Official statement: Tongwei is dead! You chose Ruijin, didn't you?

He immediately straightened his back and answered without hesitation:

"Yes! But immediately after the call ended, I had my secretary prepare a written statement and submit it verbatim to both the Provincial Party Committee Office and the Central Supervision Group for record-keeping!"

Looking at his tense expression, Liu Ruian nodded in satisfaction: "You did the right thing on this step. Yi Xuexi reminded you, didn't he?"

Li Dakang smiled wryly and didn't reply, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Liu Ruian picked up his teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves:

"You're a smart man. In this game, some people want to push you, some want to pressure you, and some want to put you on the hot seat to see how much juice you can extract."

"Wherever you stand, countless eyes are watching."

"Governor, I dare not stand on either side now."

Li Dakang sighed, his tone filled with utter helplessness, "Right now, I just want to stay firmly in the position required by the meeting notice, and I don't dare to move an inch."

After hearing this, Liu Ruian couldn't help but laugh out loud: "What you said is much more practical than those 'special handling' reform slogans you used to shout."

Li Dakang also chuckled self-deprecatingly.

After laughing, he composed himself, leaned forward slightly, and asked with utmost seriousness, "Governor, you're a veteran leader, so please give me your honest opinion on this situation... what's your take on it?"

Liu Ruian remained silent for a moment, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a clear-headedness born from his experience in the ups and downs of officialdom.

"I'm resigning right away. Some things can be said more frankly."

Liu Ruian stared at Li Dakang. "The governorship isn't just difficult to hold, it's practically impossible. Lu Chengzhou is a newly appointed provincial party secretary, wielding considerable power; the central supervisory team is still monitoring Handong, old cases haven't been cleared up, and new troubles are just emerging in Beijing. At this point, whoever becomes governor won't be primarily focused on economic development, but rather on helping to clean up the mess!"

Li Dakang nodded solemnly: "I understand."

You may not really understand.

Liu Ruian interrupted him bluntly, "You definitely still have the desire to climb the ranks, which is normal. A soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier. But climbing the ranks now is definitely not a good thing. If you are really pushed up, you will face a triple dead end."

Liu Ruian held up three fingers: "First, the supervisory team won't relax their investigation of Jingzhou's land accounts just because you've become the governor; on the contrary, they'll investigate even more rigorously. Second, those old forces in Beijing, including Elder Bai and others, will use you as a buffer zone against Lu Chengzhou, forcing you to take the fall for them. Third, Lu Chengzhou will absolutely not allow the provincial government to become 'another team' in Handong; if you dare to show your face, he'll be the first to use you as a sacrifice!"

These words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last embers of hope in Li Dakang's heart.

Liu Ruian continued to stab him in the back: "You're capable, but you also have a fatal flaw. Your ability lies in your willingness to focus on the economy, but your flaw is that you're too obsessed with your 'efficiency logic.' In the past, you thought that as long as a project could be implemented, procedures could be expedited. But in the current political environment, who would dare to do that? Anyone doing that is digging their own grave! Hou Liangping is a living example!"

Li Dakang swallowed hard and said in a low voice, "I've already learned my lesson the hard way."

"Learning from mistakes is not enough; we must change our ways."

Liu Ruian took a thick document from the drawer and pushed it in front of Li Dakang.

"This is the provincial government's review of several major historical projects in Jingzhou over the past decade. Go back and read it word by word."

Don't try to shift the blame, and don't think you can get away with a few words of self-criticism. The only way you can protect yourself now is to clean up the mess in Jingzhou before the supervisory team takes action!

Li Dakang accepted the materials with both hands, feeling their immense weight: "I understand. Thank you, Governor."

Liu Ruian waved his hand wearily: "Go."

After Li Dakang left, Liu Ruian leaned back in his chair and sat there for a long time.

He's about to retire.

Logically, the best thing to do at this time is to close your eyes and rest, and land smoothly.

But he couldn't hide from it even if he wanted to.

He was able to retire peacefully because he had never belonged to the Zhao family, the Liang family, or sided with Sha Ruijin, nor had he overstepped his bounds.

Doesn't he deserve credit?

Have.

Is that okay? Yes, it is.

But within the vast swath of Handong, his problems haven't reached the point of collapse, and that's enough.

