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

Meanwhile, inside the compound of the Handong Provincial Military Region.

Shen Zhong sat upright at his large mahogany desk, holding a disassembled Type 92 pistol in his hand.

He was holding a pure cotton gun cleaning cloth, dipped in a small amount of gun oil, wiping the metal texture on the barrel again and again. He cleaned the gunpowder residue inside the chamber, and the brass bullets were neatly arranged beside him.

Just then, the red dedicated telephone on the table rang, its ringing echoing through the spacious office.

Shen Zhong wiped the gun barrel without any panic; it had become an instinct for him, allowing him to remain absolutely calm in any unexpected situation. Only after placing the gun barrel steadily on the wooden table did he slowly pick up the red receiver.

On the other end of the phone, Gao Yuliang's magnetic voice, always carrying a hint of gentleness and refinement, came through.

This "Tai Chi master," who has cultivated deep roots in the political arena of Handong for many years, is currently sitting in a leather chair in his office, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

He felt that Shen Zhong had been too quiet lately, and this quietness made this old fox, who prided himself on being able to see through people's hearts, feel uneasy.

He needed to probe, to find out exactly how much leverage this young man with a military background and a strong hand in the matter held.

"Secretary Shen, good morning." Gao Yuliang's voice was completely calm.

"What advice does Secretary Yuliang have?"

Shen Zhong's response was brief and direct.

"I wouldn't call it giving advice; we were just having a casual chat."

Gao Yuliang chuckled twice, his tone conveying a sense of gentle persuasion.

"The Standing Committee meeting is about to convene. Everyone knows the theme of this meeting. Secretary Zhao has been working very hard on the matter of Luzhou these past few days."

Gao Yuliang paused deliberately for a moment, and when Shen Zhong didn't respond, he continued.

"Secretary Zhao's idea is to let Comrade Qian Shouyi take over. Comrade Qian Shouyi has been working steadily and diligently for so many years, and there is a lot of support for him from all sides. It is only natural for him to take over as the municipal party secretary."

Gao Yuliang highlighted the key points.

"Secretary Shen may not be very familiar with the situation in Handong. Secretary Zhao has been very angry these past few days. However, as long as you remain neutral on the selection of people in Luzhou, based on my understanding of Secretary Zhao, he is also mindful of the big picture."

"He won't hold your previous extreme behavior against you too seriously."

Gao Yuliang offered bait and set a bottom line to test the military major general's tone. After listening to Gao Yuliang's long speech, Shen Zhong freed his left hand.

He picked up the brass cartridge case that was on the table and flipped it back and forth between his fingers.

"Secretary Yuliang, I think you've misunderstood something."

Shen Zhong spoke calmly into the microphone.

"As a member of the Standing Committee of the Hantong Provincial Party Committee, I have a responsibility to oversee every decision made by the Provincial Party Committee."

"The selection of the Party Secretary of Lüzhou City is related to the development of millions of people in Handong, which is a local administrative unit of the country."

Shen Zhong pinched the cartridge case between his fingers.

"Luzhou is not anyone's backyard, much less their private plot for lining their own pockets. I will absolutely not compromise on the factionalism of certain comrades."

Gao Yuliang did not answer the phone immediately.

"Things involving principles should not be used as bargaining chips in official political transactions."

Shen Zhong made his point clear, and only a faint static could be heard from the phone receiver.

Gao Yuliang fell silent, and this silence lasted for a full five seconds.

Five seconds later, Gao Yuliang spoke again.

"Secretary Shen, your attitude won't solve the problem."

Gao Yuliang changed his communication strategy.

"The current situation of maintaining stability in Handong is actually very serious. We must consider the overall situation."

"The local economy needs stability; we can't afford to act recklessly."

"Secretary Yuliang, the overall situation is not a fig leaf to cover up corruption."

Shen Zhong interrupted Gao Yuliang's speech directly.

"I suggest you focus your attention on the upcoming Standing Committee meeting and pay close attention to the vote count."

The brass cartridge case was pressed heavily and upright on the table.

"Blindly choosing sides at such a critical juncture is an extremely foolish act."

Shen Zhong issued a clear warning.

"The subsequent personnel reshuffle could easily implicate you as well. I hope Secretary Yuliang can recognize the situation."

Shen Zhong threw out everything he needed to say, while Gao Yuliang sat in his office on the other end of the phone.

He gripped the microphone with a little more force.

Gao Yuliang sensed the underlying confidence in Shen Zhong's firm and forceful words.

Gao Yuliang was an extremely clever old fox. He analyzed Shen Zhong's words and quickly made a judgment.

Shen Zhong must already possess the power to break the existing balance of power in the Standing Committee.

Gao Yuliang reassessed the current situation in his mind. The current situation in Handong was no longer the time when Zhao Lichun had absolute power.

He decided not to get involved in the direct conflict between the Zhao family gang and the military.

"I understand what Secretary Shen means."

Gao Yuliang's voice returned to calm.

"See you at the meeting."

Gao Yuliang ended the tentative call and put down the telephone receiver in the office of the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee.

In the provincial military district office, Shen Zhong also put down the phone.

He looked at the parts on the table and began to reassemble the Type 92 pistol.

His movements were extremely skillful; the metal clanged together with a crisp sound as the bolt returned to its original position and the safety engaged.

Shen Zhong carefully put the cleaned pistol into its holster at his waist and stood up from behind the large mahogany desk.

He lowered his head and straightened his appearance, then used both hands to smooth out the wrinkles on his pine-green military uniform.

The gold major general's epaulets gleamed under the light.

The solid wood door to the office was pushed open from the outside, and Zhou Weiguo, dressed in camouflage training uniform, strode in.

Zhou Weiguo's leather boots made a dull thud on the floor as he walked up to Shen Zhong and stopped.

"Sir, the vehicle to the provincial party committee compound is ready."

Zhou Weiguo stood at attention, saluted, and reported loudly.

"Security work is all in place, and the guard platoon is already on standby outside the perimeter."

Shen Zhong walked to the floor-standing coat rack next to him, picked up the military cap hanging on it, and put it on his head properly.

Shen Zhong turned around and looked at Zhou Weiguo.

"Set off."