Qi Tongwei at the start: Not relying on Liang Lu, but winning by a single move against Heaven.

Besides Wu Shanheng, Qi Tongwei also had another person he was worried about: Su Lie.

This person is a former military officer, a typical example of someone who is capable but cannot be promoted.

He has a straightforward temper and a foul mouth, but he has a truly warm heart.

During his year in Leishan County, Su Lie went on many missions.

He led the arrest of the armed police officer on April 11, he led the stakeout of the illegal gun manufacturing den, and he even led the team to investigate guns.

Su Lie wasn't incapable; he just couldn't bring himself to bend down, so he could only work at the grassroots level for his entire life.

Qi Tongwei was just considering how to arrange things for him when Su Lie came to him of his own accord.

He didn't knock, but walked straight in, plopped down on the sofa, and started talking with a smile.

"Qixian, are you free tonight? Let me treat you to a drink."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, then smiled and tossed him a cigarette.

"What's up?"

Su Lie took the cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and asked a question in return.

"Can't I buy you a drink even if there's nothing wrong?"

Qi Tongwei laughed. With such low emotional intelligence, his only redeeming quality is his strong business acumen; otherwise, he would have been fired long ago.

He smiled at Su Lie and asked softly.

"That's exactly what I was looking for... What are your thoughts on your job?"

Su Lie was taken aback, then grinned and said with a wry smile.

"What are your thoughts? I'm just a rough guy, being a deputy director is my limit... This is fine."

Qi Tongwei couldn't help but laugh out loud.

In officialdom, Su Lie's straightforwardness is truly rare.

What's most commendable is that they have a very clear understanding of themselves.

Seeing that Su Lie didn't have any particular idea, Qi Tongwei didn't press him, but simply gave him another word of advice.

"Su Lie, remember this: don't hesitate in critical moments, and if you need to fire, then fire."

This was the second time Su Lie had heard him say this, and he was still completely confused.

He didn't ask any further questions, but grinned and grabbed Qi Tongwei's arm, pulling him outside.

"Let's go, it's time to get off work... Everyone's waiting for you."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, and asked in a low voice, "Anyone else? Who are they?"

Su Lie didn't answer, but pulled him outside.

"You'll see when we get there. They didn't come; they insisted I come and get you..."

The place Su Lie brought Qi Tongwei to was not unfamiliar; it was Yunus's yurt.

Qi Tongwei was stunned as soon as he entered the yurt.

Familiar faces came into view; they were all colleagues with whom he had direct contact.

Li Sulin, Zhao Haiyan, Wu Shanheng, Yu Zhao... even Sun Yuanqing from China Construction Bank came.

This group of people, regardless of age or position, all sat around a low, round table.

Next to the bureau chief was the section chief, next to the section chief sat the bank manager, and next to the bank manager sat a staff member...

How should I put it? The seating arrangement is very rough and rather rustic.

Qi Tongwei understood at a glance that this was a farewell party between close friends.

He was unpretentious and took the seat of honor without needing anyone to offer him the seat.

Looking around at everyone, he smiled and began to speak.

"Let's drink to our hearts' content tonight, it's on me. But let's agree on this: no farewell parties."

"I'm easily moved to tears. You all touched me so much that I can't leave, which is hindering my progress."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone laughed heartily, showing no sadness at the thought of parting.

The drinking session was very enjoyable; it consisted of chatting, bragging, and reminiscing about the past.

By the end, Qi Tongwei was really drunk, and he put his arms around each person's shoulders and apologized.

He was drunk, and the others weren't much better off.

Yunus embraced Qi Tongwei, insisting on marrying his daughter to him.

Li Sulin grabbed Qi Tongwei and started cursing.

The most miserable one was Sun Yuanqing, who pulled Qi Tongwei aside and poured out his grievances.

"County Chief Qi, you've already taken all the money, so why did you insist on leaving ten yuan?"

"The city bank withdrew its loan, and when they saw there was only ten yuan in my account, they gave me a severe dressing-down..."

......

Three days after the heavy drinking session, the transfer order came down, and its contents were nothing out of the ordinary.

I. Qi Tongwei is relieved of his post as Executive Deputy County Head of Leishan County;

II. Qi Tongwei is appointed as the Party Secretary of Fuyuan County (on temporary assignment for one year).

After receiving the transfer order, Qi Tongwei and Qin Xuefeng chatted in the office for an entire afternoon.

No one knows what the two talked about that afternoon.

