Official title: Refused to stay at the university, started his career in a rural town.

In December, all the plane tree leaves in Jingzhou had fallen. In the conference room of the provincial party committee compound, thirteen chairs were filled with the tycoons of Handong.

Provincial Party Secretary Qian Wangsong sat at one end of the long table. He was 63 years old this year and had less than two years left before his death. His hair was gray, but his back was straight. Beside him was a glass cup, and in the jar was a pot of goji berries and chrysanthemums, with steam rising in wisps.

"This science and technology park that Ningzhou City reported," Qian Wangsong patted the thick stack of materials in front of him.

"The city has approved the applications from eleven companies to move in, and the provincial development and reform commission has also passed the preliminary review. Today, let's discuss whether to approve this provincial-level science and technology innovation park. If so, how much support should we provide?"

The secretary had already distributed the materials to each member of the Standing Committee. The only sound in the meeting room was the turning of pages. Occasionally, someone would take a sip from their cup. When the materials were turned to the pages listing the companies that had moved in, several people's fingers stopped on the same name almost simultaneously.

Ruilong Electronics.

Zhao Lichun sat by the window, holding a teacup in his hand. The tea was this year's newly harvested pre-Qingming Longjing, with a clear and bright color.

His face was expressionless; he neither looked down at the materials nor glanced at anyone else, but stared at the tea soup as if deep in thought.

Executive Vice Governor Qin Zhen sat diagonally opposite Zhao Lichun. He was fifty-seven years old and was in charge of development and reform, finance, and auditing. He was the second most important person in the Handong Provincial Government after Zheng Guoliang.

Zheng Guoliang is about to retire, leaving the governor's position vacant. Qin Zhen and Zhao Lichun are the two strongest contenders, especially the provincial party secretary, who has less than two years left to retire, specifically twenty-two months!

Taking this step is not as simple as just becoming a provincial governor.

He turned to the page about Ruilong Electronics, flicked his finger lightly on the paper, making a crisp sound.

With all qualifications, a registered capital of 40 million yuan, two production lines, and a technical team of 30 people, the company meets all the requirements and even exceeds them.

He raised his eyes and glanced at Zhao Lichun subtly.

Who among us hasn't heard of this young master Zhao's reputation? Back in the day, he famously slammed his fist on the table and smashed an ashtray with two low-ranking officials in Qingping Township, a story that spread throughout half of Handong.

Now look at this! The materials are more professionally prepared than anyone else's, and the qualifications are more complete than anyone else's. Could this really have been done by themselves? It's more likely that the Ningzhou side couldn't withstand the pressure and reluctantly let them in, right?

Qin Zhen closed the documents and cleared his throat.

"Secretary Qian, I'd like to say a few words."

Qian Wangsong raised his chin.

"The idea of ​​a provincial-level science and technology innovation park is on the right track. The electronic information industry in Handong started late and lags behind the coastal areas. Ninghe County's initiative to plan a science and technology park and attract industry leaders such as Huaqi, Phoenix Instrument Factory, and Guangming Electronics is commendable from the perspective of industrial development."

Qin Zhen placed the materials on the table.

"But the title of provincial-level science and technology innovation park isn't just given out casually! The province provides policies, funding, and land quotas. These things are good when they are implemented at the local level, but we're afraid they might be misinterpreted."

He paused, his gaze lingering on the line "Application Materials for Ninghe County Electronic Information Technology Park Provincial-level Science and Technology Innovation Park" on the cover of the document.

"We must ensure that auditing is done properly, and prevent people below from turning good policies into tools for personal gain."

He picked up his water glass, took a sip, and spoke in a slow, unhurried tone, as if he were talking about something completely unrelated to the materials in front of him.

The meeting room was quiet for a moment. Several members of the Standing Committee lowered their heads and flipped through the materials, but they were a beat slower than before.

The United Front Work Department Minister leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of his abdomen. The Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General stared at the notebook in front of him, unscrewing and screwing the pen cap back on. Everyone knew what Qin Zhen was thinking.

Some people echoed his sentiments, but Governor Zheng Guoliang, who was about to retire, was too lazy to care about their infighting and simply listened quietly without saying a word.

After listening for a while, Provincial Party Secretary Qian Wangsong tapped the table to stop the debate and then asked, "Secretary Lichun, what's your opinion?"

Zhao Lichun placed the teacup on the table and glanced at Qin Zhen lightly and disdainfully.

"Governor Qin is absolutely right!"

All eyes turned to them.

"The science and technology park issue cannot be approved haphazardly."

Zhao Lichun's voice was not loud, and his tone was as flat as if he were reading a document.

"The policy is a good policy, but if the supervision is not in place, it could indeed become a loophole for some people to exploit."

He paused, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then slowly put it down.

"Therefore, I suggest that the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Audit Department jointly form a supervisory team to go down and take a look."

"It wasn't a cursory visit; we went to each company one by one and talked to each person in charge. We checked whether the qualifications were genuine, whether the technology was real, and whether the investment was in place—we investigated everything thoroughly."

"At the same time, we spoke with each member of the leadership team in Ningzhou City and Ninghe County. We asked them if they felt any pressure regarding this project, if anyone had given them preferential treatment, or if anyone had pressured them to give preferential treatment."

"Since we're going to put up a sign, we should screen everyone first. Only after a thorough check will the sign look legitimate."

Qin Zhen's hand holding the water glass paused in mid-air for a moment. He stared at Zhao Lichun, his gaze piercing like a knife.

The Audit Office is a department directly under the provincial government and is under the jurisdiction of Qin Zhenbang.

The provincial discipline inspection commission's line is independent, but the joint supervision team—the audit office—also needs to send personnel, and they must be key business personnel.

If the supervisory team goes down to investigate and finds nothing, it's as if Qin Zhenbang's auditing department has given Zhao Ruilong a clean certificate of compliance.

He was the one who suggested the investigation, and he was in charge of the department, yet nothing happened in the end—doesn't that mean he personally elevated Zhao Lichun to a high position and even adorned him with red ribbons?

He made the proposal, he reviewed it, and finally he praised Zhao Lichun for his contributions!

At this crucial moment in the competition for provincial governorship, this is a major setback, and could even lead to the loss of the leader's trust.

Nothing could be more stupid than this. Even a fool would kick him out of the game.

Is it really okay? Would Zhao Lichun really suggest sending someone down to investigate his own son?

Zhao Ruilong didn't do anything reckless? Is Zhao Lichun really that confident?

Qin Zhen's gaze was fixed on Zhao Lichun's face, which was completely blank—no tension, no smugness, not even a ripple of emotion.

A young cadre who can compete for the position of provincial governor at the age of fifty—does he really wear his mind on his sleeve?

Even now, upon noticing Qin Zhen's gaze, Zhao Lichun, who had put down his water glass, smiled at Qin Zhen.

"Is this old bastard trying to scam me?!"

Qin Zhen's mind raced. Could it be that Zhao Lichun had already started digging a pit to bury someone? Was this also part of his plan?