Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

But he had no other choice.

He believes that loose threads are often hidden in inconspicuous corners.

He needs to find that loose thread.

Over the next two days, Yi Xuexi, in his office as the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, issued one order after another, summoned one related person after another, and reviewed one document after another.

Like a seasoned spider, slowly weaving its hunting web.

The approval documents, bidding records, contracts, fund disbursement vouchers, and conversation records of related personnel for the Guangmingfeng project were piled up to half a person's height.

With too little time and unable to trust the municipal discipline inspection commission personnel, he had to take matters into his own hands. He meticulously compared every document, searching for anything "unconventional within the conventional."

At the same time, he also submitted a report to Tian Guofu, requesting support from professional personnel.

Tian Guofu sent Hou Liangping down.

---

The approval arrived at the provincial party committee on an ordinary afternoon.

The document from the higher-level organization department was short, only two pages long, and the wording was very standard: "We agree with the recommendation to suspend Comrade Li Dakang from his duties for investigation. Please handle this matter according to the accident investigation results and the cadre management authority, in accordance with laws and regulations." There was no extra praise or criticism, no additional conditions, just a standard, procedural reply.

But Sha Ruijin knew what that reply meant.

This means that his actions towards Li Dakang were tacitly approved by those above. It means that at this stage, he has obtained the "green light" to continue. It also means that if any problems arise later, he will have to bear the consequences himself.

When Bai Jingwen brought the document in, Sha Ruijin read it twice, signed it, and asked him to forward it to the Provincial Party Committee Office for filing.

Then he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

He was thinking about the next step.

Li Dakang has been suspended from his post. Who will take over as the Party Secretary of Jingzhou? Zheng Hong is temporarily in charge, but Zheng Hong is the mayor. Can he be transferred to the position of Party Secretary?

No, even if the major safety accident in the shantytown is attributed to Li Dakang's recklessness, Mayor Zheng Hong cannot escape responsibility.

Temporary leadership is acceptable, but not a long-term solution. Jingzhou is the provincial capital and needs someone of considerable influence to oversee it.

Moreover, Sha Ruijin was not entirely at ease with Zheng Hong. He didn't mean Zheng Hong had any problems, but rather that he was unsure of Zheng Hong's stance. Zheng Hong was a cadre who had risen through the ranks in Handong, having spent thirty years in the Handong officialdom, and recently working under the powerful Li Dakang. He didn't rely on anyone, nor did he offend anyone; he was the typical "technical" official—capable of getting things done, not taking sides, and not vying for power.

However, recently his style has suddenly become more assertive, and many people know that this is because of Qi Tongwei.

Sha Ruijin was even less inclined to use him.

He needed someone he could trust, someone capable of stabilizing Jingzhou.

Before he could think about it, the red phone on the table rang. It was Tian Guofu calling.

"Secretary Sha, there's something going on with Zheng Hong."

"what's the situation?"

Tian Guofu's voice was very low: "Yi Xuexi just called me and said that Zheng Hong summoned Qian Feng from the Discipline Inspection Commission this morning for a talk, demanding that the Discipline Inspection Commission not take any major actions during this 'sensitive period,' saying that they would make unified arrangements after the new secretary takes office. Qian Feng came back and reported to Yi Xuexi, and Yi Xuexi felt that something was wrong."

Sha Ruijin frowned.

What does Zheng Hong mean by "sensitive period"?

“His exact words were, ‘Secretary Li has just been suspended from his post, and the people in the city are not at peace. Taking any big action at this time could easily trigger unnecessary speculation and would not be conducive to stability.’” Tian Guofu paused. “Yi Xuexi asked him whether he should forcefully push forward with the investigation, and I said I would ask for your opinion first.”

Sha Ruijin remained silent for a few seconds.

"Don't move. I'll handle it."

After hanging up the phone, Sha Ruijin sat in his chair for a long time, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. He went over the whole matter in his mind—Zheng Hong was the mayor temporarily in charge, and in principle, he had the right to inquire about the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission, but not the right to stop it. The Discipline Inspection Commission operates under a dual leadership system, being led by both the Party Committee at the same level and the Discipline Inspection Commission at the higher level.

Zheng Hong was aware that the projects Yi Xuexi was investigating were at Sha Ruijin's behest, and he had no reason to stop them.

Why did Zheng Hong call for a halt? Was it his decision, or was he instructed to do so by someone behind the scenes?

But no matter what, Sha Ruijin knew he couldn't wait any longer.

He plans to address the problem directly at its source.

Sha Ruijin picked up the internal address book on the table, flipped to Qi Tongwei's number, and dialed it.

I answered the phone after it rang twice.

"Secretary Sha."

"Comrade Tongwei, are you free now? Come to my office."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Qi Tongwei arrived quickly. He came from the provincial government building, a walk of less than ten minutes. When he entered, he was carrying a thermos, wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and looked younger than his actual age.

"Secretary Sha, you wanted to see me?"

He sat down on the sofa, placed the thermos on the coffee table, and looked at Sha Ruijin.

Sha Ruijin walked out from behind his desk, sat down opposite Qi Tongwei, and got straight to the point.

"The Central Committee's approval for suspending Li Dakang from his duties has been issued. Jingzhou cannot remain without a municipal party secretary indefinitely. I'd like to discuss a replacement with you."

Qi Tongwei nodded, not rushing to express his opinion.

“My idea is,” Sha Ruijin continued, “that this person should be familiar with local work, have sufficient prestige and qualifications, and be able to stabilize the situation in Jingzhou. Ideally, he should be at the sub-provincial level, so that he is on par with other provincial capitals. All things considered, there aren’t many qualified people in the province.”

He paused, looking at Qi Tongwei.

"Comrade Dong Dingfang, Vice Governor and Secretary of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee, what do you think?"

