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

The two hung up the phone, but both knew that Hou Liangping had been completely abandoned.

Politics, sometimes, is like that—it kills without drawing blood.

In Zhong Zhengguo's study in Beijing.

He put down the phone, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples.

From his perspective, Hou Liangping's act of ignoring rules and procedures by arbitrarily arresting the wife of a provincial party committee member has offended Sha Ruijin.

If Qi Tongwei refuses to take him in, then he has no future in Handong.

Having missed this opportunity, Hou Liangping will not have another chance.

Political resources are precious and will not be wasted on worthless people.

Since you've already given up on this son-in-law, why not squeeze every last drop of value out of him and make the most of him?

Li Dakang's flaws are clearly laid out there; he's a piece of easy prey.

If Hou Liangping couldn't keep it, why didn't he give it to Zhong Xiaoai from the inspection team?

If they manage to get Li Dakang under control, the optimal solution would be to exchange political resources with Sha Ruijin and the faction behind him. Even if Sha Ruijin sacrifices Li Dakang to save the king, Zhong Xiaoai could still easily advance to the rank of director-general thanks to her achievement in securing a vice-ministerial level position.

That's why Zhong Zhengguo took on this slightly hot potato.

As for retaliation from the Sarrijin faction? That's practically negligible.

Political maneuvering and resource swapping are merely byproducts of the political tide, not politics itself.

Going with the flow is what a mature politician should do.

Amid the current massive anti-corruption campaign, evidence of corruption by Sha Ruijin's subordinates has been uncovered, yet the investigation is not being allowed; any investigation would result in retaliation.

What kind of situation is this? Are they trying to emulate Zhao Lichun and establish an independent kingdom?

That person was even more arrogant and domineering than Zhao Lichun.

That's why Zhong Zhengguo accepted Qi Tongwei's deal request.

But Hou Liangping was, after all, his son-in-law, and he still felt a pang of pity.

That's why they tentatively proposed conditions like "a big favor" and "deputy chief prosecutor," and finally suggested that Hou Liangping report his thoughts to Qi Tongwei.

If Qi Tongwei only had his sights set on striking Sha Ruijin and agreed to the request, it would be tantamount to Hou Liangping joining Qi Tongwei's camp, giving him a glimmer of hope for his career in Handong.

However, from now on, he will have to fight for Qi Tongwei.

But why would Qi Tongwei risk arousing Sha Ruijin's suspicion for Hou Liangping's sake? He resolutely refused.

Although Zhong Zhengguo felt it was a pity, he didn't care.

As for this son-in-law, he was given a chance but failed to live up to it, so who can be blamed?

He opened his eyes, a slight smile on his lips.

He was generally satisfied with the deal.

Using a son-in-law who has already been proven to have no future can not only repay the favor owed to Qi Tongwei, but also help his daughter Zhong Xiaoai get promoted, and may even allow her to exchange political resources from Sha Ruijin's faction.

Make a fortune!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Handong, Provincial Government Building, Vice Governor's Office.

Qi Tongwei put down the phone, a faint smile on his lips.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling streets outside with a deep gaze.

Using an unexpected favor to damage Sha Ruijin's prestige and even the image of his superiors.

Make a fortune!!

—A win-win situation.

The Provincial Party Committee building, Sha Ruijin's office.

Ji Changming stood respectfully in front of his desk, reporting on Ouyang Jing's case: "Secretary Sha, according to the Anti-Corruption Bureau's preliminary investigation, Ouyang Jing is suspected of accepting bribes from Cai Chenggong, with the amount initially determined to be 500,000 yuan. She has been apprehended and is currently under further interrogation."

Sha Ruijin sat behind his desk, his face calm. After listening to the report, he nodded, his tone completely indifferent: "Five hundred thousand yuan? Is the evidence conclusive?"

“Indeed.” Ji Changming quickly said, “Comrade Hou Liangping has obtained bank card usage records, shopping mall surveillance footage, Ouyang Jing’s signature, and Cai Chenggong’s report materials.”

After asking about some specific details, Sha Ruijin continued, "This case should be handled as it should be, without considering Li Dakang's feelings or Gao Yuliang's influence. I only have eight words: Act in accordance with the law and seek truth from facts."

Ji Changming respectfully replied, "Understood."

Sha Ruijin continued, "Furthermore, please convey a message to Comrade Hou Liangping: I, Sha Ruijin, and the Handong Provincial Committee thank him. If it weren't for his decisive action in stopping Li Dakang's car and saving Li Dakang's political future, Handong would have lost a capable reform leader."

The preceding sentences were official jargon and platitudes, but this sentence directly reveals Sha Ruijin's inclination.

Ji Changming nodded: "Yes, Secretary Sha, I really didn't think of that if you hadn't mentioned it."

Sha Ruijin asked with a smile, "You really didn't expect that?"

Ji Changming also laughed: "I really didn't expect that."

Sha Ruijin said meaningfully, "I don't believe it."

After seeing Ji Changming off, Bai Jingwen came in with tea and saw Sha Ruijin leaning back in his chair with a faint smile on his face, seemingly in a good mood.

Bai Jingwen hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but speak up: "Secretary Sha, there's something I don't quite understand."

“Speak.” Sha Ruijin turned his head and looked at his secretary who had been with him for many years.

“Since you decided to protect Secretary Dakang, why didn’t you stop him before the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Ouyang Jing?” Bai Jingwen asked cautiously. “This wouldn’t be good for Secretary Dakang either, since they took him away right in front of him at the highway exit. That… is somewhat embarrassing.”

Yes, Ji Changming had already reported to Sha Ruijin when he learned of the anti-corruption bureau's operation.

