Nominal: Energy sector enters Handong, breaking the deadlock

Zhong Zhengguo's eyes darkened, and he dropped an even more hurtful piece of news, "Second brother, there's something else. I just got news from Group Z that Song Yunhui has been confirmed to go to Handong to serve as acting governor."

After these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the ward became deathly silent.

Chung Cheng-mian felt a tightness in his chest, raised his hand to cover his chest, and looked heartbroken. He blurted out a curse: "Brother, my chest hurts!"

Fake!

Song Yunhui is taking advantage of the Zhong family's weaknesses, bullying them step by step. It's too much!

I want to kill him!

Anger surged through his heart, and his blood boiled.

Zhong Zhengguo was helpless.

At this time.

There was a light knock on the ward door twice, and then it was slowly pushed open.

Zhong Xiaoai was in front, and Hou Liangping followed behind, carrying a fruit basket and health supplements.

Zhong Xiaoai walked straight to the bedside, pouted, and said calmly, "Second Uncle, I heard everything you said just now. Actually, from beginning to end, Song Yunhui never deliberately targeted you."

Just before entering, Zhong Xiaoai and Hou Liangping crouched against the wall for a while.

Zhong Zhengmian rolled his eyes. "Xiao Ai, you're my own niece. Why are you taking the side of outsiders and stabbing me in the heart?"

Your second uncle can't make any progress now, and I'm bedridden recovering from my injuries; it pains me to no end.

Zhong Xiaoai was in great pain after being stabbed.

"Second Uncle, I'm not trying to stab you in the back, I'm just telling the truth." Zhong Xiaoai shook her head. "I think the person who really wants to control and suppress the Zhong family is Lu Xiaola. The news has already spread in the industry that Lu Xiaola will soon take over as the Executive Vice Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Resources, replacing Song Yunhui."

The biggest beneficiary of the power shift was Lu Xiaola.

"Xiao Ai, what you said is at least secondhand information," Zhong Zhengguo thought that Zhong Xiao Ai, despite being such a grown-up, was still immature and too naive. "This morning, the Z Group sent someone to the Ministry of Energy and Resources to announce the appointment and removal notice. Song Yunhui was removed from his position as Executive Vice Minister and will be assigned to another post. This information is now available online."

Zhong Zhengmian lay stunned on the bed, speechless for a long time, with no place to put all his hatred.

Zhong Xiaoai turned to Hou Liangping and said, "Liangping, your second uncle is unwell. You will stay at the hospital to take care of him, including changing his dressings, providing care, coordinating with doctors, and handling visitors. You will be there to provide 24-hour care."

Hou Liangping stiffened. Although unwilling, he dared not utter a word of rebuttal. "Okay, Xiao Ai."

As a son-in-law of the Zhong family, he could only obey his wife's arrangements.

Chung Cheng-kuo thought this arrangement was really good.

Looking at Hou Liangping, he said in a deep voice, "Liangping, for the next period of time, put aside all your work and stay in the ward."

You are fully responsible for your second uncle's health and safety.

If even the slightest mistake occurs, you will bear the full consequences.

My father-in-law is also unreasonable.

With pressure coming from all sides, I feel like I'm sandwiched between two people; life is really tough.

Hou Liangping had to pretend to be very happy. "Okay, Dad, I will follow your instructions and take good care of Uncle."

Caught between a rock and a hard place, with no other choice.

Zhong Zhengmian leaned against the headboard, looking at the obedient Hou Liangping, and then at Song Yunhui, who was rising through the ranks, and Liu Changsheng, who had taken advantage of the situation to get ahead. He felt a mix of emotions.

They intended to use this opportunity to completely dominate the energy faction, but in the end, the Chung family lost their spot, lost face, and suffered punishment, resulting in a complete defeat.

The Zhong family's fortunes are visibly declining.

The tide has turned, and there's no turning back.

Get well soon, then fight again!

That's the only way I can comfort myself.

Shichahai.

Zhao Lichun sat on a small stool, raised his hand and cast his fishing rod into the water, the fishing line gently touching the surface of the lake.

Turning to Song Yunhui, he said, "Minister Song, it's time to change your title. Governor Song, welcome to Handong. I have complete confidence in you taking charge of the provincial government."

