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

"Does being in a hurry mean you can disregard procedures? Does being in a hurry mean you can communicate privately and substitute for organizational procedures?" Ji Changming's tone was stern. "Do you consider organizational procedures a joke?"

Hou Liangping retorted, "I was just acting expediently in an emergency!"

"Which law gave you the power to act expediently in times of emergency? Some things, once weighed, are nothing but a thousand pounds! Liangping, you've really put Chen Hai in a terrible position this time!"

"What's wrong with Chen Hai?" Hou Liangping asked anxiously.

"Disorganized and undisciplined, acting without authorization, and making deployment errors that led to the loss of the target. He was publicly criticized by his superiors and may be transferred from his frontline position," Ji Changming said in a deep voice.

"Leaders? Aren't Chen Hai's leaders you and Teacher Gao? You and Teacher Gao, you should talk to Chen Hai. He's just anxious to solve the case..." Hou Liangping still wanted to downplay the matter.

Ji Changming interrupted him: "This time, it wasn't me, nor Secretary Yu Liang, who criticized Chen Hai. It was the newly appointed Executive Vice Governor, Comrade Qi Tongwei. He showed no mercy in front of several Standing Committee members. I'm afraid this matter won't end well."

"Qi Tongwei?" Hou Liangping's voice was filled with astonishment. "He's not..."

His words were interrupted by Xiao Gangyu's suddenly raised voice.

Xiao Gangyu answered a phone call, his face first showing surprise, then he loudly confirmed, "What? Ding Yizhen has been found?"

……

The next morning, in a private room of the provincial government canteen.

Qi Tongwei was having a simple breakfast while listening to a briefing on the daily work of a deputy director of the Provincial Government Office.

The deputy director spoke at a steady pace, reporting on routine schedules and document circulation.

Suddenly, Qi Tongwei heard some news, and the chopsticks he was holding with the pickled cucumber stopped in mid-air. He looked up at the deputy director, his eyes filled with undisguised astonishment, as if he even thought he had misheard:

"What? Ding Yizhen is dead?"

Chapter 106 New and Old Secretaries

In his previous life, Qi Tongwei knew of Xiao Gangyu. Perhaps his abilities and vision were limited, but when it came to ruthlessness, he was second to none.

He just didn't expect that Xiao Gangyu would directly "force him to commit suicide".

It's unclear whether Ding Yizhen never intended to risk fleeing, or whether it was Qi Tongwei's suggestion to seal off the airport, thus denying him any chance to escape, that led to this unavoidable decision.

From another perspective, the suicide of a deputy mayor involved in a case is still egregious, but it is ultimately less serious and more "controllable" than the public outcry, international impact, and damage to the government's credibility caused by a "successful escape overseas."

This at least preserved the "face" of Handong and even higher levels in the pursuit of fugitives abroad, minimizing the negative impact within the province as much as possible.

For Qi Tongwei personally, if Ding Yizhen were to be arrested alive and, during interrogation, implicate a string of former members of the "Han University Gang" or even the Zhao family gang, triggering a political earthquake, it would certainly help him quickly clean house and take over a relatively "clean" team. However, it would also mean violent upheaval and uncontrollable risks.

He can accept the current outcome—Ding Yizhen's "suicide," and the seemingly abrupt end of the trail.

As for the truth behind Ding Yizhen's death—whether it was murder or suicide, and who the mastermind was—Qi Tongwei didn't care, at least not for now.

His role is that of the executive vice governor, the soon-to-be second-in-command of a provincial government. His "battlefield" is in macroeconomic regulation, major project promotion, people's livelihood protection, and government efficiency, rather than like a criminal investigation team leader, neglecting the heavy responsibility of governing a province with tens of millions of people and delving into the maze of a specific case.

That wasn't his duty; it was also a sign of political immaturity.

Qi Tongwei: I have a lot to do, so I need to focus my energy on important matters.

A week has passed since he took office in Handong, but the selection of his full-time secretary has yet to be finalized.

As is customary, the General Office of the Provincial Government recommended several candidates, but he did not meet with any of them.

Therefore, routine administrative reports are temporarily handled by the deputy director of the General Office. This deputy director seems to enjoy it, providing exceptionally detailed and thorough reports.

After finishing breakfast, Qi Tongwei did not return to his office, but instead walked towards the provincial party committee building again and arrived outside Gao Yuliang's office.

Gao Yuliang had not yet begun the formal schedule. Although, given his current status, he would have needed to make an appointment in advance, when Xiao Luo went in to announce that "Governor Qi is visiting," Gao Yuliang only hesitated for a moment before gesturing for him to come in.

