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

"Dad, well done!"

When Zhao Dehan returned, Zhao Chongming was watching the news.

According to Handong News, Governor Zhao now enjoys a fairly good reputation.

Sha Ruijin also conducted an inspection tour in Handong Province.

Because the incident at Dafeng Factory wasn't too serious, Sha Ruijin wasn't in a hurry to return to Jingzhou City, but instead conducted his investigation in an orderly manner.

As a rescue cadre parachuted in, Zhao Dehan quickly filled the power vacuum.

It feels so wonderful to have everyone revolving around you!

Zhao Dehan had previously felt that Handong was an exile, but now that he thinks about it, it's not an exile at all; it's practically like being sent to be a local tyrant. Now, he's gotten used to being called Governor Zhao.

Zhao Dehan smiled slightly and said, "Not at all, not at all, it's all for serving the people!"

"Heh heh, not bad, you're starting to put on airs in front of me!" Zhao Chongming said with a chuckle. "Dad, you're getting better and better at it!"

Zhao Dehan took a sip of tea and said, "The conflict between Dafeng Factory and Shanshui Group has been resolved, and the teachers' and staff's salaries have been paid in full. Of the three tasks the Central Committee gave me, I've accomplished two of them!"

"It's not that easy!" Zhao Chongming poured his father a cup of tea. "There's a third, and most troublesome, issue: the land transactions in Guangming District. Ding Yizhen has overdrawn trust, and now no one dares to acquire land. Besides, do you know what people are saying right now?"

Zhao Dehan was slightly taken aback: "What did you say?"

"They say you forced the Shanshui Group to hand over money, draining the Shanshui Group dry!" Zhao Chongming slowly sipped his tea and said calmly, "Now all the entrepreneurs, big and small, are in a state of panic, afraid that you will take action against them!"

Zhao Dehan was taken aback, then opened his eyes wide and said, "Which son of a bitch is spreading rumors everywhere?"

"Qi Tongwei, it could be Gao Yuliang, it could be an insider!" Zhao Chongming shrugged. "The most likely explanation is speculation. Other entrepreneurs aren't stupid either. Four hundred million, and that's cash flow. It's hard not to think that way. How could they possibly imagine that we're using the vice governorship as leverage in this deal!"

Zhao Dehan's face darkened: "Then, this matter won't be easy to resolve!"

"More than that!" Zhao Chongming shrugged. "Completing those two tasks was simple; all you needed was money. But the third task involves a matter of trust!"

Zhao Dehan's confidence was immediately dashed. He looked at Zhao Chongming and asked, "So, what's your opinion?"

"Easy!" Zhao Chongming smiled slightly and said, "Leave it to me!"

"Give it to you?" Zhao Dehan was taken aback.

"This is simply a matter of trust!" Zhao Chongming smiled and said, "If we acquire a piece of land in Guangming District, driving up property prices in the surrounding area and boosting economic development, other entrepreneurs will definitely be willing to buy land when they see this!"

"You?" Zhao Dehan asked hesitantly, "Can you do it?"

"Don't worry!" Zhao Chongming said, "I came here to talk to you about this too!"

Zhao Dehan asked, "Do you want a piece of land?"

Zhao Chongming nodded and said, "It's right here in Guangming District and Linhuang District, in the Nanhu Industrial Park. However, I need a much larger area, preferably encompassing the entire Nanhu area. I want to build a super-large factory!"

Zhao Dehan was stunned: "What? You, you..."

"Your son now has a master's degree from MIT!" Zhao Chongming chuckled. "He's the chairman of Chongming Group, Dad. Adding to your achievements is no problem!"

"You want to set up a factory? What are you going to do?" Zhao Dehan asked, frowning.

Zhao Chongming casually tossed Zhao Dehan a cell phone and said nonchalantly, "Take a look at this, a smartphone. Trust me, this thing will be popular all over the world in the future!"

Zhao Dehan was stunned. After Zhao Chongming's introduction, he was completely dumbfounded.

"This thing, can it really work?" Zhao Dehan gasped.

"Don't worry, sir!" Zhao Chongming smiled. "With my example set, I guarantee that the economic construction and development of Guangming District will reach a whole new level. You'll definitely be a shoo-in for vice governor, and you'll even be promoted to executive member!"

Zhao Dehan's eyes were somewhat excited.

Zhao Chongming continued, "However, I don't have the money. Part of it went to you for operation, and the rest I need to invest in production, so I have to borrow from a bank!"

"Do you want me to approve the note?" Zhao Dehan asked.

"We can't let you get involved!" Zhao Chongming said. "I'll talk to Li Dakang later. You just need to let him know that I want to invest in Handong Province, and he can handle it legally and compliantly!"

Zhao Dehan hesitated for a moment, then said, "I understand!"

After a pause, Zhao Dehan continued, "Also, Sha Ruijin is back. You see, shouldn't I...?"

