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

After leaving the mining area's public security bureau, Chai Dali had calculated everything clearly and thought things through completely.

There's money to be made, and you don't have to hide like a mouse. Why wouldn't you do something so good?

As for the reduced income, he had a clearer understanding of it.

It's not that his income has decreased; it's that his legal income has been stolen by those idiots.

Thinking and pondering all the way, Chai Dali unknowingly walked back to the mine.

He pushed open the office door and told his men what had happened, and the room instantly erupted in chaos.

This group of people are always making trouble out of nothing. Now that they've gained the upper hand and been swindled out of their money, how could they easily let go of those scoundrels who have no proper documentation?

There was no need for Chai Dali to mobilize them; these people sprang into action instantly.

Some people said they knew so-and-so's hideout, others suggested ambushing them on certain roads... and some even wanted to grab their weapons and head out right now.

Seeing the crowd's agitation, Chai Dali didn't stop them, but instead set a rule with a cold face.

"Guys, remember this: we're not slackers anymore, we're a legitimate mine protection team."

Catching troublemakers who disrupt production is fine, but we absolutely mustn't let anything go wrong...

"And you absolutely cannot let anyone die... otherwise, no one can protect you... not even Director Su..."

Upon hearing that they had become a legitimate mine protection team, the crowd's morale not only did not diminish, but actually increased.

Even before they had legal status, they never backed down from fighting or taking over territory; now they're even less afraid...

In just three days, the mine protection team of Fuyuan Mine apprehended more than a dozen thugs.

Chai Dali also changed his usual thuggish ways, and without resorting to any private torture, he directly handed the person over to the police station.

Su Lie cooperated very well with the notification from the county.

When he saw the mine protection team bringing people, he accepted them without asking why.

Not only that, Su Lie also played an even more ruthless trick by imposing a fine for violating public order regulations.

In the past, when these people were caught, it was just a matter of going through the motions and then detaining them for ten days to half a month.

This time was different. After a brief review, Su Lie asked them to choose someone to go back and deliver the message.

The fine is 500 yuan per person. If they pay the fine, they can be released; otherwise, they'll be detained for 15 days...

For the first day or two, these small groups came to pay the fines and pick up the people.

However, as the mining protection team arrested more and more people, the gangs all lost their source of income.

Several gangs are having trouble even getting food, and fewer and fewer people are coming to pay their fines...

Those who were released had nothing to say, but those who were locked up were not happy about it.

Those who didn't pay the fines gradually began to complain and start blaming each other.

They began to feel that their leader wasn't so righteous after all... and was somewhat biased.

From this moment on...

These already fragile groups began to crack from within...

The first to discover the problem was not Su Lie, but Chai Dali, who had been staking out the location to catch people.

He noticed that fewer people were stopping vehicles to ask for money... and the locations where they were stopping vehicles were getting further and further away from the mine...

At Fuyuan Mine, the mine protection team and the Public Security Bureau were working feverishly.

Qi Tongwei in Fuyuan County was also busy.

He first asked Zharta to inquire about Zhao Dehan's situation.

When he learned that Zhao Dehan was organizing the information about the burning of Liang every day, he became even more convinced.

Zhao Dehan was likely the liaison officer left behind by the mine, responsible for communicating and reporting to higher authorities.

Thinking about Zhao Dehan's past life, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but feel a little worried.

He wasn't worried about Zhao Dehan, but rather about the development of Huoshaoliang being put on hold...

After pondering for a long time, Qi Tongwei smiled and sighed, then dialed Li Guangran's number.

Regardless, since they had met once, Qi Tongwei decided to teach Zhao Dehan a lesson.

When the call connected, Qi Tongwei didn't stand on ceremony with Li Guangran and went straight to the point.

"Guangran, has Zhao Dehan been busy lately? I'm thinking of inviting him to dinner, what do you think?"

On the other end of the phone, Li Guangran was taken aback, his voice slightly suspicious.

"Secretary Qi, Section Chief Zhao is mainly familiar with the information on Huoshaoliang, he's not too busy..."

