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

Gao Yuliang looked at his prized disciple, a gratified smile on his face:

“I believe you know what you're doing. Go ahead and do your job at Daokou, but remember you're not fighting alone. If you encounter any difficulties or obstacles, communicate with me promptly. Officially, as the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee, supporting the work of the subordinate districts and counties is my duty; personally, I am your mentor, and I will never stand idly by if I can lend a hand or give you a boost.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He stood up and bowed respectfully to Gao Yuliang. This bow was full of genuine emotion: "From Handong University to now, over the years, every step of my growth has been inseparable from your guidance and support. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Gao Yuliang stepped forward to help him up, his voice gentle yet firm: "We are master and disciple, it is fate that we share this bond, there's no need to be so formal."

He glanced at the time and smiled, "Alright, business is temporarily over. Come home for dinner tonight. Your teacher, Mr. Wu, is also in Luzhou. He heard you were coming and specially cooked your favorite braised pork as a farewell dinner. We'll see you off to your new post tomorrow."

Qi Tongwei was slightly surprised: "Is your wife also in Lüzhou?"

He recalled that Professor Wu Huifen usually still taught at Handong University and did not reside in Lüzhou for long.

Gao Yuliang explained, "She was originally going back to Jingzhou yesterday, but when she heard you were arriving today, she stayed for two more days."

Qi Tongwei quickly replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Master's wife."

Whether in his past life or this one, his feelings toward Wu Huifen were quite complex. He always felt that she was too shrewd and calculating, and too attached to power.

But at this moment, he must politely accept and express his gratitude for this concern and closeness.

After reminiscing about his university days, Qi Tongwei picked up where Professor Gao left off: Qi Tongwei caught another key piece of information in Gao Yuliang's words and asked with a hint of doubt, "Professor, you just said you'd take me to the railway crossing to take up my post tomorrow..."

As is customary, when a county head takes office, he is usually accompanied by the deputy director of the municipal party committee's organization department. When a county party secretary takes office, the status is elevated, and he is usually accompanied by a member of the municipal party committee's standing committee and the director of the organization department.

In special cases or in counties of great importance, the appointment may be made by the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee.

However, it is extremely rare for a municipal party secretary to personally escort a county party secretary to his post unless it is to "put out a fire" and deal with an extremely complex and chaotic situation. Daokou County is obviously not at that point.

Gao Yuliang nodded, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable weight: "Yes, I'll give it to you. The provincial leaders also found your internal report very valuable, and it was later reprinted in the provincial internal report. Your relationship with the county is delicate, so I'm going there in person to support you, help you quickly establish yourself, straighten out relationships, and reduce unnecessary internal friction."

He looked at Qi Tongwei, his eyes filled with meaning: "The faster you achieve results this time, the higher the senior leaders' evaluation of you will be."

Qi Tongwei was deeply moved and did not express his gratitude this time.

Some favors are more meaningful when kept in the heart than when spoken aloud. He nodded deeply, making sure to remember the favor.

That evening, the atmosphere at Gao Yuliang's residence in Luzhou was quite pleasant.

Wu Huifen was warm and thoughtful, and her cooking skills were as good as ever. During the meal, we reminisced about the past and talked about the present, as if we had returned to the pure time at Handong University.

Wu Huifen spoke with admiration and expectation for Qi Tongwei's current situation and future, and she appeared very approachable and natural.

Qi Tongwei responded politely on the surface, but he knew exactly what was going on in his mind.

In his previous life, after he married Liang Lu, before Liang Qunfeng retired, Wu Huifen was just as close to Liang Lu and herself as she is now; but after Liang Qunfeng retired, she gradually became aloof.

Once Liang Qunfeng's influence completely dissipated, she treated Qi Tongwei almost like a servant, if not completely subservient.

Of course, after Mr. Gao divorced her, his attitude changed somewhat.

The next day, the sun shone brightly.

Accompanied by Gao Yuliang, the director of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, and the head of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department, Qi Tongwei returned to Daokou County once again.

