Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

In the kitchen.

Zhang Shuli heard Li Dakang's voice coming from the living room.

My heart instinctively tightened.

Without him.

He was afraid of being scolded by Li Dakang.

In the officialdom of Jingzhou, Li Dakang's fiery temper was well-known, and any slight mistake would result in a severe reprimand.

Zhang Shuli had already developed a conditioned reflex.

He dared not enter the living room rashly, and could only obediently stay in the kitchen to prepare vegetables.

In the living room.

The conversation between Li Dakang and Qi Tongwei continued.

During their casual conversation, the topic naturally turned to the Guangming Peak project and Ding Yizhen.

Li Dakang leaned forward slightly, his expression resolute. "Governor Qi, Guangming Peak is a key project for Jingzhou City and even Handong Province."

Ding Yizhen, as the commander-in-chief, was absolutely capable.

This kid's impulsive nature is a minor flaw, but he's daring, enterprising, and energetic.

With him keeping an eye on things, Guangming Peak will definitely stay stable and won't hold back our Handong's economic development.

Qi Tongwei sighed inwardly; it was a classic case of being blinded by one's own involvement.

Li Dakang had an inexplicable overconfidence in Ding Yizhen and was completely unmovable by persuasion.

Good advice is useless when it comes to a damned devil.

It's possible that Li Dakang is now trying to align himself with Sha Ruijin.

Since that's the case, he didn't bother wasting his breath trying to dampen the enthusiasm.

Ding Yizhen was a protégé of Li Dakang, whom he had personally promoted; there was no point in him saying more.

Qi Tongwei picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Observing the situation calmly is the best course of action in officialdom.

Then, Qi Tongwei changed the subject, "Secretary Dakang, I heard that Secretary Sha has already gone to the grassroots level for research, accompanied by Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission Tian Guofu."

Li Dakang's expression changed slightly, and his hand holding the teacup paused. "When did this happen? How come I didn't hear a thing?"

Qi Tongwei said in a calm tone, "Secretary Dakang, it's not just those two; Propaganda Minister Tang Lijuan and Organization Minister Wu Chunlin are also accompanying us."

"Four members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee have left our Handong."

Upon hearing this, Li Dakang frowned deeply and his face darkened.

To go, or not to go.

Who went, and who didn't go.

This distinguished between close and distant relationships.

"Governor Qi, don't overthink it, it's definitely that old scoundrel Tian Guofu pulling the strings behind the scenes! Just thinking about him makes me furious!"

Back then, I was the Party Secretary of Lincheng, and he was the Mayor. We worked together for only six months.

Tian Guofu is just coasting along, good for nothing, eats everything, and can't accomplish anything of substance!

In the end, he not only left Lincheng in disgrace, but he also couldn't stay in Handong and was transferred there.

After all these years, I've actually returned to Handong!

Qi Tongwei casually remarked, "Oh, Secretary Dakang, is there such a thing? This is the first time I've heard of it today."

Speaking of which, there's something else. Secretary Sha's first stop on this research trip happened to be Lincheng.

"What? Lincheng?" Li Dakang looked up abruptly, his face instantly turning extremely ugly. "That damn Tian Guofu! What a coward! Secretary Sha's first choice of Lincheng was clearly Tian Guofu's idea."

If that old scoundrel Tian Guofu were in front of him right now, Li Dakang would definitely take a bite out of him to vent his anger.

Qi Tongwei waved his hand, feigning reassurance, "Secretary Dakang, there's no need to be angry. Perhaps it was just a random selection, nothing more."

He then casually mentioned his plan, "Coincidentally, I'm planning to go to Lincheng tomorrow to investigate the economic situation of the districts and counties below. Secretary Dakang, are you interested?"

The executive vice governor had extended an olive branch to him, which Li Dakang considered a good sign.

"That's wonderful! I was just thinking of going to Lincheng too. Governor Qi, let's travel together, it's settled then!"

Seeing his anxious expression, Qi Tongwei smiled slightly and nodded gently. "Okay, Secretary Dakang. But be careful to keep it a secret. I'll send someone to pick up Secretary Dakang at the No. 1 compound of the Municipal Party Committee at 6 a.m. tomorrow."

