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

Knowing it was too late, Tian Guofu asked Ma Zhengwu, the secretary of the Lincheng Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, to take pictures of the scene with his mobile phone.

High-definition photos and complete videos clearly documented this sensational signing and unveiling ceremony in Handong.

Tian Guofu was dumbfounded.

5.8 billion yuan for university construction, 1 billion yuan for government-enterprise joint construction bases, and 5 billion yuan for private charitable donations.

An investment exceeding 10 billion!

These are substantial scientific research projects worth tens of billions of yuan, encompassing higher education, vocational education, seed research and development, and increasing farmers' income, covering three core areas: people's livelihood, agriculture, and education.

Not to mention Lincheng, in the entire Handong Province, you can't find another project of this magnitude in recent years.

Tian Guofu felt a pang of sadness.

In this round, Sha Ruijin lost completely.

As the top official of the Handong Provincial Party Committee, parachuted in to take charge and wielding the highest power in the province, he was completely sidelined.

There was no invitation, no notification, no seat; even the right to drink soup was completely cut off.

Even Li Dakang, who doesn't get along with Gao Yuliang, went up to cut the ribbon. What's going on?

In the power struggles of officialdom, silent killings occur.

He frowned, caught in a dilemma.

Just as his mind was in turmoil, his phone rang; it was Sha Ruijin calling.

Tian Guofu sighed and answered the phone, "Secretary Sha."

The voice of Sha Ruijin on the other end of the phone was unreadable, "Guofu, put your work aside for now. Today is the last day of my research trip to Yantai. This time, let's go to the countryside."

They also had to eat at farmers' homes, the poorest of the families, and provide them with warmth and care.

Starting tomorrow, we will visit other cities and prefectures within the province in batches. Have you decided where you'll be going tomorrow?

A simple work assignment, without questioning or anger.

Tian Guofu's heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, instantly settled down.

It seems that Sha Ruijin is well aware of the current situation and is not dwelling on the defeat at Qihu.

Lakeside of Qihu.

Zhao Xiaohui stood quietly at the back of the crowd, nodding frequently as she watched Qi Tongwei, Gao Yuliang, Li Dakang, and others wielding shovels.

This Qi Tongwei is no ordinary person.

Liu Changsheng doesn't have the ability; he's been slacking off for a while and is preparing to retire.

If Gao Yuliang has a project worth tens of billions of yuan, the provincial party secretary will probably agree to it.

Li Dakang wouldn't pay that much attention to agriculture.

It can only be Qi Tongwei. He is developing his hometown openly and honestly, and no one can find fault with him.

Zhao Ruilong, standing beside him, casually chewed on a blade of grass, watching the lively scene with a nonchalant expression.

It's just money; I'm worth hundreds of millions myself.

Money is just a number.

Zhao Xiaohui glanced sideways and said softly, "Ruilong, your old comrade-in-arms Qi Tongwei is no ordinary person."

Zhao Ruilong glanced at it casually, "He's all the rage now, but in the end, he's just the second-in-command of the provincial government."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui shook her head slightly, "Ruilong, your vision is still too short-sighted."

Look, ministerial leaders, top agricultural experts, and chairmen of state-owned enterprises all endorsed him. Our old man went to Beijing; it looks like a promotion, but in reality, he's detached himself from the core business he's built up in Handong over many years.

Without a foundation, it's like a rootless duckweed.

Zhao Ruilong hummed in response, unsure of what to say.

Zhao Xiaohui turned to look at Zhao Ruilong, "Ruilong, do you understand what I mean?"

Zhao Ruilong scratched his head, looking bewildered. "Second sister, when I was in the army, many people looked down on me."

Qi Tongwei, Cheng Du, Zhang Qi, and that Zhao Guoqiang all call me "caterpillar" every day.

Recalling the past, Zhao Ruilong still had a hint of self-deprecation on his face, "To put it bluntly, in their eyes, I was always at the bottom."