Chapter 86 A Reprimand

The outline of Daokou County gradually became clear outside the car window, and it had not changed much compared to how it looked three years ago.

The streets remain the same, the buildings remain the same.

However, in this era of rapid progress and constant competition across the country, "not much change" is itself a silent regression.

When everyone else is running, standing still means being left far behind.

A meeting of all county-level leading cadres was held in the county party committee auditorium, in a solemn atmosphere.

The director of the Cadre Division of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department first read out the Provincial Party Committee's decision on the appointment of Comrade Qi Tongwei, introduced his resume, emphasized the high importance the Provincial Party Committee attaches to the construction of the leadership team of Daokou County, and placed high hopes on Comrade Qi Tongwei, hoping that Daokou County, under the leadership of the new team, can be innovative and achieve new and greater development.

Following this, Gao Yuliang, the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee, delivered an important speech.

He pointed out that Daokou County's development has lagged behind in recent years, with a single industrial structure, and the cadres and masses have an urgent desire for innovation and change. After careful consideration, the Provincial Party Committee and the Municipal Party Committee decided to appoint Comrade Qi Tongwei, a young and energetic individual with a broad vision and both macro-level perspective from central ministries and commissions and experience in grassroots work, as the County Party Secretary. This fully demonstrates the high level of concern and strong support from higher authorities for the development of Daokou County. Secretary Gao Yuliang emphasized that the County Party Committee must resolutely support the Provincial Party Committee's decision and fully support Comrade Qi Tongwei in carrying out his work; all levels of leading cadres in the county must unify their thoughts and actions with the decisions and deployments of the Provincial and Municipal Party Committees, pool their efforts, and jointly plan for development. He demanded that Daokou County seize opportunities, base itself on reality, accurately position itself, and achieve new breakthroughs in industrial development, rural revitalization, and improvement of people's livelihoods, striving to create a new situation of high-quality development.

Finally, the newly appointed county party secretary, Qi Tongwei, made a statement. He expressed his full support for and resolute obedience to the provincial party committee's decision, and sincerely thanked the organization for its cultivation and trust…

After the conference, Gao Yuliang and his colleagues from the Provincial Organization Department did not linger. After offering a few words of encouragement to Qi Tongwei, they left by car.

Daokou County was officially handed over to Qi Tongwei.

He walked towards the most spacious and bright office on the east side of the third floor of the county party committee office building. Three years ago, this was where Li Duohai strategized and dealt with him; after Li Duohai's downfall, Yi Xuexi moved in; now, its owner has changed to Qi Tongwei.

Upon entering, the office was clearly meticulously cleaned and arranged, with bright and clean windows, neatly arranged filing cabinets, and a large desk that gleamed with the luster of dark wood.

He sat down in the large leather chair, leaning back slightly, his gaze sweeping across every corner of the room.

When he was on temporary assignment, he stood in front of that desk, cautiously dealing with Li Duohai's scrutinizing gaze and treacherous words; now, he sits behind that desk, becoming the person in charge of this office, this compound, and even the more than 300,000 people in this county.

With time and space intersecting and roles shifting, I couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

Not long after, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

"Enter."

The door opened with a click, and Luo Xiangdong, director of the county party committee office, stepped in and quickly and deftly closed the door.

He was slightly thinner than he was three years ago, with deeper wrinkles around his eyes, and his demeanor was more composed and cautious.

He walked quickly to the desk, stopped at a suitable distance, and bowed slightly: "Secretary Qi, you wanted to see me?"

Qi Tongwei stood up from his seat, walked around the desk, and extended his hand: "Director Luo, we meet again."

Luo Xiangdong quickly clasped his hands together, his grip light but respectful: "Yes, yes. I didn't expect that Secretary Qi would return to the road crossing so soon... in this capacity."

His tone was complex, a mixture of surprise, awe, and perhaps a hint of unspeakable unease.

"Sit down." Qi Tongwei gestured to the sofa in the reception area and went over to sit down first. Luo Xiangdong carefully sat down on the single sofa to the side, only taking up the front half.

