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

After Gao Yuliang set the tone, the small gathering of the Han University students officially began.

The drinking session was not as thrilling as Qi Tongwei had imagined; on the contrary, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Throughout the entire conversation, no one addressed each other by title or discussed work; the only topics were their school days and friendships with classmates.

Gao Yuliang would occasionally mention an embarrassing incident from when everyone was studying, which would make everyone burst into laughter.

Even Liang Lu, who was always arrogant and domineering, was unusually docile and submissive today.

He didn't cause any trouble for Qi Tongwei throughout the entire process, and he barely spoke a word.

Seeing Liang Lu's timid behavior, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Indeed, just as braising water helps to set tofu, one thing can subdue another.

It seems that I wasn't skilled enough back then to manage Liang Lu properly.

What surprised Qi Tongwei even more was Chen Qingquan.

This English-loving senior student, Chen, is still young and hasn't gone bald yet.

His seat today was that of the second guest, but he barely sat down.

Tea is replenished when it runs low, wine is poured when it's empty, and the bone dish is replaced immediately when it's full...

Chen Qingquan served Gao Yuliang so well that he was completely attentive and comfortable.

Watching Chen Qingquan bustling about, Qi Tongwei admired Gao Yuliang from the bottom of his heart.

Gao Yuliang has a good eye; he really knows how to identify and appoint people...

When the wine was flowing freely, Gao Yuliang and Hou Liangping completed the handover, with Hou Liangping becoming the wine commander.

Hou Liangping brought six bottles of wine, spoke succinctly, and maintained a good balance in managing the situation.

Looking at the master and apprentice who worked together seamlessly and chatted happily, Qi Tongwei felt a little sentimental.

He once again personally experienced Gao Yuliang's maturity.

Back then, Gao Yuliang was extremely indignant when Hou Liangping dumped Gao Fangfang.

Hou Liangping became Liang Lu's lover, but Gao Yuliang disregarded past grievances and changed his attitude drastically.

Family ties are precious, love is even more valuable, but for the sake of power, both can be abandoned.

Teacher Gao is indeed remarkable; in his mind, everything can be abandoned and should give way to power.

With a sigh, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

Wasn't he the same in his past life...?

Seeing that everyone had drunk enough, Gao Yuliang patted Qi Tongwei's hand and said in a deep voice.

"Come on, let's go have a smoke with the teacher..."

Qi Tongwei knew he had something to say, so he didn't refuse and immediately got up to follow him.

Upon seeing this, Hou Liangping frowned slightly, but followed without making a sound.

Reaching the window, Gao Yuliang took out a cigarette, and Qi Tongwei quickly lit it for him.

Gao Yuliang took a deep drag of his cigarette, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and asked with a smile.

"I've encountered a problem... and I'd like to ask for your opinion..."

Qi Tongwei lit a cigarette and replied with a smile.

"Teacher Gao, you flatter me... I was taught by you."

"If you can't solve this problem, how could I possibly have a solution..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hou Liangping came over and said with a smile.

"Tongwei, don't say that..."

Back in school, you always had so many clever ideas. Let's brainstorm together and think of a solution...

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang nodded and sighed softly.

"A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation."

Besides, you're now in charge of a county; you're no longer the naive young man you once were..."

He paused slightly, his voice becoming more serious, before speaking again.

The Book of Han states, "When prefectures and counties are well-governed, the world is at peace..."

"You're so young, yet you're in charge of a county. You're very capable. Don't underestimate yourself..."

After saying that, he took a drag of his cigarette, looked at Qi Tongwei, and said softly.

"It's still about the Dafeng Factory..."

The order you mentioned gave Dafeng Factory a much-needed breather, and the restructuring was temporarily suspended...

But things only went well for a few days before the downstream customers of Dafeng Factory started making trouble, demanding that Dafeng Factory pay back its debts...

To put it bluntly, they're just jealous of Dafeng Factory's wealth... What do you think about this?

Qi Tongwei had discussed this matter with Sun Liancheng, so he wasn't surprised when Gao Yuliang brought it up.

He hesitated for a moment, took two puffs of his cigarette, and asked softly.

"Teacher, you're now the deputy mayor of Jingzhou, so triangular debt falls under your jurisdiction, right...?"

Seeing Gao Yuliang nod, Qi Tongwei continued.

