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

Gao Yuliang was indeed a cunning old fox, and he made a decision almost instantly.

Let's follow this list.

Then, Gao Yuliang raised his head, his tone softening slightly compared to before, carrying an almost earnest sincerity: "Comrade Dehan... regarding the personnel list, I think what you said makes a lot of sense. We still need to be cautious with some problematic cadres!"

Zhao Dehan looked at Gao Yuliang with a half-smile.

Gao Yuliang's tone carried a sense of national responsibility and concern for the world: "Handong needs to develop, and its cadres need to be renewed. I, Gao Yuliang, am not a conservative."

Zhao Dehan nodded slightly, his expression calm: "Secretary Yuliang is truly righteous!"

Gao Yuliang changed the subject, lowering his voice even further: "However... there's one person I still hope you can pay more attention to!"

Zhao Dehan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Qi Tongwei."

"Exactly." Gao Yuliang nodded. "Tongwei's abilities are evident to all. This nomination for vice governor is procedurally compliant and has a good public support base... It would be a pity to put it on hold because of some unfounded rumors."

He paused for a moment, then added meaningfully, "Besides... if he could take office, it would be a great help to the Nanhu project and the reconstruction of Guangming District. Smooth policy implementation is always better than constant obstruction, don't you think?"

This is a blatant political exchange.

You asked me to support your 84 people, and I asked you to support Qi Tongwei;

If you don't push it, your life in Handong in the future may not be so pleasant.

Zhao Dehan simply laughed and said, "Oh dear, Secretary Gao, you've really put me in a difficult position!"

Gao Yuliang's expression changed.

As expected, Zhao Dehan looked troubled: "To be honest, I haven't had much contact with Comrade Qi Tongwei and don't know him well. Such an important matter can't be decided by me alone!"

He put down his teacup, a beaming smile on his face. "In that case, I'll have a good talk with Governor Liu later. He's been in Handong for decades, and he has an excellent eye for talent. If he thinks Qi Tongwei is suitable, I, Zhao Dehan, will wholeheartedly support him without hesitation!"

Having said that much, it's a clear rejection—

Governor Liu and Gao Yuliang were already bitter enemies, so how could he possibly support Qi Tongwei?

Even if I were to support Qi Tongwei as vice governor, why would I support him? Would he be so bored as to target me?

Qi Tongwei is currently only the director of the provincial public security department. Once he becomes the vice governor, the help he can give you, Gao Yuliang, will far surpass what a provincial public security department director would provide. When that happens, the intensity of your efforts, Gao Yuliang, will be far greater than it is now.

Gao Yuliang's expression turned somewhat grim.

But Zhao Dehan spoke flawlessly, neither slamming his fist on the table nor breaking off relations, and even passed the buck to the "highly respected" Liu Guoquan, making himself appear fair, selfless, and respectful to the veteran comrade.

Gao Yuliang understood, his face turning slightly pale, but he could only manage a bitter smile: "...Alright, alright. Then...I'll have to trouble Comrade Dehan."

"Not at all!"

Zhao Dehan stood up and warmly extended his hand: "Secretary Gao has considered the overall situation and supported the reform. Secretary Sha will be very pleased to know this. I still have to go to the countryside, so I'll have to go now!"

The two shook hands, beaming with smiles, as if they had just reached a win-win agreement.

But as Zhao Dehan turned to leave, Gao Yuliang's hand was still hanging in mid-air, his knuckles white from clenching his fist.

he knows--

Qi Tongwei's dream of becoming vice governor has been shattered.

……

……

Gao Yuliang stood by the window, watching Zhao Dehan's Audi slowly drive away from the compound.

After taking a few deep breaths, Gao Yuliang's face had returned to its usual gentle and refined scholarly expression—as if the shock, anger, and miscalculation he had just experienced had never happened.

He turned and whispered to his secretary, "Bring in the tea."

A moment later, Qi Tongwei strode in, his eyes filled with anxiety: "Teacher, I just heard... Ouyang Jing has been arrested?"

Gao Yuliang didn't answer, but simply pointed to the sofa: "Sit."

Qi Tongwei sat down, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Teacher, about this matter..."

Gao Yuliang asked, "Won't the Shanshui Group be implicated?"

"rest assured!"

Qi Tongwei lowered his voice: "All fund transfers are handled through offshore shell companies. Ouyang Jing's accounts only handle 'consulting fees' and 'project dividends,' with complete contracts and compliant invoices. Even if she confesses, at most she'll uncover a few kickbacks, which won't shake the foundation of the Shanshui Group."

Gao Yuliang nodded, picked up the freshly brewed tea, took a sip, and sighed, "A miscalculation!"

Qi Tongwei was stunned: "A miscalculation?"

Gao Yuliang sighed and said slowly, "I thought Li Dakang and Zhao Dehan were at odds, but I never expected it. I suspect Ouyang Jing blackmailed Zhao Chongming, and Zhao Chongming gathered the evidence and then dumped it on Li Dakang the very next day!"

Qi Tongwei was stunned: "How did Zhao Chongming know that this wasn't Li Dakang's doing?"

"This young man is really bold!" Gao Yuliang sighed. "Now, it's Li Dakang who owes the Zhao family a favor. Arresting Ouyang Jing the day after the divorce, completely absolving Li Dakang of any responsibility—brilliant, truly brilliant!"

Although he had no actual experience, Gao Yuliang managed to reconstruct the process in a fairly general way.

"So, what's our next step?" Qi Tongwei couldn't help but ask.

Gao Yuliang stopped looking at him, took out the list that Zhao Dehan had modified from the drawer, and gently pushed it towards him: "I just reached an agreement with Zhao Dehan. He agreed to unfreeze the personnel list—but on the condition that 84 people must be replaced. I... agreed."

"What?!" Qi Tongwei jumped to his feet. "Teacher, how could you..."

"What can I do?" Gao Yuliang interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising. "Li Dakang, Governor Liu, and Zhao Dehan—the three of them are working together! Sha Ruijin is in charge at the central level! No matter how strong the Han University clique is, they can't withstand these four knives!"

He took a deep breath and wearily rubbed his temples: "I've managed to save the remaining 68 people, that's the limit. Let the others wait and be patient. We've been operating in Handong for so many years, we're not going to be completely ruined. As for you..."

Qi Tongwei immediately sat up straight.

Gao Yuliang paused, his tone complex: "I recommended your nomination as vice governor to Zhao Dehan."

Qi Tongwei asked impatiently, "What did he say?"

"Is that so?" Gao Yuliang's eyes held a hint of sarcasm. "He said—'I need to talk to Governor Liu. I don't know Comrade Qi Tongwei that well yet.'"

Qi Tongwei felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He knew that those words meant: it's hopeless.

Zhao Dehan would not support him, and neither would Governor Liu.

Sha Ruijin already loathed him.

He looked at Gao Yuliang with pleading eyes, his voice trembling, "Teacher... is there really... no way at all?"

Gao Yuliang remained silent for a long time, then suddenly gave a bitter smile: "Given the chance, I'll still give you a push. Don't worry, the Han University Gang is still around; they won't be defeated so easily!"

Although he said that, Gao Yuliang knew very well that the Han University gang had been reduced to at least half of its fighting strength.

Those who are promoted are filled with anxiety.

Those who didn't get promoted were disheartened.

Most importantly, Qi Tongwei didn't go up.

They lost one of their deputy ministerial-level henchmen.