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

He proactively acknowledged this relationship, demonstrating considerable goodwill.

If Luo Xuejun is a smart person, he should appropriately reflect this tendency in his future words and deeds, and Qi Tongwei will naturally not forget this "sensible" attitude.

The close aide to a leader can exert a subtle and pervasive influence on the leader, which can sometimes be decisive.

Just like Bai Jingwen, who was next to Sha Ruijin.

Click till.

For the rest of the journey, Qi Tongwei didn't say much, only occasionally asking about the daily arrangements of the provincial party committee compound.

Upon arriving at his residence, Qi Tongwei told him to go back and rest early, and Luo Xuejun respectfully took his leave.

---

The living room of the No. 3 courtyard of the Provincial Party Committee.

After seeing Qi Tongwei off, Gao Yuliang did not immediately return to his study. Instead, he sat wearily on the living room sofa, took off his glasses, and vigorously rubbed his temples with his fingers.

Wu Huifen came over, sat down next to him, and skillfully massaged the acupoints on the top of his head.

After pressing for a while, Wu Huifen spoke softly: "Yuliang, your most outstanding student is back, but why do you seem less than happy?"

Gao Yuliang said with his eyes closed, "He's coming back at this time because he's eyeing what I have."

Wu Huifen continued her work, her tone calm and rational: "But he is indeed the most suitable candidate. Handing the 'Han University Gang' over to him will ensure a smooth landing for you, and your reputation and affairs after death will be securely entrusted to him. This is much better than letting it fall apart or being swallowed up by outsiders."

Gao Yuliang remained silent, his breathing slightly heavy.

Wu Huifen stopped what she was doing, got up to pour a glass of warm water, placed it on the coffee table in front of him, and looked at him: "Yuliang, what exactly are you thinking?"

Gao Yuliang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze behind his glasses complex, finally revealing a hint of coldness: "I know he's the best choice. But he acts like it's all perfectly natural. I haven't backed down yet!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Huifen couldn't help but smile, her tone tinged with a hint of teasing: "Is this what they call 'What I bestow upon you is yours; what I don't give you, you can't take away'? Is that right, Secretary Yuliang?"

Gao Yuliang glanced at her, looking slightly helpless: "Teacher Wu, you're joking."

“I’m not joking.” Wu Huifen’s smile faded, and she said seriously, “Secretary Yuliang, Qi Tongwei is not a crown prince waiting for you to bestow upon him in the Eastern Palace. With his current momentum and background, he is already a ‘Prince of Qin’ who has established his own government and commands a large army.”

The "King of Qin" here naturally refers to Li Shimin, the founder of the Tang Dynasty who rose to prominence later.

Gao Yuliang was no ordinary man; how could he not understand the meaning behind this allusion? His eyes flickered a few times, and finally he leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long sigh: "Let's take another look, let's take another look."

Just then, a slight noise came from outside the door; Luo Xuejun had returned. He went inside and reported to Gao Yuliang, "Secretary Gao, Governor Qi has safely delivered me to my residence. On the way, Governor Qi inquired about my work situation, and I said everything was fine. Also... Governor Qi took the initiative to ask about my part-time doctoral studies at Hanjiang University."

Gao Yuliang nodded calmly, "Okay, I understand. You've worked hard today too, go home and get some rest."

"Okay, Secretary, you should get some rest too." Luo Xuejun respectfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.

Wu Huifen sat down again, deep in thought: "It seems that Qi Tongwei came prepared. He did his homework very thoroughly, even knowing about Xiao Luo's doctoral studies."

Gao Yuliang put his glasses back on, his gaze behind the lenses deep and unfathomable: "That's not important. Teacher Wu, guess what? Did Qi Tongwei just... take the opportunity to try and win over Xiao Luo?"

Wu Huifen thought for a moment and shook her head: "There shouldn't be any substantial action, right? Xiao Luo has been with you for so many years, he wouldn't keep such a small thing from you. Besides, Qi Tongwei just arrived, he should have the sense and patience for this."

“I think so,” Gao Yuliang said calmly.

Wu Huifen: "Even Xiao Luo can't be relied on?"

Gao Yuliang shook his head: "That's not what I meant. Given his current status, he only needs to show a little approval, a little 'one of ours' attitude, and others will naturally gravitate towards him, or at least show some inclination. As for Xiao Luo... if he wants to switch sides, it's the smoothest way."

Wu Huifen frowned slightly: "Then...why don't you want to consider releasing Xiao Luo as soon as possible and replacing him with a different secretary?"

