224: Chapter 224 Zhao Yang: I've Become an Undercover Agent Again?

In the original drama, Governor Liu was almost a background character, always acting as if he were invisible.

Although he was advanced in age and didn't manage much, as one of only two top-level provincial officials in the province, he represented a faction and was the absolute core of the government lineage.

In the real world, no governor would be so silent and obscure; even on their last day in office, they would never be like that.

Judging by Meng Dehai's meaning, not only was he going to take over from Governor Liu, but they were also political allies?

As Zhao Yang was pondering this, Meng Dehai's voice came through on the other end of the line: "Governor Liu and Secretary Song are comrades-in-arms."

Zhao Yang suddenly realized: "No wonder. Then I can consider myself to have a backer in Handong Province."

"There's more." Meng Dehai continued, "Secretary Song says that the higher-ups still have some concerns about Handong Province's future development model.

Secretary Sha Ruijin's arrival in Handong Province isn't purely for anti-corruption; he has also brought along some projects.

Governor Liu knows a bit about them and might ask for your opinion on this matter."

Zhao Yang's expression turned strange: "Uncle Meng, you... surely haven't already sold out your dog-headed strategist, have you?"

Meng Dehai's tone deepened: "You brat, you should have been working in the government in the first place; why are you wasting your time at the Procuratorate?

Let me tell you, Secretary Song knows about the role you played in Linjiang Province's economic development, Governor Liu knows, and Secretary Song's old leader should know too.

So, don't hide anything from Governor Liu, understand?"

Zhao Yang sighed: "Sure enough, the ones who stab you in the back the hardest are your own people. Uncle Meng, you really know how to find trouble for me."

"Stop your nagging. I didn't intend for you to step into Handong Province so early, but plans can't keep up with changes.

Before I arrive, you must be extremely careful," Meng Dehai instructed, "If you encounter matters you can't decide on, ask Governor Liu more often."

"Alright, don't worry, I will."

The two chatted about personal matters for a while longer, and then Zhao Yang hung up the phone.

He pondered for a moment and suddenly thought of a possibility—could Governor Liu still be wanting to climb higher?

At his age, there was no hope for a substantive position, but what about a nominal one? There was plenty of room for that.

Zhao Yang took stock of his current situation and found that the situation in Handong Province was no longer just a clash between the Secretary Sha Ruijin faction and the Former Secretary Zhao Lichun faction, but was about to become a three-way melee that included the provincial government lineage.

Immediately, his expression turned strange.

He was in the Procuratorate, so logically, he should be on the side of Secretary Sha Ruijin of the Provincial Party Committee; yet his resources and backer were Governor Liu, which made him a person on the side of the provincial government.

What was this? An undercover agent?

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Yang pushed these random thoughts to the back of his mind, washed up, and went to sleep.

The next morning, he arrived at the provincial government building on time and walked into Governor Liu's office.

Governor Liu had completely white hair, a lean build, and was smiling as he sized up Zhao Yang, saying: "I've long heard from little Meng that you are a young man even more handsome than a movie star.

Seeing you today, my goodness, you're even more handsome than in the photos."

Zhao Yang smiled: "It's just a shell, I'm flattered. Governor Liu, this is the tea my Uncle Meng asked me to bring for you."

After speaking, he flipped his hand and placed a tea canister on the desk.

Governor Liu narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat strange.

This tea canister wasn't one of those small two-tael ones; it could hold at least a jin.

He looked Zhao Yang up and down, really unable to figure out where he had hidden such a large object just now; he couldn't tell at all.

"Little Zhao, can you perform magic tricks too?" Governor Liu laughed.

Zhao Yang deliberately paused for a moment, then smiled: "Back in the day, for undercover work, I learned a few tricks for hiding things."

Governor Liu smiled faintly: "Little Meng was right, you truly have great talent. No need to be constrained here. Did you go to Secretary Gao's place yesterday?"

Zhao Yang nodded: "Yesterday afternoon, Secretary Gao happened to have some free time, so I went to pay a visit. Secretary Gao is very talkative."

"That's true," Governor Liu laughed, "Coming from a professorial background, he sure can talk.

But your educational background... hmm... seems to be even higher than Secretary Gao's. Didn't you give him a good lecture on modern world history?"

Zhao Yang was stunned, then suddenly realized: "Governor Liu, you seem to... know me very well."

Governor Liu pointed to the "Rise of Great Powers" set on the bookshelf and said: "The book is truly excellent and has great guiding significance for the country's current development.

This set of books has already entered the central government, and next, it will become required reading for all officials at the bureau level and above, and they will have to write reviews.

Moreover, the National Central Television has bought the film and television rights to make a documentary series."

Zhao Yang suddenly realized: "I was wondering why my royalties suddenly increased by a large amount a few months ago; so it was the copyright fee."

Governor Liu pointed at Zhao Yang and said crossly: "You dare to mention money in front of me?

Let me tell you, Handong Province's finances are not optimistic right now, watch out or I might squeeze you for all you're worth."

Zhao Yang chuckled sheepishly: "It's just a word from you. How much do you want?

Anything under ten billion, I can transfer to a designated account right now.

Or how about I just leave the card with you? You can transfer it to whichever department you see fit."

Governor Liu stared at Zhao Yang, unable to speak for a long time, and finally threw his head back and laughed: "Forget it, forget it, I won't banter with a big tycoon like you.

Little Meng said to have you help look at a few projects. Come over and take a look."

As he spoke, he took a stack of printed paper out of the drawer.

This was the main event!

Zhao Yang hurried over, took the materials, and started flipping through them.

Although he could finish reading them in a few minutes, he still pretended to read for over twenty minutes before closing the materials.

He thought for a moment and said: "Governor Liu, do you want me to tell you the truth?"

Governor Liu's expression froze: "I'm afraid it's not good news, right?"

"Actually, it's not too bad," Zhao Yang said, "These projects, although requiring large investments, yield results relatively quickly.

Except for the photovoltaic industry, you can see obvious benefits in two or three years."

"Oh?" Governor Liu paused, "Then that's considered not bad."

"They're all okay." Zhao Yang was silent for a few seconds and said, "At least before 2020, they can all make money."

Governor Liu was stunned: "And after 2020?"

"Either spend a lot of money to upgrade, or get eliminated in two or three years," Zhao Yang said, "Of course, except for the photovoltaic industry—that one can at least be viable for over a decade."

Governor Liu didn't speak. The matter was quite tricky.

These projects were brought down by Secretary Sha Ruijin; they were the sweet dates he offered after giving Handong Province a show of force.

If these projects were completely unviable, he could perfectly well justify blocking them, then wait for Meng Dehai to take over, and naturally, he could push forward the projects Meng Dehai brought, bringing true long-term development to Handong Province.

But these projects could at least guarantee five or six years of glory—this was clearly the rhythm of a single term in office.

During these five or six years, it would all be political achievements.

As for after five or six years, who cares how his successor struggles with it? He, Secretary Sha Ruijin, would have already moved up to the Imperial Capital or a municipality directly under the central government.

Zhao Yang was also pondering this problem.

Apart from the photovoltaic project, he really didn't think much of the others, because they would all face the pressure of transformation after 2020, which would be another huge investment, potentially even more than the previous profits.

But how to stop it was indeed difficult to handle.

Unknowingly, the two began to smoke.

Zhao Yang's thoughts drifted to some things from the future, and suddenly his eyes lit up: "Governor Liu, I suddenly have an idea."