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

What felt familiar to Chen Luo was that he had studied here for nearly ten years, while what felt unfamiliar was that the changes over the past ten years of working here had been too great.

Bringing her thoughts back, Chen Luo had come here for work. Before taking office, according to organizational procedures, Chen Luo still needed to have a conversation.

The vehicle drove directly into the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

2:30 PM.

Guided by staff from the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chen Luo arrived at an office.

As soon as Chen Luo entered the office, he saw a familiar face, and two other people sat on either side of him.

"Minister Xu, hello!"

The Minister Xu that Chen Luo mentioned was the solemn man sitting in the middle, 59 years old, the Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (at the ministerial level!).

The reason for their familiarity is that Minister Xu is also a graduate of Yenching University. Chen Luo met him during the university's anniversary celebration when he was pursuing his doctorate, and even after more than a decade apart, he could still recognize him.

"Comrade Chen Luo, you've arrived? Please have a seat..."

After Minister Xu spoke, Chen Luo smiled, nodded, and sat down.

The two of them understood each other implicitly, and their conversations consisted of nothing more than the same old topics.

Besides Minister Xu, the two people on either side were from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the Political and Legal Affairs Commission (PLAC). About an hour later, the conversation ended, and the two people from the CCDI and the PLAAC left one after the other.

Before leaving, the official from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission greeted Chen Luo with a smile, and Chen Luo responded warmly.

"Chen Luo, it's been more than ten years. You've come this far in the blink of an eye."

Once only Chen Luo and Minister Xu remained in the office, the atmosphere of the conversation became noticeably more relaxed.

"Minister Xu, it's been over a decade, but you still look as dashing as ever!"

"Hahaha, you little rascal, this isn't the time for work. The conversation is over, and you're still calling me 'Minister'?"

Chen Luo smiled and then shook his head.

"Senior!"

"Hey, that's right. You're a famous talent in our school. You've done a great job in Kunming and Suzhou over the years. You've managed to grow a prefecture-level city into the fifth largest city in the country. The organization has seen your contributions, which is the main reason why you were able to go to Handong this time."

Chen Luo understood that one must be strong to succeed.

"You flatter me, senior. I was just doing my job..."

"Don't be modest, this isn't me praising you, these are the words of the dean above."

"above?"

Chen Luo was somewhat shocked; he and this leader seemed to have absolutely no connection whatsoever…

Surprised?

Minister Xu smiled, but the hint of envy in his eyes was impossible to hide.

"Have you forgotten that you and the boss graduated from the same school?"

Besides, the development of Kunming and Suzhou is real and substantial; it's hard for them to go unnoticed.

"I am indeed somewhat apprehensive."

Chen Luo spoke frankly, but Minister Xu changed the subject and said seriously, "By the way, junior, the newly appointed Secretary of the Handong Provincial Party Committee, Sha Ruijin, is also going to Handong with you this time."

I'll accompany you to your new posts in Handong in a few days. There are some things you should know about Secretary Ruijin.

"Please speak, senior, I'm listening!"

Chen Luo could tell from the tone of their conversation that things were not simple.

"This Secretary Ruijin is a graduate of Tsinghua University, majoring in Marxism-Leninism. Although he later obtained a master's degree in economics, he is not very sensitive to economic development."

He's a rather domineering person. Once you get to Handong, just remember to do your job well.

The implication was simple: to remind Chen Luo to keep some distance from Sha Ruijin.

"Yes, I understand. Thanks for reminding me, senior!"

"Alright, I won't keep you any longer. You've finally come back to visit your teachers. It's been over ten years since you left, and our friendships have grown a bit distant."

Chen Luo nodded and did not linger.

After saying goodbye, Chen Luo left the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

As night fell, Chen Luo spent the entire afternoon at school visiting his former teachers, directors, and deans.

The phone rang in the evening.

"Hey, old boss!"

"Chen Luo, I heard you're back. Where are you now? I'll have my driver pick you up. Let's have dinner together tonight and you can tell me about the situation in Suzhou these past few years."

A glint of light flashed in Chen Luo's eyes.

"No problem, old boss, I'm at the gate of Yanda University right now."

"Okay, wait a moment, I'll have the driver come right away."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Luo slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

Chen Luo was grateful to his former leader who had shown him great kindness; to some extent, the two had a mutually beneficial relationship.

