Gao Yuliang Sided with Zhao Lichun

As Li Dakang and Lin Yanzhou's car headed toward the Provincial Party Committee compound, the lights in the deputy Party secretary's office were still on.

Gao Yuliang stood before the bookcase, his fingers stroking the hardcover set of The Fifteenth Year of Wanli, his expression conflicted.

He had long since received notice that Sha Ruijin would conduct a field visit tomorrow and that he would oversee work in his absence. He also knew this was his last chance to go and report.

His secretary slipped in quietly to refill his water, then hesitated, wanting to speak. Gao Yuliang merely waved him away, signaling for him to leave.

He was weighing his options. Sha Ruijin's decision to put him in charge was an open stratagem, a test, and an olive branch extended to him.

Accepting meant that, at least on the surface, he would need to draw closer to the new secretary and cut ties with Zhao Lichun's old system. That could buy him temporary stability, perhaps even a place in the new order.

But Qi Tongwei had called just half an hour earlier, his words full of speculation and unease about the purpose of Sha Ruijin's visit. He had once again mentioned Zhao Ruilong's and former Secretary Lichun's "expectations."

He had been aboard this ship for so many years. With interests tangled like roots and branches, how could he simply step off whenever he wished? Besides, deep down, he always regarded cadres "parachuted in" like Sha Ruijin with a trace of the disdain one scholar held for another, as well as a sliver of hope that he might get lucky.

In the end, he sat back down in his chair and stayed put.

He chose to gamble that Zhao Lichun's foundations would not crumble so quickly, that Sha Ruijin, newly arrived, would not dare move lightly against a deputy secretary who had spent years building his position in Handong.

He chose not to go.

That decision pushed him firmly onto the side opposing Sha Ruijin.

A knock sounded at the door of the provincial Party secretary's office.

"Come in."

Li Dakang and Lin Yanzhou entered one after the other.

"Secretary Ruijin, sorry to disturb your rest," Li Dakang said first.

"Comrade Dakang, Comrade Yanzhou, sit down." Sha Ruijin rose from behind his desk and warmly invited them to sit on the sofa, his gaze sweeping unobtrusively over them both.

"You've come this late because of the Guangming Peak Project, I take it? It seems Jingzhou's two leaders have come with a shared resolve."

The words were both an opening and a probe.

Li Dakang glanced at Lin Yanzhou. Seeing him nod slightly, he picked up the thread.

"Yes, Secretary Ruijin. The Guangming Peak Project is the top priority for Jingzhou's development, and a testing ground for Handong's transformation and upgrading. After extensive field research and discussion, Mayor Yanzhou and I have reached a consensus on several key issues. We felt we had to report to you immediately to ensure the project moves in the right direction under the Provincial Party Committee's strong leadership."

His remarks were watertight: they demonstrated unity, elevated the project's significance, and, above all, made clear the need for the "Provincial Party Committee's strong leadership."

Lin Yanzhou spoke next, going straight to the heart of the matter. "Secretary Sha, we believe the Guangming Peak Project's original approach of 'going all out and pushing ahead fast' carries hidden risks. We must shift to a new development model that emphasizes 'high quality, meticulous management, and sustainability.'"

"This involves adjustments to planning, innovation in financing, the introduction of industries, and even a realignment of vested interests. The resistance will be considerable. Without the Provincial Party Committee's explicit support, and especially you setting the tone, backing us, and bolstering our resolve, it will be very difficult to carry out the work."

Sha Ruijin listened attentively, his fingers tapping lightly on the sofa's armrest.

He picked up several key pieces of information: "consensus," "new model," "resistance," and "need for support."

He shifted in his seat. "It seems you've encountered concrete difficulties, rather than merely coming to report your ideas. Tell me, where does the greatest resistance come from? A lack of agreement, or other factors?"

Li Dakang and Lin Yanzhou exchanged a glance. Li Dakang took a deep breath and decided to stop beating around the bush.

"You see clearly, Secretary. Some problems accumulated during the project's early stages, particularly irregularities in land transfers and the admission of certain affiliated enterprises. These were left over from when Comrade Ding Yizhen was in charge. Now that we're trying to set things right, we've encroached on certain people's interests."

"We're concerned that, as we make deeper adjustments to the project, we'll encounter off-board moves-you can understand that as underhanded tactics outside the rules, maneuvers behind the scenes. It's a Go term."

He named no names, but the words "off-board moves" already pointed, however faintly, toward the forces entrenched beneath Handong's surface.

Sha Ruijin fell silent. He lifted his teacup, already understanding.

Li Dakang and Lin Yanzhou joining forces represented more than a consensus on work. It was also a political alliance. Having sensed a change in the winds at a higher level, they were taking the initiative to draw closer to him, the new secretary, seeking protection while also looking to use his strength to clear away obstacles.

Gao Yuliang's absence stood in stark contrast to the two men before him, who had taken the initiative to declare their allegiance.

The board suddenly seemed much clearer.

He set down his teacup. His voice was quiet, yet carried an unquestionable force:

"The Provincial Party Committee supports the Guangming Peak Project. This direction of high-quality development is entirely in line with the central leadership's guiding principles and addresses Handong's critical issues. Go ahead boldly and with confidence. As long as you act in the public interest, for development and for the people, the Provincial Party Committee will firmly support you against any resistance."

"The Provincial Party Committee means me. It means your strongest backing. The condition is that you do as you're told. If you don't, that's another matter."

Those words were both a pill to settle their nerves and a bugle call to charge. They put Lin Yanzhou's mind at ease. His greatest worry had been that the newly arrived secretary would meddle in the Guangming Peak Project or have other ideas and trade it away as a bargaining chip.