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

Finally, as if he had made a great decision, he turned to Luo Xuejun and said, "Xuejun, I've finished my cigarette and my mouth is a little dry. Go... buy me a pack of cigarettes and bring back a bottle of water."

Luo Xuejun was always quick-witted, and at this moment he naturally understood that his uncle was trying to get him away.

But with his future potentially soaring, he was unwilling to leave just like that. He tried to take out his own cigarettes from his pocket: "Uncle, you can have mine, I have some here."

Luo Xiangdong's face darkened, he glared at him, and said in a harsher tone, "I want to smoke Zhonghua cigarettes, go ahead!"

Luo Xuejun was intimidated by his uncle's stern gaze and dared not insist any longer. He could only reluctantly leave the room, turning back every few steps, and gently closed the door behind him.

Once Xiao Luo's footsteps had faded into the distance, Luo Xiangdong sat up again, took out a cigarette from the pack Luo Xuejun had left behind, lit it, and took a deep drag, as if trying to use nicotine to suppress the turmoil in his heart.

He exhaled a long puff of smoke and slowly opened his mouth, his voice somewhat hoarse:

“County Chief Qi, my son Luo Xuejing is returning from the military this year. This kid has been clever and hardworking since he was a child, and he even earned merits in the army. What do you think… could we… give him a try for the position of Secretary Gao’s secretary?”

Qi Tongwei understood.

Sure enough, when faced with huge profits, even close brothers will keep clear accounts, let alone cousins.

Luo Xiangdong has his own son, and faced with such a crucial promotion opportunity, his selfishness ultimately prevailed.

Qi Tongwei smiled, but his tone was unusually firm, leaving no room for negotiation: "Director Luo, I'm afraid that won't work. Professor Gao is a scholar-type leader who has very high standards for the people around him. Not just anyone can meet his standards. Let alone someone who didn't even get into a junior college, even Luo, with his undergraduate degree from Luzhou Normal University, is only barely qualified."

Nowadays, the children of politically influential families in the county all strive to get into good schools, even if it's just a junior college; only those who really can't keep up with their studies are sent to the military, hoping to be assigned jobs after their military service.

As soon as he said it, Qi Tongwei hesitated for a moment.

Wouldn't saying this be too hurtful to him?

Sure enough, Luo Xiangdong's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He took another deep drag of his cigarette and then stubbed it out hard in the makeshift ashtray next to him, sparks flying everywhere.

He raised his head, his eyes filled with the last glimmer of struggle and hope: "County Chief Qi, is there really no... room for leniency?"

Qi Tongwei shook his head, his tone softening, but his stance unchanged: "If the target were Luo Xuejing, the most I could do would be to arrange a relatively good position in a city-level unit, such as a department under the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, or another bureau or commission office. But a secretary position is absolutely out of the question. This isn't a matter of leniency; it's a matter of rigid requirements not being met. Teacher Gao will never agree."

Luo Xiangdong fell silent.

The mere arrangement of an ordinary job in the city was far from the enormous political benefits he had hoped for from the "secretary" position.

This deal suddenly became no longer "worth it".

He tried to make a final effort, bargaining: "County Chief Qi, if it's just sending Xuejing, then... I don't think that's enough. Could you... add a little more?"

Qi Tongwei suppressed his smile and looked at him calmly: "Director Luo, this is what I consider a fair and reasonable price. It's just that your son... isn't quite up to the task and can't accept such a generous gift."

Luo Xiangdong gritted his teeth and said with a sense of desperation, "What if I don't accept this deal?"

Qi Tongwei smiled calmly: "Then I can only express my regret. Daokou County is so big, I believe that Director Luo is not the only one willing to make this deal. There will always be someone who can see the opportunity."

Luo Xiangdong felt a chill run down his spine; this was a blatant threat. He took a deep breath and turned the tables: "I can also... secretly leak your 'plan.' Then, it won't be so easy for you to find someone else."

The last trace of gentleness on Qi Tongwei's face vanished completely, his gaze sharpened like a knife, and his voice, though not loud, carried a heavy pressure: "Then you, Director Luo Xiangdong, are going to choose to stand alone on the opposite side of me."

Luo Xiangdong was struck dumb, frozen in his seat, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.

Qi Tongwei's words were like a cold dagger, precisely piercing his last shred of illusion.

Yes, if he chooses to fight back, he will be isolated and helpless.

When faced with pressure from higher levels, those deeply intertwined relationships would only be severed by Luo Xiangdong for the sake of the overall interests, rather than sharing the risks with him.