Qi Tongwei walked into the familiar office. Gao Yuliang had already stood up from behind his desk, with his usual gentle smile on his face, but the fatigue in his eyes was still visible.

"Tongwei, so early? Is it because of Ding Yizhen? A department-level official, and the vice mayor of a provincial capital, committed suicide. The nature of the crime is too heinous, and the impact is too bad!"

Gao Yuliang brought it up himself, his tone heavy and his brows furrowed.

As the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, this was a responsibility he couldn't avoid.

Moreover, before the official conclusion was reached, he subconsciously characterized the incident as "suicide," which was itself a tendency—after all, the political upheaval and investigative pressure caused by "homicide" were far greater than those caused by "suicide."

Qi Tongwei smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "Professor Gao, you can worry about the political and legal affairs. There's no need for me to chime in. If you hadn't called me last night, I wouldn't have gotten involved. You are the pillar of the political and legal system in Handong. With you here, Handong can't cause any big waves."

Gao Yuliang waved his hand, a half-smile on his face: "You came all this way just to flatter me like this?"

Qi Tongwei straightened his expression and showed just the right amount of "earnestness": "These are my heartfelt words, but there is indeed something I would like to ask you for help with, teacher."

"Oh? Is there anything else I can help with now? Tell me." Gao Yuliang sat back in his chair, looking relaxed.

"When I first arrived in Handong, I was completely clueless. I was told I was familiar with the situation, but there were so many things to do, and I needed an assistant who understood the officialdom in Handong to be by my side. The Provincial Government Office did recommend a few secretaries for me, but I wasn't familiar with the Office itself, let alone the people who recommended me, so I didn't trust them at all."

Qi Tongwei said frankly, "So, I would like to ask you, teacher, to recommend one for me."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang raised an eyebrow and revealed a meaningful smile: "Oh? You don't trust the recommendations from the General Office, but you can trust the ones I recommend?"

Qi Tongwei met his gaze, his eyes firm, his tone utterly sincere: "Teacher, what are you saying? If I can't even trust the people you recommend, then who can I trust in Handong? You are my teacher, and more importantly, an elder who has watched me grow up."

Gao Yuliang's gaze lingered on Qi Tongwei's face for a moment, as if trying to see through that sincerity to the deepest calculation.

Qi Tongwei met his gaze calmly, without any attempt to dodge.

A few seconds later, Gao Yuliang was the first to look away, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and seemed to have made a decision. His tone returned to its usual composure: "Since you put it that way... I do have someone in mind. Huang Qiaosong, 34 years old, is the deputy director of the Secretariat of the Provincial Party Committee Office. His grandfather was a retired comrade from the Provincial People's Congress. He comes from a family with a strong academic background and knows the situation and interpersonal relationships of various departments in Handong Province like the back of his hand. The young man is also steady, knows how to handle things, and knows when to advance and retreat. He can be used."

Qi Tongwei immediately smiled with relief: "That's great! Thank you, Professor Gao! With you overseeing things, I feel much more at ease."

The two chatted briefly about Huang Qiaosong's basic information, and then Qi Tongwei got up to say goodbye.

Hiring a secretary is a means, not an end.

In the general offices of the provincial party committee and the provincial government, which one of those who can hold a substantive deputy director position or above is not a shrewd and capable person?

There are many people who meet the basic requirement of "understanding the situation in Handong".

After all, those who rely on seniority can only reach the deputy division chief level, not the deputy division chief level.

Qi Tongwei's deliberate request for Gao Yuliang's recommendation was itself a carefully crafted political gesture.

Showing goodwill and binding each other.

The subtext is: Look, I even consulted you on the selection of my closest staff members, showing full respect for you and willingness to accept your influence.

Gao Yuliang's response was equally ingenious. He did not select anyone from the Second Comprehensive Division of the Provincial Party Committee General Office, which he directly supervised and had close ties with, nor did he recommend anyone from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission system. Instead, he chose a cadre who came from a local political family, had a relatively "neutral" background, and worked in the Secretariat of the Provincial Party Committee General Office.

This demonstrates his sincerity and influence, and also sends a signal: I have no intention of placing "my own people" around you to monitor or hinder you; I am recommending a capable and disciplined "tool".

This is a friendly way of maintaining distance.

Back in the provincial government office, Qi Tongwei immediately summoned the deputy director of the General Office who had been responsible for reporting.

