A man in Handong: living off Zhong Xiaoai

“Tongwei, listen to me. In Handong Province, no one knows the current situation of Tazhai better than me and Secretary Lichun.”

In an instant, Qi Tongwei's face turned deathly pale.

He had long known that behind Lin Yaodong was a huge, meticulously woven network.

However, Qi Tongwei did not expect that this network had become so large.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. Lin Yaodong led Tazhai to produce drugs throughout the entire village.

Despite rigorous screening, it has been recognized as a model village for drug control for seven consecutive years.

That's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that it's on the front page of all the major media outlets in Handong Province.

Significant portions of the articles are often devoted to various reports about Tazhai.

Just now, Liu Linzong said that no one understands the current situation of Tazhai better than me and Secretary Lichun.

This seemed to be Liu Linzong's best way of telling Qi Tongwei, as if Liu Linzong was telling Qi Tongwei something.

Zhao Lichun and I both know about the drug manufacturing in Tazhai; you don't need to concern yourself with it.

Liu Linzong smiled as he looked at Qi Tongwei, who was deep in thought, and continued.

"Tazhai was originally a very poor fishing village, but Comrade Lin Yaodong single-handedly turned the tide and led the whole village to prosperity. Now, the entire village of Tazhai has undergone tremendous changes, and every household has transformed. Tongwei, we should properly recommend the successful practices of advanced grassroots groups like Tazhai so that everyone can learn from them."

Qi Tongwei now fully understood why Liu Linzong had done him this favor.

Request flowers

He gasped, then confirmed it.

"Governor Liu, are you sure that Secretary Lichun is aware of these situations in Tazhai?"

Liu Linzong smiled and nodded.

"The model of Tazhai was gradually established under the instruction of Secretary Lichun."

After hearing Liu Linzong's words, Qi Tongwei's doubts were resolved.

However, he was now completely stunned.

It was as if I had been struck by lightning.

“Governor Liu, since you know the details of Tazhai, you should also know that there are still quite a few problems with some of their village’s specialties.”

Qi Tongwei's words were actually the most tactful way to say things without breaking off relations.

To Qi Tongwei's surprise, Liu Linzong suddenly smiled upon hearing this.

... ...

“Speaking of local specialties, Comrade Lin Yaodong came to my place yesterday and said he had prepared a small gift for you. Tongwei, you were unwilling to accept it, so I boldly accepted it on your behalf. I personally told Lin Yaodong yesterday that Director Qi is one of our own, and you can leave these local specialties with me and I will pass them on to him.”

As he spoke, Liu Linzong pointed to two large boxes on the side.

"These are all. They are a small token of appreciation from Comrade Lin Yaodong and the people of Tazhai. Please accept them."

Looking at the two huge, luxurious suitcases, Qi Tongwei knew very well that they were definitely not filled with local specialties.

“Governor Liu, I won’t take the local specialties. I come from the countryside and I’m terrified of poverty. After just two days in office, I don’t like using those things from the countryside anymore.”

With that, Qi Tongwei stood up, preparing to turn and leave.

Qi Tongwei's words were actually a veiled criticism that Liu Linzong had forgotten his roots after becoming a high-ranking official.

They actually managed to collude with Tazhai to do such a thing.

Unexpectedly, before Qi Tongwei could even leave Liu Linzong's office...

Liu Linzong's voice continued to come from behind him.

“Tongwei, Secretary Lichun and I often receive these local specialties. These aren't gifts, I want to emphasize again, these are all tokens of the people of Tazhai. Your promotion to vice-provincial level was just voted on at the provincial party committee meeting yesterday, and I think... From now on, we'll all be comrades in arms, so you should take these local specialties that Secretary Lichun and I often use. If you take them, I'll inform Lin Yaodong to have Tazhai regularly and in fixed quantities provide you, Qi Tongwei, with these specialties.”

Chapter 86 Lin Yaodong should change careers if he wants to live.

Qi Tongwei understood Liu Linzong's meaning perfectly.

Both Liu Linzong and Zhao Lichun had received benefits from Tazhai.

Once you take it, they're one of us, and they'll continue to provide you with these benefits in the long run.

If he doesn't take it himself, Liu Linzong can't guarantee his promotion to the vice-provincial level.

If this were said to Qi Tongwei in the original drama, he might not necessarily accept it or not.

However, Qi Tongwei is now embracing Zhong Xiaoai, with his father-in-law behind him, and he also has a system with him.

How could he possibly be afraid of such a threat?

Qi Tongwei's position as a vice-provincial level official was not arranged by Zhao Lichun and Liu Linzong.

We're giving them face by saying we're thanking them for their guidance, but in reality, it's all thanks to Professor Zhong.

To put it bluntly, in Xia Country, whose rice bowl isn't provided by Elder Zhong?

