I Was Parachuted into Handong, and I Already Have Dirt on Everyone

Lin Weimin had an IQ of 168. At twenty-two, he wrote about restructuring China's industries during its transition period; at twenty-six, about county-level governance; at thirty-eight, about modernizing national governance. Every book became a draft for an official policy document. But all he wanted was to lie flat, reading The Ming Dynasty in Those Things over sparkling water in the capital.

One phone call from the old man summoned him back to Xishan. “Sha Ruijin has been reassigned as governor. You're taking his place. It's time to settle accounts in Handong.”

On his first day in office, workers from the Great Wind Factory clashed physically with security guards from Shanshui Group, drawing a crowd of hundreds. After hearing the report over the phone, Lin Weimin set the tone in three sentences: “The police will keep things under control with restraint. The workers will choose representatives and submit their demands in writing. The provincial discipline inspection commission will form a joint investigation team tonight. Until Ruijin and I give the word, if Shanshui Group drives in even one nail, I'll hold someone accountable.”

Hou Liangping barged into the office demanding that the cases be consolidated. His collar was open, his voice louder than the heavens. “If we follow procedure, the evidence will be gone!” Lin Weimin put down his teacup. “Stop shouting. You don't get to judge the speed of the provincial committee's work. That's called going over your superiors' heads. Do you think that's just being a maverick, or do you think Party discipline and the law can't restrain you?”

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.