37: Chapter 37 It's time for her to make her appearance.

The rain outside was falling steadily, and the window glass was covered with water droplets.

No main lights were on inside the room; only an eye-protection desk lamp emitted a cold white light.

Tian Limin leaned back against the leather chair.

The red-headed document in front of him was turned to the last page.

The four characters "Reservations Held" had already dried, but the handwriting was forceful enough to penetrate the paper, carrying a determination to burn all bridges.

Looking at the document, he couldn't help but recall that day six years ago when Jiangnan Province was gripped by paranoia and fear.

His old leader had been taken away from his office by The Capital's Discipline Inspection Commission, and Tian Limin had sat in his office all night.

Under a fallen nest, how could there be any whole eggs?

Those who used to surround him with flattery avoided him like the plague.

To protect himself, he had carried two boxes of top-grade wild ginseng and knocked on the door of the then-Governor Liu's home in the dead of night.

Governor Liu was over sixty, facing retirement to the second line, and had an extreme thirst for the remaining warmth of power.

He was a shrewd broker who only made deals that were guaranteed to profit without loss.

Tian Limin had offered his allegiance and stood in the study for three hours before receiving a simple "Go back and focus on your work" in return.

With the protection of the number-two leader, he was not implicated in his old leader's case; instead, he rose against the tide and secured his position as the Municipal Party Committee Secretary.

But investments come with high depreciation rates.

One year and four months later, Governor Liu reached the end of his term and stepped down.

Once the person leaves, the tea cools.

Over the past five years, people had cycled through the Provincial Party Committee Compound like a revolving lantern, and he had become a flying insect unable to find a dock.

Division Chief Liu Haiping of the Provincial Government Office gave orders by relying on the lingering influence of the old master of Liu Family, and he had simply let it happen.

Liu Xiaolei's entry into the Municipal Party Committee Office was also done by Mayor Su Changming following a subtle hint from him.

When Zhu Wenhao was reassigned to the Organization Department, Division Chief Liu Haiping had made a call to help arrange it as well.

Having done all this, Tian Limin was very clear-headed: the sinking ship of Liu Family could not weather the storms of Jiangnan Province.

He knew even better that Minister Xiao Dingyu of the Provincial Organization Department looked down on him; the two of them had not gotten along when they worked together in Linjiang.

And he, Tian Limin, looked down even more on someone like Secretary Zhu Tianhe, who relied on connections and background to reach his current position.

Two days ago, Mayor Su Changming had suddenly extended an olive branch.

He yielded the position of Executive Vice Mayor cleanly and decisively.

He heard that Mayor Su Changming had connections in the province, and he wanted to use this connection to break through the barriers of Jiangnan Province.

Transactions in the arena of power were always cold math problems.

The price Mayor Su Changming offered was high enough, and he had no reason to refuse.

As for Secretary Zhu Tianhe, this newly promoted Deputy Secretary, he was merely an ornament to show the unity of the leadership team.

The position in the Development and Reform Commission would go to Director Liu Yuejin.

The position of Executive Vice Mayor would go to Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang.

He had calculated this game of chess flawlessly.

There were two knocks on the door, and the secretary pushed it open slightly.

"Secretary, Secretary Zhu has arrived."

"Let him in."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe stepped inside, his suit jacket unbuttoned, his steps a bit heavier than usual.

The two sat down on the guest sofa, and tea had already been prepared.

Tian Limin picked up the recommendation document for the Development and Reform Commission and casually tossed it onto the coffee table.

"Tianhe."

He picked up his purple clay cup, using the lid to brush away the floating froth. "Do you have an issue with the organization?"

Secretary Zhu Tianhe remained silent.

"If you have thoughts, let's talk openly and honestly. Our principle is to practice democracy; we cannot have covert wars within our leadership team."

Tian Limin's tone carried the tolerance and warning of a superior.

"Fortunately, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai is a sensible person and intercepted the materials. If they were really forwarded to the higher authorities for filing according to the procedure, wouldn't that make Linjiang a laughingstock to the Provincial Organization Department?"

"Who would bear this responsibility?"