The officialdom is sometimes that realistic. In this stormy weather, being able to retire cleanly and unscathed is already a great blessing that countless people pray to gods and Buddhas for.

...

At the same time, in the office of Lu Chengzhou, Secretary of the Handong Provincial Party Committee.

The atmosphere was equally somber.

Qin Yuanzhou, head of the central supervision group, and Zhou Zhengming, deputy head of the group, were both present.

Lu Chengzhou looked at the "Explanation of Bai Wangshan's Call" that Li Dakang had reported on the table, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "The response was quite quick, and there was no concealment."

Qin Yuanzhou picked up his teacup and sneered, "It was Yi Xuexi's timely reminder. Li Dakang's red-phone recording wasn't done, so Yi Xuexi forced him to write it down from memory on the spot, immediately filing it twice. That old disciplinary committee member is indeed a master."

Lu Chengzhou nodded: "Yi Xuexi is a principled person who isn't afraid to offend people. He's usable."

Zhou Zhengming interjected, "However, the fact that Li Dakang was tested by Bai Wangshan shows that someone in the capital is indeed eager to get him moving and wants to use him as a firewall for Handong."

Lu Chengzhou raised his head, his gaze deep: "What's the latest news regarding the selection of the provincial governor?"

Qin Yuanzhou didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point:

"There are currently three options. First, Liu Ruian's term will be extended in the short term until the old case in Handong is completely resolved before he steps down; second, an economically savvy cadre from another province will be parachuted in to take over, completely avoiding the local forces in Handong; third, Li Dakang will be promoted internally to stabilize the economic foundation of Handong, while observing his attitude towards cooperating with the clearing of accounts."

Lu Chengzhou stared at Qin Yuanzhou: "As the head of the supervision team, which one do you favor?"

Qin Yuanzhou replied without hesitation: "Secondly, bringing in cadres from outside the area is the safest option."

Zhou Zhengming echoed, "Yes, Liu Ruian's extended tenure is easily seen by outsiders as the central government encountering resistance and making compromises in its anti-corruption efforts in Handong; while Li Dakang's rise to power... is too risky, as he hasn't yet shaken off the historical baggage he carries."

After listening, Lu Chengzhou did not immediately express his opinion. He stood up, walked to the French windows, looked at the view of the Hantong Provincial Party Committee compound outside, and remained silent for a full minute.

"Li Dakang is useful," Lu Chengzhou suddenly said.

Qin Yuanzhou and Zhou Zhengming both looked at him.

Lu Chengzhou turned around and said, "He is familiar with Jingzhou, understands projects, and can keep the grassroots in check. The officialdom in Handong is now like a flock of frightened birds. If the provincial party committee and government are completely replaced by outsiders, the cadres will wait and see and lie low, and the enterprises will panic and withdraw their investments. Li Dakang absolutely cannot be the governor, but we can make him think that he still has a chance."

Zhou Zhengming was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding.

Qin Yuanzhou laughed, a laugh like that of an old hunter: "Secretary Lu, are you trying to use Li Dakang as bait to lure us in?"

Lu Chengzhou said calmly, "It's not bait, it's a test. The waters of Handong are murky right now; the fish are all hiding in the mud. By suspending Li Dakang, this slightly fishy piece of meat, in mid-air, whoever contacts him, whoever speaks on his behalf, whoever is eager to push him towards the governorship—that's who's behind it all!"

Zhou Zhengming suddenly realized what was happening and gasped.

Absolutely!

The "rumor about Li Dakang becoming governor" cannot be nipped in the bud; it must be allowed to ferment within a certain scope.

Bai Wangshan has already made the call. Will someone from the Zhong family step forward next?

Will Sha Ruijin's former subordinates take this opportunity to form a coalition?

Will the local interest groups in Jingzhou, driven to desperation by the land investigation, see Li Dakang as their last protector and rely on him again?

This game of chess is getting more and more interesting.

Lu Chengzhou walked back to his desk, picked up a pen, and wrote eight large characters on Li Dakang's report:

[No decision yet; we'll observe the situation.]

Qin Yuanzhou glanced at the approval document and nodded:

"What about Gao Yuliang? That old fox already predicted last night that someone would push Li Dakang to take over."

Lu Chengzhou gave a cold laugh: "Let him speak."

Zhou Zhengming was somewhat worried: "What if he takes this opportunity to manipulate things and muddy the waters?"

