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

The applause lasted for almost half a minute before slowly subsiding.

Lin Long'an took the microphone, said a few concluding remarks, and then invited Sha Ruijin to speak. Sha Ruijin gave a steady and measured speech, which was met with enthusiastic applause, but the atmosphere was completely different.

After several more procedures, Lin Long'an adjourned the meeting, and Sha Ruijin was the first to get up and leave.

Before anyone else on the stage had stood up, the cadres below stood up, but instead of dispersing in twos and threes as usual, they all gathered in one direction—the direction of the rostrum.

To be precise, it was Qi Tongwei's direction.

The first to approach was Zheng Hong, the mayor of Jingzhou City. Dong Dingfang, who sat on the stage, held the highest position in the local city. He walked up to Qi Tongwei, extended his hand, and said sincerely, "Governor Qi, your speech just now has reassured us. Rest assured, I will do a good job in Jingzhou."

Qi Tongwei grasped his hand and nodded: "Jingzhou is the provincial capital, so the pressure on economic work is the greatest. You've worked hard."

Zheng Hong quickly replied, "It's no trouble at all, it's my duty."

Then came Lin Cheng, Lü Zhou, the director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the director of the Provincial Finance Department, the director of the Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission… one after another, they lined up. Everyone was saying similar things—"Governor Qi's speech was very timely," "We will implement it as soon as we get back," "Please rest assured, Governor Qi."

The words were platitudes, but the tone wasn't perfunctory. That eagerness, that initiative, that feeling of wanting everyone to know you were there—that couldn't be faked.

Qi Tongwei shook hands with each person and responded to each one. His attitude was neither warm nor cold, exactly the same as when he received subordinates in his office. But the more he acted this way, the more people gathered around.

Some people started talking about Qi Tongwei's economic work plan. "Governor Qi's four proposals are all spot on." Someone chimed in, "Indeed, the Guangming Peak project, the shantytown renovation, and the port expansion—aren't they all tough nuts to crack? If Governor Qi dares to tackle them, we dare to follow suit."

Someone steered the conversation toward the trip to Beijing, but dared not say it outright, only hinting indirectly: "Governor Qi's trip to Beijing has smoothed out the relations with the ministries, making it easier for us to carry out our work." The person next to him quickly chimed in: "Yes, if it weren't for Governor Qi's intervention, those projects would have been halted, and our city's economic data would have been unrecognizable."

More and more people started talking, and more and more people gathered around. Qi Tongwei was surrounded by the crowd, like a magnet, attracting all the iron filings around him. Those standing on the outer edge couldn't squeeze in, nor did they want to leave. They just stood there, looking at the figure in the dark blue suit in the center of the crowd, their faces showing expressions of admiration, awe, or complex emotions.

I don't know who started it, but applause rang out again.

This time, the applause didn't come from the stage, but from the periphery of the crowd. One person clapped, two people clapped, ten people clapped, dozens of people clapped. The applause once again echoed in the conference center's hall.

Sha Ruijin was almost out of the conference room when he heard the applause and turned his head stiffly to look.

He looked at Qi Tongwei, who was surrounded in the center of the crowd, at the hands reaching out eagerly, at the eager eyes, and at the undisguised applause.

His gaze remained calm, as calm as a still lake. But Bai Jingwen noticed that Sha Ruijin's hands were trembling slightly—not the violent, Parkinson's-like tremor, but a subtle, almost imperceptible tremor.

The crowd hadn't dispersed. The applause hadn't stopped. Qi Tongwei was still talking loudly and shaking hands with one person after another.

Sha Ruijin turned around and walked out. Bai Jingwen quickly followed.

Staff members in the corridor tried to guide him, but Sha Ruijin raised his hand to refuse.

The corridor was quiet, with only Sha Ruijin and Bai Jingwen present, a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the conference hall. Sha Ruijin's leather shoes clicked crisply on the marble floor tiles.

But his pace was slightly faster than usual, as if he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible—to escape from it.

As he reached the corner of the corridor, Sha Ruijin suddenly paused. His body swayed slightly, like a tree being blown by a typhoon, its roots loosening in the soil.

His right leg buckled, his knee bent slightly, and he tilted to the right.

Bai Jingwen reacted quickly, stepping forward and reaching out to support his arm.

"Secretary Sha—"

Sha Ruijin steadied himself and didn't let Bai Jingwen continue to support him. He gently pushed Bai Jingwen's hand away, straightened his collar, took a deep breath, and continued walking forward. His steps returned to their usual steadiness, and his back straightened again, as if the momentary stumble had never happened.

Bai Jingwen followed behind him, not daring to ask or say anything more, simply keeping a half-step distance, ready to reach out again at any moment.

Sha Ruijin's expression remained unchanged. It was still the same serious yet approachable face he always wore in public. But his mind was in turmoil.

He walked to the elevator and pressed the button. The elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside, Bai Jingwen following behind. The elevator doors slowly closed, and Sha Ruijin reached out to hold the handrail inside the elevator and closed his eyes.

“Xiaobai,” he suddenly spoke, his voice a little hoarse.

"Secretary Sha, please speak."

"Don't tell anyone what happened just now."

Bai Jingwen knew what he meant and quickly nodded, "I understand."

Despite having mentally prepared himself, Sha Ruijin realized that he had still far underestimated the impact of the event.

It's a matter of public sentiment!

Chapter 218 The Dust Settles (The Finale)

Handong has never existed in isolation. Nor is it anyone's private domain.

In many places, even a disagreement between the top two provincial officials can lead to mediation, talks, and job reassignments by higher authorities.

It's impossible for the higher-ups not to know about such a big incident that happened in Handong.