"Ruilong, you...you..." Zhao Xiaohui's eyes were filled with exasperated helplessness. "The nickname 'caterpillar' is truly fitting for you. Your biggest problem in this life is your cowardice and hesitation. Forget about competing with others; you're even afraid to see blood when killing a chicken. What great things can you possibly accomplish?"

Zhao Ruilong finally composed himself, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes. "Second Sister, are you saying that we can't afford to offend Qi Tongwei now?"

Zhao Xiaohui's fingers, hanging by her side, curled slightly. "Ruilong, it's not that we can't afford to offend him, it's that we must win him over."

The situation in Handong has changed drastically long ago.

Sha Ruijin was at a disadvantage upon his arrival, while Qi Tongwei had quietly become the unsung leader of Handong.

Those who follow the trend prosper, those who go against it perish. Our Zhao family can no longer sit idly by and watch the tigers fight.

After the ceremony concluded, Qi Tongwei, Governor Liu, Gao Yuliang, and Li Dakang saw off the bigwigs, and the roar of heavy machinery could already be heard at the scene.

Zhao Ruilong originally wanted to say goodbye to his old platoon leader, while Qi Tongwei, Li Dakang, Gao Yuliang, Liu Changsheng and others left in a Coaster.

At this time.

Cheng Du walked up to Guo Changyi and said, "Old Guo, I'm going back to Jingzhou. Until we meet again."

Guo Changyi handed the documents in his hand to Wang Qixin, "Chengdu, drive carefully on the road, don't drive when you're tired. Next time you come, our university will have an office, you're welcome to come and have some tea."

Cheng Du straightened his police uniform, got into the car, and said, "Goodbye, Mr. Guo!"

Zhao Ruilong felt lonely, while Zhao Xiaohui felt that Qihu was special and didn't bother with Zhao Ruilong, so she just strolled around the lake by herself.

That evening.

Handong TV and Lincheng TV both devoted considerable time to reporting on agricultural education in Lincheng.

An article titled "Opening a New Era of Agricultural Education in Handong in the 21st Century" by Fan Jiahui was published on the front page of the Jingzhou Times.

Both new media outlets and state media reprinted the article.

Lin Cheng became famous, and Fan Jiahui became famous along with him.

She was poached by provincial newspapers and even higher-level newspapers.

Refuse directly.

Without him.

I was able to get these news reports so quickly thanks to Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei's wife, Pei Xiaotong, is quite something; I should call her Teacher Pei.

Her older sister, Fan Jiaqi, is Pei Xiaotong's graduate student.

After graduation, they both worked at the Beijing Conservatory of Music.

This time, my older sister Fan Jiaqi is also coming to work in Handong, so why would I leave Handong?

The No. 6 compound of the Provincial Party Committee.

Qi Tongwei made himself a cup of coffee. He was the biggest winner at today's unveiling of the multi-billion-dollar project.

While seemingly shaping the agricultural landscape of Handong, it actually reshuffled the officialdom of Handong without making a sound, effectively marginalizing the newly appointed top official, Sha Ruijin.

The phone rang.

Two words appeared on the screen: Father-in-law.

Qi Tongwei paused slightly, then raised his hand to answer the call, "Dad."

On the other end of the phone, Pei Yihong's voice was calm and deep. He got straight to the point, "Tongwei, I just finished watching the replay of the Qihu project. What you did today was ruthless. Sha Ruijin's foothold in Handong is not yet stable, and you and Lao Liu did not notify or invite him at all. On the surface, it's a project landing, but in reality, it's a real slap in the face to Xiao Jinzi."

Qi Tongwei leaned back on the sofa, raised his hand to rub his temples, and said, "Dad, this is exactly the effect I wanted—to take advantage of you and then leave you alone."

Pei Yihong paused for two seconds, then laughed and said, "Tongwei, what you're doing isn't actually wrong."

Governor Liu and Gao Yuliang were both there, and even Li Dakang, the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, went up to cut the ribbon. People will only say it's Xiao Jinzi's problem.