official career

Chapter 2997 This is an inevitable trend

The two sat on the sofa and chatted for a while about everyday things, really everyday things. Qin Feng asked Zhao Hongjian where his grandfather was spending the New Year this year. Zhao Hongjian told Qin Feng that because he couldn't go back to Jiangnan Province for the New Year, his brother Zhao Hongkang had already taken his grandfather to Beijing to celebrate the New Year.

The two chatted for a while. Because they were at home, they were uninhibited. Although Qin Feng and Zhao Hongjian had many opportunities to meet, they rarely talked about private matters.

After finishing their business, Qin Feng gave Zhao Hongjian a detailed report on the various tasks in Shazhou and his work plan for next year. Qin Feng emphasized the current political situation in Shazhou, which was very important.

After Qin Feng finished his report, Zhao Hongjian took out a cigarette from the cigarette pack on the table and lit it. Qin Feng knew that Zhao Hongjian was about to get down to business.

"I just got back from a meeting in Beijing. I spent two days there, and besides the meeting, I also met with Vice Minister Hong and Secretary Hu," Zhao Hongjian said slowly, puffing on his cigarette.

"That matter has finally been settled," Zhao Hongjian said after exhaling a puff of smoke.

Qin Feng was stunned, wondering which "that matter" Zhao Hongjian was referring to.

Qin Feng was stunned for several seconds before he finally realized what Zhao Hongjian meant by "that matter".

Qin Feng was very excited and asked, "Really? You mean the governor's matter?"

“Yes, it’s been decided at the higher-ups. It’s just a matter of going through the formalities. This matter is still top secret. This is what Vice Minister Hong told me privately when I went to Beijing.” Zhao Hongjian smiled as well.

"Is it because of this that the higher-ups said your main leaders are not allowed to leave their posts during the Spring Festival?" Qin Feng keenly connected the dots.

Zhao Hongjian nodded: "Yes, we still don't know whether the higher-ups will announce Feng Li'an's transfer order before or after the New Year. Although this matter is currently classified, you know that if even you know, then anyone who wants to know must know as well. So... Gansu and Liangzhou provinces will definitely not be peaceful during this period. The higher-ups have also realized this, which is why they gave us this order."

Qin Feng pondered Zhao Hongjian's words carefully without saying anything.

"Any doubts?"

"Brother, if the higher-ups were just considering this matter, I could understand why Ganliang was unsettled. But now that the higher-ups have already decided on this, why is Ganliang still unsettled? What's the point of being unsettled now? Can they change the decision of the higher-ups? Doing so will only make the higher-ups angrier, right?" Qin Feng didn't understand.

“Your logic is correct, but it’s not comprehensive.” Zhao Hongjian shook his head and continued, “Yes, the higher-ups hadn’t finalized the adjustment yet; they were just discussing it. So when they made a fuss, their goal was to change the decision made by the higher-ups.”

“A lot of things happened in Ganliang during that period, including the fire at the sports center in your Shazhou. On the surface, it was to attack you, but actually, attacking you was not the goal.”

"The higher-ups want to transfer Feng Li'an away and then transfer Comrade Pei Qinglin over. This requires a lot of negotiation. Such a big thing cannot be done easily. And if you get into trouble during this process, you will give the other side a handle."

“Because you were transferred here by Vice Minister Hong and his team, if you have a problem, then it's Vice Minister Hong and his team’s problem, right? If Vice Minister Hong and his team have a problem, then it means their judgment of the entire Gansu-Liangzhou province is flawed, and that will put the adjustment of the governor position in Gansu-Liangzhou province in a passive position. That’s their real goal.” Zhao Hongjian slowly smoked his cigarette.

"To be honest, their move last time was very cunning, putting us on the defensive immediately. Vice Minister Hong and I studied this matter for a long time, and I also approached Cao Fanyi, offering him a great deal in the hope that he would not get involved. But I never expected that your desperate move would completely resolve the matter."

"It was because you completely resolved that crisis that the higher-ups were able to finalize the matter smoothly this time."

“When I went to Beijing this time, Vice Minister Hong was still praising you. He said that if it weren’t for your crucial intervention, the situation wouldn’t be so optimistic now. But you shouldn’t get too cocky. I’ve said it before, if you want to go far, you have to take it one step at a time. Your desperate methods might win you temporarily, but in the long run, you’ll suffer losses and won’t go very far.” Zhao Hongjian didn’t forget to continue lecturing Qin Feng.

"I know, I won't do that again. I was forced to do it back then." Qin Feng nodded.

"Let's get back to the main point. During that period, their goal was to cause trouble at the lower levels to obstruct the adjustments made to Gansu and Liangzhou provinces by the higher authorities, as you have noticed. Now, the higher authorities have already decided on this matter. Although the final procedures haven't been followed, the matter is a done deal."

“Logically speaking, they should have stopped and shouldn’t have caused any more trouble, right? But in reality, things aren’t that simple. If you put yourself in their shoes, you wouldn’t think that way. On the contrary, this period should be the most dangerous time,” Zhao Hongjian continued.

Qin Feng listened attentively, but he couldn't quite grasp what was going on.

"Why did the higher authorities adjust the leadership team of Gansu and Liangshan provinces? Why was Feng Li'an transferred away and Pei Qinglin transferred here? And going back a little further, why were you and I transferred to Gansu and Liangshan?"

“If you and I can see this so clearly, why can’t they see it clearly? Once Feng Li’an is transferred away and Pei Qinglin arrives, the power balance in the entire Gansu-Liangzhou province will be completely broken. Won’t they become fish on the chopping block?” Zhao Hongjian asked.

"I understand what you mean, but I really can't figure out what they can do. It's already been decided by the higher-ups, what can they do? It wouldn't make any sense, would it?" Qin Feng still didn't understand.

“Indeed, what the higher-ups have decided is the inevitable trend. No matter how much you jump around in the face of the trend, it won’t make much difference. However, this is our view. From their perspective, they may not see it that way. No one will choose to wait for death. Even a cornered dog will jump over the wall. They will always make a last-ditch effort because once Comrade Pei Qinglin arrives, they won’t even have the chance to struggle anymore.” Zhao Hongjian nodded.

"Why are you struggling?" Qin Feng asked, puzzled.

“They know that once Pei Qinglin takes office, the power structure in the province will tilt in our favor, and we will definitely take action against them. So their only option is to act before Comrade Pei Qinglin arrives.”

"Make a move? Make a move against whom?" Qin Feng asked again.

“You,” Zhao Hongjian said.

"Me?" Qin Feng asked in surprise.

“Yes, it’s you. They’re making a last-ditch effort, and you’re the only target. Only by eliminating you can they have any hope of survival,” Zhao Hongjian nodded.