Choice

Before Gao Yuliang could finish speaking, Zhou Qingguo interrupted him with a laugh: "Yuliang, do you think I'm Zhao Lichun? Do you need to pull that kind of 'pledge of allegiance' trick?"

"Didn't you listen to what your Aunt Li said? From now on, this is your home, and your Aunt Li and I are your family. Just call me Second Uncle, just like Lifeng did."

"Also, regarding your issue, the organization's investigation found no problems. As for Zhao Ruilong, he is involved in issues related to Zhao Lichun, and the relevant departments have already taken Zhao Ruilong to Beijing."

"Zhao Ruilong will likely be sentenced to life imprisonment. Also, Du Bozhong, the former vice president of Shanshui Group, is suspected of being involved in Zhao Lichun's corruption case. He was shot and killed during the arrest after resisting arrest."

Hearing Zhou Qingguo's soft voice, Gao Yuliang's eyes widened suddenly!

Zhao Ruilong won't die?

In his previous life, Zhao Ruilong was sentenced to death for multiple crimes, but things changed after his rebirth. Could it be...?

Furthermore, Zhou Lao deliberately brought up the news of the killing of Du Bozhong, the former deputy general manager of the Shanshui Group, to remind himself that his future problems would no longer be problems, because all possible problems had already been resolved.

Seeing how kind Zhou Lao was to him, Gao Yuliang didn't stand on ceremony. "Second Uncle, during my conversation with President Lü, he gave me two choices: one is to return to Handong to take over Liu Zhendong's position, and the other is to stay in Beijing and serve as the Director of the Development and Reform Commission."

"Second Uncle, what do you think I should choose?"

Zhou Qingguo was not surprised by these two positions, as the matter had been controversial at a previous meeting.

Zhou Qingguo didn't reply immediately. Instead, he looked at Gao Yuliang and asked, "Which one do you want to choose?"

Gao Yuliang thought for a moment and then said, "Emotionally, I'd rather go back to Handong, since there are many old friends and acquaintances there. Rationally, however, I think I should stay in the capital, as that would be more beneficial for my career development."

Zhou Qingguo nodded. "If you stay here, you'll have a higher position, more power, and wider influence. Plus, with the promotion of new energy projects, you can join the bureau or committee in less than three years."

"Bureau...committee?"

Gao Yuliang's breathing became heavy. The core of power, one of the twenty-four leaders, could he also enter?

Noticing Gao Yuliang's lapse in composure, Zhou Qingguo's lips curled into a slight smile as he teased, "You're satisfied with just being a bureau or committee member? Do you know how much potential that report you submitted has? It's no exaggeration to say it could potentially reach a trillion-dollar market, or even more!"

"With such achievements, you have a chance to be admitted to the Politburo Standing Committee. If you want to seize this opportunity, you must go to Handong to take charge, personally implement your new energy plan, and achieve outstanding results!"

Zhou Qingguo looked at Gao Yuliang and reminded him, "But if you choose to stay, you can only join the team, not the board, because your plans are all theoretical and haven't yielded any results."

"However, being the Director of the Development and Reform Commission is very easy, while returning to govern in Handong faces many obstacles. What do you want to choose?"

Gao Yuliang looked at the old man before him, not making a decision immediately, but asking again, "Second Uncle, which one do you want me to choose?"

"I want you to go back to Handong!" Zhou Qingguo said with a smile, speaking frankly, "As the old saying goes, a soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier. Others want this opportunity but don't."

"Since the opportunity is right in front of you, you should take a chance. Even if you lose, it's okay. With me here, you can still go further!"

Gao Yuliang narrowed his eyes. Would the gamble on the new energy vehicle project fail?

Honestly, he can't lose at all. He knows the development trajectory of new energy vehicles in the future very well. If he still loses, he must be really bad!

Therefore, as long as I return to Handong and follow the development trajectory of new energy vehicles, my entry into the Standing Committee is basically a done deal!

With a solemn expression, Gao Yuliang made his decision: "Second Uncle, then I will return to Handong and take over Lao Liu's position!"

"Okay." Zhou Qingguo didn't seem surprised by Gao Yuliang's decision. He took a document out of the drawer and pushed it in front of Gao Yuliang. "Since you've chosen to go back to Handong, I'll stop him for three more years. After three years, you can handle it yourself."

Gao Yuliang opened the file folder, inside was a personal profile of over twenty pages, titled "Zhong Zhengguo..."

Upon seeing Zhong Zhengguo's resume, including his positions as bureau chief, commissioner, and deputy general manager, Gao Yuliang's expression changed drastically. Zhong Zhengguo's resume was terrifying, downright frightening!

Zhou Qingguo explained, "Zhong Zhengguo is the father-in-law of your student Hou Liangping. The investigation and amplification of your problems in Handong were all Zhong Zhengguo's way of paving the way for his son-in-law Hou Liangping."

"As for Sha Ruijin, his father-in-law, Wang Gan, retired this year, so he is not a concern at all."

Seemingly sensing Gao Yuliang's lack of confidence, Zhou Qingguo smiled and said, "I had already decided that if you choose to stay and have no chance of becoming a member of the Standing Committee, the relevant departments would initiate an investigation into Zhong Zhengguo and deal with him directly."

"But if you choose to return to Handong, you have a long road ahead of you. Zhong Zhengguo is your whetstone; it's good to practice on him."

Gao Yuliang felt even more grateful to Elder Zhou, but then he saw the analysis at the end of the report: the probability of Zhong Zhengguo advancing another step next year was ninety percent!

"Second Uncle, is it possible for Zhong Zhengguo to advance further next year?" Gao Yuliang asked.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, there shouldn't be any major problems. After all, he has people speaking up for him, and his qualifications are sufficient." Zhou Qingguo sneered. "But isn't this a deliberate act? Offending you is offending me. Does he still expect to advance?"

Zhou Qingguo said domineeringly, "If I want Zhong Zhengguo to get in, he might not be able to, but if I don't want him to get in, he definitely won't be able to!"

Gao Yuliang raised an eyebrow. "I'm worried that he might cause trouble in the approval and construction of new energy vehicle projects, given his pivotal position."

"Are there obstacles in the approval and construction of the new energy vehicle project?" Zhou Qingguo was amused. "Yuliang, you don't know how much President Li and President Lü value this project. With the economy in a severe downturn, this is a key strategy to boost consumption."

"You're returning to Handong with an imperial sword; no one can stop you. Not even Zhong Zhengguo, not even me. Understand?"

As he spoke, Zhou Qingguo took out a folder from the drawer and handed it to Gao Yuliang. "This contains the contact information for all ministerial-level officials. If there are any issues regarding the approval and construction of new energy projects, you can coordinate directly without needing to ask for instructions!"

"There are two more contact persons here, namely General Manager Li and General Manager Lü, whose personal contact information is available. If any department is uncooperative, please contact me and these two directly."

At this point, Zhou Qingguo changed the subject, staring at Gao Yuliang and reminding him, "No one here can trip you up, but you have to deal with the officialdom in Handong on your own. This is also a test for you."

"Also, you're too bookish. In the future, be more decisive and bold in your actions. Don't hesitate; just roll up your sleeves and move forward!"