Chen Luo's development in Kunming has driven the economic growth of the entire Suzhou City.

This allowed the then-secretary of the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee, now a former leader, to break through the encirclement and take a crucial step forward.

At the same time, Chen Luo also made rapid progress, taking one step at a time every two years.

Chapter 3 Late-Night Talks: Rule of Law

As soon as the car stopped in front of Chen Luo's alma mater, Chen Luo's phone rang.

"Hello, this is Chen Luo!"

Seeing the unfamiliar phone number, Chen Luo knew that the person sent by his old boss had arrived.

"Hello, Secretary Chen, I am Huang Ming, Mr. Xu's personal secretary. My driver and I have arrived at the main gate of the school."

Upon hearing that she was the former leader's personal secretary, Chen Luo's tone quickly softened.

"Director Huang, I've spotted your car!"

After saying that, Chen Luo walked towards the Audi parked at the gate.

At the same time, the front passenger door opened, Secretary Huang adjusted his glasses, quickly got out of the car, and headed straight for Chen Luo.

He couldn't help but speed up when he was five or six meters away from Chen Luo.

"Secretary Chen! Hello!"

"Hello, Director Huang!"

Looking at Huang Ming, who was half a head shorter than him and around forty-five years old, Chen Luo smiled.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Ming extended both hands to shake hands, and Chen Luo smiled and shook hands with him.

"Secretary Chen, you look even younger than in the photos. No wonder the leaders praise you every now and then!"

Despite Huang Ming's flattery, Chen Luo knew perfectly well what was going on.

Huang Ming was also aware of this.

He was indeed Xu Lao's full-time secretary. It was extremely difficult for a full-time secretary to reach the level of a department director. Secretaries are very smart, and he knew all too well the significance of someone who became a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission at the age of thirty-eight.

This person has a proven track record of outstanding achievements in Kunming and Suzhou.

Making friends only brings benefits, not harm.

Perhaps ten years from now, this person in front of me will still be able to say a word to me in a crucial moment...

Even if not, Chen Luo is currently a deputy provincial-level cadre, which is higher than his full-time secretary who is at the department-level.

"The former leader often praised him?"

Perhaps it's because my former leader and I both came from Suzhou, and we both hope that Suzhou will develop well!

"Who says otherwise? Secretary Chen, please get in the car!"

"Alright, Director Huang, let's go together!"

After getting into the car, the driver remained silent the entire time, while Secretary Huang, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, and Chen Luo, who was in the back seat, occasionally exchanged a few words.

During the evening rush hour, the traffic volume is enormous.

After driving for nearly an hour, the car gradually came to a stop in front of a heavily guarded three-story villa.

"Secretary Chen, we've arrived!"

After speaking, Huang Ming got out of the car first, then opened the door for Chen Luo. Chen Luo was somewhat flattered, as he should have been the one currying favor with Secretary Huang, after all, even a minor official has to fawn over a prime minister, but...

If Huang Ming knew what Chen Luo was thinking, he would probably just smile helplessly. Huang Ming naturally didn't need to pay such attention to ordinary vice-ministerial level officials; in fact, sometimes these vice-ministerial level officials even had to show him some respect.

But Chen Luo is truly different!

Thirty-eight years old, so young, with a bright future ahead of him. Huang Ming isn't stupid; what's dignity worth compared to a promising future? Besides, Chen Luo is still a vice-ministerial level official, so it doesn't really count as a loss of dignity.

"Thank you for your help, Director Huang!"

"It's alright, Secretary Chen, let's go, the leaders are already waiting."

After nodding, Chen Luo, carrying his briefcase, entered the villa under the guidance of Secretary Huang.

Upon entering the first floor of the villa, a table of prepared food immediately comes into view in the spacious living room.

Old Xu sat in the main seat.

Some of his short, graying hair stood up straight, giving him an imposing and commanding presence!

Upon hearing footsteps, Old Xu turned to look at the doorway.

Upon seeing Chen Luo, Old Xu revealed a faint smile.

"My former boss! I've come to see you!"

Chen Luo jogged forward to greet his former leader, and Old Xu patted Chen Luo on the shoulder.

"Chen Luo, you still look very young!"