In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

After entering the study on the second floor, Li Zhiyuan lit a cigarette. Instead of asking Li Feitu what he wanted to say, he asked about Li Feitu's recent situation.

Li Feitu immediately reported on the situation in Linchuan County during this period, including the most recent Standing Committee meeting.

Li Zhiyuan nodded and said, "Since the conflict is irreconcilable, then when it's time to draw our swords, we must draw them."

"You handled this matter very well. Although it still has some room for improvement, it's good enough."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhixing smiled and said, "Brother, Fei Tu is quite impressive. I didn't have such skills at his age."

Whether it's Li Zhiyuan or Li Zhixing, they both once governed a region. Li Zhixing, who is currently the Party Secretary of Hancheng City, is qualified to say this.

Hearing Li Zhixing's words, Li Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Feitu's abilities are quite good, but he still needs to train more."

"Don't even mention back then, we didn't have his conditions back then either."

"Although there have always been people in our family who have been active in politics, it has only been in recent years that we have truly risen to prominence."

"However, even so, it is extremely difficult for our family to produce a vice-provincial-level official with real power. Zhixing, you have the opportunity, but at most you will end up like me, retiring as a vice-president of the provincial people's congress or political consultative conference."

At this point, Li Zhiyuan exhaled a smoke ring and sighed, saying, "It's only a half-step away, but it's an insurmountable chasm."

Indeed, just a step away is a high-ranking official at the provincial or ministerial level.

That was an insurmountable chasm, but once crossed, the benefits for political families like theirs would be unimaginable.

At least for the next few decades, the family will prosper and have no worries!

Upon hearing this, Li Zhixing sighed. He had just turned fifty this year and had already served as the Party Secretary of Hancheng City for two years.

However, he knew very well how difficult it would be to take the next step and reach the position of deputy provincial level.

If things continue like this and there's no progress, then even if I wait a few more years, I'll just end up like my older brother, serving as a deputy in the National People's Congress or the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and having my salary and benefits sorted out.

But this is not the result they wanted.

However, this is also something they cannot achieve even if they want to.

At this point, it's no longer a matter of ability.

Although Li Feitu was only thirty-five years old, he had lived in this environment since childhood and was very knowledgeable about officialdom.

In fact, their family was already quite well-off; they were considered an extremely powerful family in the entire Qingjiang Province.

However, reaching the vice-provincial level is already the highest one can go. Even if one gets their own uncle into the vice-governor position, they will still retire at the same level in the end. Going further is not a matter of difficulty, but rather an absolute impossibility without the help of a truly influential person.

Moreover, one must have connections with powerful figures.

Such benefactors are rare and hard to come by; it's not something you can simply ask for help from just because you have the ability.

But now, their family may be facing an opportunity they've never had before.

Li Feitu looked at Li Zhiyuan and Li Zhixing and said softly, "Dad, Uncle, perhaps our family has a chance to go further."

"At least, Dad is fifty-eight years old this year, so he may not have a chance, but Second Uncle is only fifty years old this year, and he has already served as the Party Secretary of Hancheng City for two years. He has enough rank, seniority, and achievements."

"At this point, it's a huge step forward. You could go directly to the provincial standing committee, or even become a vice governor."

"To take it a step further, my second uncle's situation is the same as yours, Dad. His salary and benefits will be resolved by serving as a deputy director of the National People's Congress or the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference."

"But I think, perhaps, Second Uncle, could give it a shot."

Li Zhiyuan and Li Zhixing listened to Li Feitu's words and both shook their heads with smiles, as if they wanted to say something.

However, at that moment, Li Feitu took out a photo from his pocket and handed it to them.

"Dad, Second Uncle, take a look, does this look familiar?"

The person in the photo is none other than Chen Jingcheng!

That's right. This time, when Li Feitu returned to the provincial capital, he specifically called his father and second uncle back to talk about Chen Jingcheng's matter.

Li Zhiyuan and Li Zhixing looked at the photos, but they both frowned.

They didn't recognize the person in the photo; he was clearly a young man in his early twenties.

However, since Li Feitu showed them this, he must have his reasons.

"Feitu, who is this?"

Li Zhiyuan asked the question.

Li Feitu thought for a moment and said, "Dad, Second Uncle, this is my current secretary in Linchuan County. His name is Chen Jingcheng. He is twenty-three years old, a very capable and idealistic young man."

"Although he lives in a small town, I can tell from my interactions with him that he is a person who wants to do things and knows how to be grateful."

"Of course, I'm showing this to you not because I admire this young man, but because I want you to see what he looks like."

Judging by appearance?

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyuan and Li Zhixing were both taken aback for a moment, and then looked at it carefully.

Li Zhiyuan's brows furrowed slowly, while Li Zhixing seemed to have thought of something and began to examine him carefully.

Li Zhiyuan thought for a moment and said, "This person's appearance seems somewhat familiar, as if I've seen him somewhere before."

"But, I can't quite remember."

"What? Is this person special?"

It's not really strange that Li Zhiyuan can't remember.

But looking at Li Zhixing's increasingly serious expression, Li Feitu knew that Li Zhixing had probably guessed it.

That makes sense. Back then, my father, Li Zhiyuan, didn't have much contact with that important figure.

However, Second Uncle Li Zhixing had quite a bit of contact with that important figure. The two even worked in the same place and had many interactions.

The relationship is pretty good.

After all, if the relationship were bad, Li Zhixing wouldn't have displayed a photo of himself with that important figure from his youth in his home.

"Second Uncle, is something on your mind?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhixing took a deep breath, suddenly looked up at Li Feitu, and asked, "Feitu, who exactly is this person?"

"Chen Jingcheng?"

"His appearance, his appearance!"

Li Feitu knew that Li Zhixing had already guessed, and immediately said in a deep voice, "Second Uncle, I have investigated Chen Jingcheng's situation thoroughly. He is twenty-three years old this year, and his parents are not his biological parents!"

"He was adopted!"

"And it is said that his child, it seems, died or disappeared more than twenty years ago."

"Back then, that person was working near the provincial capital of Qingjiang Province."

"Second Uncle, do you think that's possible?"

Upon hearing these words, Li Zhixing gasped in shock.

Li Zhiyuan frowned, looking at Li Feitu and Li Zhixing, and said, "What are you talking about? Who is this person you're referring to?"

"Who does this young man resemble?"

Li Feitu remained silent.

Li Zhixing took a deep breath and looked at Li Zhiyuan, saying, "Brother, this young man looks a lot like Chen Min!"