Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

"On the surface, he is a legitimate businessman, involved in rare earth trading, real estate development, and logistics. In reality, he is involved in rare earth smuggling, organized crime, and illegal mining in Pingjiang. He controls 60 percent of the rare earth mines in Pingjiang and employs hundreds of people, including thugs, henchmen, and some current or retired officials who serve as his advisors."

Lin Feng turned the pages one by one without saying a word.

Su Bingheng continued, "The problems in Pingjiang are not just about rare earths. Smuggling, organized crime, and grassroots corruption are intertwined, like a tangled mess. Zhou Tianming is the knot in this mess. Untie him, and many of Pingjiang's problems will be solved. But this man is not simple. He has a deep network of connections and a ruthless hand. Over the years, many people have tried to take him down, but none have been able to."

Lin Feng closed the file and looked up: "Dad, does Old Zhou know about this?"

Su Bingheng paused for a moment, then said, "I know. He wrote the whistleblower letter. But he was in power then, and someone suppressed him. After he stepped down, no one cared anymore. He told me that the thing he regretted most in his life was not taking action against Zhou Tianming while he was still able to do so."

Lin Feng carefully put the documents away and placed them in his briefcase.

Su Bingheng looked at him, his eyes filled with both relief and worry. "Lin Feng, the matter in Pingjiang is not easy. Zhou Tianming is not Guo Yonglin, and Pingjiang is not Lu Hai. The waters there run deeper, and the situation is more complicated. Be careful when you go."

Lin Feng stood up: "Dad, I understand."

Su Bingheng also stood up and extended his hand: "Go ahead. The organization has sent Vice Minister Liu to escort you to Jiangnan Province. Once you get there, call me anytime if anything happens."

Lin Feng grasped his hand and shook it vigorously.

Liu, the deputy minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, is a veteran comrade in his fifties with gray hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He speaks slowly and deliberately, but acts decisively and efficiently.

When Lin Feng was waiting for him downstairs, he had already arranged a car. It was a black Audi with two small red flags on the hood, understated yet dignified.

"Comrade Lin Feng, let's go." Minister Liu patted him on the shoulder and got into the car first.

Lin Feng followed, and the car drove out of the Organization Department compound and headed towards the airport.

It was afternoon when the plane landed in Nanjiang City, the capital of Jiangnan Province.

A car from the Provincial Party Committee Office was already waiting at the airport. Minister Liu and Lin Feng got into the car, which drove through the city towards the Provincial Party Committee compound.

The climate in Jiangnan Province is much milder than that in Beijing. Tall camphor trees line both sides of the road, their branches and leaves so lush that they block out the sun.

A group of people were already waiting at the entrance of the provincial party committee compound.

Standing at the very front was Liang Huaiyuan, the provincial party secretary. He was in his early sixties, with a robust build, a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He wore a dark blue jacket and exuded an air of authority.

Behind him, in order, were: Governor Zhong Guoliang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Du Yushan, Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Fang Jizhong, Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Bao Limin, Minister of the Provincial Organization Department Shen Qiuping, Minister of the Provincial Publicity Department Sun Mingyi, Minister of the Provincial United Front Work Department Wu Zhigang, Executive Vice Governor Cheng Jianguo, Commander of the Provincial Military Region Zhao Songyan, Secretary of the Nanjiang Municipal Party Committee Chen Jianghe, and Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee Song Yunsheng.

A dozen or so people stood in a row, making quite a scene.

As soon as Minister Liu got out of the car, Liang Huaiyuan came up to him and shook his hands: "Minister Liu, you must be tired from your journey! Welcome, welcome!" Minister Liu smiled and waved his hand: "Comrade Huaiyuan, you're too kind. I'm here to see Comrade Lin Feng off to take up his new post."

Liang Huaiyuan looked at Lin Feng, his gaze both scrutinizing and enthusiastic: "Comrade Lin Feng, welcome to work in Jiangnan Province!"

The river is a good place, but also a tough nut to crack. We're all very happy you could come.

Lin Feng stepped forward and grasped Liang Huaiyuan's hand: "Secretary Liang, please take care of me in the future."

Liang Huaiyuan laughed heartily: "It's not about taking care of you, let's just get the job done together."

Governor Zhong Guoliang also came over and shook hands with Lin Feng: "Comrade Lin Feng, Pingjiang is counting on you."

Lin Feng said, "Governor Zhong, you flatter me. I will do my best."

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Feng memorized everyone's name and position.

He noticed that when Fang Jizhong, the secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, shook hands with him, he glanced at him again, his gaze carrying a meaningful undertone. Bao Limin, the secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission, gripped his hand firmly, making his fingers ache.

Shen Qiuping, the provincial Party committee's organization minister, is a woman around fifty years old, with short hair and sharp eyes; her handshake is a light touch. Zhao Songyan, the provincial military commander, is dressed in military uniform and stands ramrod straight. Chen Jianghe, the secretary of the Nanjiang Municipal Party Committee, is a native of Jiangnan Province, in his forties, and appears very shrewd.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group escorted Liu Zhiyuan and Lin Feng into the provincial party committee building.

The conference room was already packed with people, a sea of ​​faces—all officials at the deputy provincial level and above. Minister Liu walked up to the podium, took a document from his briefcase, unfolded it, and spoke in a steady voice.

"Comrades, on behalf of the Organization Department of the Central Committee, I hereby announce a decision."

The audience was silent.

"Comrade Lin Feng was appointed as a member and standing committee member of the Jiangnan Provincial Committee of the CPC, and secretary of the Pingjiang Municipal Committee of the CPC."

The applause rang out, not enthusiastic, but still appropriate.

Minister Liu continued, "Comrade Lin Feng is politically steadfast and has rich leadership experience. During his time working in Shangluo City, Handong Province, and Luhai City, Ninh Wan Province, he led cadres and the masses to develop the economy, improve people's livelihoods, and rectify the cadre ranks, achieving remarkable results. The Central Committee believes that Comrade Lin Feng is suitable to serve as a member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangnan Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Pingjiang Municipal Party Committee."

Another round of applause rang out.

Lin Feng stood up, bowed to the audience, and then bowed to the leaders on the platform. He sat back down, his gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar faces in the audience.

He knew that among these people were friends and rivals. But whoever they were, he would begin a new journey here.

After the meeting, Liang Huaiyuan kept Lin Feng behind for a half-hour private talk. The two sat down on the sofa, and Liang Huaiyuan personally poured him a cup of tea.

"Comrade Lin Feng, how much do you know about the situation in Pingjiang?" Liang Huaiyuan asked.

Lin Feng said, "I know a little about it. There are many problems in the rare earth industry, economic development, and social governance."

Liang Huaiyuan nodded and sighed: "Pingjiang is a good place, a revolutionary base area, and the rare earth capital. But in recent years, there have been many problems. Rare earth mining is rampant, smuggling is rampant despite repeated bans, and criminal gangs are entrenched, causing widespread discontent among the people. When you go there, you must remain calm, thoroughly understand the situation before taking any action. If you need support from the province, feel free to contact me."

Lin Feng said, "Thank you, Secretary Liang."

Liang Huaiyuan looked at him, his gaze holding something indescribable: "Comrade Lin Feng, you did a good job in Luhai. But Pingjiang is not Luhai; the waters there run much deeper. Be careful when you go."

Lin Feng nodded: "I've got it."

After leaving Liang Huaiyuan's office, Lin Feng went to Governor Zhong Guoliang's office. Zhong Guoliang's attitude was a bit colder than Liang Huaiyuan's, but he was still polite. The two chatted for more than ten minutes, mostly exchanging pleasantries.