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

Liang Jin's body had long been weakened by wine and women, and he was even more fond of this kind of "novelty" that was inexperienced and even somewhat resistant to, which brought him a stronger desire to conquer and a sense of psychological satisfaction.

A group of beautiful women surrounded him, speaking softly and flattering him carefully; their followers chimed in with jokes and various ways of praising him. Surrounded by youthful bodies and fawning words, Liang Jin temporarily forgot his troubles and felt somewhat elated.

He led everyone to the bowling alley attached to the private room for a while.

Bowling was still a novel and fashionable activity at the time. Most of the girls were clumsy and kept exclaiming and laughing. It didn't require much physical strength, which was perfect for Liang Jin to show off and teach.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the nightclub really came alive.

The deafening dance music could be faintly heard through the heavy door, and Liang Jin's private room had also entered a carnival mode.

Bottle after bottle of spirits were opened, the golden liquid of Rémy Martin XO swirled in crystal glasses, the lights were turned to their most psychedelic mode, the music was deafening, and men and women twisted their bodies in the confined space, amidst swirling smoke and the overwhelming smell of alcohol.

After a few rounds of drinks, Liang Jin got up to go to the restroom outside. In the corridor, he caught a glimpse of a figure that instantly made him feel nauseous—Zhao Lichun's son, Zhao Ruilong.

The other person was wearing an expensive-looking, trendy jacket, and his hair was slicked back. He was also surrounded by a group of people and was walking towards another large private room.

Their eyes met briefly in mid-air, both flashing a hint of disgust.

The Liang and Zhao families didn't have much of a conflict, but the two young men with similar interests frequented the same area, often vying for attention and "resources," and they couldn't stand each other.

"Damn it!" Liang Jin cursed inwardly. If she had known this guy was here tonight, she should have gone somewhere else.

Unexpectedly, when Zhao Ruilong saw him, his eyes darted around, and he actually voluntarily left his attendants behind and walked over with a smile.

Not wanting to lose face, Liang Jin spoke first, her tone laced with her usual sarcasm: "Oh, isn't this Boss Zhao? What, not busy with business today, so you have time to come here and experience the hardships of ordinary people?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "boss." In their circle's values, doing business and making money was considered "low-class," far less prestigious than the sons of officials who held real power. This was a topic he often used to poke Zhao Ruilong in the sore spot.

Surprisingly, Zhao Ruilong wasn't angry this time. Instead, his smile deepened, and he leaned closer, lowering his voice to say, "Deputy Director Liang, it seems you're not very well-informed after spending so much time in the Bureau of Veteran Cadres. Have you heard about the news about an 'old friend'?"

Liang Jin frowned: "Who?"

“Qi Tongwei!” Zhao Ruilong said slowly and deliberately, observing Liang Jin’s expression. “You know, that Qi Tongwei… the one who tried to set you up but ended up getting a job transfer! He’s doing really well now. He came down from the State Economic Commission, got a temporary deputy director position, and came back to Handong. He’s at the same level as you! He’s about ten years younger than you, isn’t he? The younger generation is truly formidable!”

Liang Jin's face instantly darkened.

Zhao Ruilong seemed oblivious, continuing his "kind" reminder: "A deputy director-level position in a ministry might not mean much in Beijing, but in our Handong, it carries a different weight. After all, it's a 'Beijing official'!" He deliberately emphasized the words "Beijing official," clearly teasing him, then laughed and patted Liang Jin on the shoulder, "Alright, you continue having fun, I won't disturb Deputy Director Liang's life experience!"

Having said that, he strode away with a victor's smile.

Liang Jin stood there, her face so dark it could drip water.

The "honey trap" he set up a few years ago was intended to deal with Qi Tongwei, but he ended up losing more than he gained and was transferred to the Bureau of Veteran Cadres. This incident has long been a laughing stock in the circle.

Although I'm enjoying it now, I've still lost a lot of face.

Now the protagonist of this "joke" has actually returned, and has transformed into a cadre on temporary assignment from a ministry.

