Nominal: The pinnacle of power began in the sixth province of Handong.

The following day, Xia Qing arrived at Dafeng Factory on time, picked up by a private car.

We arrived at the meeting room prepared by Dafeng Factory.

Li Dakang was already waiting there.

After a series of polite greetings, the directors of the relevant departments in Guangming District took their seats.

Xia Qing and Lei Yu sat next to Li Dakang, while Sun Liancheng sat on the other side.

Li Dakang sat firmly in the middle.

On the opposite side, worker representatives also arrived one after another.

Leading the way was a kind-looking middle-aged man.

Xia Qing had done her homework beforehand; she was the chairman of the labor union at Dafeng Factory and also Zheng Xipo, who had been representing the workers in communication with the Guangming District government.

Zheng Xipo was, after all, a seasoned veteran, unlike the workers who wore their emotions on their sleeves.

As soon as he entered, he immediately put on a big smile and went up to greet Li Dakang.

After the introductions, Zheng Xipo was very surprised by Xia Qing's arrival.

The small Dafeng Factory had two members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee sitting there at the same time.

It seems that today's symposium is bound to produce some results.

Just now.

The last person to enter the room caused Li Dakang's previously calm expression to suddenly turn serious.

Xia Qing was somewhat surprised, and when she saw who it was, she couldn't help but frown.

Chen Yanshi.

Former Executive Vice President of the Handong Provincial Procuratorate.

Several people currently active on the political stage in Handong all regarded Chen Yanshi as their leader when they were young.

Most importantly, Chen Yanshi has an extraordinary relationship with the current provincial party secretary, Sha Ruijin.

This is also the main reason why Chen Yanshi, though retired, still wields considerable influence.

Xia Qing disliked this person very much.

Retirement without rest is a sign of care for retired cadres; however, if they are unaware of this, they may continue to interfere in current government affairs after retirement.

That means you don't have a clear understanding of yourself.

Chen Yanshi was so enthusiastic about the Dafeng Factory for one reason: the current reform of worker shareholding was presided over by Chen Yanshi.

Secondly, it's probably the taste of power that this old man has always longed for and can't let go of.

Let's see what he's going to do.

Xia Qing thought to herself.

Once everyone had arrived, Li Dakang adjusted the microphone and was about to speak.

Chen Yanshi sat among the workers and said:

"Now that everyone's here, let's start the meeting."

Li Dakang's slightly open mouth froze.

He awkwardly licked his lips, lowered his eyes, and when he looked up again, he had his signature smile back on, and said:

"Old Chen is right. We're here today to formally discuss the demolition of Dafeng Factory and the resettlement of its workers. Before that, allow me to formally introduce the provincial leaders who are here to observe the proceedings..."

When Li Dakang introduced Xia Qing, Xia Qing did not get up, but simply nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Chen Yanshi heard Xia Qing's title as the head of the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, and that he was a parachuted-in cadre.

His old-fashioned, condescending attitude as a retired cadre was brought out again.

He immediately commented on some of the work of the Organization Department, and then earnestly advised Xia Qing to do practical things for the people and promote good cadres.

Xia Qing listened, her expression turning somewhat displeased.

Li Dakang, who was standing nearby, quickly reassured Xia Qing in a low voice, meaning that it would be fine once Old Chen finished speaking, and that it wouldn't have much of an impact.

Xia Qing glanced at Li Dakang, knowing exactly why the other party spoiled Chen Yanshi so much.

It's all because of Sha Ruijin's influence.

He was thinking of getting close to Sha Ruijin and arranging a marriage between Sha and Li.

But Sha Ruijin won't treat you like one of his own, Secretary Dakang.

In Sha Ruijin's mind, the cadres in the secretary's clique would forever be surnamed Zhao.

Even if you try to get closer, it won't help.

Xia Qing sneered inwardly, marveling that even someone as astute as Li Dakang could misjudge the top leader's assessment of him in the face of the immense temptation of power.

Across from them, Chen Yanshi was still lecturing Xia Qing in front of officials of all ranks in Guangming District, as well as a group of workers.

Several officials were already secretly laughing.

Xia Qing felt it was time to set the tone for the symposium.

If you keep listening to this old man bossing you around, then don't bother having the meeting.

Thinking of this, Xia Qing rudely interrupted Chen Yanshi, who was still rambling on, and said coldly:

"Mr. Chen, it's not advisable for retired cadres to interfere in or dictate government affairs. Let's not waste time and quickly convene a meeting to resolve the issue."

As soon as these words came out, there was silence.

Chen Yanshi was originally beaming with joy, pointing and gesturing in the air with both hands, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Startled by Xia Qing's remark, both of his hands froze in mid-air.

He never dreamed that throughout Handong, from Gao Yuliang to Li Dakang, everyone called him Old Chen.

Qi Tongwei helped him hoe the ground, and officials from all walks of life sent him flowers and birds.

Even Sha Ruijin and Tian Guofu, who were parachuted in from above, are nicknamed "Little Jin" and "Little Tian," respectively.

What gives Xia Qing the right to speak to me like that?!

But Chen Yanshi wouldn't be foolish enough to lose his temper directly. His greatest skill is using double standards to elevate himself and belittle others.

In particular, it requires the ability to freely switch between being a retired cadre and an ordinary citizen, depending on the current situation.

It can be described as an adaptive identity.

Seeing Xia Qing's reaction, Chen Yanshi deliberately feigned helplessness, placed his hands on his knees, and sighed:

"Sigh, Minister Xia, honest advice is hard to swallow. As an ordinary citizen, what's wrong with me speaking out for the people...?"

"If you want to speak up, call the citizen hotline. Today's meeting is about solving the meal problem for the brothers and sisters at Dafeng Factory. Please distinguish between primary and secondary matters." Xia Qing spoke without any politeness.

Chen Yanshi's face immediately turned red. He had thought that Xia Qing would be as concerned about face as Li Dakang, and that as a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, she would definitely smile and nod in front of so many people and not care.

Unexpectedly, Xia Qing uttered such vulgar words.

But there was no way to refute it at the moment!

After all, Xia Qing had already set the tone for the symposium, and if he continued to dwell on irrelevant issues, it would likely damage his public image.

Li Dakang, standing to the side, had an intriguing expression, his head slightly lowered, concealing the curve of his lips.

Xia Qing gently tapped the table, and Li Dakang reacted, clearing his throat a few times before saying:

"Mr. Chen, we can talk about this later. Everyone, let's begin. First, let's discuss our proposal..."

Chen Yanshi glared at Xia Qing and stopped talking, firmly remembering this disrespectful organization minister.

The symposium then proceeded as planned.

During the listening process, Xia Qing found that what Lei Yu and the others said was true. These bureau chiefs in Guangming District were indeed very good at doing mass work, had excellent professional skills, a kind attitude, and the communication was relatively smooth.

Whenever these bureau chiefs were seriously explaining policies, Chen Yanshi would interject with a few words that reflected his personal feelings.

Xia Qing would never tolerate it; for every word Chen Yanshi said, Xia Qing would immediately retort.

The bureau chiefs were thus able to communicate smoothly with the workers and were grateful for Xia Qing's assistance.

During the meeting, only Li Dakang remained silent.

The entire meeting proceeded without any substantial progress.

After the meeting, the directors of the key departments who played a major role in it had to rush back to work overtime to compile the content of the discussions into a report.

Xia Qing kept these capable cadres firmly in mind.

At the same time, Xia Qing also had another feeling.

Li Dakang didn't really want to talk.

Right now, it's just that the cadres in Guangming District are holding the line and preventing the situation from escalating.

What they're really thinking is probably a tough approach!