Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

Just then, the red telephone on Zhao Lichun's office desk rang at an inopportune moment.

Zhao Lichun glanced at the caller ID, and the anger in his chest subsided slightly.

He picked up the microphone.

"Feed".

On the other end of the phone came Qi Tongwei's hoarse, dry voice, filled with humiliation.

"Secretary... I'm so sorry..."

"The person is gone."

"I...I've embarrassed you."

Zhao Lichun's brow furrowed into a knot.

He could hear a near-collapse in Qi Tongwei's voice.

"What exactly is the situation?"

Qi Tongwei remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts, or perhaps recalling that unbearable scene.

"Chengdu was shot dead on the spot."

"We...we, the people from the provincial department, were all disarmed."

"Finally, he was... his police uniform was stripped off, and he walked back wearing only a vest and shorts."

"hiss--"

Zhao Lichun's hand gripping the microphone tightened suddenly.

He had considered the possibility of losing, the possibility of humiliation, but he never imagined that Shen Zhong would be so ruthless and merciless.

This isn't called being slapped in the face.

This is like tearing the face off of the public security system in Handong Province, throwing it on the ground, and stomping on it with military boots!

On the other end of the phone, Qi Tongwei's voice was tinged with a sob.

"Secretary, we must avenge this!"

revenge?

A bitter taste rose in Zhao Lichun's mouth.

Public opinion across the province is now singing praises for this "completely successful exercise".

He's now jumping out and saying, "This isn't a drill, it's a real shootout between the military and police, and people are dying!"

The first person to be held accountable was this provincial party secretary.

He could only suppress the turmoil in his heart and soothe the situation in the calmest possible tone.

"Tongwei, I understand about this."

"You did a good job, at least you shut up."

"I've remembered the grievances you suffered."

"Be patient for now, do not act rashly, and wait for my arrangements."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Lichun slumped back in his chair.

Looking out the window at the sky that had just begun to brighten, he once again began to doubt his ability to control this country.

……

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere in the provincial party committee compound, the online world at this moment is a sea of ​​joy.

The citizens of Kyungju, especially those who were frightened last night, are now participating in this "nationwide praise" celebration with great enthusiasm.

In this celebration, one person's name was mentioned with an astonishing frequency.

Li Dakang.

"Secretary Li is a workaholic. He doesn't even have time to sleep for the sake of Jingzhou's GDP. Now he's even getting up in the middle of the night to cooperate with the military in exercises. He's so dedicated!"

"I'm moved to tears! It's such a blessing for the people of Jingzhou to have such a good Party Secretary! Unlike the leaders of our neighboring city, who only know how to hold meetings and drink tea all day long."

"Secretary Dakang: What does a military drill matter if it's just about improving the business environment and boosting GDP? I'd gladly play the role of a terrorist myself!"

These seemingly complimentary, yet darkly humorous comments spread like wildfire across local forums and social media.

Li Dakang trembled with rage as he watched his secretary compile and submit the online public opinion report.

He felt his blood pressure soaring wildly at an out-of-control rate.

"Bang!"

He slammed the remote control in his hand onto the smooth floor, shattering it into pieces.

absurd!

This is absurd!

Li Dakang was forced to sign a humiliating treaty with a gun to his head, his trusted lieutenant was shot dead in front of him, and the entire Jingzhou police force was utterly humiliated.

In the end, he not only couldn't protest his innocence, but he also had to reluctantly accept credit for the "exercise."

Now, he's being repeatedly branded a "good public servant" by a group of uninformed netizens, and put on the hot seat of criticism.

This kind of sarcasm hurt him even more than if Shen Zhong had slapped him in the face.

……

The provincial military district compound, the heavy office.

A steaming cup of Longjing tea, with vibrant green tea leaves floating and sinking within.

Shen Zhong had just finished a phone call from Beijing.

He's a former leader.

On the phone, the old leader's voice was steady and powerful, with a hint of barely perceptible laughter.

He expressed high praise for Shen Zhong's handling of the situation.

"Well played."

"We not only showed our fangs and demonstrated our swift and decisive methods, but also gave them face in terms of procedure, leaving them with no room for objection."

"A good balance of strength and gentleness, courage and wisdom."

With the affirmation of his former leader, Shen Zhong's heart was finally at ease.

He gave his former leader a brief report on the complex situation in Handong and his plans for the future.

"Don't worry, old leader."

"This is just an appetizer."

"The real big fish hasn't taken the bait yet."

"Okay, go ahead and do it."

The old leader only said these four words before hanging up the phone.

But these four words were like a sword of Damocles, giving Shen Zhong the power to act freely in Handong.

At this moment, the Publicity Department of Jingzhou Municipal Committee and major official media outlets in Handong Province are sparing no effort to give positive publicity to last night's "exercise".

Press releases, photos, and videos flooded the internet.

Throughout the entire officialdom of Handong, from the provincial party committee standing committee members down to the grassroots staff, everyone who knew the inside story of last night fell into an eerie collective silence.

Everyone knows perfectly well what happened last night.

But everyone had to pretend to be completely convinced, and even publicly congratulate the success of the exercise.

This oppressive atmosphere of collective silence made everyone realize once again something profound.

Just how terrifying is the power of this newly appointed military member of the Standing Committee?

Office of the Party Committee of Hexi District.

He Xia stared at the headline news that popped up on her phone's news app, remaining silent for a long time.

Although she didn't know the specific details of last night, the fact that Shen Zhong and Li Dakang signed the same name on the exercise notice said it all.

She could guess what kind of effort her husband had put in and what risks he had taken to avenge her.

She picked up her phone and sent Shen Zhong a text message.

"Let's leave work early today, I'll treat you to a nice meal."

My phone vibrated quickly.

Shen Zhong replied.

"Okay, focus on your work. I'll take care of things if the sky falls."

Looking at this text message, He Xia's eyes reddened slightly.

She put away her phone, her delicate expression vanishing, replaced by an unprecedented determination.

Just as public opinion in Handong Province was completely dominated by this "exercise controversy".

Some substantive issues have reached a point where they must be addressed.

Inside the provincial military district office.

After finishing his official duties, Shen Zhong glanced at the calendar on the wall.

Today is the last day for him to fulfill the three conditions he agreed upon with Li Dakang.

The 1 billion yuan in special funds should have arrived by now.

He picked up the phone on the table and gently turned his finger on the dial.

The phone call went directly to the dedicated line of the director of the Jingzhou Municipal Finance Bureau.

When the call connected, Shen Zhong didn't exchange a single pleasantry.

He spoke, asking only one question.

"When will the money arrive?"