He won 900 million in the lottery.

Chapter 354 King of Southern Province

No wonder Yuan Beichen suddenly fell for Tian Tian; it turns out the beautiful woman took the initiative to approach him.

"Since they've taken the initiative to contact you, what use are you to me?"

"She asked me if I had any YS potion, and I said I didn't. This stuff has become quite popular in mainland official circles in the last two years, but the threshold is too high—only vice-ministerial level. I can't even find out about it!"

I knew it in my heart.

It seems that Wu Yingrong's circle has finally gained some influence. I didn't expect that Tian Tian would also know about this.

The rumors about her having high-ranking officials behind her are true.

"A vice-ministerial level? My wife is only a division-level official..."

"Brother, your wife will be a deputy director-general next year. At this rate, she'll be a minister in 10 years at most. Oh, I'm not talking about your wife. It's about YS medicine. Rumors are circulating that it came from the Southern Province. You're the King of the Southern Province, so you must be able to find out about it."

Holy crap, I was shocked...

"King of Southern Province, what the hell?"

"You don't know? Your story has been circulating in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan for the past two years—the King of Southern Province, becoming his woman's political protector because of love!"

"Holy crap, this is a frame-up!"

Yuan Beichen asked, puzzled, "Why are you angry about something so amazing?"

The wood show will be destroyed by the forest wind.

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

I had no idea about this!

This is obviously someone trying to get me!

Otherwise, if Yuan Beichen had brought this up, and the higher-ups had really made me a typical example, I wouldn't even know why!

"Young Master Yuan, let's make a deal. I'll help you find out about YS potions, and you help me find out how the title 'King of Southern Province' came about!"

"OK."

HQYL has a wide network of connections; after all, he works in the medical industry, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he has connections with high-ranking officials.

Singing is fun.

But I had a terrible time eating this meal.

Back to the hospital.

He locked himself in his room and video-chatted with Lingling.

"Still up so late?"

Ask your son!

The camera shifts to Chunqiu holding a child and strolling around the house; the little rascal is full of energy.

"My good son, come here and let Daddy see!"

Chunqiu brought the child in front of the camera; he was chubby and adorable.

"Why are you video calling so late? Is something wrong?"

Are you at home or at work?

"Home."

"I had dinner with Yuan Beichen today, and when I heard the title 'King of Southern Province,' I didn't feel good about it."

On the other end of the video call, Lingling covered her mouth and said, "Haha, that's so fitting."

"You're still laughing? Is someone plotting against me behind my back?"

"Theoretically speaking, someone is targeting you, but practically speaking, they probably can't outmaneuver you."

"What do you mean?"

"Zhao Xing told me about this title at the beginning of the year. It was initially only circulated in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and then it gradually spread to the mainland."

"I'm in the Southern Province, how come I've never heard of it?"

"This story probably hasn't spread to the four directions, but soon you'll become the king of those four provinces."

"..."

"What, 'King of the Four Provinces' doesn't sound as good as 'King of the Southern Province'?"

"Don't tease me, I've figured out who this person is."

"No need to look. Whoever wants to use your status as the King of Southern Province is the mastermind behind spreading rumors about the King of Southern Province."

My gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Hehe, looks like you know who it is."

I sighed and rubbed my temples.

"No one in the Heavenly Palace is simple. He's managed to outwit me. It's giving me a headache. He's not someone to be trifled with."

"No need to resolve this. Have you forgotten the sister of our Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and Executive Vice Governor? So what if everyone calls you the 'King of Southern Province' to your face?"

Not right.

Something's really wrong.

"Honey, do you have any new plans?"

"You're so smart, honey. My three-year term in the demonstration zone will be over next year, and I'll be promoted to deputy director. I plan to go back to Southern Province, and then we'll go fishing."

My face lit up with joy: "Alright, I'll be the bait. Let's see who's foolish enough to try. When husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break even metal."

"Yes. The organization has already spoken with me; it's a political mission."

"Why is it that only you have tasks for promotion? Either you have to solve those long-standing, trivial petitions, or you have to build a model district from scratch. Is being a deputy director-general really a political task?"

"The higher the position, the heavier the burden."

"Alright, so you're saying that as a future deputy director-general, you'll need the help of me, the King of Southern Province."

"That's right."

"Haha, then let's go fishing like Jiang Taigong!"

Hang up the video.

I stroked my stubble and started calculating in my mind; Yuan Beichen's favor was just a casual matter.

However, I cannot get involved in the affairs between the big fish behind Tian Tian and Yuan Beichen.

To avoid helping either side, one must also mind one's own business.

I stick to my principles: I can't help for nothing. The big fish has to show up, and Yuan Beichen has to pay a price.

A month later.

Yuan Beichen came to see me again.

"Big brother, any news?"

"We've made progress."

"As expected of the King of Southern Province!"

"Did you find out the information I asked you to?"

"I inquired and found out that a TV station reported on the integrated livelihood project of the four provinces of the southeast, northwest and southwest, which allowed people in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to see the beauty of the mainland again. They also mentioned that you are a representative of the poor families in the south province, the king of the south province who is fighting for love and life."

Okay, this story has a very Hong Kong movie feel to it.

"Now, it's my turn to ask you for a favor."

"Brother, you're my own brother. If we can find that thing, I'd be willing to become sworn brothers with you."

"Then please help me, brother. Show me a way. I really want to improve."

Yuan Beichen looked at me in surprise: "You have that person, and you still think your progress is too slow? If there are no major political mistakes, that person is already on the fast track to becoming a high-ranking official."

"When I'm old?"

Yuan Beichen seemed to be getting to know me all over again.

"President Shen used to have no desire for power whatsoever; he was only interested in making money."

"That was before."

I stretched out my palm and grabbed at the air, but it felt like I had grasped power.

"It feels amazing to control someone's life and death with a single sentence. But I'm also getting more and more afraid. You people can also manipulate my life and death with just a word, right?"

"Hehe, Mr. Shen, what makes you say that? You're on the same level as us now."

"I thought we had reached that point before. But then I partnered with Long Ping'an, Liu Zhaosheng, Wu Yinglong, and others to start an insurance company. Haha, with just one word from certain people, the other three of us didn't even utter a sound, and it all came to a halt."

Yuan Beichen scratched his head: "I would like to help you, but I'm afraid you won't be able to accept it."

"What is it that I can't accept?"

"Cannibalism."

I said dismissively, "How many times have I profited from the suffering of others along the way?"

Yuan Beichen looked at me with a somewhat inscrutable expression.

Then he suddenly grinned at me, showing his teeth, and said, "If Mr. Shen can find me YS's potion, I'll bring you into our world, how about that?"

It's a deal.