Qi Tongwei turned around with a smile.

“Governor Liu, I really don’t like local specialties. You should keep these ‘273’ local specialties for yourself.”

As he spoke, Qi Tongwei prepared to open the door and leave.

At this moment, Liu Linzong seemed to be getting a little anxious.

"Qi Tongwei, Tazhai's business is all about exports. We export to South Korea, Japan, and even Africa and Libya; we don't sell them domestically. These local specialties aren't as difficult to deal with as you think!"

Qi Tongwei turned around and saw that Liu Linzong was no longer sitting in his seat as before.

Instead, he stood up anxiously.

"Governor Liu, I drank some alcohol last night and I'm a little dizzy. I didn't understand what you meant."

After saying that, Qi Tongwei smiled, opened the door, and left Liu Linzong's office.

After Qi Tongwei left, Liu Linzong stared wide-eyed, frozen in place.

Qi Tongwei's position is very important. He is the director of the provincial police department. Once he becomes the vice-governor, his power will be greatly enhanced.

Let alone Qi Tongwei's unwillingness to join them in sharing the profits.

Even if Qi Tongwei was unaware of the Tazhai incident, it was still a huge hidden danger for Liu Linzong and the others.

Moreover, Qi Tongwei now knows everything, and if this matter is left unattended, it will have endless consequences.

Thinking of this, Liu Linzong picked up the phone.

Shortly after, Zhao Lichun's voice came through the phone.

"Hello? Lin Zong, what's up?"

"Secretary Lichun, I'm sorry to bother you so early in the morning."

"It's alright, Lin Zong, what's wrong?"

"Secretary Lichun, regarding Comrade Qi Tongwei's promotion to the vice-provincial level, I suggest you reconsider."

"What? This matter was already voted on at the provincial party committee meeting yesterday. I remember you voted in favor yesterday, so why are you raising objections now?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Linzong deliberately lowered his voice.

“Secretary Lichun, I just met with Qi Tongwei. He already knows about Tazhai. I was going to ask him to invest, but he refused.”

Zhao Lichun was surprised to hear Liu Linzong's words.

"What?! How could you be so stupid as to try to recruit Qi Tongwei? Who told Qi Tongwei the details of Tazhai?"

“Secretary Lichun, I don’t know. I still don’t understand how Qi Tongwei found out about Tazhai. We’ve kept this very well hidden and packaged it very well.”

"Lin Zong, you're being foolish! If Qi Tongwei finds out about this, the consequences will be very serious."

"I know, so I'm thinking, Secretary Lichun, should we sabotage Qi Tongwei's appointment as vice governor and then transfer him out of the provincial department to work elsewhere?"

"Governor Liu Linzong, you don't also think that I'm Qi Tongwei's backer, do you?"

At this moment, Zhao Lichun's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

Moreover, he mentioned Liu Linzong by name and addressed him as the governor.

This proves that Zhao Lichun is already very unhappy.

Liu Linzong smiled and continued.

"Secretary Lichun, isn't that right?"

"How could that be? Let me tell you, Qi Tongwei's wife is Zhong Lao's only daughter, and his position as a vice-provincial-level official was personally arranged by Zhong Lao!"

Upon hearing Zhao Lichun's words, Liu Linzong, who had been all smiles and beaming, suddenly dropped the microphone onto the table with a "bang."

At that moment, Liu Linzong felt incredibly stupid.

He's now the governor of a province, and he's seen all sorts of people in his life.

To his surprise, Qi Tongwei's background was incredibly powerful.

He was just in his office discussing how to divide the spoils; isn't that tantamount to turning himself in?

If Liu Linzong knew Qi Tongwei's true background, he would never have made the decision to keep the embezzled funds without authorization.

He had previously reviewed Qi Tongwei's file and found no evidence of any prominent connections within Qi Tongwei's family.

Therefore, Liu Linzong always thought that Qi Tongwei was just a peasant, and that his success was all due to his connection with Zhao Lichun, the provincial party secretary.

Unexpectedly, I misjudged the situation and did something so foolish.

Tazhai Village, Dongshan City.

Lin Yaodong was leisurely sipping tea in his room...

At that moment, Lin Yaohua entered.

"Uncle Dong, it's almost time to ship the goods. I wonder if Governor Liu has managed to win over Qi Tongwei yet?"

Upon hearing Lin Yaohua's words, Lin Yaodong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile.

“I’ve already found out from Governor Liu that Qi Tongwei’s backer is Zhao Lichun, the provincial party secretary. Governor Liu promised us that Qi Tongwei will definitely get those money.”

"That's great! Well, no matter how capable Qi Tongwei is, he's only a department-level official now, while Governor Liu is a provincial-level official. The two are far apart."

Looking at Lin Yaohua's smiling face, Lin Yaodong nodded.