Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

afternoon.

The warm sun shone brightly over Yanjing.

The New Year's market was packed with people and bustling with activity.

The small shops along the street offer a wide variety of agricultural and sideline products.

Dried mushrooms from Northeast China, seafood from the South, beef and mutton from Northwest China, and tonics from Southwest China…

Traditional crafts such as dough figurines, clay figurines, paper-cutting, sugar painting, and calligraphy are also on display and for sale.

The street was bustling with people.

Zhong Zhengguo was wearing a thick coat, a fleece-lined hat, and two scarves wrapped around his neck.

This kind of outfit is no different from that of ordinary people.

No one knew that Zhong Zhengguo, the high-ranking and powerful Secretary of the Hantong Province, would also come to visit the market.

As a native of Yanjing (Beijing).

He especially enjoys visiting the local markets around the time of the Lunar New Year.

"Dad, it looks like there's a performance up ahead!"

Zhong Xiaoai called out a reminder.

"Heh, let's go take a look."

With his hands in his pockets, Zhong Zhengguo followed his daughter and son-in-law through the crowded streets to an open area next to the imitation ancient city wall.

Inside the railing, a group of old men were playing gongs and drums, while several performers dressed as Peking Opera artists were preparing.

There were also a few people dressed in red and green, walking in circles on stilts.

His gaze drifted to the other side.

It seemed more lively there.

Many adults and children were busy playing the ring toss game.

You throw out plastic rings one by one, and if they land on something on the ground, you can take it away.

The further inside you go, the more valuable the items will be.

Cheers and shouts of joy rose and fell.

A series of clanging sounds rang out.

The Peking Opera performance has begun.

Zhong Zhengguo watched the performance intently, occasionally humming along.

Zhong Xiaoai affectionately linked arms with her father.

"When it comes to the festive atmosphere of the New Year, it has to be the old Beijing, which is both rich and authentic."

"If this were Dongjingzhou in Han Dynasty, where would you find such a lively place to stroll around!"

Zhong Zhengguo smiled and nodded.

"Fortunately, I'll be transferred back soon."

"I really hope to stay in Yanjing from now on and never go anywhere else."

Zhong Xiaoai understood the double meaning in her father's words and smiled confidently:

"Don't worry, there won't be any problem."

puff~

An elderly stilt walker suddenly started breathing fire.

Flames shot out, their light dazzling.

Countless people around cheered loudly.

Hou Liangping was very excited.

"Speaking fire while walking on stilts—that's a skill only veteran performers possess!"

"Not bad, not bad, you've got some skill!"

Zhong Zhengguo nodded repeatedly.

The family of three watched the performance intently, their joy evident in their expressions.

Completely unaware, the three of them had their phones ringing incessantly.

The three did not leave until the performance ended.

Passing through the city gate, I encountered someone selling candied hawthorns.

Seeing Zhong Xiaoai's greedy look, Hou Liangping took out his wallet to pay.

That's when I noticed the phone screen was lit up.

"Oh, I have a missed call. It's from Uncle Ge."

"Uncle Ge? Then you should call him back right away!"

After handing the vendor two yuan, Hou Liangping put his wallet in his pocket and immediately called back.

"Hey Uncle Ge, Happy New Year..."

"Has your father-in-law returned to Yanjing and is he with you?"

"Yes, he's back for New Year's Day. We're browsing the market right now. Would you like to come and join us? It's so lively here."

Upon hearing this, Old Ge on the other end of the phone almost died of anger on the spot.

After taking a deep breath, he said in a deep voice:

"You're at the market, right? That explains why you weren't answering my calls. Give him your phone; I need to talk to him about something."

"Yeah, okay."

Hou Liangping smiled and handed the phone to his father-in-law with both hands.

"Uncle Ge said he has something to tell you."

Zhong Zhengguo was chewing on a candied hawthorn that his daughter was feeding him.

It's both sour and sweet, and incredibly refreshing.

"Has Old Ge come up with a solution?"

Zhong Zhengguo took the phone with great anticipation.

"Old Ge, this is my son, Xiao Zhong."

"Buying New Year's goods, watching operas, tasting snacks, playing games. You, the Secretary of Handong Province, are really having a great time!"

Hearing the perfectly matched banter, Zhong Zhengguo chuckled while chewing on a candied hawthorn:

"It's a three-day New Year's Day holiday, so I came back to spend time with the kids."

"Get together? Hmph, I bet you can't stand being in Handong for even a day. Your heart has already flown back to Yanjing, hasn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhengguo's smile instantly froze.

A question instantly popped into my head.

Did Mr. Ge find out that I had taken two days off early to return to Yanjing?

Even if we knew, what difference would it make?

Once you reach your current position, why would you need to go to work every day?

"Old Ge, has something happened?"

"You actually dare to ask me? Don't you know about Handong, which is under your jurisdiction?"

"Handong? What happened in Handong?"

"you!!"

On the other end of the phone, Mr. Ge was so angry that his blood pressure skyrocketed.