They might even laugh at his stupidity behind his back.

Luo Xiangdong was still making a last-ditch effort: "If you look for someone else, they certainly won't be as suitable as us, and it might arouse Secretary Li Duohai's suspicion."

Qi Tongwei seemed to see through his final internal struggle and added at the right moment, his voice returning to its previous calmness but becoming even more lethal: "That's why I insisted on having Xiao Luo present to listen in."

These words completely shattered Luo Xiangdong's psychological defenses.

He slumped back in his chair, as if all his strength had been drained.

He was getting old, and the leader he was working for was barely able to keep his own position and had no ability to help him advance further. His uncle, Xiao Luo's grandfather, was the former deputy county head of Daokou and had extensive connections. Even he had received help from his uncle to get to where he was today.

Qi Tongwei had been at the intersection for nearly two months, so he naturally knew about these things.

He couldn't refuse; if he did, he would completely break ties with his uncle's family.

Luo Xiangdong slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, all that remained in his eyes was a weary sense of compromise and a trace of resignation.

"...I understand." Luo Xiangdong's voice was extremely hoarse. "What...do you need me to do?"

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door, and Luo Xuejun came running back, panting, with cigarettes and water in his hand, his face full of tension and apprehension.

He glanced at his ashen-faced second uncle, then at Qi Tongwei, whose expression was calm yet carried a knowing smile, and hesitated to speak.

Qi Tongwei stood up, walked over to Luo Xuejun, patted him on the shoulder, and gave him a gentle and encouraging smile, as if the thrilling negotiation that had just taken place had never happened.

"Xiao Luo, go and find a way to get into the law department of Wuhan University for graduate studies."

Chapter 76 Meeting Gao Yuliang

The next day, Qi Tongwei took Xiao Luo to Luzhou.

Gao Yuliang has just taken office. His position as a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission is different from Qi Tongwei's temporary post for gilding his resume. He holds a real core of power.

Inside the municipal party committee building, people came in an endless stream to visit and report on their work, and the corridors outside the offices were almost always crowded.

Even so, Gao Yuliang still made time to meet with Qi Tongwei.

When I saw Gao Yuliang again, he still had the same refined demeanor, but his brows were more spirited than when we met in the capital. It was the confidence and composure that comes with holding real power and making great strides.

He had the liaison officer temporarily assigned to him by the municipal party committee office make tea for Qi Tongwei, while he himself sat behind his large desk, smiling and pointing to the somewhat empty surroundings:

"Tongwei, you've just arrived in Luzhou, and there's so much to do. You haven't sorted things out yet, and you can't even find a few decent cans of tea. Don't think your teacher is neglecting you."

Qi Tongwei, without any hesitation, took the teacup and said with a smile, "I see that you are enjoying yourself, teacher. Taking this step will open up even more possibilities for your future."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang laughed and waved his hand, but his tone carried a genuine sense of emotion: "Actually, there's nothing wrong with teaching and doing research at Han University."

Qi Tongwei then added, "I never expected that I would have the opportunity to learn and grow under my teacher's tutelage again."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gao Yuliang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Qi Tongwei with gentle eyes before getting to the point: "Tongwei, you came here specifically for more than just to see your teacher, didn't you? Please feel free to speak your mind."

Qi Tongwei then clearly and concisely recounted how the Liang family had sabotaged him through Li Duohai, as well as the suspicious circumstances behind the "tea project."

Gao Yuliang listened, his brows furrowing slightly. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the shiny tabletop and pondered, "These kids from the Liang family... why are they still like this? They act so recklessly." He paused, then looked at Qi Tongwei, "I'll find a suitable opportunity to mention it to Secretary Liang. It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester."

Now that he has officially entered officialdom and holds an important position, Gao Yuliang is clearly much more confident than he was when he was at Handong University.

Back then, he mostly avoided talking about the Liang family, but now he offered to mediate.

However, Qi Tongwei shook his head and said sincerely, "Teacher, there's no need. You are at a crucial time to establish yourself and make progress, and it's not advisable to have any potential conflicts with Secretary Liang over this matter."

He understood perfectly that Liang Qunfeng was at a sensitive moment when he was about to step down from his position, and his desire to control power and his vigilance were stronger than ever before. Any slight movement could be interpreted as a test or challenge to his authority.

This is like an aging lion nearing the end of its life, with the strongest sense of territory and the most prone to rage.

