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

7:50 p.m.

The provincial party committee's vehicle No. 3 and a police car turned into the provincial party committee's residential compound, one after the other.

The car came to a stop in front of residence number 1.

The door of car number 3 opened, and Gao Yuliang got out first, wearing a dark gray executive jacket. Before entering, he habitually glanced left and right at the alleyway.

Immediately afterward, Qi Tongwei got out of the police car, his trench coat collar turned up, half of his face hidden inside.

Secretary Xiaobai greeted them at the second entrance and led them into the study in a soft voice.

The study was small, with bookshelves lining two walls. Under the window was a mahogany tea table, on which sat a set of Yixing teapots, the spouts of which were steaming.

Zhao Lichun was wearing a dark silk loungewear set and sitting at the head of the tea table, using bamboo tongs to hold a teacup while rinsing it with hot water.

The movements were neither hurried nor slow.

"Secretary Zhao."

When Qi Tongwei entered, he bent over at a 15-degree angle and hurriedly greeted Zhao Lichun.

"Sit down, don't stand."

Gao Yuliang nodded and sat down first. Qi Tongwei sat down next to Gao Yuliang, his buttocks only touching a third of the chair surface, his whole body as taut as a spring.

Zhao Lichun poured out the washed tea, refilled the pot with water, and poured a cup for each of them.

"Try it, the real Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao."

The tea soup, when poured into the cup, has a deep, clear color.

"The old Party Secretary asked me to bring this back from Kyoto this time, so you can all try it."

Qi Tongwei hurriedly picked up the cup and took a sip. It was so hot that he winced, but he was already licking his lips.

"As expected of Secretary Su's tea, the aftertaste is something you can't get anywhere else, no matter how much money you spend."

Gao Yuliang also picked up his cup, blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface, and didn't drink it right away.

Zhao Lichun leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and tapped the armrest of the chair twice with his index finger.

"It's gotten colder in Kyoto these past few days. The pomegranate trees in Old Secretary Su's yard are laden with bright red fruit, they look beautiful."

"How is the old Party Secretary's health?" Gao Yuliang asked.

"Still in good shape." Zhao Lichun picked up his cup of tea, took a sip, and lingered on the table for a moment after putting the cup down.

"The former Party Secretary has been paying close attention to the situation in Handong."

"I went over for a visit this time, and the old Party Secretary personally cooked me a bowl of noodles. We ate and chatted."

Qi Tongwei straightened his back slightly.

Zhao Lichun's lips twitched slightly as he continued speaking.

"The old Party Secretary's original words: Handong is a place he has managed for half his life, and we cannot let a few individuals make a mess of it."

"Some people think they can do whatever they want in the local area just because they are wearing military uniforms. Kyoto is very dissatisfied with this kind of behavior that undermines the overall situation."

"Stability is the foundation of everything."

Zhao Lichun stopped there.

I picked up the teapot and refilled the three cups with water.

Qi Tongwei's breathing quickened noticeably, and he placed his hands on his knees, his fingers intertwined.

With that old man backing Zhao Lichun up, no matter how much that guy surnamed Shen tries to cause trouble, he can't possibly turn the world upside down.

Gao Yuliang held his teacup, and wisps of steam rose from the rim in front of him.

I casually rubbed my fingers against the side of the cup.

Zhao Lichun's words were brilliant.

But he felt a vague unease. If Su Zhenhai really expressed his support, it wouldn't be easy to pull him, a fence-sitter who had sided with Shen Zhong, off the stage and support someone else who would listen to him.

Why would they need to try to win me over so late at night?

The more someone tries to recruit people privately, the more it shows their lack of confidence.

Gao Yuliang didn't expose him, but simply took a sip of tea.

Zhao Lichun didn't give him time to ponder further, cutting straight to the point.

"The focus of our work going forward must return to economic development."

"There have been too many messy things happening in Handong lately. The Discipline Inspection Commission is investigating people, the military region is making trouble, and everyone is feeling uneasy."

"The second phase of the Guangming Peak project is dragging on and on; we must find a way to move it forward."

Zhao Lichun tapped two fingers on the table.

"I want to see substantial progress in the short term—complete demolition, accelerated construction, and successful investment attraction."

"Let political achievements speak for themselves, and let numbers shut people up."

"Whether it's the military or the disciplinary committee, if you've boosted the economy, nobody can say anything."

Qi Tongwei was the first to speak up, finally settling into his seat.

"Secretary Zhao, rest assured, the Provincial Public Security Department will do its utmost to ensure the progress of all key projects. Anyone who dares to obstruct the construction progress will be dealt with according to the law, without any ambiguity."

Gao Yuliang put down his teacup and added a nonchalant remark.

"The Political and Legal Affairs Commission should do a good job on the legal aspects to ensure that every step is within the procedural framework and leaves no room for loopholes."

Zhao Lichun nodded at their attitudes, glanced at Qi Tongwei, and then swept his gaze over Gao Yuliang.

After a moment, he picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip.

"By the way, what about Li Dakang—"

The cup tapped on the table, making a sound that was neither too loud nor too soft.

"Jingzhou has been in a terrible state lately, and the people are very negative. You've seen the comments online."

"Dakang is capable, but he is too rough in his approach and doesn't understand how to govern flexibly, which has led to public resentment."

"My personal opinion is that when it's time to give someone a talking-to, we shouldn't spoil them."

Qi Tongwei took note of this signal; Secretary Zhao was planning to settle scores later, which presented an opportunity for him.

Gao Yuliang, however, had a different interpretation: this was a warning to himself, a way to make an example of someone and pull himself back from the brink.

After three rounds of tea, the conversation was over.

Zhao Lichun stood up and personally escorted the two to the door of the study.

When they reached the entrance, he patted Qi Tongwei on the shoulder, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy.

"Tongwei, keep up the good work. The organization will not let down those who work hard. I will always remember your position as vice governor."

Qi Tongwei bent down again and responded repeatedly.

Gao Yuliang walked at the back, and when he passed Zhao Lichun, the two looked at each other for less than half a second.

Zhao Lichun nodded with a smile, and Gao Yuliang returned the same polite smile.

Both of their smiles looked very fake.

The black sedan drove out of the residential compound along the same route and disappeared into the night.

The door closed.

Zhao Lichun stood in the entrance hall, looking at the long shadows of the trees in the yard cast by the streetlights, and took both hands out of his pockets.

His ten fingers clenched until they turned white, then slowly loosened, only to clench again.

It took me three tries to finally let go.

Inside the car, Qi Tongwei sat in the passenger seat, took out his phone from his pocket, and typed a short message.

"The second phase of the Guangmingfeng project should continue to be promoted, and we need to find a way to dismantle the Dafeng factory as soon as possible."