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

Sure enough, as soon as he opened the door, Liu Changsheng's gaze fell only on Chen Luo, and his warm smile seemed to be reserved only for Chen Luo.

"Comrade Chen Luo, you finally have time to come and sit in my government building. You are an expert in economic development. Recently, the economy of Handong has stagnated. I am getting old and my energy is limited. If you could come and give me some pointers, I would be more than happy to welcome you!"

"Governor Liu, you flatter me."

You are a witness to and builder of the reform and opening up.

Your experience far surpasses mine, given that I've only been doing this job for a little over ten years. I should be the one coming to you to learn from your expertise.

The two of them would praise each other as soon as they met, like a flowery sedan chair that everyone would fawn over.

"Hahaha, let's learn together, let's learn together, quick, quick, sit down first, Comrade Chen Luo."

Governor Liu first pointed to the sofa opposite him, inviting Chen Luo to sit down. Finally, he looked up at Qi Tongwei, his smile fading slightly, and pointed to an office chair next to Chen Luo, saying, "Director Qi, please sit down and talk as well."

Such a difference in attitude is far too obvious.

Qi Tongwei wasn't stupid; he understood perfectly well that this was the result of the sins he had committed over the years.

He was so busy reporting to his teacher, Gao Yuliang, the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee and secretary of the political and legal affairs committee.

They completely disregarded the provincial government.

If Liu Changsheng hadn't wanted to avoid a complete falling out with Gao Yuliang, he probably would have already suggested someone else to replace Qi Tongwei at the Standing Committee meeting.

The only reason Qi Tongwei was allowed to sit down and speak was because Chen Luo is now the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

The atmosphere became noticeably awkward.

Chen Luo's gaze fell on Qi Tongwei.

"Director Qi, since you're here to report on your work, why don't you first report to Governor Liu on the achievements of your public security system during this period, and at the same time tell Governor Liu about the problems you've encountered, so that he can make a decision?"

With Chen Luo offering a way out, Qi Tongwei stood up abruptly, straightened his posture, and stepped forward to hand the documents in his hand to Governor Liu.

"Governor Liu, please take a look first..."

Governor Liu glanced at Chen Luo first, and after seeing Chen Luo smile and nod, Governor Liu took the document and began to read it.

After Governor Liu put down the documents in his hand, Qi Tongwei gave Governor Liu a detailed report, just as he had given Chen Luo.

"Yes, Director Qi, the Provincial Public Security Department has indeed achieved some results recently under the instructions of Comrade Chen Luo."

Your report was very timely, especially regarding the more than 500 undocumented immigrants from other parts of Africa who were spreading the HIV virus; the CDC likely had no record of such cases.

If they continue to hide in Handong, it could have extremely negative consequences and threaten the physical and mental health of the people.

Regarding your question about illegal immigrants who are already in common-law marriages, I can reply to you now.

"Without citizenship or legal documentation, they will be resolutely repatriated according to relevant regulations!"

"Understood, Governor Liu, I'll make the arrangements right away."

Knowing that he was not favored by Governor Liu, Qi Tongwei took the initiative to make room for Chen Luo and Governor Liu after he finished his work report.

Sure enough, after hearing Qi Tongwei say that, Governor Liu finally gave Qi Tongwei a knowing smile.

"Okay, then you go and make it happen."

............................................................

The real meeting between Governor Liu and Chen Luo only began after Qi Tongwei left.

"Comrade Chen Luo, you dared to use Qi Tongwei to rectify the public security system as soon as you arrived in Handong. To be honest, I think it's a bit too risky. Qi Tongwei, as the director of the Public Security Bureau, is capable. After all, he was a drug-fighting hero who was shot three times back then."

However, his lifestyle and work style over the years have generally been problematic.

Governor Liu's remarks were full of substance, without beating around the bush with Chen Luo.

Chen Luo nodded without denying it.

“Governor Liu, you are a veteran with more than ten years of experience working in Handong. Your understanding of Qi Tongwei is definitely clearer than mine, the newly transferred Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.”

Indeed, Qi Tongwei has his problems, and if I had the time, I wouldn't consider him.

Upon hearing Chen Luo's words, Governor Liu immediately understood.

"So that's the reason."

I knew it! You're a master at developing the economy.

How could the organization just casually transfer you to the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission?

So it was just a temporary measure. No wonder you said you didn't have time to replace Qi Tongwei. The newly appointed Public Security Bureau Chief couldn't possibly take control of the Handong Public Security system in less than three to five months. In that light, using Qi Tongwei was a last resort.

"Governor Liu has a discerning eye!"

However, Qi Tongwei, the director of the Public Security Bureau, always carried out my work requirements without fail.

It actually suits us quite well; it was an unexpected surprise.

"If used well, it can be a sharp blade!"

It now seems that Comrade Chen Luo not only possesses outstanding economic development capabilities, but also demonstrates remarkable and unassuming skill in managing subordinates!

Chen Luo didn't respond to that.

"Governor Liu is joking. When Minister Hao Yi called me, he said that your old classmate is truly good at using people and developing the province. Governor Liu, you have definitely put in a lot of effort to make Handong the fourth largest province in the country in terms of economy."

