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

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the audience.

"I haven't been in Jingzhou for long, but I have some understanding of the situation here. In recent years, under the leadership of Comrade Li Dakang, Jingzhou has made remarkable achievements in economic development, urban construction, and improvement of people's livelihoods. These achievements are the result of the joint efforts of successive leadership teams and the cadres and masses of the city. After I arrived, I will definitely work under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, closely rely on the Municipal Party Committee and the vast number of cadres and masses in the city, implement the blueprint to the end, and continue the work from one term to the next, so as not to let down the trust of the organization and the expectations of my comrades."

He paused, then said another sentence.

"Regarding discipline inspection and supervision work, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection have put forward clear requirements for Jingzhou. I will fully support Comrade Yi Xuexi's work and create a favorable environment for the Commission for Discipline Inspection to perform its duties in accordance with regulations, discipline and law. No one or no unit can interfere with the Commission for Discipline Inspection's handling of cases."

This was a very apt statement. It expressed respect for Li Dakang's achievements, demonstrated an attitude of "keeping up the good work," and specifically mentioned the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission, sending a clear signal to Yi Xuexi.

Zheng Hong did not speak. This was part of the conference's agenda—it was customary for the mayor not to speak at the conference where the new party secretary was taking office.

He sat calmly on the platform, his emotions unreadable.

Wu Chunlin then made a few concluding remarks and adjourned the meeting.

After the people in the front row saw Sha Qi and the other person off, the people below the stage stood up one after another, packed up their materials, and walked out.

Some people talked in hushed tones, some left quickly, and some went to the front of the stage to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with Dong Dingfang.

Zheng Hong didn't say much to Dong Dingfang. He shook hands with Dong Dingfang, said, "Secretary Dong, I'm going back to the municipal government now. I have a meeting this afternoon," and then turned and left.

Zheng Hong is truly busy right now. The economic work in Jingzhou for the second half of the year is incredibly complex, with the Guangming Peak project, shantytown renovation, and industrial transformation and upgrading all vying for attention – each one is a major headache.

The key point is that these projects were all recently taken over from Li Dakang, and they all need to be sorted out from scratch.

With Dong Dingfang's arrival, he can extricate himself from the affairs of the municipal party committee and focus on his economic work. This might not be a bad thing for him.

After dealing with wave after wave of visitors, it was already noon. Dong Dingfang ate a boxed lunch brought by his secretary, Xiao Zhou. As he ate, he said to Xiao Zhou:

"Go ask the Discipline Inspection Commission if Secretary Yi has any plans for this afternoon. If not, invite him to come and sit with me."

Xiao Zhou responded and went out.

He returned ten minutes later.

"Secretary Yi said he will come to visit you at three o'clock this afternoon."

At this point, you have to make time even if you don't have any.

When Yi Xuexi entered Dong Dingfang's office, the sun was high in the sky.

The office was still the same one Li Dakang used, but the furnishings had changed. The calligraphy "Tranquility Leads to Far-Reaching Vision" on Li Dakang's wall had been taken down and replaced with a landscape painting of Luzhou—the scenery of Crescent Lake, with its rippling blue waves and distant green mountains. Yi Xuexi glanced at the painting but said nothing.

"Old Yi, have a seat." Dong Dingfang stood up from behind his desk, walked to the sofa area, and pointed to the seat opposite him. He didn't use more formal titles like "Comrade Learning" or "Secretary Yi," but instead used "Old Yi," making his attitude very clear—this wasn't a work report, but a reunion.

Yi Xuexi sat down opposite him.

Xiao Zhou came in, made two cups of tea, and then left, closing the door behind him.

The office was silent for a few seconds. Dong Dingfang picked up his teacup, but didn't drink it; instead, he spoke first.

How many years have we worked together?

“It’s been almost 10 years. I was the director of the Transportation Bureau and the director of the Development Zone in Luzhou, working under you! I had just become the acting mayor and worked with you when I was transferred to Jingzhou as the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission after only a few months. I never expected that you would come after me in less than a month.”

"It seems I'm destined to be led by you."

Dong Dingfang shook his head: "Jingzhou is indeed a big melting pot. Our Luzhou has a perfectly good Hai Rui, who has only been here for a short time, how did he become Yan Song?"

Yi Xuexi laughed and said, "It all depends on what the Jiajing Emperor needs!"