Gao Yuliang slowly shook his head, a slightly self-deprecating bitter smile appearing on his lips: "There are so many people in the Han University gang, and Qi Tongwei is now the executive vice president, with a wide range of responsibilities. He has the opportunity to contact, observe, and influence everyone. Can I push everyone away? Wouldn't that leave me all alone? Besides, Xiao Luo is, in a sense, a tacit communication channel between him and me. If I were to replace him rashly, it might lead to misunderstandings."

Wu Huifen looked at him with complicated emotions in her eyes and sighed softly, "You, as a teacher... now have to start reading students' faces and trying to figure out what they're thinking."

Gao Yuliang did not refute, but simply gazed at the deep night outside the window and repeated the fact in an almost inaudible voice:

"Yes."

Chapter 102 A Sleepless Night (Part Two)

Shanshui Manor.

Even without Qi Tongwei's "investment" and Gao Xiaoqin's "management," as long as Zhao Ruilong is still around, the Shanshui Group will still exist. This Shanshui Manor, hidden in the suburbs of Jingzhou and brightly lit, will still be a haven and meeting place for certain secret transactions.

Xiao Gangyu married Liang Lu, and with the remaining influence of the Liang family and the tacit approval and appropriate support of Gao Yuliang, he successfully became the director of the Provincial Public Security Department, seizing the most powerful position in the "public security, procuratorate and judiciary".

His trajectory was similar to that of Qi Tongwei in his previous life; he was also stuck at the level of a department head and failed to advance further to the level of deputy governor.

However, his situation seems slightly better—he only took office as director last year and is only 44 years old this year. Compared to Qi Tongwei, who was eager to "climb the ladder" back then, he has more time to spare and more room to maneuver.

At this moment, the Shanshui Group is nominally controlled by a professional manager named Wang Lei.

But this is just a puppet on the stage. In her previous life, Gao Xiaoqin would probably not have had the qualifications and authority to be a puppet if it weren't for Qi Tongwei's relationship with her and the entanglement between Gao Xiaofeng and Gao Yuliang.

Tonight, in the most luxurious private room at Shanshui Manor, the main character is not Xiao Gangyu or Zhao Ruilong, but a person who is usually somewhat marginalized in the core circle—Chen Qingquan, the vice president of the Jingzhou Intermediate People's Court.

He was specially invited tonight because he had a brief working relationship with Qi Tongwei in Daokou County, Lüzhou (he once served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Daokou County Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission), and became the center of attention.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xiao Gangyu raised his glass in his slightly accented Mandarin and asked, "Old Chen, come on, you worked with Governor Qi in Luzhou, tell us, what kind of person is Governor Qi? We'll all be making a living in Handong in the future, so we need to know what he's like."

Chen Qingquan's face was flushed, and he was quite flattered to be the center of attention.

He downed the glass in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said with a hint of drunkenness and swagger, "Governor Qi... tsk, I, Old Chen, saw right through him back in Daokou. He's no ordinary person! I heard about him before I even went to Daokou. There was a female organization minister in Daokou County, surnamed Wang, who, relying on some connections, slightly contradicted Governor Qi at the Standing Committee meeting, expressing a different opinion. Heh, guess what?" He paused deliberately, building suspense, "Less than half a month later! She was transferred to the Municipal Meteorological Bureau, to play with 'big guns'!"

The people at the table were all seasoned veterans, and they all chuckled knowingly upon hearing this.

Zhao Ruilong swirled his wine glass, squinted, and interjected, "Dean Chen, in your opinion, is this Governor Qi... easy to get along with? What are his hobbies?"

He asked directly, knowing that everyone present would inevitably have to deal with this powerful figure who was about to take control of the provincial government. If they could cater to his preferences, they would naturally achieve twice the result with half the effort.

For a moment, the private room fell silent, and all eyes were focused on Chen Qingquan.

Chen Qingquan tried hard to recall, and said carefully, "His hobbies... based on my observations at the crossroads, Governor Qi... doesn't love money, nor is he interested in women." He said this with certainty.

Zhao Ruilong knew that it would be extremely difficult and risky to corrupt such promising cadres with money and sex.

He pressed on, "There has to be something refined, right? Antiques and calligraphy? Fishing and playing ball? Or fine wines and rare tribute teas?" He had a businessman's mindset and was always looking for a way to build personal relationships.

Xiao Gangyu, more concerned with his career prospects, interjected, "What kind of cadres does Governor Qi prefer? What aspects does he value?" This was related to how he would adjust his posture and cater to the higher-ups' wishes in the future.

Chen Qingquan frowned, thought for a long time, and then said uncertainly, "Specific hobbies... I really haven't heard of them. But at the crossroads, Secretary Qi... oh no, Governor Qi, what he values ​​most are cadres who can get things done. People who can implement his ideas and get things done well are the kind of people he appreciates."

The officials present exchanged glances, and some clicked their tongues slightly.