Secretary Zhu Tianhe leaned back on the sofa and picked up his cup to take a sip of water.

He didn't take the bait.

Having started as a bricklayer, he knew best when to remain silent.

At the negotiating table, the one who speaks first reveals their hand.

Seeing that he was unmoved, Tian Limin set down his teacup.

"Tianhe, if you have any thoughts, you can speak them directly. It's all for the development of Linjiang."

Only then did Secretary Zhu Tianhe set down his water cup and look directly into Tian Limin's eyes.

"Secretary, I took a look at the roster of division-level cadres in the city today. Director Han of the Municipal Public Security Bureau is about that age, and he has submitted reports to retire to the second line several times. We can't keep dragging this out."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's tone was steady.

"We need to find a suitable person to take over the burden of the bureau."

Tian Limin's brain calculated rapidly.

He wants to make a move on the Public Security Bureau?

Once Director Han retired, the position would be vacant. The Executive Deputy Director was his loyal supporter, and Deputy Director Police Chief Li Jianguo was Secretary Zhu Tianhe's childhood friend.

There was room for negotiation.

As long as he spoke, there was room for a deal.

Tian Limin already made a judgment in his mind: each would be promoted by one level, with the Executive Deputy Director taking over as Director, and Police Chief Li Jianguo taking over as Executive Deputy Director. The account of the Development and Reform Commission would thus be settled.

"Comrade Li Jianguo has served as Deputy Director for many years, with excellent professional skills and has been awarded merits many times."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe spoke unhurriedly, emphasizing every single word.

"It would be safest for him to take over as Director."

Tian Limin's hand holding the tea froze.

This appetite exceeded his expectations.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe did not pause and continued to raise the stakes.

"Comrade Wang Haitao of the Development and Reform Commission is not suited to remain in his original unit. The position of Political Commissar of the Municipal Public Security Bureau is suitable for him. It is only reasonable for him to handle ideological and political work."

An insatiable demand!

Tian Limin slammed his teacup heavily onto the table, splashing a few drops of tea.

"Tianhe!"

His tone grew heavy, no longer pretending.

"The public security system has its unique nature. Doing this is not conducive to internal unity!"

He pointed directly to the crucial point, throwing down his trump card.

"Wang Haitao comes from an economic background. He has never worn a police uniform, nor has he even touched a gun. He has absolutely no experience in managing public security!"

The reasoning was flawless.

But Tian Limin did not refuse outright, only leaving a sentence.

"Personnel arrangements are not a business deal; they require comprehensive consideration. Let me think it over again."

This meant: the price is too high, lower it before we talk again.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe understood that the game of wearing each other down had begun.

He finished the last sip of tea in his cup and stood up.

"I'll leave the decision to you, Secretary. I'll head back first."

Without any hesitation, he turned and left the room.

Returning to his office, Secretary Zhu Tianhe locked the door, walked to the window, lit a cigarette, and dialed his son's number.

"He didn't agree."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe recounted the confrontation just now.

"He's only willing to consider it. He's using work experience to block Wang Haitao and internal unity to block Li Jianguo."

From the other end of the phone, the sound of keyboard typing came through, with a brisk rhythm.

"As expected."

Zhu Yuntong's speaking pace was steady.

"An old politician won't release the falcon until he sees the hare. Unless he is pushed into a corner, he will never spit out the meat in his mouth."

"The Provincial Party Committee can't really submit the written comments. If they actually do, it will be a mutual defeat," Secretary Zhu Tianhe said, blowing a smoke ring.

"We don't want mutual destruction. What we seek is power, not a fight to the death."

Zhu Yuntong's fingers left the keyboard.

In the ming dynasty court, factional struggles were never about reasoning, but about finding the opponent's fatal weakness.

Tian Limin thought he could stand aloof as an elevated referee, but he forgot that the platform the referee stands on is also made of wood.

As long as the platform is set on fire, the referee will have to step down and put it out himself.

"It's time to make Secretary Tian make up his mind. Dad, wait for my call back."

He hung up the phone, his fingertips scrolling through his contacts, finally stopping at a name.

The call was dialed.