It is even less likely that this will be allowed to continue.

On the very afternoon that Sha Ruijin lamented the shifting tides of public sentiment, in a private meeting room in Beijing, a short meeting that would determine the future of Handong ended in less than half an hour.

There was no heated debate, no lengthy analysis. Those present had already reached a consensus—the matter of Handong could not be delayed any longer.

Zhao Lichun's case has been verified: family-style corruption, using his position to seek huge benefits for his relatives, loss of his ideals and beliefs, and resistance to organizational investigation.

Even more seriously, in order to protect himself, he did not hesitate to use the economic stability of Handong as a bargaining chip, instigating his subordinates to make numerous reports and send letters to higher authorities under the pretext of "historical issues," intending to create chaos and jeopardize the overall situation.

"This isn't a matter of corruption, it's a matter of principle." The person presiding over the meeting spoke vehemently, each word sharp and forceful. "A high-ranking official, for his own selfish gain, is willing to gamble with the entire province's economy and the livelihoods of tens of millions of people. We can't wait a moment longer for such a person."

The "double regulation" (a form of internal party discipline) was imposed. It was implemented immediately. No one objected.

Next up is Sha Ruijin.

"...Handong's anti-corruption work has achieved results, but the methods are too simplistic and crude, causing widespread panic among the lower levels, a decline in economic indicators, and a deterioration in the investment environment." An old comrade who participated in the conversation bluntly stated, "It is a good knife, but it can only be used as a knife. What Handong needs now is not to continue 'scraping the bone to remove the poison,' but to recuperate and rebuild. It can no longer support this situation."

"Then how should we arrange it?"

“Let him work for another year, otherwise it will have a bad influence. Let’s wrap up Zhao Lichun’s case and hand over the team smoothly. In this year, he should just be a figurehead. Don’t make any big moves or cause any trouble. After a year, he can step down to the second line.”

Finally, there was the question of succession. Everyone present unanimously thought of the same name—Qi Tongwei.

"Everyone has seen his performance during this period. He handled the situation in Beijing without considering personal gain or loss. He stabilized the overall economy of Handong. He also reassured the cadres below. This person is responsible, skillful, and has a broad vision. He knows when to advance and when to retreat." The old comrade paused, "His taking over this situation is acceptable to all parties."

There was silence for a moment.

"Has Sha Ruijin spoken with him yet?"

"Not yet. Talk to him and make things clear—stability in Handong is the top priority. Personal advancement or retreat must be subordinate to the overall situation."

"it is good."

The dust has settled.

-

In the afternoon, in Jingzhou, many officials were still processing the information from the morning's economic situation analysis meeting.

Tian Guofu walked into Sha Ruijin's office, his expression more serious than usual.

Instead of sitting on the sofa as usual, he went straight to Sha Ruijin's desk.

Sha Ruijin put down his pen and looked at him.

"Secretary Sha," Tian Guofu said in a low voice, "I just received news that the higher-level discipline inspection commission has taken disciplinary action against Zhao Lichun."

Sha Ruijin's fingers trembled slightly.

He didn't speak, leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the unfinished document on the table. The handwriting blurred in his vision, then slowly became clear again.

He was processing this news—not the news of Zhao Lichun being placed under investigation, but the signals it conveyed.

Zhao Lichun's investigation was something he had anticipated.

Zhao Ruilong's unbridled encroachment on the interests of the state is an indelible stain on Zhao Lichun's record.

Once this breach is opened, Zhao Lichun's downfall is inevitable.

That's why he accepted the task.

Now that Zhao Lichun has fallen, Sha Ruijin does not feel relieved.

As the head of the leadership team in Handong, he was not the first to receive the news.

And until now, no one has notified him. If Tian Guofu hadn't come to inform him, he would still be in the dark.

What about his superiors? What about his communication channels?

"I understand," Sha Ruijin said, his tone slightly dazed.

Tian Guofu stood there, hesitant to speak, but ultimately said nothing and turned to leave.

After leaving Sha Ruijin's office, Tian Guofu thought for a while, then picked up his phone and sent a message to Liao Qingyuan:

"Director Liao, does Governor Qi have time this afternoon? I have something I'd like to report to him."

-

In the office, Sha Ruijin stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the branches of the sycamore tree were bare, appearing particularly slender in the autumn sunlight.

Zhao Lichun has fallen; his mission is complete. He paid a heavy price, but now he has no burdens.

"Travel light," he told himself. "There's still time."

Ring ring—

The red telephone on the table rang. Sha Ruijin answered it, and it was Bai Jingwen's voice: "Secretary Sha, the Organization Department of the higher authorities has notified you that you are requested to come to Beijing at 10:00 AM tomorrow to report on your work."

Sha Ruijin held the microphone, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Okay. Make the arrangements, and fly to Beijing today."

He hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling. A performance review. This performance review at this crucial time, with such a tight deadline, probably meant he was going to be held accountable.

Whether I pass or not depends on this performance review.

He locked himself in his office, first taking out a pen to make an outline, and then devoted himself to preparing his performance report.

But what he didn't know was that his fate was already sealed, and it wouldn't change regardless of his preparations.

-

That evening, Qi Tongwei also received a phone call in his office.

The call was from Beijing, a landline, but Qi Tongwei remembered it—it was Han Shen's home landline. He answered, and Han Shen's voice came through, calm and steady.

"Tongwei, you know about Zhao Lichun's matter, right?"

"understood."

"Alright, then I won't say any more." Han Shen paused. "There's one more thing. It's basically decided from above—you'll be in charge of things in Handong."

Qi Tongwei held the microphone, not speaking immediately. After a while, he finally asked, "Uncle, when did this happen?"