Chapter 205 Dong Dingfang Takes Office (Part 2)

Dong Dingfang looked at Yi Xuexi, his expression slightly solemn: "The Jiajing Emperor has abdicated, and now it is the Longqing Emperor."

Yi Xuexi's smile remained unchanged: "They're all emperors, their word is law, what difference could there be?"

Dong Dingfang shook his head and retorted, "How can these be the same? The Longqing Emperor used you; that's a great favor."

Yi Xuexi did not answer directly, but instead changed the subject to Dong Dingfang: "You are worse than me. You have already latched onto the thigh of the future Wanli Emperor. You are going to become Zhang Juzheng."

Dong Dingfang shook his head even faster: "I wouldn't dare say that. Zhang Juzheng was Wanli's teacher. How could I possibly be worthy of him?"

The Jiajing and Wanli emperors both reigned for over forty years, while the Longqing emperor, sandwiched in between, reigned for only three years, seemingly serving as a transitional emperor in history.

During their conversation, the two deliberately avoided the topic, but it seemed as if everything was understood without being said.

After a few casual words, Dong Dingfang got down to business:

"Old Yi, we've known each other for so many years, but there are some things I've never told you. Today we're old colleagues catching up, so I'll say a few words from the bottom of my heart. Please don't take them to heart."

Yi Xuexi said seriously, "Go on, I'm all ears."

“When you were in Luzhou, you were single-mindedly focused on moving forward, and no one could stop you. When the development zone was expanding, you clashed with the old bureau chiefs in the city; when the food city was being demolished, you pushed through despite the pressure from Zhao Ruilong; at the municipal government's executive meeting, you argued with several vice mayors until you were red in the face. Back then, when I watched you, sometimes I was worried for you, and sometimes I thought—that's how people and officials should be.”

Yi Xuexi didn't respond, knowing that this was just a necessary lubrication before getting to the main topic. If it were really as Dong Dingfang said, why would he have protected himself in front of him and only used him as a knife?

Dong Dingfang didn't need any feedback and continued speaking on his own:

“I understand you, because… because of some historical issues, you have to maintain a tough stance.”

Yi Xuexi paused slightly in his teacup. He neither admitted nor denied it, but simply asked, "Secretary Dong, what are you trying to say today?"

Dong Dingfang sat up straight, leaned forward, and his tone became more direct.

What I'm trying to say is—things are different now.

He held up one finger.

"First, you are no longer a rootless duckweed. Secretary Sha personally selected you to transfer from Lüzhou to Jingzhou. You are now a full-fledged department-level cadre, a member of the Standing Committee of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. You are no longer the hardworking ox who toiled at the grassroots level. You have the trust of the organization and the support of your superiors. You no longer need to prove anything with that 'workaholic' attitude."

He then raised his second finger.

"Secondly, I know you've been holding it in for so many years, but it's time to let it go now. Although you've been stuck in a position for a long time, you were first promoted to acting mayor, and now you've been entrusted with an important task in Jingzhou. Even if you're not exactly riding high, you must have finally let go of all the pent-up feelings in your heart, right?"

Yi Xuexi squinted slightly, as if he had a premonition.

“Old Yi, you’re a senior official in Handong now. You need to be more mindful of your methods and leave some room for maneuver. Your old, headstrong approach might have worked in Luzhou, but it might not work in Jingzhou. Be more composed and maintain the demeanor of a senior official.”

The office was silent for a few seconds.

“Secretary Dong,” Yi Xuexi began, his voice not loud but deep, “What’s with all this posturing? I, Old Yi, have always been a tough nut to crack. I can’t imitate your refined manners.”

Dong Dingfang also laughed.

“What’s all this talk about famous scholars?” he said, with a hint of self-deprecation in his voice. “We are all sons of farmers, the same at heart.”

He paused, then his tone became serious.

"Old Yi, to be honest, Jingzhou can't withstand any more turmoil. The incident at Liushuwan just happened, seven lives were lost, and the public's emotions haven't calmed down yet. Li Dakang has been suspended from his post, and the city's morale is wavering. The Guangmingfeng project is at a critical stage, and the shantytown renovation is also in a crucial phase. At this juncture, if another major anti-corruption storm hits, taking away a large number of officials and uncovering a lot of projects, what will investors think? Will they flee? What will the public think? How will public opinion be controlled? What will outsiders think of Jingzhou? What will they think of Handong?"

