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

Sha Ruijin raised his little finger. "Xiongfei, how can this be allowed? We must change the one-man rule in Jingzhou. Jingzhou is a democratic Jingzhou."

Wu Xiongfei feigned pitifulness and sighed, "Secretary Sha, I also want democracy."

Once Li Dakang has made a decision, everyone must agree. Anyone who dares to object will be targeted and suppressed on the spot.

"I'm the mayor, but I only have the title. I have no power, no people, and no resources. I'm supposed to be the second-in-command of Jingzhou, but in reality, I'm just a figurehead."

When talking about past regrets, Wu Xiongfei's tone became increasingly resentful.

Sha Ruijin picked up his glass. "Don't feel wronged. I'll stand up for you. Let's talk while we drink."

Wu Xiongfei raised his glass and clinked it with Sha Ruijin's. "Secretary Sha, please feel free to drink as you like. I'll drink this in one go."

Wu Xiongfei tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. "Secretary Sha, to be honest, I spent many years working at the grassroots level, and I have a thorough understanding of Jingzhou's infrastructure, people's livelihood, and economy."

When the old Party Secretary left office, I was the most qualified person to succeed him as Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

Unfortunately, at that time, Zhao Lichun was in charge of Handong, and Li Dakang was his secretary, who was said to be Zhao Lichun's favorite secretary.

Using this connection, he parachuted from Lincheng to Jingzhou and directly snatched my position.

For so many years, I have always been patient and yielding, never daring to fight or grab.

There's nothing they can do; their backer is Zhao Lichun.

Even if I stand on tiptoe, I still can't reach it.

With a heart full of sincerity and a lifetime of grievances, he poured out his heart.

Sha Ruijin listened quietly, his expression softened, and he put down his wine glass. "Xiongfei, I, Sha Ruijin, am a talent scout. I only look at ability and talent when hiring people."

You are a practical and hardworking person with outstanding abilities, but you have always been suppressed and have not been given the opportunity to shine.

I understand you, it hasn't been easy, it hasn't been easy at all.

Wu Xiongfei bowed deeply to Sha Ruijin, "Secretary Sha, thank you, I'm so grateful! I have nothing more to say, just watch my performance from now on."

Sha Ruijin's emotional needs were greatly satisfied.

What he needed was Wu Xiongfei's attitude.

In short, I'm satisfied.

Fueled by a bit of alcohol, Sha Ruijin solemnly promised, "Xiongfei, rest assured, I will not overlook any capable cadres here."

If there are any additional positions available for members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, I will recommend you first.

Li Dakang is too domineering and narrow-minded; he cannot manage the overall situation in Jingzhou, nor can he go far.

The promise of the provincial first prize was fulfilled, and Wu Xiongfei was deeply moved. "Thank you for your support, Secretary Sha!"

From this day forward, I, Wu Xiongfei, belong to you.

Wherever you point, I'll hit.

I, Wu Xiongfei, will absolutely obey all your arrangements, follow you to the death, and never waver!

Sha Ruijin looked at Wu Xiongfei, the mayor of Jingzhou, who had returned home, and a smile flashed across his eyes.

A few drinks tonight will be enough to win over Wu Xiongfei, the second-in-command of Jingzhou. It's a good deal.

This deal is a sure thing, you can't lose money.

The next day.

Secretary Bai was at the Handong Provincial People's Hospital early in the morning, having already coordinated with the hospital.

Last night, Sha Ruijin ordered the clearing of the hospital's highest-standard and best-equipped VIP ward, with dedicated staff for cleaning and on standby, and tea, caregivers, and a medical team all provided, just in time for Guo Changyi to come to the hospital for a medical check-up and recuperation.

They waited from dawn until the sun was high in the sky, with people coming and going at the hospital entrance, but Guo Changyi was nowhere to be seen.

Secretary Bai frowned; something was wrong.

A sense of foreboding began to creep into his heart.

In officialdom, the worst thing is to be enthusiastic on one side but not on the other. If someone makes a casual promise and you go to great lengths to implement it, you'll only end up with nothing.

It's highly likely that Guo Changyi's statement last night about feeling unwell and going to the city for medical treatment was just a smokescreen.