Qi Tongwei spoke, his tone calm, as if it were just casual conversation: "I heard you became the director of the county party committee office, a heavy responsibility. But..." He changed the subject slightly, as if making casual remarks, "Why didn't you make it into the standing committee?"

This is not very common for a county party committee office director.

Luo Xiangdong's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly. He lowered his eyelids and lowered his voice: "Originally... Secretary Yi had considered this. However... ever since your research report came out, my situation in the county has become rather... delicate. After considering all factors, Secretary Yi decided not to insist on nominating me for the Standing Committee for the sake of team stability and the overall work situation."

Qi Tongwei was certainly aware of this situation.

As the original information provider, Luo Xiangdong inevitably faced suspicion and exclusion.

Given that his own foundation was not particularly solid, Yi Xuexi's choice to prioritize maintaining superficial harmony within the leadership team and to abandon Luo Xiangdong was a political choice consistent with his conservative style.

But Qi Tongwei still had to ask.

"Oh," Qi Tongwei responded softly, as if merely confirming a known fact. He picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and casually continued, "So, Director Luo, looking back now, do you regret agreeing to that deal?"

Regret?

Luo Xiangdong felt as if his heart had been squeezed tightly, followed by an overwhelming surge of bitterness and resentment.

Regret? More than just regret! No matter how bright Luo Xuejun's future is, it belongs to Luo Xuejun and his cousin's family! For the past three years, I've been stuck in a quagmire at the crossroads. I've been promoted, but I'm restricted at every turn. I'm all smiles in front of people, but they're like cold knives behind my back. Only I know the frustration and helplessness I feel.

The deputy county-level position is just around the corner, and with the age threshold fast approaching, if it weren't for Qi Tongwei's sudden return and Yi Xuexi's transfer, my best outcome would probably be to retire to a quiet bureau, or even be "arranged" ahead of time due to "historical issues"!

He was filled with deep regret! Countless nights, he wished he could turn back time.

But he dared not utter a single word of these words.

Gao Yuliang is now the Party Secretary of Luzhou City. Although his cousin Luo Xuejun has not yet become Gao Yuliang's secretary, he has already secured deputy section-level treatment and has a bright future. Qi Tongwei is now the Party Secretary of Daokou County, and his life and death are firmly in Gao Yuliang's hands.

“Secretary Qi…” Luo Xiangdong raised his head and forced a fairly natural smile. “Look at what you’re saying… it’s all for the work, for the development of the crossing. Xuejun’s success today is all thanks to your recommendation back then and Secretary Gao’s cultivation. Our Luo family is extremely grateful.”

Qi Tongwei smiled as he watched the complex emotions flash across his eyes and his forced composure: "I plan to formally propose at the Standing Committee meeting to add you as a member of the County Party Committee Standing Committee."

Despite having some expectations and anticipation, hearing those words clearly spoken by Qi Tongwei still sent a huge, dizzying surge of joy crashing into Luo Xiangdong's chest, as if the blood had rushed to his head.

"Ah!" He exclaimed softly involuntarily, leaning forward, his face instantly flushed with barely concealed excitement. "Thank you so much for your guidance, Secretary! I...I will definitely..."

"Director Luo," Qi Tongwei gently interrupted his impending declaration of loyalty, his smile slowly fading and his expression turning calm and serious, "This promotion of you to the Standing Committee is not to compensate you for anything."

Luo Xiangdong's passionate emotions were abruptly dampened, as if doused with a bucket of ice water.

The secret feeling deep in his heart—that Qi Tongwei owed him something and should make amends—was pierced by this blunt remark. His facial muscles stiffened, and he barely managed to maintain a respectful demeanor: "Secretary…you're too kind. I've never thought that way…"

“Not the best.” Qi Tongwei’s voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying a heavy, undeniable weight. “I have never felt that I owe your Luo family anything. The transaction was settled clearly, with money and goods exchanged. I got the information I needed, and you—specifically, Xiao Luo—got a recommendation to a higher platform. Now, Secretary Gao is the Party Secretary of Lüzhou City, and Xiao Luo has a bright future following him. You have already made a fortune from this deal.”