This was like another slap in the face to him! If he didn't do something, he would never be able to hold his head up in this industry again.

He returned to the private room with a gloomy face, instantly cooling the celebratory atmosphere.

The followers looked at each other in bewilderment. One of them, quick-witted, immediately turned off the music. The female students fell silent, and the followers rushed forward to ask what was wrong.

Liang Jin suppressed her anger and briefly relayed Zhao Ruilong's words.

Soon, a well-informed follower went out to make a phone call and returned to give a detailed report on Qi Tongwei's temporary post as assistant to the county magistrate of Daokou County.

"Brother Jin, we can't let this go!" one of the henchmen shouted first. "That kid harmed you back then... and now he's back to show off!"

"Exactly! We need to let him know whose territory Handong is!"

“But he’s a cadre seconded from a ministry, his position is sensitive, and those underhanded methods from before… probably won’t work anymore,” someone said hesitantly.

The crowd was chattering, some shouting that they would teach Qi Tongwei a lesson, while others worried about getting into trouble, making Liang Jin's head ache.

"Shut the hell up, all of you!" Liang Jin roared, and the private room immediately fell silent.

He looked at the strategist who usually had the most ideas, the one who had talked about giving female students practice tests on the phone, and asked, "What do you suggest we do?"

The strategist, whose name was mentioned, darted around a few times before leaning closer and whispering, "Brother Jin, if underhanded methods don't work, we can use 'official' methods."

"Official face? You can do that too?" Liang Jin glanced at him sideways.

"I might not know, but someone else does!" The strategist chuckled sinisterly. "Qi Tongwei is currently on temporary assignment in Daokou County. Who's under his jurisdiction? The Daokou County Party Secretary! Let's find a way to contact this county party secretary and pass on our 'signature.' These seasoned officials who've been working their way up from the bottom for decades can easily take down a few young cadres who've been 'gilding' their resumes. We'll make sure that kid is humiliated and can't find any fault with him!"

Liang Jin was somewhat tempted, but remembering the old man's warning, she hesitated: "The old man said last time that I shouldn't provoke him again..."

"Brother Jin, times have changed!" the strategist said in a low voice. "We don't need the old man to get involved directly. You just need to find a way to let that county party secretary know that it's you, the son of Deputy Secretary Liang, who has a 'view' on Qi Tongwei. Once he confirms your identity, and we offer him some promises and benefits, would he dare to call Deputy Secretary Liang to verify it?"

"You've got some skills at 'deceiving your superiors and subordinates,' but what if the old man finds out?"

"As long as it's done cleverly, the old man might not find out. Even if... even if he finds out later, Brother Jin, given the temperament of the older generation, they either don't do it at all, or they go all the way. If they really know that things between you and him have reached this point, do you think he'll still side with the outsider? He'll probably personally take matters into his own hands and crush him to prevent any future trouble!"

Liang Jin stared at the strategist, his eyes flashing. Then, he looked at the strategist warily: "You're pretty good at this 'drag others down' trick. You've used it on me quite a few times before, haven't you?"

The strategist trembled in fright and quickly swore an oath: "Brother Jin! Heaven and earth bear witness! I am utterly loyal to you and have no other intentions! All my cleverness is for your sake!"

Liang Jin was skeptical, but there was indeed no one available at the moment, and they also lacked someone who could offer advice.

He suppressed his doubts and thought it over carefully. Qi Tongwei was a peasant with no background. Even if he got lucky and entered a ministry, what kind of powerful background could he have in less than a year?

Although his teacher was impressive, he has already graduated. Besides, we didn't use any dirty tricks!

If they don't act now, and wait until he's powerful enough, Liang Jin has no belief that Qi Tongwei will let go of the opportunity to take revenge on her.

Moreover, the old man's power is about to expire, and it will become invalid then.

It's done!

Once she made up her mind, Liang Jin actually felt much more relaxed.

His enthusiasm for the evening's fun had long since vanished. He got up to leave and go back to plan how to contact the county party secretary of Daokou.