"Did that old bastard Hao Yi really say that on the phone?"

Liu Changsheng was clearly more interested in this sentence.

Time flies so fast.

Both Hao Yi and I are graduates of Renmin University.

He and I were roommates, sharing a bunk bed. We started working in the same year, and now we're retiring in the same year.

He asked me to look after you in Handong.

Now it seems, Comrade Chen Luo, you don't need my help, an old comrade who is about to retire.

You yourself are the midday sun!

Upon hearing this, Chen Luo could only force a smile. After all, there was a difference in their ranks. Governor Liu could tease Minister Hao Yi, but Chen Luo didn't have the ability to interrupt.

It was already 11 a.m. when Chen Luo and Liu Changsheng came out of the provincial government building. Their conversation covered a wide range of topics, especially the part where Liu Changsheng revealed to Chen Luo that the organization had asked him for his opinion on recommending a candidate for the next governor of Handong Province. And the person Governor Liu recommended was someone Chen Luo could never have imagined...

(Guess who it is? If you guess right, I'll add an extra chapter.)

Chapter 39 Contacting the Zhong Family, Exchanging Conditions

The provincial party committee and government have no secrets.

The person most concerned about Chen Luo bringing Qi Tongwei to report to Governor Liu was none other than Sha Ruijin.

Standing on the top floor of the provincial party committee building, I watched Chen Luo and Qi Tongwei enter the provincial government building across the street.

Seeing that Qi Tongwei left the government building in half an hour, while Chen Luo stayed for about an hour before leaving, Sha Ruijin became alert.

If Chen Luoneng and Governor Liu talked for an hour, then it's definitely not as the investigation results suggest that the two were completely unrelated.

Taking a deep breath, Sha Ruijin felt that time was getting increasingly tight, especially since there hadn't been much progress made on Tian Guofu, the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Perhaps it's time for him to ask the Zhong family for some help.

Sha Ruijin took out his phone and made a call.

The call connected, and a deep, resonant voice came through.

"Secretary Ruijin, is there something you need when you call me at this hour?"

"Director Zhong, things haven't been going very smoothly in Handong lately. It seems that Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, Tian Guofu, isn't focusing his efforts on investigating and punishing officials who violate discipline and the law."

Tian Guofu was a pawn that the Zhong family had planted in Handong beforehand, but this pawn seemed to be somewhat disobedient.

Zhong Zhengguo could certainly understand what Sha Ruijin meant.

After a moment of silence, Zhong Zhengguo replied, "Secretary Ruijin, Comrade Tian Guofu was promoted by me when I was working in the local government. We may not have been in frequent contact these days, so I'm afraid my words as his old leader are no longer very effective."

"By the way, what specific difficulties are there in Handong?"

Upon hearing Zhong Zhengguo's question, Sha Ruijin told the truth.

"Yes, there are difficulties. Handong lacks a sharp blade that dares to fight and charge forward in the fight against corruption."

Such a sharp knife is quite rare. Director Zhong, do you have any recommendations?

"Recommend... Let me think about it."

Here's what I'll do, Secretary Ruijin: I'll transfer my son-in-law, Hou Liangping, from the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, to you.

Although Hou Liangping doesn't pay much attention to procedures or the impact of his cases, he does meet one of your requirements: he's bold, though a bit impatient for quick success.

Upon hearing this, Sha Ruijin frowned slightly.

He does need a sharp knife, but that doesn't mean the knife is double-edged. Without a handle, judging from Zhong Zhengguo's description, this Hou Liangping is definitely someone who is very prone to causing trouble.

But there are advantages too, namely, it makes you bold!

Seemingly sensing Sha Ruijin's hesitation, Zhong Zhengguo continued, "Secretary Ruijin, my son-in-law is also a graduate of Handong University."

"Your Deputy Secretary Gao Yuliang from Handong was my son-in-law's law professor, and Qi Tongwei from the Provincial Public Security Department was my son-in-law's senior in school."

These words dispelled Sha Ruijin's initial hesitation, as it would make it easier for Hou Liangping to infiltrate the enemy's ranks.

“Okay, Director Zhong, that’s a good suggestion. We in Handong need comrades like Hou Liangping who are not afraid of powerful figures!”

“Secretary Ruijin, do you have any suitable vacancies in Handong right now? Hou Liangping is currently the director of the Investigation Department of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, so he would need a position in Handong as well.”

Mentioning this gives Sha Ruijin a headache.

Currently, the only suitable departments for Hou Liangping in Handong are the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate and the Discipline Inspection Commission. However, it is not easy for the Discipline Inspection Commission to bring in from other departments, especially given the intriguing attitude of Tian Guofu, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

However, the current director and deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Procuratorate have just undergone job adjustments, so it will take effort to get Hou Liangping in.

Surely we can't leave this matter to Zhong Zhengguo, the director of the National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing?

"I'll coordinate the location first, and then I'll inform Director Zhong once it's settled."

"Row."

Beijing, the office of the director of the National Development and Reform Commission.

A glint of light flashed in Zhong Zhengguo's eyes as he hung up the phone.