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

Lüzhou.

It is an important economic center in Handong Province, second only to the provincial capital, Jingzhou.

Its municipal party secretary is also a member of the provincial party committee standing committee.

This position became vacant after Zhu Jichang's downfall.

This position, vacated after Zhu Jichang's downfall, was like a piece of bloody fat meat placed on the dining table of the Han Dong officialdom, attracting the covetous eyes of countless hungry wolves.

In the provincial party committee's residential compound, the light was still on in Zhao Lichun's villa study.

Governor Liu Changchun sat calmly on the sofa opposite him, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Comrade Changchun, I hope I didn't disturb your rest by calling you over so late?"

Zhao Lichun personally refilled his teacup, a warm smile on his face.

Liu Changchun bowed slightly and accepted the teacup with both hands.

"Secretary, you flatter me. You can call me anytime, and I'll be there immediately."

He adopted a very humble posture. For so many years, he had been a provincial governor in name only, in front of Zhao Lichun, the provincial party secretary who held absolute power.

The provincial government has almost become the mouthpiece and office of the provincial party committee.

Zhao Lichun nodded in satisfaction and put down the teapot.

"We had some unpleasantness before because of that young man Shen Zhong. But we are comrades in the same team after all, and we can't let a soldier lead us by the nose when it comes to local affairs."

"You are aware of the situation in Luzhou. With Zhu Jichang's downfall, the leadership is unstable, and people are filled with anxiety. The most urgent task is to stabilize the overall situation in Luzhou and ensure that it does not affect the economic development of the entire province."

Liu Changchun nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"The Party Secretary is right; stability is paramount."

Zhao Lichun picked up the teacup and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid.

"In my opinion, the current mayor of Lüzhou, Comrade Qian Shouyi, is a good candidate. He has been working in Lüzhou for many years, is familiar with the situation, and has high prestige. Having him succeed him is the safest option at present. With a stable leadership team, people's hearts will naturally be at ease."

Liu Changchun understood.

Qian Shouyi was a protégé of Zhao Lichun, whom he personally promoted. Back when Zhao Lichun was the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, Qian Shouyi was the Director of the Municipal Finance Bureau.

Zhao Lichun is trying to firmly grasp Luzhou once again.

Liu Changchun's face, however, showed no unusual expression.

"The secretary's considerations are thorough; I have no objections."

Zhao Lichun's smile deepened.

He reached out and patted Liu Changchun's knee.

"Changchun, I know that the provincial government has been somewhat passive in its work these past few years. Don't worry, as long as we can reach a consensus at this Standing Committee meeting and finalize the appointment of the people from Luzhou in advance, the provincial party committee will definitely give its full support to the work of the provincial government in the future."

This is both a promise and a warning.

A perfectly measured expression of gratitude immediately appeared on Liu Changchun's face.

"Thank you for your trust and support, Secretary! I will definitely cooperate fully with the Provincial Party Committee's work!"

After chatting for a few more minutes, Liu Changchun got up to take his leave.

Zhao Lichun escorted him all the way to the door, watching the second car disappear into the night before the smile on his face slowly faded.

He returned to his study and picked up the red telephone.

The first call was to Chen Huai, the Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee.

"Old Chen, the matter in Luzhou will be discussed at the meeting the day after tomorrow. Qian Shouyi, you know what's going on, right?"

"Don't worry, Secretary, I understand."

The second call was to Li Dakang.

When the call connected, Li Dakang's voice sounded a little hoarse, revealing an undeniable weariness.

"Comrade Dakang, you've been working hard lately."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before Li Dakang gave a curt reply.

"Serving the people is not hard work."

Zhao Lichun noticed something was off about his voice, but assumed that Shen Zhong had dampened his spirits and that he was still holding onto that anger, so he didn't take it too seriously.

Instead, he offered words of comfort.

"Dakang, don't feel pressured. Shen Zhong's methods are tough, but he's ultimately a member of the military and is isolated in the local area. The Standing Committee is a place that follows rules and votes, so what are you afraid of? At the Standing Committee meeting, you must clearly express your support for Qian Shouyi's matter."

There was another moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

After a long silence, a muffled response came from the other end of the phone.

"……I see."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Lichun felt a slight displeasure, but he didn't take it seriously. In his view, Li Dakang, who had been dealt with severely, now needed his support as the provincial party secretary and wouldn't dare to disobey.

He dared not disobey.

He then made several phone calls to members of his faction's Standing Committee, including the Minister of Propaganda and the Minister of United Front Work, to finalize the arrangements one by one.

Finally, the call reached Gao Yuliang.

"Secretary Yuliang, the Standing Committee's report on personnel matters in Lüzhou."

"My opinion is that Qian Shouyi is right."

Gao Yuliang chuckled on the other end.

"Secretary Qian has a broad vision. Everyone has witnessed Comrade Qian Shouyi's work in Lüzhou, and there is nothing wrong with it. I personally have no objection; it mainly depends on the organization's overall consideration."

"it is good."

Zhao Lichun got the answer he wanted. As long as Gao Yuliang, that old fox, didn't cause trouble, everything would be fine.

After making a round of calls, Zhao Lichun leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

He counted on his fingers.

Myself, Secretary-General Chen Huai, Li Dakang, Lin Cheng Zhou Guichun, the Minister of Propaganda, the Minister of United Front Work, and Governor Liu's group.

It's already more than half.

He picked up the slightly cooled tea and drank it all in one gulp.

Shen Zhong, no matter how good you are at fighting or how domineering you are, what can you do?

At the Standing Committee meeting, it's not about who has the strongest fist, but who has the most people!

……

Provincial Military Command, Operations Room.

The huge electronic sand table displays a panoramic map of Lüzhou City.

The heavy finger touched a red area on the map.

"Zhao Ruilong's food court is right here."

Zhou Weiguo stood beside him, his face solemn.

"According to the intelligence we have, the first phase of this so-called food city project has severely damaged the local wetland ecosystem."

"They are now preparing for the second phase of the project, and are planning to bulldoze this entire mountain forest as well."

Heavy fingertips gently traced across the green mountain forest.

"If Qian Shouyi takes office, the second phase of the project will probably start immediately."

Zhou Weiguo nodded.

"Qian Shouyi is Zhao Lichun's man. When he was in charge of Lüzhou, he was protecting Zhao Ruilong's food city."

"At that time, with their collusion between officials and businessmen, this beautiful landscape will be completely ruined."

Shen Zhong withdrew his hand and walked to the window.

The night in Handong is filled with the flashing of neon lights.

Beneath this prosperity lies too much sin and decay.

He knew that Zhao Lichun would fight with all his might to hold onto Luzhou.

Tonight, the night in Jingzhou is destined to be anything but peaceful.

Countless phone calls are being made, countless favors are being exchanged, and countless interests are being colluded.

All eyes were on the provincial party committee standing committee meeting that would decide the future of Luzhou two days later.

Storm is coming.

Shen Zhong turned around and took his trench coat off the clothes rack.

His movements were neither hurried nor slow.

"Prepare the car."

"Go to Governor Liu's house."