In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

"This young man has a bright future!"

Minister Hao stared at Liu Mingyu with a smile. At this moment, Chen Luo chuckled and chimed in, "My secretary may lack other skills, but she's definitely a master at opening car doors."

"Xiao Liu is capable and willing to work, which is better than those old Lius who sit still and act like they're doing nothing. Besides, it's always a good thing for a person to have ambition."

A familiar figure emerged from the government building amidst laughter and conversation; it was Governor Liu.

"Hao Yi, you old bastard, what are you saying?"

"Tsk, I'm telling you, Lao Liu, you're so reluctant to leave. I came to Handong and you didn't even come to pick me up from the airport."

"If Chen Luo hadn't taken time out of his busy schedule to pick me up, were you planning to avoid me altogether?"

"Hey! You old codger, you're finally retired and have a lot of free time, but I still have six months left. You know I'm busy right after the New Year. You think I'd pick you up? You'd be lucky if Chen Luo picked you up from the airport. I should have just had the driver take a three-wheeled vehicle to the airport. It would have been a good opportunity for the old man to have a ride and enjoy his retirement."

Chen Luo could only listen to these words without interrupting.

"Alright, alright, stop nagging, Lao Liu."

This isn't the place to talk. Let's go to your office first.

Governor Liu did not refuse, as it was indeed inappropriate to discuss other matters at the main entrance. The three of them went directly to the elevator. As for his secretary, Liu Mingyu, he was not stupid and simply got into the car and waited.

Upon arriving at Governor Liu's office, Governor Liu's secretary made a cup of hot tea for the three of them and then quietly withdrew.

Minister Hao frowned after taking a small sip.

"Hey Lao Liu, even if you don't like me, you don't have to try to fool me with this cheap, low-quality tea, do you?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo looked into the cup; the tea leaves seemed familiar.

"Ahem, Governor Liu, could this be tea that Secretary Sha sent us a few months ago?"

Governor Liu did not deny it.

"I just heard this tea is very expensive, over 100,000 yuan per kilogram. How is it? Doesn't it taste pretty good? Old Hao just doesn't know how to appreciate it."

Chen Luo didn't continue the conversation, but Minister Hao complained, "It smells very fragrant, but when you taste it, it's a completely different flavor. And it costs tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram. I think it's just a rip-off to fools."

"is it?"

Governor Liu also took a bite, and then his brows furrowed as well.

"It seems the tea recommended by our Secretary Sha isn't very good. There must be another reason why it can sell for over 100,000 yuan per kilogram. Chen Luo, do you know anything about it?"

"I heard that this tea was given to me by Yi Xuexi's wife, Mao Ya, when Secretary Sha visited Luzhou a few months ago. I have heard some details during my two months of work in Luzhou."

"Tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram is what merchants are after. But when you come to Yi Xuexi's house, all you see is a business plan. Tea, if a merchant thinks it's worth tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram, who can say no?"

"Hahaha, I knew you knew it all along."

Governor Liu smiled and then continued to comment: "However, Yi Xuexi's wife is quite clever."

Unlike Li Dakang's ex-wife Ouyang Qing, there was nothing illegal or unethical about her actions; she simply allowed the merchants to set prices for her tea.

"Go away, I don't understand what you two are saying. Old Liu, you're retiring in six months. Are you going to retire directly or stay in the second line for a few more years?"

Minister Hao interrupted the conversation directly, and Governor Liu's smile vanished upon hearing this, replaced by silence.

"I haven't decided yet."

This answer was exactly what Minister Hao expected.

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. You shouldn't hold on any longer. A few more years and the result will be the same, won't it?"

"Let's talk about this later. What about you? I heard from Chen Luo that you're going to be the president of Moon Lake University?"

"I'm just killing time anyway."

"Pah! A mission is a mission, there's no point in saying all this."

Old friends catch up in such a casual way, and it wasn't until an hour later that Chen Luo and Minister Hao left the provincial government for Lüzhou.

On the bus, Minister Hao was filled with emotion.

"Old Liu has had a tough time too. Four years ago, he had the opportunity to become the provincial party secretary, but a parachuted appointment blocked his path to advancement. Don't be fooled by his cheerful demeanor now; he actually has a knot in his heart that he can't untie."

Chen Luo listened quietly. Life is full of disappointments, which is perfectly normal.

"By the way, Moon Lake University will be recruiting students in six months, so we need to do a good job of promoting it during this time."

When the conversation turned to business, Chen Luo continued, "Necessary publicity is a given, but there's a problem right now: the positioning of Moon Lake University. Should it recruit undergraduates, graduate students, or both? The overseas research institutes that have moved back to China are fully capable of training some master's and doctoral students. They are actually the ones who can grow the fastest."

Minister Hao responded to this question very quickly.

"Of course we need them!"

Two thousand undergraduates, five hundred graduate students, and one hundred doctoral students—as the Second Grand Secretary has said, Yuehu University should make good use of these resources. It's not just about recruiting students; professors from related majors at other universities will also come to Yuehu University to teach and study.

My coming to Yuehu University was actually supported and considered by higher-ups. With students and professors from various universities coming together, a president of considerable influence wouldn't be able to keep them in check. Do you understand now?

Chen Luo said he understood.

"So your coming to Moon Lake University wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision..."

"That goes without saying. What retired ministerial-level official would suddenly decide to become a university president?"

With me here, everyone from these universities, no matter who they are, has to keep a low profile. If they don't listen, we'll deal with them directly. We can't allow anyone to mess up our important national projects!