He looked at Yi Xuexi with an emotion in his eyes that Yi Xuexi rarely saw before—not a command, not a request, but an earnestness.

But Yi Xuexi remained unmoved. After all these years, while he wouldn't say his heart was as hard as iron, he was no longer easily swayed by a few words. He countered with:

"Do you also endorse those fallacies and heresies that 'corruption is a productive force'?"

Dong Dingfang would never accept such a remark, and quickly denied it: "No, no, no, I completely disagree with that view. I just wanted you to pay attention to your methods when you work."

"It's not that I'm telling you not to investigate. You must investigate the cases that need to be investigated. Don't let any of the people who need to be arrested get away. I just hope that during the investigation, you can be as gentle as possible, within the bounds of procedure. Handle things internally if possible; take people away quietly if possible. Less noise, less provocation, let the investors' emotions stabilize, and let the cadres' mentality calm down."

Yi Xuexi remained silent for a long time.

He knew that Dong Dingfang was right.

Jingzhou truly cannot withstand further turmoil. The wounds of Liushuwan have not yet healed, and the shockwaves from Li Dakang's downfall have not subsided. If another massive anti-corruption storm were to erupt, not only investors but also ordinary citizens would feel that "Jingzhou is in chaos again."

But he also knew that the clues he had pointed not to small fry, but to Zhao Ruilong and Zhao Lichun. Those people were not people he could "sneak away" with.

One move, and it's earth-shattering.

“Secretary Dong,” he finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse, “I’ve heard what you said. But there’s one thing I need to make clear—some of the cases I’m handling aren’t decisions I can make alone. The Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection is watching, and the higher-ups are waiting. How to control the pace isn’t up to me alone.”

Dong Dingfang understood, but he didn't insist, nor could he force it.

"I understand. You have your difficulties, and I have my responsibilities. Let's try to understand each other."

Yi Xuexi stood up, picked up his teacup, and drank the tea in one gulp. Then he put the cup back on the coffee table and straightened his collar.

"I'll try," he said in a low voice.

The phrase "I'll try my best" often carries two completely opposite meanings within the system; sometimes it signifies agreement, and sometimes it signifies rejection, depending on the specific circumstances.

Dong Dingfang was unclear about what "easy to learn" meant here, and even Yi Xuexi himself was unsure.

As mentioned above, it depends on the specific circumstances.

Dong Dingfang also stood up, took two steps, went to Yi Xuexi, and extended his hand.

Okay. Take care.

Yi Xuexi grasped his hand, nodded, and then turned and walked towards the door.

Chapter 206 New Discovery

Hou Liangping seemed to have returned to the days when he was handling cases at the Supreme People's Procuratorate—relying on his powerful connections, he was fearless and full of vigor.

Jingzhou became his chessboard. The young master who once mocked and looked down on him was now being chased and beaten by him.

Zhao Ruilong was naturally not in Jingzhou; he was remotely directing operations from Hong Kong.

The two sides are more than a thousand kilometers apart. One side is destroying materials, while the other is digging deep into history. They are like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their unique abilities, and they frequently clash.

Hou Liangping certainly made a lot of noise. But despite the noise, what he uncovered were just some fragmented clues, nothing major.

After all, the Zhao family has been operating in Handong for many years and has deep roots there.

With just a few people and a dozen guns, what could Hou Liangping possibly find out?

If Xiao Gangyu hadn't been arrested, and if Gao Yuliang hadn't been so self-protective, he might not have even been able to dig up these few clues.

Ma Shengli, the general manager of the Jingzhou branch of the Shanshui Group, whom he had previously placed high hopes on, and his mistress, failed to implicate any major figures.

The political and business relationships that have surfaced are mostly borderline dealings, far from what he wanted.

Hou Liangping grew increasingly impatient. He had suggested to Yi Xuexi several times that the scope of the investigation be expanded, but Yi Xuexi had always turned him down.

Easy Learning has its own considerations.

He discovered a strange phenomenon—the pressure from Sarrikin, which he had anticipated, was not as great as he had thought.

After the last call, neither Sha Ruijin, Tian Guofu, nor Sha Ruijin's secretary Bai Jingwen contacted him again. There were no instructions, no urging, and not even a question like "What's the situation lately?"

It's easy to see that there must be some hidden story behind this matter.