The old man is very wicked.

After much effort, Secretary Bai finally obtained the phone number of Qi Haijiang, the village head of Qijia Village.

When the call connected, Qi Haijiang spoke politely.

"Hello, who is this?"

Without any pleasantries, Secretary Bai went straight to the point, "Director Qi, I'm Xiao Bai, the secretary to the Provincial Party Secretary. I'd like to ask if Professor Guo Changyi has left Qijia Village for Jingzhou for medical treatment today?"

We waited at the Provincial People's Hospital the entire time, but never saw anyone.

Everyone says that there are many tricks in the city, but there shouldn't be any tricks in the countryside, right?

After a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, a confident tone replied, "Professor Guo did pack his things early this morning, saying he was feeling slightly unwell and needed to go out for a medical check-up."

However, he didn't head towards Jingzhou. His staff told him he planned to go to the nearby People's Hospital for a checkup.

Those few words made Secretary Bai's heart sink.

Instead of going to the Provincial People's Hospital, which has the best medical facilities in the province, they probably went to the Lincheng City People's Hospital.

Even a fool could see that Guo Changyi was deliberately avoiding Sha Ruijin, not wanting to get involved with the top leader of the provincial party committee.

It truly is like braising tofu – one thing subdues another.

Secretary Bai didn't dare delay and immediately reported to Sha Ruijin.

"Sir, here's the situation, what should we do?"

"It seems that last night was indeed just an excuse," Sha Ruijin said in a deep voice.

Sha Ruijin knew perfectly well that Guo Changyi, with his national-level seed industry resources, was full of confidence and had no need to rely on any provincial party committee leaders.

Let alone the provincial party secretary, even if it were a higher-level leader, if the other party is unwilling to give face, no one can force them to.

Power is truly insignificant in the face of Guo, the soybean farmer.

His students are spread throughout the agricultural sector, and several provincial vice governors in charge of agriculture are his graduate students.

Sha Ruijin didn't want to wait any longer. "Xiaobai, prepare the car, let's go to Lincheng."

Secretary Bai paused slightly, "Secretary, should we still go over there?"

Sha Ruijin said firmly, "We must go. We absolutely must go. We must maintain the proper attitude and observe the proper etiquette."

He was afraid of being scolded by his father-in-law, Gu Chenggong.

Thirty minutes later, Secretary Bai drove out of the provincial party committee compound, turned around, and headed straight for Lincheng.

The sunlight was blinding, and the scenery along the way rushed past the car window.

Sha Ruijin leaned against the back seat, his face somber.

He felt somewhat passive in this round.

What exactly happened to Handong?

In the past, I would do whatever I wanted to do and succeed at it.

When I arrived in Handong, I really experienced some discomfort due to the change in environment.

Lincheng City.

Linxian County.

Starting in the morning, various vehicles gradually stopped at the shore of Qihu Lake.

When Qi Tongwei arrived at Qijia Village, Song Chengzhe, the Party Secretary of Linxian County, and Gao Chenglin, the County Head of Linxian County, exclaimed that it was incredible.

People who could only be seen in newspapers and on television gradually came to this small place, Linxian County.

Moreover, they didn't go to the county seat of Linxian, but to the rural areas of Linxian.

The two of them have just received confirmation.

The Lincheng Municipal Party Committee and Government support Linxian County's upgrade to a county-level city.

Governor Liu personally stated that he would communicate with relevant departments to ensure they complete all necessary preparations.

Song Chengze muttered to himself, "If I succeed in being promoted, I will be the Party Secretary of Linxian City."

Gao Chenglin thought it sounded pretty good; he was the mayor of Linxian City.

Guo Changyi shook hands with Wen Jingchen, the president of the Sijiucheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and they had a very pleasant conversation.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Su Jingtao, Qi Tongwei, and Governor Liu discussed the major agricultural strategy.

Qi Tongwei thought to himself with emotion, "In this life, after years of preparation, I can finally fulfill the dream of the villagers of Qijia Village and the people of Linxian and Lincheng."

Little Jinzi, with a different perspective, sees things clearly in people's eyes, and his career path is naturally smooth.