Name: My father is Zhao Dehan, and I hope he will become a dragon!

The Provincial Party Committee's residential compound.

Gao Yuliang was sitting on the sofa, watching the news.

The TV was broadcasting news from Jingzhou—the scene cut to the Nanhu Industrial Zone, where Zhao Dehan stood beside the newly drawn red line, with bulldozers and a group of elderly workers in blue overalls behind him.

"...The relocation of Dafeng Factory officially commenced today. The first phase of resettlement subsidies has been distributed by the Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, covering all 1365 current employees and 892 retirees..."

Gao Yuliang did not change the channel.

He picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, but his brows furrowed even more deeply.

The door was gently pushed open.

Qi Tongwei stood at the door, not coming in, but only whispering, "Teacher."

Gao Yuliang didn't turn around: "Sit."

Qi Tongwei walked over, sat down on the sofa opposite, rested his hands on his knees, watched TV, and said, "Dafeng Factory has begun its relocation!"

"Zhao Dehan has only been in Handong for twenty-three days."

Gao Yuliang suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying a sense of oppression, "And you, you just tore four hundred million out of your hands without even blinking?"

Qi Tongwei's Adam's apple bobbed: "He... he said he could support me in being included in the list of vice governors."

"Oh."

Gao Yuliang sneered and slammed his teacup down on the table. "Zhao Dehan is still a probationary vice governor! Sha Ruijin hasn't even approved his official appointment yet, and you actually believe his words?"

Qi Tongwei was stunned.

Gao Yuliang continued, "You, four hundred million, just taking it like that, you really are rich and powerful!"

"Actually, actually, we've calculated it!" Qi Tongwei said, "The surrounding land still has room for appreciation. Actually, we've made quite a bit of money, and, and..."

Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei's voice was hoarse: "Teacher... I really, really want to improve."

The room was quiet for a moment.

Only the reporter's voice could be heard on the television:

"...Master, have you received your resettlement allowance?"

An aged voice choked with sobs: "I got it...I got it...10,326.74 yuan...not a penny less..."

Gao Yuliang stared at the screen.

In the picture, a thin old man is clutching a deposit slip, his hands trembling violently, tears falling onto the paper and spreading into a small dark blot.

"Things probably won't be as rosy as you imagine," Gao Yuliang sighed, and slowly said, "How do you know he's not bluffing you? How do you know he's not trying to trick you into handing over the money first?"

"I..." Qi Tongwei hesitated, "I haven't thought that way yet!"

Gao Yuliang sighed and slowly said, "It's not your fault. This Zhao Dehan is no ordinary person. He struck at your weak point right away. Now, he's managed to eliminate two of these huge problems in one go!"

Qi Tongwei couldn't help but exclaim, "Two!"

"The salaries of faculty and staff cannot be paid, there is a conflict between workers at Dafeng Factory and Shanshui Group, and there are zero land transactions in Guangming District."

Gao Yuliang said, "Zhao Dehan got Li Dakang to approve the money and made you pay, thus resolving the issues with the faculty and staff and Dafeng Factory. The only remaining issue is the zero-transaction rate in the Guangming District land transfer!"

Qi Tongwei said, "This shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

"Not difficult!" Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei with a half-smile. "How do you know it's not difficult? Do you think you just threw out those four hundred million for nothing? That the Shanshui Group spent those four hundred million for nothing? It's a double-edged sword!"

Qi Tongwei asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Gao Yuliang continued, "Shanshui Group has put up 400 million yuan. You know it's a deal made by the vice governor, and you know that recouping the investment won't be a problem. But what do the other companies think?"

Qi Tongwei fell into deep thought.

Gao Yuliang really didn't want to deal with his clumsy apprentice, so he could only sigh and continue, "Other companies will only think that the government forced Shanshui Group to hand over 400 million yuan. This is a conflict, a rift, and a lack of trust between the company and the government. Do you think any company will dare to continue acquiring land?"

Gao Yuliang continued watching TV: "Although Zhao Dehan has managed to get the money, the troubles haven't completely disappeared. The first two issues can be resolved with money, but the last one is difficult. Once trust is lost, it's definitely not something that can be fixed in a year. Zhao Dehan is facing a lot of trouble ahead!"

At this point, Gao Yuliang looked at Qi Tongwei with a half-smile: "Now, do you still think Zhao Dehan's words carry weight?"

Qi Tongwei's face darkened: "So, my Vice Governor!"

"Don't worry, there might still be room for maneuver!" Gao Yuliang shook his head and said, "Secretary Sha is coming soon; his words carry some weight!"

Qi Tongwei gritted his teeth: "Then let's wait a little longer!"

At this point, Qi Tongwei said, "By the way, teacher, does Secretary Sha have some connection with Chen Yanshi?"

Gao Yuliang nodded: "Yes, there is some connection. Why?"

Qi Tongwei looked away from the television: "No, nothing!"

……

……

Jingzhou Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau Service Hall

The place was bustling with people, yet strangely, it wasn't noisy.

A row of windows were all open, with a red sign that read "Special Window for the Resettlement of Employees of Dafeng Factory".

In front of each window stood people in blue overalls, with rusty factory badges pinned to their chests, and holding their ID cards, proof of seniority, and social security cards in their hands.

Wang Wenge was in line at window number three.

He wasn't wearing gloves, and his fingers were red from the cold, yet he gripped the thin deposit slip tightly, as if it were his life for the next thirty years.

"Wang Wenge joined the factory in 1983, is a first-class technician, and has 24 years of service..."

The girl at the window read out the system information, looked up and smiled, "Resettlement subsidy, transitional wages, and social security arrears, totaling 10,326.74 yuan, have been deposited into your social security card's financial account."

Wang Wenge took the passbook, glanced at it, and suddenly squatted down, burying his face in his arms.

His shoulders trembled violently, but he didn't make a sound.

Zheng Xipo patted him on the shoulder, his own eyes reddening.

He had just received his paycheck, over 21,000 yuan—he had a long tenure and was a team leader.

"Old Wang, don't cry."

Zheng Xipo's voice was hoarse: "We...we've received the subsidies, and we still have our jobs, so we haven't suffered any losses!"

Someone in the group whispered, "Governor Zhao said that we'll stay at the old factory next month for now, and then we'll move to the new factory once it's built. With more frequent trips back and forth, we'll be set for life!"

"real?"

"It's true! Old Chen said it himself!"

A slight ripple stirred in the crowd, like a warm current rising beneath the ice.

At this moment, Chen Yanshi walked in.

"Have you received them all?" he asked.

Everyone nodded, and someone called out, "Thank you, Mr. Chen!"

Chen Yanshi waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over familiar faces—some missing teeth, some hunchbacked, some with calluses all over their hands.

"Why thank me?" he asked in a low voice. "If you want to thank someone, thank Governor Zhao. It was he who treated you like human beings, and it was he who stood with you!"

No one spoke.

But everyone straightened their backs.

Thank you, Governor Zhao!