Holding a fishing rod, Song Yunhui said, "Secretary Zhao has been deeply involved in Handong for decades and has a solid foundation. I hope he can give me more guidance in the future."

I still have to say a few polite words.

Zhao Lichun worked in Handong for over 20 years. If he hadn't been defeated by the Zhong family in his previous life, Handong wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat.

"It's not really about giving guidance." Zhao Lichun chuckled lightly, casually bringing up an old story, "Sha Ruijin was transferred to be the Party Secretary of Handong Province. Before he took office, he had a chat with me. Sha Ruijin is an eccentric and unconventional person. He does things his own way and is not easy to get along with."

Song Yunhui gazed at the water's surface. "What do you mean by that?"

The lake surface rippled slightly, and Zhao Lichun gazed at the floating buoys on the water before slowly speaking.

Recall the conversation between the two at that time.

"That day, Sha Ruijin casually mentioned that he had many adoptive fathers, all of whom were veterans of the War of Resistance against Japan, with a long military record and strong moral character. He specifically added that Chen Yanshi from Handong was also one of his adoptive fathers."

At this point, Zhao Lichun sneered slightly, a hint of discomfort flashing in his eyes.

Nothing more!

Sha Ruijin's words disgusted him greatly.

Song Yunhui listened quietly, without interrupting or judging.

Zhao Lichun continued, frankly recounting past grievances: "I worked with Chen Yanshi for several years. One sweltering summer, I temporarily went to work in a hotel to escape the heat and enjoy the air conditioning."

Chen Yanshi seized upon this seemingly trivial matter, compiling materials and submitting a report, characterizing my work style as extravagant and detached from the grassroots.

Under pressure from public opinion, I convened a special democratic life meeting of the leadership team and publicly criticized myself for using air conditioning, which was incredibly embarrassing.

Bringing up the old story still fills me with resentment.

Song Yunhui had heard about the air conditioning issue, but didn't know the details. "According to Secretary Zhao, is there some misunderstanding?"

"It's 100% a misunderstanding. I don't know what got into Chen Yanshi," Zhao Lichun sighed. "Afterwards, I deliberately avoided Chen Yanshi, handling everything strictly by the book, and never having any private dealings with him. I hid from him. But after he retired, he continuously submitted materials to higher authorities, reporting all sorts of problems I had, with countless reports, big and small, never stopping."

Song Yunhui listened patiently, "What problems are you reporting? Is there any evidence?"

Zhao Lichun softened his tone, sighed deeply, and stated his judgment: "Actually, I know perfectly well that I don't have any solid evidence."

If there were such a thing, the central authorities would have investigated me long ago and taken action already.

Chen Yanshi stared at me, preoccupied with a single thought.

He retired at the level of a department director, his salary and rank didn't rise, and he didn't enjoy the retirement benefits of a vice-ministerial level official, so he probably felt resentful.

Seeing through human nature, one knows the joys and sorrows of life.

"Later, I made my stance clear to Sha Ruijin." Zhao Lichun really made a significant concession back then. "I told Sha Ruijin that we should put the past grievances behind us and that I would apologize. If it weren't for the age issue back then, I would definitely have recommended Chen Yanshi for promotion to vice minister."

Song Yunhui asked, "How did Sha Ruijin respond at the time?"

"He casually remarked that Chen Yanshi was too old and too stubborn, saying it was all trivial matters." Zhao Lichun smiled bitterly, turning to look at Song Yunhui. "But you can't judge a book by its cover. The day the conversation ended, rumors were flying through Beijing's social circles. Sha Ruijin spread rumors that I, Zhao Lichun, was domineering, controlled personnel appointments in Handong, and deliberately suppressed his adoptive father, Chen Yanshi, preventing Chen Yanshi from being promoted to vice-ministerial level. I ended up being caught in the middle."

These words immediately branded him as jealous and domineering.

Zhao Lichun leaned back, his eyes filled with helplessness: "Minister Song, you be the judge, am I wronged or not?"

As the float sank, Song Yunhui lifted his fishing rod and caught a red carp, a good start to the day. "Secretary Zhao," he said, "we shouldn't just look at what others say, but at what they do. Some people talk a lot about morality, but they may not be honest in their hearts."

Knowing the face but not the heart.