0039 45 “Uncle, it’s been a long time.”
The pines and cypresses sway in the wind, and the sounds of cars echo.
Ling Xingzhi stood on the stone road, watching a black car speeding through the winding mountain road in the forest, disappearing in a short while.
"It's too cruel to use such harsh methods on someone you once loved."
Ling Xingzhi turned his head and saw that the teahouse owner, Aunt Yao, had changed her clothes again. He smiled, turned back to look at the mountains and fields, and said, "I understand her. Coercion and bribery will always end faster than mutual grievances. I only care about the outcome of separation; the process doesn't matter."
Aunt Yao smiled but didn't say anything. She stood next to Ling Xingzhi and looked into the distance. She couldn't see the city's splendor, only a hazy expanse.
"Aunt Yao, I have something to do, I'll be going now."
After saying hello, Ling Xingzhi walked towards his car.
Back at the municipal party committee building, I received a confidential document from the central government announcing the holding of a new session of the Silk Road International Forum and the China Development Forum Annual Meeting. These are old projects; the forum themes are usually issued in mid-November each year, and the preparation phase is generally held before the Lunar New Year, including confirming invited guests and scheduling appointments. The forums are to be held after the Lunar New Year.
The theme of this year's forum is "Economic Recovery: Opportunities and Cooperation." Upon closer examination, this theme clearly lays the groundwork for hosting the upcoming World Cup. Inviting individuals with high public credibility undoubtedly endorses the World Cup and economic development—what is an opportunity? The World Cup, held every four years, is an experience China has never had before.
What is cooperation?
Cooperation in sports, and the sporting spirit of different countries.
In short, it's all just a matter of Sima Zhao's intentions.
Looking at the recent high-profile arrests of corrupt officials, the central government has instructed every media outlet to give special attention to the anti-corruption campaign. The reasons are threefold: first, to use the anti-corruption campaign to remove those within the General Administration of Sport who opposed hosting the World Cup; second, to eliminate potential rivals; and third, to make an example of them.
The General Administration of Sport doesn't have much power within the central government, so why are you taking action against such a small organization? The fallen officials of today will be your tomorrow.
Marxist philosophy is right: we must grasp both the principal and secondary contradictions, as well as the contradictions among the people and the contradictions between ourselves and the enemy.
—The High-Level Forum on Development is for the international community to see, for FIFA to see, for the European white pigs to see that China has money and land, and you also want us to host it, don't you?
We're ready, but you want a bribe?
Sorry, I don't have a single penny.
How can there be bribery in cooperation? We are on equal footing.
—The anti-corruption campaign and the crackdown on sports have sparked public enthusiasm, and this is meant to be seen by the people of China.
Look, the sports world is about to be reformed, and Chinese sports are about to develop!
Hosting the World Cup has boosted public confidence and improved the government's reputation. China is transforming into a world power—not just materially, but also spiritually and in terms of sportsmanship!
We must cultivate both internal and external strengths, and take a two-pronged approach.
Ling Xingzhi pondered this question in his office, finding it brilliant and ingenious. Political tactics were evident in every aspect, and political intentions were hidden in every action. However, he was also troubled. Although the event was hosted by the central government and held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the safety and travel arrangements of the attendees rested on his shoulders as the municipal party secretary. Having just experienced a military parade, he felt a sense of unease.
Thinking this, he lit a cigarette, and after the nicotine entered his lungs, he felt much better.
Walking to the window and looking at the cars and people outside, Xingzhi felt a sense of panic.
But for some reason, Zhou Xiye's words and her contemptuous expression at the time surfaced in her mind—"You got to this position because of my father, but I got here on my own. My biggest enemy is not you, but your father."
These words and this scene had appeared countless times in Ling Xingzhi's dreams.
Like parasitic vines, they entwined him tightly, making it impossible for him to breathe.
Ling Xingzhi took a deep drag of his cigarette, his eyes fogged up, and then exhaled.
A round little ladybug flew onto his arm, and Ling Xingzhi looked down as it strolled across his skin.
Ling Xingzhi moved the back of his hand, but the ladybug didn't fly away. He frowned, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and used his other hand to crush the ladybug to death. Looking at the ladybug's corpse on his fingertip, he suddenly raised an eyebrow.
Her weaknesses were exposed in front of Zhou Xiye, so what... could be the thing that could manipulate Zhou Xiye?
In other words, what are her weaknesses?
Ling Xingzhi laughed, shaking his head in self-reproach. How could he not have thought of that? Was he the ladybug that landed on his arm and refused to fly away, or the hand that crushed the ladybug? He turned around, cigarette dangling from his lips, and walked to his desk, pulling out a tissue to wipe his hands.
That's right, how could Ling Xingzhi be manipulated by a mere director like Zhou Xiye? She's human, she has weaknesses too!
He threw away the paper, stubbed out his cigarette, and fell into deep thought. Not long after, he called his secretary, Li Qingshan, and said, "Help me draft a document."
Is the game of thrones fun? — Yes, it is. Zhou Xiye, playing black, makes the first move. Ling Xingzhi is not a little ant that can be easily rubbed on the ground, nor is he a little ladybug that can be crushed to death — White is forced to move.
November in Beijing seemed calm for quite some time, but beneath the calm surface, there were always undercurrents.
"What do you think should be done about the World Cup? Should you support it or oppose it?"
When Ye Lifeng asked that question, Zhou Xiye knew he already had the answer, but was just waiting for hers. Tests are everywhere.