Qi Tongwei's expression remained unchanged, but a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"Comrade Dong Dingfang has worked in Luzhou for ten years. Luzhou is the second largest economy in Handong. His ability and experience have been proven." Qi Tongwei's tone was very steady, as if he were analyzing an ordinary cadre personnel issue. "He is now the vice governor and concurrently the secretary of the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee. His level is vice provincial. He has enough qualifications and ability. He can get up to speed quickly if he goes to Jingzhou."

Sha Ruijin nodded: "That's what I think too. Comrade Dong Dingfang's achievements in Luzhou are obvious to all, and he is now the vice governor. It is in line with the practice of provincial capitals for him to serve as the municipal party secretary in Jingzhou."

The two men exchanged a glance. Neither pointed out the underlying consideration—Dong Dingfang was recommended by Qi Tongwei and was an important ally of Qi Tongwei within the provincial government system. Sha Ruijin's initiative to send Dong Dingfang to Jingzhou was a signal to Qi Tongwei: Jingzhou is available to you.

But this signal came at a price. What Sha Ruijin wanted was that Dong Dingfang, after taking office, must support Yi Xuexi's investigation.

Qi Tongwei understood, of course.

“Secretary Sha,” he said, “I can communicate with Comrade Dong Dingfang. After he arrives in Jingzhou, he will definitely resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the Provincial Party Committee.”

Sha Ruijin glanced at him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Okay. It's settled then. You should let Dong Dingfang know first, and I'll go through the procedures. Let's try to submit the plan next week."

Qi Tongwei nodded: "Okay."

After discussing some more details, he got up and left.

Sha Ruijin voluntarily relinquished his position as Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee to Dong Dingfang, which was a significant concession in terms of personnel.

Sha Ruijin was well aware that Dong Dingfang was Qi Tongwei's man. Sha Ruijin was willing to hand over Jingzhou, the most important prefecture-level city, to Dong Dingfang; Dong's promotion to the Standing Committee was a foregone conclusion, only a matter of time.

His primary goal now is not to compete with Qi Tongwei for territory, but to concentrate all his efforts on dealing with the Zhao family. To achieve this goal, he is willing to make compromises in personnel matters.

This is a good thing for Qi Tongwei.

With Dong Dingfang becoming the Party Secretary of Jingzhou, it means that Qi Tongwei's influence has extended from the provincial government to the provincial capital—Dong Dingfang will be keeping an eye on Jingzhou's political environment, cadre appointments, and major projects.

Take what you need.

Back in his office, Qi Tongwei took out his phone and dialed Dong Dingfang's number.

"Comrade Dingfang, is it convenient for you to talk now?"

On the other end of the phone, Dong Dingfang's voice was as steady as ever: "Governor Qi, it's convenient. Please speak."

"The Central Committee's approval for Li Dakang's suspension has been issued. Secretary Sha just spoke with me and suggested that you take over as the Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee. In my personal opinion, you are also a suitable candidate."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Governor Qi, thank you for your trust. And thank you Secretary Sha for your trust as well. I will obey the organization's arrangements." Dong Dingfang's tone was steady, without much fluctuation, but Qi Tongwei could feel the excitement in his heart.

"Okay. Make preparations on your end. There might be a meeting with the provincial party committee next week. You need to arrange the handover of your work in Luzhou in advance."

"clear."

After hanging up, Qi Tongwei dialed another number and said in a deep voice, "Don't create any more obstacles for Yi Xuexi from now on."

"Yes, Dong Dingfang is the one who will be arranged. No need to rush, there will be another opportunity next time."

---

That evening, Yi Xuexi received a call from Bai Jingwen.

"Secretary Yi, Secretary Sha asked me to tell you that the Provincial Party Committee has already considered the candidate for Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee, and he will be in place soon. Until then, your work can proceed normally without any further obstacles. I hope you will not let down the conditions that Secretary Sha has created for you."

Yi Xuexi tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

"I understand. Thank you, Director Bai. Please tell Secretary Sha to rest assured that I will do my best."

After hanging up the phone, Yi Xuexi leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh, and then opened the door to call his secretary:

"Please ask Comrade Hou Liangping to come over here."

Chapter 203 The Sharp Sword

"Secretary Yi, Comrade Hou Liangping has arrived."

"Please come in."

Yi Xuexi stood up from behind his desk, walked around it, and went to the door. Hou Liangping was already standing there, a perfectly confident smile on his face.

"Secretary Yi, Hou Liangping is here to report for duty." He extended his hand, his tone crisp and decisive.

Yi Xuexi grasped his hand, his grip neither too tight nor too loose. "Comrade Liangping, welcome. Please sit down."

The two sat down on the sofa. The secretary made two cups of tea, then left and closed the door behind her.

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Yi Xuexi sized up Hou Liangping—a man in his early forties, handsome with a heroic air about him, but a barely perceptible weariness in his eyes. During his time at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, he had handled major cases; Liu Xinjian and Xiao Gangyu were both formidable figures.

Adding to the burden of divorce, this person carries a heavy responsibility.

Yi Xuexi formed a preliminary impression of Hou Liangping: capable and ambitious, but not stable enough. Such a person, if used well, is a weapon; if used poorly, he's a blade that will wound oneself.

Hou Liangping was also sizing up Yi Xuexi. He was in his fifties, wearing a gray jacket, with short, stiff hair and a stern, expressionless face. Hou Liangping had heard of him—he had offended Zhao Ruilong by demolishing the food court in Luzhou; and had been promoted by Sha Ruijin, transferred from acting mayor of Luzhou to secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jingzhou. He was a tough nut to crack, and also a difficult person to get along with.

Hou Liangping mentally gave him a score: capable, but too conservative. This kind of leader can be a shield if handled well, but a burden if handled poorly.