Chapter 184

Jingcheng, the military district compound.

Busy with official duties, Lin Zhenhua rarely found time to come out and play a game of chess with his old father; one careless move, and the old father set up an empty cannon in the center, forcing him to sacrifice a chariot to protect the general.

The old father smiled meaningfully: "On the chessboard you can sacrifice a chariot to protect the general, but in real life, if you do that, people will surely curse you behind your back for burning bridges and showing no mercy."

"Who did I sacrifice?"

"Jingzhong was transferred to Xirong; he didn't say anything on the surface—could he really have no thoughts at all? I guess Jingzhong would think: They took your army, and you handed over the chariot with both hands—you're really magnanimous!"

By the end, the old father had a hint of mockery.

Lin Zhenhua remained as steady and composed as ever, disliking petty arguments and idle talk, his focus entirely on the chessboard.

He placed a piece steadily, turning the tide and bringing the dead back to life!

Seeing him revive his own piece, the old father smiled with relief: "After all, he's still a member of the Lin Family, not yet so foolish as to be beyond help."

Lin Zhenhua also felt relieved.

But his relief wasn't because he himself had found a way out on the chessboard; it was because Liang Jingzhong had found a way out in Xirong Province.

A newly appointed official, before his seat was even warm, became a pivotal figure who turned the tide.

Lin Zhenhua commented with mixed feelings: "This earthquake caused 15,000 civilian homes to collapse, yet the direct death toll from the quake was zero—unprecedented in human history. Thanks to that tide‑turning anti‑seismic drill, Jingzhong has already secured his position; you can relax now."

"Is he the one who turned the tide? You're trying to kill me with laughter."

Thinking back on the anti‑seismic drill's beginnings and end, the old father's eyebrows danced with delight.

With a proud face he emphasized: "If it weren't for my eldest grandson's foresight, who knows how many would have died in this earthquake; this time my eldest grandson literally pulled Jingzhong out of danger."

"No one denies Dongfan's merit; what are you competing for?" Lin Zhenhua, unsmiling, when discussing the merits and faults of family members, has an innate sense of balance.

The old father declared righteously: "Merit deserves reward; I will give Dongfan a courtyard house. I've already blown the cowhide—this money will come from the two of you."

"You went around in such a big circle just for a courtyard house?" Lin Zhenhua, rarely showing a hint of a relaxed smile: "Fine, I'll pay the money."

"Also."

"What else do you want me to award? Say it all at once."

"The Nanzhou case was handled sloppily; my eldest grandson feels uneasy. I suggest giving him a position of real authority; once he's settled, send him back to Nanzhou to wreak havoc."

"His current rank is too low; he can't sit in a position of real authority in the Anti‑Corruption Bureau."

"You can't promote him, right?"

"He's merely a section chief level; even if promoted to deputy section chief, what real authority could he have in the Bureau? Growth takes time."

"Who wants a deputy section chief? A section chief!"

The old father glared, his death‑like stare instantly leaving Lin Zhenhua speechless.

At that moment, Xie Yunxin, who was about to go out, interjected casually: "Our family's Dongfan has seniority and merit—why can't he be promoted to section chief? Old Lin, don't make the old father unhappy."

"Let me think about it."

Lin Zhenhua's considerations ultimately boiled down to the four words 'down‑to‑earth'.

He hoped Lin Dongfan would advance step by step, steady and solid, for after all, taking too big a step easily leads to trouble, leaving room for future criticism.

As noon approached, Lin Dongfan and Chu Lingxi arrived in Jingcheng.

Lin Zhenhua specially ordered a relatively private room at a private‑chef restaurant, and the whole family gathered around a table to drink and share feelings.

At the table, nobody talked about work.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and gone home, Lin Zhenhua kept Lin Dongfan behind for a private chat to ask about the specific situation in Nanzhou.

Lin Dongfan frankly reported: "The 9·28 case was handled haphazardly, wrapped up hastily. On the surface, they arrested Xiao Yunze, Cheng Dao, Dai Fengnian, Wang Minjuan, and others. But in fact, the truth of the forest fire is still being suppressed; that Wang Minjuan will likely regain her freedom soon."

All of this seemed already anticipated by Lin Zhenhua.

Lin Zhenhua pressed: "Gao Peng's doing this—is it merely to protect the economy and promote development, or is there some hidden motive?"

"What he can say openly is certainly to protect the economy and promote development; as for whether he has any other hidden motives in private, that needs thorough investigation."

He paused briefly.

Lin Dongfan smiled lightly: "However, Gao Peng's sister Gao Lu is indeed a genuine hidden tycoon of Nanzhou, with interests ranging from real estate to fuel and chemicals."

Upon hearing that, Lin Zhenhua pondered and asked Lin Dongfan: "The case hasn't been cleared up, it was hastily closed, and you were transferred out of Jianglan Province—do you feel a bit stifled?"

"To be honest, it's not just a little stifling—it's very stifling." Lin Dongfan chuckled and complained: "Uncle, you're… well, never mind—I'll say something you don't want to hear: you're not as helpful as my great‑uncle. When he was in Jianglan, he outright told me to let loose and go for it, giving strong support without reservation."

"You little brat, you're even blaming me now."

Lin Zhenhua simply thought Lin Dongfan was inexperienced and didn't understand what it means to be lonely at the top.

So he laughed and eased his mind: "The position of chief of the first investigation division of the Anti‑Corruption Bureau—do you dare to take it?"

"You still underestimate me? Our Lin Family has no weaklings." Lin Dongfan had already guessed—his uncle was worried he couldn't wield the power of that position.

Lin Dongfan further declared: "Give me a fulcrum, and I can truly lever the Earth for you—don't believe me? Try it."

"Fine, I'll give you this fulcrum."

Seeing Lin Dongfan full of confidence, Lin Zhenhua's worries lessened.

Lin Zhenhua patted Lin Dongfan's shoulder: "Within six months, if you can steady this position, you may return to Jianglan to conduct a major cleanup; otherwise you must stay honestly in Jingcheng and not interfere in Jianglan's affairs."

"Uncle, this is what you said—don't go back on your word when the time comes."

At first, Lin Dongfan truly couldn't understand Lin Zhenhua's concerns.

Although Gao Peng was Nanzhou's number one, he was only a deputy bureau‑level official—how could we not just take him down? The next day, when reporting to the new unit, we finally realized that this 'number one' was no simple matter.

Just arrived.

Seeing the few people in the office lounging about lazily.

Seeing the new leader not even utter a greeting.

Lin Dongfan asked: "Why are you all listless? Don't you welcome me?"

Unexpectedly, someone sneered: "You're the big shot who took on a ministerial‑level opponent as a section chief, yet you claim you don't even put Nanzhou's number one in your eyes—how impressive! Our spirit can't compare to yours."

The office atmosphere instantly turned icy and hostile to the extreme.

Besides him Lin Dongfan, there was only one deputy section chief, and six subordinates of varying ranks.

Altogether eight people.

This sarcastic person was Deputy Section Peng Tianhua, a slick old-timer in his forties.

Damn it!

I just arrived, and you didn't even bother with a proper welcome ceremony, that would have been fine, but you also want to give me a hard time as a newcomer, really not treating cadres like dumplings, huh?!

I'm not the Taizheng Section anymore!

I'm a section chief!

I'm a section chief who enjoys deputy bureau-level treatment!

Lin Dongfan swept his gaze over the seven subordinates present, bluntly throwing down a power move: "I'll give you three minutes to tidy up the cases at hand; within three minutes, the meeting will be held in the conference room!"