"The higher-ups have put on such a grand show, they must be determined to do it. They've taken care of both internal and external factors. If it doesn't happen in the end, it would be a shameful thing, and they absolutely won't allow it to happen."
Ye Lifeng nodded upon hearing Zhou Xiye's words.
"That's what I think too. Putting aside those useless people at the General Administration of Sport, the fact that the trip was suddenly arranged to France, Germany, and England means it's definitely not just about international exchanges. These countries are not only powerful nations, but also football powerhouses. I'm sure it's about learning from their experience and meeting with FIFA officials."
Zhou Xiye frowned. "A trip abroad? Are you going too?"
Ye Lifeng glanced at Zhou Xiye, then lowered his head to fiddle with his bracelet. "No one has made a decision, not even Ling Qingyun. I wonder what kind of game they're playing up there."
"Hmm... Minister Ye, have you found out who was behind the Forbidden City incident?"
Ye Lifeng paused, his gaze towards Zhou Xiye full of amusement, "Did Ling Xingzhi tell you?"
"Um."
"Heh, you're quite something... They couldn't find out anything, but they just found someone to take the blame and executed them inside," Ye Lifeng said, then thought for a moment, "You've been getting quite close to Yi Chenling lately?"
"Yes, his father wants to use me to cooperate with you."
Ye Lifeng threw down the bracelet and sighed, "He's too obvious now. Yi Shuyuan from the central bank has been getting along very well with Ji Qingzhou from the Ministry of Finance lately. If I go to help him, I'll just be asking for trouble."
Zhou Xiye hesitated for a moment, then tentatively said, "Why don't you give it a try? Even if you can't help with this, it might come in handy someday. It's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy."
Ye Lifeng suddenly became interested, "Then tell me, how can I become friends with him?"
Zhou Xiye smiled. "This is simple. The central bank and the Ministry of Finance argued first, and then the General Administration of Sport was investigated. Yi Shuyuan probably didn't expect the higher-ups to be so determined to hold the World Cup. Now he's in a dead end. You step in to mediate and act as a peacemaker. This will not only help Yi Shuyuan out of his predicament so that he can continue to serve as the governor of the central bank, but it will also show the higher-ups that you agree to hold the World Cup. This will gain Qingyun's trust more than just having him blindly obey."
After listening to Zhou Xiye's words, Ye Lifeng remained silent for a long time, but he started to play with the bracelet in his hand, making a clear and rhythmic sound.
Seeing that he didn't react, Zhou Xiye poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Ye Lifeng, the aroma of the tea filling the air.
Ye Lifeng picked up his teacup but didn't drink it. He just looked up and stared intently at Zhou Xiye. "The Beijing Liaison Office is ultimately a small place and can't withstand your meddling."
Zhou Xiye smiled at him.
Ye Lifeng put down his teacup, poured some tea, and wrote a few words on the table.
A sudden autumn wind blew up outside the window, swirling the fallen leaves on the ground.
Li Qingshan stood up and hurriedly closed the window. The smog in downtown Beijing had long been controlled, but the autumn wind was annoying, and people couldn't fight against it.
"Secretary, let's go."
Ling Xingzhi nodded. The two were going to meet with the country's largest real estate developer. With the new district plan for Beijing—the Xiong'an New Area—the arrangement and meeting housing needs were urgent.
The location is the New Century Nikko Hotel.
After getting out of the car, the doorman opened the door, and Ling Xingzhi and Li Qingshan walked inside.
The meeting was to be held in a conference room on the seventh floor. Residential buildings always pay attention to feng shui, with seven up and eight down, and even conference rooms are subject to this principle.
Following the hotel manager and staff through the red-carpeted corridor, with rooms on both sides, our feet made no sound as we walked on the carpet.
Suddenly, the door in front opened, and a man dressed in white, disheveled, walked out.
The hotel manager and staff were taken aback, and the security guards behind them also came forward.
Upon closer inspection, the disheveled man turned out to be Yi Chenling, the son of the bank's president.
The steps of the person who had been walking slowly came to a stop.
The two exchanged a glance. Yi Chenling had injuries on his face, a strange expression, his shirt unbuttoned, and his cheeks flushed, as if it had happened recently, or as if he had been beaten. The door behind Yi Chenling wasn't closed properly, and Ling Xingzhi inadvertently saw Zhou Xiye putting on his coat.
He stopped in his tracks. The corridor was narrow, and a group of people followed Ling Xingzhi and stopped, not knowing why.
"Uncle, it's been a long time."
Yi Chenling greeted him with a half-smile, while Ling Xingzhi's smile remained calm and composed. "I'm thirteen years older than you. I couldn't have had a son as big as you when I was thirteen."
Yi Chenling curled his lip and shrugged indifferently.
The door behind him was fully opened, and Zhou Xiye appeared in front of Ling Xingzhi.
He squinted and gave the woman a rather imposing once-over. She must have just been satiated; there were bite marks on her neck. Immediately afterward, the smile on Ling Xingzhi's lips faded considerably.
Yi Chenling astutely caught the change in Ling Xingzhi's expression, raised his arm and put it around Zhou Xiye, "My girlfriend and I are staying here in a hotel. Uncle Ling, are you here on business?"
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I took a quick look and it seems that more kids are talking about the plot!
Ha ha ha ha
I've also written a little bit of a side story, which I'll post on Weibo tomorrow!
In addition, I will repost the articles to Aifadian when I have time, so that it will be easier for those who have difficulty posting on their own.
Hope everyone watches the official version!
Of course, the main focus is still on posting updates~
Love to generate electricity: The Great General of the Universe
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