"Alright, it's a deal." After hesitating for a while, Li Dakang asked a somewhat foolish question, "Governor Qi, you're also a cadre parachuted into Handong from outside. Have you heard of the Sha-Li pairing?"

I originally wanted to ask my former boss, Zhao Lichun, but I felt it would be inappropriate to say it over the phone.

I really want to know.

Before Sha Ruijin was parachuted into Handong, Tian Guofu had tried to win him over to the newly arrived provincial party secretary and even proposed a "Sha-Li pairing".

Otherwise, how could Li Dakang, who is stingy and overly concerned with his political reputation, have gone to the No. 1 compound of the Provincial Party Committee and even brought a box of tea with him?

Qi Tongwei held his teacup, but didn't drink. He smiled, put the teacup down, and said, "Oh, Secretary Dakang, Sha Li is a good match."

I have never mentioned it.

Besides, Governor Liu hasn't retired yet, so how could the central government possibly consider someone for that position?

"Secretary Dakang, what do you say?"

The so-called Sha-Li pairing was nothing more than a smokescreen thrown out by Tian Guofu in order to obtain the Standing Committee vote from Li Dakang and help Xiao Jinzi win over Li Dakang.

"Thank you, Governor Qi. It's getting late, I won't keep you from resting any longer." Since Sha Ruijin had actually gone to Lincheng with that old scoundrel Tian Guofu, Li Dakang felt that the "Sha-Li pairing" was probably doomed.

Qi Tongwei didn't want to take advantage of Li Dakang; it would be impolite not to reciprocate.

He returned a gift box to Li Dakang and saw him off as he left the No. 6 compound of the Provincial Party Committee.

Watching Li Dakang get into the car and wave at him, Qi Tongwei felt that this game in Handong was very interesting.

Suddenly, he felt a desire to win over Li Dakang.

In his previous life, he humbled himself to the extreme for the sake of a single vote for a provincial standing committee member in Li Dakang's hands.

In this life, I've taken Li Dakang as my wife, that's settled.

Back at the restaurant, the food was served one after another.

Wang Dalu and his secretary arrived, bringing a case of Dalu red wine.

Upon closer inspection, it was found to be exactly the same as what Ding Yizhen drank on the plane.

After exchanging pleasantries, Qi Tongwei, Cheng Du, Zhao Shouyi, Lin Bowen, Zhang Shuli, Cai Xiaofei, Liu Lei, and others sat around the table.

Before they started eating, Qi Tongwei asked Zhao Shouyi and Lin Bowen to turn off their phones and hand them to Cai Xiaofei.

Lin Bowen asked doubtfully, "Governor Qi, do you not trust us?"

Qi Tongwei stated bluntly, "Mayor Lin, it's not a matter of trust or distrust. What I want to see is the real Lincheng, so that you don't make the cadres under Lincheng prepare."

In that case, I'd rather not go.

Zhang Shuli gave a thumbs up, "Governor Qi, you are indeed a good governor who gets things done. Unlike some people who are just about to set off firecrackers."

Qi Tongwei waved his hand, "Secretary Shuli, you flatter me. I just want to understand the real Lincheng. Let's have dinner and drinks."

Lin Bowen immediately turned off his phone and handed it to Cai Xiaofei. "Governor Qi, I was wrong. I shouldn't have judged you with my own petty mind."

Qi Tongwei raised his glass. "Comrades, friends, there's no need for words. Let's drink. Everything is in the wine."

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

the other side.

After returning to the No. 1 compound of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee, Li Dakang leaned back on the sofa, his face dark and somewhat depressed.

Ouyang Jing pushed open the door at this moment. When she took off her shoes, she saw Li Dakang's old face and frowned, saying, "Li Dakang, who owes you anything? Who are you trying to fool with that long face?"

Li Dakang opened a bottle of baijiu. "Ouyang, I hate that old bastard Tian Guofu. He sent the new provincial party secretary to Lincheng."