I'm definitely staying in Luzhou for the next few years!

Chapter 155 Zhong Xiaoai Transforms into a Vengeful Black Widow

Upon returning to Lüzhou, Minister Hao immediately got to work, not taking a break at all.

The task involved building the framework for Moon Lake University, which is very important.

The first step is to hire some publicity staff from within China to prepare for the upcoming recruitment and publicity work for Yuehu University.

The second step is to contact the relevant departments and personnel at various domestic universities who need to transfer to Yuehu University.

At the same time, we also need to contact Dong Sheng and others to recruit a group of top technical experts from abroad and obtain the equipment needed by various laboratories of Yuehu University.

For several days in a row, Minister Hao went out early and returned late, eating and sleeping directly in Chen Luo's No. 1 compound of the Municipal Party Committee. As for Zhang Nian and the two little ones, school had already started in Jingzhou, so they went back to Jingzhou to study.

Having been in Handong for several days, Zhong Xiaoai felt it was time to talk to Tian Guofu in the office of the deputy secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. She also wanted to meet her husband, Hou Liangping.

When Tian Guofu arrived at his office and saw Zhong Xiaoai, he already knew her purpose.

"Comrade Xiao Ai is here? Please sit down."

After sitting down, Zhong Xiaoai looked at Tian Guofu with a sorrowful expression and said, "Secretary Tian, ​​is there still no conclusion regarding the issue of my husband, Hou Liangping?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Guofu shook his head.

"The investigation into Hou Liangping's case has not yet been completed. Hou Liangping insists that he did not accept bribes, but the evidence points to him. In addition, there are still hundreds of real-name whistleblower letters that have not been verified. It may take some more time."

"Secretary Tian! It's me!"

"Xiao Ai, you two are husband and wife, I understand how you feel, but you know the organization's principles, and you don't need me to remind you of the avoidance principle. You have to trust the organization!"

Hearing this made Zhong Xiaoai want to curse inwardly.

“Secretary Tian, ​​I understand, but could you let me see my husband? I’d like to talk to him.”

Tian Guofu tried to continue making excuses, but Zhong Xiaoai was staring intently at him, and if he refused again, things would really fall apart.

"Alas! Comrade Xiao Ai, how can a person be without feelings, even if they are not plants or trees?"

"Alright, I'll arrange for you to meet shortly, but you'll only have five minutes, so you'd better hurry."

"Thank you so much, Secretary Tian!"

An hour later.

In the interrogation room, Tian Guofu brought Zhong Xiaoai. Hou Liangping, who had been detained for a month, was in a daze and exuded an aura of decay.

"Ryohei!"

Hou Liangping only mechanically raised his head when Zhong Xiaoai called him. The moment he saw Zhong Xiaoai, Hou Liangping could hardly believe his eyes. He rubbed them hard before realizing that it really was his wife.

"Xiao Ai, is that you?!"

"It's me, I've come to see you!"

"Xiao Ai, save me! Let Dad save me! I really didn't take any bribes! Cai Chenggong is framing me! I really don't know anything!"

"Yes, it must be him, and Chen Hai and his son Chen Yanshi. They must have framed me. They were the only family I offended in Handong. Xiao Ai, I want to get out. I miss you and Haoran!"

Hou Liangping struggled incessantly, and Zhong Xiaoai felt a tremor in her heartstrings, a surge of heartache and bitterness welling up inside her.

"Liangping, don't worry, you'll be alright, believe me!"

Tian Guofu, who was standing to the side, watched very calmly. This was not the first time he had seen such a thing. For the Discipline Inspection Commission, it was commonplace and he was already used to it.

"Comrade Xiao Ai, we'll be there in five minutes."

After checking the time, Tian Guofu gave a reminder.

Zhong Xiaoai remained silent, then stepped forward and reached out to stroke Hou Liangping's gaunt face.

"Liangping, wait a little longer! Wait a little longer!"

After saying that, Zhong Xiaoai got up and left resolutely.

Only Hou Liangping remained, his gaze blank.

Zhong Xiaoai exuded a chilling aura as she left the interrogation room. Tian Guofu noticed the change immediately but ultimately chose not to warn her.

"Comrade Xiao Ai, you are the deputy secretary. The work of the Discipline Inspection Commission must be carried out in accordance with laws and regulations!"

After saying that, Tian Guofu left.

Zhong Xiaoai stopped in her tracks, turned around to look at the interrogation room, gritted her teeth and said in a sinister tone, "Liangping, I will get you out, and those who slandered you will eventually pay the price!"

Just after getting off work in the afternoon, Zhong Xiaoai drove directly away from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, heading straight for the Guangming District Committee and Government.

Upon arriving at the district government building, Zhong Xiaoai squatted down and waited.

In the district head's office, even though it was past working hours, Chen Hai and Yi Xuexi were still working. The problem of adding floors to two old residential areas was getting more and more serious, and several buildings had already developed wall cracks.

Logically, given the current situation, ordinary people should prioritize their own safety and move away temporarily. However, money can be a powerful motivator, and some stubborn individuals will take this opportunity to live in the dilapidated buildings and threaten the Guangming District Committee and Government.

"Secretary Yi, the problem is very serious. If we don't take action now, the consequences could be dire if a collapse occurs..."

“I know the consequences will be severe, but compromising with one family means compromising with everyone. If each building has one or two floors, or even three floors, added, our demolition compensation will exceed the budget by several hundred million yuan. Neither of us can afford such a result!”