Quickly pinch your philtrum to prevent yourself from fainting.

Zhong Zhengguo quickly searched his memory.

It seems like nothing major has happened in Handong lately!

If I had to pick one, Zhao Lichun had called me and said that a mining accident had occurred at an illegal small coal mine in Lincheng.

But in Lincheng, mining accidents happen every year, so it's nothing new.

I was on the phone at the time and instructed him to handle it properly.

As per past practice.

Why not just carry out a rescue operation, comfort the families of the mine victims, arrest a few people, sentence them to prison, and that would be enough?

What other major event could there be besides this?

Could it be that a long-distance bus carrying migrant workers returning home for the Spring Festival has been involved in a major traffic accident in Handong Province?

Even if a major accident occurs, there are procedures for handling it. As the top official of the province, I don't even need to go to the scene; there are plenty of people who will handle it.

So what could have made Old Ge so angry?

Just as Zhong Zhengguo was puzzled.

A gruff voice came from the phone, demanding an answer.

"I'm asking you, are you aware that a major mining accident occurred at the Longxi Coal Mine in Lincheng?"

"Yes, I know. Zhao Lichun called me, and I told him to handle it properly."

"and then?"

"What then?"

"Did you even hear me? This is a major mining accident! As the top official in Handong, are you just going to say 'handle it properly' and call it a day? Aren't you even going to the scene?"

"I……"

Zhong Zhengguo buzzed.

He couldn't help but think to himself.

Is this necessary?

Besides, I can't go!

When I received Zhao Lichun's call, I was already in Yanjing.

"What do you mean, 'you'? Do you know how serious this mining accident is? Do you know that this illegal small coal mine, without any permits or licenses whatsoever, has been operating illegally for many years?"

"You probably don't know this, but just over an hour ago, CCTV's midday news program did a special report on this mining accident. Do you know what Zhao Lichun was doing?"

"While you were enjoying the New Year's Day holiday, strolling through the market, watching the show, and sampling the local snacks, he was working day and night on-site, directing the rescue efforts and comforting the miners' families, his feet stomping through mud in the dead of winter!"

"I don't know which genius edited the live news video, but it was so moving and touching that not only did various local TV stations broadcast it, but CCTV also sent an interview team to keep up with the rescue efforts."

"The fact that an illegal small coal mine could exist openly for so many years is enough to show that there are serious problems in the officialdom of Handong. Now this mine accident has attracted national attention. General Manager Shen has instructed multiple departments of the General Affairs Department to form a special task force to be stationed in Lincheng."

"The special task force has already set off for the airport to fly to Jingzhou. They'll definitely rush to the mine disaster site overnight. Regardless of whether the miners can be saved, this incident will inevitably cause an earthquake in the officialdom of Handong. Zhao Lichun has won the favor of the people of the whole country, and what about you? You're still browsing the market!!"

Zhong Zhengguo suddenly felt dizzy.

It felt like being hit on the head with a blunt object!

He was beaten until he was dizzy and weak.

Fortunately, Hou Liangping, nicknamed "Monkey," reacted quickly and helped him up.

Otherwise, they would definitely collapse and fall to the ground on the spot.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mr. Ge."

"It was my carelessness. I'll go to the airport now and go back to Handong. I'll be back right away."

As soon as he finished speaking, the phone was hung up.

Zhong Xiaoai helped support her father, looking flustered.

"Dad, what happened?"

"A major mining accident has occurred at the Lincheng Longxi Coal Mine. I must rush back to the scene!"

With that, Zhong Zhengguo returned the phone to Hou Liangping and turned to leave.

"Dad, we've gone the wrong way. The nearest exit is this way."

Hou Liangping hurriedly reminded him.

Zhong Xiaoai quickly stepped forward, helping her father walk while asking:

"Even if it's a major or extremely serious incident, it's just a mining accident. Didn't you already instruct Zhao Lichun to handle it properly? Why did you have to go to the scene personally?"

Zhong Zhengguo glared at him fiercely.

“What do you know? This illegal small coal mine has been around for many years. After the accident, many people will definitely try to cover it up. Zhao Lichun realized that if he didn’t handle it well, it would only cause more trouble, so he simply made a big fuss about it.”

"Now look what's happened. He put on a show on the spot, the news media reported on it like crazy, and he became a good governor who cares about the people and stands up for them. The higher-ups have also sent a special task force to investigate thoroughly. Do you think he won't use this as an excuse to carry out a major purge of my people?"

Zhong Xiaoai's heart skipped a beat.

I finally realized how serious things were.

Just two days ago, the three of them were plotting something while having dinner.

Even if Zhao Ruilong makes further contributions to national defense, we are not afraid.

When Zhao Lichun takes office and the pilot program is officially implemented.

Taking advantage of his unstable foundation, they secretly sabotaged him, causing him to make a fool of himself.

The result is now...

While strolling through the market, disaster struck from Lincheng.

We haven't even made a fool of Zhao Lichun yet.

On the contrary, the father, who hasn't yet stepped down, is about to ruin his reputation in his later years...