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

Chapter 259 Cocktail Party

Yi Xuexi was stunned for a long time.

After a long pause, he said angrily:

"Li Dakang, how dare you say such things to a secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission? Aren't you afraid I'll take you down?"

Li Dakang, as if he hadn't heard, reached out his hand and said:

"I won't see you out."

Yi Xuexi was so angry that he trembled all over. He pointed at Li Dakang and stammered for a long time, but he couldn't say anything. Finally, he turned and left.

Li Dakang then picked up the phone and began making arrangements.

……

The next day.

The Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee convened a communication and coordination meeting to advance the Guangming Peak project, citing the need to "accelerate progress and ensure quality." The meeting was chaired by Li Dakang, Secretary of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee, and attended by all members of the Guangming District Party Committee and District Government.

As the newly appointed Party Secretary of Guangming District, Bai Jingwen sat in the first seat to Li Dakang's left.

Sun Liancheng sat on the right.

At the start of the coordination meeting, Li Dakang gave a grand introduction of the newly arrived Party Secretary, Bai Jingwen, which was warmly welcomed by everyone present.

Looking at these well-dressed entrepreneurs and big bosses sitting below the stage, casting envious glances at him.

Bai Jingwen, who stepped out from behind the scenes to the forefront, was overwhelmed by the feeling of being hailed as the center of attention and became somewhat smug.

Immediately afterwards, Li Dakang announced the new plan for the Guangming Peak project.

The Guangming Peak project, with a total investment of up to 300 billion yuan, was divided into 15 core sections and 40 supporting sections.

The core bidding section, which is described as having "high qualification requirements," will invite specific companies to participate in "internal bidding."

The entire project requires all departments to work together and operate according to a chart.

We also ask all investors and businesses to cooperate fully.

At the same time, Li Dakang proposed an innovative measure.

Given that former Party Secretary and General Commander of the Guangmingfeng Project, Ding Yizhen, engaged in corruption and embezzlement during the project and has now fled overseas, causing unbearable damage to the Guangmingfeng Project and severely tarnishing the reputation of cadres in Guangming District and even Jingzhou City.

To avoid repeating the same mistakes, Li Dakang proposed establishing a dedicated regulatory body to ensure full transparency in the use of funds for the Guangming Peak project, with clear ledgers and detailed records of all expenditures.

Based on this, "Jingzhou Urban Development Fund Management Co., Ltd." was established.

The project requires all contractors of the Guangmingfeng project to contribute 20% of their project funds, bank loans, and government subsidies to the fund as a pool of funds.

It clearly states that common development and shared benefits will unite all participants in the Guangming Peak project into one, taking cooperation and win-win results to a new level.

The new measures were met with immediate cheers and applause upon their announcement.

Even Bai Jingwen was now treating Li Dakang with a different attitude.

It's better to say something than to say it.

Li Dakang is in charge of the economic aspect.

They certainly have some tricks up their sleeves!

During the break in the meeting.

Li Dakang specifically sought out Bai Jingwen.

He conveyed a message to Bai Jingwen in a sincere and humble manner:

Don't even think about working for Sha Ruijin in Jingzhou.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could settle down as the district party secretary and work with us to build a great future?

Bai Jingwen once again firmly rejected Li Dakang's invitation.

And indicated.

He was able to come here entirely thanks to Secretary Sha's support.

I would never betray Secretary Sha.

Li Dakang was not surprised when he heard this.

He simply patted Bai Jingwen on the shoulder respectfully and said:

"Jingwen is very righteous. Let's continue the meeting."

The meeting has concluded.

Li Dakang invited the entrepreneurs and investors to a cocktail party that evening.

Bai Jingwen naturally had to participate as well.

At the reception, Bai Jingwen, as the newly appointed secretary of Guangming District, was treated like a star.

He was surrounded by numerous successful and prominent entrepreneurs and business owners who toasted him cup after cup.

Even when Bai Jingwen waved his hand and said he didn't want to drink anymore, the other party didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he poured Bai Jingwen a cup of hot tea, while continuing to drink the wine in his own cup.

Such high-level treatment, the joy of being lifted up by everyone, and the effects of alcohol made Bai Jingwen increasingly dizzy.

Bai Jingwen was no stranger to such occasions.

Accompanying Sha Ruijin to investment promotion dinners or project celebration parties has become a common occurrence.

The difference is that.

At the previous banquet, Sha Ruijin was the main character, the one surrounded by people listening to flattery and sycophancy from all sides.

Bai Jingwen could only sit quietly in his small corner of the dining table, admiring Sha Ruijin's success while nervously arranging Sha Ruijin's upcoming itinerary.

Occasionally, someone would come to offer a toast, but it was only because of her status as "Sha Ruijin's secretary".

They did not come to pay their respects to Bai Jingwen on their own initiative.

Sometimes, you encounter someone of very high status.

You have to get up on your own initiative, take over the waiter's work, serve tea and water, fill rice and add dishes, and then stand obediently.

There's no way to even sit down.

Now, everything is different.

I became the one surrounded at the center.

You can generously enjoy the praise and flattery from everyone in the room.

You don't have to do things you don't want to do.

You don't have to drink alcohol if you don't want to.

If you don't want to say something, you don't have to.

There's no need to think about or arrange the next part of the trip anymore.

Because I now have a liaison officer.

Everything will be arranged.

Finally, he went from being Secretary Bai to Party Secretary Bai.

To be able to enjoy it openly and fully.

The atmosphere at the party reached a fever pitch.

Those who came to pay their respects and pledge their loyalty were even more numerous.

Bai Jingwen was completely absorbed in it and couldn't extricate himself.

Looking at the obsequious and fawning manner of the people around him.

Bai Jingwen shouted:

"Cool!"

The entire room fell silent.

One second later.

The noise resumed.

The sycophantic voices around Bai Jingwen grew increasingly chaotic until he was completely overwhelmed by them.

……

At the same time.

Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee, Office of the Minister.

Since being promoted to full-time deputy secretary, Xia Qing's workload has increased dramatically.

At nine o'clock in the evening, he was still correcting documents.

At this moment, Secretary Duan entered from outside and reported to the leader in a low voice:

"According to intelligence from Guangming District, Li Dakang organized a banquet to entertain the Guangming District leadership and investors of the Guangming Peak project. Bai Jingwen was also among them."

Xia Qing stopped writing and said:

"A cocktail party? Nothing special about it. Is there anything important?"

Xiao Duan nodded and said:

"Yes. The Guangming District Public Security Bureau dispatched police to block several main roads in Guangming District... on the grounds of ensuring the safety and order of the banquet."

Xia Qing fell into deep thought.

Holding a cocktail party wouldn't warrant blocking the roads.

Thinking of this, Xia Qing asked:

Is Li Dakang at the party?

Xiao Duan answered truthfully:

"Yes. But according to intelligence from the scene, Li Dakang has already hidden in a private room and hasn't come out to show his face. The one being surrounded and toasted by everyone is Bai Jingwen; he's already drunk."

Xia Qing suddenly thought of a terrible hypothesis.

How could a domineering leader like Li Dakang, who is used to making decisions unilaterally, give up the spotlight to Bai Jingwen?

unless.

It was intentional.

After careful consideration, Xia Qing decided to wait and see.

If this matter is reported to Sha Ruijin...

It would only expose that you have spies in the Bright Zone, causing unnecessary suspicion.

Moreover.

If Sha Ruijin can't even protect his own people, why should he get involved?