He paused, his gaze landing squarely on Luo Xiangdong's face, as if trying to pierce through his skin and reach his very heart: "As for you, Director Luo Xiangdong, why don't you ask yourself: If it weren't for me, would Li Duohai have fallen so quickly? Would Yi Xuexi have had the opportunity to take over as secretary?"

“If Zhang Guoqing hadn’t gone in with Li Duohai, leaving a vacancy, with your previous resume and connections, would Yi Xuexi have been able to recommend you for the position of director of the county party committee office so easily? At most, you would probably only be a town mayor or bureau chief at most. Given your age and Yi Xuexi’s situation, deputy county level? Don’t even think about it.”

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Luo Xiangdong's heart and shattering the resentment and self-pity that had arisen deep within him due to his difficult circumstances.

Xiao Luo's grandfather, his retired deputy county head uncle, had also calmly analyzed similar things for him. He rationally agreed, but emotionally he could never fully accept it.

Every time I enter the office of the county party committee office director, thinking about how my predecessors and even my predecessors were all members of the standing committee; and when I talk to other counties, their county party committee office directors are also members of the standing committee, resentment inevitably overwhelms my reason, giving rise to other thoughts.

At this moment, Qi Tongwei bluntly exposed his true colors, stripping away all his self-comforting excuses and leaving only the naked, cold reality.

A fine layer of cold sweat instantly beaded on Luo Xiangdong's forehead, and a chill ran down his spine. He lowered his head, unable to meet Qi Tongwei's gaze. His throat was dry, and he could only nod repeatedly, his voice trembling slightly: "Yes... Secretary Qi is right..."

Fear gripped him. In front of this new secretary, who had a powerful background, a meticulous mind, and knew everything about the past of the crossing, he felt as if he had been stripped naked, with no secrets left.

What made him even more panicked was that Qi Tongwei had just promised him a seat on the Standing Committee. His lifelong dream had just begun to have hope, but it was about to be shattered. This huge psychological gap made his knees go weak, and he almost lost his balance.

Seeing Luo Xiangdong's face turn pale with fear and his body tremble slightly, Qi Tongwei knew that the time was almost right.

He took a breath, his tone softening, but his words remained clear and forceful: "So, I don't owe you anything. On the contrary, promoting you to the Standing Committee this time is a favor to you, understand?"

A dramatic turn of events! Luo Xiangdong's heart, which had almost stopped beating, suddenly began to pound violently again. His mind was buzzing, and a huge wave of joy mixed with disbelief washed over him once more. He could still get promoted? The secretary meant… he could still get promoted?

"I...I understand! I, Luo Xiangdong, will always remember Secretary's kindness and never forget it!" he hurriedly declared, his voice distorted with emotion.

Qi Tongwei leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on him, his voice lower but carrying an even stronger sense of pressure: "During my time at the crossroads, you must serve me wholeheartedly and do my bidding. You cannot hold back in the slightest, and you cannot hide anything from me in the slightest. You must answer my questions; and you must also proactively report what I should know even if I haven't asked. Can you do that?"

"Yes! I definitely can! Secretary, I assure you!" Luo Xiangdong practically swore an oath. At this moment, let alone loyalty, he would probably charge into battle without hesitation.

"Very good." Qi Tongwei leaned back in his chair, resuming his usual tone, but the severity in his words was even greater. "Remember, I can get you up here, and I can get you down here, and I can even get you into the same place as your predecessor, Zhang Guoqing. Understand?"

"Understood! Completely understood!" Luo Xiangdong was covered in cold sweat, but dared not wipe it away.

He knew this wasn't a threat, but a statement of fact.

The young Party Secretary in front of me definitely has the ability and means.

“Alright,” Qi Tongwei’s expression relaxed, and he smiled gently. “That’s settled then. Director Luo, please have a seat.”

"Now, tell me about the current leadership team in the county."