"The whole country is now cracking down on triangular debt, and the situation is more serious in more economically developed regions..."

I heard that the higher-ups have personally gone to the Northeast to oversee the matter, and the effort is quite substantial...

Teacher, how would you like to resolve this?

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuliang sighed and said in a deep voice.

"To be honest, I have already set up a working group."

The goal is to use Dafeng Factory as a prime example to specifically address the issue of triangular debt...

Seeing his sincerity, Qi Tongwei pondered for a moment, then smiled and spoke.

"Teacher, I heard a joke the other day...it was quite interesting, let me tell you about it..."

Without waiting for their reaction, he began telling jokes with a smile.

"Let me tell you about a tourist who came to stay at a small hotel. He paid a deposit of one hundred yuan and went upstairs to look at the room..."

After receiving the money, the innkeeper immediately paid back the butcher, settling his own debts...

The butcher received the money, paid it back to the pig farmer, and cleared his debts...

The pig farmer received the money and then gave it to the prostitute he frequented, thus clearing his debts...

The prostitute received the money and used it to pay off her hotel bill...

Just as the tourist finished their tour, they had finished looking at the rooms.

He was dissatisfied with the room, took the deposit, and left...

After listening to Qi Tongwei's short story, Gao Yuliang nodded and slowly began to speak.

"Although the story is quite sordid, it is indeed the core idea behind the higher-ups' approach to resolving triangular debt..."

The problem is, where are the travelers going to find funds...? The city simply doesn't have the funds to solve the debt problem...

Qi Tongwei had anticipated Gao Yuliang's response, and after a moment's thought, he spoke again.

"To find a positive solution, we need to find funding. We need to find ways to secure funding, such as approvals from higher authorities or bank loans."

Reverse the approach, focusing on debt transfer... concentrating the debt issue on a few core entities...

Once the debts are consolidated, most units will be able to resume operations, and the city will have more control...

There's no need to spell things out, and even less need to spell them out.

He didn't say how to handle the concentrated debt, and Gao Yuliang didn't ask either; they both understood each other implicitly.

After listening to Qi Tongwei's words, Gao Yuliang remained silent for a long time, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and said in a deep voice.

"Tongwei, please come back if you have the chance..."

"It's really a waste of your talents to keep you in Bianxi..."

Qi Tongwei grinned and spoke in a very calm tone.

"Teacher, this shows your lack of awareness..."

No matter where you work, you're serving the people...

Gao Yuliang was taken aback when he heard this, then burst into laughter, a hearty laugh.

Seeing this, Qi Tongwei also laughed.

While laughing, Qi Tongwei noticed that Hou Liangping looked gloomy and remained silent.

Qi Tongwei couldn't help but chuckle to himself, "Hou Liangping, are you really clean?"

After the gathering of the Han University gang ended, everyone exchanged brief greetings and then left.

Qi Tongwei and Zhong Xiaoai walked into the Wisteria Pavilion again, both of them feeling somewhat melancholy.

After a long silence, Zhong Xiaoai spoke first, breaking the silence.

"I didn't expect you to attend this party..."

Qi Tongwei glanced at Zhong Xiaoai and said with a smile.

"There are no permanent friends, nor permanent enemies; only interests remain constant..."

"Is Palmerston right?"

Zhong Xiaoai stopped, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and spoke in a serious tone.

"The circle of students from Hanzhong University is indeed very large in Handong, and can be said to be deeply rooted..."

Teacher Gao was promoted by Liang Qunfeng, so naturally he was branded with Liang Qunfeng's influence...

But Liang Qunfeng isn't the only one in Handong, so you'd better not take sides too easily..."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, glanced at Zhong Xiaoai, and asked in a deep voice.

"Commander Zhong, who told you that?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai blushed, rolled her eyes at him, and replied with a haughty air.

"I'm not telling you, I'll keep you waiting..."

After walking for a while, Zhong Xiaoai stopped again and asked in a deep voice.

"Where are we going?"

Qi Tongwei smiled mischievously and said softly.

"Of course, I'll go to the school guesthouse. I haven't done my homework in almost a month..."

Zhong Xiaoai blushed and said coquettishly.

"Where have you been staying these past few days? I can just come over with you..."

Qi Tongwei chuckled a few times and casually made up a lie.

"My guesthouse is terrible, the soundproofing is awful... I think I'll stay at the campus instead..."