This kind of leader who "only looks at the results, not personal connections, and is not easy to win over" often means that subordinates have to work hard to achieve results, which is the most arduous and the hardest to achieve through underhanded means.

After a few more rounds of drinks, the banquet, ostensibly to gather information about Qi Tongwei, came to an abrupt end, with everyone leaving with their own thoughts.

As usual, Chen Qingquan stayed at the Shanshui Manor to continue "studying foreign languages," but we'll leave that aside for now.

Xiao Gangyu returned home reeking of alcohol and preoccupied with his own worries, making quite a commotion and waking up Liang Lu, who was already asleep.

With her hair disheveled and eyes still sleepy, Liang Lu said impatiently, "Xiao Gangyu! What's wrong with you now that you're drunk? You're nowhere to be seen all day, and when you come back, you're causing trouble everywhere!"

Xiao Gangyu ignored her complaints and asked in a deep voice, "I'm asking you, how big of a grudge did your Liang family have with Qi Tongwei back then? Is it possible to ask Secretary Yuliang to step in and help resolve it?" His tone was urgent and unease.

Liang Lu was stunned, seemingly not fully awake yet: "Qi Tongwei? He's back in Handong? Isn't he the vice mayor of Beijing?"

Although she tried to ignore it, news of Qi Tongwei's promotions would still reach her intermittently through Wu Huifen, her former colleagues from Handong University, and her brother Liang Jin.

She knew Qi Tongwei had gone to Shuntian, but she never expected him to make a surprise return.

"He is now a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee of Handong and the Executive Vice Governor!" Xiao Gangyu emphasized, almost enunciating each word clearly. "And it's obvious to everyone that he will be the next governor! It's a done deal!"

“Governor…” Liang Lu murmured, repeating the two words. Her face appeared pale in the dim light, and her eyes glazed over for a moment. “I…I don’t know…I don’t know…”

Past arrogance and grudges appear so pale and powerless in the face of the enormous power disparity in reality.

Looking at her lost and clueless state, Xiao Gangyu felt a surge of contempt and annoyance. He muttered, "Useless!" Then he stopped looking at her, slammed the door shut, and left the house, leaving Liang Lu alone in the empty house, stunned.

The Office of the Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee.

Li Dakang also drank quite a bit tonight, but given his alcohol tolerance and self-control, he was far from losing control.

With his wife Ouyang Jing not home, and unable to sleep, he simply returned to the municipal party committee building, the office where he had spent the most time.

Outside the window is the dazzling night view of Jingzhou, a result of his efforts in promoting its development.

In the past, he would often spend half a day staring at the city planning map on the wall, his heart filled with the pride and focus of seeing the blueprint come to fruition.

But tonight, those lines and blocks seem to have lost their appeal.

Two faces kept appearing in his mind, alternating between each other.

One photo shows Qi Tongwei today at the provincial leadership cadre conference, a composed, confident, and understated figure; the other photo shows Qi Tongwei fifteen years ago in Lüzhou, a young secretary who earnestly reported his work to him while holding a planning report.

The two faces gradually overlapped, becoming crystal clear.

That face held a smile, subtle and proper, yet it sent a strange, sharp pain through Li Dakang.

He is a few years younger than Gao Yuliang, but he only has one term left.

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye.

With Sha Ruijin's powerful arrival and Qi Tongwei's triumphant return, the political landscape in Handong has suddenly become crowded and dangerous. He is now only thinking about achieving political success quickly, but can he find opportunities outside of Handong?

Time waits for no one!

These four words struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

Li Dakang felt a sudden, inexplicable heat. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.

Our gaze once again fell upon the "Development Plan Map of Guangming District, Jingzhou City".

The focus of attention fell on that glaring, slow-progressing area—the Guangmingfeng project, especially the stubborn "stubborn nail" within it, Dafeng Factory.

The demolition stalled and the project stalled, which not only affected the overall development of Guangmingfeng, but also became a conspicuous flaw in Li Dakang's ambitious blueprint for Jingzhou.

At a time when anxiety is amplified tonight, this "flaw" seems particularly unbearable.

He grabbed the red phone on the table and dialed a number without hesitation.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. It came through the voice of Ding Yizhen, the Party Secretary of Guangming District, who sounded sleepy but quickly woke up, struggling to stay awake: "Secretary Li? What instructions do you have?"

Li Dakang's voice boomed like a bell, clear and distinct in the silent office, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure:

"Ding Yizhen! When will the demolition of Dafeng Factory finally be delayed?! Are you even capable of doing this? If not, I'll replace you immediately!"

Chapter 103 A Sleepless Night (Part 3)

In less than half an hour, Ding Yizhen braved the cold wind and arrived at the door of Li Dakang's office.