"But why did you decide to invite him to dinner? You gave me a task, and I'll talk to him..."

Qi Tongwei smiled but didn't respond to Li Guangran's words, and continued speaking.

"It's settled then. Today's the weekend, so come to the county after work..."

I'll have the cafeteria prepare something, just the three of us... make sure you get him here..."

Seeing that Qi Tongwei had spoken, Li Guangran said nothing more.

They exchanged a few more words and then hung up the phone.

Li Guangran was not exactly obedient to Qi Tongwei, but he was close enough to do so.

At eight o'clock in the evening, he and Zhao Dehan arrived at the small canteen in Fuyuan County on time.

The meal was very simple, just the three of them; Qi Tongwei didn't even invite Baimaiti.

A small private room, four or five home-style dishes, and local liquor.

This meal didn't seem like a business dinner; it was more like a reunion of old friends.

Once everyone had arrived, Qi Tongwei showed no airs and greeted the two men with a smile, inviting them to sit down.

While Li Guangran was pouring drinks for the group, Qi Tongwei smiled and said to Zhao Dehan.

"Section Chief Zhao, you've been working hard all by yourself here..."

I had the kitchen prepare a few dishes. We're all from out of town, so let's have some fun together..."

Qi Tongwei was approachable, but Zhao Dehan was quite reserved and somewhat restrained.

Although he was a chief clerk from the Department of Geology and Mineral Resources, he was still a section-level cadre.

The county party secretary personally received him, which truly flattered him.

Qi Tongwei saw this but didn't say anything. Instead, he kept raising his glass to him.

After a few drinks, Zhao Dehan finally relaxed a lot and became much more talkative.

Seeing that he had drunk enough, Qi Tongwei smiled and put a piece of mutton on his plate, asking softly.

"Last time you said you got your degree from the village? What a coincidence, the three of us are all from the village..."

I came from Qijia Village in Handong Province, and Guangran also came from the village...

Zhao Dehan was taken aback, sighed, clinked glasses with Qi Tongwei, and said in a deep voice.

"Oh, Secretary Qi, you don't know, I'm the only college graduate from our village..."

It's not that I'm outstanding, it's just that the kids in my village simply can't afford to go to high school..."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was full of emotion, and his eyes were slightly red.

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei lit a cigarette, his voice becoming somewhat wistful.

"How could I not understand... I also came from a poor family. My parents died early, and I grew up relying on the kindness of many families..."

I will never forget the year I took the college entrance exam... The acceptance letter came, but I didn't have the money to go to school.

The old village secretary led the whole village in raising money for me, contributing pennies and dimes...

Finally, the village pooled together 500 yuan for me, and 80 eggs...

At this point, he shook his head, took a sip of his drink, and continued.

"Just 500 yuan and 80 eggs...that's how I left Qijia Village..."

After saying that, he raised his glass again and downed the wine in one gulp, as if recalling the past.

Setting down his wine glass, Qi Tongwei patted Zhao Dehan's arm and said in a deep voice.

"At that time, I told myself that I could never forget Qijia Village in my life."

I must never forget the country's nurturing of me... I must make something of myself..."

His voice trembled slightly, which moved Zhao Dehan.

Zhao Dehan also downed his drink in one gulp and continued.

"Yes, we should be grateful... I constantly remind myself that I am the son of a farmer..."

The three clinked glasses a few more times, and Zhao Dehan's face turned red, clearly indicating that he was already drunk.

Seeing this, Qi Tongwei knew that the time was almost up.

He clinked glasses with Zhao Dehan again, and asked softly with a smile.

"Section Chief Zhao, do you still remember your ideals when you first started working?"

Zhao Dehan was taken aback, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and nodded emphatically.

"I will never forget... I am the son of a farmer, and I must serve the people..."

His tongue was a little large, and he spoke somewhat haltingly, but his tone was very firm.

After listening, Qi Tongwei nodded slightly, drank the wine in his glass, and said in a deep voice.

"Okay, tomorrow... let's go see what it really means to serve the people..."