Qi Tongwei succinctly stated: "Please coordinate with the Provincial Party Committee General Office to process the transfer procedures for Comrade Huang Qiaosong of the Secretariat. He should be transferred to the Second Comprehensive Division of the Provincial Government General Office as the division chief, and take up his post as soon as possible to be responsible for the comprehensive service work on my side."

"Yes, Governor Qi, I'll take care of it right away." The deputy director quickly took notes.

Qi Tongwei paused for a moment, then added, "There's one more thing. Contact the Organization Department of the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee and ask them to transfer Comrade Liao Qingyuan, the deputy county head of Daokou County, to the Second Comprehensive Division of the General Office of the Provincial Government, to serve as the deputy director. Please handle this as well."

A hint of surprise flashed in the deputy director's eyes, but he quickly concealed it: "Understood, Governor Qi."

Qi Tongwei nodded slightly and said no more.

Liao Qingyuan... Before he left Daokou to take up his post in Beijing, he sent this secretary he had used to Chengguan Town to be the deputy mayor, and then never took any further care of her.

But Liao Qingyuan has a particularly stubborn streak.

Every year before the Spring Festival, he would always visit, bringing local specialties from Daokou County—new tea, dried bamboo shoots, and handmade noodles, with a value that would never exceed a few hundred yuan, just right at the safest limit for social interactions.

Qi Tongwei and He Xian would reciprocate by giving Liao Qingyuan some snacks or books from Beijing. Liao Qingyuan always accepted them happily and never refused.

Qi Tongwei wasn't particularly interested in the local specialties themselves, but every time Liao Qingyuan visited, he would give a detailed report on the development and changes in Daokou County that year, with detailed data and vivid examples.

Qi Tongwei listened attentively. After all, Daokou was where his political career began, a place he had poured his heart and soul into, and he had a special affection for it.

Apart from that, the two had no other contact; Qi Tongwei never made any contact for him, and Liao Qingyuan never asked for anything.

However, the identity of "Qi Tongwei's former secretary" is itself an intangible asset.

As Qi Tongwei's status rose, even though he was not in Handong and had not made any statements, the people above him, even if they did not give Liao Qingyuan special treatment, would at least not deliberately make things difficult for him.

Liao Qingyuan lived up to expectations and, through his solid work ability, gradually rose to the position of deputy county head.

Qi Tongwei has his own reasons for transferring Liao Qingyuan here.

On the one hand, although Gao Yuliang endorsed Huang Qiaosong's background and abilities, he still needed to observe and work things out with him. Introducing Liao Qingyuan, an "old friend," could create a delicate balance and competition to some extent, urging Huang Qiaosong to do his best.

It doesn't matter if Liao Qingyuan isn't familiar with the operation of provincial government agencies and the situation in the province; he can learn and gain experience for a year or two before making a decision.

On the other hand, activating former subordinates is also a signal to the outside world: I, Qi Tongwei, cherish the past.

My old subordinates at the crossroads can take care of me, and so can my old classmates from Han University.

Chapter 107 This guy is ruthless!

Huang Qiaosong arrived at his post quickly.

He was an ordinary-looking but capable-looking young man who didn't talk much but was efficient in his work.

Qi Tongwei had no particular opinion about him—his choice was unrelated to him.

After Huang Qiaosong took office, the first thing Qi Tongwei assigned him was: "Contact the Jingzhou Municipal Government Office and arrange for a site meeting for the Guangming Peak project to be held at the Jingzhou Municipal Government tomorrow. Notify all major investor representatives to attend the meeting."

He's no longer in charge, so it's inappropriate for him to directly intervene in Handong through personnel changes. He needs an entry point that allows him to get involved in substantive work while also adhering to proper procedures.

The Guangming Peak project, involving an investment of 28 billion yuan and currently teetering on the brink of collapse due to Ding Yizhen's death, is the perfect fit.

When the news reached Li Dakang, he was staring intently at the city planning map in his office.

Ding Yizhen died, leaving behind a mess.

Investors were like frightened birds, on edge and in a state of panic.

Qi Tongwei's initiative to hold an on-site meeting was, on the surface, aimed at appeasing these businessmen—his promise as the future provincial governor carried far more weight than any statement from anyone in the city.

But Li Dakang didn't believe things would be that simple.

Guangming Peak is the most crucial part of his political achievements, his "trump card" that he has cultivated for many years and on which he has placed high hopes.

Why did Qi Tongwei have to come at this crucial juncture, of all times, to take on this hot potato?

"They've come with ill intentions," Li Dakang sighed softly, putting down his pen.

But he had no reason to refuse—it was perfectly legitimate for the executive vice governor to investigate key projects and solve problems on-site.