Logically, he should have reported to Gao Yuliang first, but the conflict between the Han University faction and the secretary faction led him to decide to report to Sha Ruijin, bypassing his superiors.

After receiving the news, Sha Ruijin allowed Hou Liangping to continue his actions.

If he only wanted to protect Li Dakang, he only needed to have Ji Changming make a phone call to Li Dakang. Once Li Dakang received the news, he would definitely turn around and send Ouyang Jing to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Sha Ruijin smiled, put down his teacup, and said with admiration in his eyes, "Xiao Bai, the fact that you can think of this shows that you are making progress. But you haven't figured it out yet."

Bai Jingwen quickly replied modestly, "Please give me your guidance, Secretary Sha."

Sha Ruijin stood up, walked to the window, put his hands behind his back, looked at the scenery outside, and slowly said:

“Xiao Bai, if I had ordered Ji Changming to stop the anti-corruption bureau’s operation back then, Ouyang Jing’s charges would have been dropped. Think about it, what would someone like Li Dakang think?”

Bai Jingwen frowned, deep in thought.

Sha Ruijin continued, "I have a very clear understanding of Li Dakang over this period of time. He is a capable cadre with courage and ability, but he also has his problems—for the sake of political achievements, he can ignore many things and play some borderline games."

He paused, his voice becoming meaningful: "If I had helped him suppress Ouyang Jing's matter back then, what would he have thought? He would have thought that he was my Ding Yizhen."

Bai Jingwen was shocked.

“Do you know how many things Li Dakang helped Ding Yizhen back then?” Sha Ruijin put down his teacup. “The Dafeng Factory matter, the Shanshui Group matter, the Guangmingfeng project matter—which one wasn’t settled by Li Dakang for Ding Yizhen? Now, Ouyang Jing’s matter is much less serious than Ding Yizhen’s matter, only 500,000 yuan. If I help him settle it, he will think it’s only natural.”

Bai Jingwen suddenly realized: "Because he has already sided with you, he will feel that it is only right for you to clean up his mess?"

“Yes.” Sha Ruijin nodded. “He will feel that this is what I should do as a superior, and that it is part of the exchange. He will not be grateful, but will only feel at ease.”

"Now, if I protect him, although it will take more effort, I will also gain Li Dakang's gratitude, and he will work harder for me in the future."

It is better to make mistakes than to make merits.

This small price can secure the unwavering loyalty of a provincial standing committee member and local power leader.

Huge profits!!!

—A win-win-win situation.

Chapter 136 Five-Person Group Meeting (Budget Version)

The news spread very quickly.

Right after lunch, Sha Ruijin's praise of Hou Liangping for "protecting a key figure in the reform movement in Handong" had already quietly spread throughout the provincial party committee compound.

In the corridors, canteens, and even the restrooms, groups of two or three cadres huddled together, whispering about the highway interception that morning.

The statements differ, but the general direction is similar—Secretary Sha's stance is already quite clear.

Qi Tongwei did not call Zhong Zhengguo to tell him about this.

Needless to say, Zhong Zhengguo naturally had ways to find out.

The deal between the two has been struck, and they understand each other without saying a word.

But Qi Tongwei was not idle.

He first called Governor Liu to inquire about Li Dakang's situation and then invited him to go with him to report to Sha Ruijin. Governor Liu chuckled on the phone, saying he had an important meeting that afternoon and couldn't get away, and that he could go on behalf of the provincial government.

Then he contacted Gao Yuliang. Professor Gao readily agreed without any hesitation.

Qi Tongwei instructed his secretary, Huang Qiaosong, to contact Bai Jingwen, saying that he and Gao Yuliang wanted to discuss the Li Dakang issue with Secretary Sha. He also asked Bai Jingwen to convey that Governor Liu was unavailable due to other commitments, and requested Secretary Sha to consider whether it was necessary to invite Tian Guofu from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Wu Chunlin, the Organization Minister, to participate.

A short while later, Bai Jingwen called back: Secretary Sha had already notified Tian and Wu.

Things are progressing exceptionally smoothly.

The reception room of Sha Ruijin's office in the Provincial Party Committee building.

This wasn't a formal meeting, so no meeting room was chosen. Instead, it was held in a reception area specially set aside in Sha Ruijin's office. Several sofas were arranged in a circle, and tea was laid out on the coffee table. The atmosphere seemed casual, but everyone sitting there knew that this conversation was anything but casual.

When Qi Tongwei arrived, the other three were already there.

Gao Yuliang, Tian Guofu, and Wu Chunlin all have their offices in the provincial party committee building, giving them a convenient advantage.

Sha Ruijin sat in the center of the main seat, with Gao Yuliang to his lower right and Tian Guofu to his lower left. Wu Chunlin sat next to Tian Guofu. The seat next to Gao Yuliang was empty, clearly reserved for Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei entered, glanced at the seats, made no comment, nodded slightly, and sat down.

Apart from Wu Chunlin getting up to greet them, the other three simply nodded as a greeting.

The moment he sat down, Qi Tongwei felt a subtle current of air.

Gao Yuliang held his teacup, his expression calm, but there was something in his eyes. Tian Guofu's face was composed, with an air of official business. Wu Chunlin, sandwiched in the middle, had the most solemn and cautious expression.

Tian Guofu spoke up after taking a sip of tea, his tone tinged with a hint of sarcasm: "Governor Qi proposed this communication between us. It seems to me that this lineup is more like a five-person group meeting."

The five-member Party Committee group—comprising the Party Secretary, the head of the government, the full-time deputy Party Secretary, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, and the Minister of Organization—is a term with specific political connotations.