"My view is to handle things strictly according to the rules!" Zhao Chongming said with a smile. "You're a rescue cadre, all parachuted in. You just need to do your job well; you don't need to get close to Sha Ruijin!"

Sha Ruijin didn't work in Handong Province for more than a few years. When it came time to take over the people's property, he was forgotten.

There's no need to get that close.

Although it's possible that his butterfly effect boosted the economy of Handong Province, which led to Sha Ruijin's extended tenure.

However, it's still unnecessary.

Just do your job well.

With the help of the system, Zhao Chongming was confident that if the Zhao family were to leave Handong, the economy would collapse.

Zhao Dehan nodded: "Okay, I know what to do!"

"My view is to cultivate a good relationship with Li Dakang. What he needs is economic development and political achievements, and you, sir, need that too. Let's cooperate more and get me some government policies!"

Zhao Chongming smiled and said, "Secondly, there's Governor Liu. He's in charge of all aspects of the province's work, including politics, economy, and culture, and he's about to retire. You can get to know him better and leverage his connections. Right now, I reckon everyone's trying to curry favor with Sha Ruijin. Talk to Governor Liu more, and just say you're from out of town and don't know anything, so ask him for advice!"

Zhao Dehan nodded: "I understand!"

……

……

When Chen Yanshi returned from the hospital, it was just getting dark.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and his hand, which was about to push it open, froze in mid-air.

The courtyard was filled with blooming flowers.

Roses, camellias, and clivias crowded on both sides of the blue brick path; thrushes fluttered their wings in the iron cage, and the goldfish bowl gleamed with a faint light; even under the old jujube tree in the corner, there were three pots of precious orchids.

He stood at the door, not moving.

Hearing the noise, his wife Wang Fuzhen lifted the curtain and came out: "Old Chen, you're finally back! These were all sent from downstairs, they said you've had a hard time in the hospital, so they're giving you some nourishment..."

"Who sent it?" Chen Yanshi asked in a flat voice.

"There are people from the Forestry Bureau, people from the Parks and Gardens Bureau, and..." Wang Fuzhen sighed.

Chen Yanshi's face darkened, and then he said coldly, "Make a call to Tian Guofu, to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Tell him: Everything in my yard, Chen Yanshi, is to be registered and taken away first thing tomorrow morning. Not a single flower or bird is to be left behind."

Before he could finish speaking, the courtyard gate creaked open again.

Qi Tongwei stood at the door, holding a bamboo broom, his smile burning warmly: "Old Chen! You've been discharged from the hospital? I just heard, so I came to see you right away!"

Chen Yanshi didn't answer, but glanced at Qi Tongwei and asked, "Qi Tongwei, what brings you here?"

"Hey, I just came to see you. If you need anything, just let me know!" As he spoke, Qi Tongwei picked up a broom and began to sweep the floor. His movements were diligent, and his back was slightly hunched, just like a junior clerk who had just entered the government office.

When Qi Tongwei glanced at Chen Yanshi's feet, he didn't seem to care. He rubbed his hands together and casually asked, "By the way, why do you call Secretary Sha 'Little Gold'? It sounds so endearing..."

Wang Fuzhen brought out the tea and smiled upon hearing this: "Oh, what's the big deal? Little Jinzi is only five years old..."

Chen Yanshi coughed suddenly, interrupting her: "Old woman, the tea's gone cold, brew it again!"

Wang Fuzhen was stunned and went back to the house.

Qi Tongwei's smile froze for a moment, then he stood up: "Then... let me help you turn over the soil in the vegetable garden! It'll be good for planting vegetables in the spring!"

He picked up a shovel from the corner of the wall and got to work.

Soil flew everywhere, sweat rolled down – time to give it your all!

But the more Chen Yanshi looked at it, the colder he felt—this wasn't work; it was clearly acting.

Do you even know how to farm?

Every shovel stroke was precisely calculated at the angle so that passersby could see "the Public Security Bureau Chief personally turning over the soil for retired cadres."

Just then, a hearty laugh came from outside the courtyard.

Sha Ruijin walked in.

"Old Chen, I brought some Yunnan Pu'er tea to see you. How are you?" Sha Ruijin was dressed casually, his smile as usual, but his eyes were filled with the warmth that only a junior could have.

Chen Yanshi immediately stood up, his wrinkles smoothing out: "Little Jinzi! Come inside quickly!"

Sha Ruijin took his arm, glanced back at Qi Tongwei, who was about to greet him, but Sha Ruijin did not stop, exchange pleasantries, or even see the expression on his face, and helped Chen Yanshi into the house.

The three of them went straight into the house and gently closed the door.

Qi Tongwei stood in the middle of the vegetable patch, his shovel hanging in mid-air.

He was completely unaware that mud had splattered onto his trouser legs.