From that day on, two new rules were added to engineering bidding in Fuyuan County.

Article 1: Full advance payment; Article 2: Payment over three years.

These two rules have caused many unscrupulous merchants who wanted to steal chickens in Leishan County to suffer heavy losses.

Without exception, they all lost both their money and their wives, and basically none of them received the final payment.

On the morning of the third day after the transfer order was issued, Qi Tongwei left without a sound.

As agreed, none of his comrades saw him off.

As dawn broke, he boarded the old Santana in the county.

Qi Tongwei smiled and patted the driver on the shoulder.

"Xiao Wang, I'll have to trouble you to give me a ride."

Xiao Wang turned his head to the side and replied with a smile.

"Qixian, please don't be so polite. I feel truly honored to be able to see you off on your journey."

Qi Tongwei smiled and said nothing more.

The Santana started smoothly, drove out of the county government compound, and into the morning mist of Leishan County.

It was just past eight o'clock, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, and there were few people on the street, making it seem somewhat desolate.

Qi Tongwei leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and muttered to himself.

"This is good; coming quietly and leaving quietly..."

After driving for about ten minutes, the car suddenly stopped.

Qi Tongwei frowned slightly, just about to ask Xiao Wang what was wrong.

But when he opened his eyes, he was stunned by what he saw.

The Santana was stopped at the beginning of Leitai Highway and blocked by a thick, long barrier.

The road and behind the barriers were packed with people.

There were colleagues and herdsmen he knew, but mostly, there were unfamiliar faces.

There were old and young, men and women, a dense crowd of over a hundred people.

Qi Tongwei opened the car door and got out, and Li Sulin and several familiar colleagues came to greet him.

Qi Tongwei frowned and muttered a complaint in a deep voice.

"Didn't we say we shouldn't send them? It would be so bad if word got out..."

Li Sulin grinned and replied with a smile.

"Who gave you a ride? The Leitai Highway officially started toll collection today, and you were the first car..."

"Five yuan for cars, ten yuan for trucks, pay up..."

After saying that, he extended a hand to Qi Tongwei.

That hand was trembling slightly.

Qi Tongwei was stunned, and his nose felt a little sore.

Before he could speak, Yunus approached, holding a snow-white lamb.

"Master Bai, I've come to repay my debt... to repay your loan from Gao Yang."

Qi Tongwei couldn't hold back any longer, sniffed, and cursed.

"Nonsense! What does the sheep the county gave you have to do with me?"

Before Yunus could speak, an old man named Apa squeezed through the crowd.

"What do we have to do with each other... Dongweizi, you saved me, do you remember?"

"Your coat was covering me at the time..."

Qi Tongwei frowned slightly, his face contorted in a pained expression, and said in a low voice.

"Grandma, you're so old, why are you fooling around with them..."

Old Apa forced a smile, a smile tinged with tears.

"I'm different from them... I sewed you some clothes... Take them with you."

Qi Tongwei was stunned and looked at the Kazakh robe that Apa was holding.

It was a pure handmade Kazakh robe, with brand-new satin and bright embroidery.

Qi Tongwei felt a dryness in his mouth, turned his back, and wiped the sweat from his face.

He accepted the robe with both hands, bowed deeply to the crowd before him, and remained standing for a long time.

"I...I'm sorry everyone...I'm in Fuyuan, come find me anytime if you miss me..."

As his voice faded, faint sobs could be heard from the crowd.

Yunus glared and shouted at the crowd.

"County Chief Qi is getting promoted, so what are you all crying about! Shut up!"

His voice was loud, but it trembled violently.

Qi Tongwei dared not stay any longer; if he did, he feared he wouldn't want to leave.

He grinned at Li Sulin and spoke with a wry smile.

"I don't have any money on me, can I pay you back?"

Li Sulin nodded firmly and said with a smile.

"Alright! Remember, you owe Leishan County five yuan."

He burst into laughter, but as he laughed, tears slowly began to stream down his face.

He opened his arms and gave Qi Tongwei a bear hug, whispering something.

"Qi County, no, I mean Secretary Qi, please take care!"

Qi Tongwei patted him on the back without saying a word.

The barrier lifted, the Santana slowly started moving, and Qi Tongwei drove away.

As the first vehicle to officially charge tolls in Leishan County, the Santana drove very slowly.

So slowly that people on both sides of the road could see Qi Tongwei silently shedding tears.

This road has an official name.

But the people of Leishan County are used to calling it Tongwei Road...