Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

Zhao Zhiguo, vice chairman of the provincial CPPCC, was the vice governor in charge of industry before retiring from his post.

Before Lin Feng came to Pingjiang, Su Bingheng mentioned this person to him: "Zhao Zhiguo has worked in Jiangnan Province for more than 20 years and has a deep network of connections. He and Zhou Tianming are old acquaintances."

Lin Feng said, "Chairman Zhao, there has indeed been some activity in Pingjiang recently. The provincial party committee's inspection team is conducting work in Pingjiang, and we are fully cooperating."

Zhao Zhiguo smiled, a soft but weighty laugh: "Comrade Lin Feng, of course I support the inspection team's work. However, the situation in Pingjiang is rather special. Rare earth is a strategic national resource, and we can't afford any problems. While you're working in Pingjiang, you need to listen more, observe more, and ask more questions. Don't rush to conclusions. Some things aren't as simple as they seem on the surface."

Lin Feng said, "Chairman Zhao is right. That's what I was thinking too. So, I'll have the inspection team investigate first, and then we'll talk about it."

Zhao Zhiguo paused for a moment, then said, "Comrade Lin Feng, I've heard about your work in Luhai; you've done a great job. But Pingjiang is not Luhai. The problems in Pingjiang have a wide-ranging impact and significant implications. Some things require careful consideration."

Lin Feng said, "Thank you for your concern, Chairman Zhao. I will handle this matter carefully."

Zhao Zhiguo chuckled again, but there was a hint of coldness in his laughter: "That's good. You go ahead with your work."

Zhao Tiejun was moved away by Lei Ming at 3 a.m.

That night, Lei Ming received a call from Lin Feng, who said only one thing: "Pick him up, now."

Without asking any further questions, Lei Ming took two of his most trusted police officers and drove his private car to Zhao Tiejun's residence in the dark.

Zhao Tiejun was fast asleep when he was awakened by the knocking. He opened the door and saw Lei Ming standing there with a serious expression.

"Master Zhao, come with us."

Zhao Tiejun paused for a moment, didn't ask why, turned around and went back into the house, picked up the old cloth bag, stuffed a few pieces of clothing in it, and followed Lei Ming downstairs.

The car drove out of the residential area and disappeared into the night. Lei Ming glanced at Zhao Tiejun in the rearview mirror; his expression was calm, as if he was used to this kind of thing.

After driving for half an hour, we parked in a parking lot of an old residential area.

Lei Ming led Zhao Tiejun upstairs to a room on the third floor.

The room wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. There was food in the refrigerator, and the bed was new. Lei Ming had rented it about two weeks ago, under the name of a distant relative. Only he knew about the room; he hadn't even told Lin Feng.

"Master Zhao, please stay here for now. Don't go out, don't make phone calls, and don't contact anyone. Someone will bring you food."

Zhao Tiejun nodded, sat on the edge of the bed, and placed the old cloth bag on his lap.

He looked at Lei Ming, his lips moved as if he wanted to ask something, but he didn't.

Lei Ming knew what he wanted to ask. He said, "Secretary Lin said he would give you an explanation."

Zhao Tiejun's eyes reddened, and he lowered his head without saying a word.

Lei Ming walked to the door, then turned back: "Master Zhao, don't worry. This time, I won't let you down again."

The door closed. Lei Ming stood in the corridor, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

He wondered what the consequences would have been if Zhao Tiejun hadn't been evacuated tonight. He didn't know. But he knew that Secretary Lin's judgment had never been wrong.

At four o'clock in the morning, the door to Zhao Tiejun's residence was pried open.

Three people, wearing hats and masks, dressed in dark clothes, walked very quietly.

They ransacked Zhao Tiejun's room, emptying the drawers, lifting the mattress, and throwing clothes from the closet everywhere.

They didn't find what they were looking for, nor did they find anyone.

One of them took out his phone, dialed a number, and whispered, "He's not here."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then a voice said, "Withdraw."

The three people disappeared into the night. The security cameras at the entrance of the residential complex happened to be malfunctioning at that time.

It's not broken, it's been locked.

The next morning, a post appeared online.

The title is eye-catching—"Lin Feng, Secretary of the Pingjiang Municipal Party Committee: Anti-Corruption or Political Struggle?" The post is well-written, first listing Lin Feng's achievements since arriving in Pingjiang—rectifying the rare earth industry, investigating and punishing officials, and cooperating with the inspection team. Then, it abruptly shifts its focus, questioning the motives behind these actions—Comrade Lin Feng has been in office for less than three months, without investigating the economy or paying attention to people's livelihoods, but instead focusing all his energy on anti-corruption. Is he truly working for the people of Pingjiang, or is he simply seeking political capital for himself?

The post concluded by saying, "What the people of Pingjiang need is development, not struggle."

The post was published on a local forum and quickly made it to the front page.

The comment section was buzzing with activity, with some supporting, some opposing, and some questioning. But a closer look at the comments revealed that many accounts were newly registered, with only this one post in their history. These were paid trolls.

The post was shared on Weibo at 9 a.m., became a trending topic in the local area at 10 a.m., and was reposted by several self-media outlets at 11 a.m.

The headlines became increasingly outrageous as they circulated—"Pingjiang Municipal Party Secretary Launches Political Purge, Local Officials Live in Fear" and "Anti-Corruption or Power Seizure? The Truth Behind the Earthquake in Pingjiang's Officialdom." The posts quickly garnered over 100,000 shares, and the comment section erupted into a chaotic frenzy.

Lin Feng saw the post at 10 a.m.

Chen Yue walked in holding his phone, his face grim: "Secretary Lin, someone has posted online attacking you."

Lin Feng took the phone, glanced at it, and his expression remained unchanged. He handed the phone back to Chen Yue and said, "Understood."

Chen Yue stood there, hesitant to speak. Lin Feng glanced at him: "Is there anything else?"

Chen Yue said, "Secretary Lin, should we have the Cyberspace Administration of China handle this?"

Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "No need. Let them send them. The more the better."

Chen Yue didn't understand, but didn't ask any further questions.

At noon, Lin Feng's phone rang.

It was Old Zhou. The old man's voice was a little hoarse, but very clear: "Lin Feng, I heard someone is trying to harm you."

Lin Feng said, "Old Zhou, have you heard?"

Old Zhou said, "Although I'm old and useless, my eyes are still open and my ears are still sharp. I've seen all those things online."

Lin Feng remained silent.

Old Zhou paused for a moment, then said, "I've already called the provincial party committee. I told Liang Huaiyuan that Lin Feng is someone I'm keeping an eye on, and what he's doing in Pingjiang is legitimate business. Anyone who wants to touch him should touch me first."

Lin Feng's throat tightened slightly: "Mr. Zhou, thank you."

Old Zhou said, "No need to thank me. You are doing things for the people of Pingjiang, and you are also doing things for me. I can't let you shoulder this alone." The phone call ended.

In the afternoon, Liang Huaiyuan, the provincial party secretary, called Lin Feng's office. Liang Huaiyuan's voice was calm and steady, carrying an undeniable weight: "Comrade Lin Feng, I have seen those things online. You don't need to worry, the provincial party committee's attitude is clear—the provincial party committee fully supports Comrade Lin Feng's work. Those distorted facts and slanderous remarks cannot affect the provincial party committee's decision."

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

Liang Huaiyuan added, "The Provincial Party Committee affirms your work in Pingjiang. Investigate what needs to be investigated, and handle what needs to be handled. Don't have any concerns."

Lin Feng said, "Understood."