"He can't even get out of bed now, he can't operate the market, he can only rely on his mouth to communicate."

Lu Chengzhou's eyes sharpened. "Whether it's passing on a message or biting someone, it's better than him lying in bed pretending to be dead."

Only those with a strong will to survive are willing to spill all the old grievances.

As long as he doesn't cross the line, let him say whatever he wants, squeeze every last drop of value out of him.

Just then, Kobayashi, the liaison officer of the supervision team, knocked on the door and came in, looking somewhat strange.

"Secretary Lu, Team Leader Qin, news just came from the central task force."

Xiaolin held a top-secret document. "During the initial conversation, Zhong Xiaoai expressed her willingness to cooperate and disclose the details of the 'red, yellow, and green lists,' but she made a request."

Qin Yuanzhou frowned: "What request?"

Xiao Lin glanced at the materials and reported in a low voice, "She requests to meet with Hou Liangping before giving her formal testimony."

The office fell silent for a few seconds.

Zhou Zhengming sneered, "This is too risky! What do you mean by 'meet once'? That sounds sophisticated, but frankly, isn't it just an attempt to collude with her ex-husband?"

Qin Yuanzhou did not immediately deny it, but looked at Lu Chengzhou.

Lu Chengzhou pondered for a moment, then asked, "What specific reasons did she give?"

Kobayashi replied, "She said that if she didn't ask her directly, she couldn't fully explain her subjective understanding of the list compilation process. She emphasized that this was related to how deeply the Chung family was involved."

After weighing the pros and cons, Lu Chengzhou decisively decided: "We can consider it. Zhong Xiaoai is the key to breaking through the Zhong family's defenses, and this psychological preparation can satisfy her. However, the entire process must be led by the central special task force, with comprehensive audio and video recording. The conversation location absolutely cannot be in Handong; it must be in Kyoto!"

Qin Yuanzhou nodded: "Okay, I'll ask for permission immediately and arrange a remote video meeting."

Just as Xiao Lin was about to turn and leave, Lu Chengzhou called him back:

"Also, notify the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Public Security Bureau to keep a close watch on the people around Li Dakang."

In particular, every single detail—who was inquiring about candidates for governor on his behalf, who was acting as a go-between—was meticulously recorded!

"Understood!" Kobayashi replied.

Stepping out of the office, Xiao Lin couldn't help but mentally rant: The officialdom in Handong is constantly changing! Yesterday they were investigating corruption, today they're checking lists, and tomorrow they'll be looking at who wants to be governor. The leaders are playing a grand game, and these pawns are running themselves ragged!

Meanwhile, Li Dakang, who was at the center of the storm, had just returned to his car with a heavy heart.

The driver started the car and turned around to ask, "Secretary, are we going back to the Municipal Party Committee?"

Looking at the heavy debriefing materials Liu Ruian had given him, Li Dakang's mind was filled with the omnipresent pressure from Lu Chengzhou and the supervisory team.

He thought for a moment, then took a deep breath: "No, go to the Youth Palace."

Driver Xiao Wang was stunned, thinking he had misheard: "Secretary... went to see Sun Liancheng again?"

Li Dakang nodded expressionlessly: "Let's go look at the stars."

Xiao Wang peeked out the window at the blinding sun, looking completely bewildered: "Secretary, where did these stars come from in broad daylight?"

Li Dakang glared at him irritably: "You can't see the stars in broad daylight, how about I look at Sun Liancheng?!"

Startled, Xiao Wang shrank back and quickly stepped on the gas, driving straight towards the Chengnan Children's Palace.

Li Dakang leaned back in the leather seat and closed his eyes.

He knew better than anyone else that the road above was now a dead end; whoever walked it would die.

He was put on the hot seat and had to find a "fire extinguisher" for himself at the grassroots level.

Sun Liancheng, the "Cosmic District Chief" who was once publicly humiliated and banished by him to take children to see the stars, is now seen as a "victim" and an "honest man" by the supervisory team.

At the last Dafeng Factory debriefing meeting, Sun Liancheng helped him out of a tight spot.

This time, he had to lower himself even further, to the dust, so low that the supervisory team and Lu Chengzhou would see—

Li Dakang has really changed. He can even tolerate Sun Liancheng. He has absolutely no ambition to climb the ranks!

These days, playing the subservient is a profound political skill.