Chapter 1988 - 1988: 1988

The father's words were like a calming pill for the son, securing him more than ever.

Ding Xiyang felt a strong sense of reassurance and comfort internally.

However, after thanking his father, Ding Xiyang said, "What about Tang Zhi? He's very popular right now, and his current political achievements are quite outstanding. A hot favorite might not survive, but it shouldn't end in an ugly way, should it?"

Gu Changsha smiled slightly, appreciating his son's political acumen.

He said, "Don't worry about him. When he applied for reassignment to Yunxi, I knew he would stir up things, but I didn't expect it to be this big. As long as it's beneficial to our dynasty, that's all that matters."

"Don't be swayed by his current glory, which seems unmatched for the moment, as it won't last forever. Just like a strong start is often followed by a fade."

"The later it gets, the weaker his competitiveness will become. Besides, his brother-in-law Zuo Xinghai is already a formidable competitor to him. It'd be fortunate if they don't end up fighting to the bitter end."

"And they absolutely cannot threaten your position. You must advance steadily, shining a bit more each time, moving step by step, winning by being steady. When I'm no longer able, you're the one who must steadily rise to inherit the great position; who else but you?"

"Isn't this all justified and logical? It leaves no room for gossip and claims the position openly and deservedly, isn't that good?"

These words were another calming pill for Ding Xiyang, making him feel entirely at ease.

He said, "Zuo Xinghai is likely to be reassigned, too, right? Where are you planning to send him, father?"

"He can go to Demon City,"

Gu Changsha said casually, picking up his teacup with an air of leisure.

Ding Xiyang was startled, "He's going to Demon City so soon? Isn't he going to become Mayor, making him even more popular and overshadowing Tang Zhi."

As a nearly 46-year-old elite descendant from an aristocratic family, he certainly understood Shanghai's historical and current significance.

Shanghai has always been the political high ground for Great East Pot, its status is eminent.

Since the New Era, almost every Great Dragonhead has served in Shanghai, and almost all rose through the Mayor position, ascending directly to Tiandu, aspiring to rule the nation.

Even Gu Changsha back in the day took the Shanghai route.

As an economic forefront, as one of the top international metropolises in the world, Shanghai is a breeding ground for political talent.

The strong economic strength and broad international perspective allow politicians who are trained and gilded here to reap benefits, ensuring a smooth career and a worry-free life, creating new nobles and aristocrats in the new state.

Over these hundred years, very few prominent figures have stumbled in Shanghai, perhaps only one, whose fall is obscure and only attributed to a natural death.

Ding Xiyang could imagine Zuo Xintong's brother Zuo Xinghai going to Shanghai as Mayor, and in a few years, taking the City Committee Secretary position, and in another two or three years, heading for Tiandu, definitely joining the Tianlong Society!

What is the Tianlong Society?

Of course, it is the society of the nation's great dragons, currently the Nine Dragons, haha...

Such an operation by his father seemed normal since every time he toured the world,

Gu Changsha said, "Indeed, his popularity will be higher than Tang Zhi's, attracting global attention. Using his popularity to suppress Tang Zhi, and his future trajectory to send a smokescreen for you, isn't it nice?"

In the end, Gu Changsha chuckled heartily.

Hearing this, Ding Xiyang also knowingly laughed along.

Because, in no more than four years, he would also be the ruler of Shanghai.

Whether it is Tang Zhi or Zuo Xinghai, or several other political offspring from great aristocratic families, they are merely extras accompanying the future young master Xiyang along the way.

At this moment, Ding Xiyang even had a strange thought, he said, "Father, I think, in the future, I don't have to go to Shanghai for a gilded experience."

"Oh?"

Gu Changsha was a bit stunned, not really understanding his eldest son's thought.

After all, in his plan, Shanghai was an essential step, probably just for his son to spend two years there.

It was both a tradition and a symbol.

Ding Xiyang said, "Since our choice is to hide our capability, there's no harm in hiding it all the way. Emerging without going through Shanghai, that has the most imagination."

Gu Changsha took a deep breath, "Son, think it through! There's nowhere more suitable for your final sprint than Shanghai. But if hiding your capability greatly is a good idea, then prepare for your final station, where is it?"

"I haven't planned that yet, still researching slowly."

"Alright, no rush. Shanghai as a backup is okay."

"Yes, a backup then!"

These conversations between the father and son, ordinary people could never know.

Ordinary people's vision decides their recognition, yet they couldn't imagine that in higher places, those so-called bigwigs in their eyes are also just ordinary people, fantasizing about lifetime prosperity passing from generation to generation, and fantasizing about everything that should be fantasized in human nature, haha...

However, on this night, Gu Changsha and his son didn't expect that someone like Liu Zhizhong, an anomaly, was truly a genius.

The second September Revolution had already been incorporated into Liu Zhizhong's life plan and was definitely imperative.

So, whether such a revolution would shatter Gu Changsha and his son's grand vision, only time would tell.

Besides, by the end of the discussion with his eldest son, Gu Changsha also brought up the matter between Zhao Yan and Liu Zhizhong.

"Xiyang, what do you think of your sister Yan's marriage?"

Ding Xiyang smiled, touched his chin, and said, "Dad, haven't you already decided to form an alliance? What view could I possibly have?"

"Uh...an alliance? Do you see it that way too?"

Ding Xiyang chuckled and said, "Dad, isn't this considered an alliance? Although Valle is an emerging developed country, it is still a small nation. Yan's relationship with Chi Zhongshui, followed by her marriage there, can only be interpreted as an alliance for the unending Great East Pot, alas..."

Deep down, Gu Changsha felt a bit uneasy but said, "Overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Chi Zhongshui, indeed, has some capabilities."

Ding Xiyang straightened his posture, "Speaking of Chi Zhongshui, he doesn't just have some abilities, he has great abilities. He's skilled at seizing opportunities and siding with the more suitable camp. Alliances with the West are his biggest political capital. Facts prove that he achieved great success."

"The West..." Gu Changsha's expression became serious, he shrugged somewhat helplessly, "The West is indeed unfavorable to us. Your sister Yan has undergone significant change during her time in England, which has indeed been a concern for me. Her current marriage also leans westward. Fortunately, she said she needs to understand more before deciding. What if she and Chi Zhongshui don't end up together, right?"