteemed Cadre Qi..."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback and was about to reach out to take it.

But Zhao Maoli, who was standing next to him, grabbed him and held him down.

He looked at Qi Tongwei and spoke with a smile.

"You can't use your hands, you have to use your mouth."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

His heart pounded wildly.

With your mouth? Just hand me a knife and I'm done for!

He frowned slightly, glanced at the people inside the yurt, and thought to himself.

As expected, this banquet was no fun; they were trying to intimidate me!