Seeing this, one of his henchmen smiled obsequiously and reminded him, "Brother Jin, about tonight's bill..."

All the lackeys present were able to pay the bill, and Liang Jin's status allowed him to put it on the tab, but the wicked ones present enjoyed a different kind of pleasure:

In the dead of night, a phone call can drag someone who is considered a big shot in their own little world, such as a boss or factory manager, who is currently indulging in a romantic getaway or a business dinner, out of bed or at the dinner table. The person then has to wait respectfully outside the private room, not daring to even ask for a sip of water, and finally obediently pull out their wallet or checkbook to settle the huge bill.

This wanton control over the time and dignity of others is the "little bit of capriciousness" that power brings, making them addicted.

Liang Jin originally wanted to wave her hand to refuse, but she wasn't in the mood today.

But the words caught in his throat. Those four words echoed in his mind again:

Expired and void... Expired and void!

So he changed his mind and said, "Okay, let me think... who should it be this time?"

He tapped his temples lightly with his fingers, his mind flashing through faces that were either obsequious or fearful.

Suddenly, he remembered a name he had recently heard, someone who was said to be doing well in business and quite adept at "getting things done".

"Recently, I heard that Dafeng Garment Factory is doing very well, so I asked Cai Chenggong to come and settle the accounts."

Chapter 64 Seeking Advice

In the days that followed, Qi Tongwei proceeded with his routine.

After digesting most of the existing written materials, he, accompanied by Xiao Luo, first conducted on-site research in Chengguan Town, where the county government is located.

He visited several small factories and handicraft workshops in the town, inspected the farmers' market and the main commercial street, and held several symposiums with several key officials of Chengguan Town to learn about the local population, employment, taxation, land and other basic conditions.

He listened attentively, asked detailed questions, and continuously added his observations, thoughts, and reflections to the newly completed draft of the research report.

As for the other townships under the jurisdiction of Daokou County, he plans to go down there to visit them after the May Day holiday.

Firstly, it allows for more time, and secondly, it avoids the busiest time of spring plowing, thus preventing disruption to grassroots operations.

His relationship with other leaders in the county has always remained a delicate "live and let live" state.

If we bump into each other in the hallway, we nod and smile, politely addressing each other as "Secretary X," "County Head X," or "Bureau Chief X," and that's it. We neither deliberately distance ourselves nor become overly friendly.

He knew his place and understood that in the eyes of many, he was nothing more than a fleeting "passerby".

A week passed quickly, and the county party committee convened another special meeting to hear reports from various units on their specific plans for "establishing entities".

The meeting room was filled with smoke, the atmosphere both lively and subtly tense.

The Public Security Bureau and the Court jointly applied for a "Public Auction Company for Confiscated Goods," euphemistically calling it "standardized procedures, transparent operation, and realization of state-owned asset appreciation"; the Education Bureau ambitiously planned to set up a "School-Run Printing Paper Mill" to solve the problem of insufficient office funds; the Science and Technology Bureau, in conjunction with the Health Bureau, planned to set up a "Traditional Chinese Medicine Slices Processing Plant" based at the county hospital; the county government office's plan was to upgrade and renovate the county party committee guesthouse into a "comprehensive hotel integrating catering, accommodation, and conferences"; and the various townships below were even more unconventional, setting up brick kilns, flour mills, leather tanning plants, and so on... a motley crew.

Each unit's presenter touted their own plan with exaggerated claims, detailed data, and an enticing prospect, as if as long as the funds were in place, they could immediately become a major taxpayer and a pillar of employment in Daokou County.

County Magistrate Yi Xuexi sat next to Li Duohai, his brows furrowed ever since the meeting began, becoming increasingly tighter, almost enough to trap a fly. He remained silent throughout, only occasionally jotting something down in his notebook.

In stark contrast, County Party Secretary Li Duohai listened with a radiant smile and high spirits.

He lavished praise on those units with bold plans, high investments, and "significant" expected benefits, loudly commending them for their "courage and vision." However, he relentlessly criticized several relatively conservative and smaller-scale plans for being "rigid in thinking and complacent with small gains." He even slammed his fist on the table, rebuking the heads of the relevant units for "lacking responsibility and failing to live up to the organization's trust," forcing them to go back and "re-study, expand the scale, and immediately come up with a new plan!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room fluctuated with Lee Da-hae's moods; those who were praised were secretly pleased, while those who were criticized were silent and sweating profusely.

After the last township finished its report, Li Duohai, as usual, gave a summary and comments, which were nothing more than encouraging words such as "seize the opportunity," "liberate your thinking," and "go all out and move forward quickly."

Qi Tongwei thought the meeting was about to end with yet another round of empty rhetoric and was about to close his notebook.

Unexpectedly, Li Duohai abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing precisely on Qi Tongwei at the edge. A smile spread across his face, and his voice boomed:

"Assistant Qi, you're a top student from the State Economic Commission, and a PhD in Economics from Peking University. You're very knowledgeable. After listening to our county's enthusiastic plans, what are your thoughts? Could you give us some pointers and valuable advice?"

The meeting room fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned to Qi Tongwei, some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with a sense of watching the spectacle unfold.

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, completely unprepared for Li Duohai to suddenly call his name at this moment.

But he reacted quickly, a humble smile appearing on his face, and waved his hands repeatedly:

“Secretary Li, you flatter me too much. I came to Daokou this time with a learning attitude, and I don’t have a deep understanding of the specific situation in the county. As the great man taught us, ‘Without investigation, there is no right to speak.’ The plans that the comrades just reported have all undergone thorough research and demonstration, and I really can’t offer any new opinions.”

Li Duohai's smile remained unchanged, but he waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Assistant Qi, you're so young. Don't try to be like us old hands, playing the game of self-preservation and avoiding mistakes! If you have any good ideas or new approaches, feel free to share them! We're all family behind closed doors, so let's speak freely and discuss things together. It'll give us a different perspective and inspire our thinking!"

Qi Tongwei became even more wary, but his face remained impeccable. He continued to flatter everyone present while trying to distance himself from the situation: "Secretary Li, the plans proposed by all the leaders are very comprehensive and well-considered. I was studying at school before, and when I came to the Economic Commission, I mainly dealt with policies related to heavy industries such as steel. Our Daokou County has neither the resources nor the relevant industrial foundation in this area. I am indeed an outsider and dare not presume to teach others, so I will refrain from making a fool of myself."

Li Duohai laughed heartily, appearing very "understanding," yet pressing on relentlessly: "Modesty! Too modest! Assistant Qi, I've heard that a few years ago, when you were still studying, you helped your fellow villagers back home develop tea plantations. Now, the tea from your Qi Family Village is being sold in Beijing, and your fellow villagers are almost on the verge of prosperity! This shows that you have ideas, methods, and the real ability to lead the masses to wealth! You can't be biased! Now that you're in Daokou, you're part of Daokou. The 31 people of Daokou County are all your 'family'! If you have any good ideas, you can't keep them to yourself!"

These words sound nice, but they put Qi Tongwei in a very difficult position, pointing out that he "has successful experience" and then using the moral label of "family members" to condemn him.

Qi Tongwei's smile grew even brighter, as if he was truly moved by Li Duohai's "enthusiasm" and "trust": "Secretary Li, I am truly flattered by what you said! Since you trust me, I will definitely think about it carefully when I get back, and consider it in light of the actual situation at our crossing. I will report any immature ideas I have to you and the other leaders!"

"Good! That's right! Young people should have this kind of drive and sense of responsibility!" Li Duohai seemed very satisfied, said some more encouraging platitudes, gave the attendees a final pep talk, and then announced the adjournment of the meeting.

Qi Tongwei walked out of the conference room with the crowd, still wearing a polite smile. He nodded to several familiar bureau chiefs and township heads, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then returned to his office at a leisurely pace.

The moment the door closed, shutting out all outside noise, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a deep silence and sharp eyes.

Something is wrong!