If Gao Yuliang were to stand against his son Liang Jin at this moment, even if it was only for mediation, it would be hard to guarantee that Liang Qunfeng wouldn't harbor resentment—"I haven't even stepped down yet, and you're already starting to disregard my Liang family's 'own people'?"

How can I expect you to protect my family in the future?

Upon hearing Qi Tongwei's refusal, a barely perceptible hint of relief flashed across Gao Yuliang's eyes.

He genuinely wanted to help ease tensions, but avoiding any potential conflict with the Liang family would naturally be a better option.

This student is always so sensible and knows when to advance and retreat.

"So you didn't come here just to congratulate your teacher, did you?" Gao Yuliang's smile deepened. He pointed at Qi Tongwei, his tone carrying the warmth and teasing of an elder to a proud junior. "Tell me, what other 'trouble' do you want to dump on your teacher?"

Qi Tongwei chuckled and, without beating around the bush, laid out his entire plan: how to use Luo Xiangdong to obtain information on the deep political ecology of Daokou County, to write the political research report entitled "Daokou Cadres," and—to recommend Luo Xuejun.

After hearing this, Gao Yuliang pointed at Qi Tongwei with his finger and said with a laugh, "You dare to make decisions for your teacher now? You've even picked out a secretary for me?"

Qi Tongwei just smiled and didn't say anything, looking lazy like a student who knows he's wrong but will do it again next time.

Gao Yuliang shook his head, but his expression became serious: "However, your idea is not bad. If that report can be written well, it can indeed allow you to demonstrate political insight beyond your age and expertise in front of the ministry leaders, which will greatly benefit your future development." He paused for a moment and looked at Qi Tongwei, "That young man outside just now? Let me take a look at him."

Qi Tongwei was overjoyed, knowing that his teacher had agreed, and quickly said, "You agree? Thank you, teacher!"

Gao Yuliang glanced at him with a half-smile: "You've even used the 'house-lifting effect' on me, how could I disagree?"

The so-called "roof-removal effect" was aptly described by Lu Xun: The Chinese temperament always favors compromise and moderation. For example, if you say, "This room is too dark; we need to open a window here," everyone will certainly object. But if you advocate tearing down the roof, they will compromise and agree to open a window.

Qi Tongwei first brought up the "roof" of the conflict with the Liang family, making Gao Yuliang subconsciously think that he wanted to ask for help to mediate this thorny problem, and he had already weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

The subsequent request to "open the window" by simply appointing a secretary was, by comparison, much more readily accepted.

This little scheme of hers naturally did not escape Gao Yuliang's keen eye.

But he always showed more tolerance and affection for this promising and talented student. His student's little schemes, which were harmless, only made him seem clever, and he didn't really mind them.

Qi Tongwei called Xiao Luo, who was waiting outside the door, in.

Luo Xuejun was clearly very nervous. His steps were stiff when he entered the room. He stood in the center of the office with his hands at his sides and his breathing was light.

Gao Yuliang sized him up for a moment, then spoke in a calm tone, asking a few routine questions:

How old are you?

Where are you from?

Where did you go to university, and what did you study?

Are you married?

Xiao Luo's expression was slightly strange, but he still answered each question respectfully.

Gao Yuliang nodded, his expression unchanged, and continued, "Tongwei told me about your situation. You should continue to work hard in Daokou County and accumulate experience. At the end of this year, I will have someone transfer you to the Municipal Party Committee Office. During this period, observe, learn, and think more, work steadily, and patiently wait for the right opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Luo's face instantly lit up with barely suppressed excitement and gratitude. He bowed repeatedly, saying, "Yes! Thank you, Secretary Gao! Thank you, County Chief Qi! I will definitely work hard and never let you down!"

It's important to understand that becoming Gao Yuliang's personal secretary overnight is impossible.

He is too young, only twenty-three years old, and his qualifications, abilities, and temperament still need to be honed.

More importantly, if they were to transfer him directly at this point, the intention would be too obvious, and it would be as if they were treating Liang Qunfeng like a fool. It would be better to ask Gao Yuliang to step in and mediate the conflict.

After a few years, when Liang Qunfeng has completely retired and his influence has faded, and he has become more mature and stable, that will be the time when the real opportunity arrives.

If he can keep up with Gao Yuliang's pace, who knows, the mayor might even have to call him Director Luo in the future!

Chapter 77 Leaving the Crossroads

After reassuring the Luo family, Qi Tongwei began to gradually flesh out that grand framework.