Chapter 1266: Chapter 1221: The Change in Propaganda Direction Chapter 1266: Chapter 1221: The Change in Propaganda Direction Liu Zhentao’s attitude greatly satisfied Nie Zhenbang, giving Nie a sense of renewed recognition. Ever since he took office in Longxi, Liu Zhentao had positioned himself correctly. Granted, there were various small-minded considerations, but such things were acceptable.

As the saying goes, “A man who does not act for himself will come to ruin.” Having private interests is not something unusual; even I can’t claim to be so perfect, devoid of any personal desires. Such a person doesn’t exist in this world. That would be a saint. Am I not also imperfect when it comes to my private life? As long as the general direction is right. On the whole, it is still good.

Liu Zhentao excelled in this regard, whether it was in the guidance or formulation of government work. He always had the common people in mind.

As this project unfolds, there is no doubt that it will impact the economic development of Longxi Province. Do not underestimate these eighty billion yuan. For Longxi Province’s current fiscal situation, the annual budget is just about balanced.

All these came about after Nie Zhenbang took office in Longxi. The automotive and oil city projects were initiated. Numerous related industrial chain enterprises settled in Longxi, bringing about such prosperity.

Not to mention that these businesses haven’t started operating, can’t contribute to tax revenue, or haven’t started hiring workers. If the automotive and oil cities had only such little effect, Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t have put so much effort into it.

The automotive and oil cities are in themselves a huge advertising effect. Astute businessmen can naturally see this. As these two major projects unfold, local housing, and land prices will inevitably soar. Additionally, this will also lead to population growth. It’s business only when there are people. This is a virtuous cycle.

According to current statistics, both commercial growth and investment growth in the province have seen a significant increase after the automotive and oil cities began construction; in fact, these are the accompanying effects.

Most of these aspects concern small businesses–a clothing store, a restaurant, or a pharmacy, for example. All are industries closely related to people’s livelihoods. Now, naturally, the tax revenue from this aspect can be clearly seen.

Furthermore, the construction of the automotive and oil cities, and the construction of various large factories, the construction workers needed, and the building materials consumed, have all invisibly driven the economic development of the entire province. These are some of the elements contributing to fiscal growth.

But now, Longxi’s budget has just begun to move towards balance, and then such a large project is thrown in, moreover, this project can be described as a public welfare project. The shade trees that have no economic value but only improve soil and environmental quality. Indeed, all the people of Longxi stand to benefit, but from the government’s perspective, the quality of the environment has little effect on attracting investment.

From Liu Zhentao’s point of view, this is a test for him.

Therefore, Liu Zhentao’s immediate agreement to the project particularly moved Nie Zhenbang. Though everyone has flaws and personal desires, Liu Zhentao is able to stand his ground on the major direction, with his own principles and persistence.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Governor Zhentao, I’m entrusting this matter to you.”

…
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival.

Nie Zhenbang and other provincial committee leaders attended the Lantern Festival Gala held in the No. 1 studio hall of Longxi Broadcasting Center.

After the Lantern Festival passed, various works across Longxi Province also got back on track. Projects for constructing the automotive and oil cities also started in full swing.

Before, the friction caused by the Ling Li collaboration had seemingly vanished overnight. The eighteenth of the first lunar month fell on February twenty-seventh of the solar calendar.

This was just an ordinary day. However, today was destined not to be a peaceful one. As soon as Nie Zhenbang arrived at work and entered his office, Xia Gang approached him with a solemn face and whispered, “Secretary, here are today’s newly published ‘Masses Daily’ and ‘Hope Daily’. Take a look at the front-page headlines.”

This last sentence stunned Nie Zhenbang for a moment. Xia Gang had been with him for so long. Nie knew Xia Gang’s character very well. As a secretary, Xia Gang was now quite competent. He said what needed to be said, did what needed to be done, but he would never take the initiative to do something he shouldn’t.

In the past, newspapers were categorized and placed on the desk alongside files. Every day at work, he would take half an hour to read the day’s newspapers to understand the central government’s developments–this had become Nie Zhenbang’s habit, just like watching the news punctually at seven o’clock every evening.

But today brought this additional comment. Nie Zhenbang paused for a moment, took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack, then looked at the newspapers on the desk.

The first, ‘Masses Daily’, had a prominent headline in bold black type on the front page, clearly stating a signed commentator’s article, “Under the New Situation, the Necessity of Strengthening the Cadre Team Building.”

The second, from the “Hope Daily,” featured an even more direct headline on the front page: “Strengthen the Party’s Democratic Construction, Accelerate the Pace of Economic Development.” The subtitle was, “Listen to the Party, Follow the Party.”

Although the headlines of the two national newspapers differed, this was inevitable. In comparison, the “Masses Daily” is a newspaper with Party characteristics; generally speaking, its commentary tends to be more subdued. Of course, for issues that had already been made public, it would be a different story altogether.

The “Hope Daily,” in terms of style, appeared a bit more aggressive.

Upon seeing these two, Nie Zhenbang’s first thought was of Ling Baodong. In the circle, it had long been rumored that his work style in Yu State was quite domineering and autocratic. Moreover, since he had been in charge there, other aspects of Yu State might have been fine, but the construction of spiritual civilization had somewhat regressed. Besides, the economy, although maintaining a certain speed, was due to the inherent conditions in Yu State. By comparison, Ling Baodong’s time in Yu State had actually not been that impressive economically.

Then, he waved his hand and said to Xia Gang, “Let me take a look, Xiaoxia, what’s the agenda for later?”

Speaking of the schedule, Xia Gang also nodded and said, “Secretary, at ten o’clock in the morning, the establishment congress for the Longxi Province Delegation will be held in the auditorium of the Provincial People’s Congress.”

As the two sessions were drawing near, provincial delegations had been established one after another. With tomorrow passing, it would be March. The formation of the Longxi Province Delegation had been scheduled long ago. In a few days, they would set out for Jingcheng to attend the meeting.

After Xia Gang had left the room, Nie Zhenbang picked up the newspapers and began to read them thoroughly. After reading both newspapers in detail, a smile had already appeared on Nie Zhenbang’s face. Why do most leading officials have to watch the news and read the newspapers every day? It’s not simply to pass the time. The real reason is to discern the trends and intentions from above.

Every action, every change in the central leadership’s thinking, doesn’t just appear suddenly. At that level, every decision, every idea, could have serious consequences.

Therefore, taking this into consideration, in fact, before every change in trends, there tends to be a tentative move.

Just like now, the simultaneous publication of signed commentaries in the two newspapers is such a move. It’s not testing anything else but the reaction and attitude of the provincial and ministerial levels and the various families in Jingcheng to the events.

Throughout both newspapers, although no names were explicitly mentioned, everyone could see that the articles were directing their criticism squarely at Ling Baodong.

At this crucial moment, on such a critical occasion, the central government suddenly played this hand. What does it imply? No need to spell it out. This undoubtedly demonstrated the central government’s dissatisfaction with Ling Baodong. This time, Ling Baodong may be in trouble.

…
Yuzhou City
Inside the grand and spacious office of the municipal Party committee building, Ling Baodong, with his hands behind his back, paced back and forth in the office. He had, of course, seen today’s newspapers and understood their profound implications.

The stance of President Qiao was something Ling Baodong had not anticipated. After the incident occurred, aside from some initial disturbances, things quickly settled down, undoubtedly lulling Ling Baodong into a false sense of security. He had not expected the issue to erupt so completely at such a critical juncture.

The telephone on the desk rang, its sound piercing through the silence of the office.

Picking up the phone, he had barely spoken when he heard the voice of Li Guohua: “Baodong, come back to Jingcheng immediately. The situation seems to have changed. This time, we’ve been outmaneuvered by Nie Zhenbang.”

After saying this, Li Guohua felt almost frenzied. Calming down now, Li Guohua could see clearly. Since the New Year, all of Nie Zhenbang’s actions had been directed against him. Nie Zhenbang understood that Li Guohua, having been driven out of the system in Liangxi, must have a thorn in his side, and this maneuver had magnified the psychological shadow and resentment in Li Guohua’s mind. Ultimately, he had schemed with Ling Baodong on this matter.

However, Li Guohua had overlooked something. In such a sensitive period, this move would not only provoke Nie Zhenbang but also give rise to thoughts in the minds of others. Among them, Shen Guoquan of Yuedong would be the most affected.

One wrong step led to a series of losses. From the start, he had been calculated by Nie Zhenbang. His mentality and even the shadows of the past–all had been factored into Nie Zhenbang’s considerations. Now, the situation had developed into this state; it was nothing less than normal.

However, at this moment, Li Guohua had also made up his mind. It was absolutely impossible to just admit defeat like this